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 25, 2019
This month the Pathminders managed to address a longstanding problem and get the three extant kissing gates on the Glenapp estate restored and back in working order after their 10 or so years of being battered by cattle and weather alike. Well done the team. So the section between Glenapp Kirk and Ballantrae is now in good order with the exception of an occasionally flooded bit of estate road on the plateau near March Burn. This has been brought to the attention of the estate factor and we hope to see the situation improved...
by charlie | Oct 20, 2019
Change of Management Structure With the Path growing greatly in popularity from year to year, there’s been a developing discussion that in the future, Ayr Rotary Club might struggle to maintain, fund and manage the Ayrshire Coastal Path from within its membership. Jimmy Begg continues as Trail Manager Over recent years, with many volunteer non-Rotarians joining the Pathminders group, and several of them now active members of the Management Board, it was felt that this influx of younger people with a variety of skills needed to be developed further to secure the Path’s future. It was decided that Ayr Rotary Club should step back from running the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Consequently, from 1 July 2019 under its new Constitution, the Ayrshire Coastal Path is being managed independently by an Ayrshire Coastal Path Management Board comprising both Rotarian and non-Rotarian members. Ayr Rotary Club will continue to give its full support and active backing to the...
by Ron Ireland | May 12, 2019
Further good progress was made on the bridge construction this week. Jimmy and Gus made up the template and drilled the sleepers, which pleasingly slid over the dowels without snagging. The rest of the team gathered loads of stones and filled the gap under the hut (will this one day be the ACP bothy?), and also backfilled behind the abutments. So all ready for the bridging part of it, with the telegraph poles ordered, the angle brackets ready, and the decking purchased and due to be cut to size this weekend. Continuing the recent international encounters theme, volunteers had a friendly chat with a Dutch couple who are thoroughly enjoying walking the ACP before going on to Bute. Perhaps we should all start brushing up on our foreign language...
by Ron Ireland | May 3, 2019
More good work on the bridge abutments today with all dowell bars set in place ready to receive the sleeper bearings. Much mixing of the fast-setting concrete exercised the enthusiastic work party. North abutment South Abutment The day was brightened by the appearance of some rare visitors : a couple of Brent geese on their way home to Greenland and two walkers – Ken Andreson and his partner, from Connecticut in the US. The latter pair were on a week’s holiday to walk the length of the ACP and were heading northwards for an overnight stay at a Turnberry B&B. No such luxury for the geese though. Jimmy and Ken have spotted the geese! Also today, our very own trailer was initiated into the weekly work party routine. A great addition to our equipment and one that makes the transporting of tools and materials much easier. Great...
by Ron Ireland | Apr 24, 2019
Last week saw further good progress while the sun continued to shine. Amphibious Barrow Messing about on the River The Growing...
