Burns Statue Square 1940s

[georgersweir]

This peaceful picture of Ayr's Burns Statue Square dates from the 1940s and shows the Station Hotel in the background, with Burns statue to the fore. A cannon appears in the gardens to the left - I wonder where it is now.

Notice the hills that are visible above Morrison's Restaurant and the 'classic' omnibus on the right...

[Penny Tray]

I was never in it but was Bobby Jones Dance Hall not around here?

[georgersweir]

I was never in it but was Bobby Jones Dance Hall not around here?

Yes, Bobby Jones was (until recently) further to the left in the row of buildings facing you in the postcard. I'm sure that Meg can add information on Bobby Jones - though I believe that she never worked there

[Penny Tray]

George,

I actually met Bobby Jones on a number of occasions. He was one of these very nice people that you sometimes meet in life.

[bobbydarg]

I was never in it but was Bobby Jones Dance Hall not around here?

Yes, Bobby Jones was (until recently) further to the left in the row of buildings facing you in the postcard. I'm sure that Meg can add information on Bobby Jones - though I believe that she never worked there

Are you sure?

[Penny Tray]

Bobbydarg,

Positive!

[georgersweir]

A contrast with the 1940s picture is shown in this photo postcard from 1961 (taken from the Station Hotel). The card was sent to Arran from Ayr (in the picture you can see the Arran Hills in the distance) and I have scanned the message side as a further glimpse of the past.

[georgersweir]

I was never in it but was Bobby Jones Dance Hall not around here?

For reference, here is a picture of the building where the Bobby Jones dance hall was situated. It closed a couple of years ago after a fire damaged the hall.

[little plum]

George, you have just burst my bubble with the photo of the Bobby jones. I always thought, from memory, the entrance was quite plush. I went there 4@~*&^ years ago when Chris McClure and the sect or section played there. The live band played in the main hall and if my memory serves me right , there was a disco downstairs. It had a strict dress code, the bouncers made sure you had a collar and tie, then again thinking back, as long as you had a tie you were in.
Chris McClure eventually had his own T.V. show, he had changed his name to Christian by that time. He is still performing in panto and clubs and is a great entertainer.

[Meg]

Going in to Bobby Jones, the first thing you hit is two flights of stairs - the bouncers watched from the bottom of the stairs and if you staggered or needed help (after one or two light refreshments) they showed you the door.

Meg

[morag]

There was also a no sitting winching rule, you had to dance or sit nicely