The Sad Removal of Barochan CrossFrom 1965 to 1975, I spent most of my holidays at my grandmother’ssmall cottage situated between Bishopton and Houston. One of ourfavourite walks was to wander along the Barochan Road and climbthe hill on which the old Barochan Cross was sited. The views weresplendid and the characters carved across the surface of the crosstestified to its ancient origins. Inscrutable and solid, it had stoodon the hill after being moved there in 1790 on the orders of locallaird, Fleming of Barochan, where it served as a romantic fixture onhis estate. Before then, it was situated on the road next to the oldmill just below the hill. Some believe that it testified to the prowessof the old Kings of Strathclyde for whom it was probably created,but it was also a well-known way marker on the road towards thecrossing across the River Clyde a few miles away. In 1977, I wasdistressed to learn that it had been removed by the Department ofAncient Monuments for restoration. Admittedly, the carvings hadbeen somewhat eroded, but I fully expected it to be reinstated ontop of the hill after restoration had taken place. Unfortunately, a fewyears later, the cross was moved to Paisley Abbey where it remainstoday. All that remains is the base of the cross. To my mind, this hastamed much of the power of the cross, for it serves as a curatedheritage object rather than a vital part of a local landscape.As a geography professor at Manchester Metropolitan University,I am carrying out research about this recent history with the aimof writing a paper on the topic. I would be delighted if any readerslocal community, local life ............... 8could share any stories they might have about their own visits tothe cross. Also, I know that my misgivings about the cross’s removalwere shared by many local folk, and I would be very interestedin any opinions that readers might have about this and perhapsits possible future reinstatement on top of the hill. Some havesuggested that a copy be made for this purpose.If you would like to share your stories and opinions, my email ist.edensor@mmu.ac. I’d be most grateful and will acknowledge youin the article I intend to publish.The base of Barochan Cross still remains on top of Barochan Hill.By Professor Tim EdensorA decade of Fairtrade in InverclydeThe district has been a recognised Fairtrade area since 2013 and the latest extension securedby the council will run until 2023. The status acknowledges the work locally, including by theInverclyde Fairtrade Steering Group led by retired school teacher Morag Paul.Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair termsof trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.Provost Martin Brennan, who is also vice-convener of education, said: “It’s an honour forInverclyde to be a Fairtrade zone and to be recognised for the work being done to supportfarmers and workers in developing countries in getting a fair price for their goods and services.I’d like to congratulate Morag Paul from the Inverclyde Fairtrade Steering Group for all herefforts in promoting Fairtrade.”Among the things highlighted in the renewal confirmation was the successful ‘pop-up’ shop atthe Watt Institution last year run by the steering group and backed by the council, Inverclyde’ssupport for the annual ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ and work in local schools to promote Fairtrade,with many being recognised for their efforts.Morag Paul said: “Children and young people become very engaged with the concept offairness, and understand the need to promote equality, equity and sustainability in their livesand beyond. Our schools do a brilliant job inspiring their pupils with these issues”.Inverclyde became a Fairtrade zone at the first time of applying in late 2013 and was thefirst local authority in Scotland to sign up to the International Fairtrade Charter and is also amember of the Scottish Fairtrade Forum. The renewal of the status will support the work beingdone by the council examining historical links to the transatlantic slave trade.
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