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Wallace and Murray
Long-term plan for Ladywell Park
Continued from page 1
master-planning process as
early as possible,” he added.
Brisley emphasised her disappointment
at the park’s
current state: “It has seems
to have totally got overgrown
again, it just doesn’t look maintained.
“It is a great asset and a lovely
park when it is maintained.
They have to listen now to the
community.”
The decline of the park has
meant that elderly supporters
of Bannockburn Amateurs
Football Club, who play at the
Bottom Park, have been unable
to watch their side over
the past few seasons.
Secretary of the club, Arthur
Millar explained: “Access is a
major problem. The steps are
eroded in parts which makes
getting up and down to the
pitch from the pavilion very difficult.
Access could definitely
be improved.
“Some benches have been
put on the hill at the Firs Crescent
side. However, access is
still poor. It is hard for them to
see the games.”
Brisley offered some support
to Millar: “The park badly
needs upgraded. I totally agree
that these fans should be able
to access the park.
She added: “I think a proper
plan is needed with community
consultation. We have to get
round the table and see what
can be done.”
Local resident George Wilkie,
William Wallace
William Wallace was a
younger son of Ayrshire
landowner Alan Wallace, and
was born at Ellerslie near Kilmarnock.
Wallace was unknown
until 1296 when he may have
been the “thief” accused at
Perth of robbery. He was later
described as “a bloody man and
a chief of brigands”.
Andrew Murray was heir to
Avoch in the Black Isle, Boharm
in Banff and the estate of Petty
in Inverness; he was well connected
to the rich and powerful
nobles of the North.
Soon after Edward I‘s conquest
of Scotland and the removal
of the Stone of Destiny
and the Black Rood along with
great chests of treasure, the resistance
began. Murray started
from Avoch sweeping South
East defeating various garrisons,
while his allies the Mc-
Dougalls attacked in the West,
and Sir William Douglas fought
in the South West.
Wallace in May 1297 killed
William Heselrig, the Sheriff of
Lanark. He then attacked Scone
and Dundee, followed by forays
into the North of England.
The young Murray and Wallace
combined at Stirling on 11 th
September 1297 to face John
de Warenne, the Earl of Surrey
and his superior forces. Surrey
asked for their surrender but
Wallace said, “ Tell your commander
that we are not here to
make peace, but to do battle to
defend ourselves and liberate
our kingdom. Let them come
on, and we shall prove this in
their very beards”. And they did.
5,000 English soldiers died and
their Treasurer, the hated Hugh
de Cressingham was flayed, his
skin sent all over Scotland as
victory tokens.
Murray was wounded during
the battle and died within a few
months, but not before letters
were sent to the Baltic and Germany
declaring Scotland independent
and open to trade.
Wallace was now heading for
his demise. Some of the nobility
did not like a man from his background
leading armies and dictating
policy. Therefore he may
not have been fully supported.
Despite this, Wallace assembled
an army at Falkirk on 22 nd
July 1298. Across the Roman
road at Westquarter, Wallace is
said to have addressed his men
with the words “ I hae brocht ye
tae the ring, now see gif ye can
dance”. The music for this dance
was provided by Edward I by the
clashing of swords, the beating
of hammers and axes, the whistling
of arrows and the thunder
of hooves. The Scots army was
defeated and many prominent
men killed.
Of the Scots killed, Sir John de
Graeme was one of the most famous;
his tomb is in the Churchyard
at St.Modans in the centre
of Falkirk.
Wallace resigned the Guardianship
and went to France and
Rome. On his return he was
eventually captured by Sir John
Menteith at Robroyston. On 3 rd
August 1305, he was transported
to Westminster Hall in
London, tried for treason, found
guilty and dragged by horses to
Smithfield were he was hanged,
then cut down whilst still alive
and drawn; he was then beheaded
and quartered, his head
set on London bridge, the quarters
sent and displayed at Newcastle,
Berwick, Perth and Stirling
as a warning to the Scots.
However, a futile warning, a
new leader was emerging, Robert
Bruce, who carried on the
resistance to eventually meet
Edward’s son at Bannockburn.
86, who has lived in Bannockburn
his whole life agreed that
getting to and from the park is
now a struggle, but reminisced
over how it used to be a busy
and pleasant place to be.
He said: “Everyone used to
play football down there; there
was a set of swings and a
roundabout too.
“There was even a park
keeper called Paddy Moore,
who was there all the time. He
would look after the place and
make sure no one was having
a carry on.”
Have you got a story for the
Bannockburn News?
Call us on:
07903 197863
or Email:
bburn-news@talktalk.net
Page 3
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Saturday 17th October 2009
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Sunday 1st November 2009
FIREWORKS NIGHT
Come along and enjoy a 2
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Dress the kids up; there are
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Fireworks start at 6.30pm
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Festive Fayre Lunches
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Festive Fayre Dinners
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Call now to book your table
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FK7 0LJ
01786 811666
info@kingroberthotel.co.uk