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Twas on a cauld raw winter's morn
When Jimmie Thornton blew the horn
The air was filled with a sudden hush
As the eager brickes started tae rush
Tae be the first men doon the road Wae
Sammy Burns on his first load
Twas big Jock's motto to be on the job
Before Joe Kearney started tae sob
But usually tae tween you and me
They were never late up for their tea
Except, of course, for Friday's lunch
Wae few exceptions, a drouthy bunch

Still hauf asleep Eric's first chore
Tae wearily open the hardware store
As the jiners crawled oot like snails
Sowing their wild oats, brads and nails
Then get big Bob Harkness harnessed up
Load his tractor coaxed by the whup
Wae doors windas sarkin and sinks
Arthur and Alec shake oot the kinks
Fondly dreaming of their roll on slice
If Chairley McCulloch would be nice
But every Monday morn the bonus sheets
Are scrutinised wae moans and bleats

While Wullie Convery suppressing a groan
Has tae listen tae every narker's moan
Or wisely nod at a martyr's great feats
Like the 'Yellow Ribbon' it repeats and repeats
Till Ian stamps in with his usual flare
Brushes all aside defying respect or care
Until all goes quate as the great W. P.
Demands the first of his cups of tea.
I'm sure I heard that poor teapot sigh
But things might get better by and by
As the two Wullies wae their usual gloom
Get their heeds together tae commune

Then up comes big Tam in jovial mood
But never on a Monday that's understood
Of slabs and kerbs he's had his share
Scalpins and concrete, he'll need mair
And when he's got me on the stoat
Slyly edges ower tae the teapot
Smacks his lips wae a sparklin ee
Pours oot wae great relish a cup of tea
Had I at least had ony common sense
And chairged them yae solitary pence
I micht by noo says 'popular request'
Closely rivalled 'Reo Stakis' at his best

Come nine o'clock Bob'll saunter in
Wae a gracious smile stroke his chin
Plainly in a most affable mood
Caresses ma ear wae "That was good"
Or how I've never let him doon
It sends me Bob richt ower the moon
Then there's plumber Jock he's nae dummy
Before he eats he strokes his tummy
It's not that he's very fond of cakes
But his een roll if ye mention steaks
I'm really sorry Jock, it's a cruel fate
That maks ye a fatty wae a baldy pate

I'm sorry boys but that's the lot
We'll soon be scattered aw tae pot
Some I sincerely hope tae meet again
Ye aw were daicent hard working men
I tried ma best tae ease yer task
Tae help ye oot if you'd only ask
I ken it's mair than I should expect
But I hope at least I earned respect
You'll maybe forgive me for my gall
Honestly boys, God bless you all

About Bob Auld

So where was or is Castlepark. You locals need to bring us expats up to speed.

Hughie, Castlepark is a housing scheme on the way into Irvine just past the central hospital on the left.
Jimmie Thornton was my first tradesman when I began serving my apprenticeship. I don't know if it was the same Jimmie Thornton in the poem though, but it seems likely as he was the only Thornton that I heard of in the building trade at that time. The scheme would have been built around the late 60's-early 70's I think.

Sounds about right to me, Chris. I do remember a service station back in 1978 on the left just about where you mention.

Hughie,

You are too far on. The entry to Castlepark is situated immediately where the grounds of the hospital end as you travel from Kilwinning to Irvine. As its name suggests it comprises part of the former grounds of Eglinton Castle Estate. The garage you're thinking of, I think called Ravenspark, was just beyond the Winton Road junction.

Yes Penny, It was much closer to Irvine. I'm thinking the service station was awful near to and perhaps across the road from Ravenspark golf course. Mind you, the last time I was in that service station was in 1978, it was very early on a Sunday morning and I was looking for some Aspirin, so my memory is a wee bit clouded.