Star backing for Cumbernauld House online petition

Set up just over a month ago by Cumbernauld residents Robert McAllen, Patrick Haughney, Stephen O'Connor and Adam Smith, support has come not only from Cumbernauld but from as far afield as Germany, Australia, America, Canada and even Indonesia - with many ex-pats or people of Scottish descent giving their backing.

Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman has even signed up to join the Facebook group which is said to be the most successful historic building preservation page to have ever been created on the social networking site.

Former Cumbernauld High School prefect Lynn Ferguson has given her backing to both the petition and Facebook group (www.facebook. com/cumbernauldhouse) and told the News & Chronicle: "Cumbernauld House should have become some sort of museum years ago. It's a no brainer.

"I tell you, there's plenty of other places in the world that if they had a tenth of the historical relevance that Cumbernauld House has, they would be embracing it with bells and whistles."

And her comments on the petition state: "Isn't it about time Cumbernauld was able to show it's more than just a series of not-very-well thought out shopping areas?

"If you let this building fall derelict then shame on you. The citizens of Cumbernauld deserve to have some kind of landmark to be proud of."

Many people call for the building to be "restored to its former glory", with one person describing it as a "grand house with a long history and warm heart" and another saying "it should be looked after like your mother".

Alternative suggestions include wedding venue, hotel, museum about the history of the town, restaurant or even a "mini Glyndebourne", referring to the English country house and music venue.

Lynda Dunn who has signed the petition, said: "I have lived in Cumbernauld since 1967 and have fond memories of summer days in Cumbernauld Field with the House in the background. Cumbernauld needs its heritage and this property should be saved."

Gill Reid who lives in Australia poignantly wrote: "I had the pleasure of working in Cumbernauld House when the Cumbernauld Development Corporation had its home there.

"I felt pretty honoured to work in such a breathtaking environment. I thought it would become a five star hotel or some other prominent and prestigious concern after the CDC vacated. It would be a travesty if this house and history are not preserved."

LYNN SAYS TOWN PIONEERS DESERVE BETTER

MY late mother used to say that North Lanarkshire "had it in" for Cumbernauld.

I won't go in to the intricacies of her argument, but safe to say, if ever I brought her cakes when I visited her in Carrickstone Day Hospital, and one of the cakes got a bit bashed in the box, we would, as a joke, say "that sort of thing would never be allowed to happen in Airdrie."

But I don't want to have a go at the council. And Councillor Tom Johnston isn't any happier about this whole situation than I am.

I've won't go on about the history of Cumbernauld House because other people - Tom Johnston for one - are much better versed to do that - and also because I'll rant, but here's the thing that bothers me.

Cumbernauld House should have become some sort of museum years ago. It's a no brainer. I tell you, there's plenty of other places in the world that if they had a tenth of the historical relevance that Cumbernauld House has, they would be embracing it with bells and whistles.

Another of my late mother's theories, was that the people of Cumbernauld were pioneers. They moved from what they had known in Glasgow, to a place just being built - because they wanted something better for themselves and their families. My mother believed that it took a certain type of person to do that and that people in Cumbernauld should be proud.

So North Lanarkshire Council, prove at least one of my mother's theories was wrong. Get your act together and save this house.

People of Cumbernauld, I urge you to join this campaign. We have to get the Scottish Government to take notice.

As my mother used to say, you are pioneers. Frankly, you deserve better.

Lynn Ferguson