THE PICKPOCKET
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 6 January 1888
ARDROSSAN POST OFFICE CHANGE OF SUNDAY ARRANGEMENTS
On and after Sunday first (12 February 1888), telegrams will be received
and despatched between the hours of 9.00 and 10.00 am. Letters will now be delivered
to callers between the hours of 10.00 and 11.00 am instead of between 12.30
and 1.30 pm as formerly.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 10 February 1888
CONCERT IN ASSEMBLY HALL,
ARDROSSAN
We would remind our local readers of the concert to be given in the Assembly
Hall, Ardrossan (shown below as the Winton Rovers' Club in 1974) tonight, Friday
(9 March 1888). In addition to the choir of twenty voices under Mr Arnott, Mr
McCulloch, Ardrossan and Mr Hall, Irvine take part. Both gentlemen are well
qualified to render the songs selected by them. Mr McCulloch is a favourite
artiste and on a recent occasion, Mr Hall sang in the Navvies' Hall with grand
effect. The choir will give a good account of themselves. We trust the hall
will be crowded.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 9 March 1888
LEVEL CROSSING IN PRINCES
STREET, ARDROSSAN
We have been asked to direct the attention of the town's authorities to what
must be very apparent to themselves - the unsatisfactory and dangerous condition
in which the level crossings (shown below in 1974) have been left by the contractor
engaged to lay new water pipes. Several days have elapsed since the stones were
laid down in a rough and tumble fashion and, should any accident occur from
the present condition of affairs, the authorities would certainly be liable.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 18 May 1888
LAWN TENNIS - PAISLEY v ARDROSSAN
A match was played between these two clubs on Tuesday night (5 June 1888) on
the courts of the Paisley Club and resulted as follows. J M Lang and A B Mckechnie,
Paisley, beat R McAlpine and W McAlpine, Ardrossan, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. H MacFarlane
junior and J Greenlees junior, Paisley, beat H Becket and W A Becket, Ardrossan,
6-4, 6-3, 6-4. George E Symington and James Begg, Paisley, beat A Fullarton
and A C Wood, Ardrossan, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. Paisley - 9 sets, 54 games; Ardrossan
- 0 sets, 24 games.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 8 June 1888
BREAKDOWN IN PRINCES STREET,
ARDROSSAN
Last Saturday morning (23 June 1888), an unfortunate breakdown occurred here.
While a couple of horses were hauling a large log of wood from The Inches to
Messrs Lawson and Company's yard, a heavy stress was put on the janker's hooks
and chain at the sharp curve behind the signal box going into Princes Street
(shown below in 1974). One of the hooks broke and the log, weighing seven or
nine tons, fell right across the Glasgow and South-Western Railway level crossing.
The train, with passengers from the Arran steamer, Scotia, was due and ere the
log could be re-fixed to the janker, the train was detained for a few minutes.
The scene was an exciting one.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 29 June 1888
MILLGLEN RESERVOIR, ARDROSSAN
At a special meeting of the Millglen Burgh Commissioners on Monday night (25
June 1888), the offer of Mr James Urquhart, contractor, Shawlands, Glasgow to
form the bywash channel at this new reservoir (shown below in 2003), was accepted.
The cost will be £958 12s 11d.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 29 June 1888
DEATH OF OLDEST INHABITANT OF ARDROSSAN
William Robertson, late coastguard, died at Glasgow Street, Ardrossan on Tuesday
evening (31 July 1888) at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He has been
long resident in Ardrossan, although not a native and for many years past, has
enjoyed a well-earned pension. He was a native of Montrose where he was taken
by the press-gang when aged sixteen. He was also engaged in whale fishing. The
deceased was highly respected in the town.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 3 August 1888
OPENING OF THE NEW LANARKSHIRE
AND AYRSHIRE RAILWAY FROM GLASGOW TO ARDROSSAN
An event of the utmost importance, in so far as the future of Ardrossan is concerned,
falls to be chronicled this week in the opening of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire
line of railway. The occasion was one in every way worthy of being fittingly
celebrated by the inhabitants of Ardrossan and the country through which the
line passes as well as those who have a direct pecuniary interest in the success
of the undertaking. On Monday morning (3 September 1888), when we left for Glasgow
to join the special train at the Central Station which was to go over the new
line, many of the inhabitants were astir, busy decorating their houses and places
of business and putting themselves in order, rightly, to celebrate so auspicious
an event as the opening of the new line at the entry of Caledonian Railway Company
into Ardrossan. A contingent of Saltcoats people welcomed the arrival of the
train as it passed onwards north of their town through one of the deepest and
most troublesome cuttings owing to shifting sand on the line. Slowly it steamed
on past Parkhouse Farm and under the South-Western line to Kilbride and Largs
at the head of Glasgow Street till it glided past 'Wee Dublin' and into the
beautiful new station at the head of Montgomerie Street which was reached at
12 25, the train having travelled all the way slowly to allow its occupants
getting a good view of the districts through which they passed and there were
slight detentions. The terminus at Ardrossan is charmingly placed with a fine
terrace of self-contained houses each with its own little bit of front garden
on one side and the open firth on the west side. Indeed, the whole of the station
on the new portion of the line is of a light and graceful style of architecture
and is constructed of pitchpine. At Ardrossan, the station (shown below right
in the early 1910s) was finely decorated and crowded with passengers who gave
a cheery welcome to the large complement of ladies and gentlemen who left the
train to inspect the progress of the work at the new dock.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats
Herald, 7 September 1888
The rightmost photograph above, taken in 2011, shows the
remains of the platform of Ardrossan Station, also called Ardrossan Town Station,
Ardrossan North Station, Ardrossan Montgomerie Street Station and Ardrossan
Caledonian Station but, perhaps most commonly, the Caley Station.
CURATIVE MAGNETISM
We would remind our local readers of the visit to Ardrossan of Mr R Smith, sole
manufacturer of magnetic curative appliances. Mr Smith visits this neighbourhood
for the first time and is prepared and well-qualified to give advice as to the
application of curative magnetism and explain the principles of his magnetic
appliances. Many in Ayrshire can testify to the great benefit derived from wearing
these appliances and the opportunity Mr Smith offers for consultation should
be taken advantage of.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 28 September 1888
TWO ARDROSSAN POLICEMEN ASSAULTED
AND WORRIED
Last Thursday night week (8 November 1888), two navvies residing in The Huts
were behaving themselves in too unpleasant a manner when the genial landlady
was compelled to call in the Police to intervene. Sergeant Adam and Constable
Henry then, 11 pm on duty, proceeded to The Huts. They resolved to remove the
offenders when a wild scene began. Each policeman collared a man but not without
great difficulty. Other men inside the huts joined in throwing boots and other
missiles at the unfortunate policemen and we were told one man armed himself
with a piece of delf to scoop their faces off. The rebellious spirits spread
to the dogs in the hut which attacked the policemen, working sad havoc on their
clothes. Sergeant Adam was badly bitten on the arm while the teeth of the dogs
penetrated the trousers of Constable Henry but fortunately did not injure his
person. The latter was also kicked on the legs. When the handcuffs had been
secured, the men resisted the Police in the execution of their duty and again
assaulted them. On Friday morning (9 November 1888), they were brought up before
Provost Hogarth and, to a charge of breach of the peace, they pled guilty and
were fined seven shillings and six pence or to go seven days to prison. They
were further charged with assaulting the Police when taken into custody. Both
denied the charge but were convicted on evidence and sentenced to thirty days
imprisonment without the option of a fine, the terms to be consecutive. Provost
Hogarth said such cases were becoming too numerous and he would make an example
in this instance.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 16 November 1888
ARDROSSAN AND SALTCOATS ART
CLUB
The second monthly meeting of this club will be held on Wednesday (21 November
1888) in the Ardrossan Academy (shown below as the ruins of Saint Peter's School
in 2002). The criticisms on the sketches will be read and a paper delivered
by Mr Workman. It is hoped as many as possible will find it convenient to be
present.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 23 November 1888
ARDROSSAN BAND OF HOPE
This band has been holding its meetings weekly in the Ardrossan Free Church
(shown below as Saint John's Church in 1913). There is always a big attendance,
the children themselves contributing largely in reading and singing to the work.
We are informed there will be tonight (30 November 1888) a special limelight
entertainment of an interesting character in the same church at seven o'clock.
Parents and friends will be made welcome and we hope will turn out well to encourage
the children and the work.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 30 November 1888
POSTAL FACILITIES AT ARDROSSAN
SOUTH BEACH STATION
A wall letter-box has been erected at South Beach Station (shown below in 1986
during refurbishment and in 2011) entrance from Ardrossan South Crescent. This
will, no doubt, prove a boon to the people of the district.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 28 December 1888