Council reveals move to restore memorial

A COUNCIL is going to restore a memorial honouring the philanthropist Beatrice Clugston.

East Dunbartonshire Council is set to restore a memorial to a local philanthropist who worked tirelessly to help sick and incurable patients in the 19th century.

Beatrice Clugston was born in 1827 and was best known for founding facilities for terminally ill patients from Glasgow and its surrounding areas, which is considered to be the forerunner of modern hospices.

One of those she helped set up was Broomhill House, close to the River Kelvin near Kirkintilloch. The facility opened in September 1876 and had beds for 49 adults, 12 children and took care of patients suffering from illnesses including tuberculosis, cancer and chronic rheumatism. Beatrice died in 1888 and was buried in the Auld Aisle Cemetery, Kirkintilloch, where a memorial was built to commemorate her work. Over time, the memorial deteriorated and a plaque was stolen from it. Despite numerous attempts, the council was unable to contact a living relative to ascertain if there is any family member willing to take on the ownership and maintenance of it. The council then agreed at a meeting that the local authority would pay to restore the memorial.

Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson said, “This restoration project is a fitting way to recognise the life of Beatrice Clugston and honour the

work she undertook to improve the lives of the sick and incurable patients in the 19th century.”

The restoration work on the memorial will include removing weeds, moss and cleaning the stone.

The loose mortar and joints will be repaired with the older fixings removed and replaced and a new reproduction plaque will be commissioned with a suitable interpretation board highlighting the historical significance of Beatrice Clugston.