AYR THUMP GALA AT NETHERDALE IN RESCHEDULED MATCH
Ayr 1st XV travelled to Netherdale in a match that had been rescheduled twice, firstly from the 10th of December due to a frozen pitch and secondly from the 1st of April because of a cup tie.
Full-time: Gala – 7, Ayr – 77
Ayr overpower Selkirk to reach home Semi-Final
Fortress Millbrae was brimming with excitement as Ayr took on Selkirk in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup. Ayr overpowered Sekirk with a stunning 49-13 victory against the Premiership side.
(Photo – George McMillan)
Full-time: Ayr 49, Selkirk 13
Scorers –
Ayr: Tries: McCorkindale, Howard 2, Pottie, Wood, Bova, Fulton; Cons: Bova 4; Pens: Bova 2.
Selkirk: Try: C Easson; Con: Reid; Pens: Reid 2.
Tam O'Shanter Art Exhibition
Reknowned Scottish artist Craig Campbell has presented Ayr Rugby Club with 10 prints from his famous Tam O’Shanter series of paintings. Depicting the poem by Robert Burns the paintings serve as a reminder not to stay out drinking with your cronies!
(photo artist Craig Campbell)
Club Chairman, Brian Williamson said “Craig has been a great friend to the Ayr Community Rugby Trust for a number of years donating artwork which is auctioned at the annual Long Lunch. He has kindly loaned the club ten prints to display in our lounge and games room depicting the tale of Tam O’Shanter. Not only will this attract people to visit our club but we are in discussion on how we can make this an opportunity to raise funds for the upcoming development of the facilities at Millbrae”
If you would like to visit Ayr Rugby Club to see the Tam O’Shanter Exhibition, we are open the following hours.
Mon 5pm-10pm
Thu 5pm-10pm
Fri 5pm – 10pm
Sat 12pm – 11pm
Sun 12pm – 8pm
Bumper Crowd welcomes 2023 at Millbrae!
Friends old and new met at Millbrae on the 1st of January to welcome in the new year. It was great to see so many familiar faces and many new faces who ventured up to the club to enjoy good company, delicious food and great live music courtesy of Carl Esprit Bridgeman. The big screen showed live sports and the games room went like a fair, with the lounge area being the hangout of the younger first footers. Many a drink was raised in front of the coal fire before it was time to head home. Thanks to everyone who made the effort and we look forward to seeing you all next year!
Historic moment as Ayr Rugby Club becomes a Charity!
Ayr Rugby Football Club took a historic step on Thursday 8th December when a special committee meeting was called to finalise the transfer of Ayr Rugby Football Club and it’s assets “Lock, Stock & Barrel” to the new company limited by guarantee, Ayr Rugby Football Club Limited. This is the biggest moment for the club since the decision by members to purchase Millbrae Market Gardens in November 1962.
This followed on from the last EGM which was held on October 21st 2021 when assembled members overwhelmingly voted to approve the presented resolutions which included the following.
- incorporate a Company limited by Guarantee (such Guarantee to be limited to £1 per Member), said Company to be called Ayr Rugby Football Club Limited (or if permitted in terms of the Companies Acts to drop the word “Limited” with a view to maintaining the continuity of the existing name);
- Procure that the said Company is registered as a Charity with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator;
- Procure that ARFC transfers the whole of its assets, lock stock and barrel (including legal title to Millbrae), and in so far as possible its liabilities, to the said Company;
- Appoint such persons to be Directors and Charity Trustees as they see fit;
Purpose : to modernise the legal structure of the Club for the benefit of the future operation of the Club and its community aims; to move away from unlimited liability for Members and Office Bearers and secure limited liability for Members and Officers; to secure charitable status to assist with the funding of the Club and ensure that this is done in a way that is tax efficient.
The legal documents were signed by President Drew Young, Vice-President Louise McLauchlan, Vice-President David Courtney, Secretary Graham Duncan & Treasurer Billy McHarg on behalf of the outgoing club and by Brian Williamson & Clark Robertson on behalf of the new charity.
This moment was the conclusion of a great deal of time and effort by the working group, which consisted of Brian Williamson, Billy McHarg and Clark Robertson, supported and advised by Stephen Bradford of Lockharts Law and through professional services obtained from Ewan Mowat of AC White and Wm Duncan & Co. The working group had the unenviable task of setting up the new limited companies, preparing the articles of association, securing charitable status, setting up new company bank accounts and meeting Employment Law and TUPE regulations.
Having secured charitable status, Ayr Rugby Football Club Limited is now able to conclude missives with South Ayrshire Council and the National Trust for Scotland to secure land allowing access to Millbrae from Murdoch’s Loan and also to purchase Dam Park. The charitable status also helps the club meet the conditions of The Macdonald Legacy and apply for additional funding from other organisations.
In addition, the new company and charitable set up will benefit the future operation of the Club and it’s ability to meet it’s community aims while removing the pre-existing unlimited liability from members and office bearers.
Plans are already being made to hold a meeting and exhibition at Millbrae in the new year to present to members the first stages of the proposed redevelopment of Millbrae unlocking the next exciting chapter for Ayr Rugby Football Club Limited.
The Directors of Ayr Rugby Football Club Limited are:
Brian Williamson – (Chairman)
Drew Young – (Representative of the committee)
Billy McHarg – (Director of Rugby Operations)
Clark Robertson – (Finance)
David Wilkinson – (Digital Marketing/PR)
Whiteleys Retreat raise £843.18 at Fireworks Night!
Ayr Rugby Football Club and Whiteleys Retreat would like to thank all the kind hearted people who filled the charity buckets at the recent Fireworks event at Millbrae. A bumper £843.18 was raised which will go towards the Ayrshire respite retreat for families of children with life limiting illnesses. If you would like to donate or volunteer for Whiteleys please follow this link.
Brian Williamson, Ayr RFC | Gillian McNeilly, Whiteleys Retreat.
Fireworks Event at Millbrae a BIG Success!
Ayr Rugby Football Club was delighted to welcome a capacity crowd of excited families and friends to Millbrae on Friday, November 4th as they hosted the first Fireworks event since 2019.
The night was dry, calm and clear creating perfect conditions for a stunning fireworks display and bonfire.
But that wasn’t all that was on offer, the car park was transformed into an action packed fun fair with rides for smaller children at the front of the clubhouse nestled between stalls selling hot food & drink, ice cream, pancakes and candyfloss.
DJ “Stan the man” played music non-stop as the crowds gathered and the Guy Fawkes outdoor bar served a selection of beers, wines and tuck. There was even a suprise appearance from Ayrshire Daily News BIG WOW who took over the Stand PA system playing a selection of uptempo tracks for people as they entered the ground!
The event charity partner was Whiteleys Retreat who provide respite for families of children with life limiting illnesses.
A club spokesperson said, ” This community event is only possible through the efforts of a small team of organisers and a large army of volunteers who give their time to make it a success. We would like to thank them and the many companies and contractors who attend the event and supply a high standard of entertainment, services and food & drink. Special thanks go to the event sponsors, Neogen, ABC4D Babyscan Clinic, Urquhart Opticians and LAunch Digital.”
See you all next year!
Ayr Rugby Club Fireworks - tickets released!
Ayr Rugby Club Fireworks is the only show in town and it’s a carnival atmosphere! We advise you pre-purchase FASTRACK online tickets and plan to arrive early. The roads around the event will be extremely busy with restrictions and parking is limited, so if you are local please leave your car at home and walk to the event. From 5.00pm we will have hot food stalls, an exciting family fairground, kids zone, pumping music and the Guy Fawkes Bar. After the Fireworks everybody is invited to keep partying and enjoy live music and entertainment until late!Event Starts 5pm, Fire lit 6.30pm, Fireworks start at 7.30pm, After show party!Child – £6 | Adult – £8 | Family Ticket – £25 | Babes in arms – Free | Parking – £5**There is limited private parking close to the event. The car parks are stewarded, to ensure you have a space it is important to buy your parking space online in advance. If you live local to the event please leave your car at home and walk to the event.*Please note this is a stewarded event and hand baggage may subject to a security check. Alcohol is not permitted unless purchased at the venue.
Family Fun Day Announced
Ayr Rugby Club are delighted to announce a new event to add to the already impressive social calendar. Just 1 week after the hugely successful Ladies Day, the Millbrae marvels are holding a family day for the local community. Entry will be free between 12-2pm and U’18’s and members will be free all day. The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra will kick off proceedings at 12pm followed by M&M Theatrical Productions who have donated a Pantomime Production of Beauty & The Beast which starts at 1.30pm in the Giant 400 seat Marquee. There will be facepainting, a climbing wall, bungee trampolines and Wipeout! And don’t forget mums and dads who will be delighted by the food and drink court, including Ghillie Dhu Street Food, Burger Van, Bullish Coffee & Cakes and the obligatory ice cream van. In addition to this Ayr 1st XV will battle Watsonians on the main pitch followed by more live music in the Marquee. A committee representative said, “Our club is all about the community and this fun day is all about welcoming the local community to Millbrae. We hope to see new faces and encourage them to come back again.” With Fireworks night only a few weeks away that’s almost guaranteed!
Ayr 1st XV beat Selkirk 25-5
Saturday afternoon saw Ayr truimph in a pre-season friendly against Selkirk at a sun-drenched Millbrae. The conditions were hard and so were the knocks in a fiercely fought competition which saw Ayr securing a 26 – 5 victory.
(Image – George McMillan)