Looking back: The big Advertiser stories from 20 years ago

And there was a lot going on, particularly events at our schools and colleges 20 years ago.

Do you recognise any familiar faces from these pics?

Youngsters from Ayr Rugby Club were celebrating success at a major event. Ayr won the P6 trophy at the 2004 Marr Mini rugby tournament, defeating Ardrossan by three tries to nil in the final.

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Ayr College students were preparing to take on some tough makeover challenges in March 2004. Students on the five-month full time pre-apprentice course at the college, studying painting and decorating, joinery or bricklaying, were set to put their training to good use by building patios, barbecues and treehouses for local community groups.

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Prestwick’s Jane Lindsay was the winner of the McGill Cello Cup and the Sandy Lyle Trophy at the 2004 Ayrshire Music Festival.

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Meanwhile talented Harriet Tan from Troon was named as winner of the first ever Intermediate Clarsach class at the Ayrshire Music Festival. The Clarsach section was a new addition to the festival that year, together with drumming, chanter and bagpipes.

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Mouse mats proved a fun way to get the safety message across to pupils at St Cuthbert’s Primary in Maybole. Strathclyde Police, Carrick Crime Prevention Panel and Strathclyde Fire Brigade joined forces to launch the mouse mats in schools in March 2004.

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Ayr’s Wellington School made a special presentation to Molly Hay to mark 35 years since she started working as a music teacher there. anniversary at the school. The school’s longest-serving teacher, Miss Hay, from Prestwick, joined in 1969 from Belmont Academy and was due to retire in the summer of 2004.