Stevenston - On This Day In History

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
5 JUNE 1913

NOBEL’S BALLOT OF STRIKERS

The ballot of workers of Nobel’s explosives factory at Ardeer, Stevenston, on the strike question, was in progress yesterday.

As previously reported, the taking of a ballot was decided upon by the management of the factory with the view of ascertaining whether or not the workers wished to resume. The circular accompanying ballot papers asked the workers to return them to the head office of the company at Glasgow. The strike leaders, on the other hand, advised all workers to hand their ballot papers to union officials.

The result of the ballot is not yet available, but from the union side it is reported that leaders have secured 1270 ballot papers. Many workers whose votes are included in this number, it is stated, despatched ballot papers to the company’s office marked in favour of resumption of work, but later forwarded papers cancelling the previous votes.

It is reported that the Dock, Wharf, and Riverside workers have offered financial assistance to the strikers whose support so far has come from the Scottish Union of Dock Labourers.

It is also stated that the question of the strike will be raised at a general conference of the National Transport Workers’ Federation, which will be held at Newport with a view of obtaining support from that organisation.

It is thought that a number of tradesmen who are not members of the Dockers’ Union will vote for resuming work.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
5 JUNE 1914

IRVINE AND DISTRICT WATER BOARD MEETING

At the meeting of the Irvine and District Water Board held at Kilwinning, Provost Miller, Saltcoats, reported on behalf of the Works Committee that the quantity of water in stock was 334,000,000 gallons, a decrease of 1,000,000 compared with the corresponding period of last year, but at that time Nobel’s works were on strike and little water was used there.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
6 JUNE 1913

THE ARDEER BALLOT

The result of the ballot vote of the workers of Nobel’s Explosives Factory, Stevenston, has not yet been officially declared. It is, however, pretty well known in the district that the ballot will be unfavourable to the resumption of work. The union officials claim that they have obtained about 1200 ballot papers, and this means that the strike will continue.

It will be remembered that at the commencement of the dispute the company intimated to the workers that all sections of the factory being dependent on one another, if a stoppage took place it would be necessary to close the factory and keep it closed until a majority of the workers in all sections signified their wish to resume work.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
7 JUNE 1913

NOBEL’S STRIKE

It has been decided to keep Nobel’s Explosives Factory, Stevenston, closed until a majority of the workers in each section indicate their wish to resume work.

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GLASGOW HERALD
7 JUNE 1951

ARDEER FACTORY EXPLOSION – TWO WORKMEN KILLED

Two men were killed and a number of girls suffered from shock as the result of an explosion which occurred early yesterday at the Imperial Chemical Industries factory, Ardeer, Stevenston.

The cause of the explosion is unknown, but it is believed that a bogie carrying explosives blew up as the two men were pushing it along a track which winds through the factory.

The blast was so great it shook the windows of dwelling-houses in the neighbouring towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Kilwinning.

The two men who lost their lives were both married.

The were: -

David McManus, (37), 45 North Street, Dalry, and

Andrew S. Reid. (25), 12 Glencairn Street, Stevenston.

Reid was the only son of Mr Ernest Reid, a foreman in the factory, who was at work at the time of the explosion.

The explosion occurred opposite a mixing shed where gelignite and other explosive materials are compounded. The roof of the shed collapsed but although several girl employees suffered from shock none was injured.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
8 JUNE 1911

AYRSHIRE WATER-WORKS INSPECTION

The annual inspection of works under the Irvine and District Water Board was held yesterday by the members of the Board from Kilwinning, Irvine, Stevenston, and Saltcoats.

The representatives from the different towns were conveyed in carriages, and after visiting the filter station at Greenhead inspected the Munnoch reservoir. Luncheon was served in the board-room there, after which a visit was made to the new Caaf reservoir.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 JUNE 1910

BIRTH - WYLLIE

At Mayfield, Stevenston, on 8th instant, to Mr and Mrs James Wyllie; a daughter.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 JUNE 1910

MARRIAGE – STEVENSON and KATER

At Stevenston U.F. Church, on 9th June, by the Rev. Matthew Miller, assisted by the Rev. John Hanson, M.A. (uncle of the bride), and the Rev. D. D. Rees, Hugh Chalmers Stevenson, Lane Foot, Kendal, to Jane, only daughter of Robert McCulloch Kater, Stevenston.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 JUNE 1912

ARDEER GOLF CLUB

Heys Medal – George McGregor, (8) 76, previous winner; A. Donaldson, (9) 77, winner; William Reid, (plus 2) 78; A. L. Forsyth, (5) 80; and Thomas Harvey, (6) 80.

Robertson Medal – William Hogarth, (12) 77, winner; J. Gemmell, junior, (10) 80; N. H. Cosh, (10) 81; and F. A. F. Crawford, (10) 83.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 JUNE 1914

DEATH - CROSS

At Nobel Villas, Stevenston, on 8th June, Julia, wife of D. Cross, aged 36 years.

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THE GLASGOW HERALD
11 JUNE 1906

THE REV. WILLIAM HORGAN

The Rev. William Horgan, of Stevenston, Ayrshire, has been appointed to the vacancy in St. Lawrence R.C. Church, Greenock, caused by the death of the Rev. Dr. Fox.

Father Horgan is a native of the south of Ireland. He was curate of St. Mirren’s, Paisley, and was in charge of a mission at Houston before being transferred to Stevenston.

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 JUNE 1913

THE STRIKE AT NOBEL’S WORKS

Yesterday afternoon a meeting of strikers in connection with Nobel’s Works, Ardeer, was held in the Victoria Park, Saltcoats, where there was an attendance of over 800.

Mr Gilbert Lewis, in addressing the meeting, said they had brought pressure to bear on the Board of Trade through the Labour Party, and they had a letter from the Labour Whip stating that the decision of the Board of Trade would be given that afternoon with regard to the wages at Nobel’s. When that decision was made known he felt sure a conference would be held with the directors of the company, and they would make the best terms possible for the men to return to work.

The company would require to abide by the decision of the Board of Trade.