by charlie | Sep 23, 2018
Over 170 volunteers attended Paths for All’s 2018 Volunteer Awards at the Scottish Parliament on Thurs 20 Sept 2018, after being nominated for the outstanding contribution they make to getting more people walking. And our own Pathminders won the Community Path Group of the Year! Representatives from Pathminders, led by Ron Ireland, enjoyed a splendid evening at the Scottish Parliament, receiving the Award from BBC presenter Fiona Stalker. Ayr Rotarian John Scott, MSP also joined the event. Read the full report...
by charlie | Aug 13, 2018
The Times carried an article on Sat 11 Aug 2018, featuring twenty paths throughout Britain. The section from Maidens to Dunure, undoubtedly one of the most picturesque walks you can find, made it into their list. They described the route and highlighted interesting features, including information on “Getting there” and suggesting Dunure Inn and harbour View Coffee Shop as possible stops for...
by charlie | Apr 11, 2018
Many thanks to the helpers from South Ayrshire Council who arrived at Turnberry and worked their socks off, and the pink wellies! These enthusiastic “beach cleaners” were well prepared, with their picnic hamper, tea and coffee and goodness knows what else, as part of their equipment. Someone even brought a drone to film our efforts – or was that to make sure everyone pulled their weight? And they even made a short video for us. Prepare for 2019 Beach Clean guys! ...
by charlie | Apr 10, 2018
What a great success the 12th Annual Beach Clean was! And to cap it all, we were invited to send a load of plastic rubbish to London for the BBC One show. Over 800 bags of rubbish were collected by volunteers organised by Girvan, Alloway, Ayr, Prestwick, and Troon Rotary Clubs between Ballantrae and Troon – with 636 bags collected by Ayr Rotary Club from 7 beaches. Thanks to around 30 willing volunteers, 330 bags were removed from 2km of Dowhill to Turnberry Beach which had never been cleaned before, and a further 75 bags from the adjacent 1km long Dunnymuck beach. This staggering combined total of 405 bags was loaded into 40 large bulk bags, which are now heading for London by lorry, to to be dumped outside the BBC as the main exhibit in The One Show special on Ocean Plastic Pollution on Monday 16 April. NB. Plastic rubbish formed 93% of the total stuff gathered on these 3km of beach. In contrast to these wild beaches, after 12 years of Rotary Beach Cleans, much less litter is now being collected from the town beaches of Girvan/Ballantrae (92), Doonfoot (34), Ayr (90), Prestwick, and Troon (14), thanks to an increased public awareness – and the sterling work of local resident groups, who now patrol and clean these beaches on a regular basis. Our grateful thanks to both them – and all the volunteers who ventured south to the remote beaches – for making our beaches beautiful...
by charlie | Feb 24, 2018
Our annual Beach Clean will take place on Saturday 7 April 2018. Ayr Rotary Club organise this event and are helped by other South Ayrshire Rotary clubs,. We are indebted to the huge support from the community. It is not hard work and is an extremely effective way to improve the look of miles of coastline. If you would like to take part – just 3 hours pleasant work on a (hopefully!) fine Saturday in April – please contact your local Rotary club. You will be allocated to a beach, given basic training and the equipment required. Please help your own community. All persons wishing to assist should wear warm clothing, stout boots and gloves, and report to their nearest Assembly Point. BEACHES AND ASSEMBLY POINTS – AYR ROTARY CLUB (Please go direct to Assembly Pt – or contact named Team Leader for advice) NEWTON SHORE/BENTFIELD POINT Alex Thomson (07753 838805) Assemble/Start: 07 Apr at 0915 Maryborough Rd turning point at beach DOONFOOT BRIDGE TO BLACKBURN CAR PARK John Ewing (07803 034983) Assemble/Start: 07 Apr at 0900 Blackburn Car Park, Seafield BRACKEN BAY Craig Wilson (07747 606964) Assemble/Start: 07 Apr at 0930 Heads of Ayr Holiday Park’s Car Park DUNURE Neil Beattie (07752 623550) Assemble/Start: 07 Apr at 0915 Dunure Harbour car park DRUMSHANG/NORTH CROY Gus Iannotti (07769 635572) Assemble/Start : 07 Apr at 0930 Croy Beach car park (NOT on verges near caravan park entrance...
by charlie | Aug 26, 2017
On 16 August 2017, we were honoured to welcome Denis Spiller, the National President of Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) along with the 1230 District Governor, Gary Louttit, to see and experience for themselves the delights of the Ayrshire Coastal Path. There to welcome them, at Dunure harbour, were Ayr Rotary President Craig Wilson, Jimmy Begg, Gus Iannotti and Ron Ireland. Despite the looming rain clouds, the party of six set off on an amiable stroll with Jimmy, as ever, leading the way and elaborating on various features of interest such as the castle and its doocot. From there they were guided up our newly-constructed Smugglers’ Brae steps, stopping at the new bench to enjoy the (imagined) views. After continuing through the Millenium Wood to the kissing-gate above the lookout-field, with storm clouds approaching from the distant west, the wise decision to return was unanimously reached. In the comfort of the Dunure Inn, the group enjoyed an excellent light lunch during which the erudite chat ranged from things entomological to classic cars (both involving beetles!). Denis and Gary were full of praise for the efforts of Ayr Rotary Club in creating and maintaining the Path and for the benefits this brought to Rotary through greater public...
