HONOURS LIST

There was good news to start 2017 off when an academic from Mauchline was named in the New Year Honours List.

Professor Paul Martin, who was educated at Cumnock Academy, was made a CBE for his services to education and healthcare.

As Depute Principal of the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), Mr Martin’s professional experience was helping the next generation of graduates.

He said: “I’m delighted, of course, to be included in the awards and humbled to be ranked alongside my peers in the 2017 New Year’s Honours given the quality of their work and achievements.

This means a lot to me and to my family, whose support has helped me throughout my career.”

WHO’S WHO

A music writer researching performances by the Who in Scotland was overwhelmed by the response of the group’s Scottish fans to his call for stories.

Richard Houghton had asked for the Chronicle’s help in his project to write a people’s history of the group.

We were able to pass on several contributions from readers who recalled the rock legends’ performance at Auchinleck Community Centre in April 1969.

VANDALISM ROCKETS

Vandals had cost taxpayers in East Ayrshire more than £20,000 in 2015/16 — almost double the previous 12 months’ bill of £11,428.

New figures revealed that East Ayrshire Council had to fork out £21,689 to repair vandalism at local schools.

Head of education, Alan Ward, said: “Vandalism against any property, or building, is unwelcome and is especially deplorable in a school where it directly affects the children and young people in our community.”

BANK CLOSURE

Customers of a major bank in Cumnock were joined by community leaders and politicians in protest at the announcement that it is to close.

Clydesdale Bank in Lugar Street was one of 79 branches closing across the UK, with the loss of 400 jobs.

One outraged customer said: “Clydesdale Bank seemingly had no consultation in advance of these planned closures.

“Whatever objections now put forward will seemingly have no effect.”

MSP Jeane Freeman added: “ Banks should not just be about profits.

“They should also recognise their role as part of the community, and that people rely on them, especially those who cannot access digital banking or travel distances to other branches.”