The ongoing debate about the new Fairlie shorepath project has gripped the village for months - and now a referendum could help solve the problem once and for all!

At a recent meeting in the village, feelings were running high with people speaking out for and against the new path proposal to accommodate pedestrians, prams, wheelchairs and cyclists.

There was a much needed injection of laughter when Fairlie council chairman Steven Graham, a convenor for the SNP in Ayrshire, suggested that there should be a village referendum to decide once and for all whether we should have the shorefront path or not.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall immediately chimed in with: "You are very fond of referendums aren't you!"

And sharp-witted Steven said: "We are not having another referendum until we get the answer to this issue first!"

Cue much laughter!

Some people fear that they will lose the peace and solitude of the beach, and it will be ruined by having a shorefront path, and Cllr. Tom Marshall feels the extent of the height of the path, and its impact on neighbouring properties, has not been fully illustrated to the public.

But others feel that by taking cyclists, prams, and wheelchairs, and all pedestrians off the busy main road, and the opportunity to make the beach more accessible for all, is a golden opportunity which will benefit the village for years to come, encouraging more families and visitors.

Concerns have been expressed that spring tides and the winter weather will making the path inaccessible at times, but others see it as an opportunity to make the village seafront more accessible for all during the better weather - NAC have offered to do the maintenance for the path.

If the #FairlieCycleReferendum is to go ahead, will the 'No' camp win like the #IndyRef last year, or are the wheels turning for the 'Yes' camp as it is steadily building momentum?

Huge placards have been erected at Ferry Row asking if the proposal is really what the village wants.

Time will tell - but one thing that we have perhaps learnt from this latest episode - is that public referendums may be the way of the future to decide controversial issues, and solve any arguments!

* Blankety Bank! The closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland in West Kilbride was a sad day for the village.

RBS had a bank in West Kilbride Main Street going away back to 1877, and instead, they have replaced it with a mobile bank, which has apparently been deluged during the limited times it is open throughout the week,

Thanks to the Craft Town, and the efforts made in promoting West Kilbride for a British High street award, let's hope that the RBS honour their commitment to West Kilbride to have a conference for local shops and businesses in the town.

* Well done to the Largs BID for finding another venue for hosting Santa's Grotto - and it is apt that it is a venue which was set up to provide entertainment for the children of this town.

The appeal for the Helter Skelter teenage cafe to get a fresh lick of paint will hopefully be taken up by a local business. I attended Helter Skelter when it was opened around the turn of the millennium, by the late Kelburn Primary headteacher Christine McAulay, and it was a great concept, providing an outlet for teenagers, and a place to go.

I have done a number of stories and articles about Helter Skelter over the years, and anything to spruce the building up, would be very much appreciated, and would be most fitting given the important purpose it serves.

Largs BID need the help of professional decorators and a scaffolding company to supply goods and services free of charge to prepa nd paint the building. If you can help, please contact John Hamilton on the BID office email info@explorelargs.com