From the archives

CHARITY OPENING: Cathie Craigie, MSP, cuts the ribbon to officially open Cumbernauld town centres new Child Aid charity shop in 2002. (Picture by Alan Murray, ref. 4695)

This week in 2004

SPECIAL DAY: Starting school is a big step for any child but for twins Euan and Adam Ridland it was extra special. The boys, who enrolled at St Andrew’s Primary, were a miracle to mum Catherine who had survived ovarian cancer and been told she would never have a family. After her cancer treatment Catherine, desperate to be a mother, underwent three courses of IVF treatment before finally conceiving twins who were healthy despite being born a month premature.

This week in 1989

TURNING PRO: Condorrat boxer Drew Docherty announced he was turning professional. The 23-year-old, who had a record of 16 home international victories for Scotland, would have his first professional bout in Motherwell. This meant he would be ineligible for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, though younger brother Wilson was likely to compete.

This week in 1984

PARENT POWER: Parents in Balloch Eastfield won a guarantee from Strathclyde Regional Council that their five-year-olds would be bussed home at lunchtimes. This followed a struggle between the Community Council, School Action Group and the region’s education department, as parents at Ravenswood Primary were worried their children would be confined to a classroom or face crossing a busy dual carriageway.

This week in 1974

FRENCH SCOUTS: A group of 30 boy scouts from Orleans, France visited Cumbernauld for a three week stay as guests of their local counterparts. They spent a week camping at Aberfeldy and also camped at Auchingillan near Strathblane in Stirlingshire. They also toured trhe Black and White whisky distillery in Stepps. The trip was organised by local scout leader Kenny Robbie who said he hoped a party of scouts and leaders from Cumbernauld would be able to make the return trip to France in the next year.