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Daily Record
03-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Ayrshire schools celebrated for their commitment to environmental change
The Clean Green Awards highlighted the work being carried out across educational facilities in the region. A special celebration event was held recently to recognise children and young people across East Ayrshire who are committed to environmental change. The Clean Green Awards highlighted the work taking place across East Ayrshire's educational facilities. The event focused on the key themes of the climate change strategy – energy, transport, waste and natural environment – which children and young people helped to develop through the work of the Youth Climate Change Conferences held each September. All schools are being supported to work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold award accreditation and a highly commended accreditation was also introduced for each of the three award categories. This was the first year that a school has earned a Gold award, which was presented to Kilmarnock Academy for their commitment to Green Health, Netherthird Primary and Early Childhood Centre for their dedication to tackling climate change by making positive change in their school and community; and Park School received Gold and the Chair's award for Outstanding Achievement 2024/25 for their exceptional commitment to achieving environmental change. Five schools – Annanhill Primary, Darvel Primary, Hurlford Primary, Fenwick Primary and Early Childhood Centre and New Cumnock Primary School earned highly commended silver awards through their innovative work which included planting seeds and trees in their gardens, introducing eco-police - where the children and young people ensure that there is no littering. Councillor Graham Barton, Spokesperson for Planning, Property and Environment was joined by Provost Claire Leitch, Depute Provost John McGhee and Councillors Neill Watts, Neal Ingram, Linda Mabon, Peter Mabon and Jayne Sangster, and Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Director of Education and Skills, at the awards. All the schools who participated in the Nature Nurture initiative were also presented with a Tree of Life trophy. East Ayrshire Leisure provided the base for each trophy, which was made from a felled tree from Dean Castle Country Park. The children and young people had to complete tasks to earn a nature charm for their trophy that included Green Guardian, Caring Conservationist and Expert Environmentalist. Councillor Barton said: 'What an amazing day we had at St Joseph's Academy celebrating the success of our children and young people. There is incredible work taking place in our educational facilities and positive change is being driven forward by our children and young people who are wholly committed to tackling the climate emergency. 'This year four very successful school projects have delivered significant change – Dinnae Forget you Caddy, Shoot to Saturn, Power Down and Nurture Nature. 'These were driven forward by Principal Teacher Vicky McWilliam and every award submission made reference to these projects. At the event the figures for food recycling were revealed and this has increased in every single community in East Ayrshire, which is astounding. Power Down has also seen some big changes and reduction in power usage in our schools, with some achieving 11 per cent of a reduction.' He added: 'What was clear on the day is our children and young people, and Education staff are very creative. In addition to the Windy award created by our young people from Stewarton, there were poems, songs, stories, artwork and many more to encourage and direct our journey towards net zero. 'I was delighted to present a special teacher's award to Samantha Torbet from Kilmarnock Academy who was recognised for Outstanding Commitment and Enthusiasm for Climate Change, and a Gold Award and the Chair's Award to Park School. Their commitment to tackling climate change has been exceptional with pupils leading change within the school. 'If only we could use the energy created in the room – we would be at net zero tomorrow.' Awards were presented to: Bronze Award – Galston Primary School. Bronze Highly Commended Award – Bellsbank Primary, Catrine Primary, Dalmellington Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Doon Academy, Flowerbank Early Childhood Centre, Galston Early Childhood Centre, Hillside School, James Hamilton Primary and Sgoil na Coille Nuaidh, Lainshaw Primary, Loanhead Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Lochnorris Primary, Logan Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Mount Carmel Primary, Muirkirk Primary, Sorn Primary, St Xavier's Primary, Willowbank School and Whatriggs Primary. Silver Award – Hillhead Primary, Drongan Primary, Dunlop Primary, Kilmaurs Primary, St Sophia's Primary, Patna Primary, ASL and Early Childhood Centre, Newmilns Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Nether Robertland Primary and Mauchline Primary. Silver Highly Commended - Hurlford Primary, Fenwick Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Darvel Primary and Annanhill Primary. Gold Award - Park School, Netherthird Primary and Early Childhood Centre and Kilmarnock Academy.
The National
12-06-2025
- The National
5 East Ayrshire councillors fined over safety failures
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard that the 25-year-old autistic male became submerged underwater at the town's Galleon Leisure Centre on January 10, 2023, after sliding into the small swimming pool. He remained there for one minute and 52 seconds before he was spotted face down in the middle of the pool by volunteers of his Kilmarnock Jets swimming club. READ MORE: UK Government announces £200m funding for Scottish Acorn carbon capture project The court heard that he was eventually pulled out and placed in the recovery position before lifeguards were called to raise the alarm. Paramedics arrived half an hour later and he was rushed by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital. The non-verbal man, who has not returned to the club since, was found to have fluid in his lungs and was believed to have suffered from a seizure, which led to him passing out in the pool. The incident happened at the Galleon Leisure Centre (Image: Web) He has no lasting injuries but "appears to have suffered psychologically", procurator fiscal depute Saud Ul-Hassan told the court. Ballochmyle councillor Claire Leitch, appointed provost last year, had been charged alongside Kilmarnock South representative Clare Maitland, Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse elected members James Adams and Iain Linton, and Kilmarnock East and Hurlford councillor Barry Douglas, with failing to carry out sufficient risk assessments before the incident. The councillors, along with fellow trustee of the Kilmarnock Leisure Centre Trust, Manpreet Bawa, pleaded guilty through a solicitor on Thursday, June 12. None of the six appeared in the dock. They were fined a total of £11,825, which includes a victim surcharge of £825. The incident comes just three years after trustees were fined £10,000 for similar failings. A six-year-old girl nearly drowned in a swimming pool at the same leisure centre in July 2019 after falling unconscious underwater. She was rescued by an 11-year-old boy who had been playing in the pool and felt something touch his foot, it was reported at the time. The case was investigated by East Ayrshire Council's Environmental Health Service who found that the trust had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the use of inflatables during fun swimming activity sessions - and that they were deployed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's safety instructions. They also found that the trust had failed to carry out lifeguard zone visibility tests to ensure adequate supervision and control of the sessions. The fiscal depute told the court today: "A local authority assessment was carried out [after the 2023 incident] and found insufficient health and safety practices. "A risk assessment had not been shared with the group [Kilmarnock Jets]. "A lifeguard was working with the group for the first time and was unaware of [their] responsibilities. [They] had not received relevant instructions. "[They] did not attend to the incident and thought it was volunteers who had responsibility." Six requirements were identified from the post-incident assessment carried out by the Galleon. A solicitor for the trustees said: 'The trustees wish to express their sincere regret to [the victim] and his family for the incident that took place.' Linton, 62, of Grange Terrace, Maitland, 58, of Lindsay Street, Douglas, 43, of Muirfield Drive, Adams, 52, of Holehouse Road, and Bawa, 39, of Pollok Morris Drive, all Kilmarnock, plus 34-year-old Leitch, of Woodlands Road, Sorn, were sentenced on Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Ian Duguid KC said: "It is unfortunate that it was left to the volunteers to pull [the victim] out of the water.' He added that people of East Ayrshire could miss out if a significant financial penalty were imposed. He said: 'This is a charity that serves members of the public, it is in no one's interest to have a severe penalty imposed.'
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
East Ayrshire commemorates 80th anniversary of VE Day
Members of the Royal British Legion and guests joined East Ayrshire Council outside Council HQ in Kilmarnock to raise a flag. Members of the Royal British Legion and guests joined East Ayrshire Council to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Following the VE day flag being raised at Council HQ in Kilmarnock, a commemoration took place outside the Dick Institute before wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph by Deputy Lieutenant David Lacy, Provost Claire Leitch and Georgina Cairns from the Royal British Legion. Guests included veterans, including veterans of WWII, members of the Armed Forces; Sea, Army and Air Cadets; school pupils and community representatives. Provost Leitch said: "It's vitally important that we mark this important anniversary and remember and give thanks to all those who gave so much to secure peace and freedom for future generations. "As we honour VE Day 80, we remember the bravery, resilience, and the spirit of a generation who stood firm in the face of tyranny, and we renew our commitment to ensuring that their stories will never be forgotten."
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kilmarnock FC sign Armed Forces Convenant at poignant ceremony
The club reaffirmed their respect and support for those who serve and have served in the British Armed Forces Kilmarnock Football Club has formally signed the the Armed Forces Covenant, reaffirming the club's long-standing respect and support for the men and women who serve, or have served, in the British Armed Forces. The poignant ceremony took place in the club's 1869 Suite and was attended by representatives of East Ayrshire Council, including Provost Claire Leitch, and several dignitaries from the Armed Forces community. The event was hosted by Club Ambassador Raymond Montgomerie, who welcomed guests with a heartfelt tribute to the club's enduring connection to the Armed Forces, dating back over a century. 'On behalf of all the directors and staff at Kilmarnock Football Club, I'd like to offer you a warm welcome to Rugby Park for this important occasion,' said Montgomerie. 'Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is not just a formality – it's a promise. A promise that this club will stand beside our Armed Forces community, not just in word but in action.' Montgomerie spoke movingly about the club's wartime legacy, recalling how Rugby Park was requisitioned by the government during WWII to serve as a munitions dump, and how the club gave a £1,000 interest-free loan to the war effort – never repaid, but never regretted. 'This club gave more than just players to the front lines,' he said. 'We gave our ground, our resources, our support – and, sadly, we lost some of our own who played for this badge before fighting for their country. That history is not forgotten here. It's part of who we are.' A particularly emotional highlight of the day was the presentation of the Colonel's Certificate, awarded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, to Jock Murdoch, a 99-year-old former Kilmarnock goalkeeper and one of only four surviving Scots Guardsmen from WWII. The award was presented by Eddie Edmonstone, Chairman of the Scots Guards Association, and Colin Downie in honour of Mr Murdoch's exceptional service. 'Jock isn't just a former Killie player – he's a hero,' Montgomerie said. 'At 99 years old, he represents a generation whose courage and resilience shaped our world. It was a true privilege to welcome him back to Rugby Park and to recognise his service.' Guests then moved to the club's Memorial Garden, established in 2021 to honour the former players killed in the World Wars. Rev James McNay, Club Chaplain, led a solemn service before returning to the 1869 Suite for the signing ceremony. The official signing of the Armed Forces Covenant was conducted by Club Directors Billy Bowie, Phyllis Carroll, and Cathy Jamieson, signalling the club's ongoing commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and their families. Councillor Jim Todd, East Ayrshire Council's Armed Forces Champion and a Royal Navy veteran, emphasised the impact of the Covenant: 'This is about recognition, respect, and responsibility. For far too long, our Armed Forces community served without expecting thanks. The Covenant changes that – and by signing it today, Kilmarnock FC shows what true community leadership looks like.' Montgomerie closed the event with one final reflection: 'We're more than just a football club. We're a part of this town's fabric, and part of its legacy. That includes the proud tradition of service to our country. Today we reaffirm that we don't forget – and we do care.'
