It is with deep regret that we report that Beith’s oldest man, the inimitable Simpson C Jamieson, known to everyone in Beith and district simply as Simie, died on Saturday 13 September in Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock after a short illness. At the time of his death, he was five days away from what would have been his 98th birthday and he was very proud of his status as the town’s oldest man.

A fascinating character and an old Spierian, Simie truly lived life to the full and was actively involved in a numerous sporting and social organisations until just a few years ago when he became increasingly frail. The community will join in sending their condolensces to the Jamieson family.

All sections at 1st Beith BBs have now settled into a routine, with a full programme of activities organised for the winter. Badge work for the Junior and Company sections will start soon. Numbers have increased slightly this week, but there are still a number of boys who were members last year who have not yet returned. We will be delighted to see all former members back, and there is still room for any new members who may wish to come along.

As usual, if anyone has some spare time and would like to get involved in rewarding voluntary work, the BBs can offer this opportunity. Why not drop in for an initial chat with the leaders.

Beith will soon have the poshest dogs in Scotland! No longer will we hear shaggy dog tales or see dogs with shaggy tails or have them barking up the wrong tree. The town’s pet show, Paws ‘N’ Claws at 19 Main Street is now offering a stylish dog grooming service. So, if your dog is looking a little down in the mouth and needs a nice make over, drop in to Paws ‘N’ Claws or contact them on 01505-502324.

If you don’t, you may end up in the dog house! On seeing the advert for this service one local wag was overheard saying that if Beith’s world famous barber, Dougie Bates, is perchance closed then those in need of an urgent hair cut can now nip into Paws ‘N’ Claws for a short back and sides!

Billy Haining, organizer of Beith Cancer Support Group passes on his sincere thanks for a donation of £100 in memory of Frank Fraser, 2 Dipple Court, Kilbirnie, which was donated by his family.

Beith & District Young Farmers’ club held their beef and sheep stockjudging on Monday 8th September at Hauplands Farm, West Kilbride and the results were as follows: Stockjudging, junior girls 3rd equal Jennifer Mair and Susan Logan 2nd Allison Reid 1st Carol Kennedy. Senior girls 3rd Louise Parker 2nd Anne Reid 1st Jennifer Logan.

Junior boys 3rd Graeme McCarter 2nd William Smith 1st Alex Wilson. Senior boys 3rd Ross Gilbert 2nd Walter Mitchell 1st Gareth Scott. Associate boys 2nd William Chalmers 1st David Wilson. Open 3rd Tom Logan 2nd John Wilson 1st Duncan Campbell. Reason giving, senior girls 1st Anne Reid. Senior boys 2nd Gareth Scott 1st Stuart Logan. Demonstartion, senior girls 1st Anne Reid. Senior boys 2nd Gareth scott 1st Stuart Logan.

Winners of the sweepstakes were Gareth Scott and Carol Kennedy. Winners of the side competition were Walter Mitchell and Archie Paterson. Winner of the Holmbyre Trophy was Gareth Scott. The results from stocksman of the year was 3rd Anne Reid 2nd Gareth Scott 1st and winner of the stocksman of the year trophy was Stuart Logan. Well done everyone! The next meeting of the winter syllabus is the root and industrial on Monday 29th September. For a list of competition entries please contact Julie on 01294 832262 or Gareth on 01294 832249.

Well where has the time gone. The sizzling summer holidays are over, and the new term has begun at 2nd Beith Guides. The opening night was taken up with games led by Young Leader Rachel, and Laura who is completing a variety of interesting activities leading to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at silver level. The following week the girls sat their Confectioners Badge, which seemed to be an excuse for covering themselves in icing sugar.

They made lots of lovely cakes and sweets. Needless to say most of the sweets didn't leave the hall. The 5th September was a very special evening, as the Sponsorship Agreement between the guides and the church was signed. Ellen Hart, District Commissioner began by giving a talk on Guiding, and after signing the agreement the Rev. Andrew Black led the group in worship. After this everyone had tea, and looked at the exhibition presented by the guides. A special badge has been commissioned for the company, as they will be known as the 2nd Beith Trinity Guides from now on.

Beith Bowling Club’s Tour President Derek Logue and his tartan army took Perth's fair City's bowling clubs by storm last weekend in winning all three games. The first game was at Scone Recreation BC just outside Perth on Friday night, the second on Saturday afternoon at West End BC in Perth, and on Sunday the game was in a lovely little village called Almond Valley about 4 miles from Perth.

The tour team was based at the Isle of Skye Hotel which is in a great location near the Queens Bridge which spans the River Tay. The tour was a great success and tour President Derek would like to thank all the lads for their support, especially our two minibus drivers Jim and George Wilson. After the school holidays on Friday afternoon (12th September), the youngsters now in Beith Primary class 7 took part in a triples competition and in a very close game skip Thomas Waddle, 2nd Jamie O'Hara, and lead Steven Warnock won by two shots against the triples skipped by Emma Johnstone, 2nd Jordan Pettigrew and lead Stewart Marshall.

Gateside WRI recently held their first meeting of the new session in the Patrick Memorial Hall. Mrs Catherine McCarter, president, gave a warm welcome to all present. Minutes were read my Mabel Campbell and after business was attended to, the president introduced Mr Allan Mirrison, author, who gave a very humorous account of his writings.

The competitions for the evening were then judged. The Rosebowl for a jar a raspberry jam was won by Mavis Campbell. The Marion Fulton Quaich for a pot of parsley resulted in 1st Moira McMillan, 2nd Jean McIntyre and 3rd Charlotte Nicol. The next meeting will be held in the Patrick Memorial Hall on Thursday, 2 October when Maggie Magee, Fundraising co-ordinator of Hanzel Foundation will be the speaker. There will also be a Hansel Christmas sales table. The Rosebowl will be for a tub of fruit salad and the Garven Trophy for two puff pastry sausage rolls.

New members will be made most welcome.

Following the morning service at Beith High Church last Sunday, the congregation joined in a special buffet lunch to mark the departure of Rev Andrew Black from Beith High linked with Trinity to his new charge of Irvine Relief Church, Bourtreehill. Rev Black and his wife, Isobel, received a number of farewell gifts on behalf of several church organisations.

This Sunday there is a joint service for Trinity and High to be held in Trinity Church which will be the final service taken by Rev Andrew Black before he departs for pastures new at Bourtreehill with the kindest wishes of the congregations of Beith Trinity and High.

Ardrossan based author, John Steele will be giving an illustrated talk on Friday 3rd October in Biggert Hall, Trinity Church. Dalry at 2.00 pm to members of Dalry Leisure Club. John is vice president of Beith and District Writers Group.

Beith Historical Society begins its new session on Thursday 25 September at 8.00 pm in the Eglinton Inn. The speaker is Pauline Megson, Assistant Inspector of Historical Buildings, Historic Scotland based in Edinburgh. Pauline has been very busy in Beith over recent months looks at all aspects of the town’s old buildings and she has been delighted with what she has unearthed.

Her talk is entitled: Beith – A Hidden Architectural Gem. Old and new members will be made most welcome.

Ex Steelworker, Harry McMaster JP is well known in Beith and district, especially in bowling circles. Harry is one of Beith’s oldest and is probably one of the fittest older men in the town for his age. He plays bowls several times a week and is still one of the finest exponents of bowls at the Beith club which was formed in 1865.

Locals have been concerned that ongoing work at Beith bypass at the Gateside junction seems to have come to a halt. Councillor Jean Highgate advised that she has spoken to the Roads department regarding the progress towards establishing a roundabout at this location. She has been advised that work will not start this year. The current road closure applies only until 21 September, but a further extension for two weeks has now been notified.

This can, of course, be further extended as necessary. There is apparently a delay regarding land aquisition and the Scottish Executive will require to issue a compulsary purchase order.

A Country and Western evening will be held in Longbar Community Centre on Friday 3 October from 8 pm till 11.30 pm. Tickets priced £3.50 which includes a light supper are lable from Sandra at Brightsparks, Strand, Beith on 01505-503625 or Roberta on 01505-683309. The music will be played by James on keyboard and there will be the ever popular line dancing sessions.

All the proceeds from the evening will be donated to Beith Town Centre Initiative (BTCI) to help with their 2003 Lights and Laughter parade and late night shopping event scheduled for Friday, 5 December.

This Saturday and Sunday all roads lead to Dam Park, Ayr for the 27th annual model rail exhibition hosted by Ayr Model Railway Club in Ayr Technical College. This is a very popular event and takes grown men back to those halcyon days of steam railways in an era when the national network seemed to largely operate on time.

On Saturday the exhibition runs from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm whilst on Sunday it begins at 11.00 am until 5.00 pm.

Last Wednesday the ladies of Beith Bowling Club were involved in their usual friendly wappenschaw on the club green in good weather conditions. After a close competition the winning triple was Ann Johnston, Rose Rae and Sally Ann Brennan (skip). Prizes were kindly donated by Nan Frew.

What is apparently the world’s biggest coffee morning will be held on Friday 26 September to benefit McMillan Cancer Relief. Coffee will be served all day in the offices of J & R Smith, Undertakers, Main Street, and everyone is cordially invited to drop in for a coffee to help McMillan Cancer Relief.

Perhaps locals may want to organise a coffee morning to help this very worthy cause.