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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 12:59 am
by Hughie
Belfast Telegraph
April 4, 1958

Three rescued from drifting motor boat

THE Scottish Home Department fishery cruiser Norma picked up three men from their disabled and drifting motor boat Betty, two miles off Farland Point (Ayrshire) in the approaches to the Firth of Clyde last night. Coastguards, hearing that the boat was in difficulties, called out Troon lifeboat and alerted shipping. Snow squalls reduced visibility, but the Noma picked up the three men before the lifeboat arrived.

The three men, who were landed at Fairlie Pier, and later taken home, are Robert Watt (30), docker, of Kirkhall Drive. Ardrossan; Thomas Hughes (26), gas works employee, of Kirkhall Drive, Ardrossan; and John Robertson (40), gas works employee, of Castle Road, Ardrossan. They said they left Ardrossan on a fishing expedition, but after an hour the engine failed while they were off Farland Point, south of Millport. They drifted for seven hours. using their boat-hook as mast and tarpaulin as a sail in an attempt to get across to the Arran coast three miles away. It was not until nightfall that they were noticed by a Portincross fisherman, who raised the alarm.

This was also recounted in our 50 years ago 'Looking Back' section HERE , having originally been reported in the A & S Herald on April 11, 1958.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2022 8:27 am
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
April 17, 1942

What Hugo Says

Someone in Ardrossan has unearthed a Communion metal token - a relic of the past. But better still, an Ardrossan man was digging his garden at Whitlees Crescent, Ardrossan, when he came across a large copper coin as big as a five shilling piece. It is stated to be a Scotch twopenny piece and is dated 1797.

===============
It wasn't my Dad - he was in Iraq at the time, while I was in my cot in Whitlees Crescent. :roll:

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 12:17 am
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
May 15, 1937

Old Folks' Treat
Celebrating the coronation of George VI
We dropped into Ardrossan Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon to see how the old folks' treat was getting along. Bailie Lewis was on the platform telling the old folks that Britain was the finest country in the world to invest their money (if any, we presume) in, and he concluded by saying that he could talk for another hour, but they wanted their dinner in peace, so he would just say that the old men when leaving would get 2oz. of tobacco, while the old women would get llb. of tea. Among the artistes, we understand, were Councillor and Mrs Cunningham, Police-Judge Harvey and Marjory Hill Readings, who sang; Freddie Peckham, who tap-danced ; Kenneth Wightman and James McArthur, pianist and accordionist respectively, and others; and Councillor Hunter.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 10:38 pm
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
May 25, 1951

Still No Trace of Missing Boy

On Thursday forenoon there was still no trace of 4 year-old Bobby McPhee, missing from his home at 17 Kirkhall Drive, Ardrossan, since Monday.
Following a fruitless day and night search, a child's shoe and vest found on the bank of Parkhouse reservoir plus snatches of information culled from other children, police officers and volunteers dragged the reservoir all day Tuesday.

A driver, with equipment brought from Ardrossan harbour, searched the bed of the reservoir all day Wednesday and continued on Thursday without result up to the time of going to press. Police-Judge Currie, convener of the burgh's water committee, arranged for the draining of the filter section of the reservoir and this operation was started on Wednesday.

While everything possible was being done there was no relief from grief and uncertainty for the missing child's parents, whose anguish is shared by the residents in the housing scheme area and the town in general. Bobby would have been 5-yearold on 12th June and was looking forward to starting school after the summer holidays.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 1:05 am
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 9, 1950

On The Waterfront
(Extract)
Last week-end, being the beginning of the month the 'Sannox' was peculiarly busy taking holiday-makers over to Arran. On the Friday she made a special afternoon trip with 24 motor cars on board.

It was not motor cars but motor bikes that were prominent with the start of the Isle of Man sailings. Over 200 of these were taken aboard destined for the T.T. races prior to the 'Mona's Queen' sailing at midnight last Friday. There was quite a crowd of local folks down to see the ship off. Strange how this particular fascination never seems to wane. As well as the bikes there were twelve cars taken aboard Including one stream-lined racing model, More bikes, more cars and more people were in evidence on Monday forenoon for transportation by the 'King Orry.'

Saturday morning saw two special trains bring in the region of one thousand gay trippers from Kilmarnock to Montgomerie Pier where they joined the gaily bedecked Duchess or Hamilton. They were employees of the Saxone Shoe Co. Ltd, bound for Inverary on their annual outing.

The Maybole Burgh Band, in full regalia, was there to cheer the trippers with music, though they had every appearance of being cheery enough as they sang and danced on the deck as the boat left the pier. Paper hats and other novelties were very much in evidence. Doubtless a great time was had by all ere the ship re-berthed at 7.30 that evening.

And while the above trippers were boarding the Duchess in high glee, passengers on the Glen Sannox at Winton Pier were sharing the deck space with a solitary cow which, in blissful Ignorance of human laws of hygiene, was performing its natural functions as if it were I still in a grassy field.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:29 am
by meekan
I’m quite sure the reported “1000 gay trippers” would have different connotations nowadays :lol:

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 12:39 pm
by brian f
Hughie wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 1:05 am Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 9, 1950







And while the above trippers were boarding the Duchess in high glee, passengers on the Glen Sannox at Winton Pier were sharing the deck space with a solitary cow which, in blissful Ignorance of human laws of hygiene, was performing its natural functions as if it were I still in a grassy field.


That must have been a lovely S- ite :lol:

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:59 am
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 12, 1942

Captain Colin Campbell, Ardrossan

The death occurred at Oban on Sunday while on holiday of Captain Colin Campbell, Dunstaffnage, Ardrossan, a well-known figure in the Highlands. He was 75 years of age and a, native of Tarbert, Loch Fyne. His early life, however, was spent at Oban, where he received his early education. Practically all his seafaring life was spent in the service of Messrs Nobel, and during the last war be rendered valuable service carrying dangerous cargoes to Continental ports. He retired 8 years ago.

Captain Campbell was an authority on Highland matters. He was a life member of An Comunn Gaidhealach, and was also associated with other Highland organisations. He is survived by two sons and one daughter, who is the wife of Bailie Cunningham, Ardrossan.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 1:29 am
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 18, 1948

The Horse Went Home

Four brothers were involved to an unusual accident in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, shortly before midday on Monday when the shafts became disconnected from a light fish cart as it approached the entrance to the Town Hall. The cart swerved, mounted the pavement and ran into three men who were working on the entrance to the Town Hall drive..

The men were Thomas Dick, contractor, Winton Street, Ardrossan, and his two brothers Andrew, who lives in Stevenston and Hugh, who lives in West Kilbride. Thomas received a facial injury. Andrew had a rib broken and Hugh suffered from shock, but none of the injuries were serious. A fourth brother James, retired, was speaking to the others at the time and witnessed the accident.

The horse and cart were owned by Daniel McColl, fishmonger, Kirkhall Gardens Ardrossan, who was unhurt.

While the cart was doing the damage, the horse, trailing the shafts, careered down Glasgow Street and made its way by Princes Place and Kilmahew Street to its stable where it came to rest.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2022 12:36 am
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 23, 1950

Power Driven Messenger

Members of the Post Office staff and a good number of passers-by formed an interested group outside the Post Once in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, about 11.30 on Monday forenoon. The attraction was three brand new motor-cycles two of which bore 'L' plates. After some verbal instruction the latter bikes were mounted by two youths who set them roaring down the street while the instructor, on the third machine, followed in close attendance.
A speed-up in the delivery of telegrams in the district would appear to be imminent.
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Around 1956-7 many of us local youths were envious of a couple of youths including, Jim (Clem) Smith, getting jobs doing the Telegram deliveries on the P.O. motorbikes - they were BSA 125cc Bantams, painted red from what I remember.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:10 pm
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
August 19, 1949

800 Leave Ardrossan For The day.

Eight hundred men, women and children assembled at South Beach Station about 11 o'clock last Sunday forenoon, The variously coloured badges worn on the lapels indicated to all and sundry that the crowd was participating in the Annual Outing of Ardrossan Labour Party. By 11 15 the well-marshalled crowd had boarded a special train without incident and the entire party was en route for Fairlie Pier where the paddle steamer "Caledonia" was waiting to convey them over the narrow stretch of the Firth to Mlllport.

Arrangements for the supply of tea to the large crowd having been made in advance, it was not long before young and old alike had their material needs satisfied and were engaged in the various pursuits which were arranged to all the hours pleasantly till it was time to make once more for the pier and the homeward-bound steamer. It was a record day in the long sequence of successful outings which the Labour Party in Ardrossan have organised.

Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2022 3:57 am
by Hughie
Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
August 25, 1951

Gala Day Washed Out.
But sand-builders braved the storm
The children's gala day sponsored by Ardrossan Town Council last Saturday was literally washed out. Torrential rain driven by a gale-force wind necessitated the cancellation of the programme of children's sports which had been arranged. Despite the inclement weather however some fifty children turned up at South Beach-in the forenoon to take part in the sand-building competition and bravely carried on with their designs.

Mr Shapley, architect, who acted as judge, took originality as well as execution into account when making the awards. Each child taking part, win or lose, was given a "comic." The prizes were presented by Councillor Mrs Lawson to the following successful competitors :

Ages 5 to 8 years-Girls-1, Sheila Cunningham, 87 Glasgow Street; 2, Catherine Cunningham, 87 Glasgow Street; 3, Pat McGuire, 28 Barr Place.
Boys-1. Brian Johnston, Eglinton Road; 2, Gilbert Kean, 8 South Crescent; 3, M. McCulloch, 85 Princes Street.

Ages 9 to 11 years-Girls-1, Margaret McPherson, 5 Beggs Terrace: 2, Eileen Rodgers, c/o 12 Yarborough Place; 3, Norma Gordon, 20 Winton Street.
Boys-1. Gordon Spatt. 20 Montgomerie Street; 2, Donald Stewart, 21a Montgomerie Crescent, Saltcoats; 3, Michael Cowan, 5 McKellar Avenue.

Ages 12 to 14 years-Girls 1. Nancy Welsh. 25 Whitlees Crescent; 2, Lucille Cowan, 12 Yarborough Place: 3, Margaret Welsh, 20 Whitlees _Crescent.
Boys-1. Raymond Dyke, 37 Hill Place; 2, Ronald Miller, 21a Montgomerie Crescent, Saltcoats: 3. Robert Muir, 92 Kilmahew Street.