Chance to see behind scenes

Five Monklands venues are taking part in next weekend’s Doors Open day across North Lanarkshire.

Summerlee museum and four local churches are among the 22 venues which will be welcoming visitors for special activities and behind-the scenes tours.

The Coatbridge museum is taking part on Saturday, September 8, from 10am to 5pm.

Curators will lead three free family-friendly tours per day of the attraction’s industrial history store. Places must be booked by calling 01236 638460.

Summerlee will also offer visitors its regular programme of tram rides, mine tours, crafts and outdoor exhibits.

Also taking part on both days of the heritage festival weekend, co-ordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust, are B-listed St Augustine’s Church in Coatbridge, which will be open from 10am to 4pm with tours available; and C-listed St Paul & St John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Airdrie, running tours from 9am to 4pm both days.

They will be joined on the programme by 90- year- old Gartcosh Parish Church, with its white freestone construction and Gordon Webster stained glass windows, open 10am to 3pm both days; and gothic sandstone building Glenboig Parish Church, which is running an exhibition of local photos and paintings from 10am to 3pm on Saturday and 11am to 3pm on Sunday.

Doors Open co-ordinator Adam Smith said: “This year’s is our largest ever programme of participating venues.

“We have a fantastic range of buildings open to the public with a whole host of activities to keep all ages entertained.”