Site managers recognised for awards

Two site managers working at the Lairds Gait developments in Kilmarnock have been recognised at the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards, widely regarded as the housebuilding industry's "Oscars". David Cooper of Barratt Homes and Mark Harris of David Wilson Homes were honoured for excellence in site management, leadership and build quality. Their success also contributed to another strong year for parent company Barratt Redrow, whose site managers collected 122 Pride in the Job Awards across the UK, more than […]

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News

Troon boats in drifting object call

Troon RNLI launched both its all-weather and inshore lifeboats after reports of a drifting object near Stevenston on Tuesday, July 21, following a call from Belfast Coastguard at 10.24am. The crews located a small boat drifting unattended towards Irvine. Following a search and finding no sign of anyone in difficulty, the boat was recovered aboard the all-weather lifeboat and taken back to Troon Harbour, where it was secured to prevent further emergency call-outs.

23/07/2026 14

News

Plans submitted for new Prestwick facility

Plans have been submitted for a 68,000-square-foot aerospace overhaul, maintenance and repair facility beside Prestwick Airport. The proposal from South Ayrshire Council includes a high-specification industrial and manufacturing building, along with new access roads, parking for 122 vehicles, landscaping and a secure entrance. The development is intended to support the region's growing aerospace sector as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal, with funding from the UK and Scottish Government and South Ayrshire Council. The council says the project aims to […]

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Keegan remembered in Clyde Coast town

A Clyde Coast town is remembering former England Captain and Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan who died this week aged 75 following a battle with cancer. People in Inverkip shared their memories of Yorkshire-born Keegan, who owned an apartment at the town's marina during the mid-2000s where he spent time with his wife and spoke warmly about the "magic" scenery of the location. Local businessman Richard Craigmile also recalled Keegan as a regular customer at his Largs café, remembering him as […]

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News

Road closure for million-pound project

Drivers are being reminded that the B714 between Saltcoats and Dalry will close from Monday, July 27, as work continues on a major £34.7 million upgrade to the route. The closure is needed to allow engineering and road alignment works to be carried out safely. A signed diversion via the B780 will add around 3.6 miles and approximately seven minutes to normal journey times. The project, jointly funded by the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund and North Ayrshire Council, is […]

23/07/2026 19

News

Marymass reveals extended parade band line-up

Organisers of Marymass Festival are continuing their preparations for August's events, and have now revealed an extended list of participating pipe and brass bands. Representatives of the historic Irvine festival announced on their social media that they are "beyond pleased" to secure their music-making line-up for the packed parade. Seven bands in total, including Irvine & District Pipe Band and Sons of the Somme Brass Band, will take to the streets in North Ayrshire towards the end of the 12 […]

21/07/2026 134

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Former West Kilbride rail worker releases book

A retired former railway worker from West Kilbride has published his first book, looking back on a remarkable 32-year career on the railways. Douglas Tetlow’s memoir, Now Departing From Platform 54 – A 32-year Long Railway Journey, is now available in paperback and eBook and has also been donated to Saltcoats Library. Tetlow, who now lives in Saltcoats, joined British Railways in 1972 as a leading railman at West Kilbride before moving into a series of operational and clerical roles […]

20/07/2026 25

News

Ayrshire care provider gets inspection praise

An Irvine-based care provider supporting hundreds of people across Ayrshire has received strong praise following a recent inspection. Delight Supported Living Ltd, which provides care to older people and adults with physical disabilities across East, North and South Ayrshire, was inspected during an unannounced three-day visit by the Care Inspectorate. Inspectors awarded the service a "very good" rating for supporting people's wellbeing and a "good" rating for leadership. The report praised the team's person-centred approach, detailed care planning and well-trained […]

20/07/2026 22

News

Council funding to tackle gum problem

South Ayrshire Council has received fresh funding to help remove chewing gum from streets in Prestwick. The council has secured a £25,530 grant from Keep Britain Tidy through the Chewing Gum Task Force. The funding will be used to clean gum from Main Street in Prestwick this September while also promoting campaigns encouraging people to dispose of chewing gum responsibly. The initiative follows similar work carried out in Troon last year. South Ayrshire Council has since invested in specialist gum-removal […]

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