This week, we're taking look back 20 years to the Ayr Advertiser's top stories and photos from May 2004.

Who can you spot in these pics from across South Ayrshire?

Ayr Advertiser: Author

A best-selling Ayr writer enthralled locals with tales of her craft in May 2004. Author Eileen Ramsay returned home to give a talk about writing and read extracts from her latest novel, ‘Someday, Somewhere’ at Ottakar’s on Ayr High Street.


Ayr Advertiser: Plane

Aer Arann’s new route linking Prestwick and Donegal took off for the first time in May 2004. The airline added a new 66 seater aircraft to its fleet which has enabled the launch of these additional services. Pictured are Catrina Murphy (first officer), Gillian McPherson (customer services co-ordinator) and Captain Vaughan Marchbanks.


Ayr Advertiser: Golf Inn

Hard-working members of staff at a Prestwick pub raised a three-figure sum for the Ayrshire Hospice in May 2004. Staff at the Golf Inn on Main Street handed over a cheque for £800.


Ayr Advertiser: Carrick

Carrick Academy’s Home Economics S4 students sampled their efforts in the Hospitality Exams in 2004. Pictured are Nicky McVey, Julie McGregor, Fiona Herron and Deborah Donnachie.


Ayr Advertiser: Show

The wet weather at Ayr County Show didn’t dampen the spirits of Marie Curie nurse Alexis Charlton who was collecting for the charity at the May 2004 event. Despite the Diamond Field at Auchincruive becoming a bit of a mud bath, visitor numbers for the show were up a reported 20 per cent on 2003.


Ayr Advertiser: The 2004 performance of The Minotaur at  Minishant Primary

An audience of delighted parents were treated to a performance of The Minotaur at Minishant Primary in May 2004. The project brought together talent from the five smallest primary schools in the Carrick Cluster. Joining Minishant were pupils from Fisherton, Kirkmichael, Crosshill and Straiton.