Farewell to Braidfield

Jamie Borthwick • Published 30 Sep 2009 15:00

FORMER pupils of Braidfield High have paid tribute to their old school as demolition teams prepare to knock down the building.

Braidfield High will vanish from the Clydebank skyline in the coming weeks after the site was handed over to contractors yesterday (Tuesday).

The Drumry building has lain empty since April this year after it had been used by West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) for office space since the school closed in 2006.

Clydebank boxer Gary McArthur started at the school in 1996, and remembers getting on well with his guidance teacher and the PE staff.

Gary told the Post: "My grades were really mixed and I got in a bit of trouble to begin with, but I matured as I grew up so I got more enjoyment out of school as a result.

"One of the greatest things about the school is all the pals I made during my time there.

"It's a shame it had to close in the first place."

And Gary, who said he used to leave "a few broken hearts" behind him at the school discos, added: "I'll be sad to see it go.

"I was thinking about it the other day as I was up by the school and it will be strange when it's gone."

Fellow classmate and professional footballer Alan Gow joked he was too interested in kicking a ball around to pay much attention during his time at Braidfield.

The Plymouth Argyle striker and former Rangers star said: "I was the quiet one and you wouldn't find me at any of the discos - I was best leaving that to Gary McArthur anyway.

"It felt very weird when me and Gary went back up to the last leaving dance at Braidfield but it was good to say goodbye.

"It's also a shame they'll be losing the pitches - there's been a lot of changes up there and I hope the sports facilities are replaced to keep young players coming through Clydebank."

Alan fondly recalls retired teacher Mr Ronald helping out with his first steps to sports stardom.

The Latin teacher was a favourite of another Braidfield ex-pupil, Clydebank FC secretary Bill Abraham.

Bill, who could look into the Bankies' old Kilbowie ground from his seat in his Religious Education class, took inspiration from his favourite teacher during his time there from 1978 to 1984.

He said: "Latin was the only thing I excelled in and it was down to my teacher.

"He also ran the football team and he was just one of those blokes who you wanted to work for.

"I was into everything the school offered, from the choir to the football team to the cross country.

"It was a modern school and always suffered being seen as the second school because the clever kids used to be sent to Clydebank High. But that was outdated and there were many decent folk there."

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 30 Sep 09

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