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Dean Castle Country Park’s annual classic bike show will now take place on Sunday 8 August from 12pm – 4pm after being postponed back in July due to the weather.

Come along and admire bikes of different ages, makes and models. This is a perfect chance to see some stunning classic bikes and have a chat to the owners for free!

There will be a giant slide and bouncy castle for the kids, side stalls and Owl Magic will be there on the day too. Entry to the park and bike show is free. There will be a small charge for inflatables.

For more information contact 01563 522702 or visit www.ayrclassicmc.com.

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The summer programme of events continues at Dean Castle Country Park with Close Encounters on Sunday 8 August. Join the Rangers and get up close and personal with “alien-like” beasties and learn more about the world beneath your feet. This event starts at 2.30pm and places are limited so please book online at www.deancastle.com or telephone 01563 522702.

Don’t forget that the Classic Bike Show which was postponed in July will also take place on Sunday 8th from 12pm – 4pm with classic bikes of all ages and models as well as inflatables, Owl Magic and side stalls.

On Tuesday 10 August take part in Green Galleries where you can get creative with the Countryside Rangers and make your own masterpiece with what nature has to offer. Spaces are limited on this event to 30 children so please book to avoid disappointment.

Mammal Morphing will take place on Wednesday 11 August. Create your own super mammal with the Rangers and find out more about how our mammals have adapted over the years and why. Booking is necessary for this event due to limited spaces.

Rainbow Ramble takes place on Thursday 12 August. Come along and dip into nature’s colour palette and take part in activities with the Rangers. Spaces are limited.

All mid week events start at 2.30pm from the visitor centre and should be booked by telephoning 01563 522702 or online at www.deancastle.com

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The Co-operative Funeralcare branch on Glaisnock Street in Cumnock was rededicated in an official ceremony recently to mark its refurbishment.

Provost Stephanie Young was invited along to the service which was conducted by Reverend John Paterson and Father Stephen McGratton. The branch was refurbished and redecorated last year, but a rededication that had been planned for the end of 2009 had to be postponed due to a van going through the front window of the building just after the refurbishment had been completed!

Provost Young said: “The refurbished branch looks wonderful and I’m sure that it will help to enhance the professional and caring approach that Co-operative Funeralcare takes towards its work with bereaved families.”

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Robert Burns’ links with Kilmarnock were celebrated recently as Burns Clubs from all over Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway gathered to pay their respects at the Burns monument at Kilmarnock Cross.

Members of the Burns Howff of Kilmarnock hosted a wreath laying event to mark the 224th anniversary of the publication of the famous “Kilmarnock Edition” of Burns’ poetry. Local man John Wilson put his faith in the poet, producing 612 copies at a time when his work was relatively unknown. In a latter day publishing sensation, the book sold out within a month!

Marking the anniversary with a gathering of representatives of Burns Clubs throughout Ayrshire and Dumfries, Provost Stephanie Young said: “I’m delighted to be invited to join these Burns enthusiasts to celebrate Burns and John Wilson’s achievements. Kilmarnock should be proud to be the town which launched the printed career of such a world renowned poet, one who started from humble beginnings, but whose talent has enriched the lives of millions over the generations.”

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A group of local youngsters took positive steps towards a fitter, healthier and happier lifestyle when they  recently participated in the MEND ‘Move It Week’.

Aged between five and thirteen, the youngsters have all previously attended the MEND Programme – a local healthy living course for children who are over a healthy weight. The Programme teaches families about healthy eating and how to enjoy physical activity, which results in participants losing weight, becoming more active, being healthier and improving their self-esteem.

During the Move It Week MEND families participated in a variety of fun games and activities. MEND parent, Elizabeth Bennett, said: “The MEND Move it session was fantastic. The MEND leaders provided a wide selection of exciting activities for the children to take part in. There was a bouncy castle which always goes down a storm with children; circus skills; wannabe pop stars, double dutch skipping and face painting. The children absolutely loved it.”

Councillor Morrice, who attended the Move It sessions, said: “This is a magnificent event provided by the innovative MEND programme in East Ayrshire. MEND is having a major impact on East Ayrshire families by empowering them to make healthy lifestyle choices.”

MEND Move It Week, coincided with National Childhood Obesity Week, and aimed to encourage East Ayrshire families to spend time being active as a family. During the week, MEND encouraged local families to:

• Schedule some time every week with their child doing something active.
• Keep a ‘screen time’ diary for a week noting how much time the family spend watching TV and playing computer games. Start by reducing TV time by 10 minutes each day.
• Create a boredom-buster box and fill it with ideas for fun activities, including some that can be done as a family. This encourages the whole family to become more active and helps to reduce ‘screen time’.

Elizabeth, who has recently become a MEND parent volunteer within Leisure Development’s Volunteer database, added: “I became a volunteer within MEND because of the positive nature of the programme. Every child receives the full enthusiasm and effort from the leaders. Sessions are fun and interesting, get children motivated and build their self esteem at the same time.  It is everything you could possibly want for your child and I wanted to be part of it!”

Harry MacMillan, Chief Executive of MEND, said: “By running the MEND Programme, East Ayrshire is taking practical action to ensure families in the area get the support they need to live healthy lives. The success of the MEND Programme is all about giving families the information they need to make healthier choices. We’re delighted that Councillor Kathy Morrice is helping the families celebrate their achievements during the MEND Move It Week”.

Due to the success of previous MEND programmes, East Ayrshire Leisure Development’s Recreation Partnership Service is running its seventh programme starting September 2010.  All sessions are FREE but spaces are limited. 

For more information on the MEND programme or if you are interested in participating, please contact Lesley Fowler, Recreation Partnership Officer on 01563 576684 or Lesley.fowler@east-ayrshire.gov.uk. 

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Young masterchef Cheryl Ann Ewing demonstrated last week that she certainly can stand the heat in the kitchen when she took up her week’s placement at popular local restaurant, Merchants.

Cheryl Ann was the recent winner of the Cook School Scotland’s Chef’s Apprentice competition – a cooking competition open to all local secondary schools which was inspired and sponsored by Craig Stevenson of Braehead Foods.

She fought off competition from eight other local youngsters to secure the star prize of a week’s work experience at Merchants, under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Alisdair Hood. At the end of her week’s placement Cheryl Ann had an opportunity to further demonstrate some of her newly acquired culinary skills by preparing her prizing winning signature dish for the Leader of the Council, Councillor Douglas Reid; Depute Provost John Campbell and Chief Executive Fiona Lees who had visited Merchants to congratulate Cheryl Ann and celebrate her achievements.

Councillor Reid said: “It was an honour to be able to sample Cheryl Ann’s outstanding cooking at Merchants. Our Chief Executive was involved in the Chef’s Apprentice competition as a guest judge along with the Cook School Scotland’s 3 star Michelin Chef Steven Doherty; Ralph Porciani, Executive Chef at Turnberry; Joe Queen, Executive Chef of Thistle Hotels and of course, Alisdair. Fiona had been extremely impressed by the standard of cooking on offer and our meal at Merchants was outstanding!

“It is extremely heartening that local businesses are willing to help our young people in such a positive way and I wish Cheryl Ann the very best in her future ventures.”

Alisdair Hood said: “It was really inspiring to see such enthusiasm and skill level from someone who is the future of our industry. Cheryl-Ann really enjoyed her time with us and I am sure she has learnt a lot from working in a professional kitchen. All my staff were really impressed with her dish and it sold exceptionally well over the week.”

Notes to Editor

Cheryl Ann prepared a breast of chicken stuffed with mushrooms, garlic and soft herbs wrapped in proscuitto ham with mozzarella baked potato

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East Ayrshire Council has now received a letter from the Scottish Government indicating their decision on the future of Crossroads Primary School. This follows the decision by the Cabinet of East Ayrshire Council to close the school following last year’s discovery of structural problems at Crossroads Primary School which were making the building unsafe. Children have been educated at the campus of Bellfield Primary School over the past year until the future of the school has been resolved.

The letter from the Scottish Government states: “After carefully considering both the information provided by those requesting the call in of the decision and the information provided by your Council, Ministers concluded that East Ayrshire Council has fulfilled its obligations under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and therefore do not intend to issue a call in notice in respect of the decision. East Ayrshire Council may therefore now implement the proposal to close Crossroads Primary School with immediate effect.”

The Council has written to parents and staff informing them that the school will now close with the children being offered a place in Galston Primary School. The Council believes that it is very important that this will be done as a carefully managed process with children and parents being fully informed of the transition arrangements. Now that the Ministerial decision is known, detailed planning for the move to Galston Primary School has begun allowing children to start their new school following the October school break. Pupils will remain at Bellfield Primary until then. Council officers are meeting with the senior staff of both Crossroads and Galston Primary School to ensure that children have the best possible experience.

The Council is very grateful to everyone who participated in the consultation exercise on the future of the school, and to all who have supported Crossroads Primary School over the last year.

The letter from the Scottish Government will be placed on the Scottish Government website in the following section:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/Buildings/changestoschoolestate/schoolclosures/Q/EditMode/on

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Resurfacing works are due to commence on the section of the A71 between Moorfield Roundabout and Corsehill Roundabout. 

The repairs are required after the section of road suffered badly as a result of the previous severe winter. 

During the spring and early summer the speed on this section of road was reduced to 50 mph for safety reasons until the repairs could be organised and financed. 

The works are due to commence on Monday 9 August 2010 and will last no longer that 14 days.  The resurfacing is being carried out by Colas Ltd in partnership with East Ayrshire Council using the Repave Process whereby less of the existing carriageway is removed than by conventional means. 

The remaining carriageway is then heated and a new hot rolled asphalt is bonded to the existing heated material forming a completely new running surface. 

To allow this process to be carried out safely, the westbound traffic will be diverted onto the eastbound carriageway where a contraflow will be in operation for the duration of the works. 

East Ayrshire Council apologise in advance for any delays which the public may experience, but stress that every effort will be made to have the works completed and have the carriageway re-opened as soon as possible.

Depute Provost John Campbell visited Samaritans Ayrshire last week to help promote this year’s 24:7 national awareness campaign.

Samaritans’ national awareness day is Saturday 24 July and the charity that helps millions of people in emotional distress and at risk of suicide will be raising awareness of the fact that its service is open to anyone who needs it 24 hours a day.

Also at the Ayrshire branch was the Samaritans Smart Car which has been driven by celebrity supporters including The Stig to 175 Samaritans branches across the UK in support of the campaign.

Depute Provost Campbell said: “Saturday 24 July – 24/7 – is the perfect day to raise awareness of Samaritans’ round-the-clock availability. The charity is the only service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering support to anyone experiencing emotional distress and I hope that this year’s campaign will be the most successful yet.”

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