Stevenston - On This Day In History

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
14 JANUARY 1915

HOUSING PROBLEM AT STEVENSTON

Stevenston Parish Council, in consequence of the shortage of dwellings in the district, have communicated with Nobel’s Company to see if they would not undertake the erection of some houses.

At their meeting on Tuesday a letter was read from the manager of the company stating that this question had already been receiving serious consideration, but in view of the scarcity of labour and building material the company had come to the conclusion that nothing could be done in the way of a building scheme which would relieve the immediate necessities of the district.

The company were, however, considering other ways and means by which they hoped the necessary accommodation for their workers might be obtained. The question of a housing scheme for the workers would not be lost sight of, and he hoped they would be able to consider the matter when the present crisis had passed.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
15 JANUARY 1918

SCOTTISH JUNIOR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION MEETING

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Scottish Junior Football Association, held in the Scottish Football Association Rooms, Carlton Place, Glasgow, last night the undecided third round tie Stevenston Thistle versus Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors was ordered to be replayed at Parkhead, Glasgow, on Saturday.

The draw for the fourth-round ties included: -

St. Mirren Juniors v. Port Glasgow Athletic Juniors or Stevenston Thistle.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 JANUARY 1922

FOOTBALL – Scottish Junior Cup – 5th Round Replay

Result: - Ardeer Thistle, 3; Rob Roy, 2.

FOOTBALL – Western League

Result: - Dumbarton Harp, 1; Stevenston United, 2.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
7 JANUARY 1972

TWO HURT IN ARDEER EXPLOSION

Shop windows were broken in Irvine, Ayrshire, and householders in the neighbouring towns of Stevenston and Saltcoats left their homes in alarm yesterday when an explosion at Ardeer factory shook the area.

Two men were injured, one seriously, in the explosion, which occurred when a magazine containing waste explosives was being removed for destruction.

The injured men were Harry Manson, aged 58, of 149 McKinlay Crescent, Irvine, who is suffering from multiple burns and lacerations, and James Hunter, aged 60, of 43 Merryvale Road, Irvine, who has arm, leg, and rib injuries.

Mr Hunter’s condition was said to be satisfactory.

An official of the company said a full investigation would be held.

One woman, who was walking home after completing an early-shift at the factory, said: - “The explosion was absolutely deafening, and when I looked back, I saw a cloud of smoke coming from the works.”

GLASGOW HERALD
17 JANUARY 1972

EXPLOSION VICTIM DIES IN HOSPITAL

Mr Harry Manson, aged 58, a process worker, of 149 McKinlay Crescent, Irvine, one of two workers injured in a blast at the Ardeer Factory on January 6, died in hospital at the weekend.

Mr Manson, who received multiple burns and lacerations when a quantity of waste explosives in a magazine exploded, was taken to Kilmarnock Infirmary and later transferred to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. From there he was taken to Canniesburn Hospital where he died.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
19 JANUARY 1915

HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION IN NORTH AYRSHIRE

At a meeting of Northern District Committee of Ayrshire County Council Mr Peter Reid, Stevenston, drew attention to the great need for increased hospital accommodation in North Ayrshire. He received an assurance from Mr C. E. Grant, the convenor of the Public Health Sub-Committee that the matter was receiving the Hospital Committee’s close consideration, although plans for hospital extension were not yet ready for submission.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
20 JANUARY 1919

FOOTBALL – Western Cup

Result: - Stevenston United, 2; Vale of Leven, 3.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
21 JANUARY 1862

THEFT

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Saturday, Thomas Dalziel, drawer, and John Finnie, lads about 17 years of age, were charged with having stolen two loaves of bread from a van which was standing at the provision store, Ardeer, and belonging to Mr Shedden, baker, Kilwinning, on the 8th January.

They pleaded guilty, and having previously been convicted of theft, were sentenced to imprisonment for 60 days.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
19 JANUARY 1935

EXPLOSION IN AYRSHIRE FACTORY - ONE MAN DEAD AND THREE INJURED - BURIED IN DEBRIS OF WRECKED HOUSE
SPECIAL TRAIN’S DASH TO GLASGOW

Four men were injured one of them fatally, in an explosion which occurred at 9.30 yesterday morning in the black powder experimental house at the explosives factory of Imperial Chemical Industries, Ardeer, Ayrshire.

The men were removed by special train to Glasgow and taken to the Western Infirmary, where one of them died.

The man who died was:-

MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, (26), laboratory assistant, 31 Springvale Street, Saltcoats.

Fitzpatrick suffered burning injuries to arms, legs, and back.

The names of the injured are:-

ROBERT E. HARGREAVES, (24), chemist, 62 Argyle Road, Saltcoats, a native of Manchester – injuries to face, chest, arms, and legs;

ELWYN JONES, (33), chemist, 6 Border Avenue, Saltcoats – injuries on face, arms, and legs; and

DAVID TELFORD, (23), laboratory assistant, 9 Burnbank Street, Stevenston – injuries to face, legs, and arms.

The cause of the accident has not yet been ascertained.

BURIED IN DEBRIS

An eye-witness stated that following the explosion flames shot into the air, and the house was destroyed.

Workmen in the vicinity went to the assistance of the injured and were able to pull them clear of the burning building. Fitzpatrick was almost completely buried in debris, and was rescued by the prompt action of two workmen.

The noise of the explosion did not penetrate to all parts of the factory, but the alarm was immediately raised, and fire-fighting equipment and medical supplies were rushed to the scene.

The fire was at once extinguished, and Dr. Roberts, of Stevenston, was summoned.

It was soon apparent that the men were seriously injured, and arrangements were made for a special train to convey them to Glasgow, a provision which is made to meet such an emergency.

The London Midland and Scottish Railway Company cleared the line and gave the special train of two coaches an uninterrupted run to Glasgow. Dr. Roberts was among those who made the journey with the men.

The train arrived at St. Enoch Station, Glasgow, shortly after twelve o’clock. Two ambulance waggons awaited its arrival, and the injured men were taken to the Western Infirmary.

The company’s staff dance, which was to have been held last night, was cancelled.

GLASGOW HERALD
22 JANUARY 1935

ARDEER FACTORY EXPLOSION

The death took place yesterday in the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, of David Telford, one of the men injured last Friday in an explosion in Messrs Nobel’s explosive factory, Ardeer. This is the second death, one of the four men injured having died shortly after admission to the infirmary.

Mr Telford, who was 23 years of age, was a laboratory assistant, and resided at 9 Burnbank Street, Stevenston. He received severe injuries to face, arms, and legs.

The two other men who were injured, although still critically ill, are making as good progress as can be expected.

The explosion occurred during an experiment with black powder.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
23 JANUARY 1920

NECESSARY REPAIRS TO HOUSES IN STEVENSTON

The question of the threatened closing of several houses in Stevenston, which, it was stated, would render 40 persons homeless, was considered yesterday at a meeting of the Northern District Committee of Ayrshire County Council.

A letter was read requesting the authority to take the necessary steps to enforce Section 25 of the Housing Act of 1919.

It was reported that the Executive Committee had instructed the Sanitary Inspector to serve a notice under the section quoted, on the owners of houses requiring the repair of the houses within 21 days with a view to their being made reasonably fit for human habitation.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
25 JANUARY 1916

DEATH - KYD

At the hospital, Stratford, Canada, Robert J. Kyd, A.M.I.C.E., son of Rev. R. J. Kyd, minister of Stevenston, result of accident.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
27 JANUARY 1916

DEATH OF ROBERT J. KYD

The intimation of the death in Canada of Mr Robert J. Kyd, only son of the parish minister of Stevenston, has been received with widespread regret in the community.

Mr Kyd was a civil engineer in Stratford, Canada, and on the outbreak of the war was appointed inspector of shells in a government factory.

On Saturday, while on his way home from work, he fell on a slippery footpath and his head was injured. He was taken to hospital, where he died from the effects of his injuries.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
27 JANUARY 1919

CALEDONIAN RAILWAY – TRAIN SERVICE EXTENSIONS

The Lanarkshire and Ayrshire line will be re-opened for passenger traffic and a train service re-established between Glasgow, Neilston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan, and on the Kilbirnie and Irvine branches.

Included among the stations which are to be re-opened are Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Stevenston.