Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Bags of joy for everyone involved in clean-up day
Lifting 25 sacks of refuse earns Roman thumbs-up
Normally the sight of Roman Centurions marching through the streets of Airdrie would raise more than a few eyebrows.
However, the impressive figures were only lending a helping hand to a “hugely successful” clean-up day held in the town.
The Save Woodhall and Faskine group teamed up with Keep Scotland Beautiful and Walk for Health to tidy up the land surrounding Calderbank.
Residents of all ages were joined by Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson and representatives of the council’s cleansing department.
The team’s selfless hard work saw them fill 25 full bags with refuse and further cleanup events are now planned for later in the summer.
Kathleen Weetman of Save Woodhall and Faskine said: “The afternoon was a great success and adults and children came along from both Coatbridge and Airdrie.
“The event was organised by Rosemary McGowan and Helen McFarlane worked with us too until the place was spotless.
“Everyone involved worked tirelessly to ensure the area was looking at its best for the start of summer. They thoroughly enjoyed the sight of wonderful bluebells and were inspired enough to want to hold another clean-up day.
The pair of Roman Centurions treated the team to a surprise visit and chatted with children about the work of the Roman Empire in the area.
The re-enactors also discussed the health benefits their “rulers” had impressed on all of the local citizens before making a pledge to keep Airdrie’s “streets and countryside clean and encourage healthy pursuits while walking the paths of the town”.
Dr Ann Glen, of the Save Woodhall and Faskine group, said: “The reason Roman soldiers from the Antonine Guard were encouraging volunteers to do a good job with the recent litter sweep round Woodhall, Faskine and Palacecraig in South Airdrie is that these places, together with most of North Lanarkshire, were once part of the Roman Empire.
“The troops were noted for their cleanliness and good order and the Antonine Guard is a re-enactment group that commemorates the legion that built the western part of the Antonine Wall, now a key heritage site.”