From the Cumbernauld News archives

This week in 2003

CHAMP’s ADVICE: Former world boxing champion Ken Buchanan visited St Maurice’s High School to talk to aspiring sports stars. Ken who lived in Greenfaulds said: “A few were interested in boxing but I warned them it is a hard sport and if they don’t like it they shouldn’t do it because they will get hurt.’’

art therapy: Hand -painted murals by a Cumbernauld artist brought a splash of colour and a touch of the natural world to a hospital ward. George Smith from Condorrat worked on the physiotherapy ward at Wishaw General Hospital and staff were impressed. Physiotherapist Joyce Morrow said: ‘‘The murals give patients something to focus upon.’’

GOOD NEIGHBOURS: War-ravaged Croatia was on the receiving end yet again of Cumbernauld’s trademark generosity. Baptist minister Brian Talbot appealed yet again for dry foodstuffs, non-prescription medicines and toiletries to be conveyed to the former Yugolavia. The timing was right with Croatia’s harsh winter ahead. More than 70,000 refugees were being helped.

THIS WEEK IN 1983

BIZARRE THEFTS: Police were on the hunt for 2000 items stolen from the Lovable factory. Five boxes of bras had been shipped in from Hamburgh but were pilfered overnight. Also in Wardpark, there was another break-in at the Simmers biscuit factory. Robbers high tailed it with a consignment of shortbread, after a smashing a hole in the wall.

GARDENS GROW: Locals were being allowed to access new allotments which would be set up at the back of Cumbernauld House. The plots had been created by teens working on the Youth Opportunities Programme. The area included a pond and land specially adapted for disabled users.

HOSPITAL PLEA: The proposed geriatric and day centre in Condorrat was under discussion yet again at the local health council. The project had been approved in principal by Lanarkshire Health Board but was awaiting the green light from the Scottish Office. Councillor Jim Pollock said: “I think it’s extremely important that this is at the top of the list of financial commitments. It’s needed by the community, no doubt about that.’’

THIS WEEK IN 1988

Survivor speaks: Allan Morrison of Greenrigg Road recalled the moment of horror when a the stricken oil rig Odyssey burst into a ball of fire. The 34 year old dad-of-two, who had worked on the rigs for eight years, was rescued first in a lifeboat then a helicopter. He said: “I got quite a shock. It brought home to me the dangers of working on a rig.’’

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE: MP Norman Hogg wrote to community councils expressing his opposition to any poll tax non payment campaign. Mr Hogg wrote: ‘‘No-one concerned for the poor can seriously suggest that they compound their problems by facing a demand for the poll tax in a single payment plus a 10 per cent surcharge and the cost of collections.’’

DUNDEE DEACONESS: Kildrum Parish Church’s Jean Thomson was taking up a new post at Mains Church in the city made famous by jam, jute and journalism. She had trained for two years for the post in Edinburgh and was one of five deaconesses appointed in the Church of Scotland that year.

THIS WEEK IN 1973

BOOZE BAN: A controversial plan to introduce a bar at Greenfaulds sports hall prompted fury from those who believed sport and alcohol should not mix. Among them was Provost Gordon Murray who said: ‘‘We want to encourage family use of this sports hall. We don’t want it to become a drinking den.’’ The issue centred about the size of facility to be added to the centre. It was originally decided that any bar should be on the small scale but council plans were pressing for this to be enlarged.

NEW FACE: Abronhill had a new minister. Fifer Douglas Phenix was officially inducted at Abronhill Parish Church. The 650 strong congregation were glad to see him as they had been without a minister for a year. That was when R everend Alasdair Elders left to take up a new charge in Edinburgh.

LIBERAL STRONGHOLD: The Liberal Party had its sights firmly on Cumbernauld. Its newly elected local secretary Frances Hall confidently stated: “Even before we were formally established here, I was astounded at the tremendous support we’ve had.’’