From the archives

1996

A MACHETE and a baseball bat were confiscated by officers cracking down on street crime. Plain clothes officers were also out and about in a bid to curb vandalism, violence, disburbances and alfresco boozing. Within one weekend two individuals had been arrested for drugs-related offences and 13 for various crimes of disorder.

UNDER-fire North Lanarkshire Council Provost Vincent Mathiesonrefused to back down amidst mounting claims he was off to a jolly. The jet-setting provost had already FOUR dates in his diary for foreign trips over the summer - and refused to cancel a trip to Belgium where the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was being celebrated. Council officials vigorously defended the jaunt by saying that flights and hospitality would be paid for via a sponsorship deal.

PEOPLE power was being tipped as the best means of breaking the deadlock over routes for the planned M80 extension. Costs for the two options – one through the Kelvin Valley and one through the existing A80 – were neck and neck. Residents of both towns were told they could make a difference by submitting their views at a special exhibition being held in Cumbernauld College. This would also feature detailed plans for each route.

This week in 1986

THe AXE fell on five Cumbernauld United players in a move that sent shockwaves through the town. Out went Frank Woods, Brian Gibson, Jim Meechan, Stuart Bennett and Peter Paterson. All five were described as ‘‘excellent players’’ by United Boss Jimmy McIntosh but he was standing by his decision to let them go.

HuNDREDS of families basked in glorious sunshine at Cumbernauld Fair. Held in the grounds of Cumbernauld College the proceedings were enlivened by the Radio Clyde Roadshow with Ross King. Festival Queen Rachel Dougherty and her Ladies-in-Waiting Lee Fitzsimmons, Gail Walker and Avril Watson led the parade. This also included Cumbernauld Caledonia Pipe Band and Cumbernauld Majorettes.

CUMBERNAULD featured twice in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List after MBEs were awarded to Barbara Shanks of Cumbernauld Adult Handicapped Society and to Dominick Gennet, Labour Control officer of Cumbernauld Development Corporation. CDC chief executive of CDC David Anderson said: “I am delighted for both Mrs Shanks and Mr Gennet. It shows that a lot of people who put in a lot of effort to help others for no benefit to themselves are recognised.”

This week in 1976

A MONTH had dragged on in the strike which saw refuse collection drawn to a halt in Cumbernauld but mediators from conciliatory service ACAS moved in to seek a resolution. The strike had started when binmen had refused to accept a £6 cut in bonus but workers said that they would now be willing to negotiate with the council. Meanwhile Margaret Bain MP urged the men to stop the strike, saying that any complaint about cuts should be made to the Government and not the council.

GeNEROUS News readers donated over ONE MILLION Green Shield stamps for the paper’s kidney machine caravan appeal. This was being run in conjunction with Seafar School. The aim was to buy a holiday haven for patients which would boast its own dialysis machine. It was hoped that patients could travel round the West of Scotland’s sunshine hotspots in the caravan.

FEARS that youngsters would fall prey to the perils of glues-sniffing prompted a warning from health chiefs – who felt that the matter was not being treated as seriously as it should be. A Lanarkshire Health Board spokesman said: “Brain damage, kidney and liver damage and even death can result from this dangerous pasttime. It’s not to be treated lightly.’’

this week in 1970

COMMUNITY spirited members of the 4th Cumbernauld Boys Brigade stepped in to help with a paint job at Cumbernauld Congregational Church. Its exterior had not been painted for years but the boys set to work with their brushes and Reverend James Shanks said he was “delighted” by their kind efforts.

CHANGES were afoot at The Golden Eagle Hotel after new manager Andrew P. T. Smith took the helm. The popular Saturday dinner dances would be continuing, costing £1.37. Sounds would be provided by the Bob Johnstone Trio. Music lovers were also being catered to at the Cottage Theatre where Peggy Seeger and Ewan McColl would be appearing.

STAR sweeper Murdo Rogers was voted Cumbernauld United Player of the Year. Murdie had enjoyed an outstanding season, particularly in the team’s Scottish Cup run. He had been in the club for two years. Meanwhile the club picked up two new players – ex Kilsyth Rangers man Tommy Morrison and John Hughes of East Stirling.

FEARS that Burroughs would pull out of Cumbernauld were finally put to rest after the firm announced it would NOT be pulling out of Scotland but a strike at the plant over pay continued regardless.