Everything about Darvel totally explained
Darvel (
Dervel locally) is a small town in
East Ayrshire,
Scotland, with a population of 3361. It is located at the eastern end of the
Irvine Valley and is sometimes referred to as
"The Lang Toon" due to its quaint appearance on
Ordnance Survey maps.
The town's
Latin motto, "Non sibi sed cunctis", means "Not for ourselves, but for others".
Location
Darvel is situated on the
A71 road that runs from Irvine on the west coast to Edinburgh on the east. The town is nine miles east of
Kilmarnock and is the most easterly of the Valley Towns, the others being Hurlford,
Galston and
Newmilns.
The town was also once linked with
Stonehouse (via
Strathaven) by
Glasgow and South Western Railway. However, the line was closed as part of the Beeching Axe in 1964. Much of the route of the old railway line is still in existence, although the rails have long since gone and the road bridges have all been removed. There was a large viaduct to the east of the town, in the lea of Loudoun Hill, which carried the railway line over the valley. This was however, demolished in
1986, and only the piers remain.
The
River Irvine flows through the town and once powered local mills.
History
Although the modern town of Darvel is said to have been established in the late
1700s,
Roman settlements have been found at the base of Loudoun Hill.
Sir
William Wallace, the
Scottish freedom fighter, has also been associated with the area.
15th century minstrel Blind Harry wrote that Wallace and his men defeated an English force at the hill in
1296 during the
Wars of Scottish Independence. Blind Harry also tells of how the
English general, Fenwick, who supposedly killed Wallace's father, was killed during the battle. Maps of the area now name a mound to the east of Loudoun Hill as 'Wallace's Grave'. A battle between
Robert the Bruce and the English was also fought there on
May 10,
1307.
The land on which Darvel was built was owned by
Earls of Loudoun and it was
John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun who began the modern town in
1754 as an income for the estate. By
1780, the population had increased to over 400.
In
1876, the art of
lace-making was introduced to the town and many mills were built to keep up with the demand. Market dried up in the
1900s and many factories were forced to close.
Also of note in the town is
Scotland's only 24-hour
telephone museum, run by retired
engineer Max Flemmich. There are two local
football teams. Darvel F.C., a junior (semi-professional) team, based at Recreation Park, play in the Ayrshire Junior League and Darvel Victoria, the local amateur team, who play their games at the Gavin Hamilton Sports Centre.
Main Attractions
There is a Town Hall, a Sports Centre (Gavin Hamilton Sports Centre), and two parks (Kirkland Park and Morton Park).
Darvel FC's old stadium now belongs to Darvel Juniors. There are also pitches at the Morton Park and at the Sports Centre, which plays host to Darvel Vics' home games. There has been a new sports cage built, like the ones in neighbouring Newmilns and Galston etc., it's eligible for small-sided games of football and basket ball, and is loctaed between the Gavin Hamilton Sports Centre, and the football field where Darvel Vics play.
A Gala Day is held every two years, which attracts many visitors as do the various festivals and open days held in the town. There is also the Darvel Parish Church and the Lady Of The Valley Chapel. There is a Bowling Club too,which holds events for the younger and older.
There are a few pubs in Darvel - 'The Horseshoe', 'The Black Bull' and 'The Railway'. Until 2006 there was also The Turf Hotel, but it has now closed.
Monuments
War Memorial: The Darvel War Memorial is situated in Hastings Square in the centre of the town. It is a light grey granite obelisk with a square base. The East side is plain apart from 1914-18 incised on the base. The west side is similar but with 1939-45 incised on the base. The north side has a carved cross at the highest point with a bronze relief laurel wreath immediately below. » :Towards the base of the obelisk are the words:
:
To the memory of
Those who gave themselves
A living sacrifice
» :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: »
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
» :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.
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.
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.
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.
Sport
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.
Famous Residents
Further Information
Get more info on 'Darvel'.
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