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To the memory of
Those who gave themselves
A living sacrifice
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- Then there are 5 columns of names in relief on a bronze plaque.
- On the south side names are etched into the stone in two columns.
- Alexander Fleming
- Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin was born at Lochfield farm near Darvel on 6th August 1881. A memorial commemorates this. It is situated in Hastings Square.
- SAS Memorial
- There is a memorial to honour the men and officers of the 1st Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment who, under the command of Lt. Col. R. B. Mayne, were stationed in Darvel during the early part of 1944. The memorial – located towards the bottom of Burn Road, takes the form of a stone cairn with a black granite plaque bearing the inscription:
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Dedicated to
the men and officers of The 1st Special Air Service Regiment
Stationed at Darvel 1944
Commanding officer
Lt. Col. R. B. Mayne DSO (3 bars)
Legion D'Honneur Croix De Guerre
COL. PADDY
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- The memorial was unveiled by Provost Jimmy Boyd on November 2nd, 2001. Some of the members of the SAS were at the Town Green to see the unveiling ceremony.
[edit] The Dagon Stone
The RCHAMS 'Canmore' site lists this monolith as a 'possible' standing stone. It is rather curious and its general size and shape suggest a prehistoric standing stone. However, in 1821 someone saw fit to attach a round sandstone ball to the top of it with an iron bar. Who or why is unknown. It is 1.6m tall and it's original position is also unknown. According to a local tale, it used to stand in what is now the main street, and was moved to the town square when someone wanted to widen the road.[1]
The Dagon stone in Hasting's Square, Darvel. 2007.
Local folklore held that prior to the 19th century messings-about, newlywed couples strolled around it for good luck. Dagon is actually the name of a Philistine god, who was half-man half-fish. But with a Scottish accent it no doubt derives from something much closer to home (assuming it's not just the romantic invention of a Victorian antiquary). It is reminiscent of the Clackmannan stone or Stone of Mannau in Clackmannanshire.
[edit] Darvel Lace
In 1876 lace making was introduced to the Irvine Valley, and mills began to spring up in Darvel and nearby Newmilns. The valley's products were exported throughout the world, with India providing a particularly large market for lace, muslin and madras. Darvel became known as the "Lace Town" and Darvel Lace was known throughout the world.
Factories in the town also diversified into other textiles, until the late 1970's, when the industry struggled to compete with textiles manufactured in India, China and other Far East countries. The decline was swift. By the end of the 20th century, almost all the factories had closed. Many stood empty for some years, but almost all have now been demolished to make way for housing estates.
Lace is still made in The Irvine Valley, and locally made lace curtains hang in almost every window in the village. However, the last lace factory in Darvel has now closed, the looms were moved to nearby Newmilns, which is home to the last remaining lace factory in the area.
A speedway training track was built by local farmers (the Craig Brothers) on a coal bing (colliery spoil heap) near to the town in the early 1980s. A team representing Darvel raced in the Scottish Junior League with fixtures staged at Blantyre, Edinburgh and Berwick.
[edit] Famous Residents
[edit] References
[edit] External links
(Source: Wikipedia) |