Your community magazine

Issue 28 - Spring 2013
Your community magazine
Nineveh Fountain illuminated for the
coronation of George VI in 1937 - page 4
Distributed free to all households in Bridge of Allan and available worldwide at www.bofatimes.co.uk
ID EAL VEN UE FOR CHR IST EN INGS AN D SMAL L W ED DIN GS
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“Main Street” Bridge of Allan
Douglas Stuart reports on several changes to shopping in our village
In America the term "Main Street" refers to a
place of traditional values, where the
interests of local people intermingle with
businesses and their owners. A quick trip to
the shops in Bridge of Allan can mean a
longer than anticipated visit when you allow
for the meeting and greeting of friends and
acquaintances.
With a survey by the Scottish Retail
Consortium suggesting that one in ten shops
is lying empty on Scotland's high streets, we
are fortunate that our shops are never
vacant for long. Over the past few months
and in the months to come there have been
and will be a considerable number of
changes to our “Main Street”.
WoodWinters are moving to the premises
recently vacated by Charlie Taylor and their
existing shop is to be converted into a
delicatessen. Clive Ramsay has incorporated
TALK
Innocent Victims: recognising and
supporting children affected
by imprisonment
Former teacher Sarah Roberts talks about
her research in Australia and the US,
looking at how we can better support
some of society's most vulnerable yet
often unrecognised children - those with a
parent in prison.
his delicatessen into the Bistro and the
former Gift Shop will be re-opened by
Bridge of Allan Upholstery.
Country Pursuits is changing ownership, as
has Ruby Tuesday. The Running Company is
now trading as Run 4 It, and the Allanwater
Curry House has been refurbished and under
new ownership, having taken over from the
Royal Ashoka.
Graham Robertson is closing (see page 4)
and Cullens the butchers has changed
hands and is now operated by James Fraser
(see page 14).
The lingerie shop is now fashion outlet
Ruban Rouge. Mhor Bread has opened in
Queens Lane and Glenallan Fashions shop is
sporting a for sale notice. Turning to our
well-established businesses, the Allanwater
Café has just undergone a major refit.
While trying to take a neutral view on “Main
Street” we are fortunate to have a wide
variety of well presented retail outlets and
an almost continental café atmosphere. To
our outgoing owners, thank you, and to the
new ventures, welcome. It is now up to us
residents to continue to support our local
businesses.
Bridge of Allan 100 Years Ago
Territorial Smoking Concert
A public smoking concert was held in the
Westerton Rooms on Tuesday evening, for
the purpose of enlisting recruits for “A”
(Headquarters) Company, 7th A. & S.H.,
Stirling… Captain Archibald, in a rousing
speech, made an earnest appeal to the
young men – of whom there were between
thirty and forty present – to come forward
at this time and join the Force. In doing so
he desired to emphasise the fact that he
did not wish in any way to deter the men
from joining the local section of the Black
Watch… During the evening songs were
rendered by the following:– Lieutenant
Yellowlees, Sergeant Skae, Sergeant
Ewing, Sergeant Cowal, Mr W. Balloch, and
Mr A. Wingate; while Sergeant O’Connell
contributed selections on the mandoline
and cornet, and Pipe-Major Ferguson
enlivened the proceedings with the skirl of
the bagpipes. The meeting was a success
in every way, nearly a dozen men
intimating their intention of joining the
Company…
Stirling and Bridge of Allan Reporter,
March 15, 1913
Monday 25 March at 19:30 in St Saviour's
Church Hall, Bridge of Allan. Refreshments
provided.
Donations welcome. All proceeds to
Families Outside, a charity in Scotland
that works solely to support families of
people involved in the criminal justice
system.
Bridge of Allan Times - Your Community Magazine
We hope you enjoy this edition of your
community magazine. The publication is
produced entirely by volunteers and is
funded by our advertisers, to whom we are
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in touch if you wish to comment on
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member from the list by phone or by email
to [email protected]
Bridge of Allan Times Spring 2013
Allan Brown, Editor
Peter Meech, Deputy Editor
Douglas Stuart, Treasurer
Sandi Grieve
Doris Littlejohn
Alison Logie
Ian McLaren
Maureen Mitchell
832981
833639
833935
833255
832032
833631
833465
833170
If you would prefer to write, our address is
Bridge of Allan Times
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FK9 4QH
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views of any members of the committee.
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material re-use, website comments, questions
or information contact the editor.
www.bofatimes.co.uk
3
The Sony Centre, Bridge of Allan
The well-known shop is closing, but Graham Robertson tells Allan Brown
that the local presence will be maintained
It’s going to be all change in Fountain Road
with the closure of the Sony Centre, but
Graham Robertson, the owner, is keen to
emphasise that he will keep up a strong
local presence.
“The cost to refit the Bridge of Allan store
was going to be uneconomical so a
restructure of the business was required.
But we’ll still be here for our existing and
new customers,” says Graham.
“The telephone number remains the same
(832246) and callers can choose to connect
to Stuart Craig (who has been with me for
more than 10 years) for TV and Sony
service, to our electrical contracting
services at Springkerse, or to the Sony
Centre at Falkirk, where Dean Serafini,
another of our employees, will be running
things.”
The Robertson family have been known in
Bridge of Allan over many years, with greatgrandmother Elizabeth Robertson being in
charge of the first telephone exchange
here. Grandfather Graham Robertson
started the radio and electrical business in
1934, with emphasis on the electrical side
of things.
He was contracted to illuminate various
buildings in Bridge of Allan to celebrate the
1937 coronation of George VI, as can be
seen from the photograph on the front
Bridge of Allan 100 Years Ago
Bridge of Allan’s Public Park
The Opening Ceremony
There was a large assemblage of the inhabitants
at the opening of Bridge of Allan’s Public Park
[aka Haws Park], which took place on Saturday
last. The weather, which had been dull and
threatening during the day, unfortunately broke
down in the middle of the opening ceremony,
which was carried through in a thunderstorm…
Graham and his father Lionel in one of the earlier Sony Centre layouts
cover. Son Lionel followed - his interests
were in the expanding television market,
and it was Lionel who started the Sony
retail operation, building it up to one of the
most successful in the UK, and won the Sony
Centre of the Year award in 2005.
already have tenants. The shop will be let
out in due course, and the old telephone
exchange behind the building will become a
café. “I shall be focusing on expanding our
electrical contracting business in
Springkerse,” said Graham.
Provost Turnbull, on behalf of the Town Council,
expressed pleasure in seeing such a large
gathering present on that interesting and
important occasion. Those … who remembered
the meetings in the Museum Hall fifteen or
twenty years ago would remember how the
ratepayers time and again brought up the
question of a public park… A committee had been
instructed to look round the neighbourhood and
see if it were possible to get ground. The Messrs
Pullar … not only offered that field for the
purpose of public recreation, but they offered it
at a price which was practically a gift… The
name of Pullar was a household word in Bridge of
Allan, and had been for at least half a century …
and he would ask all those present to cordially
approve of that vote of thanks they were giving
to Messrs Pullar. (Applause.)
The existing building will be divided into
several offices for rent, some of which
IS YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE BEING AFFECTED BY MUSCLE OR JOINT PAIN?
Perhaps the Nineveh Fountain will be
illuminated for the next coronation?
Stirling and Bridge of Allan Reporter,
May 17, 1913
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A Very Versatile Pile
Airthrey Castle may be on our doorstep but its history is largely unknown to many local people.
Peter Meech enlists help in piecing together an intriguing story.
Martin Haldane of Gleneagles
Robert Haldane of Airthrey and Gleneagles
(1705-1767) bought Airthrey in 1759 from
James Dundas. His great nephew, another
Robert Haldane of Airthrey (1764-1842), my
great-great-great-great uncle, inherited the
estate aged 22, having recently married. He
then sold it to General Sir Robert
Abercromby in 1798. The Haldanes
therefore did not have it for very long,
although it was during the period of the
latter Robert Haldane's ownership that
Adam's design for the castle was
commissioned, and so the family did leave a
lasting mark.
David King, author, The Complete Works
of Robert and James Adam
The existing house dated from 1747, but
Haldane wanted something newer and larger
and approached Robert Adam. In about 1791
Adam designed a D-shaped castle which
would cost £3,500 to build plus a 7½% fee to
the architect for supervising the builders.
Haldane accepted the design but allowed
the builders to be unsupervised, to save
Adam’s fee. Consequently the latter broke
off the contact and there was never any
Adam decoration inside.
Robert Haldane also developed the park,
installing the loch, building the wall round
the estate, and planting Hermitage Woods
on the hill behind. However, in 1798, he
decided to devote his life and fortune to
Christian missionary activity and sold the
estate to the Abercromby family; they lived
there until 1891 and made very few
changes.
In 1891 the estate passed to the Graham
family, who held it until World War II. They
added new rooms along most of the north
(straight) front and also greatly altered the
interior. Happily, Adam’s south (curved)
front survives. In 1939 the castle became a
maternity home, and a plain nurses’ home
was added at the east end. The University
of Stirling acquired the grounds of Airthrey
Adam's design for the south elevation.
Thanks to Martin Haldane/RCAHMS
Bridge of Allan Times Spring 2013
Castle in the mid-1960s
and the castle itself in
1969 when the
maternity unit moved
into Stirling.
Doris Littlejohn,
Bridge of Allan
Some years ago I
showed a doctor and
his wife round the
castle on their return
to Stirling after they
had emigrated to New
Zealand. They had
formerly lived in a flat
on the top floor, where
their first child was
The Castle has belonged to the University since 1969. Photo: Mark Ferguson
born. The wife
Although very different from today's
explained that as there was no lift, the
maternity wards, it was a happy place,
pram had to be left on the ground floor. But
where the staff were extremely kind. Two of
the dumbwaiter in the hall, which is still
the new mums I met that week are still
there, was a great help as she could load
friends of mine. The fourth bed was
her shopping onto it, carry the baby
occupied by a 16-year-old who never spoke
upstairs, and then pull it up.
and spent most of the time crying, as her
They described the commanding presence of baby was to be adopted. How different from
the Matron whom nobody dared disobey. She today's single mums!
had rather splendid accommodation and a
maid, always perfectly dressed in black
Stephanie Tytler, Causewayhead
uniform with pinafore and cap. If you were
My Irish aunt loved working as a midwife at
invited to afternoon tea in Matron's rooms,
Airthrey Castle at the end of World War II.
you presented yourself immaculately
She told me that the nurses, who slept in
dressed and on time to be admitted by the
either Garden or Ivy Cottage, were advised
maid. The husband described how, when
to turn their shoes upside down or else they
things were quiet, he liked to take a boat
would waken to find frogs in the toes.
out on the loch to fish. If his services were
required while he was away, the nurses used Within the castle itself there were strict
rules of etiquette for the patients, who had
to hang a red blanket out of a window.
to use the old servants’ back stair to climb
up to the labour suite. Only on being
discharged could they sweep down the main
Irene McDougall, Linlithgow
staircase carrying their new bundle.
Although living in Causewayhead in the
1960s, I really only learned the Castle was
I myself moved into Airthrey Castle in 1968
the local maternity unit when our son was
as the Principal’s secretary and was
born there in 1966. The exterior looked so
fortunate to have a room on the ground
grand, but the interior was in fact very
floor with the finest chimneypiece in the
spartan. There were four beds to a room,
building. For me the castle's heyday was the
where we mothers were confined for about
two decades when it hosted Scottish
a week with no dining or sitting rooms in
Summer Schools and English language
sight.
courses, daytime and evening classes in
foreign languages, embroidery, painting,
The delivery room was what would
Scottish history, Scottish country dancing,
have been the first floor drawing
piping, and more besides.
room, with views over the whole
estate. The newborn babies were
Until recently Airthrey Castle was home to
only brought in to be fed then
the Law School and is still home to the
returned to their own area. Only
student radio station, Air3. It may also
fathers were allowed to visit - at
house the University’s International Affairs
very restricted times. Each day we
soon. The castle is not open to the public,
were given physical exercises to
but viewings can be arranged through
help our recovery by a very
Commercial Operations on 01786 467140.
pompous older gentleman.
5
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www.kerrstirling.co.uk
6
Talented Pupils Reach Quiz Finals
Four talented P6 pupils are celebrating after
winning the Stirling heat of the annual
schools Euro Quiz. The team – Luke Rooney,
Ben Forman, Tom Grant and Shea Tumulty –
will now compete in the national finals of the
quiz at the Scottish Parliament on May 14.
The four boys were selected through a class
quiz and recently took part in heats at Alva
Primary School. They competed against
schools from Killin, Crianlarich, Port of
Menteith, Drymen and Cowie, answering four
rounds of challenging questions. The topics
ranged from geography and the European
Union to culture, sport and general
knowledge, and at the end of the contest
Bridge of Allan Primary School came out with
the top score.
Pupils receive the salver on
behalf their school
Class P1P sing Doon wi' the Cauld
Bridge of Allan School receives
Special Arts Prize
Pupils will have the chance to compete for an
annual art prize in the form of a salver
donated by the Margaret J. Gordon Art and
Craft Trust, which John Gordon established in
2005 in memory of his wife. Mrs Gordon, who
died from a stroke aged 60, loved arts and
crafts. So her husband decided that a Trust
which awarded youngsters for their work in
the field would be a perfect tribute to her.
The boys celebrate winning their
heat in the Euro Quiz 2013
The Junior Road Safety Officers
with Mr Buchan
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Bridge of Allan Times Spring 2013
Mr Gordon, who is now retiring from the
Trust, says: "We're presenting all the schools
with a salver so they can have it engraved
and hand it out each year to the winner of
some kind of arts competition". He recently
visited the school to hand over the salver.
During a school assembly he told pupils about
his wife's love of arts and crafts, showed
them the special salver and explained how
School Lollipop Man Retires after 10 Years
The school’s popular lollipop man, Gordon
Buchan, retired recently after ten years
helping youngsters get to school safely. He
was presented with a bottle of whisky as a
retirement gift, and members of the Junior
Road Safety Committee paid tribute to him.
The children said: "Mr Buchan has been a
great lollipop man, standing at the bottom of
Pullar Avenue and helping pupils cross over
Cornton Road safely. He was always smiling
and cheerful. We are very grateful to him and
wish him a very long, happy and healthy
retirement".
*R
Burns Assembly Fun
Pupils entertained their classmates when
they all took part in a special Burns Day
Assembly. Talented bagpiper Tomoki Hayashi
(11) piped the children into the assembly,
where one pupil from each year group
performed a poem on stage and each class
chose a Scottish song to sing. The
entertainment ranged from Eilidh Kerr (P1)
performing Cat and Mouse by JK Annand to P5
pupil Elin Beale dressing up in rollers and a
dressing gown to give a rendition of the
Alexander Anderson poem Cuddle Doon. From
P3, Nicole Van Weert gave an expressive
performance of Twa Leggit Mous by JK
Annand, while Finn Fuller (P7) entertained
the audience with one of Robert Burns' best
known poems To a Haggis. The songs included
a dramatic performance of Marry Arry Arry
by P6/5C and an active rendition of Ye
Cannae Shove Yer Granny aff a Bus by P2K.
Teacher Christine Pollock accompanied her P1
class on the guitar as they sang a lovely
version of Doon wi' the Cauld, while the
assembly was rounded off with Burns' song
Auld Lang Syne performed by P3NF. Each class
and each of the pupils chosen to represent
their year in the poetry performances were
"We contacted local schools," he says, "to ask
if they would like to submit children's arts
and craft work for a competition and we
would get it judged by a local artist and then
hand out prizes to the winners. The number
of schools involved has grown and grown over
the past seven years and the Trust has
awarded prizes to many children."
they would have a chance to take it home if
they win the arts competition. Headteacher
Lina Horsburgh was delighted to receive the
salver and told Mr Gordon: "We're really
pleased to receive this lovely gift and will
make good use of it. It's a great opportunity
for us to hold a new competition and for our
talented pupils to gain recognition each year
for their art ability".
P\
By Rachel Blackburn
awarded a special certificate from the Burns
Federation. Depute headteacher Julie Russell
praised her pupils' performances and told
them: "We are very fortunate that we have so
much talent in our school. Today every single
person has taken part by learning poems and
songs in our special Scots language. You have
all shown yourselves to be successful learners
and have been really courageous by
performing on stage in front of more than 300
people".
/H
Bridge of Allan
Primary School News
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at Bridge of Allan Golf Club’s “Learn 2 Play Golf Academy”
Golf clubs and balls provided • PGA Level 1 Qualified Golf Coaches
Sheltered practice nets and mats
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7
Swinging into the Future
By Ian McLaren
Not so bad, you might think. However, given
that the number of golf courses in this
country has increased by 20 per cent over
the past 20 years, you don’t have to be a
mathematician to figure out that supply has
outstripped demand.
And don’t ask the greenkeepers what the
weather has done for golf in Scotland of
late!
Such quality, however, does not come
cheaply. Through the hard work of long time
member, Stewart Cameron, grants totalling
Roost is offering a high quality
comprehensive design service. We are
offering our clients an architectural and
interior design service whilst retailing a
wide selection of high quality
contemporary furniture and unique gifts.
8
Alan & Alison Hamilton
8A Allanvale Road, Bridge of Allan FK9 4NU
Tel: 01786 833068
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.roosting.co.uk
It should also be noted that the club’s
volunteer coaches have all been PVG
Disclosure checked and have attended both
Child Protection and Emergency First Aid
courses. This has contributed to the club
being awarded Charter status by Clubsport
Stirling and being recognised by Clubgolf
Scotland as a venue for introducing
youngsters to golf.
Local youngsters will see the benefits of all
this with “taster” sessions being provided at
the primary school (in late March) and at
the Allan Centre and the golf club itself (in
March and April).
If you add to this the news that the club is
planning further improvements near the
practice area, it is clear that it is making
impressive efforts to promote the attraction
of the game in Bridge of Allan. So how can
local residents help?
Well, a few more new members would be
welcome, and introductory offers are
available. Golf is a great way to relax and
keep fit. And at Bridge of Allan, if your golf
is not so good, there is always the
those
camaraderie of the 19th hole... and all
wonderful views to enjoy!
-RLQ<RXU
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A series of artificial turf mats where
members and visitors can practise using
ordinary tees have also been laid out (photo
top right). And as Gary Player said, after
being described as lucky: “The more I
practise, the luckier I get!”
Members plan to encourage more people
living locally to take up golf by establishing
a ‘Learn 2 Play Golf Academy’, the first
such branded golf facility in Scotland. This
will comprise two of the club’s six Level One
PGA qualified golf coaches being available
at the club every Sunday afternoon during
the summer to give golf beginners, both
juniors and adults, lessons in the
fundamentals of the game.
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All the more credit, then, to Bridge of Allan
Golf Club members for their efforts to
combat these adverse circumstances.
Opened in December are fully-covered twin
practice bays, providing golfers with shelter
from the elements. “Last year’s wet
weather meant we had to cancel many of
our Clubgolf coaching sessions for our
younger members, but we are confident
that won’t happen this year,” said Club
President, Frank Kelly.
Some features of Bridge of Allan remain
constant: its friendly and welcoming
atmosphere and its commitment to golf in
the community.
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But views alone will not support a golf club
in the present financial crisis. Like many
other golf clubs in Scotland, membership
has declined over the past few years. A
recent survey showed that, overall, adult
male membership in Scotland dropped
by 1.8 per cent in 2012.
some £15,000 were raised. “But the balance
of £5,000 came from the fund raising efforts
of the club’s own members,” stressed
Stewart.
/H
A family walk on a snowy January day
confirmed it: the views from Bridge of Allan
golf course are among the finest in
Scotland.
$FDGH
• Various membership categories • No waiting list •
AT BRIDGE OF ALLAN GOLF CLUB
• Historic Old Tom Morris 9 hole course • Magnificent views •
• Modern lounge, bar and catering facilities •
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Takin' Over the Asylum's Papers
A recent acquisition by Stirling University Library promises a fascinating historical insight into
mental health provision in the area, as Karl Magee explains.
A gap in the local historical record has been
filled with the University's acquisition of the
archives of Stirling District Asylum, later
known as Bellsdyke Hospital. These form
part of a larger transfer of historical records
by NHS Forth Valley. The records of the
asylum, which opened in Larbert in 1869,
provide a detailed account of the care and
treatment of mental health patients in
Central Scotland in the late 19th and early
20th centuries. Included in the collection are
an extensive series of patient registers and
case books, containing material of great
interest to both genealogists and academic
researchers.
The registers record each admission and
discharge of those treated in the hospital.
They also provide fascinating information on
the lives of the patients: their age, marital
status, previous occupation and place of
abode. Medical details such as bodily
condition, form of mental disorder and
‘supposed cause of insanity’ are also
recorded. Some of the more unusual
supposed causes noted in the hospital’s first
register include ‘loneliness and religious
contemplation’, ‘excessive use of ardent
spirits’, ‘disappointment in love’ and
‘severe blow on temple from a golf ball’.
Another reason given is ‘Sunstroke’. This,
however, was for a former soldier who
suffered it while stationed in India. The
registers also note if patients were
previously admitted to the hospital and/or
transferred to other institutions, providing
valuable information for anyone trying to
trace the movement of patients through the
network of Scottish asylums.
The collection also includes 50 volumes of
case books containing detailed individual
records for the period 1869-1918. These
volumes were working documents, regularly
updated by medical staff. They include
Patients’ photos were often included in their records
many enclosures relating to the treatment
of patients, both medical records like
temperature charts and personal material
such as correspondence. From the 1890s
onwards the case books also include
patients' photographs pasted onto the pages
of the volumes, a common practice also
seen in contemporary case books from other
similar institutions.
Before these records can be made available
for research and consultation in our Archives
reading room a programme of cleaning,
conservation and cataloguing is required. A
team of student volunteers is helping us
prepare the material for public access,
starting with basic cleaning to remove dust
and surface dirt. The enclosures contained
in the case books, which are often secured
onto the pages with metal clips or pins, are
being carefully removed and catalogued, to
be stored alongside the volumes. The
project team is also creating a database to
record the detailed information contained
in the patient registers. This will greatly
improve access to the collection, enabling
more effective searching of the records and
the collation of statistical information for
researchers.
We hope to be able to begin to make this
collection available to researchers in the
summer of 2013. Updates on the progress of
the project will be posted on our Archives
blog at
http://archives.wordpress.stir.ac.uk/, and
enquiries about the collection should be
sent to [email protected].
Karl Magee is the University of Stirling
Archivist
Bridge of Allan 100 Years Ago
Scottish Song-Drama
An entertainment of more than average merit was given in the
Museum Hall, last night, when Miss Morlich MacLeod and Mr Hamish
MacKay presented their Scottish Song-Drama to a delighted audience.
The stage was draped in a manner both simple and artistic and Miss
MacLeod and Mr MacKay were attired in costumes befitting the
occasion; added to this they are endowed with exceptional ability –
both vocal and histrionic – and it can be understood, therefore, that
their entertainment was one which pleased both the eye and the ear.
Perfect enunciation was the outstanding feature of an excellent
performance, and we are convinced that those who braved the
elements last night felt well rewarded for their pains…
Stirling and Bridge of Allan Reporter, March 15, 1913
Bridge of Allan Times Spring 2013
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9
Church News
ST SAVIOUR’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Sundays
08.00 Said Eucharist
10.00 Sung Eucharist (Crèche and Young
Church meet in church hall during service)
Easter Services
Sunday 10 March – Mothering Sunday
10.00 Family Eucharist
Sunday 24 March – Palm Sunday
10.00 Sung Eucharist starts in the hall with
the blessing of the palms.
Thursday 28 March – Maundy Thursday
19.30 Agape meal in the hall.
Friday 29 March – Good Friday
14.00 The Solemn Liturgy followed by hot
cross buns in the hall.
Saturday 30 March – Holy Saturday
20.00 The Easter Vigil
Sunday 31 March – Easter Day
10.00 Sung Eucharist followed by an Easter
bonnet competition in the garden.
Thursday 18 April
18.00 Fashion Show
Thursday 9 May – Ascension Day
19.30 Joint Sung Eucharist at Holy Trinity,
Stirling.
BRIDGE OF ALLAN PARISH CHURCH
Frederick Koenig once wrote these words:
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t
come as result of getting something we
don’t have, but rather recognizing and
appreciating what we do have”.
These are profound words which serve to
remind us, one of the most consumer-driven
generations, that simply accumulating
things is not where we will find our
happiness. What is likely to bring us more
happiness is opening our eyes and seeing
what we do have and counting our blessings
of which we have many, especially when we
compare ourselves to many others in the
world today.
Every Sunday we gather in the Parish Church
to give thanks to God for the many gifts
which He has given to us and especially as
we approach Easter we rejoice in the hope
of the Easter message which reminds us of
the gift of hope for this life and the next.
Please do join us at 11.00 every Sunday as
we gather to worship God. Everyone is
always welcome.
Sunday 10 March, 11.00 - Communion
Sunday 10 March, 18.00 - Evening
Communion in the Chalmers Foyer
Sunday 24 March, 11.00 - Palm
Sunday
Sunday 31 March, 09.00 - Early Easter
morning service at Airthrey Loch at the
University
Sunday 31 March, 11.00 - Easter morning
worship followed by informal Communion
Sunday 7 April - Annual Stated Business
meeting after morning worship
During Lent there will a chance to gather
for reflection - a time to discuss and share
together some thoughts about our faith.
These reflections will take place in the
Vestry in the Chalmers Suite from 19.00 on
Wednesday 13 March, 20 March and 27
March at 19.00.
Holy Week services will be :
Thursday 28 March 19.00 - worship with
Communion for Maundy Thursday
Friday 29 March, 19.00 - Good Friday service
For more information on some of the other
events which take place in the Parish
Church, please contact the Church Office,
Monday to Friday 09.00 to 12.00, Tel.
834155. Also check our webpage at:
www.bridgeofallanparishchurch.org.uk
Louise Fairlie Physiotherapy
CognitivePsychology,ThoughtFieldTherapy,Hypnotherapy
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Stress,anxiety,phobias,fear,panic
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Trauma,loss,bereavement
Anger,rage
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Holding out on a wing and a prayer
He may be the last pigeon-fancier in the village, writes Ian McLaren,
but Arthur Nairn believes there is another devotee waiting in the wings.
Last of the Mohicans... Last of the Summer
Wine... and now Last of the Bridge of Allan
Pigeon People.Painter and decorator Arthur
Nairn reckons he is now the only person in
the village pursuing the traditional hobby of
keeping racing pigeons.
With Norman Galletly and his son, of
Castleview Drive, giving them up, Arthur is
the last “pigeon-fancier” left.
He first became involved in the sport in the
1960s, learning the skills involved from Tom
Hogarth, who kept pigeons up by the old
paddling pool in the Laighills in Dunblane.
After marrying a local lass, Anne Watson,
and setting up home in Inverallan Road,
Arthur was able to build his first loft.
He has gone on to win many prizes, as
recently as 2008 winning the Maidstone Cup
in the Corbie Wood Club. “But it was never
about prizes,” he says.
A prize is a bonus for Arthur. For him it has
always been a hobby involving fascinating
and beautiful creatures. “I was never one
for going up to the pub,” he adds.Last year
was a bad one though.
In the past, only a few birds went missing in
a race, but now many more are lost. In a
race from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, out of 283
pigeons released, only 12
made it back to their home
lofts.
Why? It could be the
proliferation of mobile
‘phone masts, pylons and
wind-farms. Or because
there are more birds of prey,
such as sparrowhawks and
peregrine falcons, about now
that they are protected
species.
A peregrine falcon might only
take one racing pigeon from
a flock, explains Arthur, but
the panic sends hundreds
crashing to their deaths into
trees or to the ground.
Inevitably too, modern
technology has had an
Arthur with great-granddaughter Olivia
impact.Returning pigeons now
trigger a digital recording of
tradition. His great-granddaughter Olivia is
their arrival time when they step on a pad
already fascinated by the loft and its
at the entrance to their home loft. “You
pigeons. “Whenever I walk out the door, she
don’t even have to be there to welcome
is right behind me,” says Arthur.
them home now,” says Arthur regretfully.
But Arthur will keep his pigeon loft going.
And there may just be another member of
the family who will carry on with the
Only three years old, she can already
identify different breeds. So perhaps Arthur
will not be the Last of The....
Bridge of Allan 100 Years Ago
Death of a Nonagenarian
Bridge of Allan has lost its oldest
inhabitant in the person of Mrs McGregor,
who passed away at Ivy Lodge (the
residence of her son) on 15th inst., at the
advanced age of 91. Born in the village,
Mrs McGregor spent her long and useful
life within its boundaries, and the house
of her nativity stood but a short distance
from that in which she breathed her last.
Possessed of a retentive memory, she was
a reliable – though unassuming – authority
on matters of local history. A woman of
fine Scottish characteristics, active,
sagacious, and kind-hearted, she had
many friends and will be greatly missed
and mourned. The funeral, which took
place on Wednesday to Lecropt
Churchyard, was largely attended.
Stirling and Bridge of Allan Reporter,
June 21, 1913
Bridge of Allan Times Spring 2013
11
Your community needs YOU!
By Mike Seal
It was on a long, lone walk that I came to a
decision about my retirement.The fact that
the walk was very long, from John O’Groat’s
to Land’s End, gave me plenty of time to
ponder on it.
A lengthy and healthy retirement is now the
norm for most of us, I thought. But how do we
fill that void of a successful and fulfilling
career? After that walk of 900 miles and 46
days my ambition had been reached and I
reckoned I knew how I was going to rebalance
my life. I was going to be a volunteer.
I had enjoyed a management career with large
and small companies across a wide variety of
businesses and had also done some voluntary
work before moving to Bridge of Allan. There
are many arguments against committing to
voluntary work: you are simply doing the work
our tax-paid public sector should be doing and
it only encourages the dependency culture,
are just two of them.
However, I firmly believe that volunteering
maintains a sense of self-worth and helps with
mental and physical well-being. You also meet
interesting people and the benefits of doing
something of value far outweighs the
negatives. After visiting the Volunteer Centre
in Stirling, I joined two of their client
organisations that were helping young families
going through difficult times (Home-Start
Stirling) and supporting the health and wellbeing of older people (Retired and Senior
Volunteer Programme, Forth Valley).
My volunteer work since then, including some
involvement with Friends of Bridge of Allan,
has been an essential part of my lifestyle. And
I am not alone. A local retired primary teacher
who works with Home-Start Stirling told me:
“It has helped fill a void and is having a
positive impact on my life. After completing a
course I was matched with a family with twin
baby girls where the mother is Nigerian and
the father a Scot.
“It is a delight on each visit to see this mum
grow in confidence and her babies develop. A
lot of the time is spent talking, reassuring,
being an extra pair of hands and directing the
family to services as required.
“I feel privileged to be given a close insight
into this family unit, and I derive a great deal
of satisfaction and pleasure knowing that I
seem to make a difference.”
Mike Seal
The range of volunteering opportunities is
endless. Community and voluntary
organisations are now described as the Third
Sector, with the public and private sectors
being the other two. It is formally identified
widely as an integral part of social care and
delivery of services through many local and
national government programmes. In short,
charities need a very wide range of talents,
experiences and skills through their volunteers
and the Volunteer Centre, part of Stirlingshire
Voluntary Enterprise, together with all your
local volunteer organisations, are always
willing to help.
Volunteering in retirement will add life to your
years... not just years to your life.
Francis Masterson Plumbing & Hea ng Ltd are a
friendly and efficient local company who have very
compe,,ve prices and over 30 years of experience.
We can provide free es,mates with no obliga,on,
and will have a plumber on hand in an emergency.
With the cold weather approaching, we have a few
,ps for you to follow:
TOP TIPS FOR WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS
· HAVE YOUR BOILER SERVICED PRIOR TO THE FROSTY WEATHER
· MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR STOP COCK IS AND IS WORKING
· LAG YOUR PIPES
· LEAVE YOUR ATTIC HATCH SLIGHTLY AJAR SO WARM AIR
CAN CIRCULATE
· USE A PORTABLE HEATER IN COLDER ROOMS EG UTILITY/ENSUITE
· IF GOING AWAY ON HOLIDAY HAVE YOUR SYSTEM DRAINED
FULLY BY A PROFESSIONAL
· IF INSULATING THE ATTIC DO NOT INSULATE BELOW YOUR WATER TANK
· LEAVE HEATING ON A LOW SETTING CONSTANTLY IF EXTREMELY
COLD WEATHER
12
Ochils Mountain
Rescue Team –
It’s About Saving Lives
We're lucky to live on the threshold of the great outdoors. So it's
comforting to know that if things go amiss the Ochils Mountain
Rescue Team (MRT) will respond at all hours of the day and night,
365 days a year.
We locate and recover missing persons or people who have found
themselves in difficult situations. Last year the Team logged
nearly 900 man-hours covering incidents that included urban
searches.
The Team is the recognised body for lowland and mountain Search
And Rescue in the police areas of Clackmannanshire and Falkirk.
We also assist our fellow Central Scotland Mountain Rescue Group
members of Killin and Lomond MRTs in covering west into the
wider Stirlingshire area.
All members are trained in basic skills of rope-work, first aid,
radio communications and search procedures to a national
standard set by the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland.
Twice-monthly training is constantly updated with the latest
techniques. The Team recently purchased ten avalanche
transceivers just prior to the recent tragic events in Glencoe and
the Cairngorms.
Whilst not as extreme as some other Highland areas, the greatest
full-depth slab avalanche ever recorded in Scotland occurred in
the Ochils in 2009.
The team on a practice run
We are happy to give talks and provide advice on a wide range of
mountaineering issues, frequently visit schools and other
organisations and provide first aid cover at outdoor events.
The running costs of the Ochils Mountain Rescue Team can be
considerable. Funding depends on public donations and the
support we receive from the Order of St. John and other
supporters.
yellow
teeth?
TEETH
WHITENING
FROM
£300
T:
01786 832 331
[email protected]
W: www.bridgeofallandental.com
E:
Bridge of Allan Times Summer 2012
Please help us to allow us to help you, as you never know when
our assistance may be needed. You can do so either through
sponsorship or donation. Please contact us at
[email protected] or make a donation at
http://www.mrcofs.org/ochils/Donations.htm/.
Boys Brigade starts in Bridge of Allan
Where: Bridge of Allan Parish Church Hall
When: 20th February 2013, 6:30 to 7:30pm
Age: P1-P3 (Boys 5 to 8 years)
Contact: Brian Laurie on 07876 727071
Meeting on a weekly basis during the school
term the boys will enjoy an action packed
evening of games, crafts, singing, drama,
story-telling and above all having fun and
making new friendships.
13
Advertising Features
A Brief Introduction to Real Time Information (RTI)
By Roy Hogg
From 6 April 2013 employers and pension
providers will begin to use the Real Time
Information (RTI) service, all employers must be
signed up by October 2013. HMRC claim to have
introduced RTI to make the PAYE system easier for
employers and HMRC to operate.
So what does the introduction of RTI actually
mean?
The implementation of RTI means that employers
and pension providers inform HMRC about tax,
NIC and all other deductions, such as student loan
payments, when or before the payments are
made to the employee rather than waiting until
the year end. This is to be done online by sending
a ‘Full Payment Submission’ (FPS) through either
an ‘Electronic Data Interchange’ (EDI) or through
the Government Gateway.
The initial set-up
Before you can start using the RTI system, every
employer must undergo ‘employer alignment’,
which is the confirmation of the employees’
details. This is done either on the first FPS or by
an ‘Employer Alignment Summary’ (EAS). Most
employers will be able to use the first FPS
method but an EAS must be used if:
- you have over 250 employees, or
- your PAYE system is ‘split’ ie if you have
different payroll providers or if you can’t make a
Employers must ensure that they are ready for
the introduction of RTI and have the required
software to be able to comply with the
requirements. More information can be found on
HMRC's website www.hmrc.gov.uk/payerti/index.htm.
single FPS submission due to bandwidth
restrictions.
On your first FPS HMRC require that you include
details of all employees in the current tax year
(including starters that have not yet been paid
and those that have already left), together with
the hours each person normally works. A separate
FPS may be submitted if you run monthly and
weekly payrolls.
Roy G Hogg is a partner at Campbell Dallas LLP
Once the first FPS or the EAS have been
submitted, the subsequent FPSs will only include
pay and deduction details for employees paid on
that particular day.
Processing
The payroll will be run as normal, but when
finalising, the payment information must be sent
to HMRC by way of EDI (to be integrated into the
payroll software) or through the Government
Gateway (ie in line with how VAT returns are now
submitted).
CAMPBELL • DALLAS
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
AND BUSINESS ADVISERS
15 Gladstone Place
Stirling FK8 2NX
Tel: 01786 460030
Offices in Bearsden,
Paisley, Perth and Stirling
www.campbelldallas.co.uk
Processing the payroll year end
The good news with RTI is that year-end forms
P35, P14 and P38A will cease to exist. There will
be a check box to indicate that this is your ‘Final
Submission’ for the tax year, which will lead on to
the end of year questions and declaration.
100 years on, and a new owner for Cullens
It was a hundred years ago that the advert
on the right appeared for John Cullens in
the Stirling Trade Directory.
Now James Fraser has taken the business
over, ensuring that Bridge of Allan has a
local butcher, able to supply a range of
fresh, traceable meats.
Master Butcher James has 45 years’
experience of the trade, and his
specialities include a range of pies
prepared and freshly cooked on the
premises. His sausages, also prepared on
the premises, are a speciality too.
The refitted interior is all-white tiles
complemented by dark green borders,
giving a very fresh and hygienic feel.
Opening hours are 8am to 5pm Tuesday to
Saturday, with late opening on Thursdays
till 7pm.
James Fraser, Master Butcher
14
at the Allan Centre (Games Hall), Bridge of Allan.
FRIDAY 5th APRIL, MONDAY 8th APRIL, and FRIDAY 12th APRIL
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• Indoor golf clubs and soft balls provided •
• Sessions supervised by PGA Level One golf coaches •
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Stirling and Bridge of Allan Reporter,
March 15, 1913
aged 8-11years
*R
A Large Egg
A hen belonging to Mr James Stirling,
Mossgrove, seems to have entered the
“largest egg” competition. The fowl in
question, a Golden Minorca, recently laid
a beautifully shaped egg weighing 4½ ozs.
)XQ*ROI*DPHV)RU&KLOGUHQ
/H
Bridge of Allan 100 Years Ago
RU
Girlguiding Airthrey District
By Natalie Stitt
They all loved making
Loch Ness monster biscuits
followed by watching
Brave on a big screen
before bedding down for
the night. The next day
they visited Dunblane
Cathedral, where they
took part in a Treasure
Hunt to find the famous
Scots - a great adventure
enjoyed by all.
3rd Bridge of Allan Brownies (above)
The 3rd Bridge of Allan Brownies enjoyed a
sleepover in the Braeport Centre, Dunblane,
with a Scottish Theme in November, when
they celebrated St. Andrew’s Day.
During the winter term,
the Brownies put on a
performance of Alice in
Winterwonderland. The
story followed Alice and
the White Elf on many adventures,
including the Mad Hatter’s
Christmas dinner, Sam the Skull as
the Cheshire cat and a game of
croquet with the King and Queen
of Hearts. The
end involved
the audience
joining in
Christmas
carols before
coffee and
mince pies.
The audience enjoyed
great performances from
the Brownies, and £167
was raised from sales of
tickets, home baking
and Christmas
decorations, which will
be put towards a
weekend away next
year.
CALLANDER GOLF CLUB
ONLY ONE COMPETITION LOST TO WEATHER IN 2012
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS ~ NO JOINING FEE ~NO WAITING LIST
NEW MEMBERS’ INTRODUCTORY
MEMBERSHIP
£295
New Parent & Child Membership
£150
For more information 01877 330090 or
E-mail [email protected]
Bridge of Allan Times Spring 2013
1st and 3rd Bridge of Allan Guides
A group of 32 Bridge of Allan Guides and
their Leaders travelled to London recently,
where they enjoyed an action-packed
weekend. Downing Street, the Tower of
London, the Science Museum, Tower Bridge
and the London Eye were amongst the sights
visited.
They had fun at Madame Tussauds (below
left) and enjoyed a tour of the BBC Studios
at White City, where they were able to try
their hand at presenting the weather. They
saw where many programmes were
recorded, as well as spotting a few famous
faces, and occasionally managed a short
break for ice cream (below).
The musical Matilda was one of the
highlights of the weekend, and greatly
enjoyed by all. The girls are looking forward
to the summer weather, when they will go
camping as well as taking part in outdoor
activities.
If you’re interested in getting involved,
please visit
www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested
Bridge of Allan 100 Years Ago
Exceeding the Speed Limit
In Stirling Sheriff Court on Thursday,
Cuthbert Moss, chauffeur, was fined 20s,
or ten days in prison, for having, on the
evening of Saturday 7th June, driven an
omnibus motor at a greater speed than 12
miles an hour, near Airthrey Lodge, on the
Stirling and Bridge of Allan Road. Mr
Archibald, the Procurator-Fiscal, stated
that various complaints had been made as
to excessive speed on the road in
question, and chauffeurs and most
proprietors had been warned as to the
consequence of exceeding the speed limit
allowed by law.
Stirling and Bridge of Allan Reporter,
June 28, 1913
15
The Nature Page
By Roy Baker
January 1st was not a happy day for one
blackbird. The photo above shows a
sparrowhawk in our back garden in Pullar
Avenue standing defiantly over some red
meat and a pile of black feathers. Less than
two weeks later it was back and another
blackbird had been eaten. Thankfully, since
then other blackbirds have continued to
visit our garden and cheer us with their
song.
branch to branch in our apple tree.
What a wonderful year it’s been for
snowdrops on the Campus, in the Hermitage
Wood and beneath the stone wall below
Lecropt Kirk, to name but three areas. They
are also scattered around the gravestones in
the older part of the kirkyard, where the
grave of John Pullar may be found. As a
young man of 25, John was the first of the
large Pullar family to come from Perth in
1855 to take charge of the Keirfield Works
that his father had recently bought. He was
later joined by his brothers Laurence and
Edmund.
The second half of February brought many
sunny days, excellent for walking and
cycling. This view of Ben Ledi (below left)
was taken from near Inverardoch Mains
farm, which may be reached on the quiet
Carse road from Lecropt. The road passes
Craigarnhall Farm, where this attractive
friendly horse called Paddy may be seen
(below). He is a 19 year-old Gypsy Cob. The
breed was developed by the gypsies years
ago to be strong enough to pull their heavily
laden caravans along hilly country lanes.
Imagine having red squirrels (below) on your
bird feeders. In a garden less than four
miles from Bridge of Allan the house owners
have enjoyed watching a family of five
young red squirrels grow up.
On two successive days in the middle of
February a red kite was seen circling above
the Haws Park football field and the field
between the Allan Water and the railway. It
was also seen by a fellow dog walker who
was telling me he had just seen an otter
swimming on its back whilst eating a fish in
the stretch of river adjacent to the
allotments. So keep a look out, sometimes
there’s something unusual to see.
Just as exciting as seeing the red kite was to
observe a tiny goldcrest, Europe’s smallest
bird, always on the move and flitting from
where Rob Roy once had a house. Beyond
Stronachlachar the road rises up past Loch
Arklet passing Loch Chon. After more ups
and downs it runs through Kinlochard and
beside the icy shoreline of Loch Ard, lit up
by the late afternoon sun. Thence back to
Aberfoyle.
Photographs of them are not available for
publication at the moment, but I
photographed these two, who were regular
visitors to a cottage garden in Otter Ferry
by Loch Fyne.
The longest ride was on a glorious sunny day
when the snowy hills were so clear. Starting
from Aberfoyle, I cycled over the Duke’s
Pass to Loch Achray, then up to and around
Loch Katrine (above right). Between the
Trossachs pier and the Point this view of the
“Arrochar Alps”, as these hills have been
popularly called, opened up. The road does
not climb very high but it has numerous ups
and downs, which can be more tiring than a
straight climb. At the highest point one
looks across to Stronachlachar but there’s
still a long way to go around Glen Gyle,
STRATHALLAN PHARMACY
65 HENDERSON S TREET
BRIDGE OF ALL AN
FK9 4HG
TEL: (01786) 832313
OPENING HOURS
Monday – Friday : 9.00 - 13.00 14.15 - 17.45
Saturday : 9.00 - 13.00
SERVING THE BRIDGE OF ALLAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1851
Hypnotherapy & Counselling
With a qualified local practitioner
Sandra McDerment BSc. MBSCH
Free Hypnosis Download on my website at:
www.wellminds.co.uk
20 Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan. Tel: 07773593994
Email: [email protected]
16