Looking Back - Herald files

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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on October, 24, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on October 25, 1907
ON Friday afternoon last, Mr JB Orr, science master at Kyleshill School, was presented with a handsome marble timepiece by the staff, on his leaving to renew studies at Glasgow University.

THIS week Mr William Wylie has introduced to his boot-repairing premises in Dockhead Street, Saltcoats, a new combined finishing machine. It is the only one of its kind in Ayrshire.

AT the Industrial Exhibition held at Edinburgh this week Mrs Albert Beard, Saltcoats, has won first prize for drawn-thread, cocchet and embroidery work.

MR Harry Gaul, Saltcoats Public School, has obtained his BA degree, and is the first teacher in Saltcoats to secure it.

AT the annual meeting of Ardrossan Unionist Club, office-bearers appointed were:-President, Mr JB Chrystie; vice-president, Messrs RM Watt. J Nicol and JR Robertson; secretary, Mr Arthur Craig: solicitor, treasurer, Mr J Stewart, Royal Bank.

MR H Cosh, Garnock House Dalry, has successfully passed his final examination as law agent.

MR JAMES Coats Junior of Ferguslie House, Paisley, has presented to St Palladius RC School Dalry, and St Winning RC School, Kilwinning. each a handsome bookcase with 200 volumes for the use of the scholars.

ON Tuesday evening at a meeting held in St John's Church Hall, Ardrossan, it was resolved to form a branch of the Women's home Mission of the United Free Church, and office bearers appointed were:-President, Miss A Black, secretary, Miss A Smith; committee, Mrs Adamson, Mrs Tannock, Mrs Stitt. Mrs Goodwin, Misses Alison, Connel and N Hogarth.

50 YEARS AGO on October 25, 1957
THIEVES who broke into the booking office of Ardrossan Town Station at the end of last week blew open a safe and also got away with over £100. They also opened parcels which were in the office and stole articles of clothing. The theft took place during Thursday and early on Friday morning, and so quietly did the intruders carry out their job that not even the stationmaster whose house is in the station building, heard anything. To muffle the explosion, the safe-blowers used sacks which they took from the coal yard at the rear of the station.

LAST Saturday Ardrossan Flute Band travelled to Glasgow to compete in the Championship Flute Band contest. As this was the first time they had been in a contest they were placed in the fourth grade. They won the shield for first place, and were also placed first in drumming. The band taught themselves, under the leadership of Mr Herbert Lee and Mr James McKenzie, and the drummers were under the tuition of Mr William McCourt. Their thanks are also due to Mr Tom Smith, the conductor.

DR JAMES Craik, Nobel Division charman made the presentations when more than 80 employees of ICI received in the Concert Hall of Ardeer Recreation Club last Friday awards for 40, 30 and 20 years' service.

ON Tuesday evening the Woman's Guild of Saltcoats EU Church held a successful hostess tea in the Church Hall, which was filled to capacity The Rev Charles Moore opened the proceedings with praise and prayer, and then introduced Mr Hugh Mullen to compare what proved to be a most enjoyable concert. The programme was of high standard and varied character, the following artistes taking part: Miss Jean Lewis, soprano Mrs Frew, contralto; Mr JB Crawford, tenor: Mr T Williams, bass; Miss Duff and Mr William Archibald, plano duets, and Mr Toni Wood, accordionist.

25 YEARS AGO on October 29, 1982
THANKS to a Royal Navy exercise off the North Ayrshire coast, a blazing ferry was saved from being scuppered on Wednesday night. The passenger ferry, St Olaf, sent out an SOS about 5.30pm when its engine room erupted into flames. The 15 crew members fought the blaze while helicopters from HMS Gannet at Prestwick were alerted.

The Royal Navy were, luckily, nearby and a firefighting crew from the warship HMS Yarmouth was airlifted by the rescue helicopters to the blazing ferry. St Olaf, owned by the P and O Line, normally operates on the Orkney service between Scrabster and Stromness, but was sailing four miles south west of Pladda on sea trials following a re-fit when the drama began. As firefighters from HMS Yarmouth were landed on the ferry, all but essential crew were air-lifted to safety.

After two hours below decks, the firefighters put out the blaze and returned to their warship
But moments later a second SOS was transmitted - the ill-fated ferry was on fire again. A Coastguard spokesman explained: "Apparently there were smouldering remains of the first fire behind part of the engine and that is what started the second fire. Some of the crew were landed at Prestwick late on Wednesday night by the Royal Navy, while the remaining crew on board stayed on the ferry for the undignified tow to Girvan Docks, where the ferry will be repaired. The St Olaf was towed out of Ayrshire waters at 8am on Thursday morning.

THE West of Scotland Industrial Clothing factory in Kilwinning is making a clean sweep of success-new contracts are being won, new jobs are being created, and Mr Gio Benedetti, owner, announced this week that more than £100,000 was being invested in new machinery. The machines -- highly sophisticated cleaning units -are due to be installed within a month and will increase the capacity of the factory in West Byrehill Industrial Estate by about 30 per cent. Mr Benedetti said that business was doing so well that in the past two weeks five new jobs have been created at the factory.
He also estimated six more jobs in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original
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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on October 31, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on November 1, 1907
AT Glasgow University the Amott Prize in General Physics has been awarded to Mr John Gibson, Saltcoats. Mr Robert Boyd, Saltcoats, has passed his final examination for the degree of BSc.

THE parishioners of St Mary's, Saltcoats, last Monday presented a chalice to the former parish priest Dean Cronin, who has been transferred to Mossend.
MR T.K. Cook, solicitor, has been appointed joint agent of the Union Bank of Scotland, Ardrossan, along with his father, Mr James Cook.

IN his first competition for the Scottish Golf Professional Championship last weekend, the winner was Mr John Hunter, Prestwick.

MISS Margaret Coulthard has been appointed a teacher in the Eglinton District Public School, Kilwinning.

THE annual collection in West Kilbride on behalf of the Glasgow Western Infirmary this year amounts to £26 and has been remitted to the hospital by Mr Dewar Paton.

MEASLES are very prevalent in Kilbirnie and all the schools in the parish have been closed because of the epidemic.

50 YEARS AGO on November 1, 1957
ARDROSSAN Harbour Company have erected a four-faced electric clock at the top of the electric power station. The public will be able to see the clock from many parts of the town. Few towns the size of Ardrossan have as many clocks available for public use the Caledonian Station clock, Harbour clock, Parish Church clock and the clock on top of the old town hall.

FURTHER progress at the North Ayrshire Museum in Saltcoats was made on Monday evening when a lecture room was opened. The guests were Ardeer Church Men's Guild, who were welcomed at the museum by Police Judge Hamilton G. Kerr, The Rev Samuel White thanked the Committee for their hospitality. The members of the Guild were conducted throughout the Museum by ex-Provost W. D. Kerr and Messrs James Armour and Robert Carson, special attention being devoted to Stevenston interest. Thereafter the company adjourned to the lecture room for tea and a short talk by Mr James Armour on the history of Stevenston.

THE Burgh workers are busy repairing pavements and kerbs throughout Stevenston. When the nine houses in course of erection near the Grange Cinema are completed, another section of the building plan will be proceeded with

THE Scottish Cup game at Ardchoille Park tomorrow will greatly increase the traffic at the roundabout as a few thousand will be making their way towards the Hayocks by foot, buses and private cars,

AMONG those who received awards at the annual distribution of diplomas and prizes of test of Scotland Agricultural College, held in the McLellan Galleries, Glasgow on Wednesday were: Bronze Medal-F. G. Whitelaw, Ardrossan; diploma in agriculture-J. B. Archibald, Kilwinning: diploma in dairying (husbandry) -K. G. Neilson, Dalry. The prizes and diplomas were presented by Sir Alexander Fleck, Chairman of Imperial Chemical Industries

THE Parents' Committee of Stevenston Boy Scout Group held a successful whist drive in the Scout Hall last Friday evening. Mr J. Edmonds, Group Scoutmaster, who presided gave a detailed report of events which will be taking place during the new season. This Includes the renovation and painting the interior of their own Scout headquarters. Miss C. Amott, Assistant Cub Mistress, presented the prizes to the winners. Miss Northcote proposed the vote of thanks. The function realised a sum of £12.

25 YEARS AGO on November 5, 1982
AN expanding Stevenston company with three ambitious high technology projects under wraps are quitting the town. Apollo Engineering have patented three microchip based projects which could dramatically Increase the present payroll of 135. But it is a potential jobs bonanza which Stevenson will not enjoy. For Apollo's Managing Director Gabriel Politakis revealed this week that the company are purchasing premises outside the area. He would state only that the 25,000 sq. foot new buildings are "somewhere in Ayrshire. The news is a bitter blow to the Three Towns at a time when Apollo are on the verge of producing a prototype micro-chip based card which could replace the 35 million bank and credit cards in use in Britain. By inserting the electronics into a plastic card, Apollo designers will eliminate the possibility of fraud which costs British banks £20m a year. Mr Politakis would not be drawn on the exact location of the new premises, but he admitted the company tried to find suitable accommodation in Ardrossan. The move from Stevenston Industrial Estate is expected to take place within a month. All the existing staff have agreed to move and will continue with the company.

THE £200m oil platform built at Hunterston sailed out into the open sea amidst fresh hopes of a construction future at the Ayrshire marine yard. The rig's departure leaves the yard with an empty order book, and the once 1,200-strong workforce has dwindled to less than 200. But the fight to keep the yard operational while management take on new work took on a winning look on Wednesday night when Ayrshire MPs David Lambie and John Core, along with representatives from AMC management and trade unions, met senior Government Ministers. They were pleading for help and they got a promise that help would be given. But the best news in the fight to retain an oil platform construction yard in Ayrshire comes at a meeting of the delegation and Mr George Younger, Secretary of State for Scotland. The delegation asked that the rent for the Hunterston site be reduced from the present £143,000 per annum plus six per cent of the total cost of the platform.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 7, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on November 8, 1907
SUCCESSFUL candidates returned in the municipal election in Saltcoats were William McGavin, John Christie (retiring members, and H. Wylie Auld. The percentage poll was 47 percent.

THERE was no municipal election in Ardrossan, the three members, Messrs Archibald Crawford, Hugh Finn and Alan Gillan being returned unopposed.

ARDROSSAN United Free Presbytery have appointed a committee to deal with an application by Landsborough Church, Saltcoats, for the provision of a hall.

THE Caledonian Railway Ambulance Competition was won by the Ardrossan team of which the members are: - Peter McCallum, J. McD Frame, G. Clark, A. Clark, and D. A. Frame.

ARDROSSAN School Board have appointed Miss Mary Agnew and Miss Elizabeth Dickle as assistant teachers in Saltcoats School.

PRIZES won in competitions during the year were presented to the following members of the Saltcoats Company Battalion RSF at a smoker in the Drill Hall last Friday: - Col-Sgt A. Armour, Sgts G. Price, A Roy, Lance Corporals R. B. Lockhart, H. McGhee, G. Johnstone, Privates J. Lockhart, A. Forrester, W. Stevely, J. Blair, C. Allan and T. Welsh.

THE result of the municipal election in Kilwinning was: -Robert Howie, 436; John King, 395; William Muir, 376.

THE largest-ever audience gathered in Saltcoats Town Hall heard on Wednesday last Madame Sarah Grand, the distinguished authoress, speak on Mere Man.

A WEST Kilbride note runs: "Can the powers that be do nothing in regard to the poor children going about barefoot and ill-clad this cold weather? Surely in West Kilbride boots and clothing could be provided as is done in other places."

MANY people were at the waterfront on Tuesday
to watch the liner, Mauretania doing her trials in the Firth.

50 YEARS AGO on November 8, 1957
SALTCOATS Town Council took action to prevent any serious damage from bonfires. They had several removed last week by burgh workers, and one by the orders of the police, as they had been set up in confined spaces. Station Officer Mr Watters informs me that the Fire Brigade had not one bonfire call

THE captain of the 3.496-ton German ship Renata Schroder of Bremen, which towed into Ardrossan Harbour on Tuesday morning after her steering broke down during a severe storm in the North Atlantic last week, spoke on Wednesday of how his ship was at the mercy of heavy seas and gales for close on two days.

The vessel was on a voyage from Quebec to Ardrossan with a cargo of Pyritus, and was about 11 days out from the Canadian port and 240 miles from the North Irish coast when she was struck by the storm.

The storm, said the master, Captain K A. Hinrich began between 6 and 7 o'clock on Thursday evening of last week and lasted throughout the following day, causing damage to the superstructure of the ship. Doors, railings and windows were dam aged and the heavy seas swamped the accommodation rooms aft.

Distress signals were sent out from the Renata Schroder on Friday, and about 3am on Sunday, she was reached by the salvage tug Salveda. By then the weather had improved and a line was secured at 7am. She arrived at Ardrossan Harbour about 10 o'clock on Tuesday. For five days, the officers and crew had little sleep and had no dry clothing. Their quarters were so affected by the storm that they had to find accommodation in local hotels when their ship docked.

25 YEARS AGO on November 12, 1982
A SEVERE rap on the knucides for Cunninghame District Council over their handling of the £250,000 improvement plan for Ardrossan's Princes Street could once again place the entire project in jeopardy. The authority has been judged guilty of maladministration for their slow progress which led to a two year delay in repairs being carried out.

The local government Ombudsman has recommended they meet the difference in local costs brought about by inflation during that time. With the latest estimates putting the bill at around £250,000, the extra burden on the district council could run into thousands of pounds. And cash shortages could force them to abandon the whole development.

The Commissioner, Eric Gillett, has come out in support of complaints by one resident of the street that delays in declaring a housing action area and in issuing repairs notices mean she faces a considerably increased repairs bill. After investigating the case, he has reported that the hold-ups were "unjustifiable and could have been avoided. Mr Gillett points out that the department of technical services were asked to prepare a structural survey, considered essential to progress in January 1978 and a year later.

ARDROSSAN will be without a Remembrance Day Parade this year... for the first time in living memory. And but for some hasty last minute arrangements uniformed organisations in the town may not even have attended church services on the day. The big annual parade was shelved by the organisers, Ardrossan Air Training Corps, who claim arrangements were left too late to organise the parade. Since the disbandment of the local Royal British Legion, the parade organisation had been left to the 1st Ardrossan Boys' Brigade Company That was until last year when the local ATC became Interested and the event was organised jointly. But this year the ATC said they wanted to organise the parade themselves but did nothing about it... until it was too late.

For it was only last week - with the parade less than a fortnight away - the ATC contacted the BB company and after discussions, insisted that if they were to go ahead with organisation of the parade, the BB Junior Section would not be allowed to participate in the march.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 14, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on November 15, 1907
SALTCOATS Town Council have agreed to procure the services of a bacteriologist for the town at an annual cost of £10.

TROON Town Council have applied to the Secretary of State for permission to limit the speed of motor cars passing through the town to 10 miles per hour.

TO accommodate the increased membership of Sunday School and Band of Hope, Erskine Church, Saltcoats, have erected a new hall and it was used for the first time this week.

EX-Baillie James Smith was elected the first Police Judge of the Burgh of Kilwinning at the Town Council meeting this week.

MR ARCHIBALD Kirkland who has been appointed Provost of Irvine is technical Instructor in baldng to Ayr County Council Classes and a loading bakery Journalist.

THE Kilbirnie and Glengarnock new waterworks at the Plan Ground were opened last Saturday by James Alan of Dykes.

ONCE again a Literary Society has been started in Ardrossan; Mr Angus McLean has been appointed chairman and the first meeting was held this week.

AN amateur dramatic performance was given in St Andrew's Church Hall last Saturday, the artistes being Misses Daisy Mordue, ES Rowan, Jean Laurensen, Mary Cook, Kitty Christie, Patty Robb, Messrs F Baillie, J Chesney, RV Crake, WIlliam Turnbull, J Bruce and Robin Adamson

50 YEARS AGO on November 15, 1957
ABOUT 50 employees at the Glasgow headquarters of ICI Ltd, Sauchiehall Street, had to leave their offices on Saturday last, after a telephone call had been received stating that the building was to be blown up. The call, it is understood, was made by a person purporting to be a member of the Scottish Republican Army. The caller stated that there would be an explosion in half an hour.
Crowds gathered in the street as police ordered the building to be cleared. CID officers then carried out a search on all floors but nothing was found.

Four floors of the seven-storey building normally occupied by engineering staff, were not in use on Saturday. The skeleton staff on duty were mostly office girls, who were due to stop work at 11.30am, about 20 minutes after the telephone call was made.

SIX council tenants in Saltcoats who had been threatened with eviction unless they cultivated their gardens, having had proceedings against them withdrawn. It was reported to the Town Council on Monday that the gardens in question are now being cultivated.

MISS Edith MacArthur, the talented Ardrossan actress, is included in the cast which is presenting Major Barbara at the Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow, this week.

THE four-faced cock at the old Caley railway station is a bit of a mess. The face looking towards the harbour has a hole on it that you could put your two fists through. The other three faces have all holes in them.
The windows of the clock tower landing is riddled with stone holes, and the wood work is in a bit of a mess. It is a pity this clock was knocked out of action, for by the appearance of it, old age alone didn't do the damage.

AT Saltcoats, the Remembrance Day Parade and service organised by the local branch of the British Legion was well attended by members of the branch, representatives of the Town Council and local organisations, and was a fitting tribute to those who fell in both World Wars.

25 YEARS AGO on November 19, 1982
GALE force winds throw ferry services between Ardrossan and Arran into chaos on Tuesday and Wednesday,
The ferry crew reported force 10 winds at sea and in their words "the boat was rolling very heavily."
Nearly all sailings were diverted from Ardrossan to Gourock. And while islanders faced difficult crossings householders on the mainland suffered too.

Bins were blown over and rubbish scattered all over housing estates and roof repairers were busy replacing slates from house roots. According to the weather centre in Glasgow the high winds will die down but will probably return again providing a stormy weekend and probably more uncomfortable sea journeys from Gourock to Brodíck.

A REMOTE-controlled and unmanned survey submarine is working off Ardrossan shore in what can only be described as a secret mission for the Ministry of Defence. The sub is operating from The Falkirk, a survey vessel on charter to Sub Sea Services from the Salvesen Off Shore Company at Aberdeen. The sub is normally used to survey pipelines and oil rig platforms but the only hint of what it is being used for in the Ayrshire waters was given by a Mr Allan Mead of Sub Sea Services. He said: "I am not sure how much I can tell you." But he did confirm that the sub was doing work for the Ministry of Defence in conjunction with the Royal Navy. The Falkirk, with sub, is expected to dock into Ardrossan Harbour on Friday when the Herald will be invited on board and attempts will be made to unravel the mystery of the survey ship an sub's mission

BUTE and North Ayrshire MP John Corrie could soon have his name recorded in that famous chronicle - The Guinness Book of Records. For he has notched up a unique 600-1 double in parliamentary history.
Each year 400 names are put into a hat and one pulled out. The name of the back bench MP drawn is allowed to put forward a private members amendment to parliament

Being drawn out of the hat once is quite a stroke of luck and Mr Corrie was delighted to be that man two years ago when he put forward an amendment to the abortion bill. Last year he was not the lucky one but this year again his was the name that was pulled out from the hat. Mr Corrie has not yet decided what purpose he will put his amendment to

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original
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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 21, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on November 22, 1907
ON Tuesday at a social gathering in South Beach Church Hall, a baptismal font and an American organ were presented to the North Parish Church, Saltcoats, by the congregation of South Beach Church, Saltcoats, as a token of gratitude for being accommodated in the North Church for two and a half years while evicted from their own buildings.

AS a result of recent examinations at Glasgow University, Mr Alex M Gibson, a former pupil of Ardrossan Academy, has been awarded the Glasgow Highland Society's Bursary, tenable for five years.

THE services rendered by Mr CA Lundholm of Nobel's Works have been so fully appreciated that the electors of Stevenston have returned him unopposed to the County Council

THE Gospel team meeting held by Saltcoats YMCA on Saturday evening was addressed by an ex-convict who has spent 32 years in prison.

OFFICE-bearers elected at the annual meeting of St John's Royal Arch Lodge, Saltcoats and Ardrossan were: - RW William P Flinn, DM; D Hamilton: SM; Hugh Flinn, SW: R Mack, JW; A Gardiner, secretary: William Gillies and treasurer, Duncan B Dewar.

DALRY Reformed Templars last Monday were given a graphic account of her life by Miss Florence Worth a converted actress

AT the annual show of Kilbirnie Chrysanthemum Society last Saturday winners of special prizes were: JW Dunlop, Robert Smith, WD Alexander, and John Sharp

THE choir members of Beith Parish Church determined to cease from their labours as they thought that the minister had underrated their services and would not apologise for reproving them, so the choir stalls were empty last Sunday.

50 YEARS AGO on November 22, 1957
SPECIAL services of thanksgiving for 100 years of congregational life and witness and of re-dedication were held in Park Church, Ardrossan, on Sunday last, when the preacher was the Rev DP Thomson, MA, Organiser for Evangelism, Home Mission Committee. Also officiating was the minister of the church, the Rev Donald Currie.

A PUBLIC inquiry has been ordered by the Minister of Power into the cause of the explosion at Kames Colliery, Muirkirk, on Tuesday night, in which 17 miners died. The 11 who escaped were all injured, but eight were able to go home after treatment. There were another 169 men on the back shift underground at the time.

EDITH MacArthur, the actress, whose home is in Ardrossan, has been receiving enthusiastic Press notices for her recent work in the theatre and on Scottish Television. After appearing with Perth Theatre Company in two plays at Edinburgh Festival (an excerpt of one, Blood Upon the Rose - was televised on BBC TV). Edith began her own STV series - a 15minute weekly advertising magazine programme called Your Home and Mine. At the moment this programme is fortnightly but becomes a weekly series again at the beginning of December, and it is televised on Wednesday evenings, from 6.45pm until 7pm.

THE Land of Burns Challenge Cup was among the prizes won by the burgh gardener of Saltcoats, Mr Thomas Morrison, 9 Halkett Place, at the Ayr Chrysanthemum Society's Annual Show this week.
IN response to an appeal for financial support, Ardrossan Town Council have agreed to make a donation of £2/2-to the Zoological Society of Glasgow and West of Scotland. They have also resolved to contribute £5 to the Scottish Tourist Board.

25 YEARS AGO on November 26, 1982
A KILWINNING teenager with designs on a career in fashion has won acclaim for her work from the country's top names in the business. David and Elizabeth Emanuel, Gina Fratini, Jean Muir and Bruce Oldfield were among judges who voted 16-year-old Heather Stewart, of 11 Lainshaw Square, Pennybum, a prize winner in a prestigious award scheme sponsored by Scottish Television and the Scotsman.

It was Heather's mother, Margaret, who heard about the competition when it was announced on Scotland Today and she persuaded her talented daughter to enter. Having designed clothes only for herself in the past and with an 'O Grade Art course as her only training. Heather was convinced she stood little chance of success. Despite her reluctance to take part, Heather eventually sent off a set of nine sketches, including coats, separates, day wear and evening dresses. Just two weeks later, she heard her designs had found favour with the experts.

At a champagne reception in Glasgow's Grosvenor Hotel, attended by the star line-up of judges, she was presented with £100 in premium bonds. Heather also picked up some valuable advice from the masters of the art on how to get started in the trade. I was told that you really need a good training behind you. It is not enough just to design, you have to be able to make up the clothes as well." she says. At present unemployed Heather hopes soon to further her training on a beauty therapy course in either London or Darlington

THE Arran Ferry was dogged with disruption again this week after more storms hit the Clyde Coast
During the weekend travellers had a hard time finding the boat which missed several of its scheduled runs from Brodick and as a result was a regular visitor at Gourock Pier. On Friday it left Ardrossan on its 12.45pm sailing, having cancelled the 9.45am run and headed for Brodick. It stayed there until 4.40pm, missing the 3.15pm train from Ardrossan. The 6.05 boat from Ardrossan was also cancelled as the Caledonian had headed for Gourock earlier in the afternoon but a bus took passengers from Ardrossan to Gourock where the boat lay until 7pm. Strong winds and heavy seas subsided to allow the scheduled runs to be on time and to their correct destination on Saturday but there was more trouble for travellers on Sunday.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 28, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on November 29, 1907
LAST week a young Saltcoats fisherman named William Pllu left Brodick on the Tuesday morning in a fishing lugsail boat he was bringing back to Saltcoats, but no further news had been heard of him and it is almost certain that the boat was swamped by heavy seas and the unfortunate man drowned.

THIS week a Board of Trade enquiry was held in Ardrossan Town Hall into the sinking of the smack, Janet Nicol of Ardrossan, In Lamlash Bay on October 9. It was found that the loss of the smack was due to her being in collision with a steamer from Belfast, and was caused by the neglect of the master of the steamer who had no certificate.

AT a conference held yesterday between representatives of Saltcoats Free and Saltcoats Free Gaelic Churches it was agreed to dissolve both congregations and reconstruct one to be called Ardrossan and Saltcoats Free Church

OFFICE-bearers appointed at the annual meeting of Ardrossan YMCA were - President, Mr WS Erskine; treasurer, Mr William Harvey, secretary Mr Alex MacMillan; auditors, Messrs John Adams and Robert Bradley.

IN a friendly curling match, a Kilwinning rink (Messrs Hugh Walker, Robert Thomson, D Watt and James Allan Junior) beat a Dalry rink (Messrs James McLelland, Robert Walker, Craig and John Brown) by 25 to 14.

A CONFERENCE (or branch), of the Society of St Vincent De Paul in connection with St Mary's Catholic Church, Saltcoats, was inaugurated last Friday, the first office-bearers being Mr Mitchell Quinn, president: Mr M Murray, treasurer and Mr T Flynn, secretary

50 YEARS AGO on November 29, 1957
A FIRE broke out in a chimney of a dwelling house in Howgate, Kilwinning on Tuesday night The high wind fanned the flames and the root was threatened. Ardrossan fire brigade arrived in a few minutes and soon had the outbreak of under control.

THE workmen have now completed the reconstruction of the Mansfield Church steeple.

MAJOR James M Adam, RAMC, elder son of Mr William Adam, Douglas Place, Largs, is a member of an Anglo-American expedition to the Antarctic. He is a native of Ardrossan and attended the Academy. For many years his father was second master in Eglinton and Winton School The purpose of the expedition is to study men's reactions to extreme cold.

A FUND established by Ayr County Council in 1938 to help relatives of victims of an accident at Bank Colliery, New Cumnock, is to be used to give immediate relief to families of the victims of the Muirkirk pit disaster. The fund totals about £500.

ONE of the highlights of winter entertainment in the district is the variety show held each year by Beith and District Young Farmers' Club. This year's event - the 12th of its kind - was held on Thursday of last week in the Walker Memorial Hall, Kilbimle, and on each evening there was a capacity audience. The programme, which included two plays, was well balanced with solo and groups, and began with a clever dance routine.
Then came musical Items-old and modern - and the first of the plays, Treasure in Heaven, in which parts were played by Mary Smith, Agnes Campbell, Margaret McConnell, Margaret Irvine, Jessie Wilson, Mary Campbell, Evelyn Soss, Jim Cooper, and John Pollock. The second play, Ae Market Night came after the interval and the cast consisted of John Pollock, Robin King, David Kerr, Willie McConnell, Jean Gillan, Tommy Caldwell, Mary Smith, John Campbell, Ann Boyd, Jean Crawford, Jim Sloss and Betty Comrie.

25 YEARS AGO on December 3, 1982
WINTON Rovers Social Club has collapsed with debts of £20,000. A special committee meeting on Wednesday night agreed to the club being formally wound up and the club premises closing immediately. Once one of the most popular clubs in the area. membership of the social club has slumped from several hundred to around 60. The financial crisis has not suddenly hit the club, however. Said club secretary Sam Morrison: "The club was in a very serious financial position. It was in that position for at least the last year. But efforts by the club to win further backing from a brewery or attract interest from local businessmen failed. "Last night there should have been reaction from one of those businessmen," added Mr Morrison.

"Unfortunately he was unable to go ahead." In addition to a loan from Scottish Brewers, the club had a crippling rates bill of £9,000-a-year at their premises in Bute Place When the premises opened 10 years ago explained Mr Morrison, members had to be in by 7pin in order to get a seat. Lately though, seats have not been in short supply. As membership declined the club, set up to fund the football club, began to drain finances away from the football. Mr Morrison would offer no explanation as to why the club failed. If it had been run differently then the social club could have funded the football club. I am not going to speculate," he added.

Most of the £20,000 is owed in Customs and Excise duty, rates and to Scottish Brewers, who have the title deeds to the club's premises. All members associated with Winton Rovers will be formally told next week of the plan to wind up the club in a public notice for the meeting The club's only employee, the steward, will lose his job.

ONE of Irvine's largest employers, Hyster, are to slash their workforce. At a special conference, just before we went to press on Wednesday, the company announced.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 5, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on December 6, 1907
THE congregation of Ardrossan Parish Church, Saltcoats, have selected the Rev DD Rees, assistant of Peebles Parish Church, as their new minister.

MR WT Stewart and party of the Albatross yacht began mission in Saltcoats last Sabbath. On Sunday evening they attracted the largest congregation ever assembled in Erskine UF Church, and many could not gain admission.

ARDROSSAN, Saltcoats and Stevenston Merchants' Association elected office-bearers for the ensuing year as follows:President, Mr John Duncan; vice-president, Mr DJ Fullerton; secretary, Mr R Harper; treasurer, Mr Peter Kerr

THE election for the Stevenston Parish Council took place on Tuesday when the successful candidates were: - Messrs CO Lundholm, William Kirkwood, Hugh Thomson, James Patrick, Alex McGregor, John Montgomery, George Sinclair, Matthew Orr and James Morrison, the last-mentioned three being new members.

THE annual social of St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Ardrossan, took place on Wednesday evening. Banjo selections were given by Mr TK Cook.

ARDROSSAN Police Court had a cosmopolitan agenda yesterday. In one case there were connected with it, two Russian Finns, a German, a Swede, a Norwegian, a Cockney and a Scotsman. In the next case there was an Italian witness.

50 YEARS AGO on December 6, 1957
MR GH McKenzie, who has retired after nearly 40 years with ICI Limited and its predecessors, made his greatest contribution to Nobel Divisions in the field of safety. Mr JM Holm, managing director, Nobel Division, said this al Division headquarters in Glasgow last week, when Mr Mckenzie, Operating Manager for the past nine years, received presentations from the company and his colleagues. After a distinguished academic career at Aberdeen University, where he graduated with first-class honours in mathematics and philosophy, Mr McKenzie joined Nobel's Explosives Company in 1918. He later became chief superintendent of Propulsive department, a position he held from 1929 until 1942 when he became assistant manager of Ardeer factory. In 1945 he was appointed factory manager.

THE new St Andrew's Church at Irvine Mains was opened by the Very Rev Professor J Pitt-Watson, DD, joint convener of the National Church Extension Committee on Saturday. The new £36.000 church, modern in style but based on traditional Scottish architecture, is intended to replace the existing Church Extension hut which was established in 1954. Capable of seating between 500 and 600, its accommodation includes a gallery, a large session room, a vestry with cloakrooms, and interview rooms underneath.

A DEPUTATION of Councillors and officials from Kirkintilloch Town Council, led by Provost Gillies, visited the North Ayrshire Museum, Saltcoats, on Thursday of last week. They were met by the Board of Management and other officials. After the building and the various sections has been examined, the work involved in the preparation and opening of the North Ayrshire Museum was explained, including all the financial arrangements.

THE contractors have been fixed for the reconstruction of the G&S Railway bridge in Kilwinning. Work is expected to commence soon.

25 YEARS AGO on December 10, 1982
LOCAL ministers have refused to thank the men and women involved in the Falklands conflict. At Ardrossan Presbytery this week moves to officially recognise servicemen in the war were described as a "slap in the face" to the armed forces.
Mr Stanley Farrer of Ardrossan proposed that the following motion be sent to the Minister of Defence, the Church and Nation Committee of the Church of Scotland and to the Rev John Dailly, a chaplain at present serving in the Falkland Islands, who is also a member of Ardrossan Presbytery: "We record our appreciation and thanks to the men and women of the Falklands Task Force for their courage, skill and devotion to duty in successfully combating unprovoked aggression in the South Atlantic. We also record our sympathy to families and friends of casualties."

Mr J Johnston of Shiskine, Arran, described the motion as a "slap in the face" for the people whom it praised because it had been left so long after the conflict ended. "On a day when we hear of so many people dying in Northern Ireland," added Mr Hugh Conway, it is unfair to draw attention to one particular group. It would be more appropriate to mention all the forces.

The motion, which will be sent to the bodies originally suggested by Mr Farrer, reads: The Presbytery of Ardrossan record its appreciation and thanks to the men and women of the armed forces for their courage, skil and devotion to duty in every sphere of service."

CUNNNINGHAME District Council are to pump £1,000 into the feasibility study of Ardrossan Harbour to allow the Scottish Development Agency to push ahead with the survey. Back in September the planning committee agreed to contribute only £250 to the study which could lead to big improvements of the Harbour and Princes Street improvements.

But now the SDA have come back with the cost of the study, estimated at £20,000 asking the district council for more. Members heard that if the council increased their share to £1000 the other interested parties including Caledonian MacBrayne, Ardrossan Harbour Company and Strathclyde Regional Council would also increase their contribution. Members unanimously agreed to the increase.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 12, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on December 13, 1907
ON Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the members of Ardrossan Amateur Dramatic Company presented their first production of the season in the Assembly Hall, the play was Waiting For The Verdict. The players were: - Messrs H Skillen, John Anderson, J McKellar, JC Kerr. John Cance, HC McLachlan, Dan Neil, D McLachlan, J Neagle, Miss Annie Ryce and Miss Nellie Inglis.

STEVENSTON Literary and Debating Society gave an open dramatic entertainment on Wednesday, the programme being provided by Miss Duncan, Messrs J Anderson, H Banks, JM Brown, J Forsyth, T Symington and R Hunter.

ARDROSSAN Town Council have appointed the following tradesmen to do work for the burgh during next year: Plumber and slater, J Hogarth & Co; mason-R Barbour, joiner, Henry Parr, carriage hirer, Mrs Allan:painter, James Cance; blacksmith, G Macmillan; clock minder, J Jamieson.

MR HUGH Thomson was appointed chairman of the new Stevenston Parish Council, and Mr Tannock chairman of Ardrossan Parish Council.

THE whist tournament in connection with the West Kilbride Institute is now concluded. Messrs James Wilson and William Craig Junior beating Messrs WP Beggs and T Oliphant by six points.

SALTCOATS Town Council considered introducing a sliding scale of wages for burgh workmen, but after hearing that the staff receive 23/- per week while lamplighters are paid an extra 1/-per week, it was agreed not to disturb the existing arrangements.

50 YEARS AGO on December 13, 1957
SOME time during Tuesday night or early on Wednesday morning, an unsuccessful attempt was made to blow open a safe in the Rector's room at Ardrossan Academy. The intruders gained access to the building by breaking a window. The CID are investigating the matter.

A NEW inshore minesweeper was launched and named Etchingham by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon on Monday. The ceremony was performed by Lady Hutchinson, wife of Sir James Hutchison, DSO, MP, chairman of the Company, and the religious service was conducted by the rev Allan Young, minister of Troon Old Parish Church. Of 106 feet 5 inches in length, with a beam of 20 feet 6 inches, this inshore minesweeper is of composite construction and is designed to operate in shallow waters. It also embodies novel features resulting from lessons leamed during the war and in the course of subsequent developments.

AT 10.30am last Saturday evening, a motor cyclist, 16-year-old Alistair Northcote, 13 Seton Street, Ardrossan, was slightly injured when his motorcycle was in collision with a man in Princes Street. The man, James Boyce, 90 Churchill Drive, Ardrossan, was slightly injured.

ATTENTION has been drawn to the spire of Mansfield Church, Kilwinning, which was recently repaired. A dent is showing on one side, giving the appearance of a twist. Incidentally the weather vane is also out of position

ABOUT 12.45pm on Sunday, at the junction of Blacklands Avenue and Stobbs Terrace, Kilwinning, a pedal cyclist collided with a private motor car. He sustained a broken nose and several ribs crushed.

LAST Friday the members of the Motive Department, British Railways, Ardrossan, met in the general mess room to honour two of their drivers, Messrs W Gray and C Coey on occasion of their retirement.
Mr J Melvin presided in the absence of Mr AC Manuel. Mr Melvin congratulated both men for their service to the railways. Mr Gray, he said, started his career as a cleaner on May 9, 1910, became a fireman on May 24, 1913 and driver in June, 1920. His railway service totalled 47 and a half years.
Mr Coey started as a cleaner in 1917, became a fireman in 1913 and a driver in 1940. His service totalled 40 years.

25 YEARS AGO on December 17, 1982
AYRSHIRE women who joined the 35,000-strong protest at Greenham Common at the weekend have spoken out against Cunninghame District Council.
It is CDC's inactivity in helping the campaign to stop cruise missiles being sited at the American Air Base in Berkshire which has galled them.
Mrs Sheena Keeley from Kilbimle asked: "Where is their support?
"We have heard nothing from them and had absolutely no token of their support to take down with us." The council was one of the first Scottish local authorities to voice their backing of more than 20 women, who were part of a peace camp outside the base last month. But now local Campaign for Disarmament groups are asking what form the council's support should take.
"Verbal backing is no use," added Mrs Keeley. "What we need is people and finance." In all, 10 Ayrshire women joined the protest on Saturday, forming part of the "linked arms" chain which surrounded the nine-mile perimeter of the base.

TALKS are taking place today aimed at speeding up the pedestrianisation of Kilwinning Main Street. Strathclyde Regional Council are expected to confirm the necessary orders banning traffic from the street early next month. But the council's highways and transportation are not due to meet to discuss the matter until March 10. Members of the district finance committee were concerned about the delay when they leamed of it on Tuesday. Kilwinning councillor Jim Clements said that only one major objection to pedestrianisation had been received and he saw no reason why work should not start before March? Council convener Tom Dickie reported that he was due to meet the regional liaison committee today (Friday) and would try to make arrangements for an earlier start. A report submitted to the committee revealed that eight tenders of the pedestrianisation work had been received.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 19, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on December 20, 1907
Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Choral Society rendered The Messiah in Saltcoats last night, the conductor being Mr WG Burgoyne.

Building operations have commenced in connection with the new extension to Stevenston Secondary School and work has begone making the new road at Ardoch Crescent.

Ardrossan Army Cadets, to the number of 33, travelled to Glasgow yesterday to attend a lecture by Lord Baden-Powell.

There has been an epidemic of burglaries locally. On Sunday morning, early on, thieves entered the premises of Saltcoats Laundry Company and attempted to blow up the the safe. They were unsuccessful.

The annual meeting of the Hope Of Saltcoats Tent of Rechabites was held in the Canal Street Hall on Wednesday.

A concert under the auspices of the IOGT Anchor Lodge was held on Saturday in the Good Templars' Hall, with a variety of contrasting singers and a comedian.

The new committee were appointed at the annual meeting of the William Knox Institute, Kilbirnie.

50 YEARS AGO on December 20, 1957
There were 25 arrivals, including three oil tankers, at Ardrossan Harbour for the weekend December 14.

Mr James B Morton, Director In Charge, Ardrossan Harbour, invited us last week to look over the many alterations made to the different tradesmen's departments. A transformation has been effected since we last visited the premises some years ago.
The first visit was to the general store, which has taken in a tenement building and an old eating house. This place has been modernised and has in stock almost everything that the tradesmen may require at short notice. This store is so situated that engineers, joiners and blacksmiths do not require to to leave the building to reach the store, which is built in two flats, with the office of the foreman engineer, on top. This also has been modernised.

At one time the dockers had no set place to keep their tools, but now there is a place set apart where each man has his own lock-up. Our next visit was to the old Transformer House, which is the old power station. This building controls the electricity coming throughout the harbour and contains a great deal of valuable machinery. The Ardrossan Harbour has certainly been given a new look which places it among the most modem ports in the country.

At Ardrossan Burgh Police Court on Monday morning, a 17 year-old Ardrossan youth admitted assaulting a 12-year-old Saltcoats boy by striking him with his fist. The fiscal said the 17-year-old was the owner of a canoe which was beached on the shore.
Two schoolboys who had been walking on the beach turned it over - because, they said, they wanted to see if it had a name - and the youth, who was observing nearby, thought they were interfering with the craft and ran up and struck one of them.
He said later: "I lost my temper." He added that it was for their own safety as they could have drowned and that they had sworn at him. The youth was admonished.

By the death on Tuesday morning of Mr James Campbell, Snr, WS JP, the district has lost one of its most prominent citizens. He was 81 years of age, and he passed away at his home, Kerelaw, Stevenston, after a short illness. He is survived by his widow and a family of two sons and three daughters, to whom much sympathy will be extended. Mr Campbell's youngest son, Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously during the Second World War

25 YEARS AGO on December 31?, 1982
Council dogcatcher Janis Patterson was at the centre of a Christmas Eve drama when her quick actions saved an elderly Stevenston woman's life. Mrs Catherina MacFarlane, of New Street, had collapsed in her home as Janis called in to collect a neighbour's keys. Straight away she went to the woman's aid, applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. "I knew Mrs McFarlane had been in for an operation. When I heard her collapse I immediately rushed to her aid," said Janis. Fortunately, Janis had received nursing training which helped her diagnose Mrs MacFarlane's heart trouble.

A Christmas Eve tragedy stunned the congregation of a Saltcoats church. Mrs Flora Johnston, wife of St Cuthbert's Church minister the Rev John Johnston, died suddenly at their home just before 9pm. She had been watching television with her husband and her mother when she was taken
The Christmas Eve service due to stake place at St Cuthbert's from 11.15pm was cancelled. Mrs Johnston (50) had taken an active part in local church life since moving to Saltcoats from Glasgow with her husband about two years ago. She was also a member of the local Inner Wheel, the female branch of the Rotary movement.

A young mother is living in fear in her Ardrossan council home after the central heating boiler burst into flames. Now the incident has sparked a controversy over the safety of the central heating system for houses in the town's Chapelhill Mount area. On Christmas Sunday night, 25-yearcold Adrienne Guthrie fled from her house at 47 Chapelhill Mount, clutching her three-year old daughter Cheryl and screaming for help. According to friends and neighbours in the house at the time, black smoke started billowing from the central heating boiler, followed by flames. "I just panicked," Miss Guthrie told The Herald. Now she dreads using the heating at all. Two fire tenders confined the damage to the kitchen

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 26, 2007

100 YEARS AGO on December 27, 1907
THE Christmas traffic at Saltcoats Post Office constituted a record and on Tuesday evening the people crowded right from the counter to the street outside.

A MUSICAL service entitled 'Mattie's Home' was rendered in the Christian Institute, Saltcoats, last Saturday evening, the story being read by MR A. Fergusson and the singers being Mrs Bryden, Misses McCallum, Stirrat, Carey, Cuthbertson, Cambridge, Kerr, McAllister and Messrs Harris, Hamilton Borland and Richardson.

SALTCOATS Literary Society held a musical evening on Monday, the artists being G.L. Bailey and J.B. Scotland., in dramatic pieces; J.G Bowman, violin; and Messrs Wylie William Orr, John Gilfillan, William Seggie, Robert Donaldson, John Baird, John Gartland, John Pringle and George Craig, vocalists.

AT the launch of the steamer, "Drake" (2400 tons gross) from Ailsa Shipbuilding Yard, Troon, last Saturday, the drag chains snapped as the vessel was gliding down the ways, and the ship struck the east breakwater and smashed her rudder, stern post propeller and shafting. No one was injured.

THE billiards competition in Ardrossan Liberal Club resulted as follows: -1, James Woodbum; 2, William Macfarlane; 3, H. Skillen; 4, J. Downie.

AT the annual meeting of the Cunningham Arts and Crafts Club on Monday, office-bearers elected were: - President, Mr R Clouston Young: Vice-Pres., Mr George G. Guthrie: secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Campbell

THE annual conversazione and dance promoted by the teachers of Ardrossan Academy was held last Friday in the school. Mr J Parker officiated at the piano.

50 YEARS AGO on December 27, 1957
THE postal authorities state that traffic in letters, cards and parcels locally was more evenly spread out this year.

The public co-operated well in posting early, the addressing of correspondence was and the wrapping of parcels was described as "very good." The number of letters was 4.4 per cent up on last year, but registered letters and parcels were well down and there was a considerable falling off in the number of packets handled.

On Tuesday afternoon of last week Skipper Alistair Kelso brought the puffer, "Roman," round the pierhead at Troon Harbour and, steering close to the inner side of the East break-water, passed slowly along and through the "gut" bridge to bring her finally to rest in the inner basin - journey's end for the sturdy little boat which had sailed the waters of the Clyde and the Western Isles for 53 years.

ON Wednesday of last week Ardrossan St. John's Men's Guild held their weekly meeting, President Mr Morrison was in the chair. The speaker was Mr James G. Thom who gave an interesting talk on his experience as an officer in the Australian Army, where after the campaign in Malaya he was taken prisoner by the Japanese;. He was then transferred to Borneo where for five years he was a prisoner of war.

On Monday evening over 200 children attended the annual children's Christmas party held in the Walker Hall, under the auspices of Kilbirnie Labour Party. The highlight of the evening was the arrival of Santa Clause, who distributed a gift to each child. It was a very happy evening for the children and equally enjoyed by Councillor A. Munro and his band of willing workers.

AN accident took place on the Irvine Barrhead Road on Monday morning when a van driven by Thos. Wilson (54), road fore man, skidded on the icey surface and collided with a bus. The driver, who resided at 28 Viaduct Circle, Kilwinning, was killed.

AT a cost of £1750, the County Council are to purchase the property at Nos 3/7 Bridgend, Kilbimnie, for use as a garage stores and a petrol and oil dispensing unit.

25 YEARS AGO on December 31, 1982
A YOUNG mother is living in fear at her Ardrossan council home after the central heating boiler burst into flames. Now the incident has sparked a controversy over the safety of the central heating system for houses in the town's Chapelhill Mount Area. On Christmas Sunday night 25 year old Adrienne Guthrie fled from her house at 47 Chapelhill Mount, clutching her three year old daughter, Sheryl and screaming for help.

COUNCIL dog catcher Janis Patterson was at the centre of a Christmas Eve drama when her quick actions saved an elderly Stevenston women's life. Mrs Catherine McFarlane, of New Street, had collapsed in her home as Janis called to collect a neighbour's keys. Straight away she went to the women's aid, applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

ONE of the first babies to come out into this world on Christmas Day was born not in hospital but in his parents' Saltcoats home. Yvonne and Patrick McDonald (26) are delighted with 7lbs 10oz son Brian.
And with two midwives present at the birth on Saturday morning, Mrs McDonald experienced no difficulties and Brian was delivered at 5.10am.

THE Star Inn Hall Gospel Mission has moved its premises by only 100 yards. Extending Barnett Crescent in Saltcoats meant that the 50-year old hall had to be removed, but the members of the Mission are very happy with the outcome as they now have a lovely, bright, new hall in Parkhead Road.

AS LOCAL people flock to see the most publicised movie ever "ET - the extra terrestrial" a most apt comment came from Mr Brian Kemp of the Regal Cinema in Saltcoats, this week. Speaking about the great reaction to the memorable Steven Speilberg film Mr Kemp said: "It's miles above the size of audiences we normally get."

PILLS which could be dangerous to children have been lost by an Ardrossan women. A handbag containing doloxene compound migraine pills, normison sleeping pills and anxon tranquillisers was stolen from behind the counter of 'Sammy's' shop in Glasgow Street between 9am and 3pm on Monday.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on January 2, 2008

100 YEARS AGO on December 27, 1907
AT a concert in aid of the Manse building fund held last Friday in Ardeer United Free Church Hall, the artists were Miss Smith, Miss Law, Messrs Longwell, Mitchell, Forsyth, Brown and Banks.

THE annual conversazione and dance promoted by the teachers of Ardrossan Academy was held last Friday in the school. Mr J Parker officiated at the piano.

THE Christmas traffic at Saltcoats Post Office constituted a record and on Tuesday evening the people crowded right from the counter to the street outside.

A MUSICAL service entitled "Mattie's Home' was rendered in the Christian Institute, Saltcoats, last Saturday evening, the story being read by Mr A. Fergusson and the singers being Mrs Bryden. Misses McCallum, Stirrat, Carey. Cuthbertson, Cambridge, Kerr, McAllister, and Messrs Harris, Hamilton Borland and Richardson.

SALTCOATS Literary Society held a musical evening on Monday, the artists being G.L Bailey and J.B. Scotland, in dramatic pieces: J.G Bowman, violin: and Messrs Wylie William Orr, John Gilfillan, William Seggie, Robert Donaldson, John Baird, John Gartland, John Pringle and George Craig, vocalists.

AT the annual meeting of the Cunningham Arts and Crafts Club on Monday, office-bearers elected were: - President, Mr R Clouston Young: Vice Pres, Mr George G. Guthrie: secretary and treasurer, Mr R Campbell.

50 YEARS AGO on December 27, 1957
WORKMEN are putting the finishing touches to the new main building at Ardrossan Fire Station, where for the past few years the quick get away of the unit's most modern fire engine has been hampered by the design of the old appliance room. The new building is the major part of a modernisation scheme for the station to cost in the region of £15,000. It has two storeys and faces Montgomerie Street, the access to which is provided by a wide carriageway, just completed. "It is a wonderful benefit," said Mr Watters, the firemaster, on Friday last week.

THE Youth Fellowship of the Saltcoats E.U. Church, accompanied by their minister, Rev. Charles Moore, visited the Home on Christmas Eve and sang carols to the mothers. A very happy evening was spent. On Christmas day the mothers and children had an enjoyable time, as many friends in the town once again gifted toys, sweets and a turkey to the Home.

A Giant Christmas tree and fairy lights said welcome to members of the "Elderflower" Club who were celebrating their annual Christmas re-union in Castlecraigs on Thursday of last week. Police judges Mrs Lawson (President) welcomed the members and wished them all the compliments of the season.
The theme song was sung and the Rev. Jean Thomson said grace. Supper, prepared by Mrs Brennan and committee, was then served.

ON Tuesday afternoon of last week Skipper Alistair Kelso brought the puffer, "Roman," round the pierhead at Troon Harbour and, steering close to the inner side of the East break-water, passed slowly along and through the "gut" bridge to bring her finally to rest in the inner basin - journey's end for the sturdy little boat which had sailed the waters of the Clyde and the Western Isles for 53 years.

A SAFE containing money was blown open by intruders who broke into Ardrossan Cooperative Society's bakery premises in Barr Street last Saturday night. They got away with over £80. The safe was situated in a side office in the despatch department and to get at it the thieves forced open the office door, after gaining access to the building through a window.

25 YEARS AGO on December 31, 1982
LEISURE Seating Ltd of Saltcoats got themselves into hot water when they became confused over the difference between "sacking" and "redundancy". And now an industrial tribunal in Glasgow has awarded their former managing director £9275 compensation for being unfairly dismissed. Mr Peter Mann received £2410 for three months wages on May 28 the same day. He never cashed his cheques for redundancy payment and pension compensation which he also received.

BLENHEIM in Lamlash, Arran, could be the site of a new loung bar before long. Mr Alistair Stewart, owner, has applied to Cunninghame District Council for planning permission hoping to convert his self catering accommodation in to licensed premises. Sitting near the middle of the village, close to the pier and next to the bowling green makes it easily reached. Mr Stewart commented that although there are already three bars in Lamlash, he feels there is room for more.

A YOUNG mother is living in fear at her Ardrossan council home after the central heating boiler burst into flames. Now the incident has sparked a controversy over the safety of the central heating system for houses in the town's Chapelhill Mount Area. On Christmas Sunday night 25 year old Adrienne Guthrie fled from her house at 47 Chapelhill Mount, clutching her three year old daughter, Sheryl and screaming.

A party of senior citizens -all members of West Kilbride bowling club - were the guests of the club at a Christmas party held in the clubhouse last Tuesday.
The president Mr A. Adam welcomed the company and entertainment was provided by a talented group of artists.

STEVENSTON carol service which was held at The Cross and attracted a crowd of about 120 people last week, raised £15, which will be donated to the Malcolm Sargent Foundation.

THE Star Inn Hall Gospel Mission has moved its premises by only 100 yards. Extending Barnett Crescent in Saltcoats meant that the 50-year old hall had to be removed, but the members of the Mission are very happy with the outcome as they now have a lovely, bright, new hall in Parkhead Road.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on December 18, 2002

100 YEARS AGO on December 19, 1902
COUNCILLOR Lewis Porter has been appointed by Ardrossan Town Council as representative to the County Council.

PRESENTATIONS have been made to Mr James Stewart, late manager, Ardeer Foundry, Stevenston, on his departure to fill another position. At the social gathering the toast of the Ardeer Foundry was replied to by Mr George McGregor. Mr Hugh Higgins, one of the workmen, read an original poem addressed to Mr Stewart

THE MEMBERSHIP of William Knox Institute, Kilbirnie, is 117 full members, 119 reading and recreation and 35 library, a total of 371. The library books issued numbered 2721 (87 per cent, fiction).

LARGE shoals of herring made their appearance in Irvine Bay after an absence of about 20 years from that part of the coast. Local fishermen had some great catches.

50 YEARS AGO on December 19, 1952
IN THE past nine weeks the EU Congregational Church, Ardrossan, has undergone a wonderful transformation. At an estimated cost of £1600, an extensive scheme of re-decoration and repairs has just been completed and at the re-opening and re-dedication of the church on Friday, it was not surprising that the various speakers were loud in their praise of a job well done.
The Rev Principal CS Duthie, DD, President of the Congregational Union of Scotland was unable to be present at the service owing to indisposition and his place as presiding minister was taken by The Rev Thomas Murphy, OBE, MA, BD, the President-Elect.

The service opened with the singing of the 23rd Psalm following which the presiding minister conveyed an apology and greetings from the President of the Congregational Union of Scotland. The foundation stone of the building was laid in 1903, and as the jubilee would be celebrated next year, it was decided to renovate and re-decorate the church for that occasion. A scheme to raise the necessary finance was put into operation about 18 months ago, each member being asked to contribute a certain amount each week, and that, together with other efforts and donations had resulted in more than £1000 being realised - a very good result considering that membership was only about 150.

THE TUESDAY night-Wednesday morning storm blew off a large part of the roof of Saltcoats Victoria FC's stand. In many parts of the town there was damage to chimney tops, slates and outhouses. During the gale on Wednesday a woman was hit by a piece of debris as she was passing the post office, Ardrossan, and received injuries to her head, face and back. She was attended to by Dr Arnott.

In Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, two young women, making for their work were blown off their feet from the pavement on to the street. They were rescued and received medical aid. In Harbour Place, Ardrossan, a whole chimney top and half of another fell on the roadway. Much of the debris still fell on the roof and was a danger to passers by. The housing schemes received the full force of the gale, and much damage was done. A large greenhouse in course of erection at Stanley Nurseries, Ardrossan, was completely flattened by the wind, all the glass being smashed.

25 YEARS AGO on December 23, 1977
MORE THAN 500 people marched through Kilbirnie and Glengarnock on Saturday in a defiant protest over the threatened closure of Glengarnock Steel Works. Men, women and children all joined the procession and then sat through an emotive meeting where the leaders of the campaign to save the steelworks stressed the catastrophic effects that closing Glengarnock

ANGRY Stevenston residents have expressed their concern to Bute and North Ayrshire MP John Corrie about roadworks at the Glencairn Street-Glencairn Road-Hayocks Road junction in the town. The roadworks will widen the existing road and a mini roundabout is to be erected.

The residents of Kilwinning Road and Highfield Estate, claim that no consultation took place with them. They are concerned that they will no longer be able to park their cars in front of their homes. They are also worried about possible structural damage to their houses due to vibrations from the new roundabout - and danger to their children who will be unable to play in the area.

The residents claim that no notice was given of the developments and that the first they knew of the proposals was an article in The Herald. The roundabout is being built by the Scottish Development Department at a cost of £55,000. Mr Corrie now pursuing the matter with Cunninghame's Director of Planning, Mr Trevor Eaton.

During the first weeks of 2008 there were no "looking back" files published by ASH. So, till early February I'll fill this gap with previous "Looking Back" files posted by Tom when we were an emailing group. We'll be back in sync with the 2008 files in February.
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