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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 Morrice, Spokesperson for Improving Community Health and Wellbeing said: “The summer programme coupled with the work of our EA Positive Play team is all about capturing the imagination of children at the earliest stage, encouraging them and their parents to play together as a family and keeping them all active and healthy.”

The activities focused on parent and child play with the message that playing together is an important and positive part of family life that can have a lasting effect on children as they grow into adults.

Council Leader Douglas Reid experienced the early years fun fitness programme being delivered at St Sophia’s school in Galston and was impressed with the range of activities on offer: He said: “It’s great to be able to see some of the positive things going on in our communities and the impact that it has on our local people. All of the children had a great time, their parents and carers were joining in and going away with ideas for playing at home but most importantly this kind of simple play activity will help our children develop into healthy, independent adults in the future.”

Meanwhile, for those in the slightly older age bracket there were CHIP classes to suit all. Delivered throughout the area, older residents enjoyed taking part in chair based and easy aerobics as well as having fun trying the newest craze to get those hips moving – Zumba!

Councillor John MacKay, Spokesperson for Improving Community Health and Wellbeing visited one of classes in Crookedholm Community Centre. He said: “The people taking part in all of the CHIP classes over the summer really are role models. They prove that it’s never too late to look after your own health and so many of the people here have a story to tell about how this activity has improved their quality of life whether that’s just going about their daily business to actually getting out and about to meet new friends.”

Now that the summer is nearing its end, there’s a whole new programme of healthy activities available for the entire family. For more details about what’s on in your area from pre-five play to healthy walks and classes contact East Ayrshire’s Leisure Development Services team on 01563 576705.

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East Ayrshire Council’s Recreation Partnership Service has just delivered its first MEND programme for children aged between 5 and 7 years.

This particular programme focuses on a community, family-based approach for 5 – 7 year old children who are above their healthy weight, and for their families. The multi-component programme places emphasis on healthy eating, behaviour change, parenting skills, active play and healthy family lifestyles. The programme is also designed to consider the social, cognitive, emotional and physical growth and development of children at this age.

Depute Chief Executive and Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services, Elizabeth Morton attended the Graduation Ceremony and said: “I was delighted to present certificates to the children who graduated from MEND – their families must be very proud of their achievements. The positive lessons delivered by MEND will have a lasting effect on the wellbeing of these young people and their families and will, I’m sure, inspire others to participate in future programmes. Special thanks go to the Recreation Partnership Section of East Ayrshire Council’s Leisure Development Section and NHS Ayrshire and Arran colleagues for working in partnership and creating such a successful initiative.”

One MEND parent said: “This group was great as it opened your eyes to the amount of rubbish that’s in food. The staff were great and always answered your questions. They were great with the kids and I would recommend this programme to any parent who feels their children could benefit from it. The kids don’t even realise it’s all about food as it’s always such fun.”

Due to the success of previous MEND programmes, the Recreation Partnership Service is running its seventh programme starting in September 2010. All sessions are FREE but spaces are limited. This programme will focus on children aged 7 – 13 years.

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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The Corporate Enforcement Unit is turning its attention to the thoughtless motorists who throw litter from their vehicles.

Councillor Jim Todd, Spokesperson for Improving Community Safety said: “I have lost count of the number of times I have seen motorists casually throwing litter from their vehicles. The CEU now has an agreement with the DVLA which will allow our officers to search vehicle number plates online and issue fixed penalty notices as appropriate. Our CEU is moving with the times and will continue to use any means available to them to tackle the scourge of littering on our communities.”

Littering from vehicles has a substantial financial impact on the Council. Larger roads like the A77 have to be closed to allow our employees to clear litter safely, which in addition to the financial cost causes disruption for our road users. During the last clear up of the A77, the Council uplifted some 1500 bags of litter at a cost of almost £15,000.

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Twelve talented youngsters had the opportunity to train with Kilmarnock Football Club’s first team thanks to the StreetSport Icon competition.

As part of the prize that money just can’t buy, the youngsters were put through their paces by Kilmarnock coach Paul McDonald and Kilmarnock Legend Alan Mahood before they joined the first team squad. Their performances turned a few heads and a couple of the boys impressed the Kilmarnock coaches so much that they were given the opportunity to train with Alan Robertson’s Under19 squad.

Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen also took time out from preparing for Kilmarnock’s seventeenth consecutive year in the Scottish Premier League to watch the ‘icons’ in training. He said: “I was extremely impressed in the level of ability shown, especially by the Under 19’s. Alan Robertson took two of the boys to train with him and said that they did not look out of place in his squad. That really shows the level of talent out there.”

If you would like to register your interest for next year’s ‘StreetSport Icon’ contact EAC’s Youth Sport Development Officer on 01563 576871 or email craig.fulton@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Note to Editor

The winners were:

Under 13
Kallium Campbell
Barron Mitchell
Jordan Spiers

Under 16
William Carton
Dimitiri Loudon
Ross McPhersonn

Under 19
Conor Simpson
Sam Nimmo
Michael Webster

Highest Rated Runner Up- James Bunten
Goalkeepers U15- Ross Miller U19- Shaun Gouck

The 12 winners of the ‘StreetSport Icon’, which was organised and delivered by a partnership between East Ayrshire Council’s Leisure Development Service and Kilmarnock Football Club, received the following prize:

Full Kilmarnock FC Strip and training kit, 4 days professional football coaching including lunch with Kilmarnock players, transport to and from Kilmarnock’s training facilities, ball boy role at Kilmarnock’s pre-season game against Spanish side Real Valladolid and the opportunity to further their sporting/sports coaching career with EAC Leisure Development Service.

East Ayrshire Council Trading Standards Service are again running their ever popular Electric Blanket Testing Project and are asking consumers residing within the East Ayrshire area to bring their blankets for a free electrical safety check to either their Local Office or to the Trading Standards Service at 14 London Road, Kilmarnock between Monday 6 – Thursday 16 September 2010.

Normal wear and tear on an electric blanket can often result in it deteriorating into an unsafe state, and it is likely that many blankets will have been used extensively during the particularly harsh winter which we have just experienced. An average of 40% of blankets have failed the safety test over the past 10 years, a failure rate which reinforces the importance of having a blanket tested on an annual basis.

For more information on this safety initiative please contact the Trading Standards Service at 14 London Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 7AF – Telephone 01563 521502.

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Loudoun Academy will re-open as normal tomorrow, Thursday 26 August, following its closure today due to the replacement of a mains cable within the main building of the school.

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Our health is important, no matter the season, and for the Council’s CHIP van it was business as usual during the summer holidays as it continued to visit communities throughout East Ayrshire offering free health checks and advice on healthy lifestyles.

As part of its summer tour, the CHIP van visited over 40 communities, with hundreds of people getting on board for quick and easy health MOT’s that can help identify early, the signs of potential long term health conditions that can seriously affect quality of life.

Council Leader, Councillor Douglas Reid got on board at one the Van’s regular stops in Riccarton where he got his own health MOT from the friendly CHIP staff. He said: “For many people in our communities the CHIP Van is their first point of contact with health services. The people I met whilst having my own check done visited the Van because the health check involved is quick and can easily put their minds at rest.”

Local MSP Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years also paid a visit to the CHIP Van as part of the Summer Camp delivered by East Ayrshire’s Leisure Development Service at Dean Castle Country Park. On this occasion children, who have graduated from the Council’s MEND programme which helps combat childhood obesity, and their parents were hearing from staff on the CHIP Van about the benefits of having regular health checks, keeping active and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Adam Ingram said: “I was really impressed by the CHIP van and the professionalism of the team. The young people and their parents were enthusiastic participants and were very positive about the improvements to their general health and wellbeing thanks to MEND and the CHIP van.”

The CHIP Van is on the road all year round and offers the opportunity for a free health check on your doorstep. You can have your blood pressure or weight checked, talk to staff about concerns you may have or seek advice about how to stop smoking or become more active. The team will offer advice and support you to take the steps you want to take towards a healthier lifestyle.

To find out when the Van will be in your area or for more info about the healthy activities available across East Ayrshire contact the CHIP Team on 01563 576 705 or email chip@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

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Craig McGuire had been out of work for nine months and was finding it difficult to gain employment due to the recession. Twenty months later, and it’s a totally different story. Craig is riding high after being named the runner-up in the New Recruit of the Year category at the recent Jobcentre Plus Awards 2010.

 The award is given to the most outstanding new starter who has found work since being previously unemployed and Craig, 23, was delighted to be named runner-up out of the 150 entrants who were nominated.

 Craig started work with the East Ayrshire Woodlands Project in November 2009 as a Forest Craftsman, a position created through the Future Jobs Fund (FJF).

During his time with the project at Woodroad Park in Cumnock, he became a natural leader and demonstrated his ability to motivate, delegate and complete jobs to a high standard. He worked hard to ensure that the park was a place where people could come and enjoy the great outdoors.

 A job opportunity for a Chargehand with East Ayrshire Council based at Dean Castle Country Park then came in March this year. The post was created to supervise a squad of young people employed through the FJF to clear the path network along the River Ayr Way. Craig’s team started work on Scotland’s first source to sea path network in March 2010 and he is continuing to demonstrate his ability and commitment in leading his team to build boardwalks and benches so that people can enjoy the local countryside.

 While employed through FJF, Craig, who lives in Cumnock, has also studied to achieve his First Aid at Work and PA1/PA6 qualifications.

 Councillor Jim Buchanan, Spokesperson for Community Regeneration, said: “The announcement of the Future Jobs Fund was a response to the soaring levels of youth unemployment and a lack of job opportunities. The local impact could be seen almost immediately and FJF offered young people posts to apply for. Since becoming a Chargehand, Craig has progressed from a national minimum waged job to a salaried job earning 50% more per hour – this demonstrates the impact the opportunity created through the Future Jobs Fund has had on Craig’s life and indeed the lives of many others like him.”

 Craig added: “I was thrilled to receive this award and have really enjoyed working for Countryside Services. Supervising a team of people and training them to do the type of work I enjoy is very rewarding.”

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Loudoun Academy will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday 25 August, due to the replacement of a mains cable within the main building of the school.

It is anticipated that the school will re-open as normal on Thursday 26 August however if this situation changes a further announcement will be made tomorrow.

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