On the Site that Used to be the Local Palais

The Ayr Pavillion, built in 1911, so not monument to Burns, but still a sight which will stir many a memory in an Ayrshire Lad or Lass.

In the 60's it was a popular Jazz Venue - the likes of Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and Humphrey Lyttelton played there. In the 70's and 80's rock and pop bands - The Specials, Madness, and the one which stands out most in my memory - New Order.

I wasn't in a good place the night New Order played, but I was with a good friend who knew how to party! I don't think I have ever been so out of my head in my life, we sang, we danced, we laughed, and then we walked 5 miles home because we got on the wrong bus.

After my Dad died in 1985, after mum had spent some time getting her head together again, she started to rope me in to some of her more mental schemes. One such night involved "Grab and Granny Night at the Piv".

I have no idea why I agreed to go with her - well, to make her happy I suppose, but oh my god. What a mistake!

We walked in, and it was like re-living your School Dance, in Nightmare Dream Sequence.

Ladies sitting on one side of the room, Gents on the other, in varying stages of decay. My mum was the youngest of her generation there, probably about by 20 years. I was the youngest there - full stop.

Mammy and me sat together, eyes wide open at the "romances" happening before our eye. Staring wildly at each other any time it looked like someone might be walking our way.

We decided that the polite thing to do was to finish our drinks and then leave. As we got up and headed to the door, the Bouncers, for yes, there were bouncers on the door at the Grab a Granny Night", put their hands out to stop us! "Where are yous off too, Don't Go, Stay, It's not often we get new faces, younger faces, Are they scaring you? Don't let them scare you, We'll keep an eye on them.",

Mum, "Ahem, I don't think it's really for us, thank you very much".

And we rapidly made our escape.

Don't even get me started on her attending the Student Parties in Edinburgh!