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The numerous foundries gave the town its nickname of the Iron Burgh.
In the 19th century, fuelled by the local discovery of ironstone, Coatbridge became a major centre for the iron and steel industry. The town expanded quickly and the new industries assisted the massive impact Glasgow made on the world of shipbuilding. However, with the decline of shipbuilding on the River Clyde in the mid 1900s the demand for iron and steel dropped. This led the iron and coal industries to collapse which led to poverty and deprivation which in turn led to drastic population fall from approximately 90,000 at the end of the 19th century to today's level.
Coatbridge is sometimes referred to as ‘Little Ireland’ due to the large numbers of Irish who emigrated to the town in the late 19th and early 20th century. Large St. Patrick's Day celebrations have been held in the town in recent years and there are a high number of Catholic churches and schools in the area.
Nowadays Coatbridge is a modern town that has been regenerated by Government and European Union grants. It is seen as something of a transport hub to which all major destinations in Scotland can be reached; it is adjacent to the M8 and M73 motorways, and the M74 motorway is a short drive away. The town is also very well served by passenger trains and has six railway stations on the four train lines that cross the town (see Transport Links section below).
Coatbridge is home to Scotland's First College. Today Coatbridge College meets the needs of the people who live in North Lanarkshire, particularly Coatbridge and Airdrie. With more than 100 years of history, Coatbridge is the oldest College in Scotland and has over 250 members of staff and over 4,000 students come here to study each year.
The 1970’s witnessed a move away from the traditional heavy industries. Rising to this challenge Coatbridge College changed its focus from traditional industry courses to commerce. In 1984 work began on extending the original College building to create computing suites, hairdressing and beauty salons, a spacious refectory, a theatre and sports facilities.
In 1991, ‘Scotland’s First College’ entered its second century in a community that has seen vast changes in its structure and industries since the College’s doors were first opened. As in the past, Coatbridge College will continue to fulfil whatever demands the industry and the community place upon it. [1]
Property prices in Coatbridge have undergone rapid growth in recent years, reflecting the town's newfound popularity. In 2004-2005, house prices rose by 36%, the largest such increase in Scotland.[2]
[edit] Leisure
Coatbridge is the home of "Scotland's Noisiest Museum" namely Summerlee Heritage Park which contains an insight into what life was like in Coatbridge during the heady days of being at the forefront of the world's iron and steel industry.
Drumpellier Country Park provides a good day out for a family or for a relaxing walk among woodland and loch-side surroundings, while the adjacent golf course acts as a temptation for the more energetic. This course is a municipal course while the nearby Drumpellier Golf Course is a private members' club. Other large parks are Dunbeth, West End and Whifflet Public Parks.
The Time Capsule is a multi-purpose leisure centre containing a swimming pool, an adventure pool set in a prehistoric environment, an ice skating facility, and a sports complex with gym halls and other facilities. All of these facilities, as well as the recently opened Showcase leisure park which contains a 12-screen cinema, a 10-pin bowling complex and numerous restaurants, have contributed to the continued regeneration of the once ailing Coatbridge.
The local football team is Albion Rovers F.C.. More local local residents support Celtic and Rangers, but Rovers have a committed core of fans.
Speedway racing was staged at Albion Rovers' stadium, Cliftonhill Park. The stadium hosted the Coatbridge Monarchs from 1968 to 1969, after which the speedway licence was sold to Wembley. Speedway returned to Cliftonhill in 1973. Coatbridge Tigers stayed until mid 1977 when they were turned out to make way for a greyhound track.
Coatbridge is also home to The Deep Fried Film Festival an annual international festival which has been running since 2006. The festival attracts international recognition in the media industry.
[edit] Nightlife
For a small town, Coatbridge has a few good nightlife spots. The most popular nightclubs in the area are The Edge, bar and club, and the Element section of Centre Point. Centre Point is the largest of the two which also has a trendy bar, Essence, as well as a more traditional pub, Innishmoir and downstairs has a function suite and over 30s' club. Recently The Edge was bought over by centre point and entertainment giant G1 Group bought a derelict building that once was a bar and nightclub, this has recently opened its doors and is sure to be just as popular as the other two
[edit] Notable People
Janet Hamilton, the nineteenth century poet and essayist, died in Langloan in 1873.
Thomas McAleese, 5 September 1946, Coatbridge, Scotland. Alias - Dean Ford, lead singer with Dean Ford & the Gaylords. The groups name was changed later to Marmalade.
There are a two 'famous' singing duos who originate from Coatbridge. Brothers Greg Kane and Pat Kane make up the band Hue and Cry, while the singing sisters Fran and Anna were famous on the Scottish traditional music scene. Sadly, the latter partnership is no more since the death of Fran Watt.
Comic book writer Mark Millar hails from Coatbridge, as does novelist and playwright Des Dillon.
Former Celtic players John Hughes, Gerry Creaney and Peter Grant.
Famous pupils who attended the local St Ambrose High School include Pop Idol Michelle McManus and footballers Tom Boyd, Malky Mackay, and Mark Wilson.
The sports journalist, broadcaster and erstwhile Brain of Britain Bob Crampsey was formerly headmaster of St Ambrose High School.
More infamously, Rena Costello, the first wife of mass murderer Fred West, was born and raised in Coatbridge.
The activist against child sexual abuse and bullying, Sandra Brown (campaigner), attended Coatbridge High School.
The Rt. Hon. Helen Liddell MP for Monklands East 1994-1999, Airdrie and Shotts 1999-2005. Former Secretary of State for Scotland and currently Britain's High Commissioner in Australia.
The Rt. Hon. Dr. John Reid MP for Airdrie and Shotts 2005-present. Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Secretary of State for the Home Department.
[edit] Transport links
Coatbridge is served by three railway lines; Motherwell-Cumbernauld Line, Whifflet Line and North Clyde Line. Within these lines seven train stations are located; Whifflet, Kirkwood, Blairhill, Coatbridge Sunnyside and Coatbridge Central. Bargeddie is also within a short walk of Kirkwood but lies outwith the town boundary.
Coatbridge is adjacent to the M8 and M73 motorways.
It is also served by First Greater Glasgow bus numbers 201 to Hairmyres and 262 to Glasgow, as well as a large number of local buses, many of these being operated by Stepend
The easy journey to Glasgow city, and the rail link to Edinburgh which is under construction, have also helped regenerate the town, and many new housing estates are being constructed which are a short distance from the main transport links.
[edit] Neighbourhoods
The neighbourhoods of Coatbridge are Barrowfield, Blairhill, Brownshill, Carnbroe, Coatdyke, Cliftonville, Cliftonhill, Coatbank, Cuparhead, Drumpellier, Dunbeth, Dundyvan, Espieside, Gartsherrie, Greenhill, Greenend, Kirkshaws, Kirkwood, Langloan, Old Monkland, Rosehall, Shawhead, Sikeside, Summerlee, Sunnyside, Townhead, Victoria Park and Whifflet.
Whitelaw is the area which the town centre is in but hasn't been used for many years. The fountain which is situated at the town centre on the corner of main street/south circular road is officially called the Whitelaw Fountain.
[edit] Primary Schools
Carnbroe, Greenhill, Gartsherrie, Kirkshaws, Langloan, Old Monkland, Shawhead, Sikeside, Townhead, St.Augustine's, St.Bartholomew's, St.Bernard's, St.Kevin's, St.James', St.Mary's, St.Monica's, St.Patrick's, St.Stephen's and St.Timothy's
[edit] High Schools
Willowbank, Coatbridge, Rosehall, St.Ambrose and St.Andrews (formerly St Patricks High School and Columba High School) And Soon to be the new Coatbridge Academy which is opening on October 2008.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
(Source: Wikipedia) |