The Society contributed to this year's Doors Open programme in East Dunbartonshire on Saturday 7th September by its presence in the Town Hall and by hosting a guided historical walk in the Auld Aisle Cemetery.
In the refurbished Town Hall, the Society provided an overview of its activities and photographs of 'old' Kirkintilloch using a display of photographs assembled by Don Martin and two projected PowerPoint presentations. Various committee members and office bearers - Rita Bennie, Liz Coroon, David Graham, Valerie McClure, Louise Nixon, Murray Reid and Ivan Ruddock - were in attendance during the day to provide information and answer visitors' questions.
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The Society's stand in the Town Hall. (© I.S.Ruddock)
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| The display of photographs in the Town Hall. (© I.S.Ruddock) |
The afternoon tour of the Auld Aisle Cemetery started with an introductory talk by Don Martin about the history of the Cemetery dating back to the 12th Century, the different spellings of Lenzie and their pronunciation together with stories about the activity of Resurrectionists who robbed graves for medical research. This was followed by visits to nine headstones of particular historical and cultural interest - a worker engaged on the construction of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, a carrier, a poet, a canal boat owner and entrepreneur, a scientist, a philanthropist, a priest and an engineer now recognised as the 'Father of Television' by the award of an Emmy - where Ros McMeekin, Don Martin and Ivan Ruddock outlined their lives and careers. At the end of the afternoon the twenty strong group was reminded of the history of the Spider Bridge, a right of way that linked Waterside with Kirkintilloch Station in Lenzie, by local businessman and photographer Edward Z Smith.
(David Graham and Ivan Ruddock)
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| Ros McMeekin at Beatrice Clugston's vandalised grave. (© I.S.Ruddock) |
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| Don Martin speaking to the group in the old part of the Cemetery. (© I.S.Ruddock) |
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| Ivan Ruddock summarising the life and career of Alexander Bain. (© R.Ruddock) |
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Edward Z Smith (right) describing the Spider Bridge with
the assistance of Matt Wilson. (© I.S.Ruddock) |
