New Beginnings? By Eddie Elwood (1999)
If we try to balance the odds against our losses and our recent gains, in a perfect world it would be even. But... the new Scottish Parliament is faced with the daunting task of proving to the people that it can work, and not just to the Scottish voters but to the whole of the UK. The London merry-go-round will still control many of the political carousel-horses.
By the looks of it we are losing, or have already lost, most of our traditional industries - steel, mining, shipbuilding, textiles, farming... the list is endless, But...
We also appear to be scoring a few points in various new sectors. Movement within software engineering, information technology, telecommunications, bio-technology and all the various aspects of multi-media is increasing rapidly. Lanarkshire in the new millennium could find itself, once again, at the very centre of this 'brave new world'. How much better a position could we be in to reap the benefits?
From this location, one can head north to Stirling and Perth, then Inverness or Aberdeen.
Turning east you can head straight into Edinburgh. To the west, you can arrive within the boundaries of Glasgow in a mere twenty minutes and, finally, had you turned south, you could be over the Border in less than two hours. Lanarkshire is a prime candidate to become the commercial backbone of Scotland once more; there's even the Euro Freight terminal at Mossend for a direct European link.
With the arrival of the new media centre at Hartwood, every business within broadcasting radius has the added potential of TV coverage. With the future set on intertwining television with the Internet we are instantly offered worldwide, up to the minute information, goods and services. The potential is limitless.
More and more small businesses are springing up around us. The development agencies appear keen to support any viable project, especially those that will benefit communities. With this in mind, let's take a hypothetical look into the future of Newmains.
The first major development we can hope to see is the construction of phase one on the old 'bing' site. Plans for the supermarket, bowling alley, cinema and McDonalds etc had been passed but have now been forwarded to the Secretary of State who has 'requested more time' to consider the options. I only hope with all this in the pipeline that they see fit to service the commercial sector with a bank! Even a mobile bank would suffice. If folks have to travel to neighbouring towns to carry out their financial transactions what chance have we of expecting them to return to Newmains to spend their money? Not much!
Despite the very obvious 'gap' in the locally emerging 'empire' we hear news of the community Recreation Project, which has been set up to help provide suitable facilities for the youth in the area. It is hoped that provision can be made to meet the needs of all age groups. This is a long-term project that will rely on local support in order for it to succeed. The Greenhead Moss Project will be another definite bonus to many people in the surrounding areas. It would make an ideal Nature Park incorporating tree planting and youth projects.
Meanwhile, a few more of the empty properties in Manse Road are beginning to fill up. It is just a pity that there is no obvious answer to the rates problem, which is a certain deterrent to many new start businesses. Newmains is not 'rural' enough to claim rates relief according to the local authority, although areas around Carluke are. The fact that local authorities have the right to waive commercial rates on certain small businesses is unbelievable, especially with so many now being forced to re-locate or even move out of business all together. A prime example is the many businesses lost recently from Wishaw. It would be great to think that a Newmains Business Group could be created in the future.
Sports facilities are few in Newmains, but with the help of the newly established Recreation Project, who knows what could be on order for the future? They have the potential to aim high - sports barn, golf course, leisure centre, arts and crafts centre and let's not forget the various additional hobby groups that could be set up. Cleland sets us a fine example with their Art Centre in the old schoolhouse. Why couldn't we have had something like that in the old Coltness halls instead of the treacherous eyesore we now have? It's time the bank got it's act together and either cleans up or clears out. (I wonder if they would donate the site to the community for renovation or rebuild? That would make an excellent indoor recreational facility, arts centre or mini heritage centre and this paper has proved, beyond doubt, that there is sufficient interest in our local history. Would anyone be interested if they did? Just a thought.)
Speaking of eyesores, how about trying to solve the graffiti problems? If the property is privately owned there isn't a great deal that the council can do about it unless anyone wants to spray over the top of the obscenities painted on the walls. Thankfully, someone in Newmains already has, so for now the statements aren't grammatically correct (or were they ever?) - but who will delete them next time? Instead of whinging constantly, why not DO something? (Even if it is just to write in and tell us your suggestions with regards to solving the graffiti and litter problems around the area). Did you know that there are already several annual community projects geared towards keeping our environment tidy?
The soon to be vacated premises at Tarmac would make ideal workspace for a selection of smaller enterprises. That's it! We could have an enterprise workshop!
Anybody fancy having a recording studio? Afterall, we now have both Lanarkshire Television and North Lanarkshire Radio on our doorsteps. Opportunity is knocking on the doors of many locals and they don't even realise it! We were amazed at just how many media related companies, singers, actors and entertainers there are in Lanarkshire. We have enough here to tempt Mel into filming the next of his Scottish Historic movies, we even know of a life size 'trophy' of William Wallace looking for a new home (at a cost, of course).
New beginnings? It remains to be seen but I'm NOT holding my breath!
Post script by 'The Ed': 5 years later! It is now 2004. Coltness Church Halls have been transformed into a block of flats, the 'bing' projects are still 'in the pipeline', the grafitti remains, the Greenhead Moss regeneration project regenerated then degenerated and shops still stand empty. The Scottish parliament building still is NOT completed and is STILL increasing daily in costs. Lanarkshire Television has gone but did many people ever witness evidence of it in the first place? Perhaps all it lacked was moral support but then that's the horse that ran in the Grand National - owned, allegedly, by none other than a director of Lanarkshire Television. Or should that be Thistle Television! Like his horse at that fence, his original television station never really took off!