by Ron Ireland | Mar 29, 2020
A South Ayrshire farmer has voiced the concerns of many regarding the potential spread of the Coronavirus into rural areas. A number of people are suspected of leaving their local areas to exercise in the country, including walking sections of the Ayrshire Coastal Path which cross farmland, potentially risking the health of farmers and landowners. Trail Manager, Dr Jimmy Begg said that the Ayrshire Coastal Path management team fully supports the farmer’s concerns about a small proportion of selfish people walking close together in groups, and perhaps travelling in shared cars, who risk spreading Coronavirus into our country areas. However, we hope that recent instruction by the UK and Scottish Governments will result in everyone now remaining at home, or close to home, to protect our population. If not, our overworked front line NHS staff, and the most vulnerable in society, will likely bear the tragic consequences of the actions of a thoughtless minority. PLEASE STAY AT HOME AND EXERCISE...
by Ron Ireland | Mar 10, 2020
Our winter social event took place this year, once again at the Heads of Ayr Bracken Bar. More than 30 pathminders and guests congregated in this welcoming informal venue for an evening of fun and games. Greetings were more awkward than usual due to the Coronavirus scare and there was much hilarity as attempted kisses and handshakes were rejected in favour of fumbled fist-bumping and elbow-knocking. Didn’t they know they were coming for a finger-buffet? Bracken Bar Team Bar owner David Semple and staff members Christine and Liz worked hard to keep us all well fed and watered; all the time with wide smiles and friendly chit-chat. Thanks folks. After the hugely enjoyable buffet it was time for the main event of the evening. This year it was BINGO with the objective being to keep Jimmy Begg from winning at all costs (last year’s quiz winner). John Dunlop did a sterling job as the caller and it was clearly evident that his experience of 40 years ago at Butlins had not been wasted. As well as all the traditional name associations with the numbers, John introduced some topical ones such as “Covid 19”. Bob Gibson (who should be blamed congratulated for the bingo idea) was the caller’s assistant whose job it was to tumble the balls in a low-tech version of the real thing. John’s frequent innuendos with reference to Bob and the balls are probably best forgotten. Bob the Balls and Caller John Mhairi Ireland got off to a good start by winning the first two games – “beginners’ luck” she said. Doreen Aitcheson and Sue Swaine completed...
by Ron Ireland | Feb 16, 2020
Get ready for the 14th Annual Rotary Beach Clean on Sat 4 April 2020 (0900-1230 hours) and help keep South Ayrshire’s beaches beautiful. This takes place over a dozen or so beaches on the South Ayrshire Coast. Most of these are managed and led by Ayr Rotary Club members but other beaches are organised by the Rotary Clubs of Troon, Prestwick, Alloway and Girvan. All the Rotary clubs take great pride in having been well ahead of the current environmental awareness campaigns. Some months ago, the BBC’s hugely popular Blue Planet nature programme dramatically brought home to the general public the enormous scale of the disastrous worldwide plastic pollution and poisoning of our ocean eco-systems. The Rotary initiative aims, once again, to harness the resulting groundswell of public concern and to encourage even more people to join in the drive to clean up our local beaches and seas for everyone’s benefit. This fun-event usually attracts upwards of 400 volunteers (adults and kids) with the main community event taking place at Seafield Beach in Ayr. There are usually sufficient volunteers at Seafield but this should not deter you if you are particularly keen to attend there. However, the organisers would really like people who are willing and able to make their own way to one of the other beaches where there may be fewer volunteers. They would be delighted if folk with cars – and an environmental conscience – would volunteer to help groups clean our further-away beaches where they can visit and enjoy the wonderful coastal scenery. For assembly and other information, please contact your local Rotary Club orvisit www.rotaryclubofayr.org...
by Ron Ireland | Jan 29, 2020
The new bridge at Balkenna has now been provided with substantial handrails on both sides in order to satisfy safety concerns. The work was carried over the last few weeks by a willing squad of pathminders who also made improvement to the bridge approach paths and (most importantly) enjoyed the comfort (?) of the newly fitted-out resting place (the Balkenna Beild). The latter was made possible by the cooperation of DuPont Works who kindly gave us permission to adapt their old pump house next to Balkenna Bridge as a welcome, wet-weather, day-shelter for walkers on this exposed stretch of coast. The ACP also gratefully acknowledges the financial support for the handrail work from Wm Grant & Sons Ltd of Girvan through the Local Employees Forum. BACK-BREAKINGBOULDER-BARROWINGBRIDGE-BUILDINGCAKE ANYONE?THE...
by Ron Ireland | Nov 5, 2019
Congratulations to the intrepid lady-volunteers at Troon Foodbank. They were the first-ever recipients of the new ACP 100-mile Completion Certificates. Under the guidance of enthusiastic walker Susan Dunning (far right above) they have been walking the Ayrshire Coastal Path in sections since January and recently completed the final stretch between Largs and Skelmorlie. Our own ACP Management Team member Gillian Craig joined them for the final leg of their ambitious trek and all enjoyed a celebratory glass of bubbly afterwards. They were delighted to be surprised with the certificates, which Gillian presented in person. Successful walkers can now purchase a personalised certificate once they have walked the entire ACP. Certificates are only £5 each, and are a fantastic souvenir of their experiences walking the...
by Ron Ireland | Sep 15, 2019
The tidying operation after the track widening at Chapeldonan has now been completed with a final litter pick between the bull pen and the Chapeldonan quarry at Girvan Mains. A willing squad undertook the final cleaning last week and also emptied the Blue Bins at Balkenna and at Turnberry, with a decent haul of rubbish collected and left in a suitable location for collection by the Council. Thanks to all who have participated in this big exercise over the last few weeks. Hopefully, next springtime, we will see the path along this lovely stretch of shoreline has been restored to its former glory – just in time for the annual Rotary Clubs’ Big Beach...
