Culzean needs all funds

The Ayrshire Post had an article about non- NTS members sneaking into Culzean without paying the entrance fee.

However, the Ayrshire Coastal Path goes through Culzean and this is described in the ‘ Official Guide Book’, which is sponsored by the NTS!

The guide encourages walkers to make a donation in an honesty box ( this may have been removed – being a member I don’t need to use it).

Walkers are encouraged to take a variety of routes through the park and the guide also notes that there are toilets and a café in the park.

So such individuals should not be subject to criticism. There are others of course who take advantage of the open access to the park, who are not walking through, which is sad as Culzean needs all the funds it can get.

R Vernon, Ayr

Troon people thanked

Troon Community Council would like to thank all those who contributed in any way whatsoever to making this such a wonderful, successful day.

To all who took part in the parade, opened their shops and had entertainment in their venues, attended the Christmas Lights switch- on and the Lighting of the Beacon.

The new innovations for this year added to the day – the 2 Vintage Fire Engines from the Heritage Museum in the parade, and the entertainment at the Town Hall steps from Holly Robinson, the South Ayrshire Tenants Choir and Troon Chorus. The crowds who turned out were marvellous and being such a good day, many stayed for all the festivities and enjoyed themselves immensely.

Sorry we cannot name everybody individually as so many are now contributing in some way to this fantastic day. Many, many thanks and here’s to Wintertainment next year - 15 November, 2020 and we hope to see you all there again.

Ann Cameron on behalf of Troon Community Council

Time to use your vote

In Hong Kong recently people turned out in unprecedented numbers and as a result took 85% of elected positions away from oppressive Beijing control. As one interviewee told BBC news said “everything is wrong.”

For Kowloon read Kirkoswald. For for the Hong Kong Government read South Ayrshire Council, in thrall to a different, yet similarly totalitarian ideology in Holyrood; an ideology which is a stranger to economic realities; an ideology that inevitably will lead to a poorer standard of living for us and our children and our pensioners; an ideology whose generals have failed in their limited responsibilities to date. A culture where institutionalised underperformance is rewarded and which depends on absolute subservience from local authorities for its very existence.

Local elected members are now far too busy looking over their party shoulders instead of acting in the best interests of all of the people; too busy reporting rather than doing; too busy consulting rather than leading; too busy “posting” rather than delivering. A plague on all their tawdry political houses.

This is not Hong Kong so we have to wait until 2022 to replace our councillors with 28 truly independent councillors free of all political affiliations. But replace them we should. And appoint a council prioritising the local economy before party nonsense, addressing real politik rather than the latest virtue signalling of the congenitally woke”; not talking of matters out- with its baileywick or pay scale. We need a council that fights for its share; that takes the initiative rather than the crumbs off the table.

Think it can’t happen? Well it’s pretty much the way it used to be. Largely apolitical local authorities. And it has already happened in Frome in Somerset, and it seems to be rather implausibly happening in Hong Kong. And all you have to do is be like the Hongkongers - and use your vote. And you can practice on the 12th of December.

John Dunlop 19 Wellington Lan, Ayr

Loudon Hall upgrade

In response to Bob Shields’ comments on Loudoun Hall, the Trustees understand that South Ayrshire Council have decided to put in place an upgrade of the fire exit through the first cellar in accordance with health and safety requirements.

They will also undertake a deep clean of the hall after this work is done. The hall is in need of repairs, maintenance and redecorating after some 20 years, and it is hoped that these might also be undertaken at this time.

Fiona Walker, Chairman of Trustees of Loudoun Hall. Newark Castle, Ayr