Cathcart’s first Christmas tree in over forty years was lit up on Wednesday evening outside the Coupar Institute on Clarkston Road.

Councillor Sadie Docherty was joined by members of the community as the lights were turned on at 6.30pm.

Bill Baird, vice chair of Cathcart Community Council, said: “This is the perfect spot for the tree to stand; it is next to the community centre and right beside Cathcart Trinity Church.”

Bill Milner, secretary, said he and chairperson Flora Wardlaw had been trying to get a tree in Cathcart for two years but they had always been slightly late in applying to Glasgow City Council.

He said: “This year we applied early in June, to make sure we got it.

“It’s important to us because Cathcart has not had a Christmas tree in at least 40 odd years!”

Mr Baird said the community council are grateful to Sadie Docherty as without her backing it may not have been possible.

Ms Docherty said: “This is one of the reasons why I got into local politics, because I wanted to help to bring new things into the local area.”

The event was followed by hot drinks and mince pies at the Trinity Church.

Mr Baird said: “We will definitely make sure we have a Christmas tree in Cathcart again next year, and for many years after that.”

I just thought I’d add this as it’s a nice little story!

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A COUPLE aged 78 and 79 are to be married this month after meeting three months ago at Cathcart Bowling Club.

 Jean Waugh, 79, told how her fiancé Jack Ingles, 78, proposed three weeks ago while they were on holiday in Turkey.

 Jean, from Mount Florida, is very excited and says “Jack is a wonderful man. I just didn’t believe something like this would happen at my age.”

 “We were having dinner at the hotel and I was wearing my shorts when he asked!”

 She says they have become the talk of the bowling club, and are constantly being questioned and congratulated by other members whilst on the green.

 The couple are both widows; Jack, from Netherlee, has four children and Jean had two boys, one of whom unfortunately passed away 11 years ago.

 She has decided that her son will walk her down the aisle, and the widow of her other son, Alison Waugh, will be her only bridesmaid to represent him at the wedding.

 The couple will tie the knot on October 31 at Mount Florida Church near Hampden, with 60 of their family and friends attending.

 Jean’s family said the news came as a big surprise, her grandson Alan says his Gran was so excited she woke them all up early the next morning when she phoned home to announce the news.

He says “We are all really happy that she is so happy, but I won’t deny it came as quite a shock!”

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