Hurlford
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hurlford | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Baile Átha Cliath (not official) | |
| Scots: Hulfurt, Ford (not official) | |
  Hurlford shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 5,000 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | East Ayrshire |
| Lieutenancy area | Ayrshire and Arran |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Kilmarnock |
| Postcode district | KA1 |
| Postcode district | KA3 |
| Dialling code | 01563 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Kilmarnock and Loudoun |
| Scottish Parliament | Kilmarnock and Loudoun |
| List of places: UK • Scotland | |
Hurlford is a village in East Ayrshire, Scotland.It consists of some under-privileged areas and has a population of 5,000 (including Crookedholm). However, recent property developments and social facilities have provided the village with a much needed boost. The village contains several distinct districts - Hurlford North, The Cross, Crookedholm, Blair and Drumleyhill.
Hurlford's former names include The Toll, Whirlford and Hurdleford. It shares its name in Gaelic, Baile Átha Cliath ("The town of the Ford of the Hurdles") with the Irish capital Dublin.
It is the administrative centre of the Irvine Valley area of East Ayrshire Council and the village's Blair Park is home to Hurlford United F.C..
Contents |
[edit] Administration
The village is split using a North-South divide for council wards. The northern part of the village (including Crookedholm) is joined with Moscow and part of Galston as Ward 12 - "Crookedholm, Moscow, Galston West and Hurlford North"; while the southern part and surrounding hamlets form Ward 19 - "Hurlford".
[edit] Crookedholm
In all official documents, the correct name is "Hurlford and Crookedholm". Although it is seen as a separate village by many, it shares much with Hurlford. It contains both Hurlford Church and Hurlford Kirk and its bowling green. The population of Crookedholm is 835.
It is named as the River Irvine sweeps round in a series of loops, forming an irregular area of flat "holm" land with the ground rising in a steep slope behind on the north bank.Mean in 2005 former actor Kristopher N had moved to the village is still living there.
[edit] Religion
Traditionally part of Riccarton parish, the village is now a quoad sacra parish in its own right and is home to 4 church buildings, although only 2 of these are in use - Hurlford Church, (Church of Scotland), where the current minister is Rev. James McCulloch, and St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, with a third congregation, Hurlford and Crookedholm Community Church meeting in the village community centre. The other 2 churches have been converted to housing.
[edit] Hurlford Primary School
Hurlford Primary School, formerly Hurlford Grammar and Secondary School is the non-denominational primary school for the area. It has a school roll of around 300 and also houses Hurlford Nursery School, with the building dating back to 1895.
His Royal Highness Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay and Her Royal Highness Camilla Duchess of Rothesay visited and congratulated the staff and children on 21 June 2005 on their achievements transforming school meals which was followed by the school winning the Soil Association's School Food Award at the BBC's Good Food Show, presented by Jamie Oliver.
[edit] Famous Persons
The village is often referred to as a "football nursery" due to its high output of footballers.
- Sandy Turnbull - Manchester City and Manchester United footballer
- Jack Picken - Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle footballer
- Ian Bryson - Sheffield United F.C., Barnsley F.C., Preston North End F.C, and Rochdale A.F.C. footballer
- William Goldie - Leicester City footballer
- David Calderhead - Queen of the South and Notts County footballer and Chelsea F.C. manager
- Robert Dunsmuir - industrialist, politician and developer of coal mines and the E&N Railway on Vancouver Island
- Jimmy Knapp - General secretary of the RMT transport union
- George Wylie - awarded the George Cross in honour of his heroic attempts to defuse a Nazi bomb which had landed in St Paul's Cathedral in London
- Gordon Cree - well-known pianist, composer, conductor, musician and general character.
[edit] Industry
Iron founding and the production of ironworks, coal mining, fireclay, sanitaryware, and knitwear were the principal industries, now mainly whisky distilling, electronics, car parts manufacturing and garden furniture manufacturing although the history of ironworks can still be seen throughout the country with drain covers carrying the branding "R. Simpson, Hurlford" and a poignant reminder of the heyday of the iron and steel industry of Hurlford is the ship’s propeller erected at the Cross.
[edit] Transport
Both of the town's rail stations - Hurlford and Hurlford (Barleith) are now used for freight trains only however East Ayrshire Council have recently entered negotiaitions with First ScotRail and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to re-introduce passenger rail halts.
Hurlford also used to boast its own tramway system which connected it to Kilmarnock. Nowadays, the main public transport links are provided by several Stagecoach Western bus services, including services to the City of Glasgow.
