Swimming

Prestwick Baths Thursday beginners 14:00-15:45, swimmers 14:45:15:30

Leader June McNee 01292 267340

 

The Swimming group meets almost all year round at Prestwick baths on Thursday afternoons. It is a very sociable and friendly meeting which offers the chance for pleasant exercise in the water.  Also we provide assistance for beginners who wish to learn or improve their swimming abilities.

 

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Table Tennis

Newton Church Hall Monday 14.00 - 15:30

Leader Scott Watson 01292 671256

 

Table Tennis Group Nov, 2010

 

Table Tennis Group in Action

 

Plenty of enjoyment shown here with a bit of fast action thrown in. Between games there is time for a chat while awaiting your next turn. The group is at about capacity so people wishing to join are likely to be put on a waiting list.

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Tai-Chi

(teacher Robert Taylor)

 

What it's about

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system of exercise using breathing and movement that also involves a conscious effort of the mind, resulting in a variety of health benefits, and is suitable for older people as the movements are of a slow and deliberate nature.

Studies have shown a variety of health benefits ranging from reduction of stress to an increase in flexibility, balance, coordination, improved posture, better circulation and increased fitness, while also reducing blood pressure and heart rate. After having practised for a short time it is common to find an increased feeling of well being.

Due to their suitability for OIR members, the course will concentrate on exercise sets, from a system developed by Professor Zhang , Senior Professor at Beijing University of Physical Education, who has been given awards by the Chinese Government for the effectiveness of his work.

Tai Chi Forms consist of a series of flowing, interlinked movements.

The 37 Posture form open hand form is probably the most popular Form in Britain, and is the form taught to the OIR. This form takes about 7 minutes to perform.

Slow, deep, abdominal breathing is encouraged., and the breath is co-ordinated with the movements of the exercise.

Each class will consist of a short warm-up routine, followed by demonstration and tuition of the Form and exercises, concluding with a cool down routine.

Comfortable loose clothing is worn, and flat shoes or trainers are recommended.

  Classes:

Beginners - Newton Church Thursday 11:00-12:00, Leader Ann Murchie

(New members sought)

Improvers - Newton Church Thursday 10:00-11:00, Leader Alastair Fraser (scroll for pics)

 

Beginners pics

 

 

 Ann Murchie with Instructor Robert Taylor

Below are some photos of the class practicing tai-chi

 

Improvers Pics

 

Instructor Robert Taylor with Alistair Fraser (right)

 

The Class in Action

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Taste of Spain

Ayr College, Monday 09:30 - 11.00

Leaders Amy Kinnaird 01290 700606

The Taste of Spain class started on Monday,4th October and will run until Monday,13th December 2010. It will restart on Monday,17th January and continue until 28th March 2011. Time-9.30-11am. There are 8 at present in the class and so far I have found it an interesting class with a young lecturer-Mark ? as the tutor. He is well prepared and yesterday we had an insight into bull-fighting--origins,justification? etc. The cost without an ILA Grant is £45 per semester. To apply for a grant the telephone no. is 0808 100 1090.

Amy Kinnaird

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Tea Dance

65 Club, Prestwick Friday 14:00 - 15:45

Leader John Fullarton 01292 312106

I went along to the Tea Dance Group at the 65 Club to take some photos for the website to be greeted with a cup of tea and a biscuit as it was the interval. Once the music started again I was treated to some deft and sparkling footwork showing how dancing should be done. Jack and Pat Gray ensure that there are dances to suit everybody and on occasion give a bit of instruction as well. 

 Below are some photos which hopefully capture some of the skilled footwork.

David Mainland

 

 

 

 

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Ten Pin Bowling

La Bowl Ayr, Wednesday 10:00

Leaders Jim Kay 01292 441478

       John Mould 01290 552091

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim and the other 40 or so members when I visited La Bowl, Ayr to take some photos for the web site. All the ins and outs of the game seemed a bit complicated but at its heart is simply the aim of sending ten skittles flying with it appeared as big a clatter as possible!

As well as playing 'la bowls' the group find time for chat and a coffee break. Taken together the mix makes for a good outing. If you would like to give it a try, Jim and John would be delighted to welcome you.

David Mainland

Looking down the rink

Members of the Ten Pin Bowling Group

 

Happy 90th Birthday to Bill Wyllie

On Wednesday 8 June the 10 Pin Bowling Section held a birthday party for Bill Wyllie who was 90 years of age on 10 June 2011. This is the first time that the section has had a member reach this venerable age. The party was held at the end of our normal session in the LA Bowls Miller Road Ayr and some thirty members were present.

Bill was born on 10 June 1921 and his family farmed Masonhill farm Ayr, of which he baecame thr ultimate owner. The farm was sold for housing in the 1950s and Bill and his family moved away. He later returned to settle in Ayr on his retirement.

Bill has been a member of OIR for many years and has participated in other sections such as Indoor Bowling, Outdoor Bowling and Curling.

John Mould  & James Kay

Click on the photo of Bill cutting the cake to see other photos of the occasion.

 

 

 

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Theatre Visits/ Light Entertainment

Leader Stephen Dodd  01292 442068

A program of theatre visits organized by Stephen. Details of outings are presented below.

 

Stephen Dodd right standing next to Norma the previous leader and her husband Michael

 

Two tickets available for
Matthew Bourne's "NUTCRACKER" 20th Anniversary Tour. One of the most popular dance productions staged in the UK. Unforgettable sets and costumes plus a shimmering ice skating winter wonderland. Kings Theatre Glasgow, Wednesday 22nd February at 2.30pm Tickets were £35 now reduced to £30 per person.

If you have paid a £15 deposit please pay the balance of £15 as soon as possible. Cheques payable to OIR Theatre Group should be delivered to the office as soon as possible. Cash payments also accepted. Theatre outings are for OIR members only. Coach will depart Millbrae/Holmston House at 1.00pm prompt.

Contact - Stephen Dodd (01292) 442068 if you require additional information.

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Walking

Meet at Millbrae Car Park Tuesday 9:30

Leader OIR Ayr  01292 260086

 

Welcome to our walking group which consists of around 80 walkers and depending on the time of year and the weather, we have between 45 and 70 at any one time walking.

We walk all the year round with the exception of Christmas and New Year and do so every second Tuesday. Our walks are on roads, cycle paths, open countryside and farmland and the distance we cover is between five and seven miles.

There is also a good social side to our group as we have an annual walking weekend in October and we travel to different parts of the country in Scotland. We also arrange a Christmas party and a Burns lunch in January which all members of OIR are welcome.

This hobby is one way to keep our mind and bodies physically and mentally alert when we retire and the average age of our walkers is mid fifties to mid eighties.

If anyone wishes to join our walking group and you are a member of OIR  contact the OIR office number which is 01292 260086 and they will give you the information you require.

Below are some photos and information about some  the walking outings the group have been on.

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The Group held their annual Burns Lunch at Malin Court Hotel, Maidens on Tuesday 17th January.  Around 120 members were there and enjoyed a splendid meal.  Hector toasted the haggis which was piped in by Jimmy Murphy.  Forty walkers did a walk locally before the event.  The entertainment, by Bobby and Jimmy from Mauchline, was much enjoyed with Burns and Scottish traditional songs and melodies.  A well supported raffle completed a good afternoon out. A photo of the occasion is presented below.

 

 

 

Photo Stack of Walking Group 1 Christmas Lunch
at the Ramada Hotel, Ayr Tuesday, 6th December.
(photos supplied by Amy) 

Chick on the above image for photo album and keep clicking 

 

Photo Stack
(photos supplied by Amy of October Walking Weekend at Braemar )

Click on the above image for photo album

 

Photo Stack
(photos supplied by Gordon Whyte of October Walking Weekend at Braemar )

Click on the above image for photo album

 

The Waverley trip to Rothesay on 17th August

It was a good day for walking as the weather stayed fine. Approximately 192 turned out for the trip - two busloads from West Lothian, 50+ from Bathgate and nearly 100 from OIR Ayr.  A fairly large group did the walk- between 60 and 70. Buses took the party to a high point around the middle of Bute and we walked back to Rothesay along an old Drovers' road . We stopped at a lovely spot at Loch Fad where there are are Fishing facilities and a rainbow trout farm. The views there towards Arran were special. The other OIR members chose to go to Mount Stuart or do their own thing in Rothesay. The usual fish suppers and ice-cream were consumed in Rothesay before we were picked up in the evening. The Waverley was due back at 6.40pm but having sailed up The Kyles of Bute and stopped at Tignabruich and Tarbert was about half an hour late. However, we had a lovely sail back to Largs with the sun setting behind Arran.

Amy

 

The photos for the Rothesay trip have been contributed by Amy Kinnard, Gordon Whyte and Steven Dodd.  They appear in the the order of first five are from Gordon, the ones date stamped are from Amy and the remainder which were taken at Loch Fad were taken by Steven.

Chick on the above image for photo album

 

Visit to Falkirk Wheel

The Walking Group went to the Falkirk Wheel on Tuesday, 26th April and walked about 4/5 miles along the canal------glorious Spring sun-shine. Those who didn't walk went on the Wheel experience and visited the Visitor's Centre.

The group had a superb day out.  Some photos of the occasion are shown below.

We are Here!

 

Now What is This?

 

Group Photo 

 

Falkirk Wheel

 

Close up of Wheel

Taken during the walk along the canal 

Time for Relaxation and a spot of lunch

Hector very relaxed at the Information Centre

Amy with view of canal in background

 

Nice bit of sculpture!