When Barrhead designer became poster boy for Broadway

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 30, 2014.

Do you remember these stories or spot any familiar faces?

1. Play time for pupils

Delighted youngsters at a Barrhead primary celebrated the completion of their new school playground.

Kids at Springhill and Auchenback Primary took to their new climbing frames and swings for the first time and celebrated renewing their eco-school status after a massive school spring clean. 

2. Barrhead designer is poster boy for Broadway

From Barrhead to Broadway – a local dad became the face behind New York’s bustling theatre scene.

We told how Graphic designer Alan Buttar was creating the artwork for some of theatre’s biggest productions and names, featuring the likes of Michael Gambon and Eileen Atkins.

Remarkably, Alan’s company, Muse Design, was only one of two in the UK at the time contacted to work for the Off Broadway company 59e59 – the other being a 25-year-old London-based company employing hundreds of people.

Alan was tasked with going head-to-head with them from his home office, working through the night to meet morning deadlines for new productions.

Alan grew up in Barrhead’s Levern Crescent before attending the Met in Glasgow to study graphic design. 

At the time, the dad-of-three’s work was appearing almost daily in the New York Times, on postcards and posters with print runs of up to 75,000, which were distributed to tourists, cafe’s, bars and attractions throughout the Big Apple.

3. Karate champ picked for baton relay honour

A sporting star in the making was chosen to represent Barrhead High in the Commonwealth baton relay.

Fourth year pupil Jonathan Gilmour was selected following a vote among the school’s pupils, recognising his achievements.

Jonathon had participated in karate at an international level since a young age. 

4. Amazing youngsters help their communities

East Renfrewshire Young Team continued to be a major force for change in Barrhead as they prepared for their latest project.

Rail bosses tasked the youngsters of the Barrhead High School outfit to transform two local train stations after their work at Barrhead’s station proved to be a massive success. 

5. Plucky sailors brave gale force winds

A group of pupils from St Luke’s High School in Barrhead sailed the Firth of Clyde aboard a 72 foot ocean-going racing yacht adapted for sail training.

They took to the water on Alba Endeavour, owned by the ocean Youth Trust Scotland.

The five-day adventure proved challenging for all on board as strong winds tested the crew and youngsters.

The pupils sailed from Greenock around the Isle of Arran to Tarbert and back to Greenock, gaining royal Yachting Association and ocean Youth Trust Certificates.

6. Student flying high on cabin crew course

Neilston student Alicia Gorman became one of only 23 lucky pupils to become an air stewardess through a unique college course.

The former Eastwood High was set to graduate that summer with a City and Guilds Diploma in Air Cabin Crew – a qualification that, in Scotland, is only available at City of Glasgow College.