Sometime in the next three years it will be bulldozed and be replaced by modern council flats. Nothing unusual you may think.

Indeed, drive past and you will see a derelict and tired structure, with windows boarded up and the paint peeling off the drainpipes.

Empty, crumbling and forgotten, it would appear condemned to the history books – just like other parts of Carron.

But, since it was constructed in 1899, Cullen Terrace has been home to hundreds of families in Falkirk.

And, while its red brick facade may disappear from view, their memories and stories live on.

Today, I'm chatting with five people about their experiences in the place they called home for a significant part of their lives.

Nora Macdonald (80) lived with sister Theresa Bell (79) at number 471, Doris Campbell (88) at 465, Janet Baird (78) at 499 and May Keenan (79) at 27.

All five regularly meet up for a cup of tea to catch up and reminisce about life in the building, which they were either born in or lived from a young age.

Doris was born in Cullen Terrace, moved to Camelon and then went back when she was about 11 to live with her grandmother.

Janet arrived in the town when her mum and dad came to work and lived in the block for more than 30 years.

May was born in her house there, along with two of her brothers, while Nora and Theresa also began their life in the tenement and didn't move out until they were married.''

Forget fitted kitchens, central heating or the luxuries of your own toilet – conditions in the 1930s would be unrecognisable today.

''We had two bedrooms and a scullery – which was quite rare,'' said Janet.

Nora added: ''Everyone had one or two rooms at the most. We had six in our flat sharing one bedroom, although it did make it cosy and warm.''

Doris laughed: ''You shared a toilet and had to take your turn at cleaning it. There was newspaper squares instead paper and, if you didn't get on with your neighbour, there would be none there when you went to use it!''

Theresa went on: ''You got your bath every week in the wash house. I used to love it as the water was lovely and warm because they had been washing all day.

''After it you would belt across the green with a towel around you and hope no-one would see you!''

Despite enduring what we could call hardships today, the ladies only
had recollections of a happy childhood spent within the building and its surrounding close.

"I have very good memories,'' explained Nora. ''You came in from school and went out to play with everybody else in the building.

Janet added: ''We used to have wee concerts on the stairs and made houses in the squares. The girls used to sit on the stairs and make dolls.''

Above all, being within the shadow of the building was a protective and secure environment.

Theresa said: ''I always thought it was great that the mothers and
fathers could look out the building and all the children were outside playing at rounders together. It was wonderful and safe.''

Indeed, this sense of community sprit is something that they all remember with great fondness.

Theresa said: "If anyone was ill, everyone in the building would go round with pots of soup and things for the children. They would share things out. It was a very good atmosphere."

Most of their fathers worked in walking distance of Cullen Terrace in places like the Carron Works, the foundry or the canal bank, while their mums stayed at home.

One time that routine was shaken up, however, was when World War Two broke out.

May said: ''I can remember the day that war was declared and a big lorry taking all the men away. Everyone was out waving cheerio to them.
Doris added: ''The rationing was the worst. You had to queue for biscuits or cigarettes.''

And while there were not many air-raids in the area, frequent visits were still made to the shelters round the back.

''They were communal shelters made of brick,'' said Doris. ''We used to have a wee fire in them sometimes.''

Theresa added: ''I can remember being frightened. My mother used to take a blanket and sometimes tea and coffee down. It was worse when our dad was on nightshift and we had to wait for him to return.''

One of the happier moments though was when the tenement organised the annual May Queen celebrations.

"It was marvellous – a great day,'' said Nora. ''They had dancing and singing and the people all co-operated in helping to make things."

Theresa added: ''I was always a wee fairy. The horses used to lead the parade and were always decked out beautifully.''

Janet said: ''There was a procession around the local street and you had your sash and carried a tinnie mug. You got a wee bag of goodies from the Co-op and a wee bottle of milk then you went down to the local park for the celebrations.''

Eventually, with a tinge of sadness the friends all left Cullen Terrace and went their separate ways.

But how will it feel to see it disappear completely and become another memory?

Nora said: "It's sad, but one thing I think is good is that it might be rebuilt to the same structure as before. It is nice to think it will still be there in a more modern and updated form.

"I just hope the people that are housed there will be as happy as we were."