When Neilston school celebrated its 50th anniversary

We delved into the Barrhead News archives to pick out some of the stories from over a decade ago.

Here are some photographs from our edition which was published on Wednesday, April 9, 2014.

Do you remember these stories or spot any familiar faces?

1. Spy cameras targeting town’s rogue parkers

New parking cameras were to be installed to nab rogue motorists in Barrhead. Delighted shop-owners, including Bjorn Aaen, the owner of the Main Street Subway sandwich franchise, hailed the introduction of the cameras as ‘fantastic’ following months of being driven mad by a lack of parking in Barrhead town centre.

2. Family present cheque to special care baby unit

A kind-hearted Barrhead mother raised £775 in aid of the special care baby unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The event was held in St John’s Bowling Club and was organised by Amanda Wilson who gave birth to her daughter, Emma, in June the previous year.

3. Solicitor receives lifetime achievement award

Local solicitor Adrian Ward received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Legal Awards. For 50 years Adrian practised in Barrhead Main Street, for most of that time as Turnbull and Ward and, following a merger, as TC Young Turnbull and Ward. Adrian, who had been the convener of the mental health and disability committee of the Law Society of Scotland since 1989, had already been honoured with an MBE for services to the mentally disabled in Scotland.

4. Festival paints town red, pink and blue

SCORES of people celebrated the magic of spring at an East Renfrewshire park. The Hindu festival Holi was brought to life in a riot of colour – despite the dull weather. 

5. Games show same strength of spirit as my organ donor

HAVING aided around 900 residents and helped raise more than £150,000, a charity leader was selected as a baton bearer for the Commonwealth Games. Russell Macmillan inaugurated East Renfrewshire Good Causes (ERGC) in 2007 after undergoing life-saving double transplant surgery. 

6. Kids party as school hits half a century

CELEBRATIONS were in full swing in St Thomas’ Primary as the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. Staff and pupils enjoyed a birthday bash with a buffet lunch and a cake baked by Barrhead High School’s top chefs. After lunch the festivities continued as classes transformed into discos and cinemas with parties and movies for the pupils to enjoy. The celebrations came to a close with an anniversary mass at St Thomas’ church, attended by the whole school.