During the 1950s there was a "Pitch & Toss" school, known as "The Tossing" located on the banks of the River Cessnock. "The Red Rock" was where male members of the village resorted to on Saturdays and Sundays to gamble. A "ringmaster" was appointed, this normally being the first person to arrive at the "school" during the early hours of the morning. This gambling took the form of placing 2 pennies on the middle finger on the hand, one with heads up the other with tails up. Bets were then made with the co-operation of the ringmaster whose main job was to maintain order and fair play. Play was passed around the ring, normally clockwise, and everyone got their turn. A sum of money was given to the ringmaster who ensured that all the money was covered i.e. bet against. The person with the pennies called whether he was going to head or tail the coins; bets were only paid out when both coins were either heads or tails. If coins landed one head and the other tails, both coins would be tossed again until a result was made. Some people started with 10/- a bank note in those days. As he was only allowed to win 3 times, he could win the maximum of £4 for his 10/- stake; a lot of money in those days; he would give the ringmaster 2/6 from his winnings; a lucky ringmaster could make a lot of money in a day. Many people gambled heavily and many lost heavily. As gambling in those days was illegal the "school" was subject to police raids and the "school" had "look outs" posted. All the local worthies could be found at the "school" every weekend, Saturday and Sunday.

Hugh Borland (Brusher) was the "Bookies Runner" in Hurlford. Brusher stood down the lane at "The Cross" side of the Co-operative where locals would meet with him to place bets. I recall many times Hughie and some locals being "arrested" by Big Willie Cook and Sam Clark for illegal gambling. This habit was stopped after the enactment of the Betting & Gaming Act 1960 when bookmakers were licensed.

Millers Dam was a favourite place for swimming during summer holidays. Dr Moffat came to school to warn us against swimming in the Irvine; but what happened on the first warm day? Yes, we boys ran to the dam and in we went. Remember the Wee and Big Moudies and the sleuce gates?
If you were a good swimmer you dived into the river off the overhanging tree at the Crookedholm side. This area was extremely deep and the wee boys were fearful of monster eels. Remember digging the tatties and cooking them on the fires?

I just remember the troop trains carrying Americans south. They used to throw chewing gum to we youngsters standing alongside the railway lines just before Hurlford Station. Remember the Co-op Gala Days at Low Green Ayr. We caught the train at Barleith Station and got off at Ayr Station and walked to Low Green. Remember the games, races and
your poke of goodies and pint of milk. They were great days. Remember Jean Hutcheson organised the children's concert party? Jimmy Rennie with his band used to play at all the village dances. Mc Carroll's sweetie shop, Academy Street, at Hallowe'en when you tried for silver 3 penny bits in dumpling and champit tatties. Tam Blackwood in his sweetie/chip shop at Riccarton Road used to peel the tatties at the rear and sing all those songs. I wish I could recall some of them. Pals and schooolmates of mine in the village I recall were Billy Hamilton; Eric Stewart; Ian Hutcheson; Ian Moffat; Leslie Black; David Munn; George McCormick; Bert McBride; Ralph Doan; Billy Ackroyd; Bert and Sanny Baird; Ella Bunten; Maureen Connolly; Tom White; Billy Tallent; Davie Bowes; Ken McGinn; Bobby Chapman; Murray Spence; Bill Leslie; Other characters were "Scatters" Withers; The Tully's; Cabby Drennan; Bobby Barrowman and "Mighty" Joe Young. Other families included the Grougans and Lennons and McDougalls, Kerrmuir Avenue; Isa and George Fradgeley; Pidgeon fanciers Don McNeil & Ken McGinn. Shops/businesses included Alan Findlay, fishmonger. Miller the butcher; Robert McConnell, chemist; George Tudhope cobbler; Jimmy Paton fruit seller; Jimmy Wallace, coal merchant' McGill, Portland Brae, dog breeders; Willie Cosgrove, Portland Brae, pig breeder; John McVey postmaster; George Docherty, baker shop at The Cross; Ham Goudie, Portland Brae, bacon and black pudding maker; Johnny Clowes, garage owner; Alan Lyons shopkeeper; Bobby Rankine, shopkeeper Blair Avenue; "Stinky" McGowan, piggery, Mauchline Road;