Linwood, Renfrewshire: Difference between revisions
FeatherPluma (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
||
Linwood has been immortalised in the song "Letter from America" by The Proclaimers, the lyrics "linwood no more" referring to the car factory being demolished and the stint in the industrialisation of many scottish towns. |
Linwood has been immortalised in the song "Letter from America" by [[The Proclaimers]], the lyrics "linwood no more" referring to the car factory being demolished and the stint in the industrialisation of many scottish towns. |
||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
Revision as of 21:05, 17 September 2011
Linwood is a small town in Renfrewshire, Scotland, 14 miles south-west of Glasgow.
Linwood is a commuter town, with proximity to Glasgow International Airport and the M8 motorway to Glasgow and Edinburgh. There are frequent daily bus services to Paisley, Johnstone and Glasgow.
Shopping and entertainment needs are supplied by the Phoenix retail park and easily accessible Paisley and Glasgow.
Transport
Roads
Linwood is linked to Glasgow via the A737 which also links Linwood to Ayrshire via Garnock Valley
Bus services
For a small town Linwood has many bus services linking the local areas with Paisley and Glasgow.
| Number | End | Via | Frequency | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/7 | Johnstone/Linwood Circle | Johnstone Hospital , Morrisons Store , Johnstone , Elderslie | Every 15 minutes Monday-Saturday | Riverside Transport |
| X6a | Glasgow | M8 Motorway and Braehead | Every 60 minutes Monday to Saturday evenings and Sunday | McGill's |
| 7 | Glasgow | Paisley, Clyde Tunnel and Partick | Every 20 minutes Monday-Saturday/Every 60 minutes Sunday | Arriva Scotland West |
| X5/X7/X7a | Glasgow | M8 Motorway and Braehead | X5 and X7 are 3 buses per hour Monday - Saturday, X7a 5 journeys Monday to Saturday | McGills |
| 8 | Paisley | Linwood Sports Centre and Phoenix Retail Park | Every 60 minutes Monday - Saturday | Riverside Transport |
| 9 | Paisley | Phoenix Retail Park | Every 12 minutes | Riverside Transport |
| 9 | Drumchapel Station | Paisley ,Cardonald ,Glasgow and Partick | Every 7/8 minutes Monday - Saturday/Every 15 minutes Sunday | First Glasgow |
| 18 | Paisley | A737 and St.James | Every 60 minutes Monday - Friday | Riverside Transport |
History
The Linwood economy relied heavily on the Rootes, later Chrysler then Peugeot Talbot, car plant and the Pressed Steel Company, both of which ceased production in 1981, leaving mass unemployment in their wake. It is estimated that 13,000 workers were left jobless as both direct and indirect consequences of these closures.
Construction of the car factory began in 1961 to produce the Hillman Imp, a revolutionary small car which went into production when the factory was opened on 2 May 1963 and was not discontinued until 1976. The factory, opened by the Duke of Edinburgh,[1] had the advantage of a direct rail link, which allowed cars to be transported by rail to places all over Britain. It later produced the Chrysler Avenger and the Imp's successor, the Sunbeam, and when both models finished production in late 1981, factory production ended after less than 20 years. Most of the factory was demolished soon afterwards, but the final part of the factory wasn't demolished until 1996.[2]
From 1980 to 1995 Linwood had one of the highest unemployment rates in Scotland. A new retail and leisure park development opened in 1996. Linwood is a deprived area and many buildings have fallen into disrepair. New council houses are being developed in place of the old high rise flats.
Education
There are three primary schools, two non-denominational; Woodlands Primary School, and East Fulton Primary School and one Roman Catholic; Our Lady of Peace, and by two nearby secondary schools; one Roman Catholic, St Benedicts, one non-denominational; Linwood High School, newly rebuilt on its former site.
Famous people
Several footballers come from Linwood: Paul Lambert: Former Scotland, Celtic, Borussia Dortmund and St. Mirren midfielder and former Livingston manager. He held the captaincy for both Scotland and Celtic. He was also manager of Wycombe Wanderers FC until recently. Currently manager of Norwich City.
Billy Thomson: Former Scotland, Rangers, Dundee United and St. Mirren goalkeeper. He is the current Rangers Goalkeeping coach.
Ian Matthews: Former Celtic player. Winner of March 17, 2009 lottery and since retired.
Darryl Duffy: Current Swansea City and Scotland Under 21 Striker, he left Rangers for Falkirk after an unsuccessful apprenticeship. He was then sold to Hull City and then to Swansea for fees totalling over half a million Pounds.
John Hillcoat: Current Alloa Athletic goalkeeping coach and former Dunfermline, Hamilton, Partick Thistle, Clydebank, Morton, Queen of the South, St. Mirren, Dumbarton, Stranraer, Ayr, Brechin City and St Johnstone Goalkeeper. He also writes a column for the Sunday Mail newspaper.
David Lowing: Former St. Mirren and Forfar Defender. He is currently playing for Ayr.
References
Linwood has been immortalised in the song "Letter from America" by The Proclaimers, the lyrics "linwood no more" referring to the car factory being demolished and the stint in the industrialisation of many scottish towns.
External links
- - The Gazette (local paper)
- - Linwood Sucks (local community portal)
- - Linwood Active (local community group and registered charity)
- [3]- Light up Linwood (community group)