Our Top 30

Your local newspaper is inviting readers to nominate the people they feel deserve to be nominated for their contribution to the community, be it in local sport, civic service, the arts, politics or industry, in fact any walk of life you care to mention.

One of the latest nominees is Canon Dennis O'Connell, parish priest at St Patrick's Parish Church in Kilsyth from 1972-87.

Kilsyth's George McDonald said: "He brought the town together, ecumenically wise. He was very friendly with the ministers in the town.

"It was he who brought Jimmy Saville on his famous visits to Kilsyth. He also brought the Bay City Rollers here. They went to every club in Kilsyth that evening. He also brought Olympic athletes to Kilsyth. He helped start up Kilsyth athletics.

"And he was also instrumental in getting the Garrell Vale CE Centre opened 25 years ago. He made a real contribution to Kilsyth and the town was all the better for him having been here."

Canon O'Connell later moved to Leslie and spent his last years in retirement in Edinburgh.

There is no shortage of people like Canon O'Connell who have brough honour to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. And to get them into our Top 30 all you need do is nominate them.

Nominees received so far include Croy's late accordion maestro Will Starr and Celtic legend Jimmy Quinn. Also a native of Croy he thrilled Old Firm fans 100 years ago. He was the Henrik Larsson or Robbie Kean of his day.

Living nominees include Bobby Johnstone and Billy Lees, both well known and respected community activists in Cumbernauld.

To nominate someone, a group or an organisation for a place in our top 30, write to Top 30, News & Chronicle, 10/12 Tay Walk, Cumbernauld G66 1BU. Our fax number is 729931.

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