Prestwick church hosts animal blessing service

A Prestwick church welcomed dogs, cats and other pets for its annual animal blessing service on Sunday 18 October. St Ninian's Church hosted owners who were able to bring photographs of their pets to be blessed if the animals could not attend in person. The event also included a Make Every Cuppa Count fundraiser in aid of Guide Dogs Scotland. This year’s service took on additional significance as the month marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis […]

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News

Doon Academy revamp due for council consideration

Plans to redevelop Doon Academy in Dalmellington are due to be considered by East Ayrshire Council’s planning committee on October 23. The council had previously intended to build a replacement school but has revised its approach because of financial pressures. The proposed works include partial demolition, refurbishment of existing buildings, replacement windows and doors, and a new two-storey extension to provide additional classrooms and improved dining facilities. Plans also include remodelling part of the school to create an additional support […]

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Early morning fire on Irvine High Street

Part of Irvine High Street was closed on Tuesday 20 October following a fire in a vacant upstairs building between the Jobcentre and the former King’s Arms. Police Scotland was called to the scene at around 5.30am, while the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received the initial alert at 5.27am. Fire crews deployed six appliances and a high-reach appliance to tackle the blaze. High Street was closed at Bank Street, with a cordon put in place as emergency services responded. […]

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Ayrshire schools targeted by nationwide hoax bomb threat

A number of schools across Ayrshire have received threatening emails as part of a nationwide hoax bomb threat affecting educational establishments across Scotland and the UK. Police Scotland has confirmed the messages are being treated as a hoax, with its Cyber and Fraud Unit carrying out enquiries to establish their source. East, North and South Ayrshire councils have confirmed that schools in their areas received malicious communications, but the threats were not considered credible. East Ayrshire Council reassured parents and […]

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CentreStage praises Stephenson after Elvis world record

CentreStage Communities has praised an Ayrshire fundraiser after he achieved a Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop Elvis Presley singing marathon. Jamie Stephenson completed the challenge at their café and bar between 14 and 16 October, singing numerous hits from the King of Rock n' Roll for 43 hours, 34 minutes and 57 seconds. The previous record for this category was achieved back in June 2004 by Thomas Gäthje in Heide, Germany, which stood at 43 hours, 11 minutes […]

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Ayr car park overnight closure to tackle anti-social behaviour

Blackburn Road Car Park in Ayr will close overnight from Monday 26 October as part of measures announced by South Ayrshire Council to improve safety and tackle anti-social behaviour. Temporary barriers will be locked each evening at 6.30pm and will reopen at 7am the following morning. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until March 2027 with support from enhanced CCTV overage and traffic calming measures. Motorists are being urged to plan ahead and remove their vehicles before the […]

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Golf ball collector raises £1k for Whiteleys

Golf ball collector David Semple has raised £1,000 for Whiteleys Retreat by collecting and selling golf balls found on various courses. After recovering the balls, he cleaned and bagged them before selling them to friends, with the money raised going to the charity. Whiteleys Retreat thanked David for his donation, highlighting it in their October 18 report, and said they could not be more grateful for his support. His fundraising effort has provided a contribution to the charity through a […]

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£16 million Burns Statue square plan submitted

A full planning application has been submitted for the proposed £16 million redevelopment of Burns Statue Square in Ayr. The proposals aim to transform the square from a traffic-dominated junction into a more welcoming public space connecting Ayr railway station with the town centre. Plans include changes to the road layout, improved pedestrian routes, additional paving and seating, more planting, and new wayfinding and interpretation signs. Sculptures connected to the poetry of Robert Burns also feature in the wider plans. […]

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Historic Ayrshire castle on the market for £120k

A historic ruined 16th-century tower house in South Ayrshire is on the market for offers over £120,000. Baltersan Castle, a Category A-listed building near Maybole, was built in 1584 by John Kennedy of Pennyglen and his wife, Margaret Cathcart, and remains standing across five original levels despite losing its roof and being abandoned by the mid-18th century. The property retains a range of historic features, including a split-level great hall, four staircases, historic fireplaces, carved stonework and a rare rhomboidal […]

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