Looking Back - Herald files

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 7, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on October, 1862
As a result of the recent gales, some Quebec oak logs and a number of battens were washed ashore on the south end of Arran.

Grocers and other merchants in Saltcoats have commenced the very commendable practice of shutting their places of business at 8pm instead of 9pm.

The weaving trade in West Kilbride is improving. We hope that this improvement will continue and that, as the winter appears to be setting in rather earlier than usual and pretty severely, threatened distress may be averted.

Ardrossan Bowling green has closed for the season. Members, along with a few friends from Stevenston met in the Eglinton Arms Hotel where an excellent supper was served by Mr McKenzie. Captain Crawford presided.

Shipment of pig iron from Ardrossan for one week amounted to 2070 tons.

100 YEARS AGO on October 25, 1912
At a committee meeting of Ardeer Golf Club held on Saturday- Mr William Guthrie, captain, presiding -the hon. secretary reported that 20 names had been duly proposed and seconded for membership since the previous meeting.

A special feature of the forenoon service, conducted by the Rev A Copland in St Andrews's Church, Ardrossan, on Sunday, was the dedication of a memorial glass window placed in the church by Mr and Mrs Christie, Westpoint, in memory of their daughter, Jane Helena.

The annual social meeting of Landsborough Church Mission on Sunday, was held in the Mission Hall, Canal Bank, Saltcoats, on Tuesday night, when the Rev DWM Sutherland presided, and solos were rendered by Mr and Mrs Lawrie, the Misses Goldie, Miss Nellie Phinn, Miss Jane Elliot and Mr Arnott. Readings were given by Miss Annie Higgins and Miss Jessie Renfrew.

The West Kilbride Mutual Improvement has been disbanded because it was found extremely difficult to get a sufficient number of local enthusiasts.

50 YEARS AGO on October 26, 1962
A mysterious outbreak of fire at RB Brown's Photography Studio in Manse Street, Saltcoats, early on Sunday morning caused considerable damage to the premises. Ardrossan Fire Brigade, who had been summoned at 12.25am, soon extinguished the fire which damaged the roof and a hardboard partition wall which had only recently been erected. A camera and stand were completely destroyed and approximately 50 per cent of the contents of the studio were damaged by heat, smoke and water.

Thanks to the enterprise and enthusiasm of Mr lan Proctor, music master, 350 eager pupils of Stevenston High School crowded into the gymnasium on Wednesday of last week to enjoy the visit to the school of some of the principals of the famous Sadler's Wells Opera Company. The distinguished visitors John Matheson (conductor), Wendy Baldwin (soprano); John Chorley (tenor), and Derek Hammond-Street (baritone)- delighted their youthful audience with excerpts from the Magic Flute, The Bartered Bride and lolanthe.

A house-to-house collection undertaken in Saltcoats last week by the organisations represented on the burgh's Freedom from Hunger committee produced more than £297. Collections taken during the week in the Regal, La Scala and Countess Cinemas added a further £39 3 2d to the total.

Auchincruive 4-7 Colliery, Glenburn, Prestwick, is to be closed and by Christmas at least 60 of the colliery's 730 workers will have been paid off. This was stated in Ayr last Saturday by the Pit Consultative Committee and representatives of the men's four trade unions, following discussions with the National Coal Board on October 11.

25 YEARS AGO
Fire hero dog Lady, who alerted a Saltcoats family that their house was on fire received a well-deserved
reward from a local pet shop this week. For All Pets shop in Hamilton Street, Saltcoats, presented Lady, the family pet of the Harkness family, of 4 Ardrossan Road, with a new basket, rubber ring and a bone. When they heard of Lady's life-saving action, staff at the shop decided Lady should get a well-deserved pat on the back. So this week, the Harkness children - Alison (12), Karen (11) and Colette (9) - went along with Lady to receive the reward

ICI has created 40 NEW jobs at their Ardeer plant in Stevenston - the shock moves follows months of gradual decline in the workforce on the site. In the past year the company has asked for voluntary redundancies in a programme of cutting overheads and restructuring working patterns Several sections of the plant had the axe wielded in the cost-cutting exercise in a bid to increase profits at the site.

The Saltcoats-based Clyde Coast Bus Company has scooped a major honour in a national competition.
Clyde Coast was last week voted Scotland's best small bus company in a contest run by the Bus and Coach Council

Plans by the Government to introduce a new rent payment system for council tenants have been labelled "disgusting" by Cunninghame's housing chief. And Councillor Dewar forecast misery for local families living on the breadline. Government proposals to be implemented next spring involve non-rate paying tenants having to stump up an extra 20 per cent on top of what they already pay on rent.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 14, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on November 1862
At the Stevenston Ornithological Exhibition, the Misses Neille, Ardeer House gained first, second and third in the class for rare birds.

A picture in which a timepiece and music box were attached, was drawn for at the Town Hall, Ardrossan. The picture was valued at £31 5s and was won by Mr McKenzie, Eglinton Hotel.

Several stormy petrels were observed at the outer breakwater, Ardrossan Harbour. On the following day only one was observed and a party of gentlemen, going out in a boat, succeeded in shooting it. They had the bird stuffed.

100 YEARS AGO on (See link to original below)
There were no files available for this date. 100 Years Ago November 1, 1912

On Saturday afternoon there was a gathering of men connected with the Ardrossan life-saving apparatus at the Coastguards' House, when medals were presented to John Strang, Alexander Brodie, Robert Macnamara and Hugh Lynch, all of Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.

A meeting of the Saltcoats Branch of the Scottish National Song Society was held in Barclay's Hotel on Wednesday when the following office-bearers were appointed: Hon. President, Mr W Guthrie, JP; president, Mr J Pringle; vice-president, Mr J McCully; hon. secretary, Mr DW Kerr; hon. treasurer, Mr John Taylor. Council - Messrs Andrew Millar, K Carey, D Gibson, James Boyd and Thomas Scott.

At the Arran Southend sheepdog trials held at the principal prizewinners were: Mr J McKechnie, Glenree; W McKelvie, Auchavioich; Alex Currie, Balmichael; Peter McKinnon, Corricrarive; Walter Elliott, Glenree; and Finlay Kerr, Whitefarland.

At Irvine Dean of Guild Court on Tuesday plans were passed for the erection of a confectionery factory and store on the east side of Annick Road by Mr Alexander Wilson, Builder, Irvine.

50 YEARS AGO on November 2, 1962
The new £30.000 extension to the Ingledene Hotel, Ardrossan, was described as "an asset to the burgh" by Provost William Currie when, at a reception held in the cocktail bar on Thursday night of last week he formally declared the premises open. Provost Currie, who was introduced by Mr James Young, Glasgow and West of Scotland Manager for Thomas Usher and Son Ltd, owners of the Ingledene, told the company that he was delighted to see "such a fine set-up."

Tuesday's thunderstorm in Lamlash affected lights and telephones. The storm was accompa- nied by large hailstones.

Permission to change the use of the two-storey Marigold Hotel, 37 Windmill Street, Saltcoats, from a cafe to an amusement arcade and cafe has been granted on certain conditions by Ayr County Council's Planning Committee.

Troon Lifeboat was called out on Sunday after- noon to search for a boy adrift in a dinghy from Innellan.
After sailing for one and threequarters hours in the teeth of a gale, the lifeboat was recalled by radio when north of Ardrossan. The boy had been taken ashore from his small craft in Skelmorlie and was safe.

A Troon boy who threw a lighted firework through the letterbox of a house last Saturday. The danger of setting fire to a house, if unoccupied was brought home to him by his parents and firmly by the householder and the police.

25 YEARS AGO on November 13, 1987
Scottish singing star Calum Kennedy was at the centre of a row this week after he stopped the filming of an engagement party at his hotel. Alexander Muir (22) and Shona Maxwell (18) celebrated their engagement with a party in the Eglinton Arms Hotel at the weekend and as a present Alexander's mother arranged for a video firm to film it. But when Jim McDowall of A1 Videos arrived at the party and turned on his 500 watt halogen bulb Mr Kennedy pulled the plug on his efforts and ordered him to leave.

"What he did was tantamount to stealing." blasted Mr Kennedy," he never asked if he could plug in his lighting. He had no right to do it and was told not to. I am not going to stand by and watch someone steal my electricity." The engaged man's mother, Mary Rose Muir (52) of Hill Place, Ardrossan said: "It was an awful mean thing of Calum to do, after all it is something that cannot be repeated."

Confusion reigned at Ardrossan's Remembrance Day Service on Sunday, with groups planning to take part unsure about the arrangements. And the parade itself had to be called off because of the weather. Now those involved say that they will meet to prevent the same thing happening next year. The secretary of Ardrossan Community Council, which usually organizes the event, says he was kept in the dark.
"It seems that someone has gone ahead and organised the parade without informing the community council and without our knowledge.

Two acres of land lying to the south of Seamill Hydro is to "house" 18 new flats. Mr Sylvester Sweeney, owner of the famous Hydro hotel was given the go ahead by CDC's planning department this week, although the decision will have to be rubber-stamped by all district councillors at their monthly meeting. The flats are to be used as overflow and self- catering accommodation attached to the hotel, and Mr Sweeney says he may sell some for private use depending on demand.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original

[KillieGuy]

I remember the Eglinton was open until 2am back in my day, (1988/89), and everyone would pile in for one or two last drinks.

The tumblers were plastic and some had teeth marks. It wasn't a classy place then....

[Hughie]

From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on November 21, 2012

150 YEARS AGO on November 1862
Captain David Crawford has "taken off a feu at the head of Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan, on which to erect a dwelling house of a superior class.

The only display of rejoicing at the Prince of Wales having attained his majority was made by Ardrossan Artillery Volunteer Corps, the members of which met at the battery and fired a salute of 21 guns in honour of the Prince.

An extra letter bag is to be transmitted daily between Saltcoats and Kilmarnock. It will be sent to Kilmarnock on the 5.15am train and will return on the 6pm train.

100 YEARS AGO on November 8 1912
The annual meeting of the shareholders of Dalry Bowling Club on Monday week in the Masonic Hall when Mr JD Gordon, president, presided, and the following office-bearers were elected: - President, Mr James McCosh; vice-president, Mr David Cooper; treasurer, Mr AC Forrest; secretary, Mr JM Campbell; directors - Messrs James Boyd, TW Cochrane, Andrew Holburn, Robert Neil.
James McLean, John Macnicol, and JD Gordon, ex-officio.

The new grand stand and pavilion erected at Winton Park, Ardrossan, were formally opened by Provost Christie, who was accompanied by Bailie Flinn, Bailie McKellar, Councillors Reynolds, Stewart, Fawcett, Inglis, Captain McKelvie, Dr McDonald and Messrs Price and Duncan.

At the Ardrossan municipal election close upon 700 electors recorded their votes, which represents roughly 65 per cent of the electorate. The successful candidates were Messrs Thomas Harvey, Thomas Haldane and George McKellar, the unsuccessful candidate being Captain John McKelvie.

At a meeting of Ardrossan United Free Presbytery a call from Brodick UF Church to the Rev William McKelvie, MA, Edinburgh, was sustained.

50 YEARS AGO on November 9 1962
Kilbirnie District Council at their meeting on Monday night approved a decision of Kilbirnie local committee that letters be sent to the headmasters of local schools asking them to impress upon people pupils the seriousness of vandalism, and its ultimate cost to the ratepayers.

The local committee had been told by their convener, Mr Alexander Munro, that swings in Milton playground had been badly damaged and had been removed by the park superintendent to the Public Park.

The 1st Ardrossan Boys' Brigade Company won the senior swimming championship for the fourth year in succession in the Battalion's annual swimming competition at Kilmarnock Baths on Saturday, October 27.

Saltcoats branch of the Scottish Painters' Society recently celebrated their jubilee with a dinner and dance in the Ingledene Hotel, Ardrossan.

The other day a lighted squib was put through the letter box of a house in Queen's Drive, Ardrossan and greatly upset the woman occupant.

Boys lit a fire near the house at Montfode Farm, Ardrossan but, when the owner complained, they extinguished the fire.

A petition calling for a new comprehensive secondary school in North Ayrshire is to be presented to Ayrshire Education Committee by Saltcoats and Stevenston Labour Parties.

On Wednesday night of last week a member of the local Boy Scout Troop saw flames coming from a gable wall of the Scout Hut in Howgate, Kilwinning and raised the alarm. When the Ardrossan Fire Brigade arrived they found that the Scouts had extinguished the fire. It was discovered that petrol had been thrown against the wall of the hut and three bottles of petrol were found nearby. The firemen, using a hose reel jet, washed away a quantity of petrol at the gable wall. The accident was reported to the police.

25 YEARS AGO on November 20 1987
A trio of local businessmen hope to transform one of Saltcoats' major landmarks the Regal Cinema - into a top class nightspot. If they receive permission from Cunninghame District Council's Planning Committee, business-men John, Edward and Jim Fox will undertake a programme worth "a considerable figure" which will make the former town centre cinema a money- spinning leisure complex.

The Fox brothers, who own the Dockhead Street bar and diner, Sullivans and the next-door pub Gardners, as well as the Ayrshire-wide chain of Hamilton's turf accountants, revealed to the Herald that they have already concluded a deal regarding the purchase of the run-down Regal premises from the Kemp Organisation, who have owned the site for generations.

An earth tremor shook Ardrossan early on Wednesday morning while people slept and experts are baffled at the cause of it. The watchman at Ardrossan Harbour was somewhat shaken when the 64-foot watchtower was jolted by the tremor. Joe Higgins, of 6 Coalhill Place, Ardrossan, was on duty at the Harbour at 12.15am when a "dull tremor passed underneath the building. Mr Higgins said it felt like the tremor had come from underneath the water. But at the British Geology Survey in Edinburgh David Redmayne said that although there were no reports from Towarth through Bute and into Ardrossan of earth tremors nothing had been recorded.

Rents in Cunninghame look set to soar by at least 37p per week following the government's proposal to slash the budget by £500,000 next year. But Cunninghame's Chief Executive Bernard Devine, warned the rent rise would be much higher. The council's rate fund contribution from the government has been cut from £799.00 to ££267, in an attempt to penalise the overspending council.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original