In Know Your Largs this week, we look back to 1965 as controversy surrounded the hovercraft, a church minister who fought in the Great War of 1914-18 stood down from the ministry, and local flooding hit the headlines.

Serious flooding damage in Barr Crescent, Danefield and Brisbane Road resulted in heightened concerns over the drainage in Largs.

Heavy rain in November 1965 resulted in fears of some houses collapsing in Largs, it was revealed by Dan Doris at a council meeting. He said some residents were actually ill with worry concerning the situation.

The Town Clerk John G.Young said the deluge at the fire station and foot of Seamore Street arose because of the burgh sewer which could not cope with the excessive flood water. Also discussed was the erosion of the embankment at the Noddle Burn and was eating away at back gardens at a number of bungalows in Barr Crescent.

Bailie Henderson said that Barr Crescent had flooding problems going back to before the war and would qualify for flood prevention funding, while estimates were to be prepared for remedial repairs elsewhere.

A Largs church minister was a prisoner of war. Who was he?

The Reverend David B Baxter of St Columba"s Parish retired after 37 years ministry in Largs. During his time, membership had doubled at the church to 1600 and was the fourth minister at the church since it was erected in 1892. During the first world war, he saw service in France with the Royal Scots, being captured during the 1918 retreat, and as a Prisoner of War working at the coalface in Germany. He acted as chaplain to the Protestant prisoners in Munster and there preached his first sermon. He was also the first minister in the Presbytery to have a BBC service in his church and the Queen graciously honoured Mr Baxter in 1961 to be one of the autumn preachers at Crathie, when through being in hospital he had to crave permission to be excused.

Why was Largs Prom converted into a bike track?

In July, a large crowd of holidaymakers and locals gathered at the Largs promenade car park to see 40 cyclists start off on the last stage of the 'Milk for Energy' race sponsored by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board. The riders were flagged off on their last 105 miles to Ayr by Provost P.M White and was led by Pavel Dolezel, leader of the Czech team and Czechoslovakian road-racer champion.

What special anniversary took place in Wemyss Bay?

The 'News' reported in May about the centenary of the Wemyss Bay route which was opened to traffic on May 15 1865.

The Bay line was constructed to provide a short and convenient route to such Clyde coast towns as Largs, Millport and Rothesay until the Largs Railway Station was opened in 1885.

Various proposals were put forward to build a branch railway from the Wemyss Bay line down the coast to Largs but a seafront line was objected to by property owners, whilst the extension of the line across the moor from Inverkip via Upper Skelmorlie and down Brisbane Glen was frowned upon because of construction difficulties.

The steamboat connections were maintained by two Clyde captains, Messrs Gillies and Campbell, who founded the well known fleet of paddlers, including Largs, Argyle, Lancelot and Adela. Captain James Gillies resided for many years in Millport and served for a period as town councillor. His son in law, Captain Alexander Campbell, was the son of the piermaster at Skelmorlie, where members of the Campbell family continued to reside for many years.

The steamers of the Caledonian Steamer Packet Company Ltd, with their distinctive yellow funnels, took over the Wemyss Bay sailings on May 1 1890. Many famous Caley steamers served on the Largs and Millport station but special mention must be given to the Marchioness of Breadalbane which plied the route until 1933. The principal Millport steamer until 1952 was the veteran Caley paddler, Duchess of Fife.

The original Wemyss Bay railway building was demolished in 1904 and replaced by one of the most beautiful on the British Railway system, especially in the mid-summer when the floral display was at its best (see picture). London Midland and Scottish Railway took charge of the line in 1923 before nationalisation occurred in 1948.

Why did Largs Town Council ban the hovercraft?

The Hovercraft ban by Largs Town Council caused a furore which made national news. The mounting protests against the disturbance caused by the noise of the Hovercraft would have been a more valid reason for banning the vessel, the 'News' suggested, rather than its refusal to pay beach dues which smacked 'of a grasping coast landlady.' A petition against the Hovercraft plying at the bathing station beach and other letters of protest including from Frank Roche"s zoo were lodged at the Largs Town Council meeting.

Mrs F.V Morris stated: 'This horrorcraft is a monstrous invasion of our privacies.' Even poems were written about the controversy. One reader said: 'Now the ponies which used to be there, a pleasure our children could share, are no longer a sight, they"ve bolted in fright, to the quieter beaches of Ayr.' Provost White had to explain the council decision on a BBC television. The 'News' commented: 'The Hovercraft has attracted many extra people and brought added prosperity to the town, but it is a moot point whether this would continue after the novelty wears off. On the other hand, it has caused a great deal of disturbance to the peace, and it is certain the residents in the vicinity of Aubery Crescent will have no wish to see its return.'