Whats In A Name
Roger Griffith, NAC Garnock Valley Ranger, writes: Just across the road from Spier’s Old Shool Grounds on Barrmill Road is the site of the old Marshalland Farm. A map from 1747 refers to the site as originally being ‘Marchland’, suggesting that the farms lands lay on the boundary or march between the Barony of Broadstone within the feudal Lordship of Giffen, and the Barony of Beith.
The physical boundary between these baronies was the Powgree Burn, also recorded as the Powgreen, Marshyland or Geilsland Burn. An early map of the Marshalland fields on which Spier’s school was built only shows the presence of hedgerows and a track leading to the well (it’s still there). The last people to live at the Marshalland were David and Mary Kerr, and sadly the farmhouse and outbuildings buildings were demolished in the early 1960s.
A John Shedden of Marshalland, born in 1756, was locally known as ‘Jack the Marshalland’; so notorious a poacher that he had to leave the area for a while, becoming a game-keeper, his local nickname adapting itself to become ‘Jack the Gem-Keeper.’ When he died he had a friend fire a shotgun over his grave, much to the surprise and consternation of the minister.
In around 1820 Marshalland was held by Robert Spier and his wife, Margaret Gibson of The Cuff Farm. It was Margaret who built Spier’s School as a memorial to her son John.
Anyone Explain?
Roger Griffith writes: Working at Spier’s Old School Grounds, the Youth Making Beith Better group and the YKB Youth Groups have both taken part in litter picks alongside the Barrmill Road over the last few months, clearing away all the rubbish and filling seven bin bags of rubbish. Now it’s as bad if not worse.
Can anyone explain the reason why motorists feel free to throw away their rubbish for others to clear up on their behalf?
Bugged
Beith’s YMBB group construct a bug hotel in the grounds of the community centre
Speir’s Work
Some of the pupils from Gateside Primary who recently helped at the Coronation Garden at Old Spier’s grounds.
Newsflash
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Latest News
Berwick Race
Alec Gardiner, secretary, writes: Beith HC race on the 21st August was from Berwick. Eight members sent 186 birds and the pigeons were liberated at 7.45 am in the morning into a light SW wind. The first ten birds timed were as follows:1st Robert Trotter (975); 2nd & 3rd Robert Reid (958 & 956); 4th Hugh Russell (954); 5th Jim Shepherd (950); 6th Andy Graham (947); 7th. Hugh Russell (945); 8th Robert Reid (936); 9th Jim Shepherd (927) and 10th Andy Graham (921).
Special Taster
Beith Morishill Curling Club is offering a special taster session for potential curlers. This takes place on Saturday 4th September at 5.30 pm at Greenacres Ice-rink. Those attending will be given some background information and thereafter have the opportunity of trying curling with club coaches on hand to give encouragement.
Afterwards there will be soup and sandwiches and the opportunity to mix and mingle. For further information contact Jane Rodger on 01294-834164 or simply come along on the day.
Piano Forte
Helen Blackburn with Lord Sutherland
During the past year all the piano pupils of well known local, Helen Blackburn CT ABRSM gained experience by playing at a Winter Family Concert and a Summer Afternoon of Music. Occasional group activity afternoons also provided wider experiences whilst proving to be very enjoyable for all.
All pupils who sat ABRSM examinations over the past session were commended with high marks: Ellen Muir, Grade 3 (Merit); Shannon McDaid, Grade 2 (Distinction); Alex Butler, Grade 1 (Merit); James Blackwood, Grade 1 (Merit); Kate Ross, Grade 1 (Distinction); Shannon McDaid, Grade 3 (Merit). By popular request it is hoped to repeat the performing opportunities during the new Session about to begin. Congratulations to all the pupils on their hard work resulting in success.
It should not go without special mention that Helen, too, who must rank as one of Beith’s busiest women, recently gained a prestigious piano teaching award after many months of very demanding work. Needless to say she was delighted to have passed her final exams with flying colours and recently received her framed certificate at a presentation in Wigmore Hall, London, from former High Court judge, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood KT. Well done, Helen!
Work Day
Friends of Spiers (F of S) have been busy over recent months carrying out a range and variety of work in Old Spiers School ground, making a real difference. The next planned work day is on Saturday September 4 beginning at 11 am, working together enhancing the parklands for the benefit of visitors and wildlife.
Projects include path clearance, planting bulbs, repainting the railings, wall repair, pond creation. Working in a voluntary capacity is great fun and gives real satisfaction seeing the grounds improved for the good of If anyone can spare a couple of hours to help, this would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone over 16 years can also join F of S on the day or by contacting any of the committee members, well known locals Fergus Highgate, Tom Hart or any committee member.
Practical Conservation
The Friends of Spiers (FoS) carry out practical conservation work at the Spier’s Old School Grounds on the first Saturday of every month. This month the group mainly concentrated on conserving the boundary walls of the grounds that are in dire need of attention. The volunteers finished removing the ivy that grew on the walls at Geilsland Road, removed moss that encourages larger plants to grow and started to create a one metre tree ‘exclusion zone’ inside the wall.
Funds are being sought to restore the walls which date from the 1880s. The group needs more volunteers to help with this and other projects. Please just come along on the workdays (any time between 11am – 3pm) and join up.
The noticeboards at the entrances also give details of membership.
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Scotland
Top Headline
2000 Open Golf Championship Official Film / Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, David Duval, St. Andrews All the drama of the greatest Championship in golf Played on the game’s most famous course and dominated by Tiger Woods Run Time: Approx: 52 minutes The Royal and Ancient Golf Club had little hesitation in bringing the Millennium Open [...]
Most popular scottish kings eBay auctions:
Food Gift Baskets Copyright (c) 2009 Pat Brill Quality food baskets are a great gift idea to give to others. Everyone loves receiving these edible delights. You can stay within budget and still present a beautiful gift by creating your own basket. All you need is a little bit of creativity and some time. Now, [...]
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Look Back In Time
Top Headline
23 August 1902 ADVERT Beith Instrumental Band have arranged to give a grand musical recital and sports at Muir Field, Beith, for the purpose of defraying costs of new uniforms on Saturday, 30 August. For further particulars see bills. BEITH COFFIN S0CIETY One of the oldest institutions of the town, and one which is [...]
16 August 1902 NO TRESPASSING The Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Completion. The privilege granted to Messrs McAlpine’s men to cross Burnhouse and Giffen Farms are withdrawn, and quarrymen are also requested to take note. By order. 14 August 1902. OLD BEITHITES Several people in Beith are now living who have seen four coronation celebrations viz. [...]
9 August 1902 BEITH INSTRUMENTAL BAND The Instrumental Band again drew a large number of admirers to the Strand-foot on Friday week. Open air music is evidently greatly appreciated by the multitudes, to judge by the encouragement these rehearsals receive from time to time. REV. ANDREW BROWNE We understand that the name of the [...]
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Local Weather
Friday, Sep 3
Partly Cloudy
Currently: 57˚F
Feels Like: 57˚ F
Hi: N/A˚, Lo: 53˚
Wind: 6, Gust: N/A MPH
Wind Direction: E (100) 
Tonight: 53˚
Sunset: 8:08 PM
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent
Saturday, Sep 4
Hi: 66˚, Lo: 55˚
Wind: 14, Gust: N/A MPH
Wind Direction: SSE (159) 