AWARDS for more than 180 years of service to amateur theatre have been handed out by a group in Ayr.

The long service accolades were presented to 13 members of the Ayr Amateur Opera Company at the organisation's recent AGM at the Savoy Park Hotel.

The awards all come from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), an umbrella organisation for more than 2,500 amateur theatre groups  across the UK.

The awards were presented to the following members of the group.

  • 5 years: Iain McLellan-Heath and Lindsay Rowan
  • 10 years: Erland Bell, Gillian Dorans, Fiona Hogg, Andrew Martin, Kirsty McLean and  Marie McWilliams
  • 15 years: Lynne Kenmuir
  • 20 years: David Cannell and Mikey McCabe
  • 25 years: Wendy Cannell
  • 35 years: Jillian Powell

The same meeting also decided on the group's executive committee for the next year, which will be led by president Greg Philip. 

The rest of the committee is made up of vice-president David Cannell, secretary Claire Dorby, treasurer Nicola McKinlay and ordinary members Gillian Dorans, Simon Kerr, Andrew Martin, Ciara McCabe and Jo-Ann Robinson.

The honorary president is Elizabeth Veitch.

A spokesperson said: "We’re now looking forward to the year ahead, and our 2025 production of Rock of Ages!"