Coatbridge

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Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, just east of Glasgow. The population at the 2001 Census was 41,170 making it the 23rd largest town or city in Scotland. It is also the largest town in the district of Monklands, an area which also contains Airdrie, Plains and other smaller villages such as Chapelhall. In the last 20th century (fuelled by the local discovery of ironstone), Coatbridge was a heavy industry town. It became known as one of the centres of iron and steel industry which assisted with the massive impact that Glasgow made on the world of shipbuilding. When the requirement for shipbuilding reduced in the mid 1800's, so too did the demand for iron and steel which hit the town hard and led to deprivation as the iron and coal industries collapsed. Nowadays Coatbridge is a modern town, having been regenerated by Government and European Union grants, and seen as something of a transport hub to which all major destinations in Scotland can be reached. This aspect is highlighted by the fact that Coatbridge became one of the most sought after destinations to stay within the UK, with house prices increasing by some 36% between 2004 and 2005, shattering the UK average of just 3%.

Coatbridge is the home of "Scotland's Noisest Museum" namely Summerlee heritage park which contains an insgight into what life was like in Coatbridge during the heady days of being at the forefront of the worlds iron and steel industry. Drumpellier Country park provides a good day out for a family or for a relaxing walk among woodland and loch-side surroundings, while the adjacent golf course acts as a temptation for the more energetic. This course is open to the public, while the nearby Drumpelier Golf Course remains the more exclusive being for members only. The Time Capsule is a multi-purpose leisure centre which contains a swimming pool, and adventure pool set in a prehistoric environment, as well as an ice skating facility, and a sports complex containing gym halls and other such facilities. All of these facilities, as well as the recently opened Showcase leisure park, which contains a 12 screen cinema, 10 pin bowling complex and numerous restaurants, have all contributed to the continued regeneration of a once ailing Coatbridge.

Coatbridge is sometimes referred to as ‘little Ireland’ due to the large numbers of Irish, largely catholic Irish, who emigrated to the town in the late 19th and early 20th century. Large St. Patrick’s day celebrations have been held in the town centre in recent years and there are a high number of Catholic churches and schools in the area.

The local football team is Albion Rovers F.C. who are much loved although they do suffer from many local residents support for the "Old Firm" of Rangers and Celtic.

There are a few 'famous' duos who originated in Coatbridge, namely brothers Greg and Pat Kane, the two front men in the band Hue and Cry and singing sisters Fran and Anna, the latter partnership now defunct since the death of Fran Watt. Comic book writer, Mark Millar also hails from Coatbridge, as well as novelist and playwright Des Dillon and former Celtic heroes John Hughes, Peter Grant and Gerry Creaney. Famous pupils from local school St Ambrose High include pop idol Michelle McManus, footballers Tom Boyd, Malky Mackay, and Mark Wilson. More infamously, the first wife of mass murderer Fred West, Rena Costello, was born and raised in Coatbridge.

1 Neighbourhoods
2 Transport Links
3 See also
4 External links

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Neighbourhoods

The neighbourhoods of Coatbridge are Barrowfield, Blairhill, Carnbroe, Coatdyke (partly in Airdrie), Cliftonville, Coatbank, Drumpellier, Dunbeth, Dundyvan, Gartsherrie, Glenboig, Greenhill, Greenend, Kirkshaws, Kirkwood, Langloan, Old Monkland, Rosehall, Shawhead, Sikeside, Summerlee, Sunnyside, Townhead and Whifflet.

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