Peep at the past in Cumbernauld

From the Cumbernauld News archives

This week in 1977

Veteran police dog Dino and his handler, PC Hamish Currie, became the top team in the County police dog section. The team, who had been together for 18 months, competed against seven other teams at the Police Dog Trials. PC Currie said: “The secret is that you have to have a happy partnership to be a successful team. Everything you do has to be presented as a game to the dog. I enjoy the variation in the dog section.”

Cumbernauld town Clerk and manager Robert Kyle was set to discuss plans, with the Department of the Environment, to open a Roman museum in the area. The Historical Society had also pushed for the plans to be given the green light. The Society was proposing that the museum be built beside the line of the Roman Antonine Wall on the outskirts of the town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fishing fan Craig McKenzie had trouble convincing his friends that he had caught a 16lbs Pike, until his picture appear with the huge fish in the Cumbernauld News. It took him more than 20 minsutes to get it under control after he had it on his line. He said: “The pike was swimming up and down the canal and I had to run along side it for about 75 yards. I was determined not to let it get away as I knew it was a big one.”

This week in 1987

The Cumbernauld Civic Week took place this week in 1977. The event started with a carnival parade which was lead by Carnival Queen Mary Johnston, who arrived in an open topped vintage Rolls Royce. Also joining in the procession was Cumbernauld Pipe Band, Cumbernauld Silver Band and Croy Silver Band. A number of floats also took part in the parade with the best decorated taking home the prize of a half a gallon of whiskey.

Cumbernauld’s newest company landed a bumper oil deal contract on the west coast of Scotland. Fifty men employed by A. B. Resins went to work on the sealing of, what was, the largest oil rig in the world at Loch Kishorn. Manager Neil Muirhead said: “Our men are sealing the rig making it water tight. This will ensure that it does not sink when it is launched later this year.” A.B had recently moved from Falkirk.

There was to be a major change in players at Cumbernauld United following their failure to stay in Division A for more than one season. The mass exodus did not come as a surprise to most of the players who appeared on the transfer list, or who were released from their contracts with the local junior side. Club secretary, Jim Tominey, said: “We are looking to bring in two good midfielders and a forward. It is vital that we sign players for these positions.”

This week in 1997

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nine year old Katie McActeer knocked at a very special door on this day. She had been selected to visit number ten Downing street, along with her mother Christine, to deliver a pettion to, the new tennant, Tony Blair on behalf of the Friends of the Kelvin Valley. The petetion reinforced the groups stance on the new motorway proposals. Katie said; “Number ten had an enormous brass knocker to chap. I was then asked who I was and they took the petition.”

Sharon MacLeod became the first member of the 5th Cumbernauld Company Girl’s Brigade to receive the Queen’s Award. The 19 year-old was granted the royal assent when she collected a certificate and special Brigade badge at Grangemouth Town Hall. Sharon told the News: “It was really hard going trying to get through the work and do my highers at the same time. But it was worth it.”

In a bid to add to their squad for the forthcoming season, Clyde brought in two youngsters. However manager, Gardner Speirs, was still looking to add some experience to ths side. Paul Hay and Stephen Marshall both signed with the Bully Wee after impressing at youth level. Speirs said: “Both played in our under 18 team last season for which they would still be eligible if needed. We are still waiting to hear back from another three players we want to bring in.”+

Related topics: