GIRVAN Town Team will be hosting a meeting next month to discuss Girvan 350 to celebrate the town’s 350th year as a burgh in 2018.

They want all community groups to get involved and discuss what shows the town can put on next year either with the Town Team or individually.

Chairwoman Irene Climie explained: “There are 108 groups in Girvan. We want to meet up with them to discuss what to do. We don’t want to clash or step on anyone’s toes.

“We know there are many people living in Girvan, or who used to live in Girvan, who will want to celebrate with us. Many people will want to look up their family history and put that on display.

“There are so many industries such as weaving, shoe making or even smuggling that many children will know nothing about.”

Cllr Alec Clark said: “This is a project in its own right. We need to organise a meeting with all the different organisations to decide what we are doing.

“There will be bowling clubs, football clubs and many others who will have their own ideas about how to celebrate this milestone. 

“I think we need to get everyone to a meeting so we can decide what our next steps are. This needs to be sooner rather than later as we are running out of time.”

Cllr Peter Henderson continued: “When Girvan celebrated 300 years as a burgh, a book was produced and all the local shops sponsored it.

“It was given to all the children. All we need to do is update the last 50 years. It would just need to be a rewrite and would get locals interested in their history.”

Cllr Clark added: “We should get all the schools involved.”

Mary Morland said: “I remember when it was Girvan 300 and we had to complete a canvas painting at the school as part of our project. It was a great idea.”

Denise Hogarth suggested: “We could create a tapestry of Girvan and invite the local ladies and men to take part.”

Cllr Clark said: “There is already a tapestry in the Carrick Buildings. But we need to get an idea of what people would want to see.

“The community will want to come forward with their own ideas. They will know what they want to do.”

Ann McGinnis added: “We would need to get banners to let people know what is happening from January 1 next year.”

Irene Climie agreed: “We could have one banner at the railway bridge coming into Girvan and another at the far end. That way people would have an idea what is going on and when.”

A meeting to discuss Grivan 350 will take place on Thursday, November 2 at Girvan Town House and any organisation or individual who wants to get involved.