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Jan26
By Moira Heron
http://www.vimeo.com/8167269
This is the true story of a Russian cruiser which sank off the coast of Stranraer just over 100 years ago. A monument was erected near the small hamlet of Lendalfoot 3 years ago which is now a fantastic picnic area ideally situated to take in the breathtaking scenery over the Firth of Clyde.
The 1st Class cruiser Varyag was the first in the series of Russian protected cruisers built as part of the program “for the needs of the Russian Far East”. On 20 April 1898 the Russian Emperor Nikolai II approved the contract to build a protected cruiser by the American Company “William Cramp & Sons”. The building cost was estimated at just over $2 million without armaments.
The keel-laying ceremony took place on 10 May 1899. On 19 October 1899, the Varyag cruiser was launched in the presence of the Russian Ambassador to the United States A.P. Kassini and other officials representing both countries.
The ship was first tested in July 1900. A storm broke out during the test. However, the cruiser passed the harsh weather test with flying colours having set the against-weather speed world record among its own class cruisers at 24.59 knots.
 Russian Cruiser Varyag The crew from Russia hoisted the pennant on the Varyag’s main mast on 2 January 1901 and the vessel was officially commissioned into the Navy.
The vessel made a few trial cruises around the Delaware Bay and left America for good.
See next page…
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Posted in General.
Tagged with cruiser, Russia, ship, war.
Dec22
By Moira Heron
http://www.vimeo.com/8328496
The big freeze hits Scotland and it looks like it’s here for some time yet according to the Met Office.
The last official White Christmas was five years ago, when snow fell across Northen Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Midlands, the North-East and far South-West.
 The Frozen River Thames in 1677 The interest in snowy Christmases has its origins in the colder climate of the period 1550-1850 when Britain was in the grip of a ‘Little Ice Age’ – now that really was a climate change!
Winters were particularly persistent and severe in the winter between 1813 and 1814 which was the last winter that a ‘frost fair’ was held on the River Thames in London – imagine walking across the River Thames – fascinating!
Back then, however, the colder climate was not the only factor that allowed the river to freeze over in London: the Thames was broader and shallower and there were no embankments which meant that it flowed more slowly.
Last night bookies were offering 7/4 against snow falling in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Leeds, Liverpool or Manchester on Christmas Day so hopefully someone will win some decent cash for the festive season!
Keep your fingers crossed for a White Christmas and don’t forget to send in your photographs.
Posted in General.
Tagged with festive, holiday, White Christmas.
Dec21
By Moira Heron
 Beauty The gentle rains stopped falling and Selisha stomped her front two hooves and shook out her silvery mane. She pointed her long shining horn towards the east and stared longingly. A tickling nudge from her mother Shanara and she turned to meet her.
The strong passionate love emanating from her mother was almost overwhelming but Selisha’s saddening heart ached for every moment of that love and she could not even put into words what was causing her torment. The large gentle brown eyes which now held her spellbound also looked saddened. Impulsively, Selisha reached out to comfort her and her mother regarded her with surprise.
“Daughter of my heart, your sadness searches so desperately for help and yet you seek to aid me? Could such compassion not have spread over my entire family so it would not overburden you, my once bright eyes of my herd? We are so close to the celebration of the Day of Ochra and yet your dark burdens seemed to weigh you down so painfully now. What ails you my child? Just by telling me your burden will be so much lighter.”
 Magical Almost at the same moment as Selisha was about to voice her sorrows, her caring mother had voiced the one day of the entire year which she did dread. The one day when her whole herd celebrated the day of the birth of the Great Stallion Ochra who fathered all the children of all the herds of their world. The one day when she felt more alone than ever before, and as each year passed, as much as she tried to fit in, it just got harder. All her brothers and sisters and cousins and friends were beginning to notice her separateness, for want of another word, and the more they noticed the wider the gap became. They didn’t understand. Selisha celebrated every day of the year as she believed each day was a gift from the Great Spirit of Nature and every day should be celebrated until she returned to the place of her birth for the very last time. Selisha also believed that very last day should be the greatest celebration of all because then she would be returning to where she truly belonged.
 Bewitching Lifting her head and with as much pride as she could put into her stance, Selisha replied, “Mother of my heart, my sadness is nothing to your love and devotion to me and my family. Your troubles are like tall trees to my fine pieces of grass. Come, let us prepare for the celebrations….” And she jauntily trotted off, head high in the air towards the main group of the herd. Sighing and determined her mother followed, overtaking her daughter at a fast gallop. Selisha watched her mother proudly, noting how many members of her family and the rest of the herd lifted their heads to watch the beauty that was her mother.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Posted in Short Stories, The Publishing House.
Tagged with horse, novel, story, unicorn.
Dec16
By Moira Heron
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The purrs, the paws, the fur,
The claws.
Feline aristocracy at its best. |
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In stealth, in play,
Hunter by night
And day. |
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The game, the strategy,
An overwhelming curiosity,
What a glorious recipe. |
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Free fall in slow motion
They glide as they fall. |
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Empathic creatures of old,
Definition of elegance
And infinite calm. |
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Ferociously maternal,
Impeccably so. |
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Independently dependent.
Constant contradictions |
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Infectious and contagious
Humorous antics abound. |
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Cat affinity
Is now. |
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Posted in Poetry, The Publishing House.
Tagged with cat, pet, Poetry, verse.
Dec13
By Paul-Robert Archibald
The Price of Fear was a Horror/Mystery Radio serial produced by BBC Radio during the 1970s. The host and star of the show was Vincent Price.
This show stands out in Price’s radio career as some of the episodes were based on fictional adventures of Vincent Price himself, playing himself, while others had him merely introducing the macabre tale of the week.
Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be bringing more of these fantastic old radio shows to URsTV for your listening pleasure. Without further ado, I give you my favourite, “Speciality of the House”.
This radio show is in the Public Domain and is brought to you courtesy of radiolovers.com.
Posted in Cinema & Radio.
Tagged with cult classics, horror, price of fear, public domain, radio, vincent price.
Dec12
By Moira Heron
http://www.vimeo.com/6764678
Inverkip is a small village in Inverclyde on the West Coast of Scotland which lies about 4 miles south west of Greenock. With a population of less than 1,700, one hotel, a sub-post office, supermarket, cafe, fast food outlet, nursery, pharmacy together with a retail and business block there may not seem to be a great deal here to draw the crowds. But many visitors appear again and again. Why?
Inverkip is mainly of significance because of Kip Marina, a large well planned marina which has grown steadily since the 1970s and now boasts a small community of its own called Kip Village.
Kip Marina Village is a seafront community with spectacular views of the Firth of Clyde. The marina itself boasts a huge variety of boats, yachts and cruisers from all over the world.
http://www.vimeo.com/6764662
Posted in General.
Tagged with boat, cruiser, restaurant, yacht.
Dec10
By Moira Heron
 Dunlop Street Primary School A trip down memory lane now as we head back to circa 1978. Way back then, Stewarton High School was situated in Lainshaw by the railway viaduct. The primary school was in Dunlop Street when Mr William Crichton was Head Teacher from 1967 until 1970 and thereafter Mr Alan B. Barker took over.
When the Dunlop Street Primary School closed down in 1985 all the primary pupils moved to the Lainshaw site and the secondary pupils were moved to the new state-of-the-art Stewarton Academy at Nether Robertland. At a cost of £2 Million to build, the new Academy opened its doors for the first time and this was the educational breakthrough that the town, now greatly increased in size and population, had been awaiting for many years.
 Thirty Faces - Can You Name Them? The High School, which had risen to six year status, had been desperately overcrowded and only survived by the erection of several unsightly huts outside the main building. Finally, after several years of local prompting, pleading and demanding, Strathclyde Regional Council agreed to provide a new school in Stewarton.
Back in the 1970s, each year Stewarton Secondary School produced a magazine which published many articles written by the pupils. The editors were fourth year pupils and they, with a little help from the teachers, selected which items would appear in that year’s issue. Many local businesses posted advertisements which help to offset the printing costs of the magazine.
 The Magazine Committee - 1978 The magazine was always full of pictures and URsTV has managed to find some which appeared in the 1978 issue. See anyone you know?
If you have any articles or pictures from any past issues please send them in and we will post them on site.
Check out the next page for a fantastic collection of photographs from the 1978 issue of the Stewarton High School Magazine!
Pages: 1 2
Posted in General.
Tagged with education, history, memories.
Dec09
By Frank Beattie
Shona wisnae that keen on the campin’. She said that when she wis a wean she went tae a camp near Loch Ness and she got attacked bae monsters…naw, naw, no’ Nessie. Somethin’ much, much worse: MIDGIES.
Of coorse, Shona said she wisnae a wean noo, but her mither an’ faither said she wisnae an audult either.So when Shona’s pals said they were gaun doon tae the loch at the fit o’the ben fur tae hae a wee camp at the weekend, Shona wisnae keen at a’.
 Up wi' the tent! Her mind went back a’ thae years tae when the midges cam’ intae her tent an’ had her face an’ her haunds an’ her neck a’ rid raw wi’ their wee bites.
But then again, her pals were a’ gaun and there wid be nae mithers and nae faithers and the loch at the fit o’ the ben wis awfae faur awa fae Loch Ness, whaur thae muckle midgies lived.
So, Shona telt her pals: “Aye, I’ll come tae the campin’.”
It wis a gey dreich morning wi’ a wee smirr in the air when the five lasses set aff for their camp. Rosie looked at the clouds an’ said it wid be stoatin’ by dinner time.
The girls got aff the bus and walked through the heather and the bracken for ages. Then they fin’ a nice place, pit up their tent, built their fire and sterted cookin’ the dinner. They had a’ been tae the Guides the-gither.
Rosie was wrang. The clouds blew awa’ and the rain didnae come.
Pages: 1 2
Posted in Short Stories, The Publishing House.
Tagged with camping, friends, Loch Ness.
Dec07
By Moira Heron
 St Joseph's Players' first panto! Yes, we have a winner! Suze Laing has sent in the very first review of The Lion, The Witch and The Wedding which was performed over the weekend by the St. Joseph’s Players.
Here is what Suze thought of the show:-
“What can I say…
Where do I start…
I guess like all great stories ~ at the beginning!
Once upon a time there was a small amateur dramatics group in Kilmarnock, which consisted of a bunch of talented and humorous individuals of all ages and experience.
 Leading Ladies Line Up One day they decided it was time to perform for the very first time, and here begins our story.
The panto started off with a Town Crier and ended with an audience song.
The end.
Ooooh no it isn’t!!!
Ooooh yes it… ermmm, actually no, it isn’t 
So ‘what happened in the middle?’ I hear you ask.
That’s an easy question to answer…
 Kate Charlwood as Robin Hood A very funny, and more amazingly, original script, was brought to life by this close knit cast, making this panto definitely one to remember!
The acting was brilliant, the lines were delivered with enthusiasm and belief, the dancing was fun to watch, and the songs were pelted out with gusto, and a special mention must be made of Moira (‘Belle’) a truly wonderful singer!
The prince was regal, the witch was very wicked, and the lion was very cowardly. Robin was thigh smackingly good, the princesses were just that ~ total princesses ! and the younger cast members were full of life and looked like they were totally enjoying themselves too!
 Teaching the Audience to Sing The audience giggled and sang in all the right places, and the kiddies were even invited on stage to tell jokes, which was lovely to watch, and added a very ‘personal’ touch to it all.
Everyone was made to feel part of the panto, and the true spirit of Christmas could be felt throughout the church hall.
To bring my story to a close, I would say that we were all totally captivated by the whole magical production.
 Mrs Busybody trying to cook! To think this was their first show, and the script was written by the very talented Nicola (who also played ‘Snow White’), shows that from small acorns, mighty oaks do indeed grow!”
By Suze Laing
A huge thank you to Suze for an absolutely fantastic review. Your have now won two free tickets to the next performance of the St. Joseph’s Players.
Posted in General.
Tagged with cast, pantomime, performance, review, show.
Dec03
By Moira Heron
http://www.vimeo.com/7958803
 Nicola Stewart Yes, the pantomime dates are this weekend ! Saturday 5 December at 7.30 pm and on Sunday 6 December at 2 pm. Nicola Stewart’s production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wedding is showing at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Hill Street, Kilmarnock.
URsTV popped back down on Sunday to see how the rehearsals were going and the show looks absolutely fantastic. The stage was packed with performers and off stage costumes were being fitted while the props were getting set up.
 Jeanette Diamond plays The Witch Jeanette Diamond who plays The Witch was rehearsing and was able to spare a few moments to fill URsTV in with some details. Jeanette joined the St Joseph’s Players after spotting a notice on the St Joseph’s Church bulletin board as well as an advert appearing in the Kilmarnock Standard. Jeanette is from Crosshouse and had some theatrical experience a few years back when she played Dorothy in a production of The Wizard of Oz. Although Jeanette did not know any of the group when she joined, Jeanette was given a very warm welcome and is now a valued member of the Players.
 The Lion URsTV received a surprise attack from The Lion who luckily turned out to be a very friendly Claire Ferguson! Claire has been a close friend of Nicola’s since they were both at school. These two friends were in various school productions over the years and were part of the Kilmarnock Drama Group when they appeared in The Importance of Being Earnest. Claire was also a member of a choir so no shortage of talent and versatility here!
Tayler Stewart, Nicola’s daughter, was busy sorting out stage decorations after finishing the rehearsals on stage. It seems everyone has talent and experience in more than simply performing – although that in itself seems like a lot of hard work – and fun! Tayler is playing Cinderella and is thoroughly enjoying her role.
 Tayler Stewart plays Cinderella A little further upstage we spotted Alice in Wonderland, aka Eileen McGrath who works with Nicola in a catering company. Eileen appeared in various productions at Onthank Primary School, Grange Academy and St Joseph’s Academy! Eileen’s mother Margaret is Caretaker for the St Joseph’s Church Hall as well as the Sound Manager for the Players. Margaret also acts as prompt and is the Treasurer of the club! A very busy lady indeed!
 Eileen McGrath plays Alice Another member of the McGrath family is John who appears in The Lion, The Witch and The Wedding as Mrs Busybody. John loves playing this character and enjoys getting really stuck into the part. John has also appeared in MacBeth which was produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and has appeared in various shows at St Joseph’s Academy.
 John McGrath plays Mrs Busybody URsTV also caught up with Moira Fairbairn who plays Belle and of course we had to take a photograph of her stunning costume! Moira will also be appearing at the Bonnyton Community Centre in January as she is helping to raise funds to keep the Centre up and running. The show will include a number of songs by Moira and you really have to hear this girl sing – what a fantastic voice! As soon as we have details of this event URsTV will post an article so you don’t miss out!
 Moira Fairbairn as Belle Moira will also be starting rehearsal of “A New Musical Reivew” at the Mummers Theatrical Group in Clydebank in January 2010. Watch the URsTV site for further information.
So The Lion, The Witch and The Wedding is all ready to entertain you and the family this weekend. Go over and see the show. Tickets are only £3 and can be bought at the door.
URsTV are offering two free tickets of The St Joseph’s Players’ next production to the first person to send in a review of this weekend’s pantomime, The Lion, The Witch and the Wedding!
Posted in General.
Tagged with drama, production, show, stage.
Nov26
By Moira Heron
http://www.vimeo.com/7806190
South West Writers were formed in 1996 by Allan Dixon (Chairman), James Goldie (Treasurer) and Alex Hawksville (Secretary). They are a fully constituted community group with their own bank account and access to funding and community grants.
The group are currently run by Michelle Paton (Chairperson), James Goldie (Treasurer) and Alexander Frew (Hawksville – Secretary).
South West Writers meet fortnightly on a Tuesday night in Shortlees Community Centre, Kilmarnock, in the upstairs coffee bar. Meetings run from 7 pm to 9 pm and all new writers are always welcome!
You can contact the club by telephone on 07947 975 806 or send them a message by e-mail to southwestwriters@yahoo.com.
Meetings are held for the purpose of generating new work, discussing ideas and holding a writing workshop where people can read out and discuss their work in a relaxed and informal way.
The group have produced several anthologies of their poetry and short stories, a songbook, and are currently working on making an album of the same songs.
They are also applying for funding for a tutor whom they hope to have in place in early 2010.
Go along and meet the group! You have nothing to lose and a whole new world to gain!
Posted in Literature, The Publishing House.
Tagged with music, publish, song, writing.
Nov22
By Moira Heron
http://www.vimeo.com/7740738
Two miles south of Maybole in Ayrshire sits Crossraguel Abbey. The Abbey is an enigma with many questions lying unanswered. Many of the structures are in ruins and devastated by plundering for building stone while others remain strangely intact. There is also a carving of a mermaid which is a rare find in a Scottish abbey.
 Crossraguel Abbey Introduction Crossraguel Abbey was founded by Duncan the Earl of Carrick around 1244 after he donated money to the monks of Paisley to build an abbey. Duncan of Galloway was created Earl of Carrick in 1186. His granddaughter Margaret, who later held the title in her own right, married Robert de Bruce. Their son, also named Robert, would later rule Scotland as King Robert I.
Crossraguel Abbey saw its share of turmoil. In 1307 an invading army led by Henry Percy under Edward I sacked the abbey and was granted extensive estates in Scotland, which were later retaken by the Scots under Robert Bruce.
Pages: 1 2
Posted in General.
Tagged with history, mystery, religion, Templar.
Nov15
By Moira Heron
http://www.vimeo.com/7622552
A relatively new amateur theatrical group is putting on their first pantomime this year and it has been written by Nicola Stewart. Nicola was also responsible for bringing this fantastic group of people together and re-instituting the name the St Joseph’s Players.
 The St Joseph's Players There are two performances of The Lion, The Witch and the Wedding on Saturday 5 December at 7.30 pm and Sunday 6 December at 2 pm. Tickets are £3 each and the show takes place at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Hill Street, Kilmarnock. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
URsTV went to meet the cast recently and not only were the whole group working really hard, they were having fantastic fun too! The above video shows excerpts from their rehearsals and you can see just how talented and versatile these actors are.
 Ellen and Moira Fairbairn Ellen Fairbairn, who plays Maid Marion, is also a member of the Mummers Theatre Group in Clydebank, Glasgow and starred in their production of “Oliver!” in May earlier this year. Ellen’s daughter Moira plays Belle and starred in several productions at the Grange Academy in Kilmarnock when she was younger. Moira’s version of “I Will Always Love You” is absolutely brilliant and hopefully this will appear on CD at some not so distant time in the future. Theatrical talent certainly runs in this family!
Go and see the pantomime and be the first to send in a review. If you are interested in joining the group on stage or behind the scenes the St Joseph’s Players meet every Sunday at the Church Hall at Hill Street.
Katie Charlwood plays Robin Hood and is also Nicola’s niece. Katie went to school in Ireland and has also taken part in various productions over the years.
 Katie Charlwood plays The Wicked Witch The group’s first meeting took place on 22 February 2009 and they have already produced one act plays in June! They have completed a highly successful production of:
” One Act Comedy Plays”
“A wizard day in Oz”
“I woz on that ship wot sunk”
“The Dramatics of Amateurs”
 Steven Wylie Earlier this year in August, Steven Wylie spotted an article in the Kilmarnock Standard and decided he would like to work backstage for the Players. Steven attended the Royal Scottish Academy in Glasgow and received an HND in Technical and Production Music and Drama. Steven also freelances doing children’s shows in Stewarton. A very busy young man!
Ian Stephenson is from Darlington and has a background in operatic productions. Ian plays Prince Hayver in The Lion, The Witch and the Wedding and has been living in Newmilns for the last 5 years. Ian is also looking for anyone involved in any Gilbert & Sullivan productions so if you know of any please send details into the site and we will let Ian know.
 Ian Stephenson plays Prince Hayver “The Lion the Witch and The Wedding….
an original Panto written by
Nicola J Stewart.
Prince Hayver is having a ball, and decides to invite Princesses from all over the land, including Snow White, Cinderella, Maid Marion, Belle and Alice in Wonderland. After Mrs Busybody cleans the Palace from top to bottom there is a visitor at the Palace doors!
 Peter The Wicked Witch is so angry at not recieving her invitation that she casts a spell on The Prince and gets her two evil Henchmen Igor and Ivor to lock the Princesses in the Tower!
Will Robin Hood, The Lion and the Bandits be able to free the Princesses and turn the Prince back from a beast?”
Peter was easily persuaded to join the St Joseph’s Players by his girlfriend, Tayler and has produced his own movies using a camcorder. Peter also helped with the props at Kilmarnock Academy and is currently taking media studies.
Nicola Stewart Nicola Stewart contacted Father Latham to request the use of the St Joseph’s Church Hall and told him about her idea to reinstate the St Joseph’s Players. Since then the Players have gone from strength to strength.
Nicola wrote The Lion, The Witch and The Wedding and in true pantomime style it has a little of absolutely everything!
http://www.vimeo.com/7629962
Posted in General.
Tagged with actors, drama, theatrical.
Oct30
By Paul-Robert Archibald
Based on the chilling Richard Matheson science fiction Classic “I am Legend” This classic features Vincent Price as scientist Robert Morgan in a post apocalyptic nightmare world. The world has been consumed by a ravenous plague that has transformed humanity into a race of bloodthirsty vampires. Only Morgan proves immune, and becomes the solitary vampire slayer.
http://www.archive.org/download/the_last_man_on_earth_h264/The_Last_Man_on_Earth_512kb.mp4
This film is in the Public Domain and is brought to you courtesy of archive.org.
Check out the imdb for more information about this film.
Posted in Cinema & Radio.
Tagged with cult classics, film, horror, public domain, vincent price.
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