AS 2022 draws to a close, we thought we'd take a look back at some of our favourite and most popular stories from the last 12 months.

We've put together some of the headline highlights from the first half of the year below - let us know in the comments what your most memorable Herald article has been... and stay tuned for part two soon.

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January

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Pride of the Lions author Derek NivenPride of the Lions author Derek Niven (Image: UGC)

THE family tree of Saltcoats’ most famous footballer was revealed in a book released at the start of the year about the Lisbon Lions.

Author and genealogist Derek Niven penned ‘Pride of the Lions’ which tells the untold histories of the 16 Celtic medallists who lifted the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967.

Read more here.

February

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The official opening of Electric Valley, with Deputy Provost Barr, centreThe official opening of Electric Valley, with Deputy Provost Barr, centre (Image: Radio City Association)

FEBRUARY saw the official opening of Radio City Association’s (RCA) Electric Valley base in Kilbirnie offering a new mobility hub for the Garnock Valley.

The opening of the mobility hub was seen as the first step in the RCA’s ambitious Community Asset Transfer of the Knox Institute to transform the building, first opened in November 1892, into a centre for social enterprise.

Read more here.

March

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The Princess Royal visited Dunbia Highland Meats' slaughterhouse in SaltcoatsThe Princess Royal visited Dunbia Highland Meats' slaughterhouse in Saltcoats (Image: Dunbia)

THE Three Towns had a special guest in March as HRH the Princess Royal visited the area.

Princess Anne caused quite a commotion as her private helicopter landed in the grounds of Ardrossan Academy before heading to Dunbia Highland Meats in Saltcoats to see the firm's upgraded facilities.

Full story here.

April

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Award winners from the Waterside Hotel (left) and Cake designer Caroline Halliday (right)Award winners from the Waterside Hotel (left) and Cake designer Caroline Halliday (right) (Image: Facebook)

TWO businesses based in West Kilbride walked away with prizes from the Confetti Wedding Awards 2022.

The Waterside received recognition for its work as a wedding venue while independent baker ‘Cake Halliday’ was rewarded for her design qualities.

More here.

May

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Cunninghame HouseCunninghame House (Image: North Ayrshire Council)

THE make-up of the new North Ayrshire Council administration was confirmed following May's local government elections.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) took the most seats, while the Conservative and Unionist party gained three seats from the 2017 results, and Scottish Labour lost two from 2017.

Full story here.

June

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: PC Clare Chalmers was awarded for her braveryPC Clare Chalmers was awarded for her bravery (Image: Police Scotland/YouTube)

IN June, a courageous police constable from Ardrossan who foiled a knife-wielding attacker on her own was announced as one of the winners of this year's Pride of Scotland Awards.

PC Clare Chalmers earned an emergency services award for her bravery in tackling the violent man without any backup in September 2020.

Read more on this story here.