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Moodiesburn
was once known in the 17th century as
Mudiesburn. Its origins are unknown but it
was probably named after a local burn which
flowed through land owned by Mudie?
In 1841 the population was 220 persons from
35 occupied houses which were situatedto the
east of the present crossroads.
Towards the end of the century the
population fell to 150. At that time
many of the inhabitants wer fireclay miners
or sand quarry men. Around that time
was established a lodging house or
inn. This is now part of the modern
hotel and leisure centre on the site.
The growth of
the present Moodiesburn started with the
timber houses of Gartferry, so named because
they occupied what was once part of
Gartferry estate. Gartferry House was
built in the early 17th century, it was used
as a Jointure House by the Robertsons of
Bedlay.
Most of the
house were built after the war. Some
very recently to provide for the workers at
Devro. The population is now over 7000
(and growing?).
BRIDGEND
Bridgend was
originally a hamlet on the banks of the
Bothlin Burn. In the the 1830s there
was a lint mill but in the last half of the
century it converted to a flour mill. This
was owned or tenanted by White and
Criukshanks. This gave rise to the
cluster of houses being commonly known as
"Cruikies Town"
In the 1900s
James Nimmo & Co started mining for
coal. They sank 2 shafts to form Auchengeich
Colliery. They built some 104 houses
for their workers, mainly of the one room
and kitchen type. They were unusual at
that time because of their modern
construction. They were brick built
with damp proof course, wooden floors and
good ventilation. They also had an
inside toilet and a scullery with a water
supply laid on!
In 1923 the Auchengeich Miners Welfare Hall
was opened - providing a very necessary
place for social activities.
On 22nd January 1931 five miners were killed
and six injured in an
explosion.
The explosion took place
about four o'clock in
the morning in the
Auchengeich colliery of
James Nimmo & Co.(Ltd.)
at Chryston, on the
north-eastern outskirts
of Glasgow. Several men
escaped injury in the
explosion, but returned
immediately to the
danger zone in an effort
to assist their
comrades, and were
overcome by gas fumes.
On 18th
September 1959 a second disaster occurred at
the colliery, when 47 miners lost their
lives, brought an end to mining at
Auchengeich.
Ronald
Parker, Scottish Chairman of the
National Coal Board,
told the waiting crowd of 1200 people
that it had been decided to flood the
mine to put out the fire even although
men were still missing..
The mines were flooded to
quench the fire and 47
men lost their lives in the Auchengeich
Colliery that day. No further production
was possible and the workforce was dispersed to Cardowan and Bedlay and other nearby
collieries.
Within 6 years the families had moved out to
more modern housing estates
nearby. The houses fell into
disrepair and were demolished.
Just east of the hall is a memorial to the
disaster - recalling the close-knit
community of Bridgend - and its tragic end.
Auchengeich Memorial
"In memory of the 47 men who lost
their lives in the Auchengeich Colliery
Disaster 18th Sept 1959"
With
thanks to Neil Kidd - The Story of
Chryston
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