Window on the Past

Springburn  BB officers' dance in the 1950sSpringburn  BB officers' dance in the 1950s
Springburn BB officers' dance in the 1950s

Our weekly look at the Herald archives from 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.

February 21, 1995

Outraged residents were furious after hearing plans for a massive housing development on greenbelt belt land had been given the go-ahead. Scottish Secretary Ian Lang MP dropped the bombshell on protestors this week in 1995, when he upheld an appeal by Wimpey Homes.

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Local residents said they were convinced the decision to allow Wimpey to build 600 houses between Bishopbriggs and Lenzie would pave the way for more developments on greenbelt land.

Woodhill and Auchinairn Labour Party branch secretary Alex Hamilton also blasted the news.

He said: “We are concerned that Bishopbriggs and Lenzie will lose their separate identities as a result of this development.

February 20, 1985

The half-pence piece was withdrawn in January, 1985, but a cancer charity revealed the 2500 million of them not accounted for amounted to a treasure trove worth around £12million for good causes.

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The Cancer Research Campaign appealed to people to rally to the cause and start looking for the missing coins.

A spokesman said: “If people would dig deep behind their sofas and armchairs, turn out their pockets and purses, look in the cracks in the floorboards and generally just have a good look round, there’s no knowing how much they might turn up.

“They could help a vital cause without it costing them anything.”

February 18, 1975

The selling of dangerous “mini pistols” and “secret watch guns” by local stores to Kirkintilloch children came under fire from a Strathkelvin district councillor.

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Councillor McCormack believed it would not be long before one of the children, who were snapping them up like hot cakes, would lose an eye.

The toys had been banned from St Flannan’s Primary School and the councillor had taken steps to have their sale stopped in shops.

The 10p toys fired small plastic bullets at such a velocity that Councillor McCormack said children’s eyes were in “great danger.”

He advised parents not to let their children play with them.

February 17, 1965

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A £1,500 facelift was planned by British Railways for Bishopbriggs station.

The existing waiting room and ticket office were earmarked to be renovated and painted to give them a bright, modern look.

The former station house and parcels office had been demolished the previous year.

A rail spokesman said at the time: “Bishopbriggs is a very well used station. This renovation will make it even busier.”

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Bishopbriggs rail station was one of the original stations on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, opened in 1842.

The refurbished ticket office and waiting room was replaced with a modern glass and steel building in 2002,

This week’s photo: Officers at Springburn district Boys’ Brigade are pictured enjoying their annual dance during the 1950s.