Cultural Forum unveils annual arts exhibition in Cumbernauld

Their aim is to display the wares they have crafted especially for this annual event and sell them off for a local school that needs cash.

Redburn School, which caters for children with special needs, will receive the proceeds from this sale – but this is nothing new as the forum has already raised £22,000 for pupils in recent years. The money is being put aside for a hydrotherapy pool.

The sale was opened with some fanfare on Saturday by MSP Jamie Hepburn, who said he was happy to oblige.

Mr Hepburn said: “I was delighted to be able to attend the opening of the annual arts and crafts exhibition, which goes a long way to the Forum’s fantastic fundraising events for charity.

“I understand that over the years they have raised some £32,000 for many charities. Everyone will agree that this is an outstanding effort, and I hope that this year’s exhibition is even more successful than those previously held.’’

Vice-chairman Corinne Climie said she had been working with chairwoman Carol Ramsay and all her colleagues to make sure that the event was a success. This has involved contacting a number of local art clubs, asking members what they would like to exhibit.

Said Corinne: ‘’I would like to stress that we just could not raise this sort of money without the generosity of the Cumbernauld people – and of course town centre management who let us have the shop. We also thank Jamie Hepburn for coming along.”

“We hope that lots of people come round to see us,” added Corinne.

The exhibition is open six days a week during office hours until November 12.