The impact of the Second World War on Largs was keenly felt all over the town, and two years on, memorials were being erected, whilst entertainment venues and sports facilities were re-opening.

Normality was slowly but surely returning to the district, but the Moorings on Largs seafront was always a pioneer of its time.

On Friday 4 July 1947, it was reported that the Moorings Ballroom on Largs seafront had re-opened with a special dance.

The ‘News’ reported that Messrs Castelvecchi, with ‘their customary enterprise’, had spared neither effort nor expense in restoring the ballroom to its ‘resplendent pre-war standard’.

An opening dance was held, and attended by Provost Mrs Morris and Town Council colleagues, and she declared that she was delighted to see one of the town’s finest assets re-opened, and ready for Friday and Saturday night dancing.

She paid tribute to the management for the restoration on the premises following its wartime use, and further renovations had been included such as a dancefloor built on rubber cushions.

The opening dance was a fundraiser for the Nursing Association and a cheque for £40 was presented to the Provost from the management above and beyond the funds raised on the night.

Mr R Cromarty, honorary treasurer, thanked the Castelvecchis for the cheque, and praised the innovative restaurant for its top class catering and facilities.

The ‘News’ reported: “Back on the band platform are Charlie Harkin and his noted orchestra, so that the pre-war reputation of the Moorings for music of strict dance tempo, plus colour and buoyancy was assured.” There were many up-to-the-minute decorative updates, none more so than an electric clock with plastic frontispiece showing the hours in music notes.

The plastic decorations were carried out by local firm Vida Plastics, and the elctric mechnaism for the clock was installed mby the St Vincent Electric Company, Largs.

The ‘News’ added: “The most intriguing new equiment is an elaborate broadcasting system installed throughout the three floors of the Moorings by Messrs Frazer Bros. This was designed, built and modified to suit the premises by Mr James Henderson, Messrs Frazer’s radio engineer. Adjoining the managing director’s office is the elaborate control panel where a multiplicity of buttons operates this system.

“This programme selection and distribution panel allows a choice of any one of four programmes, the Ballroom dance band, the cafe orchestra, the BBC broadcasts or gramaphone records. By the simple means of pressing buttons the desired programme can be relayed to any or all of the floors of the building.

“To those interested in radio engineering, the Moorings ‘broadcasting station’ is a showpiece, just as the ballroom will be to many thousands of future visitors to Largs’.

* And Barrfields Park welcomed a crowd of 7000 for its own re-opening in July 1947. Provost Mrs Morris was back for the grand opening which included a sports meeting. A range of events included a schoolboys one-lap race, and a five-a-side tournament which attracted, Rangers, Celtic, St Mirren, Morton - Rangers winning the final over Celtic 1-0. The star-studded Ibrox line-up included Shaw, McColl, Watkins, Thornton and Gillick.

* History was made up on the Fairlie Green on Saturday 16 August 1947, when for the first time putters from all over Ayrshire competed for the Goodall Trophy. It was reported that conditions were ideal and fair play was encouraged as the competition received an entry of 38. The trophy was won by an L.McCallum of Fairlie, and Mr A.Manuel, president of the Putting League, complimented the greenkeeper on the greatly improved condition of the green. The committee also thanked the Girl Guides who generaoulsy gave their time in order to act as markers, to assist in the smooth running of the competition. The putting green was based in the green field area next to Highfield Terrace.

* And Barrfields Theatre was packed to the gunnels for the Second Edition of the Follies in August 1947. The ‘News’ reported: “The gods of entertainment smiled upon the opening night of the second edition of the Follies and every second sparkled with fun and music. Tommy Hope’s new feed, Gene Anderston, suave and handsome played up remarkably, Kenyon and Fewings, repeated their success of last seasom, and Rex Hart and Yvonne, comedy dancing team were sensational.”