What a sad state home town is in

May 1 2009

BORN and bred in the town I returned in March for a week's stay.

I was excited and looked forward to my visit.

I left depressed and vowed never to return.

The High Street, especially the Town Hall end is an area of dereliction. Empty shop units. Rubbish in the street. What has happened to the flower baskets that adorned the High Street? Ayr has become any town. Burns’ Statue Square, memories of flower arrangements and an attractive area was desolate.

I revisited Belleisle, where my grandmother would take me for walks on a Sunday. As a child I remembered the fish pond, teaming with fish. The plant house, warm and damp with many varieties of tropical plants, also the beehive where you could watch the bees at work and pets corner with it's display of birds, rabbits and guinea pigs. I was truly amazed at what I found. Dereliction and despair. I moved to London in the 70s and would often recommend friends coming to Scotland to visit the old town an area many by pass on their way to the Highlands, no more, anyone who asks will be advised to miss the area.

The ridiculous logo on Prestwick Airport (note Prestwick not Glasgow Prestwick) just sums it up- "Pure Dead Brilliant" - what idiot thought that up? Dead describes my home town. For an area that has in the past thrived on tourism, little would attract a tourist nowadays.

I will live with my memories of Ayr as it was. I feel sorry for the residents who have lived there all their lives and watch their town die before their eyes. "Auld Ayr wham neer a toon surpasses for honest men and bonny lasses" Are there any honest men part of a council allowing this to happen? I doubt it!

Ian Muir

71 Rushleydale,

Springfield,

Chelmsford, Essex.