Fine reasons to live in peaceful settlement
Bill Grant MP believes there are still good reasons for people to live in Rankinston.
He said: “I had a very happy childhood in Rankinston, and I went to Littlemill Primary school.
“It’s still a healthy, safe walk for kids going to school in the village,
“East Ayrshire Council is to be congratulated for investing in the school, and in upgrading housing in Rankinston.”
Bill admits that many valued facilities have disappeared from Rankinston since he was a boy.
He recalls: “I remember there was a Co- op and Hugh smith’s grocery store.
“Matt smith had a chip shop, and Anne Williamson ran the Post Office.
“there was a Church of scotland and two sunday schools – one run by sanny McAnespie and one by Bob McCloy.
“the village also had a football team – seaview thistle – and a vibrant bowling club.”
Bill points out: “In those days, there was a job for everyone – in the pits, in the brickworks and on the farms.”
the tory MP reckons Rankinston is different from the Doon Valley villages that have disappeared.
“the lost villages were largely dependent on the company who ran the coal mine, with people buying their provisions from the company store.
“Rankinston’s not like that, although the population has halved since the days of the colliery and brickworks.
“But with the arrival of the internet, Rankinston is not as remote as some people think.
“the bus service isn’t great, but it’s only a 15- minute car journey from Ayr.
“It’s in a nice country location, with facilities available in nearby villages.
“there’s a lot of good people there, who have been long- time residents,
“And I think anyone who’s looking for a tranquil place in the country to live could do a lot worse than Rankinston.”
anyone who’s looking for a tranquil place in the country to live could do a lot worse than Rankinston Bill Grant MP