From the archives of the Ayrshire Post

25 YEARS AGO

A councillor wants people power to combat Scottish Power in Straiton on Monday.

For the public inquiry into the plan to have an electricity link between Scotland and Northern Ireland comes to the village for one day only.

Councillor Jean Wilson said: “We need another show of strength to spell out how unwelcome pylons would be in our countryside.”

Villager Andrew Wilmot said: “If you don’t want to see forty seven 80 ft high pylons in Straiton Parish, please come to the meeting.”

The inquiry is before Reporter James McCulloch.

50 YEARS AGO

Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘ Yeoman of the Guard’ is the choice of the Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society for their 1970 production.

At the AGM Miss Nan Templeton was appointed president and Bill Gardner vice- president.

Honorary secretary is Davies Brock, assistant secretary Miss Irene Hay, honorary treasurer John D Scott and assistant treasurer Samuel Smith. Executive committee members include Robin Doncaster and Hugh Piper.

100 YEARS AGO

Mr James Richmond, stationmaster at Mauchline for over five years, has been promoted to the important position of stationmaster at Dumfries.

Mr Richmond commenced his railway life at Girvan, at the age of 23 appointed stationmaster at Trabboch, then similar positions at Pinwherry, Gatehead, Dreghorn and Newmilns.

His promotion has given pleasure to his many friends who wish him every success in his new sphere of labour in ‘ The Queen of the South.’

90 YEARS AGO Make pumps four lads Ayr Fire Brigade once had a building to the rear of what was the police yard, at the side of the town hall. This photo from around 1930 when the fire brigade opened a frontage of their own at 13 Sandgate, which became a newsagents. The Sandgate set- up remained until the move in 1963 to the present site at Station Road.