View from Chapel Gates
STAR TREATMENT FOR PATRICIA
(Reproduced with kind permission of of CARRICK TIMES, Morton Newspapers – 27th October 2005)
Carrick woman Patricia McKeown declared the new Tesco store open on Monday morning. Patricia, from 'Broadlands Drive, was nominated for the honour by Michael Johnston in a CARRICK TIMES reader competition.
Michael explained that she would be ideal for the job as she was one of the first intake of pupils at the former St Nicholas' High School, which previously occupied the Minorca Place site.
Her father and grand-father, both called Hubert McKeown, taught at the school. It was her father's first teaching job. He taught maths and science. Previously, he had worked in Courtaulds as a laboratory technician.
Her grandfather taught woodwork and metal work. Her sister Moira went on to become head girl. Her sister Jackie and Shona and brother Hubert also attended the school.
For Patricia, the occasion was a step back in time. She, said that it reminded her of her first day at the school in 1969.
However, she added that the day was tinged with sadness as it marked the end of an era. "The reason I entered the competition was because of my connection with the school. I was there on the first day of the school. 'There is a bit of sadness. I took pictures of the grounds when I heard that Tesco was to open a new store here. "I have a piece of turf in my garden from the school grounds. I always wanted to have a part of it. 1 thought that it will never be replaced."
St. Nicholas' High closed in 1989. Three years ago, Patricia initiated a reunion of former pupils. She explained that she had initially intended the event for her classmates, but it "mushroomed" to 280 former pupils. "One quarter of the whole school roll turned up," she recalled. Further to this success, she established a community development group, which works to bring past pupils and their families together. A football tournament is held annually and another social event is being planned for December.
Nominator Michael Johnston, a former classmate; said that the group has "watched the development of the store with enormous interest, as there is a lot of local sentiment attached to the location of the former school".
"I will always have memories of the school. It was terrific to have been chosen to open the store. I was really pleased. It was really good fun."
As part of her prize, Patricia arrived in style by limousine. Later that day, she went on to visit her son Dominic who is a resident of the nearby Karuna Home. Michael continued: "Patricia should open the store because of her personal and family connections to the site and her ongoing community work. "She also represents the best local link to the past One further reason that Patricia deserves a special treat is her 25-year-old son Dominic who has profound physical and learning difficulties. "After years in Patricia's care, he now lives' in Karuna, the residential home opposite the new store."
(Reproduced with kind permission of of CARRICK TIMES, Morton Newspapers – 27th October 2005)
What happened the all-weather pitch?
Some familiar faces enjoy a first cup of coffee
New Petrol station where Youth Club used to be (Chapel is in the background)