In the19th century the Earl of Eglinton who owned the Castle and grounds placed 3 canons on the hill. These would be fired to commemorate his birthday every year as well as on other important occasions. Visitors to the castle enjoyed getting their picture taken at the canons and this resulted in the hill being affectionately known as Canon Hill instead of its official name Castle Hill. The hill is still referred to this day as Canon Hill by the local community despite there being no canons now present on the hill due to them being removed during world war two and  melted down as part of war effort for ammunitions. ACHS hold numerous events on the hill throughout the year and many of the visitors we engage with ask where the canons are? Why is it known as Canon hill? and would love to see at least one canon back on the hill. This would bring more visitors to the hill, be a talking point about the history of Ardrossan during the war and ACHS would engage with local schools to discuss  not only the Castles history but the wider history of  Ardrossan including the harbour being used a naval base during the war. ACHS would hold an event on the hill to commemorate the canon being put in place bringing the local community and wider together to enjoy the beautiful green space and views from the hill as well as hearing all about our rich and diverse history, encouraging tourism in the area. 

The cost of the Canon on oak base plus delivery and placement on hill = £6,500.

ACHS held a St. Andrews night Ceilidh last year and raised £1,000 towards the cost so far and are planning more fundraisers including another Ceilidh. 

The core mission of Stick With It! is to break down barriers for children and families who have the most to gain from nature-based learning, but who often lack the means to participate. By leveraging grant funding to purchase essential resources and develop a professional website, the project will increase visibility, attract paying clients, and ultimately generate income that can be reinvested in supporting those most in need.

A central tenet of Stick With It! is the 'pay it forward' model: for every ten paid places at the Forest School, one free place will be offered to a vulnerable child or family. This ensures that as the programme grows and income increases, so too does the direct support for those facing adversity. 

Objectives

• Provide funded Forest School places to children and families identified as vulnerable across North Ayrshire.
• Develop a website to advertise Forest School services, increasing reach and generating sustainable income.
• Guarantee that at least 10% of all paid Forest School places are offered free of charge to those who need them most.
• Promote mental health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for participants.

Benefits for Children, Young People and Families

• Mental Health and Wellbeing

Forest School is widely recognised as a powerful tool for supporting mental health and wellbeing in children and young people. Immersion in natural settings reduces stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. The sensory-rich environment encourages mindfulness and presence, providing respite from the pressures of daily life. Children develop greater resilience, improved emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of self-worth through connection with the natural world.

• Therapeutic Benefits

For vulnerable children and families, Forest School offers therapeutic benefits that extend beyond traditional interventions. Activities nurture the whole child—emotionally, socially, and physically. 

• Physical Health Benefits and the Benefits of Being in Nature

Time spent outdoors is essential for healthy physical development. Forest School encourages active play, gross and fine motor skill development, and a lifelong appreciation of physical activity. Being in nature supports immune function, improves sleep, and reduces the risk of obesity and related health issues. 

With the help of grant funding and a sustainable income model driven by a new website, the project will transform lives, one family at a time.

Breakdown of Costs

These are one-off costs that will ensure the sustainability of the Stick With It! project. 

Website design and domain name - £795

Waterproof suits (children) - £220

Waterproof suits (adults) - £150

Waterproof grip overshoes (children) - £120

Waterproof grip overshoes (adults) - £60

Sensory loose parts play materials - £180

Hand tools £110

Hot water airpot - £85

Hammocks - £90

DD Tarps - £190

Total - £2,000

Dalry Public Park has great potential to be developed into an area that can help provide various facilities and eventsthat were enjoyed by previous generations, which we have seen eroded over the years. The Sports Pavilion provides an excellent base for which a lot of these can be facilitated from, where the instalation of these lights, extending this even further. Recent years have seen Dalry Community Sports Club, and in partnership with others, facilitate a number of events and activities here, including, Parklives, Party in the Park, Skirt the Skeith, Menshed, Sheshed, Dr Bike, School Sports Day, Puppy Training, Craft Event, Kids Football, Orienteering, King's Coronation, Queen's Jubilee. We recently seen the installation of 10 solar lights in the park, which lights the footpath from the carpark to the pavilion, which DCSC secured funding for, where we would now see this being complemented by the old floodlights being brought back into use, which overall gives us a facility that can be better accessed over the winter period / dark nights, with opportunities to use both the inside and outside areas of the pavilion for activities and events. We have seen the benefits that this has offered the community of Dalry and the surrounding areas to date, and are kean to continue to build on this.

Permissions : as part of our solar lighting of the park project, Gary Wilson ( Manager ( Lighting & Municipalisation ) / Roads - Engineering Services), gave Dalry Community S[ports Club consent to use our own contractors to bring the floodlights back into operation as appropriate.

Estimated cost - see attached quote for breakback of costs

This year we running a Christmas pantomime fundrasier for the running of the festival, this is open for all of the community at a reduced rate. For 2026 we'd like to offer showings at a even more of a reduced rate. This year the cost of tickets are £10 per person where normally the tickets are £16. Next year we'd like to have the opportunity to greatly reduce the cost of the tickets for school children. We'd like a friday showing for schools to make it acessible for lower income families. Ticket will be at the reduced cost of £3. We will be running other days which will be open to the public which will generate an income. The income we make will be reinvested back into the festival planning and organisation of the festival celebrations for the year ahead.

Pantomime Booking (Geeza a Break Productions ) - £1800

One off hall hire  (Volunteer Rooms) - £200

A Film Club would provide opportunities for the commuity to come together, for cutural and educational benefits.  What was once the old cinema could once again deliver many different genres of film.  As the new building is totally accessible everybody will be able to participate.  There could be screenings individually for children, for those suffering with dementia, for those who would revel in the old stories of the Clyde and the tales of Para Handy, for families. These are just a few examples.

A consultant would research this local innovation to provide a clear strategy and guidelines to be developed for future use by those taking the project foward.

A self employed consultant at 8 hours per week for ten weeks at £15 per hour would cost £1,080.

Radio Adverts - £500

Flyers - £250

Subline heat transfers with logo for handmade products - £150

Online/paper Adverts - £250

Pop Up Banner -£150

Logos for car - vinal transfers-£200

We will use local businesses to provide our marketing materials such as Three Towns Radio & Ardrossan Printers and Ardrossan Herald