230813 Provost'sReportFinal
North Ayrshire Council · 13 September 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 13 September 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 12 June – 3 September 2023 The attached report gives a summary and brief details to Council, of meetings and events attended by the Provost of North Ayrshire Council, Councillor Anthea Dickson.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 1 PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 12 June – 3 September 2023 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: Greig Steven Memorial Games, Valefield Park, Kilbirnie, 17 June On 17 June, I attended the Greig Steven Memorial Games at Valefield Park Kilbirnie. Greig passed away in 2015 from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Family, friends and former colleagues united to form a charity based in Kilbirnie to raise funds and ensure the sustainability of Greig’s House, a luxury lodge situated in Wemyss Bay offering stays for young people and adults living with cancer. I was delighted to able to support such a worthwhile cause. Watch Commander Fred Williams 50th Anniversary, Community Fire Station, Dalry, 19 June On 19 June, I attended a special event in Dalry Community Fire Station to mark the 50th anniversary of Watch Commander Fred Williams joining the Fire and Rescue Service. Fred has been instrumental in shaping the Service in our local communities across North Ayrshire and it was great to be able to acknowledge his excellent contribution to public service. HSCP Partnership Awards, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 20 June The HSCP hosted their Partnership Awards, “A Celebration of Care” on 20 June in the Volunteer Rooms, Irvine. I was delighted to attend the ceremony and help celebrate the invaluable work going on in our communities supporting the health, care and wellbeing of local people. Make Music Day, Irvine Library, 21 June Make Music Day is an annual celebration of music-making that takes place in communities across the world on 21 June. To mark this special event North Ayrshire Chamber String Ensemble performed in Irvine library for the local community. I never fail to be impressed with the talent of our young musicians.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 Fundraising Concert, Arran High School, 24 June On 24 June, I was at Arran High School, for a fundraising concert featuring North Ayrshire’s Chamber String Ensemble, the Garnock Community Campus Woodwind Ensemble and a Brass Ensemble. Musicians from Arran Music School also performed at what was a wonderful event supporting the fantastic music making taking place on the Isle of Arran. Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Summer Concert, Ayr Town Hall, 24 June On the evening of 24 June, I attended Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra’s Summer Concert in Ayr Town Hall. The Concert was held prior to the Orchestra going on a tour in America. As usual the calibre of the performances was of a very high standard, and I was happy to have the opportunity to wish them all well on their forthcoming tour. Friar’s Lawn Opening Event, Kilwinning, 29 June On 29 June, I officially welcomed all the guests and partner organisations to the final completion of the refurbished sheltered housing complex at Friars Lawn, Kilwinning. This was delivered as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan and is a most welcoming place both in style and from delighted residents. Provost’s Visit, Discovery Group, David White Community Learning Hub, Saltcoats, 29 June On 29 June, I visited the Discovery Group in the David White Community Learning Hub in Saltcoats. The Discovery Award is a fun, free personal challenge award for the over 50’s. It was great to meet all those who took part and hear about their experiences and the positive outcomes they have had from the Award. It is proving to be an excellent way to reduce isolation, share and learn new skills, and widen people’s interests. Caley Gardens Opening Event, Stevenston, 29 June In the afternoon of 29 June. I welcomed all the guests and partner organisations to the opening of the most impressive Caley Gardens in Stevenston. This 15-home supported accommodation project provides assistive technology which can be adapted to suit the needs of each individual resident. CEIS Ayrshire National Employability Day, Irvine, 30 June On National Employability Day on 30 June, I visited CEIS in Irvine, it was great to meet the team and find out about how their employability services are supporting individuals into employment.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 Dalry & Millour Hill Wind Farms Family Open Day, Dalry, 1 July Dalry & Millour Hill Community Wind Farms Community Windpower Ltd hosted a free Family Open Day at their local wind farms close to Dalry on 1 July which I was happy to attend. The event was great success with range of attractions and organised activities on offer. NHS Family Nurse Partnership, HSCP 10th Anniversary, Fullarton Connexions, Irvine, 3 July On 3 July, the NHS Family Nurse Partnership marked 10 years’ service at a special event held in Fullarton Connexions. Irvine. Tributes were paid to our Family Nurses, who have helped change the lives of hundreds of mothers and children across Ayrshire and the reunions were emotional. Opening of Dementia Wellbeing Cafe, Argyle Centre, Saltcoats, 21 July The Depute Provost attended the opening of the Dementia Wellbeing Café in the Argyle Centre, Saltcoats on 12 July. It was great to meet trained volunteers and staff from the Ayrshire Independent Network and hear about the service they are providing for this suffering from dementia and their families. The Provost visited the Café on 4 August. CHA Annual Tenants Conference, Seamill Hydro, West Kilbride, 26 July The Depute Provost attended Cunninghame Housing Association’s 12th Annual Tenants Conference in the Seamill Hydro. It was a great opportunity to hear first-hand about the issues these tenants are facing and about the Association’s plans for the forthcoming year. Polish Singing Sailors Choir Concert, Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine, 31 July On 31 July, I was delighted to attend a concert in the Maritime Museum, Irvine. The Polish male choir Zawisza Czarny from Gdynia is reputed to be the largest, regularly performing sea shanty choir in the world. The choir is made of the ship’s crew Zawisza Czarny, which is the flagship of the Polish Scouting Association. The Song of the River Steamers Exhibition, Garrison House, Millport ,2 August On 2 August, I visited the latest exhibition at the Museum of the Cumbraes, Garrison House, Millport. The late Charles Glen, well known in Millport, dedicated a large part of his retirement to recording for posterity the great era of the Clyde Steamers. Mr Glen created paintings, models and research about every steamer to ever grace the Clyde, and the work put into this invaluable resource is astounding. The boats take you on a journey through time, from 1812 onwards, with each new era of steam ships. Following Mr Glen’s passing, his daughters, Janis
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 Seith and Moira Crozier, honoured his wish to have the collection donated to the Museum of the Cumbraes for future steamer enthusiasts to study and enjoy. Ardeer Gala Day, Stevenston, 5 August On 5 August I had the privilege of crowning the Gala Queen, Farrah Daldry, at Ardeer Gala Day in Stevenston. The organisers, who are all volunteers did an excellent job providing a wide range of entertainment and events for their local community. Events like these highlight all the positive aspects in our local communities and bring people together encouraging community involvement and participation. Provost's Visit, Take Time on the Road Event, Ardrossan South Beach, 9 August On 9 August, I visited Ardrossan South Beach for the Take Time on the Road Event. This event featured many fun activities and information for children and young people focusing on mental health and wellbeing. Barista Project Launch - Cafe Solace, Kilbirnie, 11 August On 11 August, I officially launched the barista project in Café Solace, Kilbirnie. These innovative community projects are supported by NAHSCP and Developing Young Workforce and give those participating obtain new skills and better employment opportunities. Visit to Irvine Beat FM on their 10th Anniversary, Irvine, 16 August On 16 August, I visited Irvine Beat FM as the station celebrated its 10th anniversary. It is truly something to be proud of that the station has reached its first decade of service to communities across the Irvine area. Opening of Redston Cemetery, Kilwinning, 17 August On the 9 June, I officially opened our new cemetery for Kilwinning, Redston Cemetery. To mark the occasion a service of dedication took place.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 5 Marymass Festival, Irvine, 17 – 28 August This year’s Marymass Festival took place from 17 – 28 August in Irvine. The year’s Festival featured many events and attractions mixing the contemporary with the traditional and ensuring that there was something arranged for all age groups and tastes. The event got off to a great start on Thursday 17 August with the announcement that Gordon Storrar would serve as Captain of the Carters for 2023, followed by the sashing ceremony of the Marymass Queen Elect and her four Marys, then I had the privilege of officially opening the Festival. I tool part in the Kirking of the Captain of Irvine Carters’ Society in the Old Parish Church on 20 August and the next day hosted a visit by the Marymass Queen Elect and her Marys to Cunninghame House. I welcomed Mayor Rosetti from Voisins-les-Bretonneux, France, Irvine’s twin town, who visited the Festival along with volunteers from their Town Twinning Association. On Marymass Saturday, the Depute Provost and I welcomed guests to a reception at Irvine Townhouse prior to the Crowning Ceremony and afterwards we made our way to Irvine Moor where a range of events were taking place. On Sunday 27 August I attended the Marymass Service in the Old Parish Church, and this was followed by the Carter’s lunch at Bogside Golf Club, which was a great opportunity to reflect on the previous day. On the evening of 27 August, the Depute Provost attended the traditional Marymass Service in St Mary’s Church in Irvine. By all accounts the Festival was a great success and vey well attended. Events like these are the lifeblood of local communities and the amazing working carried out by members of the Marymass Committee and many volunteers from a number of organisations is commendable. Drama for Wellbeing Show Case, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, 18 August On 18 August, I attended the Drama for Wellbeing Showcase in the Harbour Arts Centre. which was a culmination of a programme of activity that saw both primary and secondary pupils a explore a range of issues though the drama. The performances were amazing and highlighted the difficulties and challenges faced by our young people today. Visit by delegation from Andernos Les Bains, Garrison House, Millport, 22 August On 22 August, I welcomed twenty visitors from Largs Twin Town, Andernos-les-Bains in France to North Ayrshire. The Largs Town Twinning Group are hoping to reignite the relations they have with the French town. As part of a tour of the area they visited Millport, I met up with them at the Garrison House where they saw the latest exhibition and learned about the history of the Garrison.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 6 Visit to Isle of Cumbrae Distillers, Millport, 22 August Also on 22nd August, I met the owners of the Isle of Cumbrae Distillers. I was fascinated to learn about their short history, how they engage with the local community and how they market their product. Open Evening Mecoco, Dalry, 25 August On 25 August I attended the opening evening of Mecoco in Dalry. Mecoco is a social enterprise based in North Ayrshire which makes candles, reed diffusers and other fragrance products, and which employs a mixture of disabled and non-disabled colleagues working together. Opening of Largs Viking Festival, Largs, 2 September On 2nd September I was privileged to open the 44th Largs Viking Festival. Thousands of people visited Largs on the opening day and witnessed the excellent parade, a huge number of Viking related activities, markets and fairground. The Festival is arranged by volunteers who have poured their time, energy and enthusiasm into making the festival a reality. Their commitment to bringing history to life and creating a fantastic experience for all attendees is truly commendable. Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council