Ardrossan Iron Shipbuilders

[Hughie]

Ayr Observer
June 22, 1888

Ardrossan Iron Shipbuilders' Concert.
On Friday evening the Ardrossan Iron Shipbuilders held a concert in the Assembly Hall, Ardrossan. The chair was occupied by Mr Taylor, cashier of the works, who, on opening the concert, said that that was the first annual meeting of the Ardrossan Iron Shipbuilders, and the first re-union of a new industry in Ardrossan. This town used to be famous for carpentry, but wood had to give place to iron, and, like every other place, Ardrossan had to adapt itself to the times. In a few weeks the first iron vessel would be launched from the works, and he hoped it would not be the last.

Their meeting was somewhat late in the season, but it was thought advisable to delay it until the first iron vessel was about to be launched. However, it was better late than never, and he hoped they would have a very enjoyable evening, and that it would afford pleasant reminiscences. A varied programme of singing and dancing was then gone through by a company of amateurs. An assembly followed, Mr Wm. McCulloch acting as M.C.

[stivis]

This town used to be famous for carpentry, but wood had to give place to iron, and, like every other place, Ardrossan had to adapt itself to the times.

132 years ago