Christine Watson says

Your memories of the Abbey Society are interesting. You may remember my father, Crawford Baird, who worked with Alex MacDonald and others to gather information and archives about Kilwinning's history. I too lived near the Woodwynd. My mother and grandmother were keen bowlers and I remember a Mrs Kirkwood in the bowling club. Could this be your grandmother?

Stewart Kirkwood says

Hi Christine

My mother never was a bowler, I think it was Mrs Kirkwood the blacksmith's wife. My grandparents were bowlers that was Martha and Peter Hay. I lived at the corner of Woodwynd and Glebe street.

Catherine Davidson says

James, i am Catherine Wallace, your mother was my Gradfather and my fathers bookeeper for many years, (Alexander Wallace & Sons) she came to my 21st with your Uncle Hugh, you are related GOrdon Graham, who was an old boyfriend of mine, your mother taught me lots of things about knitting - she was a beautiful knitter -i have very fond memories of both Peggy and your Uncle Hugh. my parents celebrated 60 yrs of marriage in March this year, and then my father passed away on May 20th (my grandaughters birthday)

Stewart Kirkwood says

Catherine I was so sorry to hear about your father passing away. I remember going to your Grandparents house at Greenfoot to pick up my mother after the scouts every week and to your parents house on later years, your parents were the nicest people you could ever meet. Gordon lives in Irvine and my wife keeps in touch with his mother. I think we worked at Simpson and Turner together before immigrating to Canada.

Ian Stewart says

Hi Stewart,

If you are the Stewart Kirkwood who lived at the corner of Woodwynd and Glebe Street then you may remember me , Ian Stewart, of Woodburn Avenue, friend and neighbour of Ian Turner, Murdoch Donaldson, Margaret Brodie, John Silver, Robert Kerr etc?

Stewart Kirkwood says

Hi Ian

Yes I remember you Ian, you lived in Jamieson old house, I was good friend of Andrew Jamieson and David Craig. Are you still living in Kilwinning.

Ian Stewart says

Hi Stewart,

I have been living in Ayr sice 1977. Recently retired. Wife Audrey [Hind] still teaching Secondary [Dalmellington] 
Murdoch Donaldson is in Dalry, Ayrshire,  Ian Turner is in Penpont, Dumfrieshire area.

John Bannerman says

My favourite memories of Kilwinning happened in the1940's.Swimming all day in the Garnock , with the minnows and trout nibbling our toes.

We were there from 9 in the morning - until our parents came looking for us- late evening. We were the "Corsehill Boys" - frightened of nothing but totally committed to being just good guys.When we ran out of food,we raided Willie Petrie's park, and took all the potatoes we needed.

The potatoes were cooked by putting into a roaring fire, and eaten ravenously (thick black skins an'a). It didn't do us any harm -- as many of my "gang" are still alive and kicking!

Watch out for the next enthralling edition of the adventures of "The Corsehill Gang"

John Bannerman.

ailsa gurrell says

hi Stewart, I think I may be your cousin Ailsa, but if I am I think I only met you once and my grandads funeral.  It would be great to know if you are who I think you are after all these years.

Stewart Kirkwood says

hi Ailsa was your father Wilson Kirkwood if so we are cousin he was

my uncle.

Stewart Kirkwood says

Hi Ailsa

This is a picture of Wilson and Cochran Kirkwood

Stewart Kirkwood says

Hi Ailsa

This is photo of my Father and Mothers wedding with my mothers sister, my fathers twin brother and sister.

ailsa gurrell says

Hi Stewart,

Joe (Cochran) I think was my father although he disapeared before I was born and I went to live in the Blacklands with Granpa Kirkwoodn(also James).  I never met my father but coresponded with him very infrequently for a few years before he died.  His daughter Julie found my letters and wrote to tell me he had died although she didn't know about me prior to this.

 I have always wanted to find out more about my Grandads family as I was adopted my my mothers husband and he did not want to talk about the Kirkwoods.  Unfortunately my mother died quite a while ago and although she told me some things  I was never too sure about how acurate the facts were as they were mostly told in anger. My step father is still alive but pretends he doesn't know anything.

Thank you very much for posting the pictures I'm very grateful to see them although my mother did have a pasport siize picture when I was young but I dont know what happened to it.

Look forward to speaking to you some more

Ailsa

Stewart Kirkwood says

Hi Ailsa

What was your mothers name ?. I think my wife spoke to your mother at Buckreddan where my daughter was born.

Stewart Kirkwood says

Hi Ailsa

Your fathers name was Wilson Kirkwood. Cochran was at your grandfathers funeral. Wilson was living in Jamaca I was 15 at our grandfathers funeral.

ailsa gurrell says

Hi Stewart,

Many thanks for your pictures and info. It must seem quite silly to know so little, even getting the name wrong, although that might be my fault because I called him Joe and when I met his brother at the funeral I called him Tom. I do remeber meeting you at the funeral although I thought you were older(sorry!)

My mum did work at Buckredden when I was a teenager. I went there myself for a few days after my daughter was born. (the only one of my children born in Scotland).

My mum said that my granddad came from Kilmarnock and I think his wife came from Paisly, but again I may have got that wrong. I thought I was told that there was a sister maybe Jean who had died quite young. I also never knew where my granddad was buried.

Thank you again for taking the trouble to answer my questions and sharing your memories.

Ailsa