Nostalgia
Sibbie Sangster, Arran Duke of Edinburgh award group organiser, was invited to Holyrood where she was placed in charge of the Ayrshire contingent who all met with the Duke to receive their gold awards. 01_B28twe01
Child’s play
The increasing costs of running a playgroup and nursery service have come under the spotlight this week as three playgroups on the island have found themselves facing financial difficulties.
The problems are centred upon the three playgroups which have nursery status, namely Brodick, Lamlash and Whiting Bay. Each organisation benefited from the introduction of the Conservative government’s nursery vouchers scheme, under which the Scottish Office allocated £1,100 per child per year directly to pre-school groups in North Ayrshire.