17th April 2020 – 10th September 2020

Social distancing

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

10 am Beverley and Patrick Scott play for Irene

Memories and Messages

200  of your memories and messages were gathered through Whiting Bay Memories Facebook group and in the Post office.

Lynne made a beautiful book and card, Cheryl and Lynne wrote each message onto them.

Irene’s story

Irene ‘s first visit to Arran was with her husband Bill and very good friend and senior foreman boss Joe, and his wife Nora Lenehan. They were on a camping holiday together and found themselves in Ardrossan, saw a sign for the ferry, and came over.
They spent two wonderful weeks camping at Alan Currie’s farm at Braehead. They fell in love with Arran and returned in September for another week.
Irene and Bill soon found the perfect property for sale. Uneda Tearoom. Joe and Nora continued to visit regularly and a couple of years later, unknown to Nora, Joe had put in an offer on the paper shop. Kathleen Shaw rang to say their offer had been accepted. Now all four friends, who are all well remembered in the village today had, made their way to Whiting Bay.
Bernie Jackson, son of Nora shared this story with us, he said. “ She was a very clever woman was Irene, they all worked for Mullards in Blackburn, where TV valves were made and then transistors, Irene built these”
It was around this time that the pier had just been demolished, the paddling pool was about to be built and MBS was still a car showroom .
For nearly 30 years Irene served the village. Over the years, Irene’s smile, her cheery greeting and the great service by her and Bill is well remembered .

Around 1973 they closed the cafe, which was on the left. This section became Greatorex grocery, general store and sweetie shop. On the right were the fruit and vegetables.

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Large PDSA collection boxes stood at the entrance. Bill and Irene were great animal lovers, they always had cats and dogs. Their last dog was Nell, many people will have fond memories of her too.
Whiting Bay Memories have been gathering stories and Birthday greetings to mark this special day. Over 200 contributions show just how much Irene touched the lives of so many people. Lots of fond memories have come from people who had their first job with Irene, in the tea room and the shop. From residents past and present and visitors from all around the world. They all fondly remember the warm Whiting Bay welcome from Irene.

Happy Birthday Irene from us all.
Lang may yer lum reek

Sadly Irene passed away peacefully just a few months after her 100th birthday. But we are pleased she got to celebrate it and to know just how much she was appreciated.