FROM THE ARCHIVES

This week in 2003

JEAN and George Barbour from Carrickstone were celebrating after becoming the first couple in Scotland to wed on Christmas Day. It was jingle bells and wedding bells on the big day as the couple got hitched then went back home to serve Christmas dinner to their families.

This week in 1988

PRESTO staff came to work after the New Year break to find the store was to close, leaving them without jobs at the start of 1988. Just weeks earlier rumours of a closure had been dismissed as “absolute rubbish” by bosses, but 82 jobs ended up being lost as terms to renew the lease on the Tummell Walk store were never agreed. Shoppers were left to learn the bad news from notices posted on the locked doors of the supermarket.

This week in 1983

AN ABRONHILL family were hoping 1982 would bring them the best news of all. Howard and Maureen Avis were determined to hear five-year-old son Kevin speak for the first time, even if it meant spending over £6000 to travel to the USA. A convulsion at 14 months had damaged the speech centre in Kevin’s brain. Frustrated at the lack of treatment available in the UK, they were preparing to spend two years at the Institute for the Development of Human Potential in Philadelphia. The family were grateful to everyone who had helped with fundraising.

This week in 1973

MENTALLY handicapped children in Cumbernauld would get more support from the Town Council as it agreed to increase its grant towards the Scottish Society for Mentally Handicapped Children. This cash would help meet the cost of appointing a play leader or “other appropriate person”.The council had come under fire earlier when it chose to defer its decision.