A 95-YEAR-OLD former Black Watch captain was guest of honour at Cumnock’s Baird Institute.

James Blyth was based at the former Pennylands Prisoner of War Camp and the memories came flooding back as he attended an exhibition all about it.

The free exhibition is the culmination of hours of archaeological digging, research and scouring the pages of the Chronicle’s extensive archive.

Bobby Grierson of the Cumnock History Group was involved from day one and was one of several guest speakers at Saturday’s opening.

He said: “The opening was very busy with more than 100 people there and some of the finds made at the former camp are on display at the exhibition.

“Among the more unusual items was a horse’s jaw bone. We have been wondering why anyone would bury such a thing.

“But there used to be police horses stabled there so maybe that has something to do with it.

“Some Luftwaffe badges were also found. The German prisoners were allowed to wear their own uniform — which were dyed red.

“A penknife with a mother-of-pearl handle which will have belonged to a better-off prisoner is another interesting item.”

Others include an old clay pipe, which was also likely to have been owned by a prisoner, as well as a child’s tricycle, a pair of women’s brogue shoes and numerous coins of foreign currency are also proving an attraction.

Pennylands Camp 22 — Hidden Histories of Ayrshire runs until April 28.

Several guest speakers have been lined up, including Mr Grierson himself on April 5, archaeologist Liz Jones on February 1 and Dr Sue Morrison on March 1.

There will also be a family funday on Friday, April 13, between 1pm and 3.30pm which will include drama, arts and crafts. Visit www.cumnockhistorygroup.org for more details.