Project Barrmill

09/09/2026

All of us at the Townhouse were saddened to hear the news that Jean Highgate had passed away on Wednesday 2nd September. Jean had been a member of Beith Cultural & Heritage Society since its formation, supported our work when she was a Councillor, and then joined our committee as Treasurer. She resigned as Treasurer last year due to her deteriorating health but continued as a Trustee of the newly formed SCIO. We are so fortunate to have benefitted for so many years from her organisational skills, hard work and dogged determination to get things done - whether it was the frustration of dealing with our energy supplier, organising fundraising events or persuading the council to get involved. Even after being admitted to St Vincent's Hospice she continued to be active in our Group Chat and was emailing North Ayrshire Council about their lack of action regarding the Auld Kirk.

We are going to miss her greatly as a friend and for all she contributed to our work. Our thoughts are with Fergus, Gavin, Fiona and all her family and friends. Beith has lost a very special lady who did so much for the town.

The photo shows Jean at our plant sale in June this year.

04/09/2026

✍️📋 (𝗨𝗻𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹) 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! ✍️📋

Something that's been bugging us for a while now is finding out, with any degree of accuracy, the current population of Barrmill.

In 1876 it was ~300, and at its peak in 1951 it stood at ~600.

Built-up areas in Scotland need to reach a minimum threshold of 500 people to be counted as a locality or settlement, and Barrmill hasn't met that cut-off for decades, meaning its population doesn't appear in state records (outwith North Ayrshire) and is usually included as part of the wider Garnock Valley locality.

Today, armed with a pen, paper and calculator, local residents Alexander Moffat-Redpath (aged 9), Alexander Kennedy (aged 10), and Ali Redpath (aged 39¾), walked the entirety of the village and took note of all inhabited properties - assigning a value of 2 for any homes they weren't completely sure of.

Had a guid blether, also, with a few villagers to ensure greater accuracy! 🗣️😅

The boundaries of this unofficial census (see attached map) were as follows:

⬆️ North: Balgraymuir
⬇️ South: South Barr Farm
➡️ East: Giffen Mill
⬅️ West: Craufurd Crescent

Our findings noted:

🏠 ~131 homes
👥 296 people

As a percentage of the overall population:

• Millbarr Grove (43.6%)
• McHardy Crescent (15.2%)
• Dunlop Road inc. Giffenmill (11.5%)
• Beith Road (9.8%)
• Balgray Road inc. Balgraymuir (9.8%)
• Craufurd Crescent (9.1%)
• 'Admiralty Road' inc. South Barr (1%)

All in all a good bit of fun and exercise.
We might even do Greenhills and Gateside next!

03/09/2026

Dog show is on the 20th September. We have our first stall holder 'Furreal Treats' who sell natural chews and treats. A big welcome in Barrmill Park awaits .

27/08/2026

We are holding September workday this Saturday 29 August .

It's early this year as the normal second Saturday of month billed for 12th Sept clashes with the Carving Show where we will be then.

Come along this Saturday. We need to get the park prepared for dog show and look out all the things we'll need. Also harvest potatoes. Free organic potatoes for everyone who helps!

26/08/2026

The Barrmill Dog Show is definitely being planned to go ahead 20 September

25/08/2026

👏🏻

19/08/2026

13/08/2026

11/08/2026

Don’t forget our regular summer volunteer session this Friday 5-7pm.
You don’t need any experience, and we will provide tools and gloves.
We are fully inclusive too. There’s things you can do seated or just slowly, and you are welcome just to come and say hi too!!!