Mr Joe Auld retired recently after a lifetime as organist and choirmaster.
He began playing occasionally in St Columba’s when he was 14 years old, under the tutelage of the organist Jim Bowman
His first post was in the Maxwell United Free Church, Kilmaurs aged 15, progressing to St John’s Onthank, later to St Andrew’s North for 11 years and then the Laigh Kirk for 18 years, all these in Kilmarnock. He then did a spell free-lancing and was part of the rota for Darvel Parish Church. Just before moving house, back to Stewarton, he began playing again at St Columba’s. On his last Sunday (June 22nd2025) he accepted a gift from the congregation and a standing ovation at the end of the service. As the organist he will be very sadly missed, but will be a welcome addition to the choir