About the area, history and links
Beith is the gateway to North Ayrshire, and has a rich and interesting history, among other things it was infamously known as a smuggling town. In recent years Beith was well known for its wood working and furniture making.
In the 1800s there were six furniture factories in and around the town, and a number of companies went on to succeed in worldwide markets including furniture that was fitted in the liners the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth II. The last of the furniture making companies closed in 1983, but we hope to keep the creative history of Beith alive in what we hope will become an annual event for the local area. Today’s Beith is an attractive and welcoming place in which many of the residents – many in new housing estates developed in recent decades – commute to work outside the town itself. Much has changed throughout the generations, but this is a town which, against the odds, has retained that most elusive of qualities: real character.
In March 2018 the organisers of Garnock Valley Carves unveiled a fantastic example of the artistry of chainsaw carving with the arrival of a sculpture of a 2.5m tall bear in the centre of the town. ‘Woody’ was immediately loved and adopted as a mascot for the residents of Beith and is becoming a local celebrity in his own right, the memorial plaque is now in place and an information board installed.
This has now been joined by a lovely carved memorial bench in memory of 2 children who died recently. The bench was carved by Damon Gorecki of Salt Lake City USA.
This year again we hope to have a special event Amateur Radio Station on site. This is being operated by the Elderslie Radio Club who have obtained a special call sign which is expected to be GB9GVC (Garnock Valley Carves)
This will allow communicating the event world wide depending on atmospheric conditions.
Beith Orr Park Neighbourhood Watch established the Community Garden (with much help) from a derelict dumping ground into a nice relaxing area which is well used and respected, we have an annual inspection carried out on behalf of Keep Scotland Beautiful and for the past 3 years we have had an outstanding report.
More recently we have installed a bench in the Community Garden, carved by Damon Gorecki and Tim Klock in 2019. This has now been finished and has had several coats of preserving oil applied.
Further to this a carving has now been installed beside Laigh Court, with another 2 carvings installed, one The "Angel" carved by Damon Gorecki of Salt Lake City on the triangle at the junction at Barrmill Road and one The lady looking up at the grassy area at the Willowyard, carved by Sylvia Itzen of Germany, Sylvia is part of the German Stihl carving team.