Window on the Past

Our weekly look at the Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs Herald archives. This week’s photo shows a winter scene at a loch near Lenzie - possibly the Gadloch.

November 23, 1994

Health chiefs revealed plans to bulldoze Woodilee Hospital - and build 800 houses on the grounds. The proposals were submitted to Strathkelvin planning bosses and earmarked 71 acres for high quality housing - less than 50 per cent of the site.

Woodilee was set to close in October 1996, it was revealed, with the Glasgow Community & Mental Health Services Trust then able to sell the site to a developer.

Space had been set aside, said the health trust, for on-site community facilities, including shops and play areas.

It was also hoped that much of the green space could be conserved.

November 28, 1984

Tributes were paid to former Councillor Mrs Mary Barclay who at the time was the only woman to represent a Bishopbriggs ward on Strathkelvin District Council.

She passed away in Huntershill Nursing Home in her early 60s.

Leaders in both district and town paid tribute to her.

A magistrate, Mrs Barclay was Labour member for the Crowhill Ward on Bishopbriggs Town Council and after the reorganisation in 1975, continued on Strathkelvin District Council until she resigned in 1976.

Thirty years a member of the Labour Party, in 1981 she helped form the Social Democrats.

November 27, 1974

Kirkintilloch Town Council decided to employ a dog catcher at a salary of £1,000 per year plus car expenses in the region of 8p a mile for a minimum of eight hours a week.

Bailie George Murray was now demanding data on wage bills and was to investigate trends in local government costs over the previous five years.

He complained of “top heavy” bureaucracy and said: “I feel the period of empire-building has to stop.”

He added: “If a dog catcher was to catch 10 dogs it would cost the council more than £2,000 per 
annum to board them in addition to the dog catcher’s salary.

November 25, 1964

Kirkintilloch bus workers agreed to ban overtime, operate reduced services and work to rule at a 
midnight meeting - falling into line with other employees of other depots throughout Central Scotland.

They were also threatening to hold a one day token strike the following month.

Alexander’s depots at Kilsyth, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie also joined the ban.

The overtime ban was called in support of the demand of the city transport workers for a two-hour cut in their working week and 
incentive bonuses. Bus services were believed to be disrupted as a result.