FROM THE ARCHIVES

A look through the files of the Cumbernauld News

This week in 2003

CumberNAULD became an international focal point for forces’ families after a caring Blackwood family set up a website for those concerned about those serving in Iraq. The nearest and dearest of Trooper Graeme Low of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment drew on the support provided by their neighbours and decided to multiply this by harnessing technology. Graeme’s mum Susan said: “We put it together with the plan to give people information, advice or a shoulder to cry on.” And messages continued to flood in from as far afield as Spain and the Netherlands.

This week in 1988

PARENTS and teachers spoke of the “grave danger” of discipline declining in local schools. They were reacting to a COSLA report on the subject amidst fears that the ban on corporal punishment could lead to atrocious standards of behaviour in classrooms. While no teacher involved would say that they wanted the belt to return, they argued that better staffing and a willingness to involve the police might be the best way forward. Meanwhile, parents at St Maurice’s High School were aghast to learn that Strathclyde Regional Council would be withdrawing the school crossing patrol. Councillor Gerry McElroy who had fought to retain it said: “I am very disappointed.”

This week in 1983

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THERE was an uproar when girls from Airdrie were being employed in a Cumbernauld factory because there was no adequate bus service from nearby Abronhill. The Airdrieonians accounted for nearly half of the staff at the former Pringle factory, while locals struggled to get a bus to the workplace. Manager Lew Rollins said: “No bus can get people from Abronhill to the factory in time to start work. This almost makes Abronhill into an isolated community. There is a large untapped labour pool lying dormant.”

This week in 1973

LABOUR’S Barbara Castle was coming to Cumbernauld to address female party members at their dinnr at the Abetone restaurant. She was the most senior party member at that stage to visit the town. Mrs Castle had given up her position in the shadow cabinet to help the party at grassroots level. Labour party spokeswoman Ellen Sullivan said that local activists were also a force to be reckoned with. “Women may not play such an active role in politics but in Cumbernauld politics the women are most definitely here to stay.”