From the archives

A look through the back files of the Cumbernauld News

1996

IT TOOK just hours for a 12 foot high floral display to make an impression with Cumbernauld Village residents but it wasn’t the right one - after locals demanded its removal. They believed it created an instant traffic hazard between the bus stop and slip road between busy Roadside and The Wynd as it blocked visibility. Councillor Gordon Murray was inundated with complaints about the display minutes after it was erected. he gaffe also cost the council hundreds of pounds to rectify after a landscaping team was sent in to remove it.

THE FATE of Cumbernauld House seemed unclear in light of the fact that Cumbernauld Development Corporation would soon disband. The A-Listed building had been the CDC’s headquarters but no-one seemed to be able to say what use the building would have in the future. There were suggestions that it could be turned into a registry office or a corporate headquarters - and a North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson assured locals that the matter would be the subject of an upcoming report. He said: “We are trying to find a use for it which will provide a service to the community.

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PLANS to build an evangelical church in busy Eastfield were rejected on road safety grounds,

1986

SHOPS were waterlogged in Cumbernauld Centre after the roof sprung a leak. The News office was one of the premises to suffer water damage as it seeped through from the opticians next door.Irate proprietors said they were not prepared to pay for the damage itself. A strongly-worded letter was sent to Cumbernauld Development Corporation. A spokesperson said: “Corporation employees are doing everything to ensure that an effective repair is carried out.”

QUESTIONS as to the origins of the place name Clouden Road were answered after the Cumbernauld Development Corporation’s Conservation & Design team were foxed. Local Burnsians were able to enlighten them after it emerged that Clouden was a tributary of the Nith that inspired the Bard.

a CUMBERNAULD councillor announced he would stand down blaming pressure of work - and paved the way for a mid-term by-election. Ian McDowall who was the district councillor for Carbrain East but had not been seen at meetings for several months. Speculation mounted that his political career was coming to an end and so it proved when he wrote his letter of resignation to Councillor Rosemary McKenna. She said: “He feels that he would like to make way for another Labour councillor.’’

1976

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CLERGYMEN from Cumbernauld were to drive in a Ford Cortina to an ancient monastery in Greece after securing permission to stay there on a pilgrimage. Father John Ross of Church of the Holy Name would be joined in the holy site of Mount Athos by Kildrum brothers James and Christopher Kay who were the ordinand and sacristan of his church. They could not expect any female company as women had been forbidden to set foot there for centuries – and the law was still in force and was punishable by inprisonment!

CUMBERNAULD had its own chess king after 17-year-old Billy Gray became the youngest ever winner of Cumbernauld Chess Club championship. The Craigieburn Road resident shared the title with American Henry Rybuck who also lived in Cumbernauld. Billy said: “I was delighted at winning the championship. It was a tough competition and I was playing against adults most of the time.”

SUPERSWIMMER David Wilkie’s winning form at the Olympics led to a dramatic increase in the number of youngsters visiting the Tryst. Ever since the 24-year-old Edinburgh student slashed three seconds off the world record of the 200 metre breast stroke, his fans were rushing to the pool!

1971

DISGUSTED jobless youngsters took over Cumbernauld Youth Employment Office in Cumbernauld Village. Staff thought they were joking but had to call the police on realising they were serious. Officers told them: “You have made your point. Now leave.’’

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A TALENTED Cumbernauld schoolboy made history when he was admitted to Glasgow University’s vet school despite missing the first year of the course. Brainbox Colin Bruce had achieved such exceptional results in his exams at Cumbernauld High School that course organisers allowed him to enter at second year level. The 18 year old from Kildrum would spend his summer holidays gaining valuable experience with animals on his family’s farm in Ayrshire.

AMBITIOUS plans to extend the new town fell foul of an old town- Stirling. The Royal Burgh’s County Council stated that any development on the hillside at Airdriehead would be detrimental to the rural aspect of the Kelvin Valley. It was also feared that the plans would be at variance with proposals to upgrade the A80 to motorway standard. Submissions to this effect were made to the Secretary State for Scotland who was asking for comments on the plan.

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