Times Files: Our pick of the best stories from April 2004

Do you recognise anyone in these pics from back in April 2004?

A CD aimed at arming young people with knowledge about drugs was launched in Irvine in April 2004 at a rocking ceremony. The 25-track disc, called Choices, cost £25,000 to produce and was organised by Fullarton Community Health House in Irvine and funded by several different agencies.

The death knell for Ayrshire Metal Products sounded in April 2004 as management announced the Irvine factory would shut...by fax. English bosses finally admitted the plant would close after 150 years in the town and put the factory on a 30-day notice period. The remaining 61 permanent staff at the decimated factory were told by union officials on the picket line after AMP faxed the Transport and General Workers Union with the news. Staff had walked out on strike two weeks earlier in protest over pay and conditions.

Irvine was getting behind plans to convert the historic Trinity Church into an indoor climbing centre in 2004. Mum-of-two Jacqueline McMullen, 23, was hoping her bid to turn it into a specialist climbing centre would save the church from demolition. Local groups, organisations and individuals voiced their support for the venture as long as it protected the ancient landmark.

Security was  top of the agenda for the Pupil Council at Pennyburn Primary in Kilwinning. And thanks to their efforts the matter was brought to the attention of Peter McNamara, chairman of NAC’s Educational Services Committee and local councillor Margaret McDougall. A new fence costing £14,000 was installed around the playground to prevent it being used as a shortcut by non-pupils.

The Greenwood Academy Brass Band handed out £400 worth of musical instruments to Yorkhill Hospital’s Schehallion Unit, where fellow band member Adam Robertson was receiving treatment for a serious illness. Another £400 in cash went to Ukrainian orphans. The money was raised by the band when they performed concerts at a Spanish hotel during their tour of Majorca the previous summer. Adam is pictured with music teacher Brian Keachie.

The girls and boys from St Winning’s Primary donned an assortment of colourful Easter bonnets for a special parade before the school closed for the holiday in 2004.