Portencross Castle Events
Coffee Morning Fundraiser
The final Portencross Castle fundraiser coffee morning for 2011 will take place on Saturday, December 3rd at South Banks House, Portencross between the hours of 10.30am and 1pm. A £4 donation at the door will entitle you to partake in a "bottomless" cup of coffee (or tea) and home baking while you enjoy an open fire, meet up with friends and neighbours to exchange tid-bits of "gossip" and take the opportunity to purchase the odd last-minute Christmas gift. This will also be the debut of the 2012 Portencross Castle Calendar...which, this year, is the product of the collective endeavours of the children of Primary 6 at West Kilbride Primary School.
Again, we invite drop-off and pick-up at the South Banks House driveway, but we ask that cars be parked at the nearby Portencross Car Park. If there is a mobility problem, please call Audrey or Walter at 01294 823949 for special arrangements.
All profits from this fundraiser go to the Portencross Castle operational and maintenance fund, which is administered by the Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC).
We look forward to seeing you and thank you in advance for your continued support.
Portencross Castle Christmas Cards
This extremely beautiful photograph of the castle in the snow is the FOPC Christmas card for 2011. The cards will be on sale at the Charities Christmas Card Sale in the Village hall on Saturday 29th October. They will be sold for 60p each or £5 for a pack of ten. All profits to go towards the restoration and maintenance of the castle. Also on sale will be a small number of cards of the view of Portencross taken by George Houston, these will be priced at £3 for ten.
Anyone who is interested in buying cards but cannot make the Charities sale should contact Ann on 01294 823799.
Children's Art Exhibition
There will be a two day exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, October 29th and 30th, 2011, between the hours of 12 noon and 4pm on both days. The display will consist of paintings and drawings by the pupils of Primary 6, West Kilbride Primary School.
Held at South Banks House, Portencross, this exhibition brings to a culmination the input phase of a class project to create the Portencross Castle Calendar for 2012. Supported by Friends of Portencross Castle, the pupils of Primary 6 (under the guidance of their teacher, Miss Gemma Hanton)have enthusiastically undertaken the responsibility of creating the 2012 calendar, taking it from the conceptual stage through to its final publication. Their art work, which will appear in the calendar, is the focal point of this exhibition. Admission is free! Drop-off and pick-up only in the South Banks House driveway. Please park in the nearby Portencross Car Park. If there are mobility problems, please call Audrey or Walter at 01294 823949.
Although it was originally intended to display the children's art work in Portencross Castle, the vagaries of repair work being conducted there beginning in October has necessitated a change of venue.
The 2012 Portencross Castle Calendar will be introduced for sale at the Autumn/Winter Fundraiser Coffee Morning in November. There will be a limited number of calendars printed, so if you wish to pre-order, please call Audrey or Walter on the phone number given above.
Talk at Portencross Castle, Sunday 25th September
Friends of Portencross Castle are hosting a talk by Dr David Caldwell, Interim Keeper of Archaeology, National Museums Scotland on the Furnishings of Scottish Castles on Sunday 25th September at 4.30pm in the castle.
Dr Caldwell said,"Evidence from documents and surviving furniture and furnishings perhaps gives a rather different impression about life in castles than many expect. Tower-houses like Portencross were homes and we can learn a lot about what life was like in them".
The talk is part of Scottish Archaeology month, SAM lecture series, which pairs top experts from National Museums Scotland to give talks to archaeology and local history societies all over the country. There is a question and answer session at the end which will offer a fantastic opportunity to ask one of the country's top archaeologists your questions!
The evening is free and open to the public but those wishing to attend are asked to notify The Friends of Portencross Castle ahead of time and donations to the Group would be welcome.
For further enquiries and to book contact Ann McLachlan, FOPC on: port_n_x@hotmail.com or telephone 01294 823799
Temporary Change to Opening Hours
Due to the hire of the castle for a private event on Saturday, 24th September 2011, Portencross Castle will be open to the public between the hours of 11am until 2pm ONLY ON THAT DATE
Opening times September
The castle will be open daily from 11-4pm until the 31st August.
During September the castle will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, and also on Monday 26th September (local holiday weekend). Opening hours are again 11-4pm, with last admissions at 3.45pm.
Open Doors 3-4th September
Portencross castle will be one of the venues open on the 3rd and 4th September under the 'Open Doors' scheme. This scheme is designed to encourage people to explore their local heritage, including many buildings not normally open to the general public.
During this weekend the castle will be operating guided tours only, making it a great chance to learn the history of this important building. Entry is free, although any contributions to the upkeep of the castle are always welcome.
BRAND NEW!.."ART IN THE GARDEN"
Between 11am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, August 20th and 21st, 2011, under marquee and gazebo cover, the South Banks House garden at Portencross will be the venue for local artists displaying: woodcarvings, sculptures, metalwork, glasswork and ceramics. See the Raku-firing demonstration by ceramicists.
Teas and plenty of homebaking will be available in a lovely, tranquil garden setting. Plenty of free parking at the Portencross Car Park...just a few steps beyond our gate.
Entry charge is £1. That's correct...just£1 !!! Proceeds will go to the Portencross Castle operating and maintenance fund.
Music Evening July 23rd
What has become an annual summer event is once again upon us! On Saturday July 23rd 2011 there will be a Music Evening Fundraiser at South Banks House, Portencross. Between the hours of 7.30pm and 11pm enjoy the music of the 70's, 80's and the 90's brought to you by our popular local group, "The Banned". Bring those dancing slippers!
A £12 ticket, purchasable upon entry, will entitle you to an evening of great music, a delicious hot and cold buffet...and the pleasure of scintillating company (the last item YOU have to make successful). In the past, we have enjoyed goodweather for this event. This year, with its unpredictability thus far, the marquee and gazebos will be up in the eventuality of "drizzles". A pay bar (very reasonable prices) will be available...and a great raffle and tombola.
As in past years, we welcome drop-off and pick-up at the entry gates, but ask that cars be parked at the nearby (free) Portencross Car Park. In the event of mobility problems, please call us on 1294 823949.
Also, as in past years, "under-18's" will not be admitted. This is a North Ayrshire Council licensing requirement.
All proceeds go to the Portencross Castle operating and maintenance fund.
We look forward to seeing you, whatever the weather, for a great evening! Thank you, in advance, for your continued support.
Summer Opening
The castle will be open every day from 1st July until the end of August. Opening times are 11am-4pm.
Saturday 4th June
Advance notice that the castle will be closed to the general public from 2pm on Saturday 4th June as it has been hired for a private event. The event in question is a champagne wedding reception, and we would like to wish the Bride and Groom a wonderful day - we are all keeping our fingers crossed for good weather!!
During the Annual Art Exhibition, 25-26th June, normal free entry to the castle will not apply. Instead there will be an admission charge of £1 to the art show. We hope as many people as possible will join us for this enjoyable annual fundraiser.
ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION
The annual Art Exhibition, an important fundraiser for FOPC, will be held in the castle on 25th and 26th June.
Advance notice to artisits - exhibits will be received at Farland (next to the car park) between 3 and 6 on Thurs 23rd June. This year there will be a limit of two exhibits per person. Hanging charge will be £4 for small, £5 for medium. Due to the difficult access to the Great Hall, larger paintings, whilst welcome, may be hung away from the main exhibition, and at the organisers discretion.
Saturday 30 April, BEACH CLEAN UP
In support of the 'Keep Scotland Beautiful' campaign, the FOPC are once again collaborating with the West Kilbride Civic Society, Hunterston Rotary, West Kilbride Boys Brigade, West Kilbride Girl Guides, NAC and Youth with a Mission in a concerted clean up of the beach extending between the south end of the Seamill Hydro and Portencross.
We welcome this year's participation by the West Kilbride Initiative Group and the Magnox 'A' Environmental Group.
The clean up will take place between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday 30 April. There will be four meeting places to access the beach:
1. The beach entrance opposite Ardneil Farm, Portencross, 2. The beach end of Fullerton Drive, Seamill, 3. The car park at the beach end of Hyman Road, Seamill, 4. The beach end of Sandy Lane, adjacent to the Seamill Hydro.
There will be a clean up team control point at each of the above access points, where there will be an issue of trash bags, gloves, tabards and grabbers (provided by 'Keep Scotland Beautiful' and the NAC.
At the end of the effort participants are invited to the Portencross Car park for free tea/coffee/soft drinks (courtesy of FOPC and the Civic Society), soup (courtesy of Audrey, Laura and Karen) and shortbread (courtesy of Gregg's the baker).
If you have pride in our coastline and beach spend the afternoon with us and Keep Scotland Tidy! Let's repeat last years success.
For further information please contact the Clean Up Coordinator, Audrey, on 01294 823949.
APRIL AND EASTER OPENING TIMES
The castle will be open daily from 4th - 17th April from 11am until 4pm. It will be open at the same times over the Easter weekend. Admission is free but any donations will be gratefully received.
Saturday 5th March
The first Portencross Castle coffee-morning fundraiser of 2011 will be held from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 5th March at South Banks House, Portencross. Come out of the winter slumber, catch up on gossip and enjoy coffee and homebaking by an open fire (we predict that the weather will still be chilly, although the daffodils are making every effort to make an appearance!). A donation of £4 per guest upon entry is suggested. All proceeds go to the Portencross Castle fund (administered by the Friends of Portencross Castle - FOPC). These fundraisers and donations are the sole source of revenue for the maintenance and operation of the castle.
As in the past, the driveway will be open for drop-off and pick-up, but parking should be at nearby Portencross car park. If there are special mobility requirements please call Audrey or Walter on 01294 823949. We look forward to seeing you!
Saturday 4th December
The last coffee morning fundraiser of 2010 will be held from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 4th December at South Banks House, Portencross.
This is an excellent opportunity to see your friends and neighbours before they go into hibernation, catch up on gossip, warm yourself by an open fire, enjoy home baking and purchase gifts. This will also be the first avaiability of the 2011 Portencross Castle Calendar.
The driveway will be open for drop off/pick up but, due to lack of space, we ask that you please park in the nearby Portencross car park. If there are special mobility needs, please call Walter or Audrey on 01294 823949.
A donation of £4 per guest upon entry is suggested and all proceeds will go to the Portencross Castle fund. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your continued support.