Ayr County Buildings

Certainly a place with an interesting past, and worth a look.

Notable for having the gaol at its western end until it was demolished (by the inmates) in the 1930s, when they lost their ‘Cottage by the sea’, as it was known by some.

The building was extended into the space, and a memorial garden added, the St Germain-En-Laye Gardens, where a memorial to the Royal Scots Fusiliers can be found.

This post is, however, concerned with the other end of the building, the east end, since the end towards the sea is easy to photograph.

As can be seen from the shot I grabbed below, the western end is not that easy to photograph satisfactorily – the parked vehicles are always going to get in the way, all the more so if they are tall. Same problem with the facade, thanks to Wellington Square and the hedge around the gardens.

A drone would be handy!

However, that’s not happening and, since I’ve realised I’ve never taken pics of this place before, I’ll have to try some of my tricks in order to catch a decent pic.

I’ve got quite a few (past) pics of the square and building, but it’s only since I took this pic I realised the most, if not all, were taken from buildings around the square (probably from an upstairs window), maybe even the roof or attic, and from the occasional handy passing aircraft.

No wonder they all seem to have had nice clear views.

Don’t bring those dirty wellies in here!

It’s funny finding all the pics that got forgotten, or sidelined for some reason.

From wandering around Ayr’s wellington Square, I don’t think these guys get put out every day, but I was lucky enough to be passing when they were, and it was a decent day too.

Not really much more to say, but I wonder if any of the patrons come up those stairs having perhaps had ‘One too many’, see those wellies – and sign The Pledge?

Oh dear 😦

I wonder if I’ve made a reference that few will understand today?

I know it was well known in my grandparents’ time, but does anybody refer to it now?

Or are they like me, and just think of it as something funny (and ridiculous) from the past?

I always thought of it like this – QUICK! Gimme the damned bottle! 🙂

Seriously?

I dare you to zoom in on some of the faces in the centre of the group.

Pic from around 1870, and the last line of an anonymous poem from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

I make light of it now, but it WAS a serious issue back in the day – and abusers are no better today.