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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 11, 2012

100 YEARS AGO on April 5, 1912
The budget submitted by Mr Lloyd George on Tuesday - his fourth successive statement - was a plain unvarnished tale of the country's marvellous prosperity and encouraging prospects.

At the annual business and social meeting of St Bride's UF Church, West Kibride, held on Wednesday evening, the Rev W K Smiley, BA, presided and during the evening solos were rendered by Misses Niven and Thom, and Messrs W Barclay, A Strachan and J Stalker sen, Miss Paterson and Mr J Stalker jun assisted as accompanists.

At a meeting of Saltcoats and Ardrossan St John's Royal Arch Lodge, No 320, Bro WP Finn was presented with a Past Master's jewel (gold) apron and case. The presentation was made by Bro D Hamilton RWM.

At the annual general meeting of Ardeer Bowling Club held on Thursday of last week - Mr WM Reid, presiding the following office bearers were appointed-President Mr Robert Main, vice-president Mr John Boyle, secretary Mr Peter Reid and treasurer Mr James Gilmour.

50 YEARS AGO on April 30, 1962
During Thursday or Friday of last week part of the wall dividing the footpath and the old nursery garden at Castle Hill Ardrossan was pulled down and large boulders were left lying on the pathway, a danger to people using it at night. The matter was reported on Friday afternoon and it was repaired on Wednesday of this week.

They say they often visited Glasgow and the Ayrshire coast towns, and found trainspotting most interesting.

Last Friday forenoon a plane was seen hovering over Ardrossan and dropping flares. Some people phoned Ardrossan Harbour Office and the local Police Station seeking information about the plane. The plane was in no danger it was a routine practice flight.

When a man employed by an Ardrossan firm was travelling by train from Glasgow to Preston recently he left binoculars on the carriage seat while he went to the food cart. When he returned to the carriage he found the binoculars were missing. On arriving at Preston the man went into the station tea room and while having a cup of tea and chatting with another passenger someone stole his suitcase. He reported the loss to the station police who took particulars of the case but gave little hope of its recovery.

25 YEARS AGO on April 10, 1987
An 80-year-old woman was trapped within a level crossing on Tuesday morning- and only due to the quick action of two unknown heroes did she manage to escape before the train hurtled by. Catherine McBlain of Stevenston said that the warning bell at the crossing did not sound and that she was too close to the gate she was unaware of the flashing light.

Villagers furious at ScotRail's plans to bulldoze a local landmark have mounted an emotive crusade to keep West Kilbride railway station open. But ScotRail will not be budged by the campaign and are determined to press ahead with the demolition of the 100-year-old station building.

Residents in a quiet Ardrossan housing scheme are worried their tranquillity will be disrupted by travelling people camping nearby
At the moment only one caravan had been sited in the derelict land at the top of Glasgow Street, the former Eglinton Community Centre site, by people living nearby fear there could be more.

The residents of Cunninghame are going off their trolleys...that's the verdict according to a recent council survey. For the council recently counted over a 100 stray trolleys in the district in just one day. Including an amazing 89 in Irvine New Town.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 18, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on April 1862
The schools in Stevenston were examined by a deputation from the Presbytery of Irvine. They were found to be in a state of great efficiency.

Mr Neil Watson, Auchinhove, Kilbirnie, has a ewe nursing four lambs. She is only six years old and has 17 lambs.

It may not be generally known that the Beacon on the Horse Island, Ardrossan, was erected on the suggestion of Sir James Clark Ross, the celebrated arctic explorer, whose death has just been announced.

Saltcoats Bowling Green is being re-turfed in places where the grass has grown too rank. A well has also been sunk and a plentiful supply of water is assured.

100 YEARS AGO on 12th April, 1912
At a dramatic and musical entertainment given in the Public Hall, West Kilbride, by the girls and boys of Mr Russell's Seamill Netball and Football Club, the artistes included Isobel Russell, Jenny Jessiman, Netta MacDonald, Yvonne Jenkins, Molly Russell, Robert Todd, John Frazer, Claude Russell and Adrien Verbugghen.

Donors to the fund of Stevenston Soup Kitchen included T.C Kerr, Wm. Kerr, George Currie, Alex Thom, Mrs Armstrong. Messers Patrick and Morrison and Ardeer School Teachers.

Mr Barclay Hogarth, of Ardrossan has accepted a commission in the Ardrossan Battery of the 2nd Lowland Brigade R.FA and Mr James McConnell has taken a similar appointment in the Saltcoats Royal Scots Fusiliers.

50 YEARS AGO on 13th April, 1962
A mannequin parade organised by the Women's Section of Saltcoats Unionist Association attracted a capacity audience to the Lesser Town Hall, Saltcoats, on Wednesday Afternoon.

Four ladies' gold wristlet watches, all handed in at Saltcoats Police Station, have not yet been claimed.

After several years of argument and disagreement inside and outside Saltcoats Town Council Chambers, culminating in letters of objection to the Secretary of State for Scotland, a footpath is to be provided on Jacks Road Bridge.

On Tuesday night sixteen fourth, fifth and sixth form pupils of Ardrossan Academy left Kilmarnock for London on the first stage of their journey to Switzerland where they are spending a ten day holiday.

Mr Barclay Hogarth, of Ardrossan a commission in the Ardrossan Battery of the 2nd Lowland Brigade R.FA and Mr James McConnell has taken a similar appointment in the Saltcoats Royal Scots Fusiliers.
ing a ten-day holiday.

25 YEARS AGO on 17th April 1987
The Goatfell Race this year will include the top event in the Scottish hill racing calendar- the Scot- fish Hill Race Championship.
This year the race will be on Saturday, May 16, starting from the Ormidale Park, Brodick.

Saltcoats Victoria Football Club is planning a part-exchange deal to ease it's financial problems. The club hopes to sell Campbell Park to the council, who will make it accessible to the general public, in return for new dressing rooms for the club.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on April 25, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on April 1862
Messrs Barr and Shearer Shipbuilders, Ardrossan, have in their yard for repair the vessel "Hamilton Campbell Kidston". She is a ship of 1,444 tons -the largest ever berthed in Ardrossan.

The Police Committee have agreed to recommend the immediate erection of a lock-up or police station house at Kilwinning.

Mr Archibald Boyd, Shipbuilder, the Braes, Saltcoats, launched from his yard a smack of thirty-three feet keel intended for the Stomoway and Irish coast fishing. She was named the "Mira" of Lochranza, Arran, and is the property of Mr Alex Miller.

A few friends of Mr James Reid, formerly of Ardeer Works, met in the Commercial Inn, Stevenston, to present him with a small token of their esteem on his advancement under the same firm at Garscadden.

100 YEARS AGO
No items were published this week from 1912

50 YEARS AGO on April 20 1962
So much damage is being done to public property in the burgh of Kilwinning that the Town Council are still offering a reward of £10 for information leading to the apprehension of the culprits.

An outbreak of fire in Blair House, Dalry, early last Friday afternoon caused considerable damage to the structure of the building which is one of the oldest inhabited houses in Scotland. Fire Brigades from Ardrossan and Kibimie were called to the blaze which started in a bedroom on the second floor of the part of the building which was built in 1203.

Miss Beatrice Clonnell, 4 McKinnon Place, Saltcoats, has been chosen as Saltcoats "Queen of the Sea" for 1962 by the pupils of the new Saltcoats Junior Secondary School at Laighdykes. Her selection was a popular one.

A few days ago someone took away the rain gauge at Busbie Reservoir- an instrument which has been at the dam for a long number of years.

A double decker bus hit a lamp standards in Dalry Road, Garden City, Kibimie, last Sunday. There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the mishap and no one was injured.

As the result of a Scottish country dance, organised by members of Ardeer House Church, under the auspices of Stevenston High Kirk in aid of the Oxfam Famine Relief Fund, and from donations received, the nett total of £24 10s was realised. Thanks are expressed to all who supported the worthy cause. Total givings by this Group to Oxfam are now well over £33 sine January of this year.

25 YEARS AGO on April 24 1987
A Junior Football club's annual general meeting next week looks set to be disrupted by a takeover bid headed by a local businessman and a number of his staff.

Added to the gloom of a terrible season in which Ardrossan Winton Rovers have been relegated, has been the off-the-field bickering of committee members. The present committee are concerned about a possible coup at the annual general meeting which takes place on Tuesday, and the futures of Team Manager Willie Kean and Club Secretary Sam Morrison look bleak.

Kilwinning youngster Charles Caims thought he could drink a "pinta" while standing on a moving milk float. But it all went horribly wrong for the teenager when he fell off and was run over by the milk float. And now he faces a two-month recovery period with a broken foot. Charles (15) of Culzean Place was with his brother Gerard on a Cuthberts milk float when he stopped for a break to take a pint but he fell off the side of the float as it moved off and as he fell to the ground it ran over his foot. He was taken to Crosshouse Hospital for treatment to his broken right foot but allowed home later in the day.

Firemen were called to attend a blaze caused by a chip pan going on fire at a flat at 176 Glasgow Street last Friday night. A spokesman for Ardrossan Fire Brigade said that damaged caused was "minimal."

The new Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, the MV Lochranza has completed its first week in service, and strengthened Arran's claims to be a shortcut to the north. The Lochranza to Clonnaig crossing now provides an improved link between Arran and Kintyre by taking more cars and tourists in and out of the northern end of Arran.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on May 2, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on April, 1862
A large number of inhabitants of Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston and friends from a distance met in the Saracen Head Inn Hall to honour Mr Alex. Campbell who was about to retire into private life. The Inn was run by Mr Campbell's father for forty years and he himself has been in possession of it for thirty-four years.

There is a new steamer service from Ardrossan to Newry and Dundalk. The fares are: Cabin 10/ steerage, 2/6.

John Welsh, Letter Carrier, Saltcoats, was met at the Saracen Head Inn by friends and well-wishers who presented him with a sovereign and a suit of clothes edged with red.

A hen, the property of Thomas Caldwell, Cold- stream, Beith, laid an egg measuring 8 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches.

Mr D Stewart launched from his yard on the Braes, Saltcoats, a smack named 'Catherine Stewart. She is 40 tons burthen, 14 feet high and has a 32 and a half feet keel.

100 YEARS AGO on April 26, 1912
In local churches on Sunday morning ministers made reference to the sinking of the liner Titanic' on the previous Sunday and the services included the singings of Nearer My God To Thee, the last tune played as the vessel was sinking off the cost of Newfoundland.

At the annual business meeting of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Choral Society held in Trinity Church on Tuesday evening, the following office bearers were elected: Hon president Mr J C Stewart; president Mr Alex Amott; vice-president MrJRW McLeod; secretary Mr J Lowrie; treasurer Mr D Miler, librarian Mr A B Ririe.

A concert was held in Ardeer Hall Stevenston on Wednesday evening with the object of inaugurating a branch of the League of Pity in the district.

The proprietors of the Premier Picture Theatre, Ardrossan, intimate to the inhabitants of the town that they have installed a new and modern electric engine which will enable the performance to be run without interruption. Prices are 3d, 4d, and 6d and the performance finishes in time to allow Saltcoats patrons to return by the 9.50pm train.

50 YEARS AGO on April 27, 1962
Miss Rae Duncan, Stockbridge Crescent, Kilbirnie, chosen as Miss Ryeside 1962 at the annual dance organised earlier this month at Paisley by the Social Club of Ryeside Mills Limited, dress manufacturers, Dalry, received her trophy from Mr lain McPherson Rail, managing director of the company.

Day trippers to South Beach Green, Ardrossan, on Monday left the place in a bit of a mess, litter being scattered all over the place.

Last Saturday two herons were observed on the shore at Seamill.

On Tuesday evening several boys were seen bathing in the North Shore.

A native of Ardrossan, who has resided in Canada for many years, has been trying to get a booking to Scotland by sea. He says he can get to Scotland but the difficulty is getting back to Canada as passages are booked solid for a long time ahead.

There were 26 arrivals, including an oil tanker, at Ardrossan Harbour for the week ending Saturday. April 21.

25 YEARS AGO on April, 1987
A local level crossing has been labelled a danger area by Cunninghame South MP David Lambie. And he has called for ScotRail and Cunninghame District Council to take steps to remedy the problem. Since electrification the crossing at Stevenston Railway Station has become an extra hazard for rail travellers and local residents.

Cunninghame District Council is to send £14,000 repairing a wall in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan. The parapet wall behind council-owned shops and flats at 13/51 Glasgow Street, needs repaired and the council agreed to go ahead with the work.

Tourisms chiefs from the Isle of Arran are set to spread the name of the island throughout the country. For they are to play their part in a £20,000 campaign aimed at promoting Argyll and the Isles.

Villagers in West Kilbride are to take part in a pilot scheme for the proposed neighbourhood watch which looks set to begin later this year.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on May 9, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on May, 1862
For a full two hours à dense cloud, charged with electricity, hung over the sea stretching from Stevenston to Ardrossan, and during that time there was perhaps the most magnificent display of chain lightning ever witnessed, even by the oldest inhabitants of the place. Sometimes the lightning seemed to rise from the sea in a long line.

The Eglinton Green, Kilwinning, was formally opened for the season. There were representatives from all the clubs in the neighbourhood and the young Earl of Eglinton was one of the players.

The Licensing Court was held in the Town Hall, Saltcoats. In Ardrossan there are 17 places where spirituous liquors are sold; in Saltcoats there are 25, and in Stevenston 22.

The property in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, tenanted by Mr Robert Boyd and others was sold by auction in the Eglinton Arms Hotel and purchased by Captain M Crawford for £894.

The price of gas has been reduced in most Scottish towns, but in Ardrossan and Saltcoats the price remains the same.

100 YEARS AGO on May 3, 1912
On Saturday afternoon, in brilliant sunshine, the new golf course laid out last year by Ardrossan and Saltcoats Golf Course Ltd, at Laighdykes, was formally opened, the ceremony being performed by Lord and Lady Eglinton.

The annual business meeting of Ardrossan Musical Society was held in the upper Assembly Hall on Monday evening when the following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year: president Mr William Harvey: vice-president Mr Jack McMurray:
secretary Mr M Mackenzie; treasurer Mr D Harvey; librarian Mr Jackson.

There has been launched from the Troon Yard of the Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. the triplescrew motor vessel 'St George' which has been built to the order of the Foreign Office for the use of HBM Consul on the River Congo.

50 YEARS AGO on May 4, 1962
Captain John S Dickson, who is retiring at the end of the current session after serving in the Boys' Brigade for 35 years, six of which he has spent with the 1st Ardrossan Company, was presented with a clock at the Company's annual inspection and display on Tuesday of last week.

The seals are now playing regular visits to the North Shore Ardrossan and people who pass that way daily enjoy watching their antics.

On Tuesday of last week a newspaper hired the motor boat belonging to Mr Robertson, Saltcoats, to take a Glasgow reporter and photographer over to Arran to cover a car accident involving a Glasgow man. Last Sunday a 15-year-old boy and his sister from Glasgow, who missed the last boat from Arran on Saturday were taken on the motor boat to Saltcoats where they joined the train for Glasgow.

On Wednesday afternoon Glasgow taxi drivers arrived at South Beach Green, Ardrossan, with handicapped children on a day's outing. The taxis were decorated with coloured balloons.

Found and handed in at Saltcoats Police Station - a BB hat, a belt and a haversack, a pair of water- proof trousers, a sum of money, a tartan travelling rug, a child's scooter and a haversack containing painter's equipment.

25 YEARS AGO on May 8, 1987
Cunninghame District Council are to hold a stewards' enquiry into proposals to site a satellite dish on top of a Kilwinning bookmakers. The council has on previous occasions turfed similar ideas out, but they have indicated a softening of their lines.

The shows must go on... and local councillors will be making every effort to ensure that they do. Delays in work on the Braes, which should be completed by the end of the month, means that the site won't be available for the annual fair.

Output from Hunterston's two nuclear power stations continues to rise. Hunterston B station has broken output records with an 80 per cent load factor. And Hunterston A station was fourth best in terms of output in the world with a lifetime load of 81 per cent.

The cost of repairing four council houses in Raise Street is too high for the council - so they will be bringing them down. Four tenants will be rehoused.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on May 16, 2012

150 Years Ago May 1862
No files were published on this date 150 years ago.

100 YEARS AGO on May 1912
No files were published on this date 100 years ago.

50 YEARS AGO on May 11, 1962
An article in this month's 'Scotland's Magazine' features Mr John McNaught, of Saltcoats, and his noted wood collections (pictured). Mr McNaught has been a collector of woods for a long number of years. He first became interested in the hobby as a boy at Saltcoats Public School in the entrance hall of which there was a small museum. Pupils were invited to bring suitable objects.

Last Friday was a red letter day for 137 members and associate members of Ardeer Recreation Club who travelled by chartered jet aircraft from Prestwick Airport to spend almost three weeks with friends and relatives in the United States and Canada.

On Thursday of last week I met several canoeists, one of whom informed me that they have their club headquarters at the old Caley Station, Ardrossan, and have a membership of thirty.

Ardrossan Pensioners' Club thank the ICI (Nobel Division) Charities Committee for a donation of £11.

For some the occupants of an old house in Ardrossan were disturbed by a peculiar noise which appeared to come from between the walls. Fearing that there might be a rat there they set traps. They never caught anything and the noise continued. Recently when the old house was being demolished the 'culprit was discovered. It was a grass snake 30 inches long.

Last Saturday Mr John McKay, engine-driver, of Alisa Gardens, Ardrossan, was presented with a gold wrist watch for 45 years' railway service. The presentation was made in Glasgow by Mr Webster, of British Railways. Mr McKay is not due to retire for some years yet.

The National Trust for Scotland cruise ship 'Meteor arrived at Ardrossan Harbour yesterday to discharge passengers. She sails on another cruise today.

There were 27 arrivals, including one oil tanker, at Ardrossan Harbour for the week ended Saturday, May 5.

25 YEARS AGO on May, 1987
A village's dream of attracting top ranking executives to live there could be shattered by the building of a new estate. At a well attended public meeting in West Kilbride last week villagers protested to Cunninghame Dis- trict Council officials about the proposed development by McTaggart Construction of Dalry.

The company intends to build 49 units which include flats and mews as well as a few individual houses, but since the plans were announced the council have been flooded with objections.

An Arran businessman plans to give the island a major leisure boost thanks to a £400,000 sports complex. lain Johnstone, who runs the card and book centre in Brodick, wants to transform a local hotel and chalet complex into a super leisure spot.

Commercial refuse collection charges will once again be levied on businessmen and women in Cunninghame District. At the health committee of Cunninghame District Council on Wednesday the councillors herd two op- tions for charging for refuse.

The new owner of the Castlewirock lounge bar in Saltcoats is Margaret Fletcher of Dalry. Mrs Fletcher has been in the licensed trade for over 10 years and she hopes to improve the lounge. She plans to open a country and western club within the next few weeks.

Residents in a Kilwinning housing estate have finally won their right of way- the district council are poised to make a small footpath a permanent one. after months of deliberations. People walking towards the bus stop in Stevenston Road from their home in Whitehirst park have made a small dirt trail through the grass and bushes in a short cut.

The number of people using local swimming facilities has dropped slightly on last year's figures. Only 18,616 people used Auchenharvie pool in April this year, a drop of more than 400 on last year's figure of 19,062.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on May 23, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on May 1862
The property belonging to Mr Hugh Stirling, painter at Dockhead Street, Saltcoats, was purchased by Mr John Grimwood, Postmaster, for £140.

Two samples of new potatoes were shown to the editor of The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. The first lot were grown at Auchenames, Portencross and the second lot at Carlung.

Saltcoats Cricket Club defeated Ardeer Cricket Club by 20 runs at Auchenharvie.

The shipment of pig iron from Ardrossan Harbour for one week amounted to 6,114 tons.

Ardrossan Bowling Green was opened for the season. The office bearers are as follows: Captain M Crawford, president Mr James Bain, vice president Mr Robert Allison, secretary and treasurer. Committee Messrs John Kirkhope, DC Love, A Fraser, GH Smith, William Davie and Captain R Crawford.

100 YEARS AGO on May 17, 1912
At Ardrossan and Saltcoats golf course last Friday the first mixed foursomes competition organised by the Club took place for prizes presented by Mr James Campbell. The 1st place was tied for with net scores of 65 by Mrs Gray and Mr R H Watt and Miss M Stewart and Mr James Porteous.

Last Saturday at the Ardrossan and West Kilbride Farmers' Society annual show, the Silver Cup for Ayrshire Cattle was won by W & A Wylle. Holmbyre, the Champion Cup for Clydesdale horses by W Kean Chapelton and 1st prize for the best dog (any variety) by Mr Andrew Boyd, Kilwinning.

The following Arran gentlemen have been added to the list of JPs for the County of Bute-Mr George Laidler, Brodick; Mr J Morton, Machrie; Mr John Brown, Corriecraview; Mr Alex Speir, Clachaig and Mr A Mc Neil, Kildonan.

50 YEARS AGO on May 17, 1962
On Tuesday afternoon, I visited a house in Saltcoats to see a parrot which the owner claims to be 151 years of age. The bird's feathers are of many colours. Its neck is yellow and it has a cream coloured beak. Its present owner has had the parrot for only 13 years. She got it from a Stevenston family who went abroad. During my visit it said: hello.' Despite its reported age the parrot is very active and looks well.

On the same afternoon I went to Springvale Place, Saltcoats to learn more about the discovery of an old well a the foot of a garden in that area. I am told that the well was round in construction, was made of brick and has since been filled in. No one seemed to know that it was there until one day, when a man was digging in his garden, his foot began to sink. Discovering that the well which contained water, was covered with rotting wood, he notified the owners of the ground.

Five trips, whose numbers are expected to total 990, will arrive at South Beach Green, Ardrossan, tomorrow. On the following day one trip, comprising 500 persons is anticipated.

Found and handed in to Saltcoats Police Station, a lady's wrist watch, two sums of money, and two purses, one containing money and the other containing private papers.

On Tuesday a party of 210 people arrived at Ardrossan from Darlington by special train and embarked on the chartered steam Caledonia for Arran. On Wednesday another party from Workington were due at Ardrossan but had to be diverted to Fairlie because of the strong wind and heavy seas.

There were 41 arrivals, including seven oil tankers, at Ardrossan Harbour during the week ended Saturday, 14 May.

Found and handed in to Stevenston Police Station-a gold locket and chain, a sum of money, a fountain pen, and a wallet containing a sum of money.

Last week I mentioned that for more than 100 years, the main salmon and sea trout fishing grounds in this part of Ayrshire had been from the North Shore, Ardrossan to Portencross. A reader now informs me that a few years ago a 14lb almon was caught in the drydock at Ardrossan Dockyard.

25 YEARS AGO on May, 1987
Drink is at the root of a large proportion of violent crime in the Three Towns claims a Saltcoats police chief. Commenting on the news that the numbers of serious assaults in the area had increased during the past year, Chief Inspector James Miller blamed drink as the main contributory factor. "Violence and drink go hand in hand," he said. "As far as the police are concerned, drink plays a large part in incidents of disorderly conduct." Explaining the rise in serious assaults, Chief Inspector Miller commented that there had been a large number of incidents over the Christmas period-many of them drink related.

An Ardrossan firm which went into receivership with the loss of 21 jobs has bounced back and clinched a £1million contract, which assures employment for the foreseeable future. SEMA (Safety and Environmental Measuring Apparatus), which specialises in making gas monitoring equipment to detect gas leaks, has landed a massive contract with British Aerospace. The new deal comes only months after another major deal, worth £250,000 with a Holland electric firm, was settled.

Plans have been unveiled to make two busy local streets safer to cross. Strathclyde Regional Council have announced that they are to install pelican crossings at Main Street in Stevenston and Manse Street in Saltcoats. The Stevenston crossing will be placed 40 metres east of New Street and the Saltcoats crossing is to be sited 140 metres north west of Springvale Street. Council officials have hit on a blooming idea to promote the district.

The council is to take a stand at next year's Glasgow Garden festival and they want to erect a glass house with a video wall, which will show the district's great assets to the millions who are expected to visit the festival.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the above post.

50 YEARS AGO on May 17, 1962
"On Tuesday afternoon, I visited a house in Saltcoats to see a parrot which the owner claims to be 151 years of age. The bird's feathers are of many colours. Its neck is yellow and it has a cream coloured beak. Its present owner has had the parrot for only 13 years. She got it from a Stevenston family who went abroad. During my visit it said: hello.' Despite its reported age the parrot is very active and looks well"

I had to have a look how old Parrots can live on Google. It might be possible.. guess it's up to yourself.

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on June 6, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on May 1862
The crops of the South of Arran are in a state of advancement considerably beyond anything seen in other parts of the country. A park of ryegrass, belonging to Captain Neill, was 33 inches tall.

Mr Hogarth, ironmonger, Ardrossan, is to erect a very superior new property at a vacant site on the harbour. Messrs Boyd, Ardrossan, will do the mason work and William Millar, Saltcoats, the joiner work.

The youthful Earl of Eglinton, at the request of Ardrossan Bowling Club, has been pleased to accept the office of patron.

A swarm of bees which came off Eglinton Estate, Kilwinning, were the first seen this season.

100 YEARS AGO on May, 1912
The Rev Robert Smith celebrated his semi-jubilee as minister of Troon Established Church with a congregational gathering in the church last Friday night. Mr Smith was presented with new robes and a cheque for £262 16s 4d.

At the forenoon service in Trinity Church, Saltcoats, last Sunday, a beautiful stained glass window was dedicated to the memory of the late Mr and Mrs James Campbell, Saltcoats. The Rev James Adams conducted the service.

The first inter-club match between Ardrossan and Saltcoats and Ardeer Golf Clubs, played on Thursday, resulted in a draw. The players were: Ardrossan and Saltcoats - John Stewart, George MacGregor, William Ness, Arthur Craig, Wm Wyllie, A B Ririe, A J Christie, H Wyllie, James Campbell, John Galt, R H Watt, H McGillivray. Ardeer D B McLean, J L Slaven, Alex Frew, TB Waddell, R Conn, R Gray, H J Sillars, W C Hamilton, H Shedden, H Mackay, R Howie and Dr Allan.

On Wednesday evening a special meeting of Irvine Harbour Trust was held to consider a proposal to establish a shipyard at Irvine. It was agreed on the motion of Provost Borland to make the necessary arrangements establishing the yard.

50 YEARS AGO on May 25, 1962
Encouraged by the success of the Scout Troop and Club Pack already in existance at East Park Home, Largs, a Guide Troop and Brownie Pack were formed on Monday evening of last week, when Mrs Mona Wright, District Commissioner, West Kilbride, enrolled the first four Guide and the first five Brownies (pictured).

Late last Thursday night some people in Saltcoats were alarmed when a ship, close inshore, sounded its siren. In the darkness the ship's lights appeared to be near the rocks at the Bathing Pond but slowly the vessel moved out into deep water. A pilot from Ardrossan Harbour later brought the ship - a fishing trawler - into Ardrossan.

Some birds choose strange nesting places. The other day a man informed me that when he was building a greenhouse he had to stop work as a blackbird had built its nest inside the partly finished building and the man's family had forbidden him to complete the task in case he disturbed the bird.

Found and handed in at Saltcoats Police Station - a gent's gold ring; a ladies bicycle; a gent's glove; two pairs of spectacles and several small sums of money. A plastic shopping bag and two sums of money were handed in at Ardrossan Police Station.

25 YEARS AGO on May 29, 1987
Pipe dream plans for launching a summer ferry service between Ardrossan and Larne in Northern Ireland have been sunk and the 17-year-old business-man involved said he has no future plans for the area. Teenager Rupert Curthoys claimed last November his company Sea-bird Ferries were about to begin a feasibility study into the proposed ferry link.

Rotary clubs across Ayrshire have signed up to take part in a world wide campaign to rid the world of killer diseases. They have joined Polio Plus, which aims to wipe out measles, polio diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus and tuberculosis.

In the near future the whole of the south-west and central Scotland could be linked by a massive £5 million path and cycle route - and plans are underway for the Ardrossan, Kilwinning and Garnock Valley sections. The new scheme has united health and environment groups across the
country

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on June 13, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on June, 1862
A newly hatched chicken at Kilwinning, though dead, had four wings, four legs, two backbones and one head.

The small ratepayers met in the Schoolhouse, Stevenston, to elect five members to the Parochial Board for the next season. The following were chosen: Messrs Alex Brown, sen., grocer Stevenston; Wm Blair, grocer, Stevenston; James Gemmell, teacher, Stevenston; Robert Mitchell, grocer, Saltcoats; and Thomas Shaw, shoemaker, Saltcoats.

On Sabbath evening last an open-air service was conducted at the foot of Quay Street, Saltcoats. There was a large attendance, and the Rev Mr McEwan, who had been preaching during the day in the Free Church, gave an impressive sermon.

100 YEARS AGO on May 31, 1912
Last Saturday the Ardrossan Territorial Battery of the RFA held their annual sports meeting at Crawford Lodge. The principal prize-winners were Gnr. Gourlay, S. M. Eke, Gnr. Morris, Gnr. Smith, Gnr. Henderson, Gnr. Shearer, Dvrs. Kean and Ralston.

At the annual meeting of Ardeer Thistle FC the following office-bearers were appointed: president Mr Wm Young; vice-president Mr H. McGhie: treasurer Mr Wm Gibson; secretary Mr J Bell; finance secretary Mr J Murchie; minute secretary Mr Milligan.
The committee comprised Messrs Montgomerie Stirrat, Celso, Stevenston and Ritchie.

50 YEARS AGO on June 1, 1962
Last month's charter flight from Ayrshire to America, which gave 137 members and associate members of Ardeer Recreation Club the opportunity of spending almost three weeks' holiday with friends and relatives on the other side of the Atlantic, was an outstanding success.

Mrs Craig (extreme right) with her sisters (left to right) Mrs Annie Bradstreet, Mrs Margaret Brittain and Mrs F McBimie (pictured).

Twelve trips due at South Beach Green, Ardrossan, tomorrow, will bring approximately 2,500 persons.

The Ardrossan to Arran steamer service started last Saturday. The Isle of Man sailing start on Sunday and the Ardrossan to Belfast sailings begin on June 23.

Good progress is being made with the erection of the new storage shed at Ardrossan Harbour. The harbour has never been so well equipped as at present.

There were 46 arrivals, including three oil tankers, at Ardrossan Harbour for the week ended Saturday, May 26. Fishing trawlers, arriving at Ardrossan port almost daily, are landing good catches.

25 YEARS AGO on June, 1987
Over 200 jobs at Nobel's explosives are in jeopardy because Government cash aid has been poured into an English explosives company hoping to set up a plant in Lanarkshire. Cunninghame South MP David Lambie has wamed jobs will be lost at the Ardeer site once the new plant, Explosives Developments Ltd of York, opens in Harthill later this year.

A full-scale Government investigation is underway into the future of the level crossing at Stevenston Railway Station.
The move comes after months of campaigning by Stevenston Community Council, who have enlisted the support of Strathclyde
Region and of Cunninghame South MP David Lambie.

A scheme aimed at cleaning up the streets of West Kilbride has been voted a success. And now pooper-scoopers could be
introduced in other parts of Cunninghame. Pooper-scoopers and recepticles for dogs droppings were introduced in West Kilbride just last month. But early indications are the innovations are bringing about a new awareness from dog owners.

Cunninghame taxis will be put under the scrutiny of Automobile Association officials from now on. For Cunninghame District
Council want the motoring organisation to carry out an inspection of taxis. A report to the miscellaneous services committee revealed that present inspections by the transport section of the district council are inadequate.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original