Mid May 2003 proved a very busy time for South Ayrshire, with a royal visit, a huge festival event and a massive Ayr town centre development.

Here's what made the headlines in the Ayr Advertiser in our May 14 issue...

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Ayr Advertiser: Nuride collected the award on behalf of Yitzhak from Kirsty Wark and Jim Robertson

THE second Burns an’ A' That festival was hailed a massive success by organisers.

More than 2,000 people packed into Culzean Castle for the Royal Bank of Scotland Gala Concert, which included stunning performances by American punk legend Patti Smith, favourite from 2002 Eddi Reader, Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, and the legendary Dundonian singer-songwriter Michael Marra, along with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

A highlight of the concert was the presentation of this year’s Robert Burns Humanitarian Award which was won by Yitzhak Frankenthal, who took the prize for working to unite the Israeli and Palestinian people after his son was murdered by terrorists.

Palestinian mum, Nuride Elhanan collected the Burns Humanitarian Award on behalf of Israeli Yitzhak, from broadcaster Kirsty Wark and World Burns Federation president Jim Robertson.

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Ayr Advertiser: Princess Anne visits the Ayr Show

THE SUN shone briefly over the Diamond Field at Auchincruive as Princess Anne visited the 2003 Ayr Agricultural Show.

The Princess Royal arrived shortly before 11am, to be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant for Ayrshire and Arran, Major Richard Henderson.

Also waiting for her was a special welcoming committee, comprised of Vice Lord Lieutenant Colonel John Dalrymple Hamilton and his wife Sallyanne, South Ayrshire Council chief executive George Thorley and his wife Ann, Ayr MSP John Scott, Clerk to the Lord Lieutenant Nigel Martin and his wife Sandy, and Jimmy Templeton, Chairman of Ayr Show.

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Ayr Advertiser: Dancers from Ayr RSCDS entertained the crowds

Prestwick churches got together to raise money for Christian Aid.

The fun day was held at St. Ninians Church on Saturday as kids and families enjoyed a wide range of activities from bric a brac, bouncy castles and a burger and coffee stall.

And more importantly the churches efforts helped raise over £1800 for Christian Aid.

Pictured are the young dancers from Ayr RSCDS who entertained the crowds.

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Ayr Advertiser: The Ayr Players

THE Ayr Players returned with their Spring production of A Party to Murder.

Pictured are the cast at rehearsal. Who was next to land in the soup? It could have been any of the experienced cast of Moira Allan, Sandra Poole and Christine Stanley, Donald Munro, Martin Christie and Brendan Barratt.

The play was directed by Isobel Miller.

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And finally, the future of the £50 million plans for Ayr town centre would be decided in July, it was revealed.

Glasgow based Henry Boot Developments - who named their project ‘Ayr Central’- were hoping council bosses would give their retail and leisure plans the green light at July’s planning meeting.

The firm said that if the proposals got the nod, 400 jobs will be created at the 5.5 acre site situated at the old Barr car park, just off Kyle Street.