Take a trip down Memory Lane: January 1

January 1, 1964

James Stewart, decribed by the Herald as a “well-known Kirkintilloch man” was installed as chair of his masonic lodge.

He was handed the position as the head of Lodge St John Kilwinning No 28 at a ceremony at Kirkintilloch Town Hall on the Saturday before Christmas.

Almost every seat set out in the hall was taken - with around 200 masonic brethren in attendence.

The installing masters were William John Campbell and Peter Blain - both past masters of the lodge.

Most of the local and district lodges had sent along representatives, with a large deputation from the local Athole Lodge.

January 2, 1974

Two local men injured during a Christmas pay grab in Springburn were recovering from shotgun wounds in hospital.

Dad-of-eight Crawford Campbell, from Auchinairn and Tom Grant, of Kirkintilloch, were working as security guards with British Rail at their Charles Street works when the raid took place.

A gatekeeper was killed and £10,000 stolen.

Four people were later charged after they had been caught in London.

The three men and a woman - all from Glasgow - were accused of conspiring to further the theft by giving information about pay movements at the works and accomodating “unascertained persons”.

January 4, 1984

Kathleen Travers’ Pop Talk column revealed that Kirkintilloch guitarist Billy Rankin had signed a world-wide deal as a solo artist with A&M Records.

The Nazareth singer’s debut solo album ‘Growin’ Up Too Fast’ would be out in March, with single ‘Baby Come Back’ expected as early as February.

There was also talk of Billy setting out on a Britain-wide tour in 1964.

Billy had previously hinted to the Herald that he was considering going it alone in an interview after the release of Nazareth’s 16th album ‘2XS’.

He revealed he had written much of the latest material, including three recent singles.

December 29, 1993

An 82-year-old woman’s Christmas was ruined when poll tax collectors threatened to arrest her life’s savings - to cover a £58 bill.

Her furious district councillor warned collectors they were running the risk of frightening pensioners to DEATH with strong arm tactics.

Councillor Charles Kennedy said: “The woman received a notice advising that her bank account was to be arrested for an alleged under-payment of £58.96.

“This letter came despite the assertion by the pensioner that she had in fact paid up to date.”

Councillor Kennedy added the woman had become concerned she could lose her home.