From the archives

1996

A CONTROVERSIAL ban on private caterers in North Lanarkshire Council-owned function halls sparked an outcry. The council said it would supply its own catering staff instead. The official line was that NLC was showing commitment to these employees but this did not appease those who preferred to make their own arrangements. Scottish Nationalist councillor Gordon Murray fumed: “We have a long tradition of people hiring private halls and doing their own catering. These people will just go elsewhere.’’

A WOMAN who had worked tirelessly to help people with special needs retired - but not before she received a presentation from Councillor Jim McKenna and friends. Sheena Walker had managed three Enable day centres in the town and had had spent three decades helping others in the New Town. Councillor McKenna who knew Sheena when they both lived in Maryhill in the 1960s said that her contribution was outstanding. ‘‘Her personal standards are very high. She is a very special person.’’

AN exchange group from Germany’s Black Forest visited Greenfaulds High School and the two groups toured Scotland together. Some German pupils even took part in lessons at the school!

1986

AN EXCITING announcement was made which fired up local golf fans - Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros was to help design the championship-standard course at Cumbernauld’s Mainhead plantation. The course would form part of a £40 million development which included a luxury hotel and leisure complex plus 650 houses. The initiative was being hailed as the most exciting development to get under way in Cumbernauld for years – and Seve’s involvement was clearly the icing on the cake!

YOU’VE kept us in the dark - that was the claim from district councillors who accused Cumbernauld Development Corporation of failing to discuss key developments with them. These included the opening of a new ice rink, the new Gateway superstore and major renovations taking place at Cumbernauld House. Councillor Catherine Craigie said: “We should be informed about what is happening. We understand the need for confidentiality but I am sure that members of the district council can be burdened with that responsibility.’’

Town centre record shop owner Andrew Gardener Jr was chosen by the Scottish Nationalists to stand in the by-election for Carbrain East. Andrew’s late father had also been a councillor in the town.

1976

CUMBERNAULD High School head Raymond Mearns found himself supervising some 600 pupils at lunchtime after other teachers boycotted dinner hall duties. The staff were in dispute over a price hike in their own subsidised lunches – prompting widespread fears that pupils might have to be sent home for their midday meal. Strathclyde Regional Council’s education boss, William Harley, declared: “Schools must ensure that dining halls stay open. It is also their responsibility to maintain overall discipline.’’

CUMBERNAULD would be seen onscreen after it emerged that a film would be shot in the town. Financed by Cumbernauld Development Corporation, the film was intended as an update to the town’s previous screen outing, ‘Cumbernauld-Town For Tomorrow. Actress Fenella Fielding was believed to be starring in the film, described as ‘‘a comedy set in the New Town.’’

ABRONHILL nurse Moira Traino, nee Robertson, got married twice in three weeks. Her first marriage to American husband Frank took place in a park in Miami. None of Moira’s relatives were able to attend so the couple flew back across the Atlantic for a ceremony at Abronhill Parish Church and a reception in the Golden Eagle Hotel before the couple returned to Miami.

1971

IT was revealed that Phase Two of Cumbernauld Town Centre at last had an opening date – March 1972. Its flagship store would be the supermarket Templeton’s and it was understood that the 20,000 square foot branch would be one of the biggest in Scotland. Meanwhile a new service was being made available at the centre following a recent kidnapping in England. Girl Guides were keeping watch over prams outside at the rate of five pence per hour.

St Joseph’s in Carbrain was officially opened by Archbishop James Scanlan of Glasgow. More than 600 people attended the ceremony in the £100,000 church. Archbishop Scanlan urged the parishoners to play a vital part in the growth of the New Town and said he was “most impressed” by the new church.

No fewer than NINE local lads were signed up for Celtic Boys’ Club: Peter Mackie, John Gibson Gerard Connor, David White, Graham Williamson, Steven McNaught, Hugh Loughrie, Alex Shannon and Alan Barr. Peter and John were in the running for a trip to Holland. Former Celt John Higgins was coaching the boys at Barrowfield.