NEW RAILWAY FOR ARDROSSAN
The bill, now before Parliament, for extending the Barrmill railway to Ardrossan
and other places was read a first time on Monday (11 February 1884).
Ardrossan and Saltcoats
Herald, 15 February 1884
DRINK MAPS
The Christian Leader says the friends of temperance and good order in every
town could do the cause valuable service by preparing and presenting to the
magistrates a 'drink map' on which every public house would be indicated by
a red spot. The effect will be startling and beneficial and we hope to hear
that the hint will be promptly acted upon in view of the statutory licensing
courts in April next.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 February 1884
LAWN TENNIS CLUB
Lately a Lawn Tennis Club was inaugurated in Ardrossan. The fine weather this
week has allowed the members an opportunity of enjoying this healthy game and
exercise.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 30 May 1884
SWEARING BY THE YOUTHS OF
ARDROSSAN
If some townsman who has the good of Young Ardrossan at heart would assemble
the youths at some Saturday evening social or Sunday morning breakfast and lecture
them on kindness to bird and beast, he would do good service. As a kind of dessert,
the police sergeant, who has the Police Act at his finger-ends, might be present
to read, as a kind of homily, a few clauses of the general Police Act, say the
twenty-first clause bearing on swearing or using indecent language on the street.
Among the youths at their games and some bigger boys who lounge about the piers,
the swearing is more like that of troopers than of beardless boys. A few fines
of ten shillings or eight days which is the ordinary award at a police court
might cure an evil that is growing among young persons in this community.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 13 June 1884
CAMEL CAUSES ARDROSSAN WOMAN
TO BREAK LEG
Yesterday, as Ginnett's Circus was going the rounds of Ardrossan, one of the
camels in the procession, on passing Montgomerie Green getting near to the crowd,
startled the people and the rush was made backwards. Mrs Wright, Montgomerie
Lane, was on the green and, on being driven backwards, fell over a stone and
broke her leg badly in two places.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 13 June 1884
EARLY STRAWBERRIES
We were favoured yesterday with specimens of ripe strawberries growing in the
garden of George Ballantine, esquire, 2 South Crescent, Ardrossan (shown below
in the early 1910s). For the time of the year, they were of a good size and
we can speak with confidence as to the excellence of their quality.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 27 June 1884
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - DRINKING
FOUNTAINS
Sir
I think I can say for the inhabitants of Ardrossan, as I can heartily do for
myself, that we were pleased to see so many enjoying a good day on our beautiful
shores and to congratulate them on their generally good behaviour last Saturday
(28 June 1884). Experience is always teaching us lessons and the one which I
would now teach is the necessity of providing several drinking fountains at
convenient places of the town for obtaining a drink of water. It was distressing
to see large numbers actually drinking the water issuing from the drain of the
Established Church. Fortunately for them, the water is so nearly pure that it
would be harmless. I need not point that the want of drinking fountains will
prevent such trips coming to our town and drive those who into the public houses.
I therefore hope to see this matter attended to by our civic rulers without
delay.
Yours, A Townsman
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 4 July 1884
KILMAHEW HOUSE GOODS AUCTIONED
Kilmahew House (shown below as the disused Ardrossan Burgh Chambers in 1978)
was this week dismantled of its plenishing and the goods and chatels of the
late Provost were knocked down to the highest bidder. We do not know whether
any fancy prices were obtained for relics of the old Provost. Possibly, a little
bit of sentiment may have been indulged in by a few of the purchasers but the
characteristic callousness with the people invested with the power of sale seems
to have been exercised in this instance. Indeed, a greater amount of courtesy
is not uncommon in the case of a collier's but-and-ben and belongings. A very
near relative of the late Mrs Barr who would willingly have taken at a valuation
the articles which were more particularly hers, was told that if he wanted them,
he would have to attend the sale and even the half-size portrait of the late
Provost, presented with much speech-making to Mrs Barr was treated in the same
manner.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 18 July 1884
ARDROSSAN BOWLING CLUB SEASON
ENDS
The Ardrossan Bowling Club (shown below in 2010) will engage in a final game
for the season on Saturday (4 October 1884) and on Monday evening (6 October
1884) over the festive board of the Eglinton Arms Hotel will fight their battles
o'er again. The season's play has been good and for residenters and visitors,
the green maintains it popularity.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 10 October 1884
ARDROSSAN SHORTHAND ASSOCIATION
The Ardrossan Shorthand Association purpose resuming practice for this season
on an early day and a meeting for the election of office bearers and making
the necessary arrangements will be duly announced. This year it is intended
to throw the classes open to ladies as well as gentlemen and we see no reason
why the opportunity should not be largely taken advantage of. The art of phonography
is one which, when once acquired will never be found burdensome and will bring
with it many advantages. Clerkships are now frequently at the disposal of either
sex and preference is invariably given to those who can claim a knowledge of
shorthand writing.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 10 October 1884
ARDROSSAN FARMERS' SOCIETY
In connection with the annual Fair which takes place next Thursday (5 November),
the Secretary Mr Andrew Stirrat has received the following letter.
Seafield
House (shown below as Quarriers in 2008)
Ardrossan
20 October 1884
HOSPITAL SUNDAY
Hospital Sunday will probably become an institution in Ardrossan as in several
other towns in the country. A collection made in the churches for one or other
of the neighbouring infirmaries once a year will, while showing sympathy with
suffering generally, place at the use of the committee for the benefit of residents
in the town needing attendance in those, a number of beds proportional to the
amount given. The collection is to be made on Sabbath, 14 December.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 28 November 1884
ARDROSSAN LITERARY SOCIETY
A debate on the question as to whether women or men are the greater philanthropists
engaged the attention of the members of the Ardrossan Literary Society last
Monday evening (8 December 1884). Messrs Adams and Wallace, who led off on opposite
sides, were the authors of papers of more than average merit. The were neatly
composed, compact and well-reasoned out. The discussion was ably continued by
Messrs J L Bailey, James Mutter, Sidney Smyth, R D Boyd and James Cook. Mr J
R Smith very efficiently acted as chairman.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 12 December 1884