A look at the top Irvine Times headlines from 2024

This weekend, we're taking a look back at some of the top tales from the Irvine Times between January and June 2024.

Do you remember these headline-making events?

JANUARY

(Image: Newsquest) Irvine's Annie McLaughlan came second in the international 2024 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award in January.

Retired nurse Annie received her award from Irvine Burns Club President Angus Middleton at the annual celebration in honour of Scotland's Bard in the Wellwood Centre.

Annie is chairperson of the Vineburgh Community Association which she helped found in 2005. She has spent her whole life working on community projects.

(Image: Newsquest) The Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum was finally on the tourist map in January.

After several years pursuing the matter, director Bobby Haswell finally managed to get the much-loved Irvine institution recognised as a tourist attraction - complete with its own road signage. President of Irvine Burns Club Angus Middleton is pictured above at the new sign on Burns Street.

FEBRUARY

(Image: Newsquest) Demolition works at Irvine’s high flats were finally completed in February 2024, with all five towers dismantled and the site fully cleared.

The last tower to remain standing – Afton Court – was brought down in late 2023 before the site was cleared of rubble and debris in preparation for the next stage of the regeneration project for the area.

(Image: Newsquest) Two young Irvine boxers returned from the Western District Championships with gold medals in February.

Jamie Bingham of the Irvine Elite Boxing Club beat George Willis of South Side Boys Club in the final of the youth 2007 80kg category.

And Jamie's clubmate, TJ Duffield, beat Jamie Munroe of Kilsyth BC in the 60kg schoolboy 2016 category on a unanimous decision from the judges.

MARCH

(Image: Newsquest) Irvine man Callum Nicoll, a former pupil at Greenwood Academy, was appointed to the role of head of golf and estates at the five-star Fairmont estate near St Andrews.

The role would see Callum become responsible for overseeing all aspects of golf operations, retail, golf sales, greenkeeping and gardening.

(Image: Newsquest) Irvine’s Castlepark Primary held a special assembly to mark the retiral of deputy head teacher Louise Cardwell just before the Easter break.

And the pupils and staff at the school gave her an emotional send-off, with some special presentations - and lots of songs.

APRIL

(Image: Newsquest) A fundraising event was launched to raise funds for nine-year-old Irvine boy Logan Lusk to get a ‘life-changing’ bionic arm.

Around 100 people took part in a '5K Big Walk 'n' Talk' in the town in April to help Logan, who was born without a fully developed hand.

(Image: Newsquest) One of Ayrshire's biggest employers celebrated its 35th anniversary with an open day for families of their workers in April.

The UPM Caledonian paper mill in Irvine opened in April, 1989 after two years of construction and now employs 290 staff members from across the county.

And, amazingly, many of the team have worked there all their adult lives.

MAY

(Image: Newsquest) A talented teenage singer from North Ayrshire released her debut single... just in time for the Scottish football team’s appearance – brief as it was – at the Euros.

Anna Muir, 18, who performs as Annastaisyar, recorded The Famous Tartan Army and shot an amazing video through the streets of Irvine accompanied by fans and supporters and a piper.

(Image: Newsquest) Irvine Running Club member Paul Lafferty, 32, clocked an impressive time in the Brighton marathon.

After a  tremendous run he crossed the finish line a time of three hours, one minute and 59 seconds.

JUNE

(Image: Newsquest) More than 10 years after leaving Irvine for Australia, the world's oldest clipper ship found a new home - on dry land.

The Carrick sank on the River Clyde in 1991, before being brought to Irvine a year later. She finally left Irvine on a barge in September 2013 after being rescued from demolition by a group of South Australian businessmen.

She remained on a barge until June 2024 when she was moved to dry dock for restoration work and development as a museum.

(Image: Newsquest)

Kilwinning Academy's talented pupils were celebrated at the school's annual Junior Awards ceremony in June. Pictured are the S1 winners.

Check out the second part of our look back at 2024 next weekend.