The 30th anniversary of O.I.R., Largs Opportunities In Retirement, was celebrated in style at Nardini's last month, writes Drew Cochrane.

Longest-serving octogenarian member Rita Hodsman cut the cake, wishing the organisation many more successful years of good company and good health while chairperson, Jean Stuart welcomed a large gathering.

Jean said that they owed the founder members "an enormous debt of gratitude for setting up such a worthwhile organisation."

She added: "Our success lies in sticking to the original concept and adapting it to suit changing trends and fashions in an attempt to meet the needs and wants of our members."

Former Largs Academy teacher, Mr Ian McInnes presented a speech entitled 'Anecdotes From The Past' pointing out that he was unique in O.I.R. in that he had not only been the chairman in two centuries but in two different millennia leading into the 21st century.

He recounted that when the club started in Largs in 1987 it was the time of the Stock Market crash, Black Monday, Margaret Thatcher being returned as Prime Minister for a third term and the year Andy Murray was born.

Mr McInnes, who is involved in many of O.I.R.'s activity groups recalled that after Opportunities In Retirement began in Ayr in 1983 a meeting was well attended in Largs Library to form a Largs branch with Mr Bill Monaghan as chairman, and Mr Frank Codling as vice-chair.

Pointing out that Largs has 30 activity groups involving hundreds of local senior citizens Mr McInnes said: "It is a marvellous institution. Age is opportunity and we know that old time is still aflying."

Vice-chairman Shirley Strang praised the contribution that Mr McInnes made to O.I.R.

* After a well-endowed raffle, with prizes from local businesses, Mrs Stuart introduced the guest speaker, Mr Drew Cochrane who had been editor of the Largs & Millport Weekly News for 40 years.

Drew, who said that he remembered meeting and writing about the pioneers of the first O.I.R. as "a young, callow editor", went on to regale the audience with amusing tales from down the years. He was thanked by Mr Eric Niven.