Saddened by fire ravaged Belleisle
I was saddened to learn late on that fateful Friday afternoon that the Belleisle Hotel was on fire. All that remains is a fire ravaged ruin, although peoples cherished memories will survive.
The next day was the History on Your Door Step event held at the Carnegie Library and with numerous community events to attend I only managed to attend the first lecture. Tom Barclay’s talk entitled “The Roundheads in Ayr : Oliver Cromwell’s Garrison 1652- 1660” was most interesting especially as I am very familiar with St John’s Tower, the Citadel/ Fort area, the old Brig and old Kirk just a few of the local landmarks he mentioned. Robbie the Therapet dog, who shares the same birthday as Robert Burns, nearly stole the show, together with his handler Marlyn Killen this special dog brings comfort and support to children attending reading sessions at the Library and patients at Ailsa Hospital.
From there I headed off to Ayr Racecourse for the Ayr Classic Motorcycle Club’s 30th Scottish Show with its stunning array of classic motorcycles all vying for the best in show prize.
Then my final visit of that day was to Combat Stress’s Hollybush Summer Fete where I bumped into and had a chat with Alex Neil MSP, before trying my luck at the raffle and sampling a cream scone with my cuppa.
I was pleased to note that there was great public support for these events.
The following Saturday I was invited to the raising of the flag for Armed Forces Day at the Holy Fair on the Low Green at Ayr and ended the day at the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra’s Summer Concert – bon voyage to the musicians off to Japan.
Down at Westminster with my questions I asked the Ministers to consider re- energising home ownership in the UK for first time buyers; queried progress with the long saga of tumble drier recalls; and sought clarity on the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. I spoke in a few Debates – Dame Laura Cox’s Report on Bullying and Harassment of House of Commons’ staff; Unsustainable Packaging; Improving Lives for those with Dementia; and Puffin Habitats. I also met up with a Red Cross Ambassador for Refugee Week and listened to Greenpeace speakers about river pollution.