Programme September 2008 to June 2009
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Thursday 18 September
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“Farming in Ayrshire” by Chris Savage:
We travel around Ayrshire admiring the countryside and the
fields and animals - but how did it get that way? What are some
of those strange new crops that are being grown and why? What
about those fields of plastic, shimmering like lakes in the
spring sun? Chris is a highly qualified and experienced farmer
and will be giving us an insight into our Ayrshire farm
countryside.
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Thursday 16th October
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“Old roads of Ayrshire” by
Gerald Cummins:
How many road improvements can you think of
where the track of the original road has been changed? The
A77/M77 and the new South Orbital roads are just two recent that
come to mind. In many cases the original road can completely
disappear. The changes are forced by the need to cope with
modern juggernauts, high speed cars, costs and savings. In
similar ways, roads have been changing throughout time. Gerald
will be describing these fascinating changes, from prehistoric
times to relatively recently, when the roads where taken over by
the Roads Trusts and the County Councils.
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Thursday 20th November
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“Scottish Transport Tokens”
by Ronnie Breinghan:
Tokens were in fact the tickets of their time. Paper tickets did
not come into use until about the 1880s and in Glasgow on the
tramways from the late 1870s. By selling a number of tokens
transport firms were assured of the custom of these passengers.
This also saved the conductor or guard, as he was sometimes
called, from handling cash and was thus also a security
precaution. Ronnie is an expert on this subject and is just
publishing a new a unique book on Scottish Transport Tokens.
Most of us will be ignorant of this subject – No excuse to be
ignorant after this talk!
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Thursday 18th December
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“Quiz Night”
A just for fun evening with mince pies,
and tea and coffee. Those who came last year had a good laugh.
Nothing too serious.
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Saturday 17th January
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"Burns Evening at Culzean Castle":
This is a celebration of the work of
Robert Burns, not a Burns Supper. It is held in the magnificent
State Dining Room at Culzean Castle, and includes a magnificent
5 course diner. Members of the Ayrshire Centre will have
priority for tickets. |
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Thursday 19 February
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“Robert Burns Birthplace Museum” by David
Hopes:
David Hopes is the Project Manager for the
Burns Heritage Museum Project at Alloway, near Ayr. This project
involves the restoration and development of Burns Cottage and
its associated buildings, Burns Monument and Gardens, the Auld
Kirk, the Brig O’ Doon. It also includes the complete
replacement of the Tam O’Shanter Experience with a superb new
museum facility celebrating the work of our Bard. David will
bring us up to date with progress on this project. |
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Thursday 19 March |
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“Archaeology of Culzean”
by Derek Alexander:
Derek Alexander is responsible for all archaeological works
undertaken at National Trust for Scotland properties in the West
of Scotland. Over the years, there have been many archaeological
investigations at Culzean revealing a whole range of activity
and occupancy dating back to the stone age. Derek will be giving
us an insight into his work and some of the discoveries made at
Culzean. |
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Thursday 16 April
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“The Ports of Ayr and Troon” by Colin Hume:
The harbour has been the heart of Ayr for
many centuries; with trade both in and out as well as in the
past, ship building. All this activity has, and continues to
bring considerable prosperity to the town. Colin Hume is closely
involved in the operation of both Ayr and Troon harbours on
behalf of Associated British Ports, and will be giving us a
fascinating insight into the current activities of these ports.
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Thursday 21st May
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A.G.M. at Culzean Castle, starts at 7:30pm
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??th June
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A Farm walk at Morriston Farm: Morriston Farm is just south of
the entrance to Culzean Castle. During the walk we will be
discussing farming past and present and how it has shaped the
countryside.
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??th June
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Summer Outing - To be decided.
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