Golden Girls- Aerobics Classes

 Danserena Monday 13:30-14:30

Leader Ann Monaghan 01292 471942

Gentle  toning of our joints and muscles, whilst enjoying a sociable light-hearted session - is our main objective here.

Ably governed by Tara, our fully qualified aerobics teacher, we aim to combine our minds and bodies to cope with equally stimulating routines - all done to the best known sounds of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra or the BeeGees etc. ('our kind of music').

We begin with the essential warm-up before moving on to more energetic step and dance moves. Gentle stretching of legs, bums, tums and tops, all help keep us supple and alert. Then, before we know it, it's slow-down time, finishing with relaxing quieter moments.

Thanks to Dansarene, we appreciate our tea/coffee & biscuits in their cheery cafe, giving us time for a friendly chat before we disperse.

No special clothing or equipment is required, just flat shoes & comfortable tops and trousers - and, most important - we never have to lie on the floor!! (it's not the 'getting down' that's the problem, -----)

For further information, please contact Ann Monaghan on - 471942.

Thank-you. 

The Golden Girls, Nov, 2010, with Fitness Instructor Tara Jackson, front

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Golf

 Thursday -for time and place contact leader

John Clark - 01292 442311

Members of Golf Group

Click image for more

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Hill Walks 1

Meet at Car Park, Cambusdoon Sports Club, Alloway on Tuesday at 8:45

Leader Andy Mitchell 01292 470194

The Group walks mainly in the Southern Uplands with occasional walks further a field like Arran, The Trossachs, and the Southern Highlands. The group is of mixed ability and the degree of difficulty of our walks reflects this. Our walks are generally day walks, circular where practicable.

The group is limited by common agreement of the members to a maximum number of 12 and is full at the moment. If you would like to register an interest in a future vacancy please contact the Group Leader Andy Mitchell on 01292 470194.

Some photos taken on walks to whet your appetite

Taken in Arran

Taken on a walk to Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

Buachaille Etive Mor 

Taken on Buachaille Etive Mor

View from Stob Dearg-Buachaille Etive Mor

For more photographs click through to our photo albums

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Hill Walks 2

Meet at Ayr Cricket Club car park Alloway  Tuesday 8:45

Leader Harry Taylor 01292 479908

Established in 1995, this group now has 20 members and is able to take on additional members. Our aim is to provide a wide range of hill walks, from Munros to relatively low level ones. Because of our numbers (and the fact that we have as members a number of very experienced hill-walkers, who share the leading of walks) our modus operandi is evolving with a pattern of the choice of both a high level and a lower level walk on many Tuesdays, especially during the summer. The higher level walks have taken us to the Arrochar Alps, the Trossachs, Arran and as well as the Galloways and other hills nearer to home. The lower level walks are usually within an hours travel of home. The walk(s) to be undertaken are normally a matter for discussion the previous Tuesday, but mainly due to the vagaries of our weather, a final decision is not made until the day before the walk and occasionally on the morning itself (the best laid plans …).

Despite the frustrating weather this summer, the higher level walks have included most of the Munros around Arrochar, and others in the Loch Lomond region, plus many other good hills while a spell of unusually good weather last year saw four of the most experienced members tackling the Aonoch Eagach Ridge in Glencoe.

The provision of a more local lower level walk as an alternative has only been introduced earlier this year, but is already proving popular with some of our members especially those who perhaps are not as fit as they used to be (i.e, all of us sooner or later) and we are keen to have more joining us who would like this form of hillwalk. Apart from the many smaller hills and tracks in the Galloway hills we have made good use of the hillwalks provided in leaflets for the areas around Barr, Straiton, Dailly, Girvan etc. The River Ayr Walks and the Ayrshire Coastal Path have also provided us with good walking. We are proud of the fact that the Group's first Leader, Willie Watters, who only retired as leader this year, played a substantial part in the creation of the Ayrshire Coastal Path and a number of his photographs of the Path appear in the Guide Book. He also assisted in the creation of the website which can be accessed at www.ayrshirecoastalpath.org.

During the winter months, because of daylight and weather restrictions, we do not usually go as far afield, although if the weather is good and the mountains are bathed in snow, some of the hardier souls are likely to head north. However there are still plenty of great walks to do closer to home. Autumn colours in woodland and forest are magic, frost provides some beautiful scenes and as for a snow walk on the Corserine – beyond description.
Even for an experienced walker, there is something special about going hillwalks with like minded people – a pleasure shared. We are pleased that we are able to offer a wide range of walks which hopefully will meet all tastes. Whether you enjoy high or low level hillwalks (or both) we invite you to contact our leader who will be happy to provide any further information. Apart from membership of OIR, the only essential requirements are a reasonable level of fitness and proper hillwalking equipment especially good walking boots and wet and cold weather clothing. Walking poles are helpful and a torch is needed in winter.

Finally, be prepared for tussocks especially in the area of the Galloway Hills. However there is no truth in the rumour that in some walks the group is deliberately led through tussocky terrain!

Harry Taylor

Below are some photos taken by members of the Group.

Taken on the summit of Corserine in February by Tom Church 

Winter in the Carrick Hills by Jim Sands

Cobbler Track by Jim Sands

Photo Stack
(photos supplied by Eric Payne)

Click on photo for other photos

Photo Stack
(photos supplied by Sandy Martin)

Click on photo for other photos

Photo Stack
(photos supplied by Alison Mann)

Click on photo for other photos

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Hill Walks (lower hill)

Meet at Car Park at Cambusdoon Sports Club, Alloway  Tuesday 8:45

Bob Gardiner 01292 443201

Come and explore SW Scotland in Good company. If you are reasonably fit and would like to experience hill walking with a group there are a few vacancies. Walks are generally between 7 and 10 miles in an area between Greenock and the Galloway Hills with occasional forays further afield. We walk in all weathers. Minor roads, forest roads, sheep tracks and open hillside are all used in our low level walks and those up to 2,000 feet.

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Horse Riding

Group meets at Southmains, Corton Road Wednesday 12:00

Leader Ian Taylor

Nothing to strenuous. The session lasts about an hour and consists of a walk or a trot under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor. A hard hat is necessary but this will be provided if you don't have one. The charge for a session £19 to OIR members. Note this group could do with more members.

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Indoor Bowls

Wednesday game in progress

Indoor bowls are held twice a week at Ayr Indoor Bowling Green off Lothian Road. Judging by the number attending on the Wednesday when I turned up to take a photo for the website it is proving very popular. It enables skills to be kept up during the winter months when outdoor bowls isn't possible.

David Mainland