http://www.mrsite.co.uk/www,ayrshirevillages.co.ukhttp://www.mrsite.co.uk/www.ayrshirevillages.comHurlford, a village formerly known as Whirlford, so named as a result of a Ford crossing the River Irvine, east, near Shawhill, of  where "The Cross" is located.   During the 1940s thro' 1960s the bulk of villagers were employed either in mining (Mauchline Pit, Lochlea and Sorn Mines), railways at Barleith (The Blocks), engineering (Strangs Foundry and Glenfield & Kennedy), textiles (BMK and Saxone Shoes), J & R Howies Brickworks which made sanitory ware, or farming. The social life of the village centred around Burns Tavern (now The Poachers) and Foys Bar (Railway Inn) in Riccarton Road, The Wee Thack in Galston Road and The Commercial Inn at the Cross.  Across the bridge at Main Road, Crookedholm was the Wellington Arms.  At  "The Cross" was located the Institute or "The Stute" as it was locally known where many a youth was mis-spent on the billiard/snooker tables.  Upstair was a function hall and the world famous Scottish singer Robert Wilson visited the village in the 50s. During the 1930s concerts of the operatic genre were held in the Institute and one of the famous singers was Alex McPherson. These concerts proved popular with not only Hurlford residents but also from Kilmarnock, Crookedholm, Galston, Newmilns and Darvel.  Next to The Commercial Inn was McCogni's Cafe where the best fish suppers and ice cream in the area were made.  Remember the "sit in" area where the fish teas and McCallum ices were served by Mary and Alexis McClymont, Mary McCogni, Billy's wife and young Bert who was always found behind the fish fryer; Bert was a most pleasant man.  Right opposite was located Docherty's bake shop with the Clydesdale Bank and Post Office adjacent, all in Galston Road.  Simpsons Foundry was located on the south side of Galston Road about 100 yards from "The Cross".  At Shawhill was located the best chestnut tree in the village and when the village boys ventured to harvest the chestnuts, old Neil o' Shawhill would fire his 12 bore high up in the tree and scare the life out of the wee boys.  Local worthies in the 50s were "Tubby" Ryan, Hugh "Fuggie" Findlay and Jimmy Lauchlan whose claim to fame that he dived off the seven arches bridge at the Millers Dam where the local school boys used to swim in the school summer holiday months. Shops included the Co-op Cobblers at Riccarton Road behind the Co-op Drapery Dept. Holyoake Terrace,  where George Tudhope repaired shoes for the villagers.  Every time I think of George Tudhope in that shop the smell of leather comes to my nostrils.  Allan Findlay, fishmonger, Mauchline Road; Bobby Rankin's at Blair Avenue and Robert McConnells' Chemist and the Co-op Offices at Mauchline Road; McCarrolls' at Academy Street and Allan Lyons shop at Cessnock Road.  The Unionist Hall or the "Tory Hut" as it was locally known, a wooden construction, was situated at Main Road, Crookedholm, on the same side as the War Memorial - the Purse family were active in the small Church there.  Cessnock Avenue was known as Cagders Row and Selfish Hill.  The Shepherds Cottages were those  houses on Mauchline Road, on the left travelling south, nearly opposite Blair Avenue.   Galloway Row was those houses located on the high side of Mauchline Road, on the right as you travel south, at Roxburgh Road.