AN ORGANISATION FOR THE OVER 50s

Little did I suspect six years ago, when I contacted

the Folk Club Group Leader to ask if I could come

along, that I would be writing to you now as the

Executive Committee Chairman.

But, before I go any further, I would like to take this

opportunity to thank our previous Chairman, David

Bowman, for steering the committee through some

very difficult times.

I imagined that I would be taking over the controls in calmer waters. Who would have predicted that the OiR could be brought to a halt by a virus that few were even aware of its existence.

Many of the group leaders have taken the initiative of staying in contact with their members using various online platforms like “Zoom” and “Skype” and even the old-fashioned telephone. A grateful thanks to those group leaders from the committee. Some group leaders have gone to the extent of having regular online group meetings. Congratulations to all who have embraced technology like this, good fun, isn’t it?

Also, a sincere thanks from the committee to Betty McDonald and all the contributors to

her Daily Chat emails, which are sent every day to all those who request them. And a great

success it is too!

But the days of 60 members piling into the history group, or having to find extra chairs for the Folk Group audience will be a distant memory for now and for the foreseeable future. “These days are passed now, and in the past, they must remain” goes the song and we must all look to the future of social distancing and how we, that is all of us, will manage it. We, as a committee, in order to cater for social distancing, have discussed many options over the past weeks such as:

1. Group sizes must be curtailed, meetings may have to be by invitation to control numbers.

2. The 2-hour group meeting may have to be broken down into 2 x 1-hour meetings with enough time for changeover. The presentation would be restricted to 55mins.

3. There may be no tea/coffee break. but it may be acceptable to bring your own.

4. Would there be a requirement for a one-way-system, in one door and out another?

5. The numbers would be dependent on the size of the venue. A square metres/person rule may need to be applied.

6. It may be possible for some groups, who previously met on a fortnightly basis, to

meet weekly if hall letting was made available.

All of this, of course, is purely theoretical at the moment and until we enter into discussions

with the organisations who let the premises to us, we can only surmise.

One thing is certain, and that is, nothing is certain, changes are on the way and these

changes will have to be embraced by all in order for us stay safe and allow our OiR to

flourish. The support and safety of the membership is at the uppermost in our thoughts, so

stay safe and keep in touch.

Arnie Green (Chair)

news.oir@outlook.com

Hello everyone – I hope you are all managing to keep your spirits up during

this very anxious and unprecedented time. As Arnie said in his “update from

the chair” the committee are meeting regularly and as we gradually east

out of lockdown, it is hoped that some groups will be able to commence in

a phased way. Of course each group will have to be assessed individually

to see whether acceptable conditions can be put in place to comply with regulations – the

most important factor is to ensure everyone can meet in a safe environment.

The summer issue of the newsletter is a very much scaled down version of what is usually

produced – the fact that groups have not been able to meet has obviously impacted on any

activities they can share with the wider OiR members. However, that doesn’t mean that

everything has stopped. Group leaders have really stepped up to the mark. They have been

absolutely amazing in the way they have kept in contact with their members - virtual meetings,

telephone calls, emails, youtube – the list is endless – and we are all very grateful for the many

hours and the huge effort they have made to ensure that everyone is kept in the loop –

especially those who live alone or are self-isolating.

Betty McDonald has sent a daily chat via email and will notch up her 100th

message on

Saturday 27th

– an extraordinary achievement – and she’s also hosted several “virtual wine

tastings”. Avril Lees is keeping her photography group on their toes by giving them

“homework”, Ann McLanachan’s group are still keeping in contact and producing amazing art,

Barrie Southwood has held zoom meetings for his walking groups and Tom McCrorie has

organised a youtube video with a combination of musicians entertaining folk club members

every week. These are just a few examples of how the Group Leaders are helping to keep the

OiR community involved.

The “lockdown” talks have also been a great success with between 50 – 60 members taking

part on a Tuesday afternoon via zoom. The talks are largely thanks to John Rattenbury who

has spent endless hours ensuring that members and speakers are able to access the

technology .

I’ve said many times before that this is not my newsletter – it’s not up to me to write the

articles – I’m only the facilitator for your views so please keep them coming. We want to hear

about your individual experiences as well – how have you coped during lockdown? Have you

tried something new? Share it with us all – we look forward to hearing from you.

Margaret Rollo Editor

The Tuesday afternoon illustrated talks have been a great success, with

more than 50 attendees at each talk.

We use Zoom for the meetings and you can join between1:30pm and

2:00pm. The meetings start promptly at 2:00pm so get in early as you

won’t be able to join after that time.

Individual microphones are muted at 2pm for the duration of the talk, which lasts from 20 to

30 minutes.

After the talk there is an opportunity for a few questions, and the meeting is closed with an

OiR music video from Airplay. If you would like to receive connection details for these talks,

contact the office on office@oirayr.org.uk for more information.

June 30th Travel in Eastern America by David Bowman

July 14th The Best Medicine by Meg Steel

July 28th The Maryborough Saltpan Cottages by Arnie Green

August 11th The Deserted Wife – Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson (1737 -1801) by Ken

Nairn. An early American poet and described as the most learned woman

in America. This talk looks at her marriage to Hugh Fergusson of Ayr and

the implications of finding both his grave and his will to

While the office has been closed following Government guidelines, our office manager

Margaret Fagan has been working from home and can be contacted either by telephone or by

email Tuesday to Thursday between 10.00am and 2.00pm

Email : office@oirayr.org.uk Telephone : 01292 260086

John Rattenbury

Folk Club leader Tom McCrorie has compiled a video every week with musicians and

others providing music, poetry and amusing stories for the enjoyment of members of the

club. He is happy to include any OiR member who would like to receive these videos.

Please email Tom if you would like to be added to the mailing list

tommccrorie@hotmail.com

In our group we have been keeping in touch by WhatsApp, it has worked very well. We

start as usual on a Friday at the set time, we all check in and tell what we are each doing,

what mediums we are using and what success (or failure!) we are having with each and

things like what brushes we are using.

There’s a mix of blether and chat or someone may post a photo of something they need

help or advice on, but as we get near the end time we all post a photo on the WhatsApp

page of our work, whether complete or not, for critique and comment, just as we would

have done at our meetings.

We also share websites and other info. that will help us in our art. The members are keen

to keep going, as it means we can all keep in touch on how we all are. Any members of the

group who don't wish to be included on WhatsApp get a phone call to check up on how

they are. This is some of the work we have created and shared recently.

Hopefully we can all get back to normal come the Autumn. We plan to be painting through

the summer too. Why not join us?

Keep well everyone and Take Care.

Anne McLanachan

Socially Distanced Croquet has been underway in England for around 4 weeks. In Scotland,

following the First Minister`s statement play has resumed following the Guidelines issued by

and displayed on the SCA (Scottish Croquet Association) Website. Play has resumed at the

Auchincruive Croquet Club following these guidelines and in accord with those issued by

the Scottish Sports Council and NHS Scotland for outdoor activities for sports such as golf,

tennis, petanque and croquet.

In accord with the above and provided it has been agreed with the OiR committee, the

Croquet group intend to begin play in a numbers limited basis. Only players from two

households will be allowed at any time on the lawn ( a minimum of 288 square yards) and a

2 metre distance between players will be maintained at all times. Facilities for cleaning and

disinfection of all facilities will be on hand.

The OIR Croquet Group at Auchincruive had about 20 participants in the 2019 season and

played 26 weeks from mid-April to mid-October. Giving over 1000 hours of player

participation. During the winter there is a monthly meet-up and lunch in local hotels.

Beginners are always welcome and a simple form of croquet known as Golf Croquet is

played on the Thursday `Club` afternoons. This can be learned in five minutes and all

equipment is supplied. New players from the OIR `family` are always welcome. Anyone

interested could phone Malcolm Smith (01290 700284) or email: rosmalsmith@yahoo.co.uk.

Malcolm Smith

A Zoom meeting was held on May 26th, when we should have been going to Auchinstarry on the Forth & Clyde canal. The next zoom meeting will be on July 7th. The walks will resume as soon as possible and will probably be local ones to start with. The walking weekend in Oban has been cancelled due to the demise of Caledonian Travel. Our deposits should be returned in due course.

Barrie Southwood

Zoom meetings were held on May 22nd, when we should have been in Paisley and June 5th

.

On the latter date, two short video clips were shown of possible walk destinations. There

will be further zoom meetings on the dates show below. The walks will resume as soon as

possible and will probably be local ones to start with

.

Barrie Southwood

Friday Walking Group - Provisional 2020 Programme

Date Venue Meet at Notes

June 19th Zoom Meeting 3pm

July 3rd Zoom Meeting 3pm

July 31st Zoom Meeting 3pm

Zoom meetings were held on April 25th

, when we should have been in Moffat and May

30th, when we should have been in Glasgow. On the latter date, two short video clips were

shown of possible walk destinations. There will be further zoom meetings on the dates

show below. The walks will resume as soon as possible and will probably be local ones to

start with.

Barrie Southwood 07766 755836 or bjsouthwood@btinternet.com

Saturday Walking Group - Provisional 2020 Programme

Meet at 11am unless otherwise stated

Date Venue Meet at Notes

June 27th Zoom Meeting 3pm

July 25th Zoom Meeting 3pm

August 29th Zoom Meeting 3pm

September 26th tbc tbc

October 31st tbc tbc (Lunch??)

November 28th tbc tbc (Lunch??)

Like all Group Leaders who are able, I have been giving my wonderful group weekly fun ‘Missions’ to do. Every Sunday, I send out an email with a subject for them to photograph. These entries can be as diverse as they like as long as they have been taken during this period of Lockdown. They have to be submitted on Wednesday, the day we would usually meet, for all members to enjoy. I’m always mindful that some of the group cannot go out as yet so the subjects chosen includes all. On Monday I post an email containing a ‘Dingbat’ or quiz for those who want to have a rest from Photography at this time. We also have recently started Zoom calls, which to date have been entertaining. It’s so lovely to see each other. It’s so important to keep the contact going. All members of the O.I.R. have had not only the benefit of classes of all sorts, wonderful friendships have been formed. We have to keep checking in on one another while we are separated from family and friends at this time. Never regret a day in your life good days give happiness bad days give experience worst days give lessons and best days give memories Keep well everyone, keep smiling and stay safe

Avril Lees (Leader)

Exercise Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Examples of the members work

NHS rainbow colour photos

Since the last newsletter, we are sad to learn of the death of the following members and former members

Eddie Uriarte Mary Thom Joe Kane James Blyth Dave Cossar May Kelly Etta Uriarte Norma Gledhill

Our thoughts are with their families and friends.

By way of marking a new year and a new century, OiR commemorated the new

Millennium with various projects and activities.

I was requested to compile a special booklet describing what went on in the

various groups, and the range of interests catered for by our organisation. I in-

terviewed every Group Leader and wrote a short piece on each group, while Jak

Henderson, our intrepid peripatetic photographer took each's leader's photograph. A copy of

this book was then distributed to each member.

At the April AGM (membership 1671) an oak lectern made by OiR's Woodworking Group. was

handed over to South Ayrshire's Depute Provost, John Cree, by Matt McLellan, the Group Leader

and also an Executive Committee member.

A Millennium Theatre Show took place on Sunday, 18th June, when performers from five local

groups, came together to present a superb memorable evening's entertainment to a packed

house of OiR members. The tickets for the show cost £2.00. The local groups were Ayr Amateur

Opera Company, Ayr Compass Club, Ayr Fort Players, Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society and

Ayr Players.

South Ayrshire Council asked if a group of volunteers from OiR might assist in the National

Spring Clean 2000 and a large group of members manned the bin bags and picked up a huge

collection of rubbish at various sites around the town.

On Friday, 23rd June, OiR presented three rowan trees of various specious to the Provost of

South Ayrshire. Oir's Chair, Reg Wright, and the Gardening Group Leader, John Lucas, made the

presentation to the Provost on behalf of OiR.

A Cookbook created by OiR's Calligraphy Group - beautifully scripted on each recipe page, and

collated by the Group Leader, Joan Colquhoun, was produced to commemorate this special year.

We set up a table at the entrance to the upper hall of the Auld Kirk Halls at the Coffee Morning

that year to sell the books - I was the sales person and was suitably clothed in a chef's apron and

hat for the occasion. I can't remember the price of the books - it might have been just £1.00.

Various other groups also had special group lunches to celebrate the year. A group of us from

the Tuesday Walking Group got together under the leadership of Gus Armour and hired the "MV

Glorious" with a skipper from Girvan Harbour, to take us over to Ailsa Craig. The boat was also

putting down lobster creels that day. Nine of us spent four wonderful hours that June day

exploring Ailsa Craig - even to the Trig Point on the summit. After a very happy afternoon we

sailed back to Girvan in the company of live lobsters in the creels around our feet.

Amy Kinnaird

As previously mentioned Betty McDonald has sent out a daily email every single day.

Originally it was aimed at people who lived on their own but the list of people wanting to

join soon included couples as well and she ended up with more than 90 households on her

list. Here is an example of one of her emails from 17th May

Good morning to you all and welcome to our Sunday “miscellany”. (I’m just trying to go a

wee bit upmarket.)

Let’s start with something cheery – a birthday celebration! And not just any birthday, but a

100th

birthday! So I’m sending love and best wishes to Jim McIlwraith, who reached the

milestone just last month. Jim was a member of the steering committee which helped set

up OiR over 30 years ago and then served as OiR Ayr's first Chairman. He is still on top

form, both physically and mentally, and was disappointed that his birthday celebration,

with family and friends had to be cancelled.

I met Jim and his wife, Marjorie, more than 45 years ago through the bridge club and

visited them when they lived in Racecourse View, overlooking the Old Racecourse. They

lived in a very modern house, which I, as a young woman, thought was FAB. They moved

to Dollar a few years ago, to be nearer their family. However, he still keeps his eye on the

OiR, going through the newsletter with a fine tooth comb, and I get an odd email from

Marjorie to find out the latest news. We better make sure we’re maintaining the standard!

And just another wee bit of information in connection with Jim and his family that I’m sure

will be of interest to some of our readers – Tom Mathers and Jim Haran, to name but

two. Jim and Marjorie’s son Euan is the proud owner of Robertson’s of Pitlochry, a

specialist whisky shop with an excellent reputation, based in Pitlochry. (If you’re interested

check it out on tripadvisor.)

This is maybe somewhere for your “when this is over” list. However for the real whisky

connoisseurs, or for those who can’t wait for release, Euan is running a Self Isolation

Whisky Festival on 30th May. (Details on the shop’s website.)

Now, on to Gordon’s quiz. Just the one quiz today after yesterday’s teaser. Cryptic

(sometimes very cryptic!) clues to places in Scotland (answers on last page).

1. Us currency 2. Mother and baby are fine

3. Chef on the cheap 4. Going away

5. Shoot spouse but not in the east 6. For light, light it

7. Mick Jagger finds rest here 8. Doctor, I presume

9. Harold did this at Hastings 10. Cranium stuck in rabbit hole

I’ve been hearing from one or two of our readers so I’m intending to share some of their

thoughts with you today. Following on from last week’s VE Day celebrations, Amy

contacted me.

“On 8th June 1945 I was still a pupil at Coylton Public School----as it was called then. I was

in the Qualifying Class - now P.7 D.G. Smith was the Headmaster – his title in those days.

We did not have any particular celebrations in school , but we were all delighted with the

news in the village.

What I do remember, as a celebration, was that the villagers were all invited to a VE Fete in the grounds of "The Cushats" mansion house. As far as I remember, I think that we walked there from Coylton, about 2 miles. The house belonged to Group Captain David McIntyre and his wife and family. The name will be well remembered in Prestwick. We had some games, and some races to run and we received a bottle of lemonade and a bag of "cookies". I think that the fete actually took place later in the summer, but I do remember we had sunshine. "The Cushats" was the Dower House of Sundrum Castle, and is not far from the castle as the crow flies. Yours truly went on to 1st Year at Ayr Academy in the August -"Respice, Prospice" Thanks, Amy and for those of you who are incomers to the area, check out Group Captain David McIntyre’s story online. If it hadn’t been for him, there would have been no Prestwick Airport!

Anne, who is Group Leader of the Friday Art Group,

had sent some pictures of the view from her home

in Mauchline with a story that she had been

inundated with a bull and cows who were making a

bid for freedom. I said it was a shame she hadn’t

managed to get a photo of the bull, but it seems

her neighbour had.

In the photo, that’s Anne’s house in the background, she tells me “The Bull is the one with

the horns, nearest the front window”. Now although I am very much a “townie” I do come

from farming stock and I know you can’t tell it’s a bull by whether it’s just got horns. It’s got

to have other things as well, but obviously you can’t see that in this picture!!!

Pat Weston also sent a picture from her garden.

She said “After you wrote about enjoying the scent of

plants so much, I thought of you when I took a photo of

what I used to call a yellow azalea in the garden – as it

has a lovely scent especially in the evenings.”

The photo she sent was titled Rhododendron

luteum and when I googled it I discovered that its

common name is yellow azalea. Looking at the picture I

could imagine its lovely fragrance.

However, I am a bit confused, it’s an azalea but it’s called Rhododendron luteum. So what

is the difference between a rhododendron and an azalea?

I’m sure the real gardeners amongst us will already know, but if you’re like me, here are a

few general pointers.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas are both from the Rhododendron family. Rhododendron is a

genus (group) of plants with common characteristics, whilst azaleas are a sub-group within

this genus, rather than being a genus of their own. Hence the name. All azaleas are

rhododendrons but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. In general, Rhododendrons are

evergreen, Azaleas are deciduous.

Azaleas are small to medium sized shrubs with many, smaller stems whilst rhododendrons

tend to be larger plants with fewer stout stems.

Rhododendrons produce large, bell-shaped flowers in clusters whilst azaleas blooms are

smaller and either tubular or funnel-shaped. If you're very keen on detail you'll also notice

rhododendrons have 10 stamens whilst azaleas only have 5.

As a child, I was very seldom in a car as my family didn’t own

one, but sometimes, on a Sunday, my aunt would take us “out

for a run” in her car, Doris the Morris. At this time of year, we

would go to Bargany “to see the azaleas”.

Not the most exciting outing for me, but at least it was only

once a year! Why so seldom? Because once the azaleas were

past there were more interesting places the adults wanted to

go. I probably haven’t been to Bargany since then but I see

that it is still open, but only during May! What do you think of

our chances of going to see the azaleas this year? Well, in case

we don’t, here’s what it looks like these days.

Denis Rattenbury is a regular contributor to Betty’s daily chat - here are some excerpts from his articles

The social media has been flooded with amusing home-made

vignettes relating to "lock-down". My favourite (you might well

have seen it) begins with a young lady spending lots of time

"doing herself up". Sitting at her dressing table she carefully does

her makeup, then meticulously puts on her smartest clothes. We

think: "she's going somewhere!" The immaculate young lady then

moves to the front door to leave the house. She calls, "I'm just

going out!" and we see her push the wheelie bin a few feet to the

pavement and turn back to the house.

This is about changing perspective. Filippo Brunelleschi knew all

about that in the early 1400s during the Italian Renaissance. He

devised linear perspective, a system which creates the illusion of space and distance on a

flat surface. Art changed for ever, and an artist's canvas became an "open window".

In 1790, 27-year-old Frenchman, Xavier de Maistre, went on a journey around his bedroom!

He later wrote "A Journey around My Room", which is now a classic. Pleased by how this

went, he undertook a second journey. This time, he travelled by night and ventured out as

far as the window ledge, later entitling his account "A Nocturnal Expedition around My

Room".

I have been undertaking my own expeditions to the farthest reaches of the garden. We've had

lots of dry weather, but when the rain comes, I intend to journey around my rooms, hopefully

with the same sense of excitement and expectation that de Maistre had! As a keen

camper-vanner I sometimes look wistfully at the silent, stationary vehicle sitting on the drive. I

imagine the great places we have visited together. Then I jump on board. There's none of the

"joys of the open road", but a little of the pleasure of camper-vanning can be enjoyed again.

OOOOOO People locked in rooms can have brilliant ideas! In a political storm as the Roman Empire

crumbled the innocent Anicius Boethius found himself under house arrest awaiting execution.

Locked in his room with no hope, he pondered great mysteries such as time and free will. He

wrote "The Consolation of Philosophy", to this day a milestone in the development of human

thought.

In 1619 a soldier, journeying between duties, was trapped by harsh weather. He had to spend

the winter in a tiny room with a stove. There, he thought deeply about human knowledge. He

could be sure of only one thing: "I think, therefore I exist!” It was, of course, Rene Descartes!

Isaac Newton, a student at Cambridge in 1665, was sent home when the "Great Plague" hit

and the university was shut down. In social isolation he made wonderful scientific discoveries.

Last year I visited his house (an NT property in Lincolnshire) and stood in his bedroom. The

sun's rays shone through the very window used by Newton to study light. I got the guide to

hold a prism and paper to see the rays split into the colours of the rainbow, just as the great

man had, and took a photo. Light streams in from a south-facing window and when the light

beam goes through a prism it separates out into its component colours, the rainbow, which

shine onto the paper. This was the discovery that white light is made up of all those colours

combined. Social isolation had contributed to science and philosophy!

Twa months ago, we didna ken, yer name or ocht aboot ye But lots of things have changed since then, I really must salute ye Yer spreading rate is quite intense, yer feeding like a gannet Disruption caused, is so immense, ye’ve shaken oor wee planet. Corona used tae be a beer, they garnished it wae limes But noo it’s filled us awe wae fear These days, are scary times. Nae shakin hawns, or peckin lips, it’s whit they awe advise But scrub them weel, richt tae the tips, that’s how we’ll awe survive Just stay inside , the hoose, ye bide Nae sneakin oot for strolls Just check the lavvy every hoor And stock-take, your loo rolls

Pit oan yer thermals, have a laugh And paddle ‘ doon the waater ‘ Canary isles, no for a while Nae need for suntan cream And awe because o this wee bug We ken tae be..19 The boredom surely will set in, But have a read, or doodle Or plan yer menu for the month Wi 95 pot noodles. When these run oot, just look about A change, it would be nice We’ve beans and pasta By the ton and twenty stane o rice. So dinny think yell wipe us oot Aye true, a few have died Bubonic, bird flu, and Tb They came, they left, they tried Ye might be gallus noo ma freen As ye jump fae cup tae cup But when we get oor vaccine Yer number will be up.

Answers to Quiz 1. Us currency Dollar 2. Mother and baby are fine Bothwell 3. Chef on the cheap Penicuik 4. Going away Leven 5. Shoot spouse but not in the east West Kilbride 6. For light, light it Wick 7. Mick Jagger finds rest here Stonehouse 8. Doctor, I presume Livingston 9. Harold did this at Hastings Fort William

10. Cranium stuck in rabbit hole Edinburgh

When we think back to the many day-excursions we shared around

Scotland, it surprised us to find a grand total of 64 -taking in so

many sights -north, south, east and west!! It certainly brings back so

many 'smiley memories' of our jaunts within our scenic — and

diverse country.

Later, our travels took us a bit further - into England, with a train to

London - then private coach and boat — which cruised down the

Thames. (Will we ever forget taking lunch out on the balcony of the

Parliament building — facing the mighty river! - and ending our

evening with a theatre showing of - "The Lion King"! !) A more

recent visit took us to the scenic Lake District, a real gem of

"nature's pleasures".

In 2003, we ventured into Europe - what memories we brought

back!! - 8 countries, in total! -with such a variety of scenic

treasures to relish, we managed to accumulate 31 excursions -

each with it's own special 'something' to enchant us!

However, on reminiscing those treasured visits, by far the most

memorable we recall has to be the many 'smiley faces' we both

encountered, as we returned back home. We could - and would -

never have achieved those experiences without our treasured band

of 0.1.R. fellow-members! To all who ventured with us-- our heartfelt

thanks!!

Our sincere gratitude to you - our treasured friends!!

Ann and Andrew Monaghan.