CULTURE MINISTER VISITS EAST AYRSHIRE GAELIC UNIT
Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop visited the Gaelic Unit at Onthank Primary School this week.
After a warm welcome from Head Teacher Steve Banks and Depute Head Glynis Findlay, Ms Hyslop chatted with children and teachers in the Gaelic primary classes and nursery.
The enthusiastic youngsters delighted her with their performances. Nursery children sang three Gaelic songs, Reece MacDonald, 6, told a traditional story in Gaelic and P2-3 and P4-6 children recited poems and sang songs in unison.
Findlay ..read more Read more
GREEN FLAG AWARD FOR KILMARNOCK SCHOOL
Striving to improve the environment has paid off for a group of local youngsters, as their efforts have now gained national recognition.
James Hamilton Academy was awarded Green Flag status last week and everyone – including the Head Teacher, staff and pupils of the Kilmarnock school – is proud of gaining the highest award possible under the Eco-Schools programme.
Head Teacher Janis Teale said: “I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of our Eco Committee has been recognised by Eco-Schools ..read more Read more
COW ABOUT THAT?
Provost Stephanie Young attended a special preview evening of Ayrshire-based artist Elaine Johnston’s work at Wellington Gallery in Kilmarnock recently.
Elaine is a portrait artist who specialises in fine oil paintings of family and pets. Her current exhibition is entitled ‘Rural Portraits’ and features paintings of farm animals and children.
The exhibition runs throughout the whole of September at Wellington Gallery.
Provost Young said: “I was delighted to attend the opening night of this exhibition. I would urge everyone to go along ..read more Read more
SHAWN TAKES TOP PRIZE IN FLOWER SHOW COMPETITION
Provost Stephanie Young met eight year-old Shawn Duthie from Kilmarnock recently to hand over a prize he won after entering a competition at Ayr Flower Show.
Shawn won a family pass to see the movie of his choice at the Odeon in Kilmarnock, kindly donated by Odeon. The competition had a recycling theme, and after viewing the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ garden designed and developed by the three Ayrshire councils with support from Zero Waste Scotland, entrants had to complete ..read more Read more
ON SALE NOW – YOUNG MUSICIANS’ GALA CONCERT TICKETS
Music lovers are in for yet another treat, when this year’s Instrumental Music Service Gala Concert takes place later this month.
Talented young people from schools all over East Ayrshire will take part in live performances featuring a wide variety of instruments and styles. The Gala Concert will include brass, wind, pipe and jazz bands; vocal groups; string orchestra; soloists; and woodwind, guitar and percussion ensembles. These groups highlight the skill and commitment of the young musicians and the high-quality service ..read more Read more
JIMMY SHAW STATUE BACK TO ITS BEST
The Jimmy Shaw Statue at the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock is looking as good as the day it was unveiled thanks to a recent facelift.
The marble statue was erected in August 1848 by public subscription to honour Kilmarnock’s famous son, Sir James Shaw. Sir James was a real-life Dick Whittington – from very modest beginnings he sought fame and fortune in the USA then London.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: “Sir James Shaw’s story is quite an incredible ..read more Read more
EAST AYRSHIRE LOCAL PLAN MOVES TOWARDS ADOPTION
Future development in East Ayrshire is looking optimistic as the latest local plan is close to being formally adopted. Agreement was reached at the Council’s Cabinet week, bringing together its strategy, a vision of land use for East Ayrshire to 2017 and beyond which actively promotes the economic, social and physical development of East Ayrshire and all of its communities.
The plan identifies a wide range of sites for housing, industry and other uses to meet future anticipated needs and provides ..read more Read more
PROPOSED OPERA HOUSE REDEVELOPMENT IS MUSIC TO OUR EARS!
On Wednesday East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet is considering a report which has the potential to end 20 years of speculation surrounding the future of Kilmarnock’s most prominent gap site.
The former Opera House buildings at 6-14 John Finnie Street and 24-26 Strand Street were destroyed by fire in 1989 and since then only the “B” listed sandstone facade has remained in what has become the most prominent derelict site within Kilmarnock Town Centre.
The report proposes that the Council enter ..read more Read more
KILMAURS WALKING FESTIVAL FIRST!
Kilmaurs Community Council and East Ayrshire Countryside Services Department will be hosting their first walking festival, this weekend, Friday 3 September to Sunday 5 September.
The event will kick off on Friday with a sponsored walk for P6 and P7 pupils from Kilmaurs Primary School around the Kilmaurs Town Trail. Bottles of water have been kindly donated by Sainsbury’s for the walk.
On Saturday 4 September you are invited to join the Countryside Rangers on an evening bat walk and discover ..read more Read more
EVERYONE GETS ACTIVE!
East Ayrshire residents of all ages were getting fit and healthy this summer thanks to the Council’s Leisure Development Services.
A wide variety of activities designed to improve health and wellbeing were on offer throughout the summer for everyone from the very youngest to the oldest. Specially designed Messy Arts, Music & Movement and Fun Fitness activities were delivered weekly to encourage pre-school children and their parents or carers to get active and have fun playing together.
Councillor Kathy ..read more Read more
