North Lanarkshire Council continues to develop and build a timetable of events to mark the 50^th anniversary of Cumbernauld that will carry on the celebrations throughout the summer. While some of the commemorative activities are already underway, an entire series of public celebrations is also planned and will be launched between now and September.

 

Cumbernauld Theatre, in partnership with the council, is leading the creation of a public art competition that will celebrate the past, present and future of the town's architecture. Winning entries will be displayed in prominent sites across the town, including the theatre, the shopping centres and the library. The competition will be open to everyone, and further information along with details of how to enter will be announced in the next few weeks.

 

Schoolchildren across Cumbernauld are already busy with their "local history detective" and "when my gran was a girl" projects; as well as with a school enterprise project specially devised to celebrate the anniversary year. All local residents will be able to see the results of this project on May 9^th at a specially-organised exhibition in Cumbernauld Town Hall.

 

In June, the town's young people will have another chance to impress with a Battle of the Bands competition. It's open to anyone aged between 14 and 18; and all you have to do to enter is submit a three track CD of original material to the council's learning and leisure service via Cumbernauld Theatre. A panel of judges that includes local music professionals will select the finalists, who will stage the play-off at the theatre later in the summer. Full details about the competition and how to enter will be released shortly.

 

The Cumbernauld 50 Walkway will launch in June, providing local people and visitors with illustrated leaflets and waterproof maps that highlight Cumbernauld's areas of interest and encourage people to explore and enjoy its heritage. And a formal publication charting the history and development of the new town has been commissioned and will be made available through libraries and local outlets, while the town's schools will be enjoying a festival of sport dedicated to the anniversary celebrations at around the same time.

 

A very special guest will be joining the celebrations in mid July, when a right Royal visitor will arrive to open the Antonine Centre and reveal the commemorative artwork commissioned jointly by North Lanarkshire Council and London & Regional Ltd to mark the anniversary year.

 

July will also see a preview of the council's photography exhibition celebrating the history and development of the town. Archive materials are being drawn together from a variety of sources, and while the official exhibition will launch at Cumbernauld College in September; a preview will be shown in the Antonine Centre to coincide with the royal visit.

 

Residents who have historic photographs of the town, or of past events that have happened in it, and who would like them to be included in the exhibition should contact the council's archives service on 01236 638980 or by email on museums@northlan.gov.uk

 

Various additional events will be happening throughout the course of the summer, like open days at police and fire stations, and the formal opening of Carbrain Gully, details of which will be announced as they are finalised; and preparations are well under way for possibly the largest and most inclusive event of all – the inaugural Cumbernauld 10k.

 

Accompanied by the Cumbernauld 50 Health Fayre and special health checks for people over 50; the Cumbernauld 10k will take place at Broadwood Stadium on Sunday 9 September. It will be open to all levels of walkers and runners and there will be something there for everyone, whether they choose to take part in the race or not. More details about the race, the route and how to enter will be announced in the near future; and in the meantime the council is developing a Cumbernauld 50 timetable, which will be accessible on www.northlan.gov.uk within the next few weeks.

 

"The council and its partners are putting a tremendous amount of time and effort into this anniversary year," said local regeneration manager Martin Dickson. "We have been working steadily on these plans for more than 12 months and are delighted with the progress have made and continue to make.

 

"We are confident we have created a programme of events that will reach every Cumbernauld resident, and we will work hard to make sure everyone who wants to be part of those events has the chance to be. We're very proud to be part of this celebration of the history, the heritage and the future of Cumbernauld."