Stevenston - On This Day In History

[Hughie]

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
July 26, 1946

B.B. Firemen (Stevenston)
Seven members of the Stevenston Boys' Brigade have qualified at Ardrossan N.F.S. station for their Firemen's Badge. The boys are - Harry McCart, Dick Cowie, Hugh Garratt, William Plenderleith. Harry Carson, Peter Higgins, and Samuel Higgins.
The boys attended the fire station for training on four nights and Company Officer Christie reports that they were all very keen.

[Hughie]

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
August 29, 1947

Ayrshire Tenor For The States!
In recognition of the pleasure which they have derived so often when listening to the singing of Eddie Thomson, Ayrshire's popular tenor: the members of the Saltcoats Old Men's Club foregathered and presented Eddie with an eagle's claw, set in silver and on which was mounted a beautiful gem.

The presentation was to mark Eddie's departure to Los Angeles. California, at the end of September, where this popular singes goes sponsord by an American millionaire, who heard Eddie singing while on a visit to this country last year. It was not only Eddie's voice which captured his American 'Santa Claus' but also the way Burns' famous songs were rendered. Indeed our America friend said he would not rest until Eddie was on the other side of "the pond," where he so much desired all Americans, rot only those with Scottish ancestry, to hear Eddie's nightingale voice. America's pain will be Ayrshire's loss, especially at Ardeer Rec, where Eddie has tendered his resignation as steward.

[Lorn]

Must see if we can get an image of one of those gold badges.

Hello,
sorry for the random comment on an old post. I’ve been looking into the coal mine disaster as my great great grandfather was a rescuer and came across this post. I knew I had photos of the medal so I had to let you see!

[Hughie]

Much appreciated, Lorn. Here's a list of those locals who received this award for their efforts during the Auchenharvie mine disaster:

viewtopic.php?p=184464#p184464

[Penny Tray]

Thanks for letting us see the medal Lorn.

[Meg]

Yes, thanks for posting these photos Lorn

Meg

[Hughie]

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
September 21, 1951

Police Escort for Referee
Remarkable scenes were witnessed after the Ardeer Thistle - Baillieston Juniors game at Stevenston on Saturday. Play had been rough throughout and many of the referee's decision did not please the crowd. As the final whistle blew the field was invaded and the referee, Mr J. Allan, of Glasgow, had to be escorted from the field by the police. A large crowd assembled outside the pavilion and Mr Allan was driven to the railway station in a police car.

Near the end of the Kilwinning - Duntocher Junior Cup replay at Kilwinning several players became involved in a free-for-all in the Duntocher goalmouth. Spectators invaded the pitch, but police soon cleared it."

Ardeer v Glasgow Police rugby game at Stevenston was abandoned after a player on each side had been seriously injured. Torrance, of Ardeer, suffered a compound leg fracture. Heath, of the Police, had a suspected fracture of the arm. Both players were removed to Kilmarnock Infirmary, Ardeer were leading by 22 points to 3 when the game stopped.

[Hughie]

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
October 3, 1947

Ardeer Thistle F.C.
In Stevenston, wherever men meet, a favourite topic of conversation is the Ardeer Thistle and the hope of the revival of the club. Even amongst the younger men whose knowledge of the club can only be that gained in conversation with their elders, there is a growing demand for a football club that will be truly representative of the town. The general consensus of opinion seems to be that the Ardeer Recreation is more a works' team than a town team and does not fill the same place in the community as does the Victoria in Saltcoats and Winton Rovers in Ardrossan.

Some prominent local men. amongst them some well known business men who subscribe to this point of view are actively interested in the teams resuscitation. The prime mover in this direction is an ex-junior footballer and a district councillor Jimmy Clements. The enthusiasm is there and the demand is obvious, so if playing facilities can be secured and admission to the Western League obtained, the Thistle's revival would appear to be more than a possibility.

[Hughie]

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
November 13, 1942

A Supreme Effort
Two Ayrshire women are setting an example in war work that would be difficult to match anywhere in the country. Both are workers in munitions and both are married women with a family. Mrs McLaughlin, of Stevenston, has her husband in the Forces. She, although having two sets of twins under the age of five, is still able to do part- time work in an Ayrshire factory.

Mrs Downie, of Kilwinning, has even greater domestic responsibilities as she has the care of her seven children all under fourteen years of age. She also is doing part-time work, looks after the children and keeps the home going for her husband who works in the same factory. Both husband and wife are praised by the management as steady and regular workers.

At the present moment approximately fifty women are employed as part-time workers in this factory, all of them with domestic responsibilities. More women are now required, and the hours of work will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Thursday and Friday of each week. Payment for adults for this full five day week varies according to the department in which the worker is placed and the nature of the work. But it begins at £1 7s 7d per week, plus a war bonus of 5s 9d per week.
Applications are wanted immediately and should be made to the nearest Employment Exchange.

[Hughie]

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 11, 1942

Ayr County Council - From the Education Committee minutes:
St. John's R.C. School, Stevenston (8 teacher school) Head Teacher. The Director of Education directed attention to the fact that the list of 20 applicants for the post of Head Teacher of St. Joan's R.C. School, Stevenston, included 6 teachers at present serving with H.M, Forces.

The Sub-Committee, having regard to the necessity for securing someone to take charge of the school immediately and also to their obligations towards those teachers at present on service, agreed that the post be filled by the appointment in a temporary capacity of one of the applicants immediately available for duty and that the question of the appointment of a permanent Head Teacher be considered at the end of the war.

It was thereafter, agreed that Mr James McFarlane, at present an Assistant in Ardrossan Central R.C. School, be appointed to the temporary post on the distinct understanding that he does not, thereby acquire a claim to special consideration when a permanent. appointment comes to be made.

[exile]

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 11, 1942

Ayr County Council - From the Education Committee minutes:
St. John's R.C. School, Stevenston (8 teacher school) Head Teacher. The Director of Education directed attention to the fact that the list of 20 applicants for the post of Head Teacher of St. Joan's R.C. School, Stevenston, included 6 teachers at present serving with H.M, Forces.
It was thereafter, agreed that Mr James McFarlane, at present an Assistant in Ardrossan Central R.C. School, be appointed to the temporary post on the distinct understanding that he does not, thereby acquire a claim to special consideration when a permanent. appointment comes to be made.

Does the "applicants included [...] 6 teachers at present with H.M. Forces" mean this was an opportunity for a Reserved Occupation?

I never knew Jas McFarlane had been there so long; he was still there in 1965 when I left for secondary school.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
1 JANUARY 1875

DEATH

McKANE: At Boglemart Street, Stevenston, on the 27th ultimo, Margaret Duncan, relict of Andrew McKane.