Cardonald centenarian Ellen Mason visited Cardonald College to meet some of the area’s newest and youngest residents at the college’s £23 million new facilities.

Mrs Mason, who celebrated her 100th birthday in September, has lived in Cardonald for almost 70 years. She was invited to tour the College’s new Children’s Centre, which offers nursery places for children from six weeks old. Unicef Ambassador, STV presenter and mother, Kaye Adams with MSP Johann Lamont formally opened the Centrean adjoining skills centre in late October.

Mrs Mason enjoyed a cup of tea and cake with College Principal Ros Micklem before meeting some of Centre’s children. She commented afterwards, ‘The College offers a great service to the local community and sets many people in good stead for the future. It was delightful to visit the Children’s Centre and the College.’

She also described how Cardonald has changed in her lifetime. ‘I remember the College site before the building was erected in the late sixties’, she said, ‘It was just countryside. The local area has changed a lot, particularly the shops. You used to be able to get everything locally, but now you need to go into town.’

Principal Micklem added, ‘It is very rewarding to know we are valued by the local community. We offer a range of important services to the people of Cardonald, not to mention new students from across Scotland and even internationally. It was an honour to welcome Ellen to the College and to show her our new facilities.’