When there were calls to demolish public toilets in Largs

At a meeting of Largs Community Council, members expressed concern over the dilapidated state of many of the public conveniences and urged better upkeep from the local authority.

However, Mr Marshall insisted that North Ayrshire Council should simply take them away altogether.

Community councillor Ian Murdoch initially told the committee that the seafront gents toilets had "not had hot water for weeks."

He added: "Water was not even coming out of the taps.

"For the amount of money that Largs pays out in commercial rates and the amount of visitors that come here, they are not up-to-date.

"It's not acceptable to me to have toilets without water for three months."

Local businessman Mr Murdoch commented: "They are very well kept by those two attendants, but they need to be upgraded and repaired."

****

Staying on the theme of toilets, householders in a Largs street were up in arms over a sewage pump problem.

Residents were forced to suffer sleepless nights due to noise and disgusting smells being given off 24 hours per day.

The pumping station site at Buchanan Street to the north of Largs had broken down for six weeks and had yet to be properly fixed after a series of failed attempts.

Concerned residents contacted local MSP Kenneth Gibson to arrange a meeting.

Mr Morrison Sutherland, of Buchanan Firs, said: "The pumps all packed in during November.

"We have suffered a sewage smell and noise from the external pump and open sewage tank.

"One of the covers of the sewage tanks is causing a lot of the problems."

****

A well-known pianist who was a regular performer in Largs over the decades died following a heart attack.

Terry Martin, from Hillhead, Glasgow, had recently celebrated his 75th birthday and was well-known for performing at Nardini’s on Sunday afternoons.

He previously performed at The Brisbane House Hotel, in Largs, and Chu-Chu’s restaurant in West Kilbride. 

The Young Gardeners at Fairlie Organic Garden received an award from the RSPB.

The children received a Bronze Wild Action award for completing special tasks to help wildlife, the environment and people.

Those who were honoured included Rebecca Sharland, Alexandra Harris, Layla Harris, Katya Creith, Stella Busby, Leanne Mallet, Iona Gordon, Rhona Maxwell, Alexander Maxwell, Kate Fishwick and James Fishwick.

Largs RNLI received their first call out of 2011 after a fishing boat got into difficulty off Aubery Point.

Clyde Coastguard received the call and helped co-ordinate the rescue which took place at around 5.45pm.

David Hewitt of the Largs Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said: "The fishing boat Channel Fisher had drifted on to Aubery Point.

"It was flat calm conditions and just the skipper was on board.

"Another fishing boat - the Pride of Wales - was standing by and we just ran a tow line out to the fishing boat which was grounded, and the other fishing boat towed him off.

"We then checked with the occupant on board that there was no ingresss and escorted him back to Largs Pier.

"It was all done and dusted in no time. We were launched and it was all sorted out within half an hour."

****

Largs Academy pupils were put through their paces as they got the opportunity to try out work experience at various places in town including the Vikingar, Haylie House and Largs Yacht Haven.

Largs Thistle pulled off a stunning victory over Premier league leaders Pollok at Barrields Park.

Pat McIlvogue's side dominated the majority of this encounter and were unlucky not to win by a more convincing scoreline.

It was a measure of the quality of Thistle's performance that this was Pollok's first away defeat of the season.

Largs had plenty of injuries and players missing but still managed to overcome the Glasgow giants.

A poignant one minute’s silence was held in memory of Brian Connick, the father of keeper Stephen Connick, which was impeccably well observed.

Brian would have approved of the display.

****

Millport Bowling Club held its annual January 2 celebrations.

They had 22 bowlers on the day with many onlookers.

A very enjoyable day was had by all during the bowling and the social event that followed.