"Coatbridge".
Related Topics:Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland approximately 10 miles east of Glasgow. At the 2001 Census it had a population of 41,170 making it the 23rd largest town or city in Scotland.
In the 19th century, fuelled by the local discovery of ironstone, Coatbridge became a major centre for the iron and steel industry. The town expanded quickly and the new industries assisted the massive impact Glasgow made on the world of shipbuilding. However, with the decline of shipbuilding on the River Clyde in the mid 1900's the demand for iron and steel dropped. This led the iron and coal industries to collapse which led to poverty and depravation.
Coatbridge is sometimes referred to as ‘Little Ireland’ due to the large numbers of 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 in recent years and there are a high number of Catholic churches and schools in the area.
Nowadays Coatbridge is a modern town that has been regenerated by Government and European Union grants. It is seen as something of a transport hub to which all major destinations in Scotland can be reached; it is adjacent to the M8 and M73 motorways, and the M74 motorway is a short drive away. The town is also very well servered by passenger trains and has six railway stations on the four train lines that cross the town (see Transport Links section below).
The upsurge in Coatbridge 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%.
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 a municipal course while the nearby Drumpelier Golf Course is a private members' club.
The Time Capsule is a multi-purpose leisure centre containing a swimming pool, an adventure pool set in a prehistoric environment, an ice skating facility, and a sports complex with gym halls and other facilities. All of these facilities, as well as the recently opened Showcase leisure park which contains a 12 screen cinema, a 10-pin bowling complex and numerous restaurants, have contributed to the continued regeneration of the once ailing Coatbridge.
The local football team is Albion Rovers F.C. who are much loved although they suffer from many local residents support for the "Old Firm" of Rangers and Celtic.
Comic book writer Mark Millar hails from Coatbridge, as does novelist and playwright Des Dillon.
Former Celtic players John Hughes, Gerry Creaney and Peter Grant who is now assistant manager at West Ham United.
Famous pupils who attended the local St Ambrose High school include Pop Idol Michelle McManus and footballers Tom Boyd, Malky Mackay, and Mark Wilson.
More infamously, Rena Costello, the first wife of mass murderer Fred West, was born and raised in Coatbridge.
Coatbridge is adjacent to the M8 and M73 motorways.
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It uses material from the "Coatbridge".
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