120th Anniversary
Final word goes to the towns first Lady Provost
HER Majesty the Queen visited Kirkintilloch in June1965, and is pictured here at the town’s Peel Park with the then Provost Mrs Janet Coutts. |
Now in her nineties, Mrs Coutts is a well known figure in the area, having been a tireless charity worker for many years.
The first lady provost of the town, Mrs Coutts this week shared her thoughts on the Herald’s 120 years:
“The Kirkintilloch Herald has grown a lot since I first read it around 1919, in my uncle's house in Bishopbriggs. Now, at the age of 93½ I'd like to share some thoughts - mostly nostalgic - with your readers.
“The first picture I remember goes back over almost ninety years; it is of Rita McIver in Cairnview Terrace, Bishopbriggs, wearing a gold watch presented to her for saving the life of Babs Imrie from drowning in a quarry not far from the veterinary surgery of her father.
“Some early events were not of course recorded on film like that on a summer Sunday afternoon when I had gone with Uncle to Cadder, I tried to cross the stepping - stones in full view of the numerous people enjoying the lovely weather. Pride certainly went before my fall into the river.
“When I lived in Possilpark we could have set our clocks by the evening views of the Gipsy Queen as she sailed past the swan's nest near Firhill and on to Possil Marsh then past Mavis Valley. Thankfully the photographers are once again able to record the passage of boats on the modern canal.
“One of the saddest Herald recordings was that at the funeral which Provost Fairservice and many of us attended after the Auchengeich pit disaster. We need, sometimes to be reminded of the cost to be paid, for our everyday needs.
“We had of course, many joyous occasions to record, the most famous being the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. The school children and brownies truly made the welkin ring when they saw the car with the Royal Standard come slowly onto the specially widened path to rest beside the bandstand.
VARIETY
“Ronnie Brown, the Herald reporter for many years, had the knack of finding homely events for his paper as I realised when I found my name in the Headliner "Weather pleases Bailie" - I had mentioned my washing whilst waiting outside the Courtroom one day.
“Kate Lennon from Hopkin Brae, Mrs Mitchell who grew wonderful yellow lupins and dog-tooth violets. Dr Barry, the first Headmaster of St Ninians, were among the many people who had their stories told.
“This variety of items have been and are still enjoyed by the many citizens past and present of the burgh. Three cheers for the "Kirky Herald" - long may it continue to record the events of the area.”
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