FROM THE ARCHIVES

1997

THE ever-changing fortunes of Cumbernauld town centre took a more positive swing when shoppers learned that an ambitious £70 million scheme to revamp the mall was back on track. Locals were told they could expect to see a cinema complex, pubs and restaurants and top-of-the-range stores in the 38,000 square foot development.

1987

JOBLESS locals were onto plums when their DHSS office closed for two days as a result of strike action over wages. Staff shut up shop and attended a rally in Glasgow in support of a 15 per pay claim. They also picketed their workplace in an effort to stop mail being delivered. Giros were posted out when the strike came to an end.

1977

A state-of-the-art £600,000 health centre finally opened in the town centre and would serve a population of 30,000. The two storey building boasted six wings, approximately 100 rooms and was designed to occupy 15 doctors and three dentists It had taken more than a year to build and was the third unit of its kind to be built in the town.

1972

LOCAL folk singer Jim Brown from Medlar Road had one of his own songs highly commended in a national competition to find new original material. Guitarist Jim (41) had submitted several songs for the contest which was run by the New City Songsters magazine. It was The Western Trader that impressed judges the most. Proud wife Joan said: “Sometimes he gets the ideas for the tune first and fits in the words as they come to him.’’

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