A ceremony was held to celebrate the life of former councillor and community activist Jane Rae who worked in the needleflat at the Singer Factory and was actively involved in the Singer strike.

Jane, pictured, was born in Bonnybridge in 1872 and later moved with her family to Clydebank where she would make her mark on public life.

As one of the leaders of the Singer strike, Jane was among 400 workers sacked for their involvement in 1911 dispute.

Jane, who was widely admired for her great determination and political conviction, joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP) in 1913 and became secretary of the Clydebank Branch. She also served on Clydebank Town Council from 1922 until 1928.

West Dunbartonshire Provost Douglas McAllister said: “This memorial plaque is in recognition of the many activities, locally and nationally that Jane was involved in. Her determination to help and support others, regardless of the personal consequences to herself was quite remarkable.” Jane was heavily involved in the anti-war movement, the Co-operative movement and the temperance movements and was a supporter of the suffragettes. Her life as an activist was highlighted further when she chaired a meeting for the suffragette Emily Pankhurst at the Town Hall. A fierce campaigner in the Temperance movement, Jane succeeded in pushing through a policy of no licensed public houses within sight of Clydebank schools. She cared passionately about her community and was also involved in the Clydebank Rent Strike during the 1920s.

Jane moved to the Channel Islands in 1938 but returned to Clydebank in 1947 after the Second World War and died in 1959, aged 87.

Provost McAllister added: “This is a fitting tribute to Jane and it is right that she is remembered for her active life and sacrifices she made for the benefit of others.” copy copy CLYDEBANK Housing Association (CHA) has revealed it is changing the way it allocates its houses and awards points to housing applicants.

CHA sent policy review information to all tenants and housing applicants in the town asking for feedback —and received nearly 200 responses, with the majority being in favour of the new draft policy.

Joe Farrell, CHA’s housing manager, also met with the local residents group and with 17 tenants and applicants to provide more in-depth information and clarification on the proposed changes.

If approved by CHA’s management committee in October, the biggest change would be their current practice of one big list for all categories of applicant being replaced by a separate list for each of three categories.

Homeless referrals and nominations from the council would continue to receive 50 per cent of CHA’s annual lets, general applicants would receive 40 per cent and CHA’s own tenants wishing to transfer would receive 10 per cent. The group hopes the new category for transfer applicants go some way to alleviate the financial issues of the ‘Bedroom Tax’, currently affecting 116 of its tenants.

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