FOREWORD

"Milngavie" was one of the first unusual words I learned to read. My father always made a point of explaining the pronunciation to me when a tramcar passed us in Maryhill Road bearing the Milngavie destination plate.

I recall the bluebell woods of Sunday School trips from Lansdowne Church and the many nostalgic stories told by my parents of camping weekends in their youth, which started and finished at Milngavie. A truly magical place for those surrounded by city grime - not perhaps at the end of the rainbow, but certainly just beyond the tram terminus.

This was "my Milngavie" when I was appointed in January 1985 as head teacher of Milngavie Primary School. Clearly not enough for my own needs and most definitely not sufficient to structure our environmental programme which over the seven primary school years would provide the pupils with an intimate knowledge of their village - past and present. Books there were, but the need to talk to Milngavie people with a love and knowledge of the village and its growth - particularly since the Second World War - was needed. Requests in the local paper for such persons had produced no response.

As happens, whilst making a purchase in Gardners the Plumbers in Station Road, I met Mr. John Gardner who was "visiting". Neither of us is short on conversation and we quickly established each other's identity. Yes, Mr. Gardner had read the request for help but wondered if he knew enough about Milngavie to meet our needs. He would be delighted to help where he could.

Well, there was an understatement if ever I had heard one: Mr. Gardner went out of his way to help, imparting his vast knowledge to staff and pupils alike. What a find! What a treasure! The pupils loved hearing him talk and enjoyed firing very testing questions at him. He was never caught out.

Some months later I was delighted to learn that Mr. Gardner had decided to write a book about his Milngavie. This book you now hold in your hand. Enjoy it and learn as we did about this fascinating village.
 

Mrs. Christine Reid Head

Teacher

Milngavie Primary School