Old Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald Reports

[George Ardrossan]

A happy new year to all ThreeTowners.

As far as I know, Ardrossan was fairly quiet at ‘the bells’. Unlike Edinburgh and other towns and cities, there was no public gathering in the town to welcome in the new year.

I remember as a child hearing the ships’ horns sounding in Ardrossan Harbour. This tradition seems to have started in the nineteenth century according the report below from the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of 1 January 1897.

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN ARDROSSAN
The new year was ushered in with but little demonstration. A crowd of sensible dimensions assembled in Princes Street near midnight and behaved themselves as long established custom has determined a crowd to behave on hogmanay. Steamers’ horns and locomotive whistles made considerable din. First-footing is fast lapsing into the realm of the mythical. The town was very quiet during new year’s day, the small boy and his squib being only very occasionally interrupted by a pedestrian whose steering gear had got out of order. The police report a quiet day.

Does anyone have memories of new year celebrations in the three towns in times gone by?

George

[Meg]

Like you George I remember hearing the horns of whatever ships were in the harbour, also the Shell hooter at midnight - usually when I was standing outside our front door with a bottle waiting to be our 'first foot'.

Meg

[georgeflemingard]

Hi George
Which year was that Ardrossan and saltcoats report filed, it sounds very old fashioned. I know the old new year style of celebration was still up and running in the 50s. Dont kow what happened after that i left in 61.
George F

[George Ardrossan]

George

The report was from the Herald of 1 January 1897 - 115 years ago. As you say, the language is very old fashioned.

I have hundreds of stories from old Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald and will upload some from time to time.

George

[down south]

We'll certainly look forward to that, George.

Meanwhile, here's a few more New Years for comparison from a wide span of dates , listed in an old Herald Files :

January 1875: "The strains of the Volunteer Band were practically the only sound that broke the stillness of the New Year at midnight. The weather was bitterly cold ".

It seems the tradition of ships' hooters hadn't started back then...perhaps they didn't have them yet ?; but it sounds as hough there must have been some sort of official celebration.

Fifty years later this story of a free treat for youngsters highlights the hard times of the 1920s:

January 1925: " For the second year in succession Ardrossan YMCA Boys' Club presented a free breakfast to over 300 poor children of the town in the shipyard canteen on New Year Morning . "

While by the 1950s , however impressive they seemed to those who were around and hearing them at the time, the traditional chorus of ships' sirens was apparently regarded as being in decline from the days of its full glory:

January 1950: "After the stroke of midnight , engine whistles and ships' sirens did their best to herald the New Year; but it fell far short of what used to be heard in Ardrossan . "

My Dad remembers being particularly struck with them; he would have been hearing them for the first time that very year.

Susan

[George Ardrossan]

Thanks for those interesting reports, Susan.

Here are a few more stories from old Heralds. The first is from 1876 when the police were called to a disturbance at a cricket match between an Ardrossan team and a team of visiting clowns. The second, from 1881, is about having to stop a train between Saltcoats and Stevenston to get a drunk man off the line. The last one is about a jealous wife giving her husband a slapping in the street because he was apparently chatting up a young lady in 1894.

POLICE ATTEND UNSEEMLY SCRIMMAGE AT ARDROSSAN CRICKET MATCH
A novel cricket match took place on Saturday last (8 July 1876) between a party of Clown Cricketers and an eleven of Ardrossan on a field at the head of Glasgow Street. Ardrossan went first to the wickets but, as most of the players were old veterans who are resting on the laurels won by them on many a well-contested field in 'life's morning march when their spirits were young', they could not so well repel the attack of the enemy who are daily or weekly entering into combat with clubs in various parts of the country. So steady was the attack of Street and Pollard that the local players were forced to lay down their arms after reaching the small total of twenty-one, their opponents reaching fifty-three, a score which was topped in the second innings of Ardrossan, the two not-outs, Steven and Hogarth keeping the Clowns leather hunting all over the field. A most unseemly scrimmage took place in the outfield near the boundary wall calling for the presence and interference of the Police as it bade fair for a time to stop the day's proceedings, even Clowns asserting that they had never met with such vulgarity and ill-treatment at the hands of the crowd anywhere who came off the wall into the enclosure. The evening entertainment was poorly attended. A band, which was in attendance, lent its sweet influence in smoothing down the excited feelings of the spectators.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 15 July 1876

A DANGEROUS SLEEPING PLACE
On Saturday evening last (14 May 1881), about eight o'clock, the driver of a goods train reported that, when between Stevenston and Saltcoats, he observed a man lying on the line. A party was dispatched immediately to the spot and discovered a man lying asleep on the six feet way between the up and down line with his head near the rails. He was rather the worse of drink and had wandered on to the line and laid himself down. He was at once aroused and moved from his perilous position.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 21 May 1881

A JEALOUS WIFE THRASHES HER HUSBAND
This rather unusual sight was witnessed by a Saltcoats crowd the other night in Countess Street. He was an itinerant vendor of stationery and according to his wife's story had been paying more attention to a young woman than he should have done. The injured wife lay in wait for him and, as he came out of a shop where he was doing trade, he was made aware of her presence by a sounding smack on the ear. A crack on the other ear dexterously given set straight him on his feet again and he started off at a run with his wife after him. She caught him not far from the railway station and soundly cuffed him. He did not strike back but some person in the crowd raising a cry that the police were coming, he took advantage of the confusion to slip away.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 5 October 1894

George

[George Ardrossan]

Here are more stories from old Heralds.

ARDROSSAN TO WEST KILBRIDE RAILWAY
The new railway works between Ardrossan and West Kilbride are proceeding. Ground has been broken on the face of the hill on Montfode and Boydston Farms near to Ann's Lodge. We hear that after harvest, a larger number of navvies will be employed and the work prosecuted with more vigour.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 September 1874

ROBBERY ON SHIPBOARD AT ARDROSSAN HARBOUR
Early on Friday morning last (9 October 1874), a robbery was discovered to have been perpetrated on board the ship Jane Young lying in Ardrossan Harbour (shown below in the early 1900s). Late on Thursday night (8 October 1874), a slight noise was heard on deck but nothing to create alarm but next morning, it was discovered that a number of articles, including a quantity of seamen's clothing, had been stolen. Two men who are a-missing are suspected and the hue-and-cry being out against them, it is expected that their apprehension will be accomplished soon.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 17 October 1874

ARDROSSAN LIFEBOAT
On Saturday afternoon (22 May 1875), the crew of The Fair Maid of Perth manned the lifeboat on the South Beach (shown below in the early 1900s) during the prevalence of a strong south-westerly gale of wind. She was tested both under sails and oars and behaved admirably. There was a large turnout of spectators to witness the movements of the boat.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 May 1875

CARPENTERS' WAGES
The carpenters in the employment of Messrs Barr and Shearer who struck work a week ago on account of a threatened reduction in wages from eight pence to seven pence per hour have now resumed work at seven and a half pence per hour.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 26 June 1875

CHRISTY MINSTRELS
The Original Christy Minstrels of Charles Christy are advertised to give their entertainment in the Town Hall, Ardrossan (shown below in the early 1890s) next Thursday evening (26 August 1875). The abilities of this company are too well-known to require anything in their favour to be said by us. We hope, therefore, to see a large and appreciative audience on the above evening.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 21 August 1875

LOST PARROT

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 21 August 1875

George

[George Ardrossan]

Wee Boney mentioned in the The ... What are you doing or thinking right now - Topic that today is the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - http://www.threetowners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9832&start=204#p101738 .

115 years ago, on 4 June 1897, the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald had reports on how each of the three towns would celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Provost Young of Ardrossan put the notice below in the Herald inviting the inhabitants to join in the procession and decorate their premises.


The text is:
The Provost and Commissioners have pleasure in announcing that they have completed their arrangements for the above. Gifts will be distributed to the deserving poor and to each of the schoolchildren. The other proceedings will be commenced by a muster of the schoolchildren, Volunteers and societies on the South Beach Green from whence a procession will start, proceeding through the Burgh to the Castle Hill where where will be an address, music and sports. The inhabitants generally are invited to join in the procession. A bonfire on the Hill will be lit at 10 pm. The Provost and the Commissioners will decorate the Townhouse and they recommend the inhabitants to decorate their premises. A public dinner will take place in the Eglinton Arms Hotel at 6.30 pm prompt. Tickets 5s each. Morning Dress. Programmes of the proceedings will be posted throughout the Burgh.

George

[George Ardrossan]

As a contribution to Susan's topic Royal Celebrations in the Three Towns, http://www.threetowners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10338#p101870, here is a story from an Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of over 130 years ago on 18 May 1878. It suggests that while other towns may have celebrated Queen Victoria's birthday and it may previously have been practice to do so in Ardrossan, the royal event was not marked in 1878.

NO QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN ARDROSSAN
A correspondent sends us a note enquiring how it is that we, in Ardrossan, have now no formal observance of Her Majesty's birthday, seeing that all around us, some manifestation is made of the loyalty of the inhabitants to her person. He suggests many queries as to the undemonstrative nature of those who guide our 'state barque', never doubting the loyalty of the lieges but not being 'personally conversant of the orders of the day adopted by the wire-pullers of our burgh', he is at a loss to conceive the real cause of our apathy on such an occasion of rejoicing and suggests the propriety of our merchants, as in Irvine last year, setting apart a day for themselves.

George

[George Ardrossan]

In the Ardrossan Friends Of The Plantation Christmas Carol Concert, viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8894#p90878, Susan mentioned that the Holm Plantation was not bought by Ardrossan and Saltcoats Town Councils till 1924. The negotiations must have taken a very long time as the two towns were arguing about it as far back as 1897 according to this Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald report of 19 March of that year.

PROPOSED PUBLIC PARK FOR ARDROSSAN AND SALTCOATS ON THE HOLM GROUND
The proposal, advanced by the Commissioners of the Burgh of Saltcoats, to their brethren in the Commission of Ardrossan with respect the acquiring of the Holm Ground, has occasioned some talk in both burghs and general regret is felt at the somewhat cavalier treatment accorded it by the Commissioners of Ardrossan. Open spaces are few in the immediate vicinity of either burgh. Wooded grounds are still fewer and no graver error could be perpetrated than to give over to the tender mercies of the speculative builder, a piece of ground quite unique in the neighbourhood. The arguments against the proposal are fortunately so flimsy that they are not at all likely to bear the examination to which, by the resolution of the Ardrossan Commissioners, they are to be exposed for the next few weeks. In the Commission, it was urged, as a reason for the rejection of the proposal, that it was merely a quiet way of diverting visitors from Ardrossan to Saltcoats and it was also urged in the same connection that a public park at the place proposed would be of little use as an attraction to visitors because the latter naturally made for the shore. Each of these arguments has the odd property of effectively destroying the other. If the latter be admitted, the former is swept away in the admission. A third argument is that Ardrossan has a good enough public park in the Cannon Hill. We have no intention of saying anything against the Cannon Hill. Potentially, if not actually, it is entitled to rank with the Castle Hill on the Cowal Shore at Dunoon and is otherwise probably quite without a peer on the Clyde but having learned to appreciate one good thing, should we not be more ready to recognise another good thing? How better could Ardrossan as a community should its sense of the value of the Cannon Hill than by taking advantage of an opportunity to acquire and preserve grounds offering kindred attractions. The arguments in favour of the proposal did not go far enough. Excursion parties do not benefit any but a very small section of local tradespeople - toy shops, sweetie shops, dram shops and tobacconists' shops are benefited to some extent but to what extent do grocers butchers, drapers or shoemakers profit by the presence of an excursion party, however large, in the town? Is it the resident or visitor who brings grist to the mill of the meal of the local merchant - not the peripatetic member of a friendly or trade society or the hard-worked clergyman from the interior who has brought the young people of his congregation to enjoy a brief glimpse of the sea. It is not enough to say that the grounds are out of the way. A few years will alter that. We shall yet have lots of houses growing up in the vicinity of Holm grounds unless the feuing plan of the burgh is the design of an artist and not the work of a shrewd, cautious and capable architect and unless the drainage facilities provided there at the expense of the burgh are a colossal mistake. By preserving these grounds as proposed, the Commissioners will give impetus to building in the immediate neighbourhood. They will indemnify themselves for the money expended on a costly drainage scheme and raise the actual and assessable value of property yet to be built there. If they allow the grounds to be feued, when they have an opportunity of preventing it, they will commit a blunder, the real magnitude of which may only become apparent many years hence. It is hoped that before the question again becomes before the Ardrossan Commissioners they will have recognised that the proposal is really part of the policy with which the more progressive men among them are in active sympathy. Much has been spoken about improving the shore. The acquiring of the Holm grounds as a public park might quite reasonably be shown to be indispensable to the improvement of the South Beach. The tripper with the attendant delectations of brass bands and paper bags should have some other rallying point than South Beach Green. A promenade should be formed for the convenience of visitors of every class. With the trees as a screen, grateful alike to the tripper and to the adjoining resident, excursion parties would find suitable headquarters in the public park that is to be, whence they could, at all times, have easy access to the shore.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 March 1897

George

[George Ardrossan]

I was surprised recently to discover that an Ardrossan-born man played in goal for a Rest of the World football team agains Chile in 1899. The report below is from the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of 13 October 1899.

ARDROSSAN-BORN GOALKEEPER PLAYS FOR THE WORLD FOOTBALL TEAM
Ardrossan may not have turned out any great football stars but this week we are able to inform our readers that an Ardrossan-born player, in the person of D Reid, acted as goalkeeper in the annual international match, Chile versus The World which was played on the Valparaiso club's ground in the month of August last. Reid was custodian for The World which representation won the match by three goals to one. The Chilean Times, commentating on the play of the respective sides, says 'Reid in goal seemed to have regained some of his effective saving qualities of three years ago when he stood guard between the uprights for the Victoria Rangers.'.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 13 October 1899

George

[Penny Tray]

Great 'find' George, very interesting.