Council plans to change colour of famous Larkhall railings

Mar 27 2008 By Gary Fanning

CALLS have been made to change the colour of the famous red, white and blue gate at a popular swing park in Larkhall.

Some community councillors want the gate and railings painted a ‘neutral’ colour as part of the proposed £120,000 revamp of Glenview Memorial Park.

South Lanarkshire Council’s plans to upgrade the park are out to public consultation.

The proposals were the subject of a lively discussion at the latest meeting of Larkhall Community Council.

One community councillor said: “We had a few people say to us that they thought this was the ideal opportunity to make sure that the gate is a suitable colour and stops the normal ‘negative’ publicity that we get in Larkhall.

“Hopefully, it can be painted a neutral colour.

“We have asked if they are to be repainted and if so what colour. We wonder if the final decision has been made and who makes the decision.”

To mark the Queen’s Coronation in 1953, the gate was painted red, white and blue and the railings painted light blue.

A community councillor added: “The celebrations only lasted for two months and not 55 years.

“We are the butt of jokes in Larkhall. You can go anywhere in the world and as soon as you mention that you live in Larkhall, people tell you that your corporate colours are red, white and blue.

“Is there a problem in changing the colour of the gate to neutral?”

The community councillor said there were also questions about the park’s band stand and its light-blue colour scheme.

Another community councillor wondered if the gates would be painted black but a third was in favour of the status quo and added: “They should be kept the same colour because the Queen is still on the throne.”

SNP councillor Peter Craig also said the colour of the gates shouldn’t change.

He said: “My personal opinion is that I think the gate is colourful and a lot of people like it.”

Larkhall Labour councillor Andy Carmichael said: “I hope the railings will enhance the upgrading of the park and blend in, no matter what colour it will be.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: “This was the existing colour scheme when the Memorial Park opened, and there are no plans to change the colour scheme.”