Arran Banner Letters – week 47, 2024

Ode to the Ormidale

 

Sir,

 

Bob’s Ardrossan Herald poem activated a few memories. As a student, I worked in the Ormidale in 1966/69 and at West Knowe during the day.

 

If you mind days of yore

You can add to the folklore

 

’Faither Broon’s up at Corriegills

Some trek – that bloody hill

Closed at midnight, on the dot

’That’s it – you’ve had your lot

 

Tuchin – slept in the Bluebird bus

That caused – a wee bit fuss

Skit and Ernie fixing Auld cars

Sometimes didnae go very far!

 

While Fisher up at the Dale

Serving Sunday lunch, without fail

Roast lamb and all the trimmings

From memory, five shillings?

 

Hughie Paton quietly drinking ’Rusty nails’

Easier to serve it by the pail

John Craig and Menzies in for a swill

Frequently, daily, drank their fill

 

Then drove quietly home by car

’Jamesie’ didn’t have to go too far

John C made it to the Heights

Gieing others drivers a fright

 

Spindrift arrived on a Sunday morn

’Pym’ didnae need a fog horn

Sunday papers on their way

Never later than midday

 

Hughie R then went a wee cruise

Fortified with plenty of booze

Golf Club first, then the Dale

A routine that never failed

 

Russell’s ski boat out in the bay

Did the pretty lasses all pay?

Falling into the water in the sun

Not always a lot of fun

 

Steer the boat in a straight line

And you stayed up fine

Big circle – sure to fall in

Russell rescued with a grin!

 

Jimbo – the tarry boiler man

Never followed the plan

One night the lot went up in flame

J got comp and slightly maimed!

 

Down at Kilmory, the South End band

Not as good as Jimmy Shand

But the Polis always gied you a shout

And when they arrived, Nae drunks about

 

Kildonan was the Worthington lair

A man without a care

A lock in with him – not a delight

Played his banjo – all night!

 

Geordie Bannatyne out most nights

Exercising his salmon rights

First the Kinloch for a dram

Then pull in the net, if you can!

 

Henry McN was the Plumbing King

If you’re loo was burst, you gie’d him a ring

’Aye – I’ll be with you soon

A fortnight tomorrow, in the afternoon’

 

The Bunyan boys – you’d give them a shout

If mainland trouble was about

They’d just turn up at the Dale

All peace and quiet – without fail!

 

The Douglas and Dale, always full

Bound by the licensing Rule

Stop serving by ten

Wash up – next day – start again!

 

Yours,

John Lamont,

Dippen.

 

Supporting MS research

 

Sir,

There are an estimated 17,406 people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Scotland.  

 

MS can affect people of any age. But most are diagnosed in their 20s, 30s and 40s, when they are likely to be in the midst of their careers. The condition can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable, with symptoms fluctuating day-to-day. So unfortunately, those with MS can face unique challenges in the workplace. 

 

Sadly, we know many people are forced to compromise their health to stay in work, or end up leaving employment long before they want to because they don’t get the support, flexibility and reasonable adjustments they need.  

 

The UK Government is set to address some of these issues in the new Employment Rights Bill, but more needs to be done to better support the health and employment prospects of people with MS.

 

And that’s why the MS Society has teamed up with the Work Foundation at Lancaster University in England to launch a UK-wide study into MS and employment.  

 

We want to find out more about the barriers that people with MS are facing and understand what else the government and employers should be doing. The findings will shape which asks we put forward to decision makers. Through this, we are aiming to create a world where those who can and who want to work are better supported to do so, and can thrive in good quality, long-term employment. 

 

The survey is open until November 24 and we encourage anyone living with MS in the UK to take part. Please share with any friends or family with MS.

 

You can find the survey at lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6AmfsdCO2foZecu

 

Yours,

Nick Moberly,

MS Society chief executive officer.