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In general, it is not a good idea to feed wild birds as it will increase their dependence on us for survival and the food humans frequently feed them (such as bread and rolls) is utterly unsuitable.  It will prevent them from getting the nutrition they need as well as being potentially harmful.  Please note that their natural diet of underwater plants, grasses and cereal crops are best for them and that filling them up with food that is not part of their natural diet should be avoided.

However, when winter conditions set in and little food is available – our help in providing food is likely to be very appreciated and may be even life-saving.  Particularly in the winter months when grasses or other plant vegetation is scarce. Greens such as dark green lettuce, spinach, chopped/shredded carrots, celery and other vegetables and greens make a great supplement. Note that lettuce may be an acquired taste and the swans may take a while to get used to it. Any vegetables need to be cut up into small pieces.

Don’t worry you cannot overfeed wild birds. They will stop eating when they have had their fill although recently when I delivered some food to the Kay Park swans they certainly swallowed a lot of food in one visit.

Equally loved and cherished are peelings from our own food preparations for dinner, such as broccoli, potatoes, green beans, cabbage — GENTLY steamed (only enough to warm up – NEVER cook and NEVER use the microwave to warm up) and feed warm (not hot) to swans who will especially appreciate that when it’s cold outside.  Any food should be thrown onto the water so that they can swallow water together with the food, which helps them digest the food more easily.  Also, feeding swans, ducks and geese on land encourages them to leave the water whenever they see people, which can put them at significant risk if dogs or other predators are about.

So don’t forget about our fine feathered friends out at Kay Park or an other bird habitations during this particularly cold period. And yes, you might have seen me pop in to the park once or twice with some inappropriate titbits….  Don’t worry, after doing the reseach for this article I shall endeavour to make sure future snacks are more nutritious.

Laughing and joking around the camp fire
They drank whiskey and sang stupid songs
Talking about how they’d change the world
And how to right its many wrongs

Then out of the woods he approached them
A hunched, stumbling, old stranger
Seeing his face and his wrinkles
They didn’t think he could be any danger

They offered him food and sat him down
Gave him a stiff drink and a smoke
He ate his meal quickly in silence
And then ever so slowly he spoke…

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The recently revamped Kilwinning Town Centre was hosting the very first Farmers Market recently and what a wonderful turn out on the day! The weather started off grey and cloudy but as the crowds got bigger the clouds got smaller and the sun came out. In fact, some of the stall holders were caught off guard at the sheer numbers of people who came to see and buy their produce – they sold out within an hour of the market opening!

Janey Grier asking questions on behalf of Kilwimming Community Council

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Nearby cashline machines were running out of cash but customers somehow found enough cash to keep buying. URsTV caught up with Janey Grier who was asking some of the many visitors to complete a questionnaire on behalf of Kilwinning Community Council.  There is a copy of the questionnaire on the next page if you would like to complete it to have your say.  Please forward the completed form on to Jim Watson, Chairman, Kilwinning Community Council, Kilwinning.  Of course, we had to ask one or two questions and yes, Janey was kind enough to give URsTV an exclusive interview.

URsTV also met up with two friends from our visits to the Kilmarnock Farmers Market, namely Howard Wilkinson of Petrie Fine Foods and Walter Young from Afton Glen Meats.  Yes, you’ve guessed it – two more exclusive interviews for URsTV! Enjoy!

Walter Young from Afton Glen Meats in New Cumnock

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Heal The Earth Ayrshire meet every 4th Thursdayand invite speakers to add to their knowledge and action local plans to benefit the environment. Where? The Cabin, Glebe Road, Kilmarnock. When?  7-9pm. All welcome.

Just look at the size of these vegetables!

Or you can go over to The Walled Garden at the Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock where Heal the Earth work on various projects within the garden and give a very warm welcome to all visitors. Pop in any Sunday betweeen 11 am and 4 pm.

You do not even need to be interested in gardening itself – the Walled Garden contains a fascinating and huge selection of wildlife and different species of plant life which would offer many different subjects for photographers, botonists and anyone interested in natural history, professional or amateur.

New bee hives have been set up,  hedgehogs may soon be finding their way from a local animal rescue centre, new pathways are being constructed with seating strategically placed in all the sun spots around the garden and since the recent erection of the polytunnel more exotic plants, vegetables and flowers are appearing daily.  Cabbages, Kale, cauliflowers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, chillis and carrots to name but a few are now growing in the garden.

Jenny Brown with Willie Coffey MSP

In fact the Walled Garden is only one of Heal the Earth’s projects and you really should contact Jan Sinclair to get more information. You can contact Jan on 10563 520 904 or check out the website:-

http://healtheearthayrshire.org.uk

URsTV regularly meets up with Heal the Earth at the Walled Garden or the local Farmers’ Market which is now held at The Cross in Kilmarnock on the 3rd Saturday of every month. If there are any special events planned or gala days arranged URsTV is keeping up to date with the Heal the Earth group so keep an eye on this website for further updates!

Douglas Reid

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Willie Coffey

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Tom Cook

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Alisdair Hood

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Anne and Howard

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Walter Young

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Click here to view the embedded video.

First Minister Alex Salmond has today, Tuesday 7 September, announced almost £16.3 million investment in Ayrshire to create and safeguard 287 jobs in Irvine and Prestwick.

The news comes as Scottish Ministers bring the final summer cabinet meeting to Kilmarnock. The above video was taken at The Burns Monument Centre in Kilmarnock.

First Minister Alex Salmond in Kilmarnock

Investment of £16 million, including almost £2 million Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) funding, at Ardagh Glass in Irvine will safeguard the jobs of 248 workers at the plant and ensure facilities are upgraded to secure the long term manufacture of glass in Irvine.

Ardagh Glass is one of Irvine’s largest employers, manufacturing glass containers primarily for the spirits industry.

Culzean Medical Devices in Prestwick, a subsidiary of Lombard Medical Technologies PLC, will create 39 new jobs supported by £297,000 of funding, of which £200,000 is RSA investment.

The expansion will allow the site to become Lombard Medical’s main manufacturing centre for stent grafts, a tubular device that is used in medicine to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms. The investment will also secure the jobs of the seven existing staff who work in Prestwick.

See next page for official statement by First Minister Alex Salmond.

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URsTV could not resist popping over to The Foregate to see the last day of the Kilmarnock Farmers Market. Well, the last day at The Foregate. The Market is of course moving back to The Cross after many many negotiations with East Ayrshire Council and various other agencies.

Walter and Annette Young of Afton Glen Meats

Howard Wilkinson of Petrie Fine Foods agreed to give URsTV an exclusive interview so please watch the above video to find out the latest news.

As part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations on 18th September there will be cookery demonstrations by Alisdair Hood, head chef and owner of Merchants Restaurant in Kilmarnock as well as more local food stalls and much much more.

As part of URsTV’s in depth investigations into the Ayrshire Farmers Market we have also sampled only a small amount of the produce available and it is absolutely delicious! The huge range is so extensive it may take a while but don’t worry, URsTV will attempt to taste it ALL in time! It’s a really tough job but someone has to do it!

Keep an eye on the URsTV website for further updates and we will of course cover the 10th Anniversary celebrations on 18th September. Perhaps you could give us an exclusive interview for the URsTV website?

Here at URsTV we quite understand. So what did we do? We decided to scan all the menus we could find into the website!

So if you are looking for something tasty within the Kilmarnock area why not check out the next few pages and take your pick.

If you have any menus which are not on the website just let us know as we will keep adding more and we will add yours too. Post your comments and let us know how good the food and service is.

Bon Appetit!

Go to next page for menus….

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The Ayrshire Farmers Market which appears at The Foregate in Kilmarnock on the third Saturday of the month is now going to be relocated back to The Cross where it was situated originally back in 1999. It was moved to the Foregate site for easier access for the farmers’ vehicles. There are also ongoing by-laws in place at The Cross which constrain the use of this site for the market as emergency vehicles require easy access through the area.

Annette and Walter Young of Afton Glen Meats in New Cumnock

Now with a lot of hard work from Fiona Nicolson, the Kilmarnock Town Centre Manager at East Ayrshire Council and Howard Wilkinson, and Walter Young of the Ayrshire Food Network and many others too numerous to name, the market will finally be relocated back  to The Cross on Saturday 18 September 2010, on the tenth anniversary of its inception.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Alisdair Hood, head Chef and owner of the Merchants Restaurant in Kilmarnock will be putting on a cooking display (weather permitting) and there will be many other activities throughout the day. Any farmers or food specialists wishing to apply to have a stall set up at The Cross should contact Howard Wilkinson at the Ayrshire Farmers Market on 07765 606 848.

The above video was taken today at the Ayrshire Farmers Market in Kilmarnock with a few words from Walter Young of Afton Glen Meats in New Cumnock and Howard Wilkinson of Petrie Fine Foods in Fenwick. Howard and Walter have both been working hard with the various agencies to enable the Ayrshire Farmers Market to be relocated back to The Cross.

Eileen and Howard Wilkinson from Petrie Fine Foods In Fenwick

David Stokes of Splendid Soups & Such was also at the Farmers Market today although his wife Alison was at another market in Glasgow. Delicious home made soups which can also be frozen to be kept for a later date. Alison also prepares ready made meals so take a night off from cooking and sample her delicous cuisine.

All the Buffalo Burgers at the Afton Glen meat stall were long gone. Yes, Buffalo Burgers!  There is such a wide variety of food here it can be a difficult choice. Not to worry, just come back next month and  sample some new delights.

Visit the Ayrshire Farmers Market on Saturday 21 August for their last day at their site at The Foregate in Kilmarnock and see the difference when you visit the Market on 18 September at The Cross for their tenth year celebrations.

Do not forget to send in any pictures of any visits to the Ayrshire Farmers Market to URsTV and we will print them on the site. Enjoy!

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One of the members of Ayrshire Farmers Market, Petrie Fine Foods showed off all their tasty produce at the Eco-Fair held in the courtyard at the Dean Castle in Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Howard and Eileen

Howard and Eileen Wilkinson run their business from their farm in Fenwick and all the savouries, cakes and puddings are hand made by Eileen! Their extensive range includes vegetarian and gluten free products and can be bought at any of the farmers’ markets throughout Ayrshire or by mail order.

Howard invited URsTV to attend one of the many Farmers Markets to find out exactly who is involved and what their future goals are. Keep watching this space for updates and check out the leaflet on the next page for more detailed information.

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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.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Humans have created such an ideal habitat for seagulls, or more particularly Herring Gulls in this part of Scotland, that these intelligent and versatile birds are finding our environment simply irresistible!

Gull getting a free Fish Supper!

A perpetual supply and abundance of fresh food together with the perfect nesting grounds for the huge urban gull colonies – the larger the supermarket roof the larger the colony – means these birds are here to stay. Non-lethal attempts to deter the gulls from nesting in urban areas have been largely unsuccessful. Attempts to scare the gulls away using working birds of prey are similarly ineffective. These particular birds are large, powerful and aggressive as individuals and are more than capable of fighting back against any potential predator. Herring Gulls are far more aggressive during the breeding season which also makes them perfect parents!

Taking into account these birds are able to live for almost 50 years, have an annual adult mortality rate of less than 5% and are able to successfully rear three chicks per year has resulted in a massive increase in numbers over a relatively short period of time thereby bringing the species into conflict with humans.

Graceful Gull

But watch these beautiful birds in flight. They are natural acrobats. Turning sharply in mid-flight, manoevering with such dexterity and agility and gliding on any available thermals just for the sheer delight in it! These birds simply love to fly.

Ever seen the gulls on a patch of grass or an open field? They are absolutely fascinating to watch. These birds have learned when they tread heavily on the grass, imitating rainfall, earthworms work their way to the surface and the birds receive a free meal! When a large flock of gulls work together they are similar to a group of dancers on the stage as their feet are synchronised!

Herring Gulls in Flight

Herring gulls can frequently be seen to drop shelled prey from a height in order to break the shell. In addition, the Herring Gull has been observed using pieces of bread as bait with which to catch goldfish! In fact, these birds are very intelligent and learn quickly. Once a new trick has been learned somehow the method used is passed throughout the entire flock. Almost faster than email!

Herring gulls were also spotted in Glasgow City Centre attacking pigeons initially to steal their food but once the gulls realised the pigeons themselves tasted pretty good suddenly the pigeon population plummeted!

Love them, or hate them, Herring Gulls are most certainly here to stay. We invited these fascinating birds in with our wasteful habits, so perhaps we should cut them a little slack and admire their ingenuity and versatility.

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Heal the Earth Ayrshire at The Walled Garden

This is a Community Garden and as such is open to all local members of the public who wish to participate in any way. From simply doing a little weeding to more strenuous tasks. The choice is yours!

The project itself is a wonderful way to get to know like-minded people who seriously want to reduce their own personal carbon footprint as well as saving money by growing their own food. Once you have tasted food you have grown yourself be warned – supermarket produce will appear to be tasteless and very expensive.

Jenny Brown

You can also pop over to the Walled Garden to pick up some free advice on how easy it is to grow vegetables in your own space be it a large enclosed garden or a small window box. If you have ideas to start your own group check out some of the methods used in the Walled Garden and learn about eco-friendly living.

Heal the Earth Ayrshire is managed by Jenny Brown (01563 520904) and Jan Sinclair (01563  543533). The group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at The Cabin, Glebe Road, Kilmarnock between 7 pm and 9 pm.

URsTV wishes to say a huge thank you for being invited to meet some of the individuals who make up the Ayrshire branch of Heal the Earth.  The group met today, Sunday, between 10 am and 2 pm to build some raised beds and prepare them for planting. Jenny showed us the plans for the proposed layout of the garden and this area is huge!

Jan Sinclair

Undaunted by the sheer scale of this project, the members got stuck in to their individual tasks and seemed totally oblivious to the intermittent showers. Admittedly, the sun and blue sky did re-appear just as the allotted time was drawing to a close, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves regardless.

A warm welcome is given to anyone who wishes to join in or simply find out what the group are up to and perhaps borrow one or two of their ideas.

URsTV will be returning to The Walled Garden later in the year to find out how their various works have progressed.

See the next page for more photographs!

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Dean Castle Estate in the northern end of Kilmarnock is a great day out! The castle is in fantastic condition and the free tours are informative and fun! Toilet facilities, hot and cold food and of course the park itself is huge! It is so easy to spend a full day here for the whole family.

As well as the children’s play area which is well laid out and has separate areas for the toddlers and the older kids, there is a large animal park and various pathways leading into the dense forest and many routes also take you down to the river.

The chipmunks are absolutely hilarious and be careful getting too near the goats – they seem to prefer eating handbags and clothes!

There are a large selection of budgies in the animal park together with a Ranger Station which has detailed information on all the local wildlife. A family of field mice have moved into one of the aviaries and are cheekily helping themselves to the bird food! See if you can spot them!

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