DRONGAN honoured individuals and organisations who have achieved much within the community.

All were recognised for their contribution at the Drongan Community Association annual presentation dance at the local primary school.

During the event, a cheque for £500 was donated to a group of fundraisers who have staged a series of events to pay for P7 pupils to attend a residential centre.

First on the roll of honour were the team of volunteers who work all year round at Rowantree Court to provide lunches for senior citizens.

They were — Susan McEwan, Nancy Simpson, Ruth Lees, Mary Walker, Nancy Frame, Caroline Campbell, Jackie Simpson and William Hall.

Next was another group of local heroes who organise a Christmas party for OAPs in the village — Wilma Kelly, Shona Woods, Lynda Kelly, Leeanne Barbour, Cara Gallagher, Hayley Watson, Cerys Savage, Angela Mitchell, Jordan McHattie, Billy Kelly, David Barbour, Scott O’Neill, Jamie O’Neill and Ian Mitchell.

Going the extra mile to help people in the village earned Heather McEwan, David Little and Sean Woods an award in appreciation of their amazing work.

Academic success has enabled five residents to gain qualifications which will advance their career aspirations.

Laura McPherson — graduated from the University of West of Scotland with a degree in nursing.

Claire Rankine — graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in nursing and is currently working as a staff nurse in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow.

James Smith — gained a PDA award for advance craft. James is presently employed as a joiner at Hope Homes.

Paul Kiltie — As well as winning Student of the Year at Ayr College, Paul gained an HND in aircraft engineering and an award for outstanding achievement from the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

He also set up the John Mather Trust for students and young people in the west of Scotland and is with British Airways as a junior aircraft engineer.

Jack Hope — graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in politics and business. He is now a parliamentary researcher working for an MP and MSP.

While mainly based at the Scottish Parliament, he also works at Westminster and the Borders region.

A summer camp and fun day for the primary school children was organised by Hayley Watson and Shivonne Mitchell while three others gave up their free time to help at the camp — Skye Ferguson, Brooke McEwan and Yvonne Don.

Another group of volunteers took the spotlight for their help in running the Girls Brigade — Alison Bradford, Hayley Clark, Muriel Dunlop, Anne Graham, Carly Bennett, Chloe Johnstone, Sarah Johnstone, Karen Barrett and Morgan Gribben.

Sport features heavily when the annual presentation comes around and this year was no different.

Congratulations to the school netball team who won the Cumnock District Cup for the third year running and were beaten by just one point in the Ayrshire Cup final.

Well done to Niamh Young, Brooke McEwan, Holly Miller, Kirstin Hogg, Skye Ferguson, Holly Graham, Rachel Harvey, Chloe Green, Luci Dykes, Grace Carson, Mackenzie Court, Keira Ramsay, Christy Colquhoun.

Completing the squad is Shona Woods who coaches the team and travels with them to various venues and events.

Potential football stars of the future are trained by Jamie McDonald who, giving up his own time, gives the youngsters top tips on becoming the next Messi or Ronaldo.

Individual sport was recognised with an award for ice-skater Keira Ramsay who started at just five-years-old and now competes in events across the UK.

She returned from the Deeside Open in Wales with two bronze medals and is working towards reaching the standard required for the British Open.

Last award of the night had been kept a closely guarded secret which even the recipient did not know she would be named Citizen of the Year.

Winner was Moira Pirie, who retired as a councillor, and was one of two worthy nominations put forward.

It was Moira’s second award of the night as she had earlier been honoured for three decades as an elder and 25 years as treasurer of Schaw Kirk.