We're taking a look back at the big stories and photos from the Advertiser in early February 2004.
Recognise anyone in these South Ayrshire photos from 20 years ago?
A musical marathon was held at Malcolm Sargent House in early February 2004 to celebrate 15 years of the property being opened. Players from the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra are pictured with musical director Wallace Galbraith.
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Primary seven pupils at Forehill staged an unconventional Burns Supper in 2004 combining the traditional toasts with a special meal offering steak pie and ‘Scotland’s ither National drink’ as an alternative to haggis. Rev Stirling poposed the Immortal Memory.
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The town of Ayr joined the rest of the country in 2004 to mourn the passing of football legend Ally MacLeod. Tributes flooded in after Ally passed away peacefully at his home in Ayr aged 72. The former Blackburn player led Scotland to the 1978 World Cup and managed Ayr United in the 80s.
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The Advertiser reported South Ayrshire’s Burns an a’ That festival could be scuppered after council bosses discovered it cost them £41 for every visitor the event brought into the area. Around £100,000 of council cash had been committed for the 2004 and 2005 festivals, which attracted stars like Patti Smith, Eddi Reader, above, and Lloyd Cole to South Ayrshire. But both Labour and Conservative group leaders demanded a review of the funding.
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Pupils from Barassie Primary had a great time at their Burns Supper. The Immortal Memory was expertly given by Victoria Houston and Ben Farrant. The toast to The Lassies was delivered by Gregor Scott, while Claire Minto gave the reply. The Address to the Haggis came from Grant McRae and Darren Morgan.
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A group of South Ayrshire schoolchildren had an insight into life on the beat when they were put through their paces on a 16-week training regime. The assignment was completed as part of the police service section of their Duke of Edinburgh programme.
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