From the archives

This week in 2004

ELIZABETH MBE: A Cumbernauld woman said she was “absolutely flabbergasted” after being awarded the MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list. Elizabeth Petersen of Clouden Road in Kilsyth was named in the roll of honour for her four decades of fundraising for the Cumbernauild and Kilsyth branch of the Muscular Dystrophy group.

This week in 1989

BARGAIN BUY: Westerwood Jubilee Centre, opened just nine years previously by Prince Charles, looked set to be sold off for jut £100,000 – half the price the District Council paid for it. The buyer’s London accountants said the £200,000 asked for it was far in excess of the building’s market value. It was to form part of the aspirational Westerwood Golf Course then being designed by Seve Ballesteros. Use of the centre declined when stringent staff – pupil ratios were brought in for outdoor activities.

This week in 1984

CRIME WAVE: Vandalism in Cumbernauld was said to be even worse than in crime-ridden Easterhouse. Local police chief John Beaton blamed the problem on “lack of parental responsibility”, arguing it was the biggest single factor behind the problem. He cited incidents which included youths throwing stones at passing cars and others pulling up newly-planted trees, as well as headstones being damaged in the local cemetery. He added the only way to tackle the problem effectively was to use plain clothes officers to catch offenders in the act. The town centre, Carbrain and Kildrum were said to be the areas giving most cause for concern.

This week in 1974

PONY GALA: Cumbernauld Airfield was set to be the scene of another weekend carnival, when more than 800 competitors and 370 horses from as far afield as Thurso and Stranraer were to compete in the Kirkintilloch and Campsie Pony Club Gymkhana. Among the events being staged were showjumping, dressage competitions with trophies and cups, and £250 prize money at stake. The previous year’s gymkhana was held in the Village, but this proved too small a venue. It was hoped it could soon become a venue for the Horse of the Year Show.