Gartcosh Local History Group’s fifteenth anniversary celebrations were tinged with sadness as the organisation paid tribute to a popular former member.
The occasion only went ahead after gathered guests highlighted former chairperson and founder member Tommy Macaloney’s “the show must go on” attitude.
Tommy recently passed away and “loved local history”.
Formed in 2009, the Gartcosh Local History Group has held meetings about the area and national history, organised displays locally and in Summerlee, conducted historical walks, helped with local history projects in classrooms and established links with other community groups.
Two of the original founders, Iain Raybould and Senga Macaloney, are still committee members.
Chairperson Liz Ward told Lanarkshire Live: “Tommy’s ‘the show must go on’ attitude saw us holding meetings no matter what, with only heavy snowfall and the COVID lockdowns managing to stop us.
“Tommy loved local history, being born and brought up in Gartcosh and having worked in the steelworks until its closure in the 1980s.
“He was always eager to tell stories to young and old and those new to the village of ‘the Good Old Days’ in his own affable way and conducted many a walk at Halloween taking villagers to – hopefully – see the Grey Lady ghost and terrify many with his tales.
“Tommy recently passed away peacefully at Kilbryde Hospice in East Kilbride.
“The group is intending to write a book next year and dedicate it to Tommy – and plant a ‘Tommy’ rose tree at the site of the time capsule we buried to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III.”
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.