ALLOWAY’S CORNUCOPIA OF SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES

Chris Palmer

Whilst we can suggest with some reasonable evidence that Alloway’s famous son would have enjoyed the bonhomie of the nineteenth hole, the allure of apres-ski or even singing ribald songs in a communal bath after a famous win, there is no evidence to suggest that Rabbie Burns was keen or had any ability in sporting activity. Indeed, one could venture to suggest that there might have been few opportunities to participate in sport for a lowly farmer’s son in the second half of the eighteenth century. With his farming responsibilities, writing something like three hundred poems and fathering at least twelve children, would he, in any case, have had any time? If Burns was transported to the village of his birth now and had the opportunity to set aside time for sport, his choice in Alloway would be remarkable. Few villages in Scotland of the size of Alloway, say 5,000 residents, can offer the pleasure of being a sporting spectator or participant with such a range of both quality and variety.

In terms of participating sports, Alloway offers rugby union, cricket, football, walking football, bowls and golf. For spectators there is the opportunity to watch both of one of Scotland’s leading cricket and rugby teams. In the Cambusdoon Sports Centre, the village has the benefit of a modern well equipped multi-functional sports club, that must be the envy of many Scottish towns, let alone villages.

Ayr rugby dates back as far as 1898 when it was first registered with the SRU. In 1964 a group of far-sighted members identified in Alloway, close to the Kirk, a suitable place to purchase land. It was an old orchard and market garden with some derelict buildings. The members themselves laboured extensively to clear the land and sow the seed for a full-sized rugby pitch. It was hard work. The commitment and toil of the members was recorded by a member, Hamish Frew, who captured their exploits on a cine film. Anyone with an interest in the club should take time to watch it. It’s available on the club’s website and is a fascinating journey back to the sixties.

By September 1965 the pitch and early club facilities were ready, and the first match played was one between an Ayr President’s XV and an International Select XV. The club has grown steadily over the years, producing Scottish internationals and table-topping teams. To sustain its development, it became clear several years ago that significant capital investment was required. For many years the club was fortunate to be sponsored by Dawn Construction, which was owned by local businessman, Alan MacDonald. In 2018, the company was sold and Alan was looking forward to retirement and spending more time with his family.

Unfortunately, in 2020, Alan’s son died suddenly whilst returning home from a holiday. It was a terrible shock to Alan’s family and the whole Alloway community. Alan decided to create a legacy fund to celebrate the life of his only son, Barry. ‘The MacDonald Legacy’ was born. Three million pounds was made available to the club. It secured its future as there had been talk of selling the land for private housing and moving to a new site in Ayr.

The hugely ambitious project is proceeding at remarkable speed. By February the club aims to have completed a new access road together with an all-weather pitch with floodlighting. By the end of spring, the next phase to be finished is the refurbishment of the clubhouse including performance gym, café and studio space.

It was illuminating to talk to a veteran ex-player about the changes in the club since he first played in the first team in the 1970s. Derek McCrindle was in the first XV for a few years before moving to play for West of Scotland.

“Lots of clubs in those days were run on a shoestring. I could see how Ayr’s facilities, even then, were superior to lots of clubs. The pitch was great to play on, so well looked after. Ayr was one of the first clubs to install floodlights. It meant that in the winter the club could play midweek evening fixtures. The floodlights were maintained by a local electrical company – Finnies. In the early days I remember some of the lights blowing halfway through a game. We couldn’t see the other end of the pitch, but we still played on. Rugby was like that then – rough and ready. I loved it.”

As he reminisced, it was clear that he had great affection for those early amateur days, a far cry from the club being now a preeminent one in Scotland and going from strength to strength. He would not be drawn over my suggestion that the rapid ascent might have ruffled a few feathers in the rugby establishment.

Currently the club runs boys’ and girls’ teams through all age groups. They have the excitement of seeing their senior team, Ayr Bulls, flourishing at the top of the most senior club rugby league in Scotland, Super Eight. In the middle of December, the Bulls were top of the league, played 13 matches and won 12. Admission to see one of the best club teams in Scotland is

only £12. The club has a huge heart and continues to expand and offer more to the Alloway community. New members are guaranteed a warm welcome.

Anyone who believes that cricket is the quintessential English sport needs to speak to a member of one of the 130 clubs affiliated to Cricket Scotland, of which Ayr Cricket Club is one of the most successful. It is in fact believed that the total number of cricket clubs of all sizes in Scotland amounts to 250. With an estimated 17,000 grass roots players, cricket is generally considered to be second only to football as the most widely played sport in Scotland. Once described as being like the middle child in a family – never quite the centre of attention – Scottish cricket has carved out an enviable if modest niche in the sporting hierarchy.

Based now in Alloway, at Cambusdoon New Ground, Ayr Cricket Club was founded in 1859, and moved from its home in Dam Park, Ayr to Alloway in 1935. It moved across the road from the original Cambusdoon ground in 1997. Over the years the success of the club can be gauged by some of the players with whom the club has been associated. Most notably perhaps, Mike Denness, who played 28 tests for England, 19 as captain.

Denness was educated at Ayr Academy and lived in Alloway, having moved from Bellshill where he was born. Whilst still at school he was selected to play for Scotland against Ireland. His potential was evident, and it was only a matter of time before a professional English club offered him an opportunity to make cricket his life. Kent was that county, and he made his debut in 1992. A long and illustrious career was to follow.

The current health of the club can be assessed by the fact that the First Eleven were Western Premiership One Champions in 2023. There is a thriving Women’s Section together with a Mens’ Second and Third Eleven. Junior cricket starts with Mini Cricket – 5- to 8-year-olds play Kwik Cricket. There are

then under 10s, 12s, 14s and 16s. Ample encouragement and opportunity then for another cricketing star to emerge.

Cricket is not the only sport to be based at Cambusdoon Sports Club. Alloway Bowling Club celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2024. It is one of 821 clubs affiliated to BOWLS SCOTLAND. For more than 150 years, bowls has been one of the great Scottish sporting success stories. The sport, and one of its star players, ‘Tattie Marshall’, was propelled into the media spotlight when the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow in 2014. No doubt the club at Alloway, along with all Scottish clubs, was mightily relieved when bowls, unlike hockey, squash, rugby sevens for example, survived the cut for the new slimmed-down games that return to Glasgow in 2026. Anything that shines the light on this hugely popular sport will be welcome.

Alloway Bowling club prides itself on being a relaxed and friendly one – with the accent on fun. It has about an equal number of men and women. It is now one of the few clubs to be granted a BOWLS SCOTLAND silver award demonstrating its commitment to developing the sport in a constructive, inclusive and friendly way. Beginners are made very welcome. There is a structured training programme to introduce prospective players to the game. Anyone wishing to join the club will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

The all-weather pitch at the Sports Club is the home to a remarkable range of footballing activity. Football may lack the historical heritage of rugby and cricket in Alloway, but it provides as much if not more opportunities for participation at all levels. I often walk past a tall hedge that obscures the view of the all-weather pitch. The sound of excited children’s voices on many evenings during the week, as well as at weekends, is captivating. On the Friday after Christmas there were practice sessions being conducted with great enthusiasm, a huddle of parents looking on, hoping for the rain to stay away, some no doubt fervently praying that new boots being used for the first time were the right size.

Cambusdoon Football Club, which is strictly amateur, was founded in 2012. Ayrshire Amateur Football Association runs competitions for amateur clubs in Ayrshire. Currently Cambusdoon FC competes in Budget Blinds Division 2. When I glanced at the table in mid-December the club appeared to be safely mid-table. Looking at the weekly practice arrangements pinned up on the Club’s notice board, there are many levels for boys to play, from the very young, say first year at school, to late teens. Similar arrangements apply for girls and women.

It was a pleasure talking to Graham Cree, the enthusiastic president of Cambusdoon FC. He confirmed the buoyant health of the club. In particular, he drew my attention to the growth in women’s football. In the eight years that he has been involved in the club, the women’s and girl’s sections have increased from 35 to 175 players, a remarkable development. He recognised that the club has good fortune in having both its own pitch and a club house right beside it. Not all clubs are so lucky.

I must not forget to include Walking Football. The group based at the Sports Club is one of more than 800 clubs that have mushroomed in the UK in the past decade or so. Anyone over 50 and keen to have a go is welcome to join the regular hour training session on a Wednesday night.

During my research for this piece, I spoke to a few friends who live in Alloway. I explained how lucky they were to have excellent resources for the sports I have mentioned above to which they responded:

“You must mention the golf course.”

“It’s the best public course in Scotland.”

“Don’t forget the park run.”

“Half of Alloway turns up on a Saturday morning.”

“Don’t forget badminton in the church hall.”

And finally:

“There’s carpet bowls as well.”

I felt that my response to these had to be measured and responsible. The truth is that Alloway borders two fabulous public parks, owned by South Ayrshire Council. Rozelle is a 101-acre park that is sandwiched by Ayr and Alloway, but it is probably outside the village itself. My evidence is the road sign along Monument Road. Nevertheless, Rozelle is inextricably linked with Alloway and as my friend pointed out, the very popular park run takes place there every Saturday morning. It also hosts football tournaments in the large park grounds. Whether or not the park is strictly within it, the park enhances the sporting facilities of the village itself.

As to golf, Belleisle Park, as with Rozelle, but more extensively, is sandwiched between Ayr and Alloway. It comprises 247 acres which includes two golf courses, Seafield and Belleisle. A particularly pedantic friend suggested that the green of the ninth hole of The Belleisle course is probably within Alloway village. It is that close. It is a fabulous public course, open since 1927. Several distinct clubs are based on the course. On site facilities include a professional shop, buggy hire and lessons with the professional, Richard Gordon. Alloway residents must make up a good percentage of players on both golf courses.

Finally, to acknowledge the comments of my friend, who said that I must not exclude some reference to the weekly games of badminton in the Alloway Church Hall. Well, I haven’t, have I?

There is no excuse for anyone in Alloway looking for sporting activities, either to participate in or to spectate, and claiming a lack of opportunities. All age groups are catered for in the wide spectrum of sporting activity. As with many small communities, it is often the commitment and enthusiasm of a small number of club members that enables them to flourish for the enjoyment of the majority of the village. My research for this piece suggests that the current situation is very healthy.