Ardrossan - On This Day In History

[George Ardrossan]

24 JANUARY 1896

A NIGHT WITH BURNS
On Friday evening last (24 January 1896), a number of townsmen sat down to supper in Mrs Fleming's, spirit merchant, Glasgow Street, Ardrossan in commemoration of the birthday of the poet Burns and also the centenary of his death. An excellent supper was purveyed by Mrs Fleming in grand style, the tables being decorated with plants and the Scotch haggis was introduced 'reekin'' with all pomp and splendour. Song and sentiment followed, The Immortal Memory being accepted with all honours. A very happy and pleasant evening was spent, the company separating when few were standing at the corner to the tune of Auld Lang Syne. We are pleased to note that an interest in such meetings is taken even though it be by but a few. Nevertheless, this should not be the case, especially with people living in such an important town as Ardrossan and a town in the county where the poet was born. A properly constituted Burns Club would add not a little to the credit of the town.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 31 January 1896

George

[Penny Tray]

24 JANUARY 1901

The Boston Evening Transcript reported on the 15th of February 1901 -

"The agent of the British steamer LUCERNE, Captain Reid, which sailed from Ardrossan January 24 for St. John's, Newfoundland, coal laden, and which is supposed to be the vessel recently wrecked near Bacalleu, on the south-east coast of Newfoundland, has returned from the scene of the wreck and brings portions of charred plank, leading to the conclusion that the vessel's cargo was on fire before she struck and that the shipwreck was due to her running at full speed through fog in an effort to make some port before the fire had obtained mastery.

The Government despatched the steamer Ingraham at daylight to visit Bacalleu in the hope that some survivors of the disaster may be ashore there."

Later reports suggest that the LUCERNE came to grief in Trinity Bay and that the crew of 24 perished.

[George Ardrossan]

25 JANUARY 1856

ARDROSSAN LITERARY SOCIETY FORTY-FIVE YEARS OLD
Forty-five years ago tonight (on 25 January 1856), the Ardrossan Literary Society held its first celebration of the twenty-fifth when the principal feature of celebration was the number of addresses on literary subjects.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 25 January 1901

George

[George Ardrossan]

26 JANUARY 1897

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY IN ARDROSSAN
The gymnastic display given in the Drill Hall, Ardrossan (shown below in 1974) on Tuesday evening (26 January 1897) by members of the local Artillery Volunteer Corps was a treat of a kind quite rare in the locality. It is to be regretted that the public do not show more sympathy with the officers in the Corps in their laudable attempts to develop the physique of the men under their charge. The attendance was by no means equal to the merits of the entertainment provided.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 January 1897

George

[George Ardrossan]

27 JANUARY 1900

ARDROSSAN CUSTOMS MAN BECOMES HONORARY PAYMASTER
The Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty have been pleased to grant Mr Stevenson of the Customs, Ardrossan a commission as Honorary Paymaster in the Royal Naval Reserve with seniority from 27 January last. Mr Stevenson is the first to hold that to hold that post in Ardrossan.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 30 March 1900[/]

George

[George Ardrossan]

28 JANUARY 1900

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORRESTERS
The annual business meeting of the Ardrossan Court Royal Oak number 6237 (Ayr District) was held on Monday evening (28 January 1900). The annual report and financial statement was submitted. The Society was shown to be in a very prosperous position financially, the Sick and Funeral Fund showing a credit balance of £637 odds and the other funds also being in a very satisfactory condition. During the year, the numerical position of the branch has been strengthened and at 31 December 1900, the number on the roll was 91. For the coming year, the office bearers are C R - William Fullerton, S C R - Alex Auld, S R James Jenkins, J R - Alex McEwen, treasurer - James Cunningham, secretary John Barclay. Messrs James Watson and Alex Auld were appointed auditors. A reference to the contributions and benefits rates shows that the Society is one that commands itself.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 1 February 1901

George

[George Ardrossan]

29 JANUARY 1887

ARDROSSAN ENSIGN SECOND ELEVEN 0 - IRVINE RANGERS FIRST ELEVEN 2
On Saturday last (29 January 1887), the second eleven of the Ensign played the first eleven of the Rangers on the ground of the former, Ensign. The Rangers won by two goals to nil.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 4 February 1887

George

[morag]

28 JANUARY 1900

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORRESTERS
The annual business meeting of the Ardrossan Court Royal Oak number 6237 (Ayr District) was held on Monday evening (28 January 1900). The annual report and financial statement was submitted. The Society was shown to be in a very prosperous position financially, the Sick and Funeral Fund showing a credit balance of £637 odds and the other funds also being in a very satisfactory condition. During the year, the numerical position of the branch has been strengthened and at 31 December 1900, the number on the roll was 91. For the coming year, the office bearers are C R - William Fullerton, S C R - Alex Auld, S R James Jenkins, J R - Alex McEwen, treasurer - James Cunningham, secretary John Barclay. Messrs James Watson and Alexre Auld were appointed auditors. A reference to the contributions and benefits rates shows that the Society is one that commands itself.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 1 February 1901

George

I believe my grampa was a forrester. Was it not the RC vversion of the masons (kind of?)

[Meg]

Think that might be the Knights of St Columba Morag.

Meg

[down south]

The Foresters were one of many Friendly Societies, Morag, who clubbed together for both social companionship, and mutual support in the days before the welfare state. They do all seem to have been organised rather like the Masons, with a network of lodges and meetings with regalia. Here's a Hunting Horn belonging to the Saltcoats lodge:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayesterda ... 6206726213

And here's a ceremonial apron from the Free Gardeners, another society that flourished locally ;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayesterda ... 6206726213

susan

[John Donnelly]

The Foresters were one of many Friendly Societies, Morag, who clubbed together for both social companionship, and mutual support in the days before the welfare state.

Getting to be time we started them up again.

Don't see much about it in the UK media, but here in NL, where we're recognised as one of the healthiest economies around, they're cutting our private company pensions left right and centre. It's worse than scandalous, and they're getting away with it.

10 to 15 years ago, when the pension funds were bursting at the seams, the companies, transferred billions from the funds they managed back into the company accounts. Now, they're washing their hands in innocence, (Who me ??), and us pensioners are paying the price.

JD.

[morag]

Thank you for the info. I guess since Catholics (maybe especially in our area) were not welcome (nor allowed by the church)to join the Masons, or any secret society, the foresters was next best thing. Grampa was SVdeP also.