Not the THREETOWNS but close

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meekan
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

Post by meekan »

A very dramatic account of this terrifying event it has all the ingredients for a Hollywood movie. I wonder what care was taken for the storage of this material in later years? There must have been a big demand for gunpowder in those days. Other than the obvious (firearms) I wonder what it was used for.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

Post by hahaya2004 »

I think they may have needed it for the mines and quarries.
The most important hour is always the present, the most significant person is the one opposite you right now, and the most necessary deed is always love. - Meister Eckhart (c.1260 - c.1328)
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

Post by Penny Tray »

Eventually the mine and quarry owners were obliged to store their explosives on-site in secure explosives stores. The last of these in the Threetowns was, I think, at the Lochwood Mine situated between Saltcoats and Stevenston. During the tensions in Northern Ireland it was routine for the police to check these stores through the night.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

Post by Hughie »

hahaya2004 wrote: Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:49 am I think they may have needed it for the mines and quarries.
Yes, they had a fair amount of Ironstone mining in Dalry and Dynamite didn't come along till the early 1870s.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

Post by hahaya2004 »

DALRY – THE LATE FIRE AND EXPLOSION
From the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 02nd February 1856


It was not to be expected that the late fire and explosion would be passed unnoticed by the public. A public meeting was accordingly held on Monday, in the Town's House. It was most numerously attended by owners of house property and shopkeepers, and the object of the meeting stated to be "for the purpose of considering and adopting such measures as may be thought necessary for the safety of the community, and the protection of property".
On the motion of T. Biggart, Esq., Capt. Blair of Blair was called to the chair, and opened the proceedings with a feeling addressed on the great calamity which they had so narrowly escaped. He lamented the loss of life and the injuries which had been sustained, but he felt that that was but a drop in the bucket to what might have taken place, but for the protecting hand of Providence. He then proceeded to draw a damaging comparison between the care with which that terrible combustible powder was handled by the members of the army and navy — men who knew its full power, and were not afraid to use it when necessary — and the carelessness of the retailers and consumers of the article in this locality. In conclusion, he called upon the meeting to discuss calmly the best means of preventing its recurrence.
Several propositions were then submitted, but that which seemed to find most favour was to petition proprietors and shopkeepers against continuing the sale of it in the town, for which purpose a committee was appointed.
It was also agreed to memoralise[sic] parliament to revise the Gunpowder Act, as the quantity allowed to be kept in stock (200 lbs.) is so great that there might as well be no restriction at all.
The Chairman then requested the meeting to join him cordially in a vote of thanks to those persons who had most distinguished themselves by their exertions to extinguish the conflagration. He had great pleasure in naming the following individuals: —

Andrew McDuff, miner
David Cleland, miner
Gilbert McKinlay, miner
Francis Ross, wright
Andrew Walker, innkeeper
: —

but for whom and a few others the most fearful and fatal consequences must have ensued. He then called forward Sergeant Galt of the county constabulary (who discovered the fire), and paid him a well merited compliment for his bravery and exertions during its continuance, informing him that he had reported his meritorious conduct to his superior officer, and trusted that it would meet with that favour which he so well deserved, — a wish in which the meeting enthusiastically joined.
A subscription was opened for the purpose of marking the feeling of the meeting on the conduct of the persons who had distinguished themselves, and a sum of £5 collected, which will be largely increased.
An interesting discussion then arose as to the propriety of getting the town recognised as a burgh, and it was agreed to appoint a committee to inquire into the matter, and report to a public meeting of the inhabitants called for that purpose.
Dr Hamilton proposed a vote of thanks to Captain Blair, for the deep interest he had taken in the subject of the meeting, and his conduct in the chair, which concluded the proceedings.
We cannot conclude our notice of the imminent danger to which the town of Dalry was exposed, without recording the names of those who so nobly distinguished themselves during the fire. It was no slight danger which they incurred. They knew not the moment, when an explosion would bury them within the ruins of falling houses. The chairman at the public meeting named a few, and very justly called forward Sergeant Galt, who, throughout the whole occurrence, manifested forethought, coolness, and undaunted bravery, which deserve the highest praise. Our correspondent sends us the following list, which we gladly publish: —

Andrew Walker, innkeeper, injured
William Smith, New Street, injured
Archibald Smith, grocer, injured
Hugh Rodger, jun., injured
Andrew McDuff, miner
David Clelland, miner
Gilbert McKinlay, miner
John Wylie, spirit dealer
Francis Ross, wright
William Steven, oversman
William Robertson, oversman
John Arnot, miner
Sergeant Galt, C., Constable
John Green, Constable
Joseph Howat, miner
James Rodger, proprietor
— Brown, miner, North Street


Mr Hugh Rodger, vintner, deserves honourable mention for the generous spirit in which he threw open his house for the reception of the wounded, and also in affording every assistance in obtaining a plentiful supply of water. A penny subscription has been started for the purpose of raising a sufficient sum for the purchase of an axe bearing a suitable inscription, to be presented to Mr Ross, wright, as a small token of admiration for his bravery immediately after the explosion.
Mr Shaw's injuries happily took a favourable turn on Saturday last, since which time he has been slowly but gradually recovering. All the others are nearly convalescent.
The feeling in favour of making the town a burgh is rapidly gaining ground, since it has become known that it can be done under the recent General Police Act, at an expense considerably under £100. One slight annual tax upon the householders will be more than compensated for in the feeling of security which will arise from a knowledge of the ability to check such dangerous practices as those which led to the melancholy catastrophe of last week.
We are led to understand that the dealers in powder have almost unanimously refused to sign the petition for its total removal from the town. This is to be regretted, as there is a general feeling prevalent, that, with one honourable exception, their conduct on the occasion of the recent occurrence was not such as might have been expected from men having so much at stake. Should another fire occur in premises in which powder is kept in stock, we are afraid that assistance will not be so promptly and energetically tendered.
The most important hour is always the present, the most significant person is the one opposite you right now, and the most necessary deed is always love. - Meister Eckhart (c.1260 - c.1328)
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
April 4, 1952

T.V. Pirates

Since the opening of the Scottish television transmitter at Kirk o' Shotts more and more television licences are being purchased by viewers in Scotland. The figure now stands at About 7000 but this lags far behind the number of T.V said to have been sold.

Licences drawn in the district of Kilmarnock, Stewarton. and the Irvine Valley number 250.
The Post Office appreciates that, in the excitement of the first few days of television, manv viewers may have overlooked the necessity of obtaining a licence, but any grace which has been allowed is almost over now.

It is illegal to instal and work a T.V receiver without first obtaining a £2 licence from the Post Office. Viewers who already hold a £1 licence will be allowed a rebate.

It is well-known that the service provided by the B.B.C. depends largely on the revenue collected from all those operating receivers of any kind and it is only fair that each should make his or her proper contribution.

The Post Office can detect all types of apparatus and will not hesitate to prosecute those who fail to appreciate their responsibility.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
August 8, 1952

Aluminium Industry

Messrs Henry Hawkins, Ltd., have been granted permission by Ayr County Council to mine bauxitic clay at Sevenacres, Kilwinning.
Bauxite is the principal ore of aluminium.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

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GLASGOW HERALD
8 JANUARY 1914

THE PORTENCROSS TRAGEDY

Mrs Alexander McLaren, one of those injured in the Portencross shooting tragedy, has so far recovered that it is expected she will be able to leave Kilmarnock Infirmary tomorrow, and will be taken to the house of a friend in Dalry.

The circumstances of the tragedy will be fresh in the minds of the public.

On Saturday night, October 19, while Mr Alexander McLaren, retired farmer, with his wife and sister-in-law (Miss Gunn), were sitting reading in their home, a lonely cottage at Northbank, Portencross, several shots were fired through the window. Miss Gunn was killed, Mrs McLaren was shot in the back, and Mr McLaren received a flesh wound in the hand.

Mrs McLaren was removed a week later from her house to Kilmarnock Infirmary, where she has since remained under treatment.

Notwithstanding an exhaustive search the perpetrator has not yet been found. The police are still pursuing their inquiries.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 14, 1949

An Electric Van Short!

Last Thursday night one of the Irvine and Fullarton Co-operative electric vans used for bread deliveries disappeared from the garage in West Road. The van, of the battery type, was found abandoned in Kilwinning the following day, when presumably after either the battery had given out or the person who purloined it had no further use for it.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

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GLASGOW HERALD
28 FEBRUARY 1913

AYRSHIRE MAN’S TRAGIC DEATH

News has been received at Kilwinning of the death of Captain Patrick McNally, of the Philippine Scouts. This officer, who was born in Kilwinning, was massacred along with three of his lieutenants and seven enlisted men by Mono tribesmen in Jolo.

[The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until after the end of World War II.]
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

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GLASGOW HERALD
23 MARCH 1912

CHEAP BREAD

At Kilwinning yesterday, the remarkable scenes attending the rush for cheap bread at the Co-operative stores was renewed, when the shops and vans were besieged by clamouring crowds.

At the schools the children were served with another hot dinner yesterday.
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Re: Not the THREETOWNS but close

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GLASGOW HERALD
24 MARCH 1826

NOTICE TO SHIPPERS – IRVINE TO QUEBEC AND MONTREAL

At Irvine, for Quebec and Montreal, the first class coppered and copper-fastened brig TRUE BRITON, James Reid, master. Having the most part of her cargo engaged, will be despatched on the 10th April. Passengers going from the West Country will find this vessel an eligible conveyance.

For freight and passage apply to the Master at Irvine.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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