The Beith Out of School Care (BooSC) group have visited the 'Ivy Palace' at Spier's to build a 'Bug Hotel' or 'Munchy Bug Restaurant' with the help of the NAC Garnock Valley Ranger. The group collected a number of old wooden pallets, nailed them together, roofed the 'hotel' with turf sods and filled the 'floors' with wood, sticks, bricks, slates, stones, tree tubes, etc to create a wide variety of habitats which will encourage a 'high occupancy'. The site of the hotel, known as the 'Ivy Palace' in the time of the old school, still has a ground flora completely dominated by ivy.

The group will keep an eye on the 'hotels' progress and any interesting species found will be added to the National Biodiversity Database operated by the NAC Biological Records Centre at Eglinton Country Park.

Ross Tulloch, event organiser, writes: Our recent 60s/70s themed charity night on May 22 was a resounding success. All those who attended had a fantastic night and we raised £850.50 to be divided between our two nominated charities - Beith Cancer Support Group and CHAS. Special thanks go to WP Tulloch Butchers of Paisley and Food Partners of Kilmarnock for supplying the food; Beith Scout Group for manning the bar and the following local businesses for donating raffle and auction items: Gryffe Roofing Services , Beyard Services Ltd , Marbill Coaches, Gordon McLeod Plant Hire, the Beauty Box, Independance Hair Salon and Clearwater DC.

Special thanks to all who attended and helped out, they know who they are and their support is appreciated.

Martin Miller, 42, a plasterer who lives in Beith, has just completed a mammoth cycle ride for charity raising a whopping £386 for McMillan Nurses. Martin took part in the popular Etape Caledonia cycle ride which begins each year in Pitlochry. This year was a huge event by any standard with 4,500 cyclists taking part in a grueling 81 mile course round some of the most scenic areas of Scotland.

Kathryn Young writes: The annual pub quiz, affectionately known as Quizaid, takes place in the Gateside Inn on Sunday June 20 kicking off at 9pm. Come along on your own or as part of a team for a great night of fun and competition. A prize of a meal for four is up for grabs for the winning team. Entry is by donation and all the money raised will be donated to Christian Aid.

Following a highly successful Open Day the Barrmill Community Association are having a projects initiative meeting on Monday, June 28th from 7pm to 8.30pm in the Community Centre.

The meeting is primarily for all those who have volunteered to do practical and administrative tasks on projects which will enhance the visual appearance, access opportunities and biodiversity, etc of the Barrmill, Greenhills and Burnhouse communities.

An open invitation is made to anyone willing to lend a hand. The NAC Garnock Ranger, from the Spier's Old School Grounds outstation of Eglinton Country Park, will be present to give advice and help facilitate projects.

Amongst several suggested projects worth pursuing are the display planting of daffodils, creation of new access routes in Barrmill's park, and the future use of the old railway as a cyclepath, footpath, etc.

Barrmill Art Class are holding there Annual Display and Sale on Monday June 21 from 2pm to 4pm and the cost is £2 which includes tea and home baking. The event also runs from 7pm to 9pm at the cost of £2.50 which includes wine and nibbles. Tickets available from local artists for both times, or any other inquires from Jean on 01505-502521. Everyone will be warmly welcomed

Karen McClune, secretary, writes: All roads lead to Beith this Saturday! The St Inan’s Festival is on Saturday June 12 in the grounds of Beith Primary School from 1.00 pm to 4.30pm with the official crowning of the Queen taking place at 1.15pm. The royal party, who are looking forward to their special day are: Lewis Logan (page boy), Shannon Fleetham (flower girl), Nicole Brown (attendant) and Sarah McClune (Queen). Congratulations to all the royal party and everyone will join in wishing them a really wonderful and memorable day.

Kenneth Gibson MSP recently proposed a motion that the Scottish Parliament congratulates Beith Juniors Football Club, the players, fans and everyone connected with the club on being crowned the West of Scotland Premier Division League Champions for 2009-10; notes the hard work and determination of Beith’s players and management; considers this title to be a fitting end to an incredible season, and wishes the Mighty all the very best in 2010-11

Supported by: MSPs Bill Kidd, John Lamont, Dr Alasdair Allan, Dave Thompson, Anne McLaughlin, Stewart Maxwell, Cathy Jamieson, Jamie Hepburn, Gil Paterson

Alec Gardiner, secretary, writes: Beith Homing Club race on Saturday June 5 was from Bovingdon, a distance of 320 miles. Four members sent 27 birds and the pigeons were liberated at 6.30 am on a clear, calm morning. Only eight had been timed at checking time and they are as follows: 1st & 2nd Robert Reid (1271 & 1205), 3rd Robert Trotter (1161) 4th 5th & 6th Robert Reid (1037, 1016 & 867), 7th Hugh Russell (810) & 8th Jim Shepherd (778).

Stuart Wright, match secretary, writes: Beith Golf Club held their popular “Ower the Dyke” three man team competition over the Bigholm course on May 29 when there was an excellent turnout of competitors enjoying the good weather and trying to stay on the course.

Sarah Bentley, Beith Playpark Action Group (BPAG) committee member, writes: BPAG has just received £5,703 from NAC Landfill Tax which will go towards the cost of replacing the perimeter fencing around the tennis court at the town’s public park. The total cost being £5,836.36. In order to receive these monies BPAG is registered with Entrust and has to pay 2.27% of the money received to Entrust (£129.46). These works will be carried out in the next few weeks.

Youth Making Beith Better (YMBB) are restoring and improving the old Nursery Garden at the Beith Community Centre. During the restoration a large number of 'minibeasts' have been found. The group took the NAC Garnock Valley Ranger's advice and set about building a 'Bug Hotel' or 'Munchy Bug Restaurant' to house these displaced creatures.

Robert Clark, club president, writes: On a slightly cooler evening than usual 16 members of Beith Bowling Club took part in the Friday Wapinschaw at Boghead. The winners were the pair of Alena Thomson (lead) and Brian Thompson(skip).

A plaque commemorating the town’s association with Rev John Witherspoon, Minister of Beith (1745 – 1757) was unveiled at a recent ceremony outside Beith’s Historic Auld Kirk at with a large audience of locals in attendance to witness the event. The ceremony was chaired by Mr Tom Hart of Beith Christian Action Group, who linked closely with Mr Jim Alexander of Oregan, USA, in bringing this project to fruition.

Gary Steele, club coach, writes: With the league season over, Beith Juniors FC u10s played Kilbirnie CFC Ladeside u10s in a well contested friendly at Valefield on Saturday. Both teams played good passing football in perfect weather with Ladeside making the first chance that was well saved by Beith keeper Declyn Donachy. Beith came into the game with good inter-play from Lewis Steele and Matthew 'Radar' McLean to set up Jamie Packman who shot inches wide. A terrific run by Scott Brown set up William Ferguson and his first-timer went just over the bar. Jamie 'Jambo' Hogg broke up a Ladeside attack and found Radar free on the left wing. He found William Ferguson in the box but his shot was blocked by a defender. More chances came for both sides but good defending and goalkeeping kept the scores level at the end of an exciting first half.

Robert F Clark, club president, writes: On the first Wednesday of June the Gold and Silver Bowl takes place all over Ayrshire. The game, traditional for many years, is the coastal clubs against the inland clubs. This year it was the coastal clubs turn to play at home. The very welcome inland clubs visiting Beith were Hurlford Bowling Club and Springhill Bowling Club from Kilmarnock.

Robert Jamieson, president, writes: Eight anglers turned up at Kirkleegreen on Saturday evening to contest the West Trophy. Given the bright sunshine and high temperature, it appeared that sunglasses and factor 30 were of more use than rod and reel, but given the
optimistic nature of fishermen, they persevered. At 9.30pm three anglers weighed in fish, Robert Jamieson with a rainbow and a brownie for 3lb 6oz, Stuart McNaughton with a rainbow of 2lb 1oz and Stuart McKenzie with a brownie of 15oz.

Possibly the three young ladies sunbathing on the point with a few bottles of beer had the right idea. The competitions are now at the halfway stage with Stuart McNaughton in the lead on 28 points, Stuart McKenzie in second on 20 and Graeme Lynch in third place on 18 points. It’s still all to fish for! The next competition, the Mitchell Cup, will be fished on Saturday June 19 from 6pm until 10pm.

John Leese, committee member, Beith Juniors, writes: On Monday June 7, the SJFA West of Scotland Superleague trophy won by record breakers Beith JuniorsFC went on tour to Beith Primary School. To mark this event, pupils from primary’s 4, 5, 6 and 7 participated in a drawing competition organised by the school and Beith Juniors FC.

The theme for the competition was “Beith Juniors, a Celebration.” John Leese and Lee Thomson of Beith Juniors committee arrived at the school with the trophy and were given the hard task of sifting through all of the entries, all of the highest standard. After deliberating for 45 minutes a decision was made and the 12 winning entries were chosen. Each winner received a child season ticket for the forthcoming season of 2010/11 at Bellsdale Park.

The traditional weather of bright sunshine was again happily on parade for the 2010 St Inan's Fete. There was a marvellous turnout of decorated vehicles featuring many of the groups and organisations in the town. The parade, with the Royal Party in a horse and cart leading, left Beith Community Centre at 12.30 pm and paraded through the town.

Greenhills WRI are holding a Strawberry Tea on June 13 in Barrmill Community Centre from 2 pm to 4pm. Tickets are £2 or just come along and pay at the door. There will be a sales table and raffles and the event is being held in aid of Yorkhill Hospital. Greenhills WRI are going on a summer excursion on Saturday June 19 to Castle Douglas leaving Barrmill at 9 am and Beith at 9.15 am.

There a few seats available, so anyone wishing to go please contact Grace Gilbert on 01505 506878