Looking Back - Herald files

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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on March 25, 2009

150 YEARS AGO in March 1859
MR JK Hood, one of the agents of the Temperance League delivered an address on the subject of Total Abstinence in Clauchan Church, Shiskine, Arran. The body of the church was well filled. We were glad to have a man of Mr Hood's ability in our midst contending against our national "hydra-headed vice.

A PARTY of gentlemen from Kilwinning and surrounding parishes met and entertained William Lang Esq, Monkcastle, dinner in the Eglinton Arms Inn. Mr Lang is deservedly popular wherever he is known. One hundred and fifty sat down to dinner, and the Rev Dr Campbell ably discharged the duties of the chair.

THE Ardrossan cottage in Hamilton Street, Saltcoats was purchased by Mr Kirkwood, Dykesmain for £200.

THE Ardrossan Philarmonic Society closed the session with a party and ball in Mr Jamieson's Inn. There was an excellent turnout, and the enjoyment great. This society meet weekly during the session under the tuition of Mr Alex Reid, Stevenston. They have made considerable progress in the knowledge of music. The pleasure of the evening was enhanced by the service of their teacher, his son Mr P Reid and Mr W Crawford, Dalry.

100 YEARS AGO on March 26, 1909
THE comic operetta, Idle Ben was presented by Mrs Arundel's pupils in the Conservative Hall, Stevenston, on Wednesday and Thursday, those taking principal parts being Douglas Parker, Lizzie Steel, James Arnott and Lizzie Findlay.

MR DAVID Laidlaw, formerly of Ardeer House, has been appointed chairman of Ardrossan Harbour Company,

MR AJ Ritchie. Saltcoats, has given several dozens of loaves to the Ardrossan Soup Kitchen. On an average 100 people are served soup daily.

ON Saturday Ardrossan Academy Girls' Literary Society treated the boys to a dramatic display selection from As You Like It those taking part being - Susie Mackinnon, Winnie Fleming, Jean Macmillan, Grace Hunter, Ella MacInnes, Alice Lawson, Annie Hunter, Tully Macpherson, Sarah Cochrane. May Chrystie, Margaret Adams and Margaret Ruxton.

At the annual general meeting of Ardrossan Musical Society, office-bearers elected were: - President, Mr JW Blythe; vice-president, Mr William Harvey: secretary, Mr J McMurray: treasurer, Mr M McKenzie; committee, Messrs W Jamieson, W Kean, J Logan, J Allison and D Harvey.

50 YEARS AGO on March 27, 1959
A SPECIAL service of Easter Praise to be held in St Cuthbert's Parish Church, Saltcoats, is to be broadcast on the BBC Home Service. The service will last from 7.45pm until 8.25pm and will be conducted by the minister of the church, the Rev Dr A Smart. Music will be led by the church choir, with Mr Leslie Thornton at the organ. This is the fifth occasion in the last eight years that an Easter service has been broadcast from St Cuthbert's.

THE travelling public, handicapped by the new bus route, consider there should be a bus stop between McGregor Avenue and the Hayocks Road entrance.

BETWEEN one and two o'clock on Tuesday morning some person or persons broke the crossbar of the goalposts at Ardrossan Academy Playing Field'

THERE was a pretty double wedding last Thursday afternoon in the East Church, Kilbirnie with Christine and Elizabeth Sneddon, sisters, as brides. Christine's groom was Mr David Johnstone, and Elizabeth's Mr Peter Boyd. One hundred relatives and friends attended the reception in the Walker Hall.

AYRSHIRE, where the school population is increasing by an average of 1000 a year, will in the next few months start a school building or extension programme costing nearly £4m. It is estimated that the 30 buildings needed will be completed by 1964. Mr WTH Inglis, Director of Education for the County, said on Friday that this was only part of the new schools programme for Ayrshire.

25 YEARS AGO on March 30, 1984
ONE of Ardrossan's oldest hotels, the Eglinton Arms, is up for sale. And the asking price for the hotel in Princes Street, is a mere £65,000. For that is the amount owed to the finance committee which the repossessed the Eglinton at the end of last year. Since then it has been empty and boarded up - with no sign of its former owner, Mrs Dorothy Stringer. But a spokesman for Industrial and commercial Finance Corporation (ICFC) said no legal action against the previous owner was planned at the moment.

It would appear that ICFC is more intent on recovering the outstanding debt on the hotel. And at an asking price equal to two semidetached homes in the area buyers will get 12 letting bedrooms and a three-bedroom flat. The large white building also contains a public bar, games area, cocktail bar, a ballroom for up to 250 dancers, a 70-seat restaurant, a residents lounge and a conference suite.

AS the miners Strike bites, special plans are being made to safeguard coal supplies to the elderly and other needy groups. In Cunninghame the Social Work Department in conjunction with local coal merchants has drawn up a scheme to ensure no hardship amongst these groups - especially those living alone.

Ron Lavalette, area officer at the Social Work offices in Saltcoats sald: "With regard to the elderly. coal merchants will be bringing us lists of their customers who are elderly for us to approve as fitting into the needy category. "We will try and get coal released to them through the NCB and the NUM."

Douglas Willock, chairman of the Ayrshire Coal Merchants Association said: "The miners' continuing official strike action has coal supplies rapidly disappearing from local coal merchants yards. "All coal merchants have been asked by Strathclyde Social Department to compile lists of customers who come under certain needy categories."

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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 1, 2009

150 YEARS AGO in April 1859
FOR more than three centuries salt has been manufactured in Saltcoats, Dairy maids say that few, in any of the imported salts are more soluble or give a better flavour.

ARDEER Iron Works. Last year a new bowling green was opened a few months ago a new school was opened and now a new library with over 400 volumes.

IT may be gratifying for the friends of Mr James Leitch, former teacher in the public school, Ardrossan, to be informed that the students of Glasgow Established Church Training College in the hall of the institute met and presented him with a magnificent gold watch as an expression of their deep feeling of esteem and gratitude they entertain towards him as their instructor.

THE Brisbane Academy. Largs was opened on Monday, April 4 in the presence of General Sir TM Brisbane, Lady M Brisbane, a deputation from Greenock Free Presbytery, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen.

THE annual ball of Stevenston Thistle and Rose Lodge No.169 was held in the lodge room on Friday, April 1. At 11 o'clock pie was served by Me Robert Craig, thereafter, the date proceeded.

100 YEARS AGO on April 2, 1909
AT the annual meeting of Ardrossan Bowling Club on Monday, office-bearers appointed were: - President, Provost JB Chrystie; secretary, Mr H Gillespie, treasurer, Mr Thomas Glover; committee - Messrs J Cook, J Barr, T Guthrie, J Lambert, JM Comrie, J Barclay, W Tannoch, W Hastings.

ON Tuesday a social was held by Ardrossan Literary and Debating Society to mark the close of the season, and the artistes were - Mrs A McKnight, Miss Florrie Barr, Messrs William Adams, W Harvey, T Jackson, JB Scotland, H Ross, A Beckett, Miss Higgins, Mr Lawson, Messrs T Macmillan, D Boyd, Goodwin and D Harvey.

A SPLENDID performance of the cantata, Day and Night was given in Erskine Church, Saltcoats, on Thursday. The conductor was Mr JR Parker, and the soloists were Misses Thom, Macintyre, Parker, Stirrat, Mr Anderson, Mr T McLellan.

THE first concert given by Beith Amateur Operatic Club took place in the Public Hall on Friday evening under the conductorship of Mr Angus Mitchell, the soloists being Miss Mary Reid and Mr David Smith.

OFFICE-bearers elected at the annual m the West Kilbride Mutual Improvement Association were: - President, Mr JG Lyon, MA; Vice-President, the Rev WK Smiley: secretaries, Messrs R Ferguson and H Millar; treasurer, Mr R Howie.

A SOCIAL was held by members of Kilwinning wood-carving class in the Mission Hall on Thursday, when a presentation was made to the teacher, Mrs Hunter of the manse, and Misses Hutchison, Sanderson, Howat and Messrs Torry and Mackie provided entertainment.

50 YEARS AGO on April 3, 1959
PRAISE for the nuclear disarmament campaigners who last week marched from Aldermaston to Trafalgar Square, London, was voiced by ex-Provost James Reid at Tuesday's meeting of Ayr County Council. No other organisation in the country, he said, could muster a 30,000 parade.

WHILE a Glasgow man, Archibald McDougall, 348 Ellesmere Street. Possipark was walking along the shore at Stevenston last Sunday he saw a child in difficulties in Stevenston Burn. Mr McDougall waded waist deep into the water to rescue Joseph Gillespie, aged two, of 13 Cleveland Street, Glasgow, who was on an afternoon in an outing with his family. The boy suffered no ill effects.

THE driver of a motor car and three passengers had an alarming experience in the early hours of last Saturday morning when the car careered off the Ardrossan-Seamill Road near Glenfoot bridge, crossed a grass verge and somersaulted down an embankment to the shore where it fell over on to its offside. One of the passengers sustained a laceration of the head. As a result of the mishap, which occurred about 5am, the car was extensively damaged.

BUILDING work has commenced at Townhead, Stevenston where the Town Council are building six shops and 12 houses in the first development.

THIS week it was discovered that putty had been removed from about 42 window panes at the kiosk which has now been erected at Stevenston shore. It was the work of vandals.

THE short, but much used stretch of pavement from the Post Office to the Manse Road end in Brodick is badly needing attention. It's a very long time since It saw any tarmac.

WITH more and more tenants going into the new houses in Hillview, Brodick, is it not time that a telephone kiosk was provided?

25 YEARS AGO on April 6, 1984
FOUR Stevenston clergymen are heading north on a wing and a prayer. Father Alan Wilson, of St John's; the Rev lain Roy. of Livingstone Parish; Rev Fergus Buchanan, of Ardeer Parish; and Rev Tom MacIntyre, of Stevenston High Kirk - will say a prayer in each of 20 religious sites to be visited inside 12 hours. Their pilgirims' tour of pre-reformation ecclesiastical places in east and north Scotland will begin from Stevenston at 6am on April 12. Between then and 6pm that night the four hope to have said prayers in such places as Culrose, St Andrews, Dunblane, Arbroath and Aberdeen.

In the process they hope that sponsorship of their marathon will raise around £800. A similar venture in the borders last year produced a total of £1200. But it is intended to be a spiritual as well as a fundraising trip.
"As well as the four clergy we hope that there will be 400 people praying with us." explained Mr Roy. Details of the prayers the foursome will say in each of the venues are contained on the sponsor sheet. People are asked to sponsor the trip at a maximum cost of a penny per visit. The actual cost of the journey - likely to amount to 400 miles in total - is being paid for by the churchmen, with Mr Wilson providing the car. Money raised will go towards Christian Aid.

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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 8, 2009

150 YEARS AGO in April 1859
MR James Campbell, has been offered the double appointment of collector and inspector of the Parish of Stevenston at a salary of £60.

WG Barron Esq, entertained the workers employed in the erection of Seafield House to the number of 50. The health of the proprietor was given, followed by that of the various contractors - Messrs Boyd (masons), Kinghorn (joiner) and Wilson (plasterer).

WEST Kilbride Farmers' Association started business at 12 o'clock, noon and dinner was served in Mr Ritchie's Wellington Inn at four o'clock per ticket 2/6d.

Mr BOYLE, Liberal-Conservative candidate, addressed a large meeting at Saltcoats. Gavin Fullarton Esq, Kerelaw was in the chair.

IT is gratifying to know that our young townsman of Stevenston, William Lockhart Esq. MDLRCS, Edinburgh, has been appointed to HMS Imaum 72, at Jamaica

100 YEARS AGO on April 9, 1909
SUCCESSFUL candidates in Ardrossan Parish School Board Election were: AJ Ritchie, the Rev Charles Lamont, the Rev William Carmichael, the Rev JK Cameron, Provost Chrystie, TH Taylor and the Rev William McGilchrist.

THE Rev William Heron, BA, of Partick Free Church, has accepted a call to the pastoral charge of Saltcoats and Ardrossan Free Church. The church has been vacant for more than two years.

IT was suggested at the meeting of Ardrossan Presbytery on Tuesday that pier dues be included in the travelling expenses of Arran members but another member remarked that it should be left open in view of a possibility of travelling by aeroplane in the near future.

THE members of the Ardrossan branch of the Ship Constructive and Shipwrights' Association held a smoking concert in the Commercial Hotel on Monday, the vocal part of the programme being sustained by Messrs John Brown, John Hunter, Charles Travers, John Morris, TH Hill and William Stewart.

LAST Thursday evening a lecture was given by Councillor Flinn, Ardrossan, in the Assembly Hall on "Burns as a pioneer of Trades Unionism."During the evening songs were sung by Messrs William McFarlane, MacBean Becket, Logan, Douglas, Andrew and Misses Poe and McCallum.

AT an Ayrshire School Board meeting the other day the chairman suggested that headmasters be asked to warn pupils that in future no boy would be allowed to buy cigarettes under 16 years of age.

50 YEARS AGO on April 10, 1959
STEVENSTON Town Council have decided to enquire into the possibility of providing a further block of two houses at the Arthur Street site. The Burgh Surveyor has been asked to report on the possible future use of the remaining ground at the site at present unsuitable for housing development.

THE Royal Marine and Royal Navy Club, New Street, Stevenston, was broken into early on Monday morning, and liquor and cigarettes stolen. Between Thursday night, April 2 and Friday morning, a newsagent and tobacconist shop in Boglemart Street was entered and a quantity of cigarettes, ball pens and jewellery were stolen.

FOR the first time in many years the "shows" in Kilwinning are not allowed the use of Abbey Green for the erecting of their entertainment stalls. They are being accommodated in the old Goods yard in Dalry Road.

WORK has begun in pegging of the site for approximately 35 houses in Abbey Green. It is understood that the old historical background of the Abbey ruins will be preserved and the houses built will be in keeping with the amenities. The houses will be three and four apartments.

THE contractors who are reconstructing the bridge over the railway at Townhead. Kilwinning, did a smart piece of work in the early hours of Sunday, when the old bridge was demolished and the line cleared for the train services during the line cleared for the train services during the day

MR Morris Ritchie, supervising mail receptionist at Ardrossan/Saltcoats telephone exchange, retires today (Friday) after 31 years' service in the Post Office. Mr Ritchie commenced his service in the Post Office at Kilmarnock in 1928 as a part-time telephonist where he remained for five years. During this period he was also employed as a part-time postman at Hurlford. In January 1933, he transferred to the Ardrossan/Saltcoats Exchange as a night telephonist full-time, becoming the night supervisor in 1940.

25 YEARS AGO on April 13, 1984
A LOCAL football club this week showed the "red card" to vandals who destroyed the foundations of its new committee building. Winton Rovers officials slammed those responsible for demolishing 1300 bricks which were laid in Winton Park, Ardrossan on Sunday by a team of volunteers.
The damage was discovered by a committee member on Monday and the whole club is up in arms over the setback to its plan to provide upgraded kitchen and lounge facilities.

Club treasurer Mr Sam Morrison said: "Before the bricks has set they had been kicked and pushed and deliberately pulled down." The committee are looking on the setback as a temporary one, however, and will have the foundations re-erected as soon as possible. None of the bricks, donated by a local merchant were stolen but a further 1000 are needed to complete the job. The committee is confident of getting more help from local businesses. The timber for the building, which was lying nearby, was also untouched but, despite this, Mr Morrison is very angry at the culprits. "It was purely and simply stupid, nonsensical vandalism, he claimed "and we really don't need that sort of stupidity."

Winton Rovers have worked hard over the past year to improve not only their football but their standing as a club and have had a lot of support which they fully appreciate." Mr Morrison commented: "We are trying to get back on our feet again. We have plans for the park and if they come to fruition we might be able to provide more recreational facilities in the town for a lot of people."

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 15, 2009

100 YEARS AGO on April 16, 1909
A TWO-storey block of seven shops and seven dwelling houses at the corner of Warner Place and Carment Drive, Stevenston, was totally destroyed by fire last Friday evening. Damage is estimated at $2000.

THE success which has attended the Boy Scout movement in the district has led Mr Archibald Scott, saddler, Saltcoats, to open a depot for Scouts! outfits.

THE annual social and concert of the Saltcoats Total Abstinence Society was held in the Lesser Town Hal last Friday, the artistes being Mrs Beveridge McGregor, Miss Bella Murray, Messrs McFarlane, Becket and DB McNab.

THERE will be no contest at the School Board elections in Kilwinning, the members of the new Board comprising Messrs John Goldie, John Gordon, John T Howat, Robert Howie, Robert Smith, the Rev George Stirling and William Young.

THE members of the Beith Community 4th RSF have concluded their Morris-tube competition, Winner of Championship. Sergeant G Higgins; winner of aggregate, Corporal B McAulay, winner of junior championship, Private J Stewart. In the young man competition. Private H Stevenson took first place.

THE juvenile choir of Overton UF Church, West Kilbride, gave a cantata entitled Our Heavenly Home in the church on Tuesday evening, solos being sung by Misses Nan McMillan and K McNaught; duets by Miss McMillan; and Miss J McIntyre. N McMillan, Messrs W Reid and James Todd rendered several pieces.

50 YEARS AGO on April 17, 1959
THAT there would probably be employment for more than 1200 women and women in Scandinavian factories which are expected to open in Irvine was stated last Thursday night by Mr BS Rolandsen, Swedish business and industrial consultant who, as chairman of Irvine New Town Development Committee's Scandinavian office, was paying a short visit to the burgh. He said that a large number of Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish firms had indicated that they would like to start subsidiary factories.

So many Scandinavian firms were interested in coming to Irvine that he was certain all the space at the AOF and perhaps even surplus space in the burgh, could be occupied by small and medium sized factories. The firms, benefiting from cheaper costs of production, would produce goods wanted in the British and Commonwealth markets, but would not cut across existing British Industries. There would be less work for both highly skilled and unskilled men and women.

MORE vandalism in Saltcoats - locks have been tom off the Melbourne kiosk.

MISS Anita Reid, of 7 Melbourne Terrace, Saltcoats, a telephonist at the Ardrossan/Saltcoats Exchange, won the first round of a competition covering telephone exchanges in the Ardrossan Head Post Office area on Wednesday afternoon. The competition was part of a contest sponsored jointly by the GPO and Interflora- the worldwide flower relay service - to find the nation's top personality girl telephonist and prizes for the eventual winner include a trip to the USA. Contestants in the local round were tested for speech quality only, and Miss Reid now goes forward to the round two at Glasgow covering Head Postmasters districts in West Area.

MR Andrew Robertson, 8 Carrick Avenue. Saltcoats. has withdrawn a proposal put to the Town Council for the erection of poultry houses opposite Carrick Avenue.

JUNE 20 is the date when on which Saltcoats Queen of the Sea will be crowned. Three bands are to take part in the parade.

SIR Fitzroy MacLean MP, prospective Unionist Candidate for Bute and North Ayrshire, who is to speak at a meeting in Millport tonight, is under the auspices of the Millport Development Association, has just returned from a mission to Russia. During the visit he was invited to appear on TV and gave a half-hour broadcast in Russian, which he speaks fluently. This last, and so recent visit behind the Iron Curtain will give a fresh attraction to his lecture entitled Escape and Adventure.

A FILM is being taken of the New George Cinema in Kilbirnie tonight (Friday) and will be shown in the cinema next week.

25 YEARS AGO on April 20, 1984
ACTRESS Edith Macarthur took to the High Seas on Monday when she officially opened Caledonian MacBrayne's new service to the Isle of Arran. Edith and her fellow stars from STV's Take The High Road, Caroline Ashley and Alec Monteath were in the first vehicle off the first boat at Brodick on Monday morning. After cutting a ribbon strewn across the pier and announcing the ferry service open, Edith and her friends journeyed to corrie.

ARDROSSAN Fire Station has won a valuable reprieve in its fight against closure. A report recommending that both the part-time and full-time units at Ardrossan be axed was referred back by the regional police and fire committee last week. in the next six weeks Firemaster Richard Knowlton will have to produce a lot more information to justify his recommendation of closure. And fire station supporters will have more time to prepare the case for its retention.

Mr Knowlton's original report contained no information about why Ardrossan should close and what effect they would have on the area's fire cover. It was slammed by Ardrossan's regional councillor Dan McMillan as totally inadequate. He said: "There was no mention in the report about costs. It was simply a blank statement that three full-time stations, including Ardrossan, were going to close. For any officer to expect a committee to approve a report on the basis of the information provided here was ridiculous. If we had taken a decision to close a school on the basis of a report like that we would have been under attack from the public and quite rightly.

A WAR-time shell was found in the grounds of Moorpark House, Kilbirnie, on Monday. But the discovery made by Mr George McCafferty, a supervisor on a youth training scheme, was found to be a dummy

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 22, 2009

150 YEARS AGO on April 1859
THE inhabitants of Wellow, near Bath, England, have been pleased to present Mr William Young, a native of Kilwinning and acting Police Sergeant of the Somerset County Police, with a valuable writing desk as a testimonial of his good conduct during his short stay with them.

ARDROSSAN and Ardeer bowling greens opened for the season on Friday, April 29. The weather was too indifferent for this period of the year.

MAYBOLE Baltan Fair had more male than female labour looking for feeing engagements. Men were engaged at from £9 to £11; lads from £7 to eight guineas; women from £3 10s to £5 20s.

A GENERAL meeting of shoemakers of Ardrossan was held when the following office-bearers appointed: Mr James Davidson, president: Mr Hugh Currie, secretary: Mr William McLaughlin, shoemaker.

STEVENSTON Turf Coal which is considered second to none in Ayrshire, can now be had at the Salt Pans Coal Yard. Other classes of Stevenston coal can also be obtained. Advert Image

100 YEARS AGO on April 23, 1909
LAST Saturday morning an outbreak of fire at Knockrivoch Farm, Saltcoats, destroyed the granary, byre and a shed, the damage amounting to a value of £1600. The cattle stampeded but were captured on the road to Saltcoats.

IT was reported to the Northern District Licensing Board on Tuesday that owing to the hotel proprietors of Kilwinning having tried to stop an influx of Sunday drinkers to the town there had been a marked increase in Sunday drinking.

STEVENSTON School Board election took place last Tuesday and the result was - the Rev James Adams, Mr Peter Reid, the Rev JC O'Neil. Messrs James Morrison, David Law, Alex McGregor, George Sinclair, Matthew Orr, Robert Bicket and George Forsyth.

THE gentlemen elected to West Kilbride School Board last Friday at the poll were:-Messrs Archibald Gray, HHA Grier, AS Todd, James Marshall and Dewar Paton.

AT the annual meeting of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Choral and Orchestral Society, office bearers elected were: - President, TM Amott: Vice President, MR AR Ririe: secretary, Mr James Lawrie; treasurer, Mr D McC Miller, committee, Messrs WC McGeachin, James T Woodburn, JC Stewart, James Kirkwood, F Shinie, JC Stirling, H McGillivray and Forrester.

50 YEARS AGO on April 24, 1959
THE gas-works at Ardrossan and Saltcoats will cease manufacturing gas shortly after the end of next month. This will mean that 14 men will lose their jobs, because a reduced staff is all that will be needed to maintain the two works which will become holder stations for gas supported through the West of Scotland grid. Details of the changes were given in a letter from the Deputy General Manager of the Glasgow and Western Division of the Gas Board which was read at Monday night's meeting of Ardrossan Town Council.

"It is my Board's intention," said the Deputy General Manager that the manufacture of gas will cease at both Ardrossan and Saltcoats on or around 31 May, when a bulk supply of gas will be available from the grid system now being installed; the gas will be manufactured at Irvine and Kilmarnock and later supplied from the West of Scotland grid of which the present system now being installed will be a part.

AT 8am last Saturday, a motor van travelling towards Largs on the Ardrossan-Seamill Road, overturned when opposite the house known as the "Bungalow." The two occupants of the van were uninjured but the van was extensively damaged.

PROPOSED alterations to public lavatories in Kilmeny Terrace, costing over £430, have been approved by Ardrossan Town Council.

VANDALS are at it again. No sooner have the new bus shelters been erected in Kilwinning than the windows have been smashed. No wonder rates go up.

A PAYMENT of £25 is to be made by Ardrossan Town Council towards the cost of repair and upkeep of the approach road at the coup on Stevenston Moor. The council's staff use the cowp on two days of each week.

25 YEARS AGO on April 27, 1984
AN MI5 plant at a meeting in Ardrossan may have sparked off the Government's controversial clampdown on unions at GCHQ, Cheltenham.
Secret information revealed by Falklands War critic, Tam Dalyel MP, was enough to send Premier Margaret Thatcher on her union scourge, he believes. And Cunninghame South MP, David Lambie, agrees that Mr Dalyell's worst fears are justified This shows what is happening in the United Kingdom at the present," he stated "We are as near to a police state as we have ever been"
"Although we are still living in a democracy and hold General Elections, Mrs Thatcher is acting like a dictator," Mr Lamble said.
Mr Dalyell at the meeting organised by Ardrossan Labour Party on January 12, stated that orders relating to the sinking of the Belgrano during the War were intercepted and de-coded at Government Communications Headquarters. When a specific question on how he knew the messages had been de-coded was asked by an unidentified member of the audience, Mr Dalyell's suspicions were aroused.

CUNNINGHAME South MP David Lambie and his wife, Netta, were granted a private audience by his Holiness Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome last week. _Mr Lamble was in Italy as part of a British Italian Parliamentary Group when he was given the rare interview. Pope John Paul stressed the importance of world peace and called on the politicians to use their influence towards this end in their own countries. "When speaking personally to Mr Lambie, His Holiness recalled his visit to Scotland last year and the tremendous warmth of his welcome by the people of all denominations.

Mr and Mrs Lambie were the guests of the Rev James Clancy, head of Pontificio Collegio Scozzese (Scots College) during their stay in Rome. They were entertained to supper and met senior members of staff.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 29, 2009

150 YEARS AGO on April 1859
AT the sale of the late David Wilkie's library in Glasgow, a copy of the first edition of Burns' works published at Kilmarnock realised £8.

KILWINNING was never so in so prosperous a state than at present, as work is plentiful. A half acre of land was bought for £80; an old house known as "Castle Pen" brought £340; Crown Hotel, valued at £200 was bought by the present tenant, Mr Charles Breckenridge, for £269.

ARDROSSAN Barony Farmers' Show was well attended. Best three-year-old cow - 1. William Hogarth, Whitlees: 2. John Stirrat, Ittington; 3, Andrew Nicol. Parkhouse.

A LARGE number of people have arrived in the Ayrshire coast towns for the summer holidays.

WEST Kilbride has been gifted with a reading room with books, periodicals and newspapers. A clock has been placed above the entrance. All at the expense of Mrs Hunter, of Hunterston.

100 YEARS AGO on April 30, 1909
ARDEER Golf Club have engaged as professional, Mr E Gough, Irvine, an expert in clock-making and well qualified to give golfing instructions.

WINNERS of the shooting competition held by 1st Saltcoats Company, Boys' Brigade were: - Private A Brown; Private J Neilson, Lance Corporal A McNaughton.

SALTCOATS bowling green opened for the season last Saturday, the vice-president's rink (E Doman, A McIntyre, J Yuille, H Thomson, VP J Patrick, D McC Miller and A Thom) defeating the President's rink (J Breckenridge, John Morris, R Duncan, W Wylie, pres, G Armour, W Tannock and J Barclay.

PRIZES awarded in Kilwinning by the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have been won by the following young essay writers: - Miss Jeanie Tyre, Master George Muir, Master Bryce Niblock.

RESULTS of a Bible Knowledge examination under the SSNU in Kilbirnie were:- East Church - Duncan Dickson, Robert Kerr, John Shearer, Thomas Partridge; East Church - Ella Ballantyne, James Houston, Bessie Ritchie, Isa Anderson, Robert Dick, Bessie Wren, George Lightbody, James Anderson; West Church - Marion Fyfe, Maggie Reid, Kate McCormick, Cathie Park, Jessie Muir.

50 YEARS AGO on May 1, 1959
FOUR men and two boys on board a fishing boat had a dramatic escape last weekend when they drifted for 12 hours in heavy seas off the North Ayrshire coast. Finally the boats, Sisters grounded on the North Shore, Ardrossan, in darkness, after narrowly missing rocks near Ardrossan Harbour.

The voyage began in bright sunshine at Troon on Saturday, when the skipper of the boat, Mr Joe Potts, 82 Harbour Street, Irvine, took aboard his nephews, eight-year-old Alexander and nineyear-old James McMillan, their father, Mr Archibald McMillan, 57 Innerwood Road, Kilwinning, and the boys' uncles, Mr Allan McMillan, 17 Caldon Road, Irvine, and Mr Walter Reid, 45 Livingstone Terrace, Irvine.

They were towing a lifeboat belonging to the boys' father which was to be converted into a cabin cruiser when the Sisters' engine stopped, not long after the voyage started. The engine could not be re-started and skipper Potts hoisted sail. Soon the boat was off Irvine, but the weather worsened and when the wind changed the party decided to ride out the storm. The boat dragged anchor, however, and as darkness fell, it drifted towards Stevenston, where the tow line broke.

At 1.30am on Sunday, Troon lifeboat was launched but there was no sign of the sisters in the darkness. Meanwhile the two boys crouched in a small compartment in the Sisters was driven near the entrance to Ardrossan Harbour by the storm and she was in danger of being wrecked on a nearby danger ridge of rock. But the boat drifted past and on to the safety of the shore.

The six occupants walked along the beach to the Shell Refinery where workmen gave them tea. Later they went by car to Irvine. There Mr Potts contacted the pilot house and Troon Lifeboat was recalled.
The boat, which was being towed by the Sister was later discovered beached on the Horse Island.

DURING the laying of the foundations of the new houses in Abbey Green last week, workmen exposed the foundations of the old building on the site of Greenfoot House, Kilwinning, which was demolished in 1956. They thought they had made a discovery when a barred window was brought to view. The window was unearthed in the wall of an old building underneath Greenfoot House. Photos were taken and are now in North Ayrshire Museum, Saltcoats.

25 YEARS AGO on May 4, 1984
A COACH load of policemen were drafted in from Paisley as picketing miners took up their positions at the Hunterston Ore Terminal this week. The NUM members numbered around 50 on Wednesday afternoon and early evening and had arrived in a bid to stop coal being transported from the terminal by trucks to be sent on to the Ravenscraig strip mill.

Convoys of trucks made their way out of the terminal depot and past the pickets at high speed. The pickets had come from all over Ayrshire.
On Wednesday night it was rumoured that they could be joined by others from the pits in the North of England, but they failed to appear. Yesterday morning (Thursday). 40 pickets were at the Hunterston terminal gale, a figure which reduced to around 25 by the middle of the morning. As a result, the police presence was reduced and vehicles making deliveries to the ore depot and vehicles making deliveries to the ore depot entered and left without interference. Police reported a peaceful atmosphere on Wednesday and Thursday. Members of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation at Hunterston have resolutely said that the agreed quotas of coal heading for Ravenscraig will get through to ensure the survival of the Lanarkshire plant

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on May 13, 2009

150 YEARS AGO on May 1859
A NEW road has to be made at Windmill Street, Saltcoats, leading to the beach and Melbourne Terrace. This will be an advantage to the public generally.

WORKMEN are employed forming a new road at right angles with Montgomerie and Glasgow Streets, Ardrossan. The new road passes alongside the Free Church. Immediate steps are to be taken to open up Glasgow Street to its full length.

MR JC Jago, agent of the Ayrshire Temperance Union, addressed a very large and very attentive audience in the open air. The meeting was held on the Green at Stevenston and the presence of a policeman, who himself is an abstainer, prevented boys from making any disturbance.

THE annual shooting for the captaincy of Belth Archery Club for the ensuing season was held on May 19. After a brisk competition of 21 ends, Mr RL King, Union Bank, was declared to have the highest number of scores. Last year's captain, Mr James Wilson's (Saracen Head Inn) gift was a handsome gold signet ring with suitable inscription.

100 YEARS AGO on May 14, 1909
THE Ardrossan and West Kilbride Farmers' Society held their annual show last Saturday in a field at Parkhouse Farm, Ardrossan, winners of special prizes being Mrs Hunter-Weston (best male animal): John Motion, Haplands (best female); Charles Brennen, Ardrossan (Best carter's horse): William Speir (Dalry) and Alex Wyllie (Dalry).

A JUMBLE sale in aid of Saltcoats Burgh Instrument Fund was held in the hall, Bradshaw Street, last Saturday the committee and others who assisted being Mr Rainer, James Wilson, Joseph McCulloch, John Lee, Mrs Brodie, Mrs Walker, Mrs Heggie, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Lee and Miss Lee.

STEVENSTON Parish Council have agreed to ask the County Council to provide appliances for extinguishing fires in Stevenston: the suggestion being put forward by Mrs Morrison.

KILWINNING's Provost Lamp is now complete and is being much admired, It bears the town motto: "Without thee, O Lord, all things are nothing.

BRODICK Bay has a visit from three submarine vessels this week. This is the first occasion on which this type of naval vessel has been seen here.

50 YEARS AGO on May 15, 1959
PEOPLE in North Ayrshire towns and villages waited in brilliant sunshine on Wednesday to get a glimpse of Princess Margaret on her way from Iriverkip to Ayr, where she received the freedom of the burgh on behalf of the new Scottish regiment, the Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment). In Glasgow, on Tuesday, the regiment received their new colours from the Princess, who is their Colonel-in-Chief. Princess Margaret also received the freedom of the city on behalf of the regiment. She stayed overnight at Ardgowan, Inverkip, as the guest of Sir Guy Shaw Stewart Bt, Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire and Lay Stewart. At the top of Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, about 11 o'clock, a small crowd began to gather on the pavements of the main road, and soon the number of people was greatly increased by schoolchildren from Eglinton School, who lined the walls and railings fronting Eglinton Road and Parkhouse Road.

A SALTCOATS lad, Sid Hamilton, now residing in Auckland, New Zealand, claims, along with another contestant, to have set a new world record of 26 hours 17 minutes in an amateur roller skating endurance, held at the Glide Rink, Moerewa. It is understood that the new record, which is subject to official confirmation, beats the former world record by three minutes. Sid, who was formerly co-holder of the Australasian record of 24 hours 42 minutes, is the son of Mr and Mrs John Hamilton, late of 45 Vernon Street, Saltcoats. Before going to New Zealand he was a pupil of Saltcoats Public School and a member of the 5th local Company of the Boys' Brigade under Captain William Jackson. In New Zealand Sid went to work in the Head Post Office at Auckland and during his service there he was selected as special messenger to the Governor General, Sir Willoughby Norrie. While in Government House, Auckland, he was selected as messenger to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who was then on a visit to New Zealand. He is a grandson of Mr and Mrs Charles F Murdoch, late of Manse Street, Saltcoats.

CHECKING stores at Famagusta Docks, Cyprus, is Sapper George Dunsmore, a 22-year-old National Serviceman, stationed with the Royal Engineers, George, who has been in the Army a Year, and in Cyprus for the past eight months, is the son of Mr and Mrs G Dunsmore, of 1 Dippin Place, Saltcoats. Soccer takes pride of place among George's outside interests. He previously played centre forward for his local club, Glenfield, and is a keen supporter of Kilmarnock

25 YEARS AGO on May 18, 1984
JUBILANT firemen in Ardrossan this week celebrating the news that their fire station has been saved. Closure plans were quashed at a meeting of the Regional Council's ruling Labour Group on Monday. The decision must be seen as a slap in the face to Fire Master Richard Knowlton who announced the closure before councillors had agreed to it. Mr Knowlton's surprise visit to the station in January to announce its closure sparked off an immediate public protest campaign. One fireman commented: "This is terrific news, everyone is delighted. Morale was extremely low during the threat of closure but now we can all get down to work in earnest again." But one problem remains, for axing the closure plans means Strathclyde Regional Council are above the Government spending guidelines. The Secretary of State for Scotland still has to have his say about the council's decision.
The whole issue was abandoned on the point of safety." "You cannot put a price on lives," Councillor Archie Lambie said. The reprieve for the 30 full-time and 10 part-time firemen at Ardrossan also applies to Anderston Cross and Partick full-time stations in Glasgow Nine other part-time stations have also been let off the hook. Councillor Lamble added: "It is a fait accompli now, the decision just needs to be rubber-stamped at the next Police and Fire Committee meeting."

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on May 20, 2009

150 YEARS AGO on May 1859
KILWINNING Amateur Dramatic Club performed The Gentle Shepherd, which took place in the Crown In Hall. It was so successful that they had to stage it for three nights.

THE Shipment of pig iron from Ardrossan Harbour for week ending May 19 were: Foreign, 5421; Coatwise, 3253 tons.

GLASGOW Ayrshire Society - the trustees of the late John Ferguson Esq, Cairnbrook, have allocated from his legacy, £100 towards the education fund of the Society. John Smith Esq also gave £100.

THE removal term was observed and the weather was excellent, which afforded changing tenants every facility. On the same day was Saltcoats Fair, which was well attended.

MESSRS H Millar and Son, Dalry, brought their dancing season to a close with a ball in Blair Arms Hall, which was attended by young and old.

100 YEARS AGO on May 21, 1909
AT Saltcoats Dean of Guild Court on Monday permission was granted to Saltcoats Bathing Club to erect a pavilion at Saltpans Bathing Place.

THE post of police inspector for Saltcoats section, rendered vacant by the retiral last Saturday of Inspector Findlay has been filled by the promotion of Sergeant William Duffus who has been stationed at Saltcoats since last December. He is the youngest inspector in the County force.

THE Rev RK Goodfellow MA was ordained and inducted to the charge of Kilbirnie East UF Church on Monday. He was a former Dux of Irvine Royal Academy.

THE re-opening of the Beith Royal Arch Masonic Chapter No 32 after being closed for a period of 60 years was effected on Saturday last in Beith Masonic Hall. The following members were installed as office bearers: - JR Balfour, MEZ: Dr Stewart, MEH; John Short, MEJ: Colonel Faulds, Scribe. ER Crawford, Scribe: Treasurer, Hugh Balfour, Dr Campbell and T Thorbum.

IN the Greenside Evangelistic Hal, Kilwinning, the following pupils of Mr Young, Irvine, passed an examination for so-fa certificates:- Miss F Strachan; Messrs Petrie, Lockhart, Close, Ferguson, James Robertson, Niblock, McNeish and Meney.

50 YEARS AGO on May 22, 1959
IN the councillors' room at Irvine Townshouse on Saturday night, with the exclusive Scottish Junior Cup at last safely home after 61 years, and with a delirious crowd outside still celebrating its arrival, Mr James Delury, chairman of Irvine Meadow, raised his glass and proposed a toast.
"Same again next year boys" he said.

"Fitba' daft" Irvine had earlier gone daft with a vengeance - and with good cause following the 2-1 triumph against Shettleston in front of more than 65,000 fans at Hampden Park. Joyful thousands so jammed High Street and its approaches that all traffic had eventually to be diverted. Some began to assemble at least two hours before the triumphant homecoming of the victorious Meadow at 7.25pm on their open-topped double-deck bus, most of them sported in one fashion or another, the celebrated blue and white colours. And when their heroes did arrive, they produced a roar which would not have disgraced Hampden itself. With difficulty police kept clear, in the swarming crowd, a narrow lane through which the bus slowly approached the entrance to the Townshouse where Provost George M Donaldson stood ready to greet the conquerors.

POLICE Sergeant Andrew Robertson, Saltcoats, retired from the police force on Sunday after 30 years service. He was born 54 years ago in Prestonkirk, East Lothian, where his father was a gamekeeper, and Sergeant Robertson began his working life also as a gamekeeper with the Forestry Commission Ayrshire in 1929 and joined the County Police Force on May 13 of that year. After training in Ayr he was posted to Largs where he spent three years, and was then station in Saltcoats for a year and a half. Following brief spells of duty in Beith and again in Largs, he was posted to Dreghorn, where he was stationed for 11 years. On July 12, 1946 he was promoted sergeant and transferred to Saltcoats for the second time, and has been stationed in the town since then.

VERNON Street, Saltcoats was closed to traffic for a time on Wednesday while road repair work was in progress. All road traffic was diverted through Dockhead Street.

ON Wednesday afternoon a private car and a bus were involved in a slight collision in Parkhouse Road near its junction with McDowall Avenue.

25 YEARS AGO on May 25, 1984
FIRE destroyed a cardboard box factory in Kilwinning on Tuesday night, causing more than £100,000 of damage. The Asco factory in Nethermains Industrial Estate was reported to be on fire at 8.16pm and fire brigades from Ardrossan, Kilwinning and Dreghorn raced to the scene. After more than four hours of fire fighting, the men brought the blaze under control but had to remain all night while it was smouldering. At 8am on Wednesday, day shift firemen took over and in the afternoon they returned again to try and establish the cause of the fire. The road from Irvine bypass to the Industrial Estate had to be closed off while the blaze was raging. No one was in the single storey building but its contents - Industrial cardboard, machinery and two fork lift trucks were destroyed.

STRATHCLYDE Region's vice convener - Jim Jennings - officially opened Kilbirnie's "new" Bridgend Centre on Friday. A total of £120,000 has been lavished on the building in the past months, including money from local authority grants. Among the other guests were James Murray (chairman of the Ayrshire Federation of Community Association); Colin McCallum (chairman of Kilbirnie and Glengarnock Community Association), and representatives of local clergy. Officials of Strathclyde's education section (Ayr Division): local district councillors and community association members were in attendance. An exhibition was given of photographs with "before and after shots. The building was officially re-opened with the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on May 27, 2009

150 YEARS AGO on May 1859
Early hiving at West Kilbride. A hive belonging to Mrs Montgomery casts a fine swarm.
Mt George Hendry, Symington, has a white magpie with not a black feather any more than a swan

100 YEARS AGO on May 28, 1909
The opening of a new post office premises in Chapelwell Street, Saltcoats, took place last Saturday.
The postmaster is Mr J McRae.

Ailsa House, Ardrossan, formerly known as Elsing House, has recently been purchased by Mr WD Hamilton from Bearsden, and has been converted into a handsome boarding house.

Yesterday Empire Day was celebrated in the local schools, where in each case the flag was unfurled and saluted by the pupils, and addresses were given by members of the School Board.

Kilwinning Rangers and Strathclyde met at Shawfield Park, Glasgow on Saturday in the final of the Scottish Junior Cup. The game ended in a goal-less draw and will be replayed at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, tomorrow
Sergeant Hardie has been promoted from Crosshouse to fill the vacancy in the Saltocats police force caused by the promotion of Sergeant Dulfus to the inspectorship.

50 YEARS AGO on May 29, 1959
A cruise ship named the "Meteor left from Ardrossan on a cruise around the historic castles and shores of Scotland's western seaboard. The cruise stopped at Castle of Mey, Brodick Castle, Arran, Duart Castle, Mull and Dunvengen Castle Skye.

In the Ayrshire Junior Cup Final, Largs Thistle defeated Glenafton 3-1 at Recreation Park, Ardeer. The scorers for Largs were Davis, with a double. and Mechan, while Douglas scored for Glenafton. The victory gave Largs the Cup for the third time in their history, and the second in the last three years.

Glorious sunny weather brought thousands of visitors by road and rail to North Ayrshire coastal towns over the weekend in the second week of an extraordinary heat wave. The beaches at Ardrossan and Saltcoats were about as busy as they could be expected to be in the summer.

Locals, glad of the first really good spell of weather of the year, swelled the crowds of visitors on the beaches, and cafes and ice cream vans made up for a slow start to this years season. The local putting greens were well used, and over 2,000 passed through the turnstiles of Saltcoats swimming pool.

Around 180 people attended the Lesser Town Hall in Saltcoats when the local Labour Party held an "At Home". The chairman, Baillie Morrison, welcomed the audience, and then after tea the 3 successful candidates at the last election, Baillie Martin, Police Judge Martin and Councillor Brown each gave a short address.

25 YEARS AGO on June 1, 1984
A local head teacher has helped bring an end to discrimination against secondary school pupils who receive bursary awards from the regional council. Mr John Taylor of Auchenharvie Academy has been pressing for a change in the bursary system for some time and earlier this year he was finally successful
The decision means that pupils will be free to leave school at the end of their course or on the statuory leaving date. Previously, if they did not remain in school until the last day of term they would be asked to repay the last term's grant.

Celtic star Roy Aitken pulled out of the Scotland squad to play England to look after his young daughter whilst his wife Jane rests. Jane was released from hospital earlier this week, and has been told to rest for a month. Speaking from his home in West Kilbride, Roy said: "The reason I withdrew is because of my wife. Whether I return to the Scotland team next season is for Jock Stein to decide.

Crowds gathered in Dockhead Street, Saltcoats, on Saturday to celebrate the start of this year's Three Towns Festival' The day got off to a melodic start as the Irvine Youth Band performed renditions of popular songs, quickly attracting an appreciative audience. Ardneil Pipe Band took over and the stirring skirl of the bagpipes added a bright note to afternoon shopping. After another selection from the Irvine Youth Band, members of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society gave an accomplished display of their talents

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on June 3, 2009

150 YEARS AGO in June 1859
A SUMMER visitor bathing centre opposite Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan, didn't observe the tide coming in, so he got into difficulties. When rescued he was exhausted.

THE Rev Mr Davidson of the Free Church officiated in one of these good and necessary services on Sabbath evening in Quay Street, Saltcoats.

THE gift to Burns's nieces has now reached £970. The very handsome sum of £150 has been received from India.

SEVERAL ships were put up for sale at Ardrossan Harbour. The sale took place in the Eglinton Arms Hotel when good prices were offered and accepted.

DANCING classes have started in the Town Hall, Ardrossan.

100 YEARS AGO on June 4, 1909
AT a meeting held last Friday in the hall of St Andrew's Church, Ardrossan, the North Ayrshire Field Club was inaugurated. It has as its aim the encouragement in the northern district of Ayrshire of a popular taste for scientific and historical research. The provisional committee appointed were: - Messrs DA Boyd, Edward, Craig, Orr, and the Rev W McNeil Biggam.

LAST Saturday Kilwinning Rangers won the Scottish Cup by defeating Strathclyde by one goal to nil after an extra half hour in the replayed game at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. This was the first Scottish final played in Ayrshire and the first time it has been won by an Ayrshire club. The night of the game was a lively one in Kilwinning.

AT the annual general meeting of Ardrossan Winton Rovers FC held last Friday, office-bearers appointed were: - President, Mr James Barbour vice-president, Mr Archibald Tait: secretary, Mr James Woodburn, treasurer, Mr James Lee; club representative, Mr Alex McFarlane; and trainer, Mr Alex Johnstone.

AT the annual meeting of the Nobel-Dynamite Trust, held in London, it was announced that Mr CO Lundholm, who had been in charge of Ardeer Factory for the last 20 years, had been appointed to an advisory position and that Lt Col Sir Frederic Nathan had been appointed manager at Ardeer.

50 YEARS AGO on June 5, 1959
AFTER talks lasting more than five hours in Glasgow on Wednesday between both sides in Glasgow on Wednesday between both sides a settlement was reached in the dispute between welders employed on the Hunterston nuclear power station and their employers, the Motherwell Bridge and Engineering Company Lid and work was resumed on Wednesday night. In an agreed statement, an undertaking was given that in future no strike action would be taken by members of the Boilermakers Society employed on the site, without first consulting the district delegate, so that a conference could be held to discuss the problem. The statement added that in face of this assurance, It was mutually agreed that the Company would lift suspension of the welders. Shop stewards, as representatives of the men, agreed to carry out the instructions of the Society regarding consultation with the district delegate before taking strike action.

LAST Friday 50 general workers employed by ICI at Ardeer factory, Stevenston, were given notice. The period of notice varied from two to four weeks according to length of service. A statement by the management said that all the men had joined Ardeer since the beginning of 1956. Ardeer factory gives employment to 3500 men.

THOU shalt not steal... While a Seamill man was watching The Ten Commandments in the Regal Cinema, Saltcoats last Saturday night his car, which he had left in the cinema car park was pinched. On Sunday morning about 1am he got a phone call from the police to say that the car had been found abandoned in Ayr. On arriving at Ayr on Sunday to collect it he learned that a Jaguar car had been stolen in Ayr and found abandoned in Stevenston. Was someone having a double "joy ride?"

THE Freedom of the Burgh of Troon was conferred on Saturday afternoon on 279 Ayrshire Field Regiment Royal Artillery. Territorial Army, as part of the centenary celebrations of the regiment, which has its headquarters in Troon, with batteries at Ayr, Irvine and Kilmarnock The Freedom scroll and silver casket were presented by Provost DP Anderson at a ceremony in the Concert Hall and accepted on behalf of the regiment by Honorary Colonel James R Richmond DSO, TD JP, who also signed the towns burgess roll.

25 YEARS AGO on June 8, 1984
DEMONSTRATORS gave Scots Secretary of State George Younger a noisy reception when he arrived to officially open Crosshouse Hospital on Saturday.
As planned, NUPE employees at the hospital walked out in protest at the visit by Mr Younger. Joined by other local trade unionists, including a delegation of NUM members, they formed a 200strong demonstration at the main entrance. Police maintained a low key approach and the demonstration was kept peaceful with only a minor skirmish when Mr Younger arrived in his official car. As the demonstrators surged forward to make their point, police moved in to clear a path for the car. The demonstrators were joined by Kilmarnock MP Willie McKelvie, who did not attend the official opening ceremony. Once inside, however, Mr Younger was met only by cordial politeness and the tour of the hospital and the official ceremony all went according to plan for the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board. Outside, Mr Jim Greig NUPE branch secretary at the hospital, was well pleased with the turn-out at the demonstration. He said: "We let George Younger see that he and his Government privatisation plans are not welcome here."

A SPECIAL report could make waves for the future of freight traffic from Ardrossan to Northern Ireland by sea. And the Ardrossan South Beach railway line may be doomed to a watery grave if suggestions that investment is channelled into Irish connections with Stranraer and Cairnryan are followed. The report, prepared by the chief executive of Strathclyde, Robert Calderwood, has angered Ardrossan and Saltcoats regional councillor. Dan McMillan. He says that there is development of the service between Ardrossan and Belfast, five hours compared to two and a half hours for Stranraer-Larne would pose problems for a regular service. Of the current daily sailings, only one - an overnight freight service - is operated between Belfast and Ardrossan. There are 13 sailings a day to Stranraer or nearby Cairnryan. It is unlikely, says Mr Calderwood that the development of facilities at Ardrossan would divert a significant amount of traffic from Stranraer or the alternative English services. He also concludes that a diversion of freight traffic from Stranraer or Cairnryan "would weaken the case for the retention of the Ayr-Stranraer rail line."

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on June 10, 2009

150 YEARS AGO in June 1859
THE boarding having now been removed from the front of Provost Barr's new premises and town house, Ardrossan, the West side of Princes Street has a fine appearance. The shops are all let, except one, and within a week will be fully fitted out and occupied.

A HEN belonging to Mr Kerr Carrier, Kilwinning. laid an egg 7.7 by 7 inches and weighed 4 ounces "3 drops". This beats the size and weight of the Auchinleck egg.

UNDER Kilbirnie notes it states bowling greens are increasing in Ayrshire. The last opened was at Glengarnock Iron Works and if the bowlers there are as enthusiastic as at Ardeer, the employees of Messrs Merry & Cunninghame will soon be in a position to respect numbers and ability to challenge the whole of Ayrshire.

The customs Bonding Warehouse for the deposit of goods for ship stores has been opened at Ardrossan.

BEITH annual holiday to Largs was a good success. About 40 carts were chartered to convey the passengers. Every available machine in the town and parish was booked to take around 500 trippers

100 YEARS AGO on June 11, 1909
ONE of the best patronised entertainments at Saltcoats Fair was the cinematograph and its great Success has caused some wonder if a permanent institution of this nature in our midst would not pay its way.

THE following former pupils of Ardrossan Academy have graduated this session: - Miss Janet G Reid, MA; Mr Roland Blythe, MA; Mr Robert Boyd, BSc and Mr William Ernest Gemmell, MB, Ch.B.

A SUCCESSFUL ladies "Linen Tea" organised by ladies connected with Saltcoats Burgh Band was held in St Andrew's Church Hall last Saturday, and proceedings were enlivened by songs and instrumental solos provided by Mrs Polly Jeffreys, Miss Jeanie Thom, Miss MG and Master DA Grubb, Mr Finlay Hannah and Miss Bessie and Dr John Lee, and Miss Effie Forrest.

AT a meeting of directors of Stevenston Gas Company on Tuesday, Mr Hugh Thomson, architect was appointed chairman in lieu of the late Dr Sloan of Dalry." AT a ceremony held at West Kilbride School on Monday a flag staff and flag gifted to the school by Mrs Hunter-Weston who unfurled the flag and Mrs Aylmer Hunter-Weston presented each scholar with a new penny and box of toffee.

50 YEARS AGO on June 12, 1959
SALTCOATS Town Council are to try again to have Jack's Road classified - so that the Town Council will quality for a grant for the widening of Jack's Road bridge. The Town Council hope to be able to provide two footpaths - one on each side of the bridge - for pedestrians who meantime are in danger from road traffic. At the council meeting on Monday night, the Police-Judge Lambie pointed out that the Council had, some weeks ago, approached the County Council, whose Roads Committee had now ben told by the appropriate department that the road did not rate for classification. Police-Judge Lambie, who raised the matter as urgent business, told the Council: "I feel we should go to the Department in Edinburgh and state that we feel the road should be classified. He added that in Saltcoats there were 22 miles of roads an, of which 3.81 miles were classified. Last year the burgh had spent £7000 for the upkeep of their unclassified roads and no road in Saltcoats had been classified since 1929.

THE first summer sailing of the MV Irish Coast from Ardrossan to Belfast on the daylight services takes place on Saturday, June 20.

ST Peter's RC Church, Ardrossan, have gained fifth place in the road safety competition for the Clark Trophy.

MR L Murphy and MR A Russell of the Carriage and Waggon Department, Stoneyholm Road, Kilbirnie, gained third place as a two-man extinguishing drill team, in the all-regional fire-fighting competition at London-last Wednesday.

A FLOATING mine was reported to Kildonan Coastguard Station on Monday and Police and Bomb Disposal Units were alerted.

IRON fencing at the Kirkgate, Saltcoats, which was repaired some two months ago, has again been damaged by vandals and Saltcoats Town Council have to pay £8 £5s for further repairs.

TWO-year-old Robert Irvine, of Parkview. Fudstone, had a lucky escape when he fell in front of a car outside his home on Friday night and the car passed over him. He was taken by Ambulance to Paisley Alexandra Infirmary, but after treatment for scratches and bruises was allowed home.

25 YEARS AGO on June 15, 1984
AMBITIOUS plans to give the boarded-up Eglinton Arms Hotel a new lease of life have been announced by its owner, Scots singing star Callum Kennedy. Mr Kennedy, who bought the hotel in Princes Street, Ardrossan, for an undisclosed sum two weeks ago, already sees it transformed in his mind's eye. However, the future of the hotel and the public bar depend on the outcome of the next Cunninghame Licensing Board which is being asked to grant Mr Kennedy a transfer of the licence.

"All going well the bar should be open in July or August," Mr Kennedy said. But the hotel, which will be extensively refurbished, is not due to open for a few months more. Work has already begun on the hotel's facelift. No sooner had he signed the papers than Mr Kennedy had employed an army of cleaners to make a start. Work will be done in phases and I have a lot of ideas for the hotel," he added. At the moment bathrooms are being installed in all the bedrooms and designs for decorating each room on a different there are being worked out. The size of the hotel lends itself to being made into a conference centre, Mr Kennedy believes. He has experience of organising conferences which will come in useful, he added. Future plans include redeveloping the courtyard and stables at the back of the building.

A MESSAGE in a bottle brought a surprise to 12year-old Paul McGlynn, 39 Oak Road, Ardrossan. The surprise took the form of a letter from the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. It was posted by a couple, Gino and Mimma Uggeri, who found a bottle containing a message that Paul had thrown out to sea almost a year earlier. Paul was returning to Scotland with his parents, Jim and Pam McGlynn, last June after two years in Cape Town. As their ship neared Avonmouth Paul threw a wine bottle overboard in the Bay of Biscay.

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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

Post by Hughie »

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on June 17, 2009

150 YEARS AGO in June 1859
BRODICK Fair was held at Invercloy. It rained all day. Prices varied from 11/6 to 20s for shorn sheep: horses were in little demand, but there was a good trade in pigs.

MR James Strachan, treasurer of the Free Church, Kilbirnie, for 13 years, was presented with a silver box containing a sum of money for his valuable service to the church.

FROM the Arran news: The steamer Isle of Arran is easily caught in the morning by getting up at 5.30am. The visitors leave at six and are driven down for a trifling sum to Brodick. The steamer arrives at Ardrossan shortly after eight.

THE Earl of Eglinton, the gallant Peer of tournament fame, who has twice discharged so popularly the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, has in the Honours List advanced a step in the Peerage and will henceforth sit in the House of Lords as Earl of Winton instead of Baron Ardrossan.

100 YEARS AGO on June 18, 1909
WEST Kibride Parish Church Council have appointed Mr William Gray as registrar for the principal division of the parish of West Kilbride at a salary of £12 per annum.

THE first sports organised by Ardrossan Academy (and the first under scholastic auspices in the district) were held in the Glebe Park last Saturday There were 33 events.

BY five votes to three, Saltcoats Town Council on Monday agreed on the motion of Councillor Fulton to consider laying out a municipal golf course. The proposal was opposed by the Provost and the two magistrates.

AT the AGM of Ardeer Thistle FC the following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr Fred Small; vice-president, Mr William Marshall; treasurer, Mr Alex Wilson; secretary, Mr John Bell; committee, Messrs G Hynds, F Stevenson, J Dow, H Leckie junior, J Hamilton, H Lockhart, T Patrick, J McWhinnie, J Fairbairn, P Logan and A Celso.

AT a pianoforte playing examination in Kilmarnock the following local pupils were successful: . Miss Janet Ford, Miss Jeanie Scott, Miss Matha Keddie, all pupils of Miss Stirrat, Saltcoats, and Miss Cathie Herdman, Miss Kate Andrew and Miss Agnes Campbell, pupils of Miss Mackay, Ardrossan.

50 YEARS AGO on June 19, 1959
THE heatwave conditions last weekend brought hundreds of day trippers to the coast. Excursion trains from Glasgow and district were well filled; many too came by special buses, and private cars filled virtually every available parking space locally The beaches were as busy as they normally are at the height of the season.

IN the Queen's Birthday Honours List, published last Saturday. Commander Geoffrey Hughes-Onslow, RN, retired, Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of the County of Ayr, has received the KBE for public services, and Mrs Margaret W Ramsay, supervisor of home helps, County of Ayr, has received the MBE. Mr John Kirkham, chargehand process worker, Grade II, Royal Ordnance Factory, Irvine, has been awarded the BEM.

A RECOMMENDATION of the Roads and Parks Committee that an additional 100 deck chairs be purchased at an estimated cost of £175, as well as chair coverings costing £23 15s has been approved by Ardrossan Town Council.

TWO special excursion trains took about 800 members of women's organisations from North Ayrshire towns to an outing to Morecambe on Wednesday, The buses left at 9am and spent the afternoon and early evening in the English holiday resort. They arrived home about midnight.

ARDROSSAN Academy annual sports were held on the Memorial Field in most inclement weather. Due to the gale-force wind and drenching rain several events had to be postponed, and at the time of going to press the championships has not yet been finally decided.

GOOD progress has been made with the reconstruction of the road bridge over the railway at Townhead, Kilwinning and a lane was opened for traffic last Friday.

ON Sunday about 5pm a Glasgow man and his wife and daughter were involved in an accident at the junction of Blair and Cemetery Roads. Their car fell over on its side and the driver received slight injuries.

25 YEARS AGO on June 22, 1984
ISLANDERS in Arran have been left high and dry by the demolition of a bridge leading to their homes. Now the six householders outside Whiting Bay are stranded, and the cause of greatest concern is that they have been completely cut off by from emergency services since Monday morning. Three children have to paddle across a burn to get to and from school and elderly people cannot reach the village at all. Their only alternative is to crossing the burn is a two and a half mile hike with part of the journey being along a rough, overgrown track.

The fire engine would be unable to reach the houses in an emergency and a doctor would have to wade through the burn like anyone else to reach the sick
This ridiculous action has exposed us to severe danger, Stef Holmer, a Sandbrae resident, pointed out. it was a mean sort of thing to do. There was no consultation with the residents at all."

Arran Estates, who own the land the bridge was built on, had it removed on Monday. Mr Holmer's eight year-old daughter Gael left the house for school as usual in the morning but when she returned there was no bridge. Her mother, Shena, had to go to the other side of the burn to meet her and throw her across her Wellington boots. On days when the tide is high or the river is in spate, Gael and two other children will not get to school at all.

Monday's action by Arran Estates was the last step in a long running battle with Cunninghame District Council. A hole was found in the bridge at Easter and the police were contacted. It was cordoned off. At this point, although cars could not get across the bridge, the residents could still walk across it. The district council were informed and they decided it was owned by Arran Estates. This was denied.

However, a closing order for the bridge was served on Arran Estates at the beginning of June because it had not been made usable for vehicle and foot traffic by May 31, as had been requested. Charles Florde, in charge of Arran Estates, claimed he would not have the bridge replaced. He added that it is not their responsibility

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original
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