Ayrshire Post

It’s bon bon voyage for Girvan’s sweetie royalty

- EDWIN LAWRENCE

It was sweet success for Alec and Patsy Clark from the moment they launched their Sweetie Shop business in Girvan.

That was on June 1, 1991, but now the couple are moving on from their life among the jelly beans and bon bons.

And in March another popular Girvan couple, John and Ann McCreath, will take over the town centre business.

Alec is also well known as a South Ayrshire councillor, and he very much intends staying involved in community affairs.

He said: “I enjoy council work, meeting people in the community, and helping where possible.”

Alec will be 65 in March, and Patsy has already reached the landmark age.

“Patsy’s the best thing that’s happened to me and we’re going to have more quality time,” said Alec.

Patsy is Gibraltari­an, and the couple married in St Andrew’s Church of Scotland on The Rock in 1974.

Alec went to work in Gibraltar as an 18- year- old, in 1972. His big sister Elma and her husband Ned McCrindle had a bar there, and Alec took the opportunit­y for adventure and travel.

He returned to Girvan with his bride, and went to work in the former Girvan ‘ pill’ factory, Laporte, as well as the big two Alginate and Grants.

But the couple returned to Gibraltar, now with two children, in 1979, for a 10year stay.

Alec worked for the Peralta family – major importers, wholesaler­s and retailers on The Rock.

“It was great experience in so many aspects of retailing and commerce,” said Alec.

“I also got into doing radio work in Gibraltar – hosting a range of shows and meeting many interestin­g people.

“One I particular­ly remember was Wayne Gibson, who was part of the British beat scene of the early 60s, and who knew The Beatles in Hamburg.”

Alec and Patsy returned to Girvan in the late 1980s, and ran a chippy before launching the Sweetie Shop.

“We bought the Fish and Chicken Bar in Bridge Street from Jimmy Tennent,” said Alec.

A third child, Cassandra, was born - adding to older siblings Edward and Lindsay.

Alec and Patsy contrived to have all three of their offspring born in Scotland.

On return to the land of his birth, Alec immediatel­y became involved in the community, helping to launch a Girvan Business Associatio­n,

“The old Merchants’ Associatio­n had ceased to exist, and we felt we needed to be more proactive.

“Others involved included newsagent Alex Dunlop, optician Mike Birtwistle, and grocer Glenn Brooks.

“One of the first things we did was fundraise for decent Christmas lights for Girvan, and later, after public meetings, the GBA spearheade­d CCTV for Girvan town centre.

“This definitely helped to minimise crime and vandalism that had been a blight.”

Alec was also among those who opposed plans for a retail village, just outside the town where the community hospital is situated.

“This would have been the death knell for town centre shops.

“Fortunatel­y Morrisons dropped the plan, and the site for a new supermarke­t was switched to the former bus garage, where Asda is located.”

Alec also spearheade­d the ambitious £ 30 million plan for an Ailsa Craig Centre at Girvan seafront.

He chaired Girvan Community Developmen­ts Ltd who envisaged a centre at the harbour, beaming pictures of seabirds from the rocky crag.

The plan also envisaged a theatre, a cinema, a bowling alley and restaurant.

But the Girvan project lost out when the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks decided to go for The Kelpies project, near Falkirk.

“Even though we lost out, the work we did helped pave the way for the Quay Zone,” said Alec.

He had also chaired a new- look Girvan and District Community Council.

So it was perhaps inevitable that Alec would stand for South Ayrshire Council, when Girvan was at a low ebb in 2012, following demolition of the swimming pool.

Alec topped the poll, standing as an Independen­t, and did so again in 2017.

“I was approached by the political parties, but at the end of the day, I didn’t want to be ‘ whipped’ into voting against the interests of Girvan and South Carrick.”

The last 30 years have whizzed by for Alec and Patsy, and incredibly, they now have a great grandchild - little Lola, born last month.

The couple may not get the chance for more visits to Gibraltar – a place they both love.

“We were there during the Falklands War,” Alec recalls. “There were ships in and out all the time, and Patsy did fundraisin­g for the troops and sailors.

“People on Gibraltar were overjoyed that the Falklands remained British, and felt they had played their part.”

Patsy’s the best thing that’s happened to me and we’re going to have more quality time

 ??  ?? Fresh start Alec and Patsy are ready to write some new chapter in their lives
Fresh start Alec and Patsy are ready to write some new chapter in their lives
 ??  ?? Sweet tooth Alec and Patsy Clark have sold their business
Sweet tooth Alec and Patsy Clark have sold their business

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom