Campus Update Winter 2016 | Page 5

bricks mortar Ayrshire College bricklaying students have built up an excellent reputation for themselves after impressing judges in a McLaughlin & Harvey sponsored competition. McLaughlin & Harvey are the contractors behind the new campus development at Kilmarnock, and for the contest they challenged eight students at the College’s Nethermains campus to each build their own six-brick high wall. The group worked hard at the task all day with the competition tough to call for judge Phonsie Taggart, McLaughlin & Harvey’s Contracts Manager. In the end, Conner Beggs came out on top, with Ryan Brown finishing as runner-up and Conor Sinclair third. Conner’s prize for triumphing in the contest was a brand new toolkit presented by McLaughlin & Harvey representatives, while college staff laid on two consolation tool bag prizes for Ryan and Conor. Fellow competitors Paul Breen, Karen Graham, Cameron Greyson, Cameron Mackay and Jordan Robertson were each presented with certificates of achievement to mark the occasion. Conner, from Kilbirnie, said “It was a long day, it was draining, but obviously the result is great! Winning this makes me feel that I can achieve more than I think I can. I’m proud of my accomplishment.” Conner Beggs - who celebrated his 21st birthday on competition day came out on top. He said “Winning this makes me feel that I can achieve more than I think I can. I’m proud of my accomplishment.” Phonsie said “Considering these students have never been on a real construction site to work before they all did really well. I think the standard of work has been great. Well done to everyone who took part.“ Construction lecturer at Ayrshire College, Alan Brown, said“The students really rose to the challenge. The walls were built to a high standard and I’m glad that I didn’t have the difficult task of choosing the winner.”