Colder in EK than at Antartica
Telly star Lorraine recalls her early years in the new town
East Kilbride’s own queen of breakfast telly has looked back fondly on her teenage years growing up in the new town – but insists it was colder than Antartica.
The former News reporter has penned an exclusive column in today’s EK @ 70 supplement.
And the TV favourite revealed a lasting memory for her was the cold snap of her first winter, at home in Turnberry Place, Greenhills.
Lorraine said: “We were pioneers when we moved from Bridgeton in the east end of Glasgow to Greenhills in the new town of East Kilbride back in 1973.
“I finally had my own room which was a big deal when you are coming up to age 13.
“Yet I’ve never been as cold in all my life as I was that first winter in East Kilbride – and I’ve been to Alaska and Antartica.”
Lorraine added: “Some buffoon decided that the best form of heating in these polar conditions was hot air coming out of the ceiling. It was ineffective and horribly expensive and I know we weren’t the only family to invest in a calor gas heater, sitting in sleeping bags watching TV.”
A young Lorraine looked on as the burgeoning landscape of East Kilbride changed dramatically with more families moving into the town as houses, shops and community centres were built.
The Lorraine and Daybreak presenter landed a job at the News aged 17 where she learned her craft for four years.
Sharing her memories as a budding young News reporter, the former Claremont High School pupil, said: “I was thrilled to get the job and it changed my life forever.
“The office was like a scene from the fabulous TV cop show ‘Life on Mars’. You couldn’t see through the window of the editor’s office due to the thick cigarette smoke.
“We would play poker when the boss was away or nip to pubs like The Forum, The Yeoman or The Yankee Jeans for a quick sharpener.
“I learned so much during my years at the News and will never forget that’s where I had my big break. I simply could not have gone on to work at the BBC and then for TV-am as their Scottish correspondent, which led to my presenting on breakfast for over 30 years if I hadn’t had the training and experience of working on East Kilbride’s local weekly paper.”
After Lorraine and her brother Graham left their Greenhills home, her parents moved to a flat in St Leonards where they still live.
“East Kilbride has been very good to all of us”, said Lorraine, “And I will be forever grateful.”
Your EK @ 70 supplement is inside today’s paper