Monday, July 6, 1953

9.30 a.m. Left Victoria League headquarters by special coach for AYR.

10.30 a.m. Arrived at Mauchline Church where we were shown round the Burns Memorials by Dr. W. Boyd.

Ralph Kent Cook (above) leaning against the memorial pillar (right) is well remembered. The son of Toronto celebrity Jack Kent Cook he bought a motorcycle when we first arrived in London, then immediately was in an accident going on the wrong side of the road, as I recall. There were a few tense moments as we were all threatened with a quick ending to the tour.

11.30 a.m. Left Mauchline and arrived at Burns' Cottage at 12 noon.

Distinguished by its whitewashed walls, the Burns Cottage and Museum contains a rare glimpse of family memorabilia, including letters and manuscripts.

1.00 p.m. Lunch at the Burns Monument Hotel. Almost since the time of his death in 1796, the birthplace of Robert Burns in the village of Alloway, Ayr has been a place of pilgrimage for thousands of visitors each year.

2.00-5.30 p.m. Following a tour of Ayr and of Butlins Holiday Camp, a short visit was paid to PRESTWICK AIRPORT.

5.30 p.m. Supper at Butlin's Holiday Camp.

The first holiday camp opened in 1936, and was very basic. Guests would stay in self-contained prefabricated chalets with three meals a day served in the canteen. It was soon discovered that visitors tended to stay huddled in their own family groups and didn't socialise much. Many just sat around and appeared apathetic or even bored, despite the many facilities the camp offered. To get people mixing there developed a legion of "cheerleaders" who would get people excited about the entertainment and activities. There developed a distinctive uniform for this new army of organisers — a bright red blazer and white trousers They became known as Redcoats

In the UK, possibly a more elitist culture, (note all the letters of recognition people flaunt after their names throughout this CYM journal) there are certain groups that don't want to mix with everyone and consider the Redcoats a joke. In Canada the term Redcoats is associated with Mounties and has wide respect. A few years ago while trying to market "Redcoat Tours" a company offering tours over routes followed by early Victorian explorers in Canada I hoped to attract the British who love hiking. I would soon discover the term Redcoat had entirely the wrong connotation for them.

8.00 p.m. Arrived back at Victoria League headquarters, Glasgow.

Next Day