A popular place for children in Largs was the Aubery boating pond, and the ‘News’ has looked back into the archives for nostalgic memories of the popular play area.
Currently the pond is without water for the first time since it opened in 1963, as coring investigation works have been carried out in recent weeks concerning a crack. 
The area has also been well used in recent summers by Largs Model Boat Club, who are based at Aubery.
In the 1984 column, former ‘News’ editor John McCreadie said: “It is an attractive layout with plenty of seats among the grassy surrounds and flower beds.
“It also has picnic tables, and paddling pools, and is well away from the traffic.
“I took a couple of grandchildren there last week to let them ‘have a shot’ on the paddle-boats and Mr Gary Kennedy, who has been an attendant at Aubery for the past three seasons, told me he could do with more.
“Mr Rob McNaught, who shares the attendant’s job with Mr Kennedy, agrees. On busy days in good weather there is often a long queue of youngsters waiting for a sail.
“The way inflation has pushed up prices also strikes one.
“When Provost Acheson opened Aubery Park in 1963, the charge for the paddleboats was 6d, now it 25p - 10 times more.
“There is also a crazy golf course at Aubery (charge 25p) but this is not used to a great extent.” 
“Mr Kennedy told me that quite a few clients, when they hand back their putters and balls, say crazy golf is boring. 
“I thought in 1963 the Town Council would have been wiser to have laid out a nine-hole putting green.”
Readers also recall the good old days of Aubery.
Alison Grindlay said: “I loved working there, a great wee summer job. 
“We got extra money one day for helping to clean out the rubbish (mucky job but loved it) ... Come in number 5 your time’s up!”
Lorraine Rollett Cameron laughed: “I remember falling out one of the boats and thinking I was going to drown it must have been all of two feet deep!”
Lisa Linton added: “I remember ice skating when it was frozen in heels at 3am!”