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<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
Issue 27: August / September 2009<br />
Established 2004<br />
Proudly sponsored by:<br />
KILGANNON MOTORS<br />
NEED AN MOT? Car needs serviced?<br />
THE HISTORIC CHARACTER<br />
Lieutenant<br />
Meldrum<br />
Dear<br />
Daphne...<br />
Page 4<br />
Page 2<br />
The Second Account<br />
of Andrew Mor Page 3<br />
Page 5<br />
Success for local<br />
sports teams<br />
Page 6<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> &<br />
St Mary’s Primary<br />
Page 7 News<br />
Prize Competition<br />
Sponsored by:<br />
SPEED<br />
PROPERTY Page 8<br />
Hedges Loan<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
01786 813476<br />
Auntie Jean’s Cafe / One Stop Shop<br />
Hot and cold filled rolls<br />
Hot and cold drinks<br />
we deliver to home or workplace<br />
Outside Catering<br />
Children’s parties<br />
Local girl goes global<br />
with fashion label<br />
By Greg Christison<br />
Local fashion designer and entrepreneur<br />
Iona Crawford may<br />
only be 23-years-old; however,<br />
she is already turning heads on<br />
the international fashion scene, as<br />
her self-titled label is proving to be<br />
a success.<br />
After winning the womenswear<br />
category of the “London Calling<br />
Competition” and being shortlisted<br />
for Young Designer of the<br />
Year, Iona has been described<br />
as “one of the most avant-garde<br />
young designers emerging today”<br />
by Vogue magazine. Her recent<br />
successes have also led to a great<br />
amount of press attention, with the<br />
Scotsman, the Sun and the Daily<br />
Record publishing features on the<br />
up-and-coming designer.<br />
So far this year, Iona has already<br />
exhibited her work in the top fashion<br />
capitals of the world. Her label<br />
has taken her to Paris, London,<br />
New York and Tokyo; and as we<br />
go to print, Iona has returned to<br />
Japan’s capital to launch the “To<br />
See the Sky...” collection.<br />
As well as being a success in design,<br />
Iona’s entrepreneurial skills<br />
have not gone unnoticed. Earlier<br />
this year she was made a business<br />
ambassador to Stirling by<br />
the Lord Provost .<br />
Iona, who lives and works from<br />
her studio at Craigend Farm, is<br />
the daughter of the owners of Mc-<br />
Naughton’s the butcher on <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
Main Street, and she<br />
highlighted her parents as being<br />
key in her recent achievements.<br />
She emphasised the importance<br />
of their support, especially when<br />
faced with the tricky decision of<br />
choosing to study medicine after<br />
earning top grades in her higher<br />
exams, or alternatively following<br />
her dream of going to Art school.<br />
She said: “I was really lucky that<br />
my Mum and Dad were totally behind<br />
me; ninety-percent of parents<br />
would have forced their children to<br />
be a lawyer or a doctor.”<br />
Iona, who attended <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
Primary School and later Stirling<br />
High, identified her love for clothing<br />
stemmed from a young age: “I<br />
suppose I have always had an interest<br />
in fashion. Mum tells stories<br />
of how I always loved shopping.<br />
“I must have been three when I<br />
decided that I wanted a denim<br />
jacket for my fourth birthday. My<br />
family always brings up the fact<br />
that I wore leggings and hats.<br />
Yeah, I went through a hat phase,”<br />
she added.<br />
After graduating from Edinburgh<br />
College of Art, Iona worked with<br />
Scottish Enterprise where she<br />
was given the inspiration to take<br />
her talent to the next level and<br />
create her own fashion label. She<br />
explained her decision: “I guess in<br />
the industry you either start your<br />
own label or work for a big fashion<br />
house.<br />
“I went to see Business Gateway<br />
and spoke to the Princes Trust<br />
and things just spiralled.”<br />
She continued: “I think I’ve always<br />
had a business brain from<br />
my Dad. It [her fashion label] just<br />
grew arms and legs and it has taken<br />
off. It got to that stage where I<br />
couldn’t really stop it.”<br />
Iona’s label focuses on using top<br />
quality material, mainly cashmere,<br />
merino and leather. The surroundings<br />
of the local area have<br />
Hillpark, <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
01786 818282<br />
BOUNCY CASTLE HIRE<br />
SUMO-SUIT HIRE<br />
See page 2<br />
Iona started her own label<br />
provided her with great inspiration<br />
for many of her designs.<br />
In particular, life on the farm has<br />
ignited Iona’s creativity, and this<br />
is reflected in the drawings and<br />
paintings she produces in her<br />
spare time. Several pieces of her<br />
work are also featured at Scottish<br />
Art Galleries.<br />
Looking ahead to the future, Iona<br />
said that she is looking forward to<br />
having her work displayed across<br />
the world in front of industry professionals:<br />
“When the reception is<br />
good, it feels amazing. There is<br />
no better feeling than doing a catwalk<br />
show.”<br />
She added: “I love the freedom<br />
of running my own business and<br />
I like the people; it is really inspiring.<br />
“I am pleased that I chose fashion<br />
design but I sometimes joke with<br />
my parents that I will go back and<br />
do medicine!”<br />
The <strong>Bannockburn</strong> News wishes<br />
Iona good luck with what seems<br />
to be a fashion label destined for<br />
success.<br />
For more information please<br />
visit: www.ionacrawford.com<br />
New cafe open now!
Page 2<br />
Contact Us<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News welcomes<br />
your comments, ideas and<br />
contributions.<br />
Please feel free to contact either<br />
Greg or Gordon using the<br />
details below.<br />
Editor Greg Christison<br />
Email: bburn-news@<br />
talktalk.net<br />
Phone: 07903 197863<br />
Letter: The Editor, <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
News, c/o 68<br />
Benview, <strong>Bannockburn</strong>,<br />
FK7 0HY<br />
Treasurer Gordon Jack<br />
gordonj@<br />
harleyfinancial.co.uk<br />
Advertising<br />
All enquiries to the<br />
Editor or Treasurer<br />
Auntie Jean’s Cafe<br />
/ One Stop Shop<br />
Hillpark, <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
01786 818282<br />
All functions<br />
are catered for<br />
We offer:<br />
Barbecues<br />
Snack Bar<br />
Ice-Cream Van<br />
Opening times<br />
Monday- Saturday<br />
6am - 2pm<br />
Sunday<br />
9am - 2pm<br />
THE HISTORIC CHARACTER<br />
Lieutenant<br />
Meldrum<br />
This edition’s “The Local Character” has been<br />
altered to “The Historic Character” after we received<br />
this interesting piece from the great-great nephew of<br />
a former resident of the village.<br />
Visitors to the Allan Church cannot help but<br />
notice a large, beautiful plaque in the church<br />
vestibule which commemorates a man named<br />
George Meldrum. Many people who have lived in<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> for years ask who exactly this man<br />
was.<br />
George was my great-great uncle who arrived<br />
from Torryburn, Fife with his parents in 1816 when<br />
he was only a few months old. His father, also<br />
George, was a weaver who would have been attracted<br />
to <strong>Bannockburn</strong> by the great success of<br />
the Wilson Mills.<br />
Between 1819 and 1837 four boys and three<br />
girls were born in <strong>Bannockburn</strong> to George and his<br />
wife Margaret Mitchell. One of the boys, Sandy,<br />
became the President of the SCWS in the 1870s;<br />
one of the girls, Catherine, was my great grandmother.<br />
For a time young George worked, like his father,<br />
in the Wilson Mills. Then in May 1837 he enlisted<br />
in the Army in Glasgow and was immediately sent<br />
to join the 26th Cameronians in the East Indies.<br />
He was appointed Regimental School Teacher<br />
but, tiring of that unexciting role, he transferred to<br />
the ranks and fought in the Opium Wars against<br />
China.<br />
Promoted to Sergeant at Nankin, George returned<br />
with the 26th to Edinburgh in 1843 and in<br />
1846 in Dublin he became Sergeant Major. His<br />
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Hemphill,<br />
strongly recommended George for a Commission<br />
and in 1854 George received his Ensigncy.<br />
The previous year, while stationed in Gibraltar,<br />
George had married Mary Back, originally from<br />
Exeter, who was 24 years old; George was 37.<br />
Newly married, Ensign Meldrum, now the Adjutant<br />
of the 26th Cameronians, sailed to Canada<br />
and in 1854 a daughter Annie was born in Montreal.<br />
In 1855 he purchased his Lieutenancy for £700;<br />
an enormous sum the equivalent today of almost<br />
£48,000.<br />
A son, George Alexander was born in Bermuda<br />
in 1854 and a second boy, Robert James, in Dublin<br />
in 1860.<br />
The regiment returned to Edinburgh in May 1861<br />
when Lieutenant Meldrum, as Adjutant, played<br />
an important role in the decision to introduce the<br />
“One o’clock Gun” ritual which was first observed<br />
in June 1861.<br />
George played a part in the writing of the army<br />
manual for the newly introduced Lee Enfield rifle<br />
and it was while attending a musketry course in<br />
Fleetwood in 1862 that he fell ill and had to return<br />
to Edinburgh Castle.<br />
Lieutenant Meldrum died on the 29th March 1862<br />
of Rheumatic Fever; he was only 45 years old.<br />
George was buried in the Grange Cemetery in<br />
Edinburgh with full military honours; the streets<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
by Jake Stewart<br />
The plaque at the Allan Church<br />
were thronged with people witnessing and crowding-in<br />
on the funeral procession.<br />
Among the mourners was Major-General Walker<br />
CB, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Scotland.<br />
George’s widow Mary was pregnant at the time<br />
of his death and a girl was born in Alloa four<br />
months later.<br />
The army granted Mary an annual pension of<br />
£40 equivalent to less than £3,000 today.<br />
Annie, George Alexander and Robert James disappear<br />
from the records until the 1871 Census.<br />
In 1867 Mary married her cousin Charles Philip<br />
Back in Exeter and there is no evidence that the<br />
three older children lived with their mother and<br />
step-father or even visited them in England. The<br />
youngest child, Poppy died with her mother in<br />
London when only nine years old.<br />
Tantalisingly, in the 1871 Census Annie is a pupil<br />
at Aberdona Villa School in Dollar; her two brothers<br />
are boarders at George Watson’s College in<br />
Edinburgh.<br />
The unresolved mystery remains as to who paid<br />
the school fees of these three children of George<br />
and Mary Meldrum. Where did they stay during<br />
the school holidays?<br />
The even greater mystery, of course, was where<br />
George obtained the money to buy his commission<br />
in 1855.<br />
Annie Meldrum became a Governess and married<br />
John Frater in Edinburgh in 1883; one of<br />
the witnesses at the wedding bore the wonderful<br />
name Strawberry Bain.<br />
George Alexander Meldrum married Jessie<br />
Brown Marr and their son Robert Marr Meldrum<br />
became the President of the Scottish Rugby Union<br />
in 1951. Robert’s daughter Aileen married the<br />
Honourable Robert Moncreiff of Tullibole Castle.<br />
Peter Meldrum, brother of Lieutenant George,<br />
Sandy and my great-grandmother, had a grandson<br />
John Oldroyd Forfar who won the Military<br />
Cross at Walcheren in World War II for his bravery<br />
as a Captain in the RAMC attached to the 47th<br />
Royal Marine Commandos; he was later Professor<br />
of Paediatrics at Edinburgh University.<br />
The <strong>Bannockburn</strong> Meldrums were quite an interesting<br />
lot; should anyone in the village know anymore<br />
about the family, I would be delighted to hear<br />
from them. Jake Stewart 01464 820055.<br />
For more information on Lieutenant<br />
Meldrum, see the September edition<br />
of the Allan Church Newsletter.
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
The Second Account<br />
of Andrew Mor<br />
Andrew Mor, a Captain in the service of Thomas Randolph, recorded<br />
his memories of the Battle of <strong>Bannockburn</strong>, 1314. The following<br />
are excerpts from his second account.<br />
“<br />
Now as the dawn breaks we<br />
make our way towards Edwards<br />
army. They appeared as<br />
one mass apart from the vanguard<br />
who make an army on<br />
their own, glowing red in the<br />
morning sun and shining like angels.<br />
Continuing towards them<br />
we stop and kneel in prayer. We<br />
can see them laugh and sneer.<br />
If they think this rabble they see<br />
before them is giving obedience<br />
to King Edward, they are wrong.<br />
We give obedience to a higher<br />
power, to God.<br />
We rise and we are the first<br />
division to rush towards them<br />
before they gain speed!<br />
Now it begins. The arrows<br />
begin to fall on us as we close<br />
the gap. We heel in our pikes as<br />
the horses crash in. The noise is<br />
frightening as shafts break and<br />
horses and men start to die, but<br />
our line holds. The divisions of<br />
Stewart and Douglas and Bruce<br />
join us until we are one. Now the<br />
arrows that have been falling<br />
fast on both armies thankfully<br />
stop. Their sheaves are with the<br />
wagons still at Falkirk. Our archers<br />
have thrown down their bow<br />
staves and now move steadily<br />
forward through the ranks, hammers<br />
and axes in hand.<br />
The zealous knights keep coming,<br />
smashing into our pikes.<br />
Horses rear and are turned back<br />
into Edwards lines. Unhorsed<br />
knights are attacked with glaive<br />
and hammer. If they fall an archer<br />
will lift the visor and dispatch<br />
them, even if they surrender.<br />
There is no surrender until the<br />
battle is won. Still they come,<br />
more foot soldiers now. As they<br />
finally get past the horsemen<br />
they are met with pikes as both<br />
armies push together. Anyone<br />
who lost footing never rose<br />
again, and the battle was now<br />
in the balance. We heard above<br />
the din a battle cry “On them!<br />
On them! They fail”. We repeat<br />
the cry and surge forward with<br />
redoubled effort. Troops joining<br />
Edwards army from the rear began<br />
to flee and were followed by<br />
ever more soldiers.<br />
Edward and his contingent<br />
were led from the field by Aymer<br />
de Valence towards the Castle.<br />
The Battle of <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
Being refused entry by Philip de<br />
Mowbray, King Edward made<br />
his way by the “Round Table”<br />
to Linthithgow. Sir Giles de Argentine<br />
rode straight for Edward<br />
Bruce’s line but was met by so<br />
many pikes he was overthrown<br />
and killed.<br />
A great rout then ensued and<br />
many drowned in both the Forth<br />
and the Bannock or choked in<br />
the mud, or were killed in flight.<br />
They fled by many more routes<br />
to the south, and many fled to the<br />
crags under the castle, so many<br />
in fact that the Scots did not pursue<br />
them, allowing the English<br />
King to gain his freedom<br />
We stripped the battlefield and<br />
much spoil was taken: gold,<br />
silver, weapons, armour and<br />
clothes. We also took prisoners<br />
for ransom. By these means the<br />
Scots became free and rich for<br />
a time.<br />
Australians gather to celebrate our<br />
famous victory<br />
Information provided by<br />
John McNamara in Australia<br />
Unfortunately our village could not find a sponsor<br />
for this year’s Battle of <strong>Bannockburn</strong> reenactment<br />
and consequently celebrations of the<br />
famous victory appeared to be subdued, if not,<br />
non-existent. However, the <strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
has learned that the event did not go unnoticed in<br />
a location over 10,000 miles away.<br />
The town of <strong>Bannockburn</strong> in Victoria, Australia,<br />
organised the Battle of <strong>Bannockburn</strong> Country<br />
Fair four years ago to celebrate having the same<br />
name as our renowned village.<br />
This year’s fair, which celebrated the 695 th anniversary<br />
of the battle, took place in brilliant sunshine<br />
on Sunday 14 th June at Victoria Park.<br />
Attractions included highland dancing, food and<br />
craft market stalls, as well as lots of entertainment<br />
aimed at local children such as jumping castles,<br />
slides, train rides, merry-go-rounds and an animal<br />
petting nursery. The 42 nd Battalion offered entertainment<br />
to the crowds in the form of marching<br />
and firing their muskets. Visitors to the event were<br />
also given the opportunity to participate in art activities<br />
and haggis throwing.<br />
The day also offered the spectators the chance<br />
”<br />
The fair attracted around 2,000 people<br />
to see vintage and antique motorcycles, sheep<br />
dog trials, the skills of a local archery club and the<br />
state emergency service displaying their equipment.<br />
Local pipe bands and Celtic groups continually<br />
played throughout the day whilst at centre stage<br />
the Scottish once again were able to defeat the<br />
English with medieval re-enactment shows played<br />
out on the fields of <strong>Bannockburn</strong>.<br />
The event is held annually and is organised by<br />
a group named the Lions Club. Its members work<br />
tirelessly every year to ensure a fabulous day out<br />
is had by all 2,000 visitors. It is understood that<br />
the club are planning a major event to celebrate<br />
the 700 th anniversary in 2014.<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News thanks our Australian counterparts<br />
for celebrating our historic village and<br />
wishes them good luck with future events.<br />
Page 3<br />
King Robert<br />
Hotel<br />
Thursday 6th August 2009<br />
Wedding Open Evening<br />
All brides welcome to come<br />
along and see our<br />
NEW BALLROOM<br />
6.00pm – 9.00pm<br />
Saturday 19th September 2009<br />
Come along to the first of many<br />
tribute nights here at the King<br />
Robert Hotel!<br />
To start we have the fabulous<br />
TAKE THAT TRIBUTE<br />
BAND<br />
Plus disco with our resident dj<br />
7.00pm – 1.00am<br />
Includes a three course set<br />
meal.<br />
£20.00 per person<br />
(One person in every party of 15<br />
booked will go free)<br />
(Book early to avoid disappointment)<br />
Saturday 17th October 2009<br />
The sensational<br />
MOTOWN MAGIC SHOW<br />
Plus Disco with our resident dj<br />
7.00pm – 1.00am<br />
Includes a three course set<br />
meal<br />
£20.00 per person<br />
(One person in every party of 15<br />
booked will go free)<br />
(Book early to avoid disappointment)<br />
Christmas brochures<br />
out now!<br />
FRIDAY, SATURDAY<br />
& SUNDAY – WEEKEND<br />
SPECIAL MENU<br />
Served from 12 Noon until<br />
9.00pm<br />
Every Saturday evening you<br />
can enjoy live entertainment<br />
(Terms and conditions apply to all<br />
of the above)<br />
Glasgow Road<br />
FK7 0LJ<br />
01786 811666<br />
info@kingroberthotel.co.uk
Page 4<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
then she would leave me.<br />
Problem is, I have just had a<br />
big win. Should I tell her and<br />
let us live a life of luxury or<br />
should I keep it quiet?<br />
A family business here<br />
in <strong>Bannockburn</strong> since<br />
1887<br />
Isa, John, Joe and David and<br />
all of our friendly staff, who<br />
have been with us for many<br />
years, are here to make sure<br />
that your visit to McQ’s is<br />
special every time!!<br />
Quality food served on time<br />
and with a smile - every day!<br />
A wide choice of starters, more<br />
than 20 main courses all<br />
freshly prepared on the<br />
premises plus sweets to make<br />
your mouth water!! And a<br />
separate kids’ menu is always<br />
on offer no matter when you<br />
choose to visit McQ’s.<br />
Lunch served<br />
12 -2.30pm daily<br />
Plus<br />
all day Sunday<br />
12.30 to 7.30pm<br />
Evening meals<br />
Friday & Saturday<br />
5pm - 8:30pm<br />
(last orders)<br />
Fun Quiz on first Friday of<br />
every month in the lounge.<br />
9.30pm start<br />
Saturday Cabaret with<br />
the best shows the UK<br />
has to offer<br />
EVERY<br />
SATURDAY!<br />
Free Karaoke<br />
every Thursday and<br />
Live DJ every Saturday<br />
in the Lounge<br />
McQ’s Has Talent Night!<br />
Friday 18th September<br />
Book now!<br />
Call (01786)<br />
812256/812056<br />
Tartan Arms<br />
Main Street<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
FK7 8LX<br />
QMy neighbour has<br />
some overgrown plants<br />
that are now causing<br />
havoc in my driveway. I have<br />
taken it upon myself to keep<br />
them in check but am now fed<br />
up doing it. Should I continue<br />
to trim her bushes or should I<br />
say something?<br />
AYou see the problem is<br />
you’ve been so helpful<br />
that your neighbour<br />
is now taking you for granted.<br />
Some would say that you’re<br />
clearly a very nice person and<br />
that you’ll get your reward in<br />
The Bluebell Wood<br />
F<br />
ormer <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
Situated near St. Mary’s primary<br />
school on Park Drive,<br />
the Bluebell Wood was a great<br />
place to build dens or hides.<br />
Loose branches and hedges,<br />
along with mossy bracken,<br />
made an impregnable castle<br />
or fort that Robert the Bruce<br />
himself would have had trouble<br />
capturing.<br />
The hedgerows grew an abundance<br />
of brambles or blackberries,<br />
so we never ran out of<br />
food supplies. Besides these<br />
food supplies, there was a shallow<br />
fresh water spring nearby<br />
which combined to sustain us<br />
throughout our hard fought<br />
battles.<br />
Although the wood displayed<br />
a glorious carpet of bluebells in<br />
the spring, they hid a dangerous<br />
boggy marsh, which we<br />
had to negotiate very carefully<br />
if we were to avoid getting stuck<br />
ankle deep, or even sinking, in<br />
the mud. Many a child had gone<br />
home minus a shoe or sometimes<br />
a pair of shoes because<br />
of a misplaced step.<br />
Some of the trees in the wood<br />
were on a very steep slope that<br />
provided an ideal place for a<br />
homemade swing. A good length<br />
of strong rope, tied around the<br />
centre of a thick length of wood,<br />
heaven. I disagree - I just think<br />
you’re a complete mug.<br />
Your neighbour isn’t daft and<br />
has realised that she can put her<br />
feet up while you go chopping at<br />
her bushes.<br />
I suggest you just rip the plants<br />
out and leave them on her doorstep.<br />
If you can’t bring yourself<br />
to do that, why not move in next<br />
door to me - I’ve got plenty of odd<br />
jobs for a sap like you !<br />
QThe wife hates me going<br />
to the bookies. She<br />
recently told me if she<br />
found out I was betting again<br />
The Bluebell Wood<br />
and we were easily transported<br />
from our medieval castle to the<br />
jungles of Africa.<br />
The track that cut through the<br />
middle of the wood was a short<br />
– cut to the Thunder Bridge, and<br />
the railway line that carried the<br />
trains from the Southern parts<br />
of the UK, to nearby Stirling and<br />
the North of Scotland.<br />
I never knew who owned the<br />
Bluebell Wood. Was it Stirling<br />
Council, <strong>Bannockburn</strong> townsfolk,<br />
or Gavin Miller, the farmer<br />
who owned and worked the<br />
land around it? Maybe one of<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News readers<br />
can tell me.<br />
If you are interested in joining the<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News committee, please do<br />
not hesitate to contact the Editor.<br />
AShe is just scared you’ll<br />
both end up penniless<br />
and living out on the<br />
street. What she doesn’t realise<br />
is that gambling can often be fun<br />
and not everyone that has the<br />
odd bet ends up living in a cardboard<br />
box!<br />
The way I see it you have three<br />
options:<br />
1. Tell her about the winnings,<br />
buy her something nice and<br />
promise you’ll never bet again.<br />
2. Don’t tell her about the winnings,<br />
keep them in a secret<br />
stash and have a few more bets<br />
since you’re on a roll.<br />
3. Sling the greetin’ faced old<br />
midden out and spend the money<br />
on beer, fags and women that<br />
know how to enjoy themselves !<br />
Calling all<br />
brides-to-be<br />
resident and motherof-two<br />
Marie Kerr is calling<br />
all <strong>Bannockburn</strong> bridesto-be<br />
to put Sunday 13th<br />
September in their diaries<br />
now and head for the Albert<br />
Halls from 12 midday<br />
to 4pm for the Stirling Wedding<br />
Show.<br />
“It’s going to be a great<br />
Show” said Marie, owner<br />
of Kingdom Photos of Kippen.<br />
She continued: “It’s completely<br />
sold out to exhibitors;<br />
both the upper and<br />
lower hall will be packed to<br />
capacity.<br />
“The whole event is also<br />
being broadcast on TV!”<br />
she added.<br />
The Bridal catwalk show<br />
is at 2pm so be sure to get<br />
advance tickets from the<br />
Albert Halls and save 20%<br />
on the on-the-door prices.<br />
We’ve got everything from<br />
dresses, cars, jewellery,<br />
make-up, hats, shoes, stationery,<br />
venues, flowers<br />
and even a complete wedding<br />
day layout - and of<br />
course - photographers.<br />
It should be a fun day out<br />
so we’ll hope to see you<br />
there!”
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
Page 5<br />
Co-op response<br />
The top three Policing<br />
Priorities<br />
in <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
are still the same as the<br />
previous few months,<br />
which are as follows:<br />
1. Youths causing annoyance<br />
and damage to property<br />
in Stein Square.<br />
2. Parking in and around<br />
the school at the start and<br />
end of the school day.<br />
3. Cars parking on double<br />
yellow lines at Main Street.<br />
At the <strong>Community</strong> Council<br />
meeting in June it was<br />
raised that the parking in<br />
Main Street <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
has not improved and drivers<br />
are still continuing to<br />
park on the double yellow<br />
lines.<br />
By choosing to park on<br />
the double yellow lines this<br />
causes obstructions for<br />
other drivers and road users,<br />
which could ultimately<br />
lead to an accident.<br />
Can I therefore ask members<br />
of the community to<br />
use the designated parking<br />
bays on the opposite side<br />
of the road or alternatively<br />
use the car parks which<br />
are situated nearby.<br />
Any driver found parking<br />
on the double yellow lines<br />
will be faced with a £30 fine<br />
as both Police and <strong>Community</strong><br />
Traffic Wardens are<br />
monitoring this problem.<br />
Preventing knife crime<br />
Central Scotland Police<br />
are undertaking an initiative<br />
aimed at catching<br />
those who carry knives<br />
and deterring those who<br />
might be thinking of carrying<br />
a knife.<br />
Carrying a knife is not acceptable<br />
and police will be<br />
adopting a robust approach<br />
in an effort to ensure the<br />
communities within <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
and the Eastern<br />
Villages are safe.<br />
Local officers will be targeting<br />
specific areas and<br />
offenders suspected to<br />
have been involved in the<br />
carrying of knives. This will<br />
involve an increase in the<br />
number of stop / searches<br />
being carried out.<br />
If anyone has information<br />
with regards any person<br />
who carries a knife,<br />
please contact the Police<br />
on 01786 456000 - this<br />
information can be given<br />
anonymously and strictest<br />
confidence will be upheld.<br />
Knife crime in <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
is low so let’s work<br />
together as a community<br />
to ensure this trend continues.<br />
ASBIT<br />
Within <strong>Bannockburn</strong> the<br />
Anti-Social Behaviour Impact<br />
Team (ASBIT) still<br />
continues to patrol <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
on Friday and<br />
Saturday evenings to prevent<br />
and disrupt youth<br />
disorder within the community.<br />
Officers who form part<br />
of the team work in plain<br />
clothes in unmarked Police<br />
cars and also in uniform<br />
whether it is in a marked<br />
Police car, on foot or on a<br />
bike.<br />
Over the course of one<br />
weekend in June over 31<br />
litres of alcohol were seized<br />
by Police in <strong>Bannockburn</strong>,<br />
which prevented calls of<br />
disorder being received by<br />
Police later in the evening.<br />
Police will continue to<br />
monitor areas within <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
where youth disorder<br />
is known to occur.<br />
If you are experiencing<br />
youth disorder please contact<br />
myself or the Police on<br />
(01786) 456000.<br />
In response to last issue’s “Historian”<br />
piece on the <strong>Bannockburn</strong> Co-operative<br />
Society, reader Frances Cochrane has<br />
sent in a couple of related pictures.<br />
The first picture shows Willie Cochrane<br />
and John Todd with the Co-op milk horse<br />
and cart.<br />
As the News understands, the horse<br />
was extremely firey and flighty. Willie had<br />
to take it out in the morning to calm it down<br />
before the butcher used it in the afternoon<br />
to deliver his goods.<br />
The second picture is a commemorative<br />
tin celebrating 100 years of the <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
Co-operative Society.<br />
If anyone collects memorabilia of this<br />
sort, the reader is prepared to give them<br />
the tin. If you are interested please phone<br />
the Editor.<br />
The Co-op’s milk horse and cart<br />
Commemorative tin marking 100<br />
years of <strong>Bannockburn</strong> Co-op<br />
Last edition’s “Reminisce” section prompted reader Mrs<br />
Elise Smith, who lives in Bramhall, Cheshire, to send in this<br />
postcard of Bottom Park in 1958.<br />
Interestingly, Mrs Smith’s brother was sent the postcard by<br />
their mother, whilst he was serving in the Royal Air Force in<br />
Singapore.<br />
New plaque<br />
unveiled on<br />
Telford bridge<br />
Information provided by<br />
Danny McPhail<br />
Representatives of Hillpark<br />
and Milton <strong>Community</strong><br />
Council, <strong>Bannockburn</strong> <strong>Community</strong><br />
Council, <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong> Trust, along with<br />
local Councillors attended the<br />
unveiling of a new plaque at the<br />
village’s Telford Bridge on Monday<br />
27 th July.<br />
The plaque, created and installed<br />
by Art is an Option, commemorates<br />
250 years since the<br />
birth of Thomas Telford; who<br />
designed and built the bridge.<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong>’s Telford<br />
Bridge has a new plaque<br />
Mrs Isabel Farquharson and<br />
Mr Bobby Simpson unveiled<br />
the plaque after the ceremony<br />
opened with a speech by Mr<br />
Colin Blair, Secretary of Hillpark<br />
and Milton <strong>Community</strong> Council.
Page 6<br />
In Brief<br />
BRDA Appeal<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> Riding for the<br />
Disabled (BRDA) unfortunately<br />
lost four ponies in the month<br />
of June to acute equine grass<br />
sickness. This loss is devastating<br />
for all involved and we<br />
must thank everyone for all<br />
their efforts in very difficult circumstances.<br />
Our loss is not just the horses;<br />
we are looking at a large financial<br />
impact in terms of lost income.<br />
BRDA is currently used<br />
by 150 people a week, offering<br />
a wide range of equestrian activities<br />
for people of any age<br />
with disabilities.<br />
Help to secure the future of<br />
the centre would be much appreciated.<br />
Donations would be<br />
gratefully received: to donate<br />
visit our website at www.bannockburnrda.org.uk.<br />
Alternatively<br />
contact Sara Smith (Centre<br />
Manager) 07736731743.<br />
Robert Vallance JP<br />
I am looking for relations of<br />
Robert Vallance JP, or Christina<br />
Lambie who used to run<br />
the telephone exchange at 32<br />
Quakerfield.<br />
My aunt was married to their<br />
brother Dixon Vallance who<br />
died as quite a young man during<br />
the 2nd World War.<br />
If you have any information, I<br />
would be grateful. Thank you.<br />
eveduff@hotmail.com<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> Beavers<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> Beavers, the mini<br />
section of <strong>Bannockburn</strong> Rugby<br />
Club, are looking for young players<br />
for the coming season.<br />
The team, which is based next<br />
to St Mary’s Primary School,<br />
welcomes all experience levels<br />
and ages.<br />
Training is held by SRU qualified<br />
coaches in a safe and fun<br />
environment.<br />
If interested please contact Colin<br />
Alexander on 07957458265<br />
or email colin_alexander@<br />
talktalk.net<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> Amateurs under 19s celebrate after their<br />
recent success in the Challenge Cup Final, in which they<br />
beat Camelon Juniors 5-4. The goals came from Christie,<br />
Gallagher and a hat-trick from Neilson.<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> Beavers Rugby Club prize winners last<br />
season: Back row (L-R): Robert McKenzie, Ross Currie,<br />
Sean Huntley, Sean Webb, Cameron Cowan. Front Row<br />
(L-R): Calum Hope, Calum Goreham, Aydon Stirling,<br />
Kieron Webb, Scott Currie<br />
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Baxter’s Florists<br />
Flowers for all occasions<br />
Fresh and Silk Flowers<br />
Giftware<br />
Main Street<br />
Plean<br />
01786 811404<br />
Same day delivery<br />
Telephone orders welcome<br />
All major credit cards accepted<br />
The Tea Room<br />
Are you looking for a new place to meet friends, have<br />
morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea,<br />
The Tea Room is the place to be.<br />
All our food is freshly prepared daily and we have a<br />
fantastic choice of home baked cakes and biscuits.<br />
Enjoy the quiet atmosphere, the views to the Castle<br />
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Millhall Road, off Pike Road, STIRLING, FK7 7LD<br />
Tel: 07774043805<br />
McNaughtons Speciality<br />
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47 Main Street (next to Tartan Arms)<br />
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<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> Primary<br />
By Gillian & Emma (Tartan PIG)<br />
On Friday 15 th May <strong>Bannockburn</strong> Primary<br />
took part in a Scottish fancy dress three<br />
legged race, organised by the School Busters<br />
group.<br />
Everybody had to ‘choose a partner and be<br />
prepared’. The children received sponsor sheets<br />
home to raise money for Children’s Hospice Association<br />
Scotland (CHAS), our linked school in<br />
Kitwanga and resources for the school.<br />
Mrs. Dickson, Headteacher of <strong>Bannockburn</strong><br />
Primary said: “The children found it challenging<br />
and the event created lots of laughter and fun;<br />
it was good to see the children working well in<br />
pairs.”<br />
Wednesday 20 th May saw Primary Seven<br />
pupils headed to Edinburgh for the Choices<br />
for Life festival (CFL).<br />
CFL is an event where children learn to make<br />
appropriate choices in life. They took part in an<br />
exciting quiz and enjoyed a performance from<br />
the theatre group PACE about friends facing<br />
difficulties. At the festival there were many pop<br />
bands such as Sugar Crisis and the amazing<br />
MacDonald Brothers!<br />
Mrs Tait who accompanied students to the<br />
event said: ”Everybody had fun and the show<br />
gave out a clear message about the correct<br />
choices everyone should be making.”<br />
Everyone had great<br />
fun during the threelegged<br />
race.<br />
Primary 7 show off<br />
their Young Scot goodie<br />
bags which they<br />
received as part of the<br />
transition process to<br />
High School.<br />
St Mary’s Primary<br />
travel back in time<br />
Page 7<br />
The Primary 5 class at St. Mary’s Primary School in<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> recently invited parents, grandparents<br />
and even great grandparents into their school<br />
to show them how they had turned their classroom<br />
into a ‘Great Hall’.<br />
Primary 5 had been studying the Wallace and<br />
Bruce period of Scottish history and they brought to<br />
life some important characters of the time.<br />
Their ‘Great Hall’ included exquisite art work, detailed<br />
plans of castles, news articles, secret panel<br />
stories and specially prepared workshops for their<br />
families and friends. A great time was had by all<br />
while a great deal of learning took place.
Page 8<br />
Appeal for information<br />
in missing ashes mystery<br />
By Greg Christison<br />
After 29 years of searching<br />
for her father’s ashes,<br />
former Plean resident Christina<br />
Grindlay has contacted<br />
the <strong>Bannockburn</strong> News in an<br />
appeal to solve a devastating<br />
mystery.<br />
Christina’s father, Peter Rae<br />
Miller died on the 9 th August<br />
1980 and his cremation took<br />
place at Camelon crematorium<br />
in Falkirk on the 13 th of the<br />
same month.<br />
Christina’s husband returned<br />
to the crematorium to put a<br />
piece in the book of remembrance.<br />
However, it was then<br />
that the family were told that<br />
Peter’s ashes were no longer<br />
there.<br />
The remains had been signed<br />
out by Mr McRory, an employee<br />
of Ronnie Lloyd’s Funeral<br />
Directors in <strong>Bannockburn</strong> and<br />
have vanished since then.<br />
Christina said: “Unfortunately,<br />
as many will know, the company<br />
Ronnie Lloyd Funeral<br />
Directors, who carried out the<br />
service, are no longer in business.<br />
Therefore no information<br />
is available to us.<br />
“After a long search with the<br />
local Funeral Directors and the<br />
Cooperative Funeral Directors<br />
who took over Mr Lloyd’s business,<br />
we have been unable to<br />
find my father’s cremated remains<br />
to put him to rest with my<br />
late mother Margaret.”<br />
She added: “If anyone has<br />
any information about the last<br />
days of Ronnie Lloyd’s Funeral<br />
Directors in <strong>Bannockburn</strong> and<br />
what happened to their premises<br />
and its contents, I would be<br />
very grateful if they could contact<br />
the <strong>Bannockburn</strong> News.”<br />
If you have any information<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News<br />
Peter Rae Miller’s ashes<br />
have been missing for 29<br />
years<br />
at all, please do not hesitate<br />
to contact the Editor of the<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News and help<br />
Christina and her family finally<br />
put Peter to rest.<br />
Have you got a story for the<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News?<br />
Call us on:<br />
07903 197863<br />
or Email:<br />
bburn-news@talktalk.net<br />
Prize Competition<br />
Sponsored by: SPEED PROPERTY<br />
Well done to Mrs Wallace for winning last issue’s Prize Competition. The<br />
topic for this issue’s quiz is: Anagrams of television shows past and<br />
present.<br />
For your chance to win £25, simply fill in the competition form below and<br />
send your answers to: Prize Competition, <strong>Bannockburn</strong> News, c/o 68<br />
Benview, <strong>Bannockburn</strong>, Stirling, FK7 0HY. The winning entry will be<br />
drawn at random by a member of the <strong>Bannockburn</strong> News committee.<br />
Closing date for entries: Monday 21st September. Good luck.<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
9.<br />
Got pear (2)<br />
Spies crumpet (2)<br />
Doctor who (1)<br />
Mele dream (1)<br />
Ker tarts (2)<br />
Fate the winch (3)<br />
Me one wools (2)<br />
Tea bather (1)<br />
St shone imps (2)<br />
10. Verity ric (2)<br />
Name:<br />
Address:<br />
Tel:<br />
11. North is ming (2)<br />
12. Fifty one murals (2)<br />
13. Strand mime (1)<br />
14. Toques ie mint (2)<br />
15. Bright robe (2)<br />
16. Dam yards (2)<br />
17. Three Jack anon (2)<br />
18. Respect in rooms (2)<br />
19. When seek it talk (3)<br />
20. Hours being (1)<br />
Last issue’s solutions:<br />
1. Gone with the Wind<br />
2. The Godfather<br />
3. All about Eve<br />
4. Amadeus<br />
5. Around the World in 80 days<br />
6. Ben Hur<br />
7. Bridge on the River Kwai<br />
8. Casablanca<br />
9. Chariots of Fire<br />
10. Dances with Wolves<br />
11. The Deer Hunter<br />
12. Driving Miss Daisy<br />
13. The English Patient<br />
14. Forrest Gump<br />
15. Gandhi<br />
16. Going My Way<br />
17. Mrs. Miniver<br />
18. My Fair Lady<br />
19. Slumdog Millionaire<br />
20. Schindler’s List<br />
Editorial Policy Statement:<br />
<strong>Bannockburn</strong> News is a free community newspaper, produced by volunteers for the people of <strong>Bannockburn</strong>. The views in it do not necessarily<br />
reflect the views of the Editorial Group. The Editorial Group reserves the right to edit, shorten or not publish any article or letter. We will attribute<br />
contributions to the author and any vested interest will be declared where applicable. The newspaper is funded by our local businesses.