by Councillor Douglas McAllister

On March 12 a public meeting was held to formally dissolve the organisation known as Duntocher Tenants and Residents Association.

I suppose all good things must come to an end but I was very sorry to witness the end of this great local community group.

My predecessor, the former Labour councillor for Duntocher Duncan McDonald, helped set up this local tenants and residents association almost two decades ago.

At the time he pulled together an impressive collection of local community activists who very quickly became a force to be reckoned with.

At their first constituted meeting, Billy Walsh assumed the role of chair and Phyllis Gillan became the secretary, and both retained these positions until the association was dissolved this week.

Vincent Farquhar is the treasurer and Ann-Marie Williams and Jean Richford have all been ever-present throughout the last 20 years.

For me, it’s the end of an era. When I became a councillor in 2003 they were already up and running.

Then, by 2007, my Kilpatrick Ward included Duntocher, and it was my great pleasure to join up with this successful group which has fought many campaigns down the years for the good of the people of Duntocher.

Many of their original number have passed on, or are sadly too ill to continue the fight.

I wish to place on record my eternal thanks for all their help, support and encouragement down the years, not least for organising my Duntocher surgeries.

I suppose we all have to accept that in this digital age public groups and meetings are no longer in vogue, but I truly believe that a community such as Duntocher’s is enriched by such an organisation.

The members of Duntocher Tenants and Residents Association gave their time freely for the benefit of our area.

I am delighted to report that Phyllis Gillan and Ann-Marie Williams continue to volunteer their time with the very successful Duntocher Village Hall Group.

To all the members of Duntocher Tenants and Residents Association both past and present, too many to name in this column, thank you again for everything.

Enjoy your retirement and may Duntocher continue to flourish.