Good havens! Dunure harbour is 200

May 13 2011 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

CELEBRATIONS to mark the 200th anniversary of Dunure harbour start this weekend.

It was back on May 6, 1811, in the reign of King George III, when an Act of Parliament was signed for ‘erecting and maintaining a Harbour, and Works connected therewith, at Dunure, in the County of Ayr’.

Now the community is set to salute the bicentennial of their great little haven.

Starting from Sunday, May 15, there will be an exhibition in the Kennedy Hall, featuring the harbour through the ages.

It will include charts, maps, photos and models of fishing boats, fishing methods, and displays of memorabilia of all things seafaring.

The focus will be on children and parents on Friday, May 20. Fishermen will demonstrate traditional crafts like repairing nets and rope splicing.

There will be story-telling, music and old-fashioned games like hopscotch and skittles.

In the evening there will be a quiz on local knowledge and history, held in the Dunure Inn, followed by an open stage music night.

Showpiece day will be Saturday, May 21, with the harbour set to buzz with activities. And people are invited to come in period costume.

Their will be a re-enactment of the charter of ownership being landed by boat and formally presented to ‘Thomas Kennedy of Dunure, Esquire, his Heirs, Successors, and Assignees, who are empowered to put the Act in Execution’.

Throughout the day there will be live staged music and wandering minstrels entertaining the crowd with sea shanties.

There will be a beer tent, a barbecue and seafood. Or, if you prefer, tea, coffee and cakes.

Children's games and entertainment will take place in Kennedy Park, and there will be raft races and hi-jinx at the harbour.

Saturday evening will see a performance of Seeker Reaper by B4 the Mast Theatre Company.

The performance highlights Dunure fisherman Jock Simson and features drama, poetry and music.

It will be followed by a ceilidh and disco, and the grand finale will be a fireworks display on the beach at midnight.

Tickets (£5, subsidised by Dunure Harbour Committee Association Ltd) are available from the Village Shop, the Dunure Inn and the Harbour View Coffee Shop.

Check out www.dunureharbour.co.uk for more information.