Current issues need sorted

It must have come as a complete shock to readers to learn that a meagre 20 people bothered to turn up for the ‘ Empty Space Project’ presentation in Ayr High Street.

It will have been extremely disappointing for the organisers of yet another spectacular opportunity to play a part in Ayr’s regeneration. What more can our illustrious council do when we, the community, give them the cold shoulder.

Perhaps, before embarking on their next indulgence of blue- sky thinking, our elected representatives should consider the reasons for the apathetic response of the population of Ayr to this latest project.

People of my generation will be familiar with the array of ideas and aspiration for the development and improvement of the town since the seventies. I’ve lost count of the number of Ayrshire Post headlines about multi- million pound plans and reporting of major development proposals and big time investors desperate to create new dreams in our town.

Anyone remember any of the design competitions for the development of the Ayr esplanade ? There have been many great thoughts over the decades. We had winners and prizes with impressive plans submitted, praise for incredible ideas and forward thinking. Nothing was ever done about the designs and inevitably they were forgotten until the next ‘ project’ appeared on the horizon. From the Orient Cinema building to the seafront train and the Kyle Centre cinema complex to the bold new environment to be created at Ayr Racecourse, with a casino/ hotel complex.

The people of Ayr must surely by now be suffering from project fatigue after so many years of shattered dreams.

When one considers some of the projects that have actually gone ahead in years gone by, it becomes apparent that the reason people are disinterested in this latest event is perhaps down to the abysmal track record in establishing any worthwhile improvement to the facilities or attractions in Ayr.

For example, pedestrianisation of Ayr High Street - didn’t materialise. Traffic continues to flow through the High Street to this day. FAIL Demolition of Carrick Street Halls for the expansion of the Kyle Shopping Centre - still waiting after all this time - Senior citizen facility lost. FAIL

Exciting new art feature wall erected in Ayr High Street - Demolished after public outrage at ugly breeze- block erection. FAIL Feature development to replace wall in centre of High Street - A bus stop - Still impressing tourists to this day. FAIL.

When failures like these are coupled with the pipe- dreams of the past, is it any wonder that the charades, such as the ‘ Tumbleweed’ cinema event are greeted with apathy ? Do us all a favour, carry out some simple hard and soft landscaping, put out a few benches and focus on the real problems we have. I doubt that the citizens of Ayr would object if the Council resisted the temptation to waste time planning and presenting any more of these fanciful projects and instead concentrated on resolving real issues such as what to do with the Station Hotel, Burns House, Royal Hotel, Orient Cinema, Elms Court.

Alternatively, they can just carry on with the pointless projects in the knowledge that the people have had enough of the bluster.

Gerry Ferrara

Alder Bank, Ayr

Alloway Primary praised

I was privileged this week in being invited to my Grandson’s primary 7 remembrance commemoration ceremony at

Alloway primary.

The theme was mainly a few songs some poetry old and modern a short film and prayers, overseen by headmistress, the inimitable Karen Butler O. B. E. but run and managed predominantly by the primary sevens themselves, all watched by an audience of parents grandparents etc and several upper primary classes.

All was well until close to the end when after a very thought provoking video relating to lost family members due to wartime conditions one of the primary seven girls stood up to read with great difficulty because she was breaking her heart sobbing with the realities relating to the tragedies of war.

I commended Mrs Butler at the end and she replied “give a subject like this to children and they will put their own heart felt sentiment into it.”

I think for all in that school hall who would have been blinking back a tear, the well known phrase “lest we forget” will be well blown out of the water! David Murdoch, Ayr

Double the cost for burial In response to the article Postcode plottery , unless East Ayrshire have changed their policy they did charge me double when my dad died in 2001.

He was born lived and worked in Dalmellington for most off his life over 60 years, only moving into Ayr when he wasn’t as able to look after himself as that is where I lived,

The funeral director was really upset when he told it would cost double for my dad to me buried in a plot he had bought when my mum died in 1974, and of course East Ayrshire knew I had no choice.

Mary Mclean, Ayr