From the archives of the Ayrshire Post

25 YEARS AGO

An Ayr minister is to drive an ambulance into the beleaguered battleground that is Bosnia.

The minister of St Andrew’s Church Rev William Neill launched the appeal to buy a second-hand ambulance from the pulpit last week.

Already he has enough to buy not one but TWO ambulances.

Rev Neill said:“Already people have donated £4000.

“This is no far away conflict. The people of Bosnia – some Roman Catholic, some Orthodox, some Muslim – are our fellow Europeans and I felt I ought to be involved.”

50 YEARS AGO

Councillor Lindsay Darroch told fellow members of Prestwick Town Council’s Parks and Attractions Committee they would be much better advised to instal a heating system in the local swimming pool rather than new seats. Describing the pool as a“white elephant”Mr Darroch said it was“decaying before our very eyes.”

Urging the council to take a leaf out of Girvan’s book , he found no support and the committee agreed to spend £2000 on seats. Mr Darroch said it was a farce only one week in three was the water warm enough for school lessons.

100 YEARS AGO

James Lowdon, Chief Constable, has said the number of crimes in Ayr is down 113 on last year.

A large number of offences were in breach of special legislation connected with the war.

There was no crime of a serious nature. Of the 1051 persons dealt with, 272 were non residents.

A total of 1305 crimes and offences were reported.

Of these 21 were against the person, 25 against the property with violence, 239 against property without violence and 107 were malicious injury to property.