Beith & District Young Farmers’ Club held their Panel Night on Monday 8th December, which consisted of Mrs Lorna Reid, Mrs Lesley Chalmers, Mr Jimmie Shanks and Mr Robert Wilson.

Beith Old People’s Welfare Committee recently held their annual dinner for older people in the town and district. There was a full house at the function and everyone enjoyed a first class meal as well as receiving some lovely gifts of flowers and wine.

President John McGibbon welcomed a good turn out of members to the most recent meeting of Beith Trinity Mens Fellowship. After a reading by John Darroch, the president introduced the speaker for the evening, Mr Murray Wilson from Kilmarnock, who had made a return visit to speak to the members on "A Walk In The Park."

Last week class 6/7 at Beith Primary School took part in a trip as part of an interesting project which involved them in an interactive learning experience about how families and children in particular were affected by the Second World War.

Gateside Yuletide 2003 was held last Sunday in the Patrick Memorial hall from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. There was a good turnout of locals to support the event.

Gateside WRI held their most recent meeting on Thursday December, 4 when there was a very good attendance of members and visitors from surrounding rurals.

Last week Beith’s first ever speed camera was installed on Dalry Road just south of Balfour Avenue. The siting of the camera directly in the middle of the pavement has attracted more than a few negative comments from pedestrians.

Beith Masonic Club has a full programme of social evenings to suit all tastes over the festive period. Tomorrow (Saturday 20th) Remedy is on stage from 8 pm till late with a cover charge of £2 payable at the door.

Last Monday Beith Masons laid on a dinner for older folk in the town. Over 100 folk sat down to a first class three course meal provided by Sandra’s Catering of Beith.

The last of Beith Arts Guild's programmes for 2003 will be held on Sunday 28th December at 2.30pm.

The Eglinton Inn was full of the spirit of St Andrew last week when Scottish author and historian, David R Ross of East Kilbride, entertained in his own inimitable way taking as his theme the heroes of Scotland, Bruce and Wallace.

Barrmill Community Association are holding a chidrens Christmas party in the village hall on Sunday December 21 from 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm.

Beith Bowling Club Members are advised that they can now pay their Annual Subscriptions by instalments on the last Friday in January, February and March, 2004 at the Club, when the Treasurer Brian Gemmell will be in attendance for this purpose.

Donald L Reid’s most recent book, Doon Valley Bygones, published by Beith Writers and Speakers Group, has been an outstanding success.

This book, illustrated with over 150 photos of people, places and events of yesterday and today in Dalmellington, Dunaskin, Patna, Dalrymple and the no longer extant ‘Hill villages of the Doon Valley.

Marylin Pollok of Gateside, a regular organiser of events to raise funds for Ayrshire Hospiice, passes on her sincere thanks to everyone who bought a Music Quiz in aid of the Ayrshire Hospice.

Just about everyone in the town has been commenting very favourably about the excellent work, now almost completed, at Beith Cross.

The Beith Branch of Ayrshire Cancer Support Group are holding a whist evening in Beith Community Centre on Wednesday January, 7 beginning at 7.00 pm.

Beith High Church held their annual Christmas Fayre in the Church Hall last Saturday morning with many of the visitors staying on to sample the delicious soup and sandwich lunch.

The people of Beith and district have once again shown tremendous support for the Earl Haig Fund Poppy Appeal, increasing the amount collected by over £100 on last year’s total.

3rd Beith Guides took part in the Beith’s lights and laughter parade last Friday and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the parade and late night shopping.

This Friday the Guides meet at 6.00 pm at the High Church Hall when they will travel to the Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock, where they will enjoy the pantomime, Sleeping Beauty