Friday, 11 November 2011 - LOCAL FOOTPATH SIGNS
The Society has worked with North Ayrshire Council to erect signs which indicate local footpaths around the village. The Civic Society contributed £3000 about half the cost with NAC providing the rest. The signs have now been erected and the cheque will be handed over soon. Photos of some of the signposts are included in the Gallery.
Tuesday, 08 November 2011 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEEETING
At the AGM on tuesday 25th October 2011 the following peope were elected to the committee
Chairman - George Donohoe
Treasurer - George Blyth
Secretary - Henry Thomson
Membership Secretary - Chris Fisher
Programme Organiser - Pat Anslow
Website Organiser - Betty Stanger
Committee Members - Graham Finlay ; Michelle Oldham; Bill Hunter
Vice chair- Alan Hodgkinson and committtee members - Wendy MacNab and Joe Kelly are in their second year of office.
The retiring Chairman, Walter Kolon was unable to be present but a vote of thanks for all his work for the Society was given.
George and Gwynne Donohoe presented a film show of old photos of West Kilbride to finish the evening.
Saturday, 28 May 2011 - TRIP TO THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT MILLPORT
On Wednesaday 25th May, 13 members of the Society braved the weather for a trip on the ferry to Cumbrae. Due to the low numbers we took 3 cars instead of the bus and had a most interesting guided tour of the Museum, Aquarium and the Laboratories of the Marine Station. It caters for students from all over Europe who are studying Marine Biology with over 1000 students a year attending; some for short courses and others doing post graduate work staying for a year or more. After the tour we drove into Millport and visited the Garrison which has ben restored following a fire some years ago. We had lunch there and spent time looking round the museum before heading back for the ferry. An enjoyable trip despite the wind and rain.
Wednesday, 04 May 2011 - VISIT TO LAW CASTLE
On 4th May 2011, 26 members of the Society had the pleasure of being shown round Law Castle by Kate Hutton, the owner. We were taken to the Grand Hall where Kate told us about the history of the castle and their work in restoring it and making it habitable. It has been tastefully and beautifully furnished and we were allowed to explore all the bedrooms, and even to go onto the roof walk where we had lovely views of West Kilbride and the surrounding countryside. It was a most interesting visit which was greatly enjoyed by everyone.
Tuesday, 03 May 2011 - BEACH CLEAN-UP SAT 30TH APRIL
Many thanks to all who participated in the beach clean up this past Saturday afternoon. Beautiful weather and over 100 paricipants with a "can do" attitude cleaned up 87 trashbags-full of litter from our local beach , extending from just south of the Seamill Hydro to Portencross!
Refreshments were enjoyed at the Portencross Car Park at the conclusion of the event. After last year's 505-bag-haul of litter, 87 may seem like a small amount, but last year it was the accumulation of years of
beach neglect. This year, we were in a "maintnenance" mode, which probably reflects the amount we may expect to see in future years.
Again..."THANK YOU" to all who participated in this concerted community civic effort!
Saturday, 30 April 2011 - class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">
In support of the “Keep Scotland Beautiful Campaign” (the operating name of Environmental Campaigns – Scotland), the West Kilbride Civic Society is once again collaborating with the: Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC), Hunterston Rotary, West Kilbride Boys Brigade, West Kilbride Girl Guides, North Ayrshire Council (NAC) and Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in a concerted clean-up of the beach extending between the south end of the Seamill Hydro and Portencross.
We welcome this year’s participation by the West Kilbride Initiative Group and the Magnox “A” Environmental Group.
The clean-up will take place between the hours of 1:00PM and 4:00PM on
At the end of the effort, participants are invited to the Portencross Car Park for free tea/coffee/soft drinks (courtesy of FOPC and the Civic Society), soup (courtesy of Audrey, Laura and Karen) and shortbread (courtesy of Greggs the Baker).
If you have pride in our coastline and beach, spend the afternoon with us and Keep Scotland Tidy! Let’s repeat last year’s success
Monday, 04 April 2011 - SUMMER OUTINGS
We are at present organising the outings for the summer. About 30 members will visit Law Castle on 4th May.
We hope to arrange a visit to the BBC Headquarters at Pacific Quay in May and on 29th June we will be running a bus to Dumfries House near Auchinleck. We had a most interesting illustrated talk from the Curator, Charlotte Rostek in January which inspired everyone present to wish to visit the house. A Newsletter will be sent out towards the end of April with all the details.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 - TALK ON VICTORIAN CHURCHES IN AYRSHIRE
On Tuesday 29th March Professor John Hume OBE gave a most interesting illustrated talk on churches in Ayrshire starting with those built in the 1830's up to the 1890's which covered the reign of Queen Victoria.
It included the three churches in West Kilbride which were built in 1890's. It was amazing to see the number of churches, the many different styles and the architects involved.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011 - TALK ON DUMFRIES HOUSE
Charlottee Rostek, the Curator of Dumfries House gave a most interesting talk to the members of the Civic Society on Tuesday 25th January. Dumfries House was built between 1754 and 1759 for the 5th Earl of Dumfries, designed by the Adams brothers and has a unique collection of Chippendale furniture. The principal rooms and their contents have remained virtually unchanged for 250 years. Ms Rostek showed photographs of the rooms and furniture giving the cost of the purchase of many items as there is a complete inventory of items purchased since it was built. This has enabled research to be done and they have uncovered detailed art work on the walls of a corridor which had been covered with paint. An Axminster carpet which is 250 years old is at present beng cleaned and restored. She explained how the house and it's contents were up for sale in 2007 and it was through a last minute deal put together by Prince Charles that the house was saved for the nation. Extensive upgrading of the electrical and plumbing are taking place at present while the house is closed with a full reopening in early June.
Tuesday, 07 December 2010 - RESULTS OF QUESTIONNAIRE
We sent out a questionnaire to members to obtain their views on the outings we organise in the summer.
Most popular days for outings were Wednesday and Thursday
Best departure time 10am got 9 votes and 10.30 got 10 votes
Best return time 4.30pm
Maxm time spent travelling 1.30 hours
Best months for outings May & June
Suggested places to visit.
Local – Law Castle; Dalgarven mill; Skelmorlie Aisle Largs; Marine Lab & Museum on Cumbrae; Wee Cumbrae; Arran.
Others: Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott; Inchcolm on Firth of Forth; Alloa tower, ancestral home of the Earl of Mar; Culross; Dumfries House;
Edinburgh Galleries;
Glasgow Police Museum; Glasgow Traffic control Centre; Glasgow Herald HQ; BBC Scotland Pacfic quay; Clyde waterfront trip a 90min cruise from Pacific Quay to Clydebank; College of Piping and Royal College of Music & Drama; Scottish Civic Trust HQ.
Other comments: To give out a hand out in advance to set the scene;
Prefer to travel in a coach rather than the semi-service buses we usually have especially for longer journeys;
Incorporating a meal is much appreciated
We will be asking members at the next meeting to choose which of these venues they prefer for next summers outings. One local and one further afield would seem a good idea.
Tuesday, 07 December 2010 - class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">On 30th November 2010 David Palmer gave an interesting talk and slide show on his two visits to the
Monday, 01 November 2010 - At the AGM of the Society held on 26th October 2010, the following people were elected to the committee:-
Chairman Walter Kolon (proposed by David Hutcheson and seconded by Pauline Hutcheson)
Vice- Chairman Alan Hodgkinson (Proposed by Audrey Kolon seconded by Norman MacGilvray
Secretary Henry Thomson (Proposed by Norman MacGilvray and seconded by Pat Anslow)
2 Committee Members Wendy MacNab (proposed by Henry Thomson and seconded by Audrey Kolon)
Joe Kelly (proposed by George Blyth and seconded by Norman MacGilvray)
The length of service for Walter Kolon and Henry Thomson being limited to one year as per their requests
It was agreed that the membership subscriptions should remain the same for this year.
After the AGM Norman McGillvray gave an interesting talk entitled "How to be your own Weather Forecaster"
Wednesday, 09 June 2010 - Visit to the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Members of the Civic Society visited the site of the new museum on Wed 9th June 2010. We started by visiting the Tam O'Shanter experience and then had time to see the Auld kirk with its beautiful stained glass windows, the Auld Brig and Burn's Monument and gardens before having a talk by the architect of the new museum about its construction. It has been built using wood sourced in Scotland and the Lake district and it will have a sedum roof. The heating system uses Heat Pumps built by drilling 80 meters down and pumping water down to be heated before circulating as underfloor heating. After this talk we went to Burns cottage where Mr David Hopes gave us a conducted tour of the four rooms - the grain store, the byre, living room and the kitchen. It was a most enjoyable day and we wish to return when the new buiding is opened around September/October
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 - SUMMER OUTINGS
Two outings have been organised for the summer. First to Burns Cottage in Alloway on 9th June 2010 and the second on 15th September to the Glasgow Mosque and People's Palace, Glasgow's Social History Museum where you can see the story of the people and city of Glasgow from 1750 to the present time.
A coach will depart form West Kilbride at 10am. returning about 4.15pm on each occasion.
More details about these outings are shown on the EVENTS DIARY of this website.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 - The Development of National Parks
On Tuesday 26th January 2010, Cameron Sharpe, Manager of Eglinton Park on behalf of North Ayrshire Council, will give an illustrated talk on the Development of National Parks in this country. He will draw on his experience to give a fascinating insight into their history from the start in 1960 to the present and the future showing their value in conservation, education and recreation.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 - The Civic Society members agreed at their last meeting to hold an Open Forum to enable the public to hear the arguments for and against the proposed coal fired power station at Hunterston. This meeting can not be arranged until Peel submit their planning application to the Scottish Government. This may mean that the meeting has to be arranged at short notice but we will endeavour to get the information out to everyone as soon as possible
Saturday, 12 September 2009 - The Society has produced a new publicity leaflet which has recently been delivered to the new housing estates in the village along with leaflets about other organisations in the village. It is hoped that this will bring new people to our meetings and perhaps an increase in our membership.
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 - span> A VISIT TO BLAIR ESTATE AT DALRY
This visit wil include a guided tour of the house and gardens with afternoon tea in the house.
Blair House is “a vast mansion set in a well timbered park” It was in origin a mediaeval tower house with additions through the centuries, including 17th C, 18th C and the late 19th C. The park was laid out in the 1760’s and the estate remains in the ownership of descendents of the original Blair family. We are very fortunate to be given the chance to visit the house as it is not normally open to the public.
The coach will leave WK (Orchard St at Alton St.) at 12.30p.m. and return to
Cost to members - £18 Cost to non members - £21
Contact Norman MacGilvray on 01294 829221. to book
Wednesday, 27 May 2009 - span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
Visit to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery and the Transport Museum in Glasgow
In the past, the Society organised 2 visits to Kelvingrove whilst it was being refurbished and this excursion will give members the chance to see the restored museum. There is also the opportunity to visit the
Both Museums have cafés, and there are other cafés nearby. The coach will leave WK (Orchard St at Alton St.) at 10.30am and return to
Cost to members - £8 Non members - £11
Contact Norman MacGilvray on 01294 829221. to book
Thursday, 15 January 2009 - Change of name
Good news - OSCR The Charities regulator has approved our change of name and we are now called West Kilbride Civic Society. We will shortly be changing our Web page but it will be possible to access it from the old website for some time.