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Daily Record
07-08-2025
- Daily Record
Church fire 'deliberate' as Kirk Moderator visits remains amid police probe
"Following this awful fire, so much will be on hold, time will be needed to grieve, to re-think, to re-imagine, to seek God's guidance." The fire which tore apart a Church of Scotland building hailed as an iconic landmark is being treated as deliberate by police. The B-listed St Mungo's Church at St Mungo's Road in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, was deliberately torched by a firebug on Saturday evening. The blaze broke out at around 7.50pm, with no injuries reported. Nearby roads which were closed in the aftermath have since reopened, but the footpath around the church remains shut. Police are now appealing to the public for information in a bid to catch the firestarter. Detective Sergeant Craig Jeffrey said: "Enquiries so far have established the fire was deliberate. We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to contact us. We'd also ask anyone with footage of the area at the time to please come forward." The appeal came as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland visited the ruins of the iconic church. The Kirk said the building had been "destroyed by fire" and Rt Rev Rosie Frew's visit was so she could "stand in solidarity and support the devastated congregation". She stood shoulder to shoulder with visibly upset members of the church on Wednesday, August 6, as they surveyed the wreckage of what was an iconic landmark at the heart of the town. Struggling to contain her own tears, she said they are "grieving" the loss of a beloved gathering place and the thoughts and prayers of the wider Church of Scotland family were with them. With its pyramid shaped roof, the B-listed building in the town centre was deemed an important landmark since it was built in the 1960s, designed by notable Scottish architect Alan Reiach. Emergency services unfortunately could not save it. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Speaking outside what is left of the building, Mrs Frew said: "How often do we hear it said and sung that the 'church is not a building, the church is a people?' But people need a gathering place and this has been your gathering place since 1966. A building described as iconic, a landmark – a building that holds a special place in the lives and the memories of so many." St Mungo's Church is now part of Trinity Parish Church, a union formed from Cumbernauld Old Church and Kildrum and St Mungo's churches on 15 August, 2024. Mrs Frew said: "I'm conscious that there has been much change in recent times with the coming together of the churches that make up Cumbernauld Trinity. "I've read of your plans and hopes and dreams, the St Mungo's Hub was, is, a big part of your vision for the future. Following this awful fire, so much will be on hold, time will be needed to grieve, to re-think, to re-imagine, to seek God's guidance. You are very much in the thoughts and prayers of members and congregations across the Church of Scotland." Mrs Frew led those gathered, including Rev Dr Grant Barclay, Clerk to the Presbytery of Glasgow, and her chaplain Rev Dr Karen K Campbell, in prayer. Morag Rusk, the Session Clerk of Cumbernauld Trinity Church and previously Session Clerk of St Mungo's Parish Church, said: "I was alerted just after 8pm by a member of the congregation who was hysterical and told me 'St Mungo's is on fire'. "I immediately went up to the church and just stood looking at the scene for an hour or two with people from the congregation. We are absolutely devastated and still coming to terms with it. It is such a well-loved and unique building for the congregation and people in the town. "It was an iconic landmark for Cumbernauld and the pyramid tower be seen as you drive into the town from whatever direction, Glasgow, Airdrie and Falkirk. "We have to get through our grief but we hope to honour this special place and recreate something in its memory as there is so much history for people – the scene of so many funerals, weddings and family events. "You can see from the huge outpouring of shock and sadness in the community that it is such a loved building." Rev Alastair Duncan, Interim Moderator of Cumbernauld Trinity Church, said he felt "deep sadness". He added: "St Mungo's was a place that has seen many, many important occasions for 60 years so it's just deeply, deeply distressing and devastating for the congregation." Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 3110 of Saturday, 2 August, 2025. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Yahoo
Police reveal outcome of huge fire that tore through historic church
A huge fire that tore through a historic church near Glasgow is being treated as deliberate, police have confirmed. The fire broke out at St Mungo's Trinity Parish Church on St Mungo's Road, Cumbernauld, at around 7.37pm on Saturday, August 2. Flames engulfed the roof of the B-listed building, sending thick smoke billowing across the area and raising safety concerns for nearby residents. (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Dramatic images show aftermath of Cumbernauld church fire The church's close proximity to a sheltered housing complex led to the evacuation of several residents, while others were advised to remain indoors. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the incident quickly escalated from an initial response involving two fire engines to seven appliances, with specialist crews brought in to tackle the blaze. Firefighters worked through the night to bring the fire under control, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Crews battle blaze at St Mungo's Trinity Parish Church Police Scotland has now confirmed that the fire was started deliberately and that an investigation has been launched. Detective Sergeant Craig Jeffrey said: 'Enquiries so far have established the fire was deliberate. "We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to contact us. 'We'd also ask anyone with footage of the area at the time to please come forward.' (Image: Colin Mearns) READ MORE: The roadway on St Mungo's Road has now reopened, but the footpath surrounding the church remains closed while investigations and safety assessments continue. Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3110 of Saturday, August 2 2025. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland visited the ruins of St Mungo's Church to show support for the devastated congregation. Rt Rev Rosie Frew stood with the members of the former church in Cumbernauld as they surveyed the remains of the iconic landmark. (Image: Colin Mearns) Visibly upset, she said they are "grieving" the loss of their beloved gathering place and extended the thoughts and prayers of the wider Church of Scotland family. Speaking at a gathering outside the wreckage, Mrs Frew said: "How often do we hear it said and sung that the 'church is not a building, the church is a people? "But people need a gathering place and this has been your gathering place since 1966. "I'm conscious that there has been much change in recent times with the coming together of the churches that make up Cumbernauld Trinity. "I've read of your plans and hopes and dreams, the St Mungo's Hub was, is, a big part of your vision for the future." She acknowledged that following the fire, much will be on hold as they take time to grieve and re-think. Amongst those gathered was Morag Rusk, the session clerk of Cumbernauld Trinity Church, who was the session clerk of St Mungo's Parish Church before the union. Reflecting on the night of the fire, she said: "I was alerted just after 8pm by a member of the congregation who was hysterical and told me 'St Mungo's is on fire, it's terrible, I'm heartbroken'." She said she went to the church and just stood looking at the scene for an hour or two with people from the congregation. "We are absolutely devastated and still coming to terms with it, it is such a well-loved and unique building for the congregation and people in the town." Ms Rusk emphasised its importance as historic landmark for Cumbernauld and how the building was used every day of the week by a range of community groups, including a Gaelic choir, and was the base of a well-used free café that was set up after the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst their shock and grief, she said they are trying hard to find a positive and know there will be one day. "Looking forward into the future after the cause of the fire is known, I would hope that we can recreate something on the site." (Image: Colin Mearns) Rev Alastair Duncan, interim moderator of Cumbernauld Trinity Church, expressed his "deep sadness" over the fire. He said it was "deeply, deeply distressing" for the congregation to have lost "the history, the memories, the associations, as well as to lose the capacity for all the community groups that were using it and the possibility of what might have been in the future". The congregation is "very much in mourning for what it's lost", he said, but there is hope for the future as Cumbernauld is to be extensively redeveloped over the next 10 to 15 years, with new houses to be built very close to the site. Rev Duncan said: "This church and all the artistic impressions of the future was very much in the plan so it would be tragic if there wasn't something fit-for-purpose built to replace it in the years to come."
Sharjah 24
27-01-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
UOS hosts academic delegation from Monash University
Memorandum of Understanding Discussions focused on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two institutions, particularly in the fields of medical and health sciences. The two parties discussed venues of collaboration in scientific research related to healthy aging and geriatric diseases, student and faculty exchange programs, joint supervision of graduate theses, and advanced academic and training programs aligned with the global job market. The talks also explored opportunities for cooperation in innovation, technology, and sustainability projects of mutual interest. Significance of the Partnership His Excellency Professor Hamid Majoul Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, highlighted the significance of this partnership in enhancing the international standing of the University of Sharjah. He noted that collaboration with Monash University would facilitate the exchange of academic and research expertise while creating new opportunities for students and faculty alike. Commitment from Monash University Professor Craig Jeffrey expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and commended the UOS's academic and research advancements. He reaffirmed Monash University's commitment to activating the agreement's provisions to achieve the two parties' shared objectives. Future Meetings and Research Projects Both institutions agreed to hold future meetings between researchers and specialists to identify areas of collaboration, including launching research projects in sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges. Plans were also made to organize specialized seminars, conferences, and cultural and scientific exhibitions. Tour of Academic and Research Facilities At the end of the visit, the delegation toured several academic and research facilities at the University of Sharjah, including laboratories, research centers, and the library, where they reviewed the advanced facilities and resources that support innovation and scientific research. Attendees Attending the meeting on behalf of the University of Sharjah were Professor Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies; Professor Qutayba Hamid, Vice Chancellor for Medical Colleges and Dean of the College of Medicine; and Professor Mohamed Adel Serhani, Deputy Director of the International Relations Office. Representing Monash University was Dr. Nizar Faraj, Associate Vice-President for the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.
