Glasgow - Mapping the City

If you like maps then tonight's talk is for you.  Our speaker, John Moore is a specialist on Scottish cartography and  is currently Collections Manager at Glasgow University Library.
John's latest book, Glasgow: Mapping the City,  explores howGlasgow has changed over the last 500 years. The publication features 80 specially selected maps, each offering a glimpse  into the political, economic and social history of the city . 

Lest we Forget - Gargieston Primary School

Congratulations to everyone at Gargieston Primary School, Kilmarnock who were in any capacity involved in the recent production of their play entitled "Lest we Forget".
The play highlighted the activities in Kilmarnock during World War II and in particular some of the events that took place in Grammar P. S. , the forerunner of Gargieston P. S.
The performance, which was excellent, was in memory of all the local men and women who lost their lives during the conflict - in particular the 103 named on the Kilmarnock War Memorial and the
4 civilians, living in Culzean Crescent, who were killed by Luftwaffe bombs in 1941.
The show, although it had a serious message, was suitably interspersed with gems of appropriate humour to lighten the mood.
Performed with infectious enthusiasm by pupils of Primary 7, accompanied by a supporting choir of Primary 6, it provided a wonderful evening for a packed hall of appreciative parents, grandparents and friends.
Written and produced by P7 teacher Mrs Lawson the play not only entertained but also provided loads of local history information for the audience.

Well Done All of You !!!

Some photos of the evening can be found on the school blog at:-

Lest we Forget

Vintage Film of Kilmarnock

 Have a look at this fabulous 9 minute silent film about Kilmarnock in days long gone.
 It can be found on the website of the Moving Image Archive of the National Library of Scotland

There are some great shots of many areas of the town.
 The Cross, King Street, business and buses.  Portland Street.  John Finnie Street from the station.  Dundonald Road.  Fire engine in London Road.  The War Memorial. Dick Institute Public Library and Museum.  Dean Castle,  Dean Park.  Burns' Monument in Kay Park.   Middleton Park housing scheme.  The countryside around Kilmarnock.
 An aerial view of the town. 
 The railway station. The London train arrives.  Shots of the station concourse including newspaper stall.
Happy Days!!!
Click Here      Killie - about 1930

Enjoy.

A History of Working-Class Marriage in Scotland, 1855-1976

Our speaker on Tuesday 3 November 2015 is Dr. Andrea Thomson from the University of Glasgow, who is one of the team working on the above project.

The project  will explore the history of working-class courtship, marriage and marriage breakdown in Scotland in the period from the civil registration of marriages in 1855 to the introduction of no-fault divorce legislation in 1976. It aims to establish the structure and form of the working-class family over time; to identify the basis of selection of choice of marriage partner; to examine the nature of the relationship between husbands and wives and to establish the pattern, causes and consequences of marriage breakdown.

The project has its own website and contains some wonderful wedding photos from the 1880s to the 1970s.  Well worth a look.

History of Working Class Marriage 1855 - 1976