Glencairn Primary school Fire 1982

[scottie]

was only a nipper at the time but can remember the fire as grandparents lived in the bottom end and my mum went to glencairn or the higher grade as it was called. It was definately arson, fire was started in 3 places as the night was a still night with no wind to fan the flames. Late grandfather knew some of the fire crews and there was 3 seats of fire, one at each end and one in middle, whoever decided to burn it down did it properly

So it was Arson ? and i suppose they never caught the culprit? myself, 3 brothers, 2 children and also my Dad went to the school.... i guess whoever did it wanted to burn away some bad memories of schooldays ? nuts !

[VivAyrshire]

For all these years, i thought it was an electrical fault. And someone burned my lovely school down on purpose. :`(

[VivAyrshire]

Have to say... Was there not a mr milloy who became headmaster? strict, but nice man. seem to remember another male headmaster dying when i was in p3 or 4. so 1974, 1975?

[boots1]

Mr David Milloy died in early 1978 he was on 59 years old, he was there when it started out as glencairn primary,

while they were waiting for a new head teacher i have been told Miss Kelloge who was the DHT acted up as Head teacher till Mr Colquhoun
the next man after him was Mr Allistar Colquhoun he took over from 1978 later on till early 1991, he retired

Then Mrs Jean Todd took over in 1991 and she is due to retire next week from the school as head teacher shes been in charge for the last 21 years nearly,

[peterm1711]

For all these years, i thought it was an electrical fault. And someone burned my lovely school down on purpose. :`(

It was no electrical fault. The school was deliberately set on fire.

I know the two guys who did it, but for obvious reasons, I won't name them on here.

Both lived in Hayocks Road, Stevenston, at the time, but don't any longer.

One was a disgruntled former pupil who must've had a grievance against staff members. In fact, I was actually talking to him just a few weeks ago ( although I don't think he'd any Swan Vestas on him during our conversation).

The other went to the special (JR) school in Saltcoats. He could be described as a 'bad yin', as he went on a few years later to commit a far worse offence.

Both were caught and as far as I can recall, did about two years in prison for their crime.

[VivAyrshire]

Good God. Two years isn't nearly enough for all the chaos of this.

[VivAyrshire]

( although I don't think he'd any Swan Vestas on him during our conversation).

.

You hope anyway.

[Penny Tray]

miss banks was headmistress, then. scary lady. Wonder what happened to her?!

Viv,

I was in the Threetowns today and being the gentleman I am gave up my seat to an elderly lady, after which we spoke for ten minutes or so. She introduced herself as a Mrs. Milne, oozed class, spoke both gently and eloquently, and my guess was that she had been a school teacher earlier in her life. It turned out she was, in Kilmarnock; Kilwinning; and latterly at "Stevenston Higher Primary". Thinking ahead to a post on Threetowners, I asked if she was known as Mrs. Milne during her teaching profession and she said, "No, always by my maiden name, Miss Banks". You were there and I wasn't but it's hard for me to imagine her as "scary", if indeed this is the same lady. For the record however, I also remember all my head and deputy head teachers as scary.

[VivAyrshire]

Oooooo. I WISH I had been wherever you were yesterday !!

Scary may have been too harsh a word. More a commanding lady in her time. Intimidating/no nonsense. The good old fashioned style of teacher who knew how to keep the kids under control. We were sent to read in front of her from time to time.

She must be some age now?!? I mean, she must have retired some time back. I think she got married quite late on?!!? Anyway, I am SO pleased she is still on the go. Good for her !!

[Penny Tray]

Viv,

I've sent you a wee PM.

[VivAyrshire]

Thanks !! Now answering !! :-0

[VivAyrshire]

Went to see Miss Banks in a nursing home today. Makes you realise how lucky you are to be alive. An odd day.