Ayton Local History Society
About this Organisation
Ayton Local History Society was formed in 2000 with the aim to promote interest in local history and heritage through meetings, lectures, discussions, research or any other suitable means.
Links
Contacts
-
Mr Bill Black
Secretary
billblack1804@gmail.com
Tel: 01890781427
Organisation Type
Resources Available
| Title | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Directories containing Ayton information |
All these directories have sections covering Ayton. The Ayton sections have been extracted and are accessible. |
Online/Digitised |
| Statistical Accounts of Scotland - Ayton Chapters |
Three Statistical Accounts have been compiled for Scotland on a parish by parish basis - 1791, 1845 and 1986. The chapters dealing with Ayton are accessible here. |
Online/Digitised |
| The David Sinclair ledger |
David Sinclair was a grocer and spirit merchant in Ayton in the 19th century. His shop was near the junction of the Old Town and High Street. A ledger book covering the period 1866 to 1869 lists items purchased, prices and names of customers. Partially transcribed, lists of products sold and names of customers are available. |
Primary, Online/Digitised |
| The 1948 floods |
Photographs and video of the repair work required to the east coast railway line after unprecedented flooding in 1948. At Ayton a huge lake formed behind a railway embankment. This had to be carefully released to prevent further damage. |
Online/Digitised, Images/Photographs, Film |
| Ayton Cow Club |
In the 19th and early 20th centuries many people had small plots of land attached to their houses, from which they produced fodder for their cow or cows. Some villages possessed common grazings, on which village cow keepers had the right to graze their animals during the grazing season. It was to assist these small cow keepers that the Ayton and District Society for Insuring Cows was ... read more |
Online/Digitised, Images/Photographs |
| Ayton Golf Course |
Ayton had a nine hole golf course at the end of the 19th and into the 20th century. It was located on the banks of the Eye upstream from the Jubilee Bridge. |
Online/Digitised, Images/Photographs |
| Churches in Ayton |
Various churches have existed in Ayton over the years. The oldest, St Dionysius, is the church ruin in the kirkyard close to the present church and dates from the 12th century. It was the parish church until the present church was built in 1867. There were Burgher and Anti Burgher churches which combined to form the United Presbyterian Church. |
Online/Digitised, Images/Photographs |
| Ayton Horticultural Society |
There has been a Horticultural Society in Ayton since 1881 and continues to this day. The main event is the annual show, more commonly known locally as the Floo'r Show. The schedule for the first show in 1881 and the report in the Berwickshire News are shown on these links. |
Online/Digitised |
| Ayton Home Guard |
Ayton Home Guard was active during World War 2. The main document is the register of 115 volunteers. This is listed twice - firstly as it was in the original document and then alphabetically to assist in any search for particular family names. Some information (for example date of joining, national identity number and age) were not recorded at first but appear later. There are also details of ... read more |
Online/Digitised |
| Papermaking in Ayton 1693 - 1942 |
Papermaking was an important industry in Ayton employing many people. A devastating fire in 1868 destroyed the Millbank mill although Bleachfield continued until 1942. |
Online/Digitised |
| The sawmill in Ayton High St |
A talk given to Ayton Local History Society by Irvine Inglis. It covers some general history about Ayton as well as that of the sawmill. |
Online/Digitised |
| Ayton War Memorial |
Ayton Local History Society has done some research into the names of those listed on the War Memorial. This information and some on the Memorial Cross and its unveiling can be seen on information boards close to the memorial which is near the church. It is also available on the link to the website here. |
Primary, Online/Digitised |
| 1914 Valuation Roll for Berwickshire East Region |
This valuation roll covers Ayton as well as the neighbouring parishes of Bunkle, Chirnside, Cockburnspath, Coldingham, Eyemouth, Foulden, Hutton and Mordington. An index of proprietors whose rentals amount to £50 and upwards and an index of mansion houses, farms, mills, towns and villages is also included. The following details are recorded. |
Online/Digitised |
Please note that links to websites and catalogues are provided by the Organisations listed and not maintained by Scottish Local History Forum.