Down Memory Lane - December 4

December 4, 1963

Members of Kirkintilloch’s mining community were stunned by the announcement that the sheriff had rejected the application by Kirkintilloch Miner’s Welfare Committee for a drinks licence for their new £12,000 club.

Those who had attended the hearing at Dumbarton had come from the courtroom hopeful about the outcome.

However, they had their hopes dashed.

At the nearby collieries where Kirkintilloch miners were employed, the sheriff’s criticisms of the miners’ committee were the major talking point.

The feeling of the miners was that there was no other course open to the present committee but to resign.

December 5, 1973

Moves to establish the first ever arts centre in Kirkintilloch had been made at the St Andrew’s conference.

Delegates agreed unanimously that there was an “urgent need” for an arts centre in the town and formed a steering committee to achieve this.

Maurice Lindsay, director of the Scottish Civic Trust, opened the proceedings by introducing a panel of four experts in the field of arts, including Donald Maclean of the Scottish Civic Entertainments Association.

Each of the speakers gave a short talk describing the way in which his organisation could help in the establishement and the running of a Kirkintilloch Arts Centre.

December 7, 1983

Drivers ignoring the speed limit were turning the village of Lennoxtown into a “race track”.

That was the claim being made by Haughhead, Lennoxtown and Campsie Glen Community Council, who were concerned over the threat posed to the safety of elderly residents and patients from nearby Lennox Castle Hospital.

The speed limit throughout Lennoxtown was 30mph, but drivers passing through didn’t have to stop at any traffic lights or junctions.

A community council spokesperson said: “From Rowantree Place right through the village to just beyond the hospital entrance is just like a speedway track, and a lot of people are terrified to cross the road.”

December 1, 1993

Over 1500 people had signed a petition - in just two days - in a bid to block the sale of William Patrick Memorial Library.

Campaigners against the sell-off hoped to double the number of signatures in time for the next full District Council meeting when they intended to present the petition to councillors.

Kirkintilloch community councillors organised the protest. Chairman Lex Gaston said: “We hope to have between two and three thousand signatures by Thursday, when we will present the petition to councillors.”

But Councillor Brian Wallace, leader of the administration, said: “The District Council has already taken a decision to proceed with the sale of the building.”