Joseph´s Blog
Willie Mackie left Kilbirnie Scotland to emigrate to the USA as many people did before him, in search of a better life. As the title suggests, this was his homecoming celebration in Kilbirnie Gospel Hall Brethren Assembly.
This photo would be from the 1930s. Im not sure if he returned to the USA at a later date or settled in Kilbirnie again.
North Ayrshire´s first library over at the Steel Works operated by Willie Rabey. It also held Brethren Assembly meetings before the Hebron Hall was opened in 1921. I recognise one person in this picture, Malcolm McMillan.
I don’t know much about him except that he lived in Muirend Street, Kilbirnie.This picture was published in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald during the first World War, with an article about his excellent service record. If you know anything else, let me know.
The Oak
If all who claimed to love someone
Came under one oak tree
The town would surely empty up
Walking towards the spree
Perhaps the public park’s too small
To hold nine thousand folk
Maybe the Golf course or at Place
There lies that sacred oak
Or in a field at Baillieston
With branches stretching high
Would crowds of folk bustle around
Show love with tearful eyes?
If Love brought down from empty shelves
Like books or DVDs
Was brought to act in people’s lives
What feelings there would be
A main street perhaps with rose petals
Or colours from the blooms
People chatting at the cross
While bands played Tara Boom
If everyone said simply “thanks”
To neighbours, friends and foe
Or if per chance a pleasant smile
So Love may freely go
What if the morn brought questions like,
Who can I bless today?
How much a little town could change
And put her on her way.
Imagine Tesco selling love
What sadness that would be
For surely that would mean a death
to sacred old oak trees
If you can help identify anybody here, I would be grateful, Andrew Thompson is at the back Middle .
