Ardrossan - On This Day In History

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 APRIL 1904

THE KILBIRNIE MURDER CASE

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday – before Sheriff Mackenzie – JOSEPH CALABRESE, ice cream vendor, Kilbirnie, was examined on a charge of murdering his wife and four children in his home in Kilbirnie on Thursday.

On the advice of his agent, Mr. Hastings, Ardrossan, Calabrese did not make any statement. He betrayed no sign of excitement, and did not appear to realise the gravity of his position.

He was conveyed to Ayr by the midday train.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 APRIL 1906

Sir,

SECONDARY EDUCATION IN ARDROSSAN

The letter in your issue today (14 April) over the signature of Robert M. Adamson is not a statement of facts. The entire membership of the last Board were at one in a determination to maintain secondary education in the Academy, but the membership was divided as to how best to attain that object, and that is where the material difference took place.

It has been clearly proved that a three-years’ uniform course will enable this to be done in the existing buildings and provide efficiently for all the reasonable educational requirements of the district; but a business-like method of dealing with the question in the interest of the ratepayer did not commend itself to the rector of the Academy and his few clerical friends, who have no particular interest in the ordinary ratepayer, and their attitude may be summed up in an expression of opinion by one of themselves – that if only one scholar in the parish demanded the very highest class education that could be given it was the duty of the Board to provide buildings and staff to give it.

This absurd position was successfully resisted by the late Board, and if ratepayers had properly grasped the situation at the recent election they would have confirmed it, and made a totally different selection of candidates to represent them. The largest proportion of the ratepayers in the parish belong to the working-class section, to whom rates count for something; in proof of this, it is only necessary to state that the cost to the ratepayer of pupils at the Board schools is £1 10s per scholar to the rates, while the higher grade costs £8 9s 10d per scholar. But even this latter sum it is proposed to materially increase in order to provide highest education to a matter of ten pupils by adding new class-rooms and further teachers, all of which burden must fall on the general body of the ratepayers.

What should be done rather than this, if it is determined to spread out the higher grade section into five, six, and seven years’ course, and have classes of from one to three pupils in them, as would be the case – let the Board abandon the elementary classes in the Academy, and divide these children over the other Board schools, bringing them back to the higher grade in the Academy as they were fit for it – make the Academy all higher grade together, and the existing buildings are ample for the purpose. The only thing that stands in the way of this is a sentimental feeling on the part of certain ratepayers who could not break the idea of their children being educated alongside of the commonality; but these same people do not object to make the parents of the poorer class children contribute through the rates for the education of their children. This idea of superiority for the Academy pupils is at the bottom of the whole mischief, and the sooner it gets tapped on the head the better for all concerned.

There are no good grounds for expending a single penny in adding to the Academy, and the ratepayers should take steps to prevent it being done. The district cannot afford to be sentimental in its ideas of education. What is wanted is efficiency with economy, but what they will get if some sentimentalists get their way will be neither the one nor the other.

I am &c.,
ONLY A RATEPAYER.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
17 APRIL 1909

MARRIAGE

GIBSON – CHRISTIE: At Woodstock Terrace, Kilmarnock, on the 16th instant, by the Rev. Professor McNair, M.A., Winton Place E.U. Congregational Church, Kilmarnock, Manson Gibson, Ardrossan, to Janie Vallance, second daughter of Andrew Christie – At home, Yarborough Place, Ardrossan, Friday, 21st May.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
18 APRIL 1925

THE NEW GLEN SANNOX

The new turbine steamer GLEN SANNOX, successor to one of the most famous of Clyde steamers, is nearing completion for the London Midland & Scottish Railway, and particulars are now available. Specially built for the L.M.S. fleet the new GLEN SANNOX is in many respects similar to the DUCHESS OF ARGYLL, one of the most graceful craft on the Clyde.

The L.M.S. will employ the new ship on the Ardrossan-Arran line.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
18 APRIL 1981

KIRK HISTORY

St. Bride’s Church of Scotland, Callander, has made history by calling the first woman minister in the Stirling Presbytery. She is the Rev. Miss REBECCA BEGGS, a native of Ardrossan, who for five years has been assistant to the Rev. Harry Thomson, Pollokshields Church, Glasgow.

She will be inducted on April 29.

[meekan]

I wonder if she was related to Provost Beggs who himself was a lay preacher?

[Penny Tray]

Meekan,

The following family intimation would suggest you are right: -

GLASGOW HERALD
22 FEBRUARY 2014

DEATH

LEASK: The Rev. Rebecca M. Leask, youngest daughter of ex-Provost John Beggs (Ardrossan), at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, on 18th February, 2014, following a short illness.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
19 APRIL 1902

DEATH

THOMSON: At Mayfield, North Crescent, Ardrossan, on Thursday, 17th April, at 9.20 p.m., Janet Paterson, beloved wife of Gavin Thomson, auctioneer and valuator, Glasgow.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
19 APRIL 1906

ARDROSSAN SCHOOL BOARD

At a monthly meeting of the newly elected Board held in Saltcoats – Rev. William McGilchrist presiding – it was intimated that the dispute which existed between the Education Department and the Board in connection with the Academy had been settled, the Board having agreed to make the necessary additions to the Academy, and thus have it continue as a secondary school.

A conference will be held soon with His Majesty’s Inspectors so that the matter may be discussed before commencing the new buildings.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
20 APRIL 1812

VALUABLE FIELD OF COAL

It is with sincere pleasure we learn, that the Earl of Eglinton has discovered, and ascertained, an extensive and most valuable field of coal on his estate near to the harbour of Ardrossan.

The possession of this staple commodity, in such a situation, must secure the success of his Lordship’s great undertaking by furnishing trade and employment for the port, even independent of the canal. But we still rely on the information we have always created, that this must finally become a great national concern, from the maritime advantages, the importance of which we trust will soon be proved.

[meekan]

Wondering if this field is what Coalhill Place is named after?

[hahaya2004]

I wonder if she was related to Provost Beggs who himself was a lay preacher?

Meekan, I think he was her father. Her parents were John Beggs and Isabella Laidley.