Nostalgic memories of Kilbirnie's local history
Share your own memories of Kilbirnie and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 31 in total
So many people recall how at Ladyland School we had to stand up and sing before school dinner. The song is still to this day an evergreen anthem worth mentioning. The song, which became ingrained in our memory was; "All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all." This was not a trained choir, it was young people rushing through the song so we could start eating. Nevertheless the words and music left a lasting impression.
Local man Jimmy Mcvarry helped out at a pig farm. Two pigs won best of show and Jimmy had his photo taken standing between the them. Jimmy was so proud of that photo and showed it time and time again prefaced with the words; 'that's me in the middle!'
For over thirty years MATHEW BROWN played the BIG BASE DRUM for the local Salvation Army Band. Marching back one morning from an open air service MATHEW slipped on the ice as we marched down a steep hill known as COO BRAE. Mathew went down head over heels but amazingly managed to get up to signal the double beat at the end of the tune. Someone commented, I have heard of a Drum Roll Mathew but ...see more
Kilbirnie man, James Fairly, better known as JIMMY went on a camping holiday with four others to Fort William. We had car trouble on the way and had to pay the cost of that. This left us with reduced spending power and on the way home we were running low on petrol. Jimmy brought out from the boot of the car a bottle of whiskey he had bought as a present. Jimmy poured the whisky into the petrol tank and to our ...see more
A Kilbirnie woman, over on holiday from Boston, decided to go to a farm day out. Mrs Liz Stewart was 92 at the time, Liz was very capable in dealing with the public and she was used to horses. Liz made a bee line to the Clydesdale horses and stroked them on the nose. An attendant shouted at Liz in front of everyone, don't touch the horses madam, how would you like to be stroked by thousands of people every ...see more
Jake Stewart the cobbler shoemaker lived and worked at a house known as The Breest. Jake had an Alsatian dog named Cleo. That dog would let you in the shoemakers shop but it lay down across the door and would not let you out until you had paid for your purchase. Many people remember this, DO YOU?
People have been asking the name of the pony which was kept in the park where Presto shop used to be. The pony was called DINKY. Also been asked to verify who owned the chicken runs or hen houses in that same area. Airchie Allan was one, Wullie Mcgookin and Joe Carey.
Four Kilbirnie men were walking home after a shift in the steelworks, this would be after ten at night; it was a Friday and in those days people were paid in cash. Archie Allan, better known as Big Airchie, Wullie Mcgookin, Johnny Mason and Alex Irvine were waylaid by six would-be robbers. The problem was dealt with in typical Kilbirnie fashion - they went into the local Police station to report the incident. ...see more
Jake Stewart, the cobbler shoemaker, late on in life accepted Christianity. Jake was known for his quick wit and put downs. Someone in church was giving a personal testimony and in closing he said, "Well Mister Stewart, you will be pleased to know that no cobblers will be employed in Heaven because all the souls are mended.... there will be no need for cobblers in Heaven." Jake stood up to give his testimony and ...see more
People have been asking for the words for the song 'Family Silver'. This song does not relate to Kilbirnie other than it was composed by myself. That said, I will wait for Francis Frith getting back to me to see if it is allowed.