The Straiton Arrow
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The StraitonDec/Jan 2012-13 40p Arrow A warm welcome to the new owners of Blairquhan, Amanda and Happy Birthday Michael Zhou and to Maiqin McColm who will be deputy general manager of the castle. Mr and Mrs Zhou are owners of a mineral Cameron Prakash, 11 on 9th Dec water company, Ganten, and are looking to diversify into providing Finn Rowden, 4 on 12th Dec upmarket accommodation with an emphasis on visitors from China Angus & Kitty Colquhoun 2 on and the far east. They are sensitive to the history of the castle and 13th Dec wish to preserve and maintain the traditional assets. Rory Marshall 3 on 9th Jan In January WilloWind intend to hold an exhibition to show the people Isla Mason 9 on 17th Jan of Straiton and surrounding areas their proposals for erecting wind David Kidd 4 on 20th Jan turbines near Linfairn and Knockgardner. ScottishPower Renewa- Cameron Nisbet 9 on 28th Jan bles have proposals for 26 turbines behind the monument hill and James McWhirter 8 on 4th Feb npower are interested in developing a small site near Straiton too. It Congratulations to Peter Clap- is vital, if you are concerned, to visit the exhibition and express your ton (Glenhead) who celebrated views – either for or against – or you might have concerns over roads his 70th recently, and to Eoghan or infrastructure issues. It was hoped to arrange a public meeting Baird (Glengill) who was 60. where all 3 companies could present their plans but ScottishPower were unable to attend and WilloWind preferred to present their plans We would be delighted to have in isolation. Bea Holden your news, announcements and events. Please email or write: [email protected] Dates for your Diary 18 Main St. 770247 December 23rd Christmas Cheer. Soup and Julie Walker 5 Main St. 770276 17th Carol Singing around the Sandwiches, McCandlish Hall village, 6.30pm 25th Christmas Day January 18th School Pantomime, 26th Boxing Day 7th School resumes McCandlish Hall, 7pm 31st Hogmanay Party in the Hall, 17th Exhibition by WilloWind, 21st School closes at 2.30pm bring a bottle and nibbles 3-5pm 7-9pm McCandlish Hall e Minister Writes How to contact With the coming of the Christmas season, the ‘giving of gifts’ will occupy our minds. your local For some, the yearly ritual of the Christmas shopping has already started and is well and national underway. Others, however, will leave this onerous task until the last minute, with a representatives hurried dash round the shops late in the Along with Kirkmichael and Village News afternoon of Christmas Eve. Whatever form Crosshill, Straiton has three Congratulations James and Lisa the shopping takes, the ‘giving of gifts’ will be much thought about community councillors and their (nee Kay) Mair on the birth of and debated in the days leading up to Christmas. contact details can be found Emma born on the 11th Novem- It is often said nowadays that the ‘giving of gifts’ has become on the back page. Meetings are ber, a little sister to Harvey. excessive. We hear people express the view that, children especially, usually held on the last Tuesday are given gifts which are excessive both in price and in quantity. of the month alternating between Congratulations to Ben and Elsie There is indeed a sense in which the ‘giving of gifts’ has become the three villages. Contact Murray (Knockbreck Road) on ©Alexander Crawford extravagant, and far exceeds the simplicity and prudence practised details for other representatives their Golden Wedding anniver- by previous generations, thereby turning the festival of Christmas are as follows: sary in November. Sportinghouse Strings from a spiritual occasion into an expensive commercial enterprise. We wish Helen McDowall Tickets sold out within a few weeks of going on sale for Putting on Maybole, North Carrick and Yet it must be remembered that at the very heart of our Christmas (Knockbreck Road) a long and the Ritz - an afternoon tea with a jazz band at Blairquhan. An evening celebrations there is the ‘giving of a gift’. In Mary’s child, God in his Coylton Councillors happy retirement. Helen has performance was arranged to satisfy demand with wine and cake extravagant love came among us to live as one of us, and to share Ann Galbraith worked at Blairquhan for 34 replacing the tea. The music was simply brilliant; Martin Litton was our human experience. As the writer of St John’s Gospel (1:14) puts Home Tel: 01655 740447 years and enjoyed a lunch at on the piano, Richard Vernon on Bass and ‘Spats’ Lanholm on banjo, it so beautifully and poetically: Office Tel: 01292 612687 Wildings with all her colleagues. mandolin and vocals. They entertained an appreciative audience with ‘the Word became flesh: he made his home among us, and we saw Email: ann.galbraith@south- We wish Fiona Bowman all the mainstream jazz from New Orleans and some ragtime numbers. his glory, and glory as befits the Father’s only Son, full of grace and ayrshire.gov.uk best during her recent stay in Ayr Organiser Katie would like to thank everyone who attended the con- truth.’ Hospital. Fiona has now moved certs, Sir Patrick and Lady Marguerite Hunter Blair for their hospitality Brian Connolly Irrespective of how we feel about the ‘giving of gifts’, at the core of to Girvan Hospital and is making Mobile Tel: 07970 540591 and their friendly and efficient staff; Marion McMorland and her team the Christian story is the ‘giving of a gift’ – God’s extravagant giving good progress. Office Tel: 01292 612274 for organising the afternoon tea and Dorothy McFadzean for her tasty of himself in Jesus Christ for the redemption of the world. Email: brian.connolly@south- sandwiches; all the people who made generous donations; the local In these days of social, economic and political uncertainties, and Thank you ayrshire.gov.uk businesses who took sales tables and the companies who donated when peace on earth is shattered by wars and rumours of war, let Thank you to everyone who raffle prizes, and last but not least, her own helpers who made the William Grant God’s greatest gift – the precious gift of the Christ-child – be a light in so generously contributed whole event run so smoothly. All money raised from this event went our darkness, and a guide to lead us safely on our way. Mobile Tel: 07794037597 towards the retirement gift to the Yorkhill Children’s Hospital. Office Tel: 01292 612479 Janet and I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and a peaceful with which I was presented at Email: william.grant@south- Christmas, with richest blessings both in the New Year and the hall centenary party. It was Christmas Plunge throughout 2013. W. Gerald Jones ayrshire.gov.uk so good of you all and such If you fancy some fresh air and Sandra Goldie Christmas Cards a lovely surprise. I was really exercise before eating your Home Tel: 01292 570054 moved by your thoughtful- It has been reported that the village toilet block needs a new roof, Christmas pud, you might like Office Tel: 01292 612293 ness. Thank you once again. so I hope it will be of mutual benefit when I announce that, this to take part in a festive dip. The Email: sandra.goldie@south- year, instead of distributing cards to my friends in the village, I will Georgie. girls of Carrick Academy who make a substantial donation to the ‘Toilet Fund’. ayrshire.gov.uk are hoping to travel to Peru next Bruce Henderson, Milton Lodge MSP and MP summer to work with street boys Geoff Campbell are organising a fundraising sea Adam Ingram MSP Nicole Gray swim. Mobile Chiropody Office 1, 4 The Square, Painter&Decorator T 07870 581 171 Podiatry BSc (hons) MChS It will take place at noon on HPC Registered Cumnock KA18 1BG E [email protected] Tel: 01290 425874 Saturday 22nd December at Ayr Email: adam.ingram.msp@ Beach...brrrrr. We are hoping that scottish-parliament.uk people will sponsor us to brave Interior and exterior work carried the waves, but we are also invit- Here’s hoping for an unseasonally Sandra Osborne MP out to the highest standard ing anyone else interested to join warm day! If you want to join us or 139 Main St, Ayr KA8 8BX Knockdon, near Straiton us. Pay £5 to our fund and then sponsor us, contact me on 770359 Fax: 01292 885661 01655 770262 (evenings only) collect sponsors for your own or online at [email protected] Email: [email protected] good cause. Rose Baird Apron s Straiton Primary I don’t think our kids know A Fond Farewell what an apron is. The principle of Mrs Shirley Miller, the school clerical assistant moved to a clerical Grandma’s apron was to protect post at Prestwick Academy on Monday, 19th November 2012. She the dress underneath, but along had been with the school for over four years and will be missed. with that, it served as a potholder Shirley went beyond the job title and got really involved with the children. She led the JRSO (Junior Road Safety Officer) group and for removing for hot pans from set up and helped the children with their computer work. Mrs Miller the oven. It was wonderful for loved the Adventure Centre for Education (ACE) outings and always drying children’s tears, on occa- got fully involved! Paddling canoes, lighting fires for hot chocolate or sion was even used for cleaning building dens! dirty ears. From the chicken coop, Junior Badminton We wish her well in her new post and know she will be an asset to the apron was used for carry- 8-16 years 6.30 - 8pm her new school.