Shortlees concert CD from the 1960s discovered

Feb 5 2010 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

A MAN who spent his early career in Kilmarnock has just unearthed a recording of a children’s concert in Shortlees from the 1960s.

Kenneth Stewart, 67, spent two years in Kilmarnock while he worked for Boots, between 1963 and 1964.

He stayed with Mr and Mrs Jimmy Woods of Commonhead Road, Shortlees, and it was the lady of the house who roped him into recording a concert for her friend.

Ken, who now stays in Blairgowrie, has fond memories of his short time in Kilmarnock.

He said: “I was working with Boots in King Street at the time and they set me up in digs with Mrs Woods.

“She was a real character, a formidable woman, you might say.

“It was Mrs Woods who had a friend who ran a children’s concert party, I seem to remember that it was girls of primary school age, at the local community centre and for old folks groups.

“She introduced me to her and asked me if I could use my new tape recorder to tape one of their shows.”

It was this humble recording that Ken has had ‘languishing’ in his loft for the past 46 years.

Ken added: “I decided to dig it out and have managed to transfer the recording onto a CD. There are 23 tracks and just over one hour’s recording. The quality is surprisingly good.

“The girls in the group could well be grandmothers themselves by now. The children were, I think, of primary school age and could well be grandmothers themselves now.

“I don't have any names but there may be a clue in their opening song which starts off ‘Welcome to BB (Bebe?) World’.

“I’m sure the concert party members have happy memories of the time with the group. Certainly, listening to the songs brings back to me the great time I had of my time in Kilmarnock.

It would be great to give copies of the CD to the ‘kids’ who I'm sure have very happy recollections of their time as entertainers.”

If you think you might have been involved in the Shortlees concert party in 1964 contact Ken at ksblair@waitrose.com or call 01250 873569.