October 2011

£1 The Bridge The Community Newsletter for & Death of the Earl Affordable Homes The death occured on 22 September of Douglas Moray, the 20th Earl of Moray. The Earl, into whose estates Doune fell, get the Go-Ahead was held in great affection as well as respect here in the After a long delay, and in the teeth of stiff competition for village and we send our condolences to Lady Moray and the funding, the first 14 of the 53 affordable homes, whose family. construction was a key component of the original planning Douglas Moray was born in Johannesburg in 1928 and permission for Doune Riggs, are to become reality. brought up on the family farm in Botswana. He was 15 when the unexpected death of his uncle, the 18th Earl, meant that Rural Housing Association has successfully bid to one of ’s oldest titles passed to his younger brother, the Scottish Government for grant funding for the first phase Douglas’s father. of affordable homes at the Doune Riggs site. Work will start After a History degree at Cambridge and some years in the shortly on the 14 new homes for rent, situated at the west end RAF Volunteer Reserve, he settled to the business of estate of the site, nearest the entrance from Station Wynd. management with a course at The Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester and began, increasingly, to give his father a The development will consist of 12 houses (two and three hand. beds) and two bungalows (two beds). Miller Homes will build the homes to the Association’s design and it is hoped In 1964, Douglas married Malvina, elder daughter of that they will be ready to let by summer 2012. Current the Earl of Mansfield; they had two children: John who RSHA rents for these property types range from £68 to £75 st succeeds his father as 21 Earl, and Louisa who both started per week. their schooldays at Doune Primary; he was a much loved grandfather to five young grandchildren. RSHA Chairman Owen McKee commented: “We are The Earls of Moray are among Scotland’s largest landowners, delighted to finally get the go-ahead for our first homes in their estates including Darnaway, the family seat near Doune, and in such a difficult funding year. Our bid was Forres; Doune and Castle Stuart near Inverness. Journeys successful against stiff competition from around the country. up and down the A9 were a major part of family life. While Grants to housing associations have been severely cut this Darnaway is the family seat, Doune year and the Association is having to Lodge was also a cherished home where cover a much bigger share of the cost he and Malvina entertained friends with itself from additional borrowing, plus warm hospitality and created a superb a contribution from Stirling’s Strategic garden. The establishment of the Motor Housing Fund. We are grateful for the Museum and the Doune Hill Climb were important additions to the attractions support of Bruce Crawford MSP for of the village. The Earls of Moray are our bid.” also hereditary keepers of , a legacy of the turbulent times that There will be further details in the inspired the famous ballad The Bonnie next edition. For more information Earl o’ Moray. in the meantime call into the Association’s office next to the A familiar figure in Doune, this friendly, Woodside Hotel, tel 841101 or visit humorous and unassuming man, a great www.rsha.org.uk . dedicated motor sport enthusiast, will be much missed. A family funeral was held at Darnaway on 29 September. Tony Teasdale A loss to Doune, the late Douglas Moray Director: RSHA

1 Just Like ? Given the highly-publicised threat of increased residential continuing other pressures on the rural environment. Stirling development in our area, we decided to test the views of Council’s current planning list shows several developments those who might be seen as being at the very forefront of the which affect this area. The pressure will be on our issue. The Bridge set off to discover what the new residents Community Councillors to keep abreast of these potential of the very new Doune Riggs thought about living here and encroachments. about the issues it raised. Ken Campbell Everyone we spoke to said how glad they were to have moved here and how welcome they had been made to feel. They had all received the Welcome Packs, 14 of which have been issued with another six due to go out to new arrivals before Christmas. But it was the feeling of joining a community which they particularly appreciated. Most were diffident about expressing views on future development, being aware that, not only were they newcomers but so were the houses they owned. However, they were clear that it was the special character of the village that had drawn them here.

“It’s just like Dunblane when I was a kid.” That is what Helen Hutchison, who moved here from Aberdeen at the start of September, thinks of Doune. “We know the development was opposed but people have made us feel so welcome.” These views were shared by other new residents who indicated that they had come here because Doune was a village that felt like a village and whose inhabitants made them feel welcome. Kirsty Campbell said: “Nowhere else seemed such a nice place to live”, and Suzanne McElfatrick, who has been here since early July, affirmed: “I love the village as it is”. On 6 October, Stirling Council will determine its Proposed A welcome for newcomers to Bluebell Wood, Doune Riggs Development Plan and whether or not to accept the recommendations from its planners contained in the Main Issues Report or to accept the contentious challenges made by opponents. As readers will be aware, the Report recommends no further residential development in Doune or Deanston for at least the next 10 years (the life of the Local Development Plan). Moray Estates Development Company withdrew its objections after facing determined local opposition in its consultation exercise. MEDCO did consult and, as can be seen from its recent approach to the Do you need a new home in any of these areas ? Community Council (page 4), the company is trying to renew contact with the community. Aberfoyle Deanston The same cannot be said for Stewart Milne Homes who, Doune despite the coverage in last month’s The Bridge, have made Stronachlachar no attempt to contact the Community Council or this journal to defend their position. If so, Rural Stirling Housing Association may be able to help. However, the fact is that no development company gives up on the major expenditure of consultants’ fees without a The Association’s aim is to support rural communities by fight. The Council’s decision on 6 October will finalise the providing affordable good quality homes for people in housing Proposed Development Plan and this will go out for eight need. We currently have over 500 rented homes and around 30 weeks’ consultation from 24 October to 16 December, with of these become available for re-let each year. We also build local workshops being held through the Council area. That is the critical time to make this community’s views thoroughly some new homes each year. understood. It will be vitally important for our Community Council to leave Stirling Council in no doubt about the For more details and a housing application form please contact strength of feeling in this community over the issues nor the us at: substantial arguments against further development here. Rural Stirling Housing Association Thereafter the Proposed Plan will be subject to examination Stirling Road, Doune, FK16 6AA by a Scottish Government Reporter who will consider any Telephone : 01786 841101 relevant representations made. This public inquiry will E-mail: [email protected] take place in 2012 and the Reporter will then make binding Website : www.rsha.org.uk recommendations to the Council. Stirling Council will Registered as a Scottish Charity No. SC037849 shortly issue a Briefing Paper to all Community Councils to advise them of this procedure and clearly responsibility lies with our Community Councillors to ensure that the Please note that we encourage all applicants to also apply to Community’s views are strongly represented. Stirling Council’s housing list (Tel : 0845 277 7000). Being on These issues will not go away. As MEDCO made quite both lists is the best way to maximise your chances of being clear, there is a demand for housing land and there are rehoused.

2 Shelf Life

Love was in the air on 15 September as Doune Library took part in Love Your Library Day says Alison McAlpine. With around 100 visitors enjoying teas, coffees and some delicious home baking, our wee library was very well attended. Stories were read, old photos discussed and our own new Reading Group signed up members. Our huge, love heart comments board proved very popular: Doune folk clearly do love their library. As part of the occasion, books from a special collection were (and still are) available to borrow. This display, called “I’m a Biography, Get Me Out of Here”, has biographical works on celebrities, politicians, authors and many other subjects. So, if you are interested in the lives of the rich, famous and some not-so-famous, come along! Over the summer holidays we hosted Circus Stars Reading Challenge for children of primary school age. Twenty-five children signed up for this and, although only nine completed the challenge, I am sure they all enjoyed taking part and receiving rewards along the way. Those who completed Circus Stars were invited to a special awards ceremony as part of Love Your Library Day. Mrs Isobel Cunningham presented the children with certificates and medals and everyone enjoyed refreshments afterwards. Congratulations to you all. Love Your Library Day was an event within the recent Off the Page book festival, celebrating and promoting reading for all. During the week of 11-17 September many authors visited our district to present events and on Friday 16th, Class 5 from Doune Primary was invited to the Library to meet Doune Librarian Alison McAlpine (l) with Isobel Cunningham and some of the the talented children’s author Julie Sykes. Julie’s Circus Stars (l-r): Hannah Sandals, Thomas Kealey, Eli Stewart, Dan Sandals stories interest all ages and Doune Library stocks and Mary Kealey many of her titles; the children are still excitedly borrowing her Pet Sitters tales and Snow Dog’s adventures. The day went well and I hope that P5 and Mrs Bilsborough enjoyed the visit as much as I did. The first book to be discussed by Doune Library Reading Group,This Road is Red by Alison Irvine, is already proving popular. This debut novel tells the stories of people who lived in the Red Road flats in , between the ’60s and the present day, from the families who moved in as these eight tower blocks rose some 30 floors high to those affected by the current demolition plans. Their connections, memories and realities are brilliantly retold, mixing fact with fiction. We will meet on Monday 3 October to discuss this novel and prepare for our next read, Alex Gray’s Shadow of Sounds. This is another Scottish story, a thriller set around DCI Lorimer and the Glasgow Orchestra. New members are welcome to join us as we meet at 7pm, in the Library, on the first Monday of each month.

Thanks to all who came along to support Love Your Library Day, to the bakers for their contributions and to Isobel for helping out with the prize giving. Alison McAlpine

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3 proposal made to seek the views of the community on how Spotlight on the KCC best to spend this money in the near future. The September meeting of the KCC, the first after the The Chairman thanked MEDCO for their kind offer of summer break, was held at the Muir Hall on Monday 12th, a help and said it was gratefully accepted. Andrew said that very stormy night. MEDCO would look into the matters that they could help with and report back to the KCC. Jimmie Innes opened the meeting by welcoming Susan Wilson as the new Minutes Secretary and at the same time Various KCC members gave updates on their areas of paid tribute to the excellent work done by Diane Allison who responsibility. The Treasurer, Bob Oliver, outlined the current has looked after the KCC’s minutes for the last few years. funds. Jim McKenzie talked on a whole raft of local planning He noted with some asperity that, once again, no Stirling issues and Alistair Buchanan on the latest on the Christmas councillors were present. lights. Also discussed were plans for Remembrance Sunday. Richard Bird described the poor response from TranServ The meeting was dominated by the input of the two concerning a new road sign for Deanston and some serious visiting guests from Moray Estates Development Company potholes on the footpath of the A84, south of the Muir Hall. (MEDCO), Andrew Howard and John Doune. Andrew explained that their purpose was to follow up the recent In the chairman’s summing up, the proposed new public meetings and debates concerning MEDCO’s proposed developments at Deanston were briefly mentioned. However, future developments (now shelved). During those meetings as the developer had (unlike MEDCO) failed to approach and debates it emerged, they claimed, that one of the prime the Community Council, there was little to say apart from reasons that the community was against further development the fact that the KCC was against the proposals and that was the lack of infrastructure in Doune to support it, after the their opposition had been made clear in a letter to Stirling pressure imposed on our systems by Doune Riggs. Andrew planners. went on to offer MEDCO’s expertise in these matters in order to help the KCC and the community move forward The final item of the evening was the matter of wind turbines and, hopefully, to overcome many of the obstacles created on the Thornhill Road. This writer had wrongly reported in through lack of public money in these difficult times. the July/August edition of The Bridge that the Thornhill and Blairdrummond Community Council (T&BCC) had A good discussion ensued between the parties. Particular voted for the turbines. In fact they had voted in favour of attention was paid to the question of the Health Centre and the proposal for the Thornhill to Callander Road, but not the what action should be taken to ensure that the project did proposal for the Thornhill to Doune Road. Sorry T&BCC, I not die before the planning time frame ran out. The second hope that puts the matter right for the record. If anyone else key point discussed was the potential for new car parking wants to raise the profile of wind turbines in the community spaces around the Moray Park. Other key points included (a debate that is sweeping the country), then the letters the pedestrian crossing on the A84 and weight restrictions page of The Bridge is a great place to have your say on the through Doune village. The matter of the public money subject. for the development at Moray Park (part of the planning Birdman conditions for Doune Riggs) was briefly discussed and a

to a computer so the directory, which is included in the KDT News Welcome Pack which goes to anyone moving into the area, still has a value. If the re-publication goes ahead, the plan, as Paths Leaflet Reborn before, will be to deliver a copy to all households in Doune and Deanston. KDT is delighted to announce the approval of a grant of £1500 from the Community Pride Fund to revise and reprint the Doune and Deanston Community Paths leaflet. UNSIGHTLY TREE STUMPS IN YOUR WAY Doune and Deanston Directory

The intention, if funding can be found, is to produce a new We grind them down edition of the Doune and Deanston Directory. The original To 8-10” below ground level edition came out in 2000; the second edition was in 2006 and, inevitably, this is now well out of date. Professional NPTC Certified operators If you run a business in Doune, Deanston or the immediate Minimum ground disturbance area, keep your eyes open for information in future editions of The Bridge, so you can give us your details if you wish to be included. There is also information to be found on the ELSTON LANDSCAPES Doune.co website. However, not everyone has easy access 01738850742

4 be done to tidy some of the fallen and cut trees. I’m hoping Around Doune Ponds that I can get this done now that the bird breeding season has Some hardy souls turned up on 10 August for our passed and there’s little chance of damaging any nests. Community Action Day and we managed to get lots of work done despite the horrible weather! Some overgrown path If you want to discuss something about the site you can edges were cleared and a lot of vegetation, including trees, contact me on 01786 443159 or e-mail me at birdc@stirling. was cut from in front of the West Hide to vastly improve the gov.uk view. Rangers on Facebook Ragwort throughout the site was pulled up before it got a chance to seed and the Himalayan balsam growing near the The Stirling Council Rangers are now on Facebook. By green shed was given the same treatment. Himalayan balsam choosing to “Like” our page, you can be kept up to date on is a highly invasive weed (see page 9). It’s not harmful to the work of the Ranger Service, upcoming events and other people and is very good for pollen and nectar for bees but, news and links we think might interest you. Find us at: although this may be good news for the bees, it can mean www.facebook.com/stirlingcouncilrangers that our native plants don’t get pollinated. The seeds are often spread along streams and rivers so, although the site We also promote our events on the What’s On pages of the in question isn’t owned by the Council, it’s so close to the Stirling Council website at www.stirling.gov.uk/countryside Dragen burn, which then flows into the Teith, that it seems as well as through the local press. Come and join us to find sensible to remove it before it becomes more of a problem. out more about your local green spaces. Many thanks to all those who braved the weather and helped with this important management of the site. Claire Bird Area Ranger North Led by mycologist Liz Holden, our afternoon Fungi Foray also had a good turnout. A dozen people with some very sharp eyes spotted tiny little green elf cup fungi (which stain wood a blue-green colour); well camouflaged earth balls; some very smelly stinkhorns and some delicious ceps, amongst many others. Liz loves coming to Doune Ponds for the great variety of fungi that can be found on this base rich site. Doune was also a lot more ‘fruitful’ than the evening foray held in , though that did yield a giant puff ball and some boletes, about which Liz got quite excited.

The steps from the ponds up to the Commonty Walk have had some work done on them but I’m hoping that I can get more done to widen them and to lessen some of the drop on one of the steps in particular.

Since the May storms all the paths have been cleared and Lesley and Duncan McConnell with (r) fungus expert Liz are passable but I do understand that there is still work to Holden

to report any suspicious vehicles or activity to the police. Police Report Legitimate tradesmen will not mind being checked out by Crimes in the area are following the trends reported in the police, and we would rather attend at a false alarm than a previous months. Scrap metals and heating oil have again crime scene. been targeted in this and surrounding areas. PC Campbell Dunn Since my last report there has been a theft of heating oil from a domestic tank at a house in Deanston. A nearby shed was broken into at the same time and a mini motorbike stolen. This was reported on 25 August.

Overnight between 8 and 9 September an attempt was made to steal BT copper cable from the A84 at Blairdrummond. At some point over this period a vacant house in the same area was broken into and copper piping stolen, along with a wood burning stove.

In surrounding areas there have been thefts of cast iron manhole covers. Obviously a vehicle would be required to carry this type of property. It is therefore very important Community policeman Campbell Dunn

5 Windfarm Trust Awards

The Board of the Windfarm Trust is delighted to announce the awards made in the fourth quarter of the fourth year. In 2010-2011 the Trust would be particularly pleased to hear from any groups that have not applied before and applications for projects with eco-friendly or sustainable aims would be especially welcome. To give an idea of the types of projects that could be funded, the Trust has made awards for outings, equipment, tutors and coaches for classes, construction and gardening materials and running costs.

Fourth quarter (June 2011)

Doune Primary School Grounds Group Decking for pond area and camera-nest boxes £637.80

Trevor Davis on behalf of the community Replacement gazebos for use by community groups £210

Doune Castle Football Club Part-funding of replacement ride-on mower for pitch upkeep £2700

Doune Cub Scout Pack Start-up costs for new Cub troop £500

Total £4047.80

Contact the Administrator, Anna Clark, for advice on applying or to receive an application form by email (01786 842349; [email protected]). To collect a paper application form, call at the Information Centre, Doune Library or Deanston Post Office. Deadlines for applications are: The Windfarm Trust Board members are: · First quarter – end August (results mid October) Community members: Caroline Orr-Ewing (Chair), · Second quarter – end November (results mid January) Nancy Rice-McDonald and Susan Wilson. KCC: Dougie · Third quarter – end February (results mid April) Morrison and Bob Oliver. KDT: Paul McClintock and Alan · Fourth quarter – end May (results mid July). McDonnell

Come visit us for Lunch or Dinner at the Red Lion.

Enjoy a relaxing meal with family and friends. We use the finest fresh and local produce and offer gastro pub food at Poppies Restaurant is open for Lunch 12 to 2pm a fair price. and Dinner 6 to 9 pm

Each Night we feature a Special Early Evening Menu Lunch: 12pm to 2.30pm Dinner: 5.30pm to 8.30pm (6 to 7pm) Here is a sample of our menu 2 courses £13.50 3courses £17.50 Smoked Haddock and Leek Ramekin served with warm crusty bread £3.95

Traditional Sunday Lunch Brie, Sun blushed tomato and Basil tartelette served with a tomato concasse £3.50 Every Sunday! Gateaux of Stornoway Black Pudding, Haggis and Clapshot served with a whisky sauce £3.45 ******** Join us for a traditional Sunday lunch including Prime Venison Casserole served with roast seasonal veg and mashed potatoes £7.85 Roast Rib of Angus Beef Chicken or Vegetable Fajitas served on a sizzling platter with tortillas and a selection of dips £9.10/£7.60 2 Courses £13.50 3 Courses £17.50 Children’s Menu available Supreme of Chicken stuffed with black pudding and bacon served with wholegrain mustard sauce £7.95

Forthcoming Murder Mystery Nights Bookings for pre christmas and our Ney Year swaree are already being Friday 25th November and Friday 9th December taking. Our menus will be advertised in the next issue of the Bridge. Or please come in and get a copy before then. Don’t Delay for Christmas Day!! Book your Lunch Table now Tel. 01877 330329 Free parking available to the side and rear of the building Menu subject to change and availability

Red Lion Inn, Balkerach Street, Doune, FK16 6DF www.redlion-doune.com [email protected] 01786 842066

6 Thomas Caddell. By this time her daughter Mary Wallace, People We Meet: Gwen Trelfa a university lecturer and now full time Humanist celebrant, was living in the Wood of Doune with her husband Frank and two children. This month, The Bridge celebrates the 80th birthday of one of its chief stalwarts, Gwen quickly made friends, joining the SWRI and Friends and Neighbours; she has been the latter society’s treasurer for Whether walking Dotty, her aptly named Jack Russell cross, some time. She finds Doune, she says, “very, very friendly”, around the park or manning the Kilmadock Information adding the rider: “Mind you, you have to make an effort Centre counter, Gwen Trelfa is a familiar figure in Doune. yourself”. Less visible is her work as The Bridge’s indispensable advertising manager. That is the secret that quickly made this lively octogenarian a local lynchpin. Calling in to the Information Centre to Gwen, however, is a Cheshire lass. Born and brought up answer an ad seeking help with The Bridge, she was barely with her younger sister in Northwich, one of the salt towns, over the doorstep before being enlisted as one of the band of she recalls a happy wartime childhood. Both her parents 20 or so volunteers who man (or woman) the counter. “Best did volunteer work. Gwen remembers the ‘gorgeous proper thing I ever did as I got to know the area and lots of people doughnuts’ that her mother used to bring home from jobs in through the Centre”. It’s a lively place, Gwen says, what with American base canteens. constant requests from visitors for directions to the Castle and Safari Park; from others researching their ancestry; Gwen left grammar school aged nearly 19 after a spell of shoppers, or villagers coming in to do admin jobs or simply childhood illness. She had always been drawn to science but to gossip. this was offered to girls only when they reached the sixth form, an arrangement that meant that the young women Ringing The Bridge the same day, to offer help with starting science lessons found themselves mixing with ‘anything but writing’, Gwen found herself snapped up with ‘horrible little boys’ from lower down the school. equal alacrity. Today, as advertising manager, drumming up ads (and chasing up money) she is a key member of the Despite this unencouraging start, Gwen followed her father volunteer production team in ensuring, together with the into ICI, working in the research department. The ICI subscription manager, that our non-profit-making community recreation club offered Gwen plenty of opportunities for newspaper stays financially afloat. Gwen took over the team hockey playing, tennis and dancing. Meanwhile, she payment system and initiated the successful option of loose gained a Higher National Certificate in chemistry through fliers. Never missing a meeting, she cheerfully takes on night school and day release classes at Stretford and Salford dozens of extra tasks: laying out the odd advertisement, technical colleges. Gwen enjoys the fact that her old alma inserting hundreds of fliers, copying photographs, typing up mater, Salford, is now a university and that three of her four handwritten text. grandchildren are currently undergraduates. “As far as I’m concerned there is more to life than playing Having married in 1957, Gwen left work two years later to bingo and dominos”, says Gwen. “And while I’m able I’d bring up her young family. She and her husband Dennis, an like to keep going with all these things”. Amen to that, says engineer with ICI, moved to Davenham, a village outside The Bridge. Northwich, where Jane, Mary and John grew up. When she went back to work in 1968, it was as a school laboratory technician, a job which fitted well with the children’s schedules.

Summers were spent camping, sailing the family’s home- built Mirror dinghy at Anglesey or on the lake at Nantwich: “Families didn’t take foreign holidays in the sixties”. Dennis, who was handy, rebuilt Norton and BMW motorbikes, leaving ICI to open his own workshop, where Gwen did the books. She changed jobs in 1978, taking her skills as a laboratory technician to Northwich Girls Grammar school, which was close to home, remaining there until she retired in 1996: “I enjoyed working in schools”. Later, after Dennis died, she helped with a neighbour’s youth group, tended her greenhouse and learnt to use a computer.

Gwen told The Bridge that she had always wanted to retire to Scotland. “After the children left home, Dennis and I used to come up a lot, including to the motorcycle rallies that used to be held at the Doune Motor Museum”. Dennis died in 2001 and Gwen and Dotty moved two years later, to the 18th century house on George Street built for Doune pistolmaker ‘Best thing I ever did’: Gwen on duty at the Information Centre

7 What’s New at www.doune.co

The new website for Doune, Deanston and the surrounding The new site is also planning to run a series of interviews area has been very well received by the community at large with leading members of the community and a number have and is a valuable new resource which more and more people already signed up. The entertaining profile stories will help will come to use as word gets out. Val Morgan brings us an give residents a real insight into the main movers and shakers update. in and around Doune and hopefully a laugh along the way too. Since its launch in June more than 1,380 people have visited the site from 27 countries including South Africa, America, On a more philosophical note the website team has also Ecuador, Australia, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, Spain, started to post a ‘Thought for the Month’ on the front page Italy, Colombia and, of course, Scotland. These viewers of the site to help inspire some deeper thinking and greater have in turn visited a total of 7,352 pages of the site. And appreciation of the beautiful place in which we live. The this is just the beginning. idea is based on the ‘Thought for the Day’ slots that run on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme These views are crucial in helping the new website to and Radio 4’s Today programme. However, whilst these make its way to the top of the list when potential visitors programmes focus on religion the website’s ‘Thought for enter ‘Doune’ in an internet search engine such as Google the Month’ will be based on what individual residents are or Yahoo. So if you haven’t yet seen www.doune.co then thinking and want to write about, including their reflections please start visiting the site often so you can keep up to date on the area. with what’s going on and find out about local businesses and services, the history, heritage and many activities there are in Visit the site today to see what Val Morgan’s ‘Thought for the area. the Month’ is. Hopefully it will get you thinking, and even better, inspire you to write your own ‘Thought for the Month’ The website, run by a local group of residents who have set which you can email directly to [email protected]. up a not-for-profit community interest company, is constantly evolving. At the moment the Doune Website Team is gearing Valentine Morgan up to enable some of the many community groups listed on the site to gain control over their own pages. This will mean that they can update members of their group via the website with the latest news, developments and pictures relating to them, all at the click on a button. This will enable many group leaders to dispense with calling round individual Greg Deans members to pass on group information. Joiner & Glazier UPVC Windows, Doors & Facias Design & Fit Kitchens, Roofs Double Glazing, Velux GEORGE MCALLISTER SERVICES Conservatories, Renovations Extensions & New Build AGRICULTURAL & LANDSCAPING CONTRACTOR 07810865373 ~ 01877 331239 SMALL BUILDING PROJECTS, DIY, FENCING, GARDEN [email protected] MAINTENANCE, LANDSCAPING, VAN FOR TRANSPORT OR SUPPLY LABOUR ANYTHING AT ALL GIVE ME A CALL

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8 Green Light for Allotment Group By the time The Bridge goes to press, we hope to have signed an agreement for a 20-year lease to start on our long awaited allotments. The field is being supplied rent-free to our community group by Moray Estates. We are very pleased with this development and hope to be pegging out the allotments spaces as soon as the field is ploughed. This should give us time to prepare the ground ready for spring planting. The land in question is the field between the Argaty Road and the former railway line, from the bridge up to the wood. As we have enough space for the numbers of plots requested at the moment, with some to spare, there will be scope for more names on the waiting list. If you think you would be interested in growing your own veg, cutting your food bills and carbon footprint at the same time, then do add your name to the list which is held at the Kilmadock Information Centre in Doune. We will be running a series of talks and meetings in the Rural Hall on growing your own veg and related topics over the winter months so there will be help on hand for any of you just starting gardening. Future talks will include composting, the importance of bees, bee-keeping, and eco friendly gardening. Any suggestions as to topics and, indeed, volunteers to deliver talks gratefully received; please contact Janette Clark 01786 841904, [email protected].

For further information please contact: Jayne Whitehead 841895 or Liz Duguid 841419.

Himalayan Balsam:

the imposter in our midst The name suggests an exotic plant you might want to add is relatively easy to eradicate by uprooting before the seed to your garden. But Himalayan balsam is an invasive weed has set. Let’s hope that someone will attend to the developing which can be seen proliferating in the grounds of Doune plantations around the Castle grounds. Castle. Impatiens glandulifera, to give it its Latin name, or Policeman’s Helmet, or Poor Man’s Orchid spreads quickly, Lynn Abrams especially along river banks. It is able to do so because it has an impressive seed dispersal system: when ripe, the seed pods explode, sending the seeds far and wide. Once established it grows quickly. Indeed, although quite attractive with its pink flowers, this plant resembles that other devil of the plant world, Japanese Knotweed, which can also be found growing around Doune and Argaty.

Why is Himalayan balsam a problem? Well, like any non- native species it hinders the growth of native plants. Its size and density means it can shade out competitors and this eventually results in the impoverishment of the habitat. But the good news is that, unlike Knotweed, Himalayan balsam Invasive plant: Himalayan balsam

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Contact Iain on 07981 920156 Just off Bypass on Road to Doune (A820) or 01786 841007 Tel: 01786 821414

9 Mill Memorabilia Wanted Warp, Weft and Whisky: can you help?

Owners of , Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd, If you think you can help, please get in touch as soon as are searching for original archives relating to the distillery and possible, and before the end of October, with the archivist, its history. The company is currently undertaking a research Jennifer Reade, on 07775504185 or [email protected] project to try to chronicle the history of the distillery and hopes to uncover original items and archives which may be lurking in the local community. The company is appealing to local people who have connections to the distillery or cotton mill to share their stories and artefacts with us. In particular, we are interested in borrowing items such as:

Old cotton towelling, lace, sheets, made at the mill

Any old currency tokens from the mill. The cotton mill produced its own currency due to a shortage of coinage at the time.

Items relating to the water wheels used to power the cotton mill, including photographs

Old whisky bottles, labels, tools, artefactsOld documents, letters or photographsInformation or stories about people The 18th century weaving shed, today a bonded warehouse who worked at the cotton mill or distillery.

Call to Prayer

Silent since May, the bell of St Modoc’s Church rang out two remaining bell foundries in the UK, for remounting on a again on Sunday 18 September following the replacement more durable wheel. The erection of the scaffolding created of the wheel on which it rotates. Before the service, a peal an opportunity for the masonry to be repaired, and for the rung by Jack McGregor followed a short prayer of re- elevated metal cross above the belfry to be repainted. dedication. The Rev Stuart Coates, Honorary Priest, St Modoc’s Episcopal Church writes: With the bell returned and remounted on its new wooden wheel and the bearings and mechanism replaced, the Christian churches are not alone in advertising their worship community can again be reminded of the continuance of activities. Our Islamic cousins in faith use the adhan, regular Christian worship at St Modoc’s. broadcast from minarets set above their mosques, to call to the minds of believers and unbelievers alike their spiritual Stuart Coates ideology.

Christian churches have, over the centuries, been furnished with bells, usually elevated in towers above church buildings. Before timepieces were commonly owned, these had the practical purpose of calling the faithful to worship, and also of chiming the hours.

An illustration displayed in St Modoc’s vestry shows that the original design for the church included a large tower. This aspect of the plans was dropped before building started, presumably because of a shortage of funds. A much more modest bell housing was erected at the apex of the church roof, and a bell was mounted. The wooden wheel on which it rotates is pulled from a cord which reaches down into the church, behind the organ chamber.

In May it became evident that the wheel had broken. Following investigation, arrangements were made for the bell to be conveyed to Taylors of Loughborough, one of the

10 I have also discovered that GK 90 is a Glasgow registration Star Car! number originally registered in 1911. It was transferred in 1934 to the Bentley, which had been commissioned that year The much-praised new Riverside Museum on the banks of by Lt Col G.A. Murray-Smith of the Royal Horse Guards, the Clyde is home to Glasgow’s world-class Transport and Windsor. Technology Collection. In pride of place at the entrance is a The new, £74 million Riverside Museum opened to the magnificent 1934 3½ litre Bentley, registration number GK public on 21 June this year and, in its first two months, 90, which once belonged to the Cordwell-Smith family. The attracted 500,000 visitors, the equivalent of a year’s total Bridge joined Doune’s own Malcolm Cordwell-Smith for a at the old Kelvin Hall Museum. Architect Zaha Hadid’s spin down Memory Lane. stunning design showcases more than 3000 objects, twice the number on display at its predecessor and with greatly improved access. Visitors can board three trams, two subway cars, four locomotives, one railway carriage and a bus. One of the major exhibits is a steam train weighing 150 tonnes, built in Glasgow in 1896, which completed active service on the South African Railways before returning home to retirement in the Riverside Museum. The Tall Ship Glenlee is one of only five Clyde-built sailing vessels afloat in the world today and the UK’s only survivor. Having circumnavigated the globe four times during her working life as a cargo vessel, Glenlee has undergone a £1.5 million refit, and now has excellent visitor displays, showing what life was like aboard.

There is a huge range of other exhibits: three period street displays; 159 ship models including Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QE 2, the largest ships built on the Clyde; the world’s oldest pedal bicycle; some of the earliest motor cars built by Albion, and Arrol-Johnson; a replica glider Childhood playmates reunited: Malcolm and “Her Ladyship”. and the first Hillman Imp. Other iconic cars include Robbie Coltrane’s Chrysler Jeep and the Subaru Impreza which Colin McCrae drove to victory in the 1995 World Rally My father David found the car lying in a Gloucestershire Championship. A coffee shop and well-stocked souvenirs orchard in 1960 and purchased it for the princely sum of outlet provide welcome breaks. £60! The Bentley was towed to the family business, bacon curers Smith Rogers of Ebley, near Stroud, where the chief Don’t miss this wonderful, easily accessible museum, where mechanic soon had it running. The aluminium Sedanca older members of the community can remind themselves of body, produced by Gurney Nutting, appeared to be intact; it the past and children enjoy seeing how transport has evolved was painted black with royal blue leather seats but is now over the last century. Entry is free, though a charge is made completely restored in British racing green, with dark green for going aboard the Tall Ship. For full details, visit leather seats and a beautiful walnut dashboard. www.glasgowmuseums.com /riverside or tel 0141 287 2729.

I was nine at the time and, as I grew up, GK 90 became my Malcolm Cordwell-Smith big toy. I used to start it up and move a lever, which removed the baffles in the exhaust so that it sounded like a racing car! In the very cold winter of 1963 the engine froze up; my The Riverside Museum under construction is the subject excuse for not draining the water cooling system or putting of some of the paintings by award-winning artist Patricia in any antifreeze was that I was away at boarding school. A Cain, on display at the Smith Art Gallery & Museum until hole which appeared in the block was later to prove quite a 6 November. Cain’s work is featured together with that challenge to the restoration. of her husband Sam Cartman whose landscapes focus on areas in and around Stirling. In 1967, much to my disappointment, my father sold the car, without telling me, for £120. I lost touch with it until 1981, when, following some research I contacted the then owner, Maurice Beal of . He had acquired ‘Her Ladyship’ in 1969 from a firm of car restorers in Cirencester for £600 and then employed two experienced mechanics and other craftsmen to spend 2½ years on a complete restoration. On 24 June 1972, GK 90 was entered into the Bentley Drivers Club Concourse d’Elegance in Kensington Gardens, when the entire restoration operation was awarded Champion of the 3 ½ and 4 ¼ Closed Class. Her Ladyship was acquired by the Glasgow Transport Museum in 1987 for the sum of £54,000, to celebrate the opening of the Museum at the Kelvin Hall. She could well have fetched double that price in America, but Mr Beal was determined that ownership should remain in British hands. I spotted the Bentley featured in The Scotsman on 30 March 1988 and, since then, have paid her a number of visits with family and friends. In January 2009 I sat in the car for a recorded interview of my experiences of growing up with The new Riverside Museum, a stunning showcase for transport GK 90 which was used for the museum’s Real Lives website. history.

11 EDITORIAL AND LETTERS Editorial

Just as we went to press, news arrived of the death of the Earl of Moray and many readers have expressed their sadness at the loss of Doune’s well-liked landlord. We congratulate the Rural Stirling Housing Association on its success in obtaining Scottish Government funding to build 14 homes on its allotted site in Doune Riggs, all of the first phase of the total 53. Although many locals remain apprehensive about the impact of Doune Riggs, there has been general recognition of the national need for affordable housing and of the village’s role in playing its part.

It is good to hear that the first inhabitants of Doune Riggs have been made to feel welcome. Meanwhile, the future of Doune and Deanston hangs in the balance as Stirling Council casts its vote on the status which would protect us from unchecked expansion; and as the developers prepare to contest any decision that would hinder their ambitions. The eight weeks from 24 October offer a brief window of opportunity in which we can support or object to the council’s decision and it is up to all of us, most notably the KCC, to make the community’s views felt.

Appropriately enough for Hallowe’en, bats feature in this edition in at least two unlikely places: bats in the battlements of Doune Castle and bats (the willow kind) on ice during the return Friendly match played between the cricket and curling clubs. We also celebrate two birthdays: that of octogenarian Gwen Trelfa, The Bridge’s tireless advertising manager (well, she may get tired but we never hear of it) and of the Buttercup Café, one year old last month and a great asset to the general sociability of the village.

Letters Dear Bridge Dear Bridge Stewart Milne’s Deanston Ambitions: Make Tae fisherman Broon Your Views Known Frae oor wee toon Further to Ken Campbell’s article in last month’s edition I Ah canny speak the Doric too was stunned at the arrogance of the SMH report. Apart But want tae thank the man wha wrote from disappointment that the plots in question may be sold O’ fishin’ days historic to a major house builder, I was also angered by the arrogance Ah’m glad ye mentioned Simon of an organisation that wishes to overturn the ‘settled will’ Ans tae see he’s no’ forgot of our community which has already given its agreement to the published Draft Local Plan, a plan which designates Ah ken he’s up there watchin’ Doune and Deanston as a rural village and proposes to Gein’ a cheer when fish are caught limit the expansion of Doune and Deanston to the current So keep they flees a birlin’ developments at Doune Riggs and Leny Road. At the end o’ a these lines Ah send ye ma best wishes For those who don’t know me, I am a Civil Engineer and have worked on the design and construction of infrastructure Hope ye win the cup next time. projects throughout Scotland. I therefore thought I would apply some of my experience to reviewing the ‘delicate pros’ Chrissie Ziolkowski of the SMH report. The SMH experts are indeed masters of spin where they cleverly skirted over some key issues, two of which are: Dear Bridge Pedestrian access along the A84 A few weeks ago I wrote to Scottish Water pointing The SMH report states that ‘A well lit footway is provided out that their lay-by on the A84 was becoming an along the A84 for pedestrians travelling to Doune’. I enlisted the opinion of a Road Safety Auditor who has eyesore with unmown grass and waist high weeds, not done Safety Audits on numerous Trunk Road projects an attractive welcome to visitors coming to the village throughout Scotland and has also provided audits for private and in contrast to the well kept ground around the war developments. I asked him for a professional opinion of memorial. the ‘well lit footway along the A84’. His two-page letter outlining all the issues on the bridge stated:

I received a very prompt written reply as well as a ‘Looking at the Teith Bridge as an experienced Road Safety text promising to look into the situation. I was then Auditor I have serious concerns with regard to the suitability contacted again with a promise of action together with of the existing footway arrangements, not only in relation to regular follow up. existing pedestrian movements but also when considering the possibility of increased pedestrian activity resulting from the two development sites.’ I am pleased to see the weeds have been cleared and the grass cut. Well done, Scottish Water: I do hope The existing Junction with the A84 you will keep up the good work. The proposed development would result in a significant increase in the number of vehicles using the B8032/A84 Diana Bishop junction. The visibility available to drivers coming out of

12 the B8032 is approximately half of what national standards require for a connection on to a Trunk Road (the A84). It History Relates… would therefore be perverse to add to the demand on this Or does it? Peter Herbert casts surprising new light on our junction and increase the hazard that currently exists. ancient Merkat Cross There are some other issues with the plots proposed. Namely: Doune’s ancient Merkat Cross is a remarkable survivor and the lack of sewerage treatment facilities for another 200 the information board nearby is very useful in its explanation houses, no mains gas and, lastly, the lack of community of one theory about its origins. However, following extensive facilities on the south side of the river. All of these issues research in obscure corners of the local library, the Internet suggest that the proposed development would not meet and an approach from someone whose family now lives in the criteria of the ‘Sustainable Communities Initiative’ Russia, I now have an alternative history. published by the Scottish Government, because the proposed My Russian development would mean that residents were encouraged correspondent, to use cars as the principal means of access to and from the Alexander Orlov, plots. claims that the figure KCC has done an excellent job already in putting these actually represents a key issues to Stirling Council in support of the Draft Local very distant forbear Plan; but the more opinions/views given to the Council of his, also named by individuals, the more it will assist them in ratifying the Alexander but whose plan. If you have not already done so, make sure you voice family surname is your view. What is at stake here is much more significant believed to have than these two individual plots: SMH wishes to overturn the been McAuley (or designation of Doune and Deanston as a Rural Village and MacOrley, as it is ensure that it becomes a ‘Rural Centre’; this, in planning sometimes spelled in terms, puts us on a par with a town like Dunblane and ancient manuscripts). would make us fair game for any developer. If you love the This family, once very character and community of Doune and Deanston, you need strong in these parts, to make your voice heard. played an important role in establishing the Over the summer I have had a number of discussions with township of Doune in mediaeval times when the McAuleys locals and often the statement is made that ‘they will never married into the wealthy MacKat estates. In recognition of be allowed to build on these plots’. I would like this this, in about 1370 the grateful residents erected a statue of statement to be true but we should be under no illusion; Alexander in the town centre. In the old days, of course, the developers do not spend money where they can’t make statue was an excellent likeness of Alexander MacAuley money. SMH would appear to be intent on overturning the but has since been severely eroded and now bears little Local Plan; if they succeed we will have more than the resemblance to the town’s patriarch. current two developers to worry about. I would therefore My Russian friend included a picture of what he believes to urge anyone who has not already expressed a view on www. be the likely appearance of the original carving (above). Mr. doune.co to do so. Even if it is a short note, make your voice Orlov suggests that one “e” has also been eroded from the count. present name of the cross and it should, of course, be known Yours sincerely as the Meerkat Cross. Alasdair Fowler Peter Herbert

Palace for The Butler

Ian Ross (The Butler) had a wonderful surprise on returning from a couple of weeks in hospital recently. Friends had got together on the quiet and redecorated his Deanston flat from top to bottom, repainting the walls, laying a new carpet, hanging new curtains and even framing some of the photographs taken at Buckingham Palace in November 2000 when Ian received his MBE from the Queen. Ian told The Bridge that he felt very fortunate in his friends and, when reminded of the community work that had earned him his MBE, said that anything he had ever done had been ‘repaid a hundred times’. He has sent the following message to The Bridge. ‘Ian Ross would like to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity in helping him after his recent operation. He would especially like to thank Caroline Lyons who organized all the donations which made the refurbishment and redecoration of his house possible. It’s now a proper little palace!’ Proudly medalled, The Butler in his newly-decorated flat

13 David Anderson was Jim Petrie’s mother’s brother. David Distant Triumphs to Petrie also won prizes for the straightest ploughing, Juniors, and for being the best-looking ploughman! Any comments Treasure about inherited, or not inherited family characteristics made Over the years, many small items have surfaced to help by Jim and his wife Robina on learning about the latter prize Information and Heritage Centre Manager Nigel Bishop remain a closely-guarded secret! build up a picture of the Doune and Deanston past. Here he describes some of the medals which have brought to life long- Jim and Robina produced a second medal, for ploughing, ago Agricultural Association Shows. awarded in 1914 to James Anderson, another of Jim Petrie’s Not long after the generous donation to the Information uncles. It was given by the Highland and Agricultural Centre of the bronze medal described in the June edition of Society of Scotland but carries no further information. It The Bridge, another Doune Agricultural Association medal is in a presentation case and was supplied by Alexander has come to light during a house clearance. Kirkwood and Son, Medalists, 9 St James Square, , a company established in 1826. Because the owners have no idea how the medal came to be in their house they would like to pass it on to a descendent, if one can be found, of the original winner. The silver-coloured If you know anything which may help us track down a medal shown in the picture is still in its presentation case. descendent of Duncan Stewart or have other information The suppliers were Thomas Smith and Sons of 47 George about the local Agricultural Associations, please contact the Street, Edinburgh. Information Centre on 841250. The Annual Show of 1905 was held in a field at Carse of Nigel Bishop Cambus Farm with the Dunblane Town Band in attendance. Admission, free to members who had a ticket, cost sixpence; the catalogue cost threepence. Then as now, when it came to reporting Agricultural Shows, The Stirling Journal of 7 July listed all the prizewinners; Duncan Stewart’s address, it Severie Postcard PS revealed, was . There has been more than one response to my request, in the July/August edition of The Bridge, for information about a postcard sent to Severie in June 1935.

A ’phone call from Richard Murphy, who lives in Edenbridge in Kent, told us that his wife Christina (Chrissie), now aged 95, was the sender of the card. She was orphaned in 1918, aged two, when her parents died in the Spanish ’flu epidemic and was brought up by her Uncle Willie (William Reid) at Park of Keir. Uncle Willie’s son Tom and his wife Cissie, mentioned on the postcard, were farming at Netherton at the time. Tom and Cissie’s son, Graham Reid, rang to tell us he was born at Netherton.

More information has come from Mr and Mrs Murphy’s daughter, Anne Gilbert, who also lives in Edenbridge. She told us that Mrs Picken and Mrs John Forbes were Chrissie’s aunts, the sisters of her mother, Helen Cameron. Chrissie thinks the postcard was probably bought in London and written by her, Medal without a home aged 19, and posted in Watford on their way north. She, Tom and Cissie Reid were on holiday touring in a caravan and had In addition to the livestock classes there was a two-mile travelled to London to collect Cissie’s sister Margaret before bicycle race confined to the sons of members who were heading north to Llandudno. farmers and their servants. The winner was J. Lang, Beild and the runners-up: J. Scott, Longbank; W. Oliver, Burnbank Nigel Bishop and J Flockhart, Auchenlay. Read the inscription above and, if you know anyone who you believe to be a descendent of Duncan Stewart, or know for certain who the Hugh Campbell was who gave the prize, please either call in to the Information Centre or ring 01786 841250. Consulted about the Doune Agricultural Association medal featured in The Bridge of June 2011, Jim Petrie recalled his own family’s farming awards. His father, David, won the Junior silver medal at the Thornhill Ploughing Society annual ploughing match held on a field provided by Mr Buchanan of Mackeanston on 11 February 1910. The list of prizewinners was given in The Stirling Journal a week later. Ploughing Juniors 1. David Petrie, Greenburn; 2. William Miller, Spittalton; 3. David Anderson, Cardona.

14 Mapping Our Birds

Between 2007 and 2011 a national breeding and wintering waxwings that visited our village, particularly last winter, bird survey has been undertaken, coordinated in Scotland with several hundred by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Scottish birds present. This Ornithologists’ Club. The area around Doune has been was part of a wider surveyed as part of this effort and has revealed some healthy national “invasion” results says Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land of this species from Management, RSPB Scotland. Birdwatchers, including Scandinavia. The Duncan, have submitted records and these are now being brambling was analysed by the BTO and will be published in due course in also seen in large a book. numbers last winter, particularly in the Doune lies within the 10km grid square of NN70, which village, since food also includes Dunblane in the east, Buchany in the west and was in short supply most of the eastern end of the southerly face of the Braes of in the countryside Doune. Most of the windfarm is outside the NN70 square. due to snow cover. During the survey effort, birdwatchers have been to almost Some people also every 2km square and recorded their sightings, whilst many recorded a white- squares have also received special timed visits, where every tailed eagle over bird species is counted in order to help establish densities of the village in 2009, bird populations. unfortunately not seen by me! The preliminary results of this work are showing that 123 bird species were recorded in summer in NN70 in 2007-11, Duncan Orr-Ewing Lapwings belong to one of a including 87 species that were confirmed breeding (a nest number of wading bird species was found or fledged young were observed). In the 2km breeding in the Doune area (pictures courtesy of RSPB Scotland). square centred on Doune itself, 82 species were seen during summer, amongst which 47 species were confirmed to be breeding. In the winter, 106 species of bird were observed during the period of 2007-11. These are obviously high figures that reflect the wide diversity of bird habitats that we have in our area, from the river Teith up to the higher moorlands of the Braes of Doune, as well as the urban areas.

Some summer Nuthatch: Doune has the most northerly highlights for me breeding pair in Scotland in NN70 included: proving the breeding of most of our native wading birds, such as lapwing, golden plover, curlew and snipe (with redshank probably breeding as well). Both red and black grouse were located, with the former definitely breeding and the latter probably breeding. Twelve species of bird of prey were recorded in summer, with a good number of these species also confirmed breeding, including of course our local speciality of red kite. The most northerly breeding record in the to date of nuthatch was also found in our area.

In winter the highlight was undoubtedly the large number of

15 fact that heavy rainfall had made the river fuller and faster Top Bats’ Hang Out flowing than usual. Instead of its normal smooth surface, the water was choppy and rippled; this scatters the bats’ Doune Castle, home to five different species of bats, echolocation calls making it very difficult for Daubenton’s provided the backdrop and subject of a special event on 3 bats to hunt. September when the Bat Conservation Trust and Historic Scotland teamed up to provide a public talk and walk to This was the first time Historic Scotland have put on a bat celebrate European Bat Weekend. Anne Youngman, Scottish walk at Doune. However feedback after the event was so officer for BCT, gave an illustrated talk and explained why positive it is likely to be repeated next year. In the meantime Doune, the Castle and its surroundings were so good for bats. the public can try bat spotting on their own or with friends. If you are out around sunset on a nice warm night, do watch The group then set off for a short walk to watch and listen for bats and then add your records to the BIG BAT MAP on for bats. It was a beautiful evening with a magnificent sunset. BCT’s website. The more we know about where our bats Bat detectors were used to tune into the normally inaudible are the better we can help bat conservation. calls that bats make. We were only a few minutes into the walk when the bat detectors burst into life, emitting a series The public can find out more about bats (including of pops and clicks as they picked up the bats’ echolocation Hallowe’en myths and misunderstandings), bat spotting calls. There was great excitement among the humans as the and local bat events by looking on the Bat Conservation first bats were seen and heard! Trust website www.bats.org.uk. To find out about the local Central Scotland Bat Group look up their web page on The area around the Castle is ideal bat habitat. It has a www.csbats.org.uk. mixture of water, woodland and wild flowers; the perfect Anne Youngman combination to provide lots of insect food. The woodland

The Castle’s surroundings, combining areas of woodland, Bat bench: a place to pause on the Castle sculpture trail; river and wild flowers, provide the ideal habitat for Doune’s pity about the missing members of the colony. five species of bats not only attracts insects but provides sheltered areas for bats to feed in. Lines of trees along the river banks also provide Doune “commuting routes” for them to follow.

There were plenty of real bats for the group to see and hear Motors Ltd. and in addition everyone stopped to admire the “bat bench” which is a feature of the sculpture trail. Stirling Road, Doune, , FK16 6AA At least two different species, and possibly three were encountered during the walk. MOT Testing Servicing Pipistrelle bats were heard and seen almost as soon as the Petrol/Diesel and repairs walk started. Class I.V. Tyres Natterer’s bats were heard and seen flying very low over (Free retests) Exhausts the long grass in the wild flower meadow. Welding Other bats flew very close but were not heard on the bat detector. It’s quite possible that these were Brown We can collect and longeared bats, also known as Whispering bats as their return your vehicle calls are so quiet that it’s very difficult to pick them up. (only in the Callander and Doune areas) One bat that was expected but not seen was the Daubenton’s bat. These fly very low over smooth water, grabbing insect prey in their feet. Their absence might be explained by the 1786 841061

16 Walks oot the ring wi’ beaming smile; Champion o’ Them A’ Tae win first prize has been worth while; His breeding knowledge, aye sae grand, Since the Information Centre opened, volunteer helper Nigel Brings highest honours in a’ the land. Cullen has provided items of interest, as well as being a mine Next, Willie McKenzie frae Murrayshall, of information about the area, especially farms and farmers. Nae doot the daddy o’ them a’, His most recent contribution was a poem by a Mr R. K. Wi’ pride his pen he daunners round Starkey, who was described in his obituary in The Stirling For yin lamb made twa hunner pound; Journal as ‘one of Scotland’s leading heavy athletes of all He sold it to the man you know time’. Who’ll trim it up for another show. The sale is ower; the champion’s sold, When Nigel’s father bought Associated Agricultural Oils And soon will be in anither fold. in 1948, Bob Starkey was a member of the sales staff. Bob Fermers begin to tak’ their gait, was born in in 1888; he served in the Port Dichtin’ the sweat frae their honest pate; Glasgow Police Force and joined the Army at the start of the They think na’ o’ the lang Scotch miles First World War. He was well-built, with tremendous power They trachled doon in their best styles in his broad shoulders. A regular on the Scottish Highland Tae Stirling toon that name surpasses Games circuit, Bob won many medals in the 1920s and ‘30s Tae drink their toast and clink their glasses. and was a coach for the British Olympic team in 1924. If aince a first prize tup they breed, They’ll talk aboot it till they’re deid; On leaving the Army he became a travelling salesman for a But if till noo it’s been in vain Glasgow whisky company and was well known for enjoying They’ll pay the price and try again. a wee nip of the product. Nigel, who does just remember For breeders are a thriving race Bob, says he recalls his father telling him about a visit to Despite the cares through time they face. customers he made with the latter, when he discovered O’ a’ the airts the wind can blaw Bob enjoyed a dram or two. Bob died in 1956 and Nigel The blackfaced breeder dings them a’. has brought in a copy of his tribute to another Robert, the immortal Burns, which a secretary at AAO had discovered At the bottom of the sheet is handwritten 25th Oct 1945 with after Bob left the company. the signature R G Starkey. Bob’s obituary stated that he had a fund of yarns about his career and the stage appearances he THE STIRLING TUP SALES had made, adding that it was a shame that he hadn’t turned his (by R.G.Starkey) memories into book form.

When black-faced breeders seek retreat, Nigel believes there are probably farmers, now retired, who And drouthy fermers fermers meet, will remember not only Bob Starkey but some or all of those And they sit boozing at the nappy, mentioned in The Stirling Tup Sales, two of whom he knows Nay getting fu’ but unco’ happy, were auctioneers. They brag aboot their blackfaced lambs Nigel Bishop Each time they tell-twa ither drams, Till oot-siders begin to think They must be talking through the drink, But if by chance they’ve bred a winner By gosh, they fairly go their dinger. Their blackfaced tups, nane can compare, Frae Touchmollar, Glenartney, Tighnablair, Frae Scotland’s Heilan’ hills and glens Fill the Stirling market’s pens, Thae blackfaced tups that look so braw, Noo find a champion o’ them a’. Judges wi’ an intelligent look Walk quietly roon wi’ book and crook, Fower grand legs, broad heid, deep jaw, They’ve booked the champion o’ them a’ Next roon the ring the breeders gaze At Jim McDermont’s taking ways As, stick in hand, he knocks them doon For twa-three hunner-or a croon. The sale goes on wi’ richt good will Till a’ the buyers get their fill. The champion sheep is in the ring But wha can tell what he will bring? Jack Riddick’s at the top o’ the form And needs to be in the getherin’ storm, His heid aye clear he’s got to keep As a’ folk want this splendid sheep. The bidding jumps wi’ leaps and bounds; The champion makes fower hunner pounds, Then Jim Macfarlane that a’ yin kens, Fresh into town frae the Border glens,

17 the floor every day; to listen to wonderful music with her; to Bookworms Recommend just drink her in in all her infant individuality. And that ever- present worry of her being denied my focused attention nags away. The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal But then I think of my daughter’s delighted smile as she touches my son’s face and laughs at him laughing, or of

his small but protective arms around her in an enthusiastic This best seller is a history of the extended Ephrussi cuddle, and the melancholy disappears. Her close link to family, rich grain merchants and bankers in Europe. The her brother is a richness of experience all of her own. The netsuke of the theme were bought in Paris in the l870s and confidence I have in mothering my daughter is also an the book is based on the way their possession changed important benefit to her, and has only been gained from and survived. Netsuke are exquisitely carved Japanese all that time I could spend with my son, who absorbed and ornaments, used to fasten small objects to a sash. Made of gently corrected my learning mistakes. He unknowingly and ivory or wood, each is as small as a matchbox. innocently shaped his sister’s experience of my care. It’s okay, I think to myself, they both have benefited in different I found the first chapters about Paris rather dull, with only ways. a passing mention of the netsuke collection; this was a And then there’s me and my own mind: should I be doing view shared by others. The author’s long and meticulously more for it? Perhaps I should join a book club. Should I write detailed research revealed the effect on the family of events more? I must exercise. How do I preserve me? I want to of the late l930s and the early years of World War II when, maintain my mind, my brain, my self. I want to do this, but I following the Anschluss, the Nazi regime sequestered also feel that I must: for myself, for my husband and yes, of valuable and irreplaceable antiques and paintings belonging course, for my children. I must champion my independence to Jewish citizens of Vienna. The netsuke collection of 264 and, within this, be a good role model. I’m looking forward pieces was smuggled from the Ephrussi Palais by a former to the eventual start of my own career, to being in a servant of the family and hidden in her mattress. It was classroom teaching children like my own (and some unlike, eventually returned to the author’s grandmother, taken to I’m sure), to having some of that legendary “me time”. It will England, and subsequently sent to an uncle in Tokyo. be nice to earn, to use my abilities, to tell stories originating outside the four walls of my home. All in good time. On the whole I think the Group enjoyed the book. There What emerges most from my jumble of thoughts is how the was sustained discussion of Nazi activities in Vienna and last two and a half years seem at once so intangibly short an expressed interest in life in Japan as described around and yet like a different timeline in their richness of memory; 2000. The netsuke have now descended through the family how so much has changed and yet my essence doesn’t seem to the celebrated potter and ceramic artist Edmund de Waal to have shifted: I am still me. And yet, and yet. How much and are kept in England, where he will continue to enjoy the would I sacrifice for my children, who are even more the tactile beauty of these attractive objebts. essence of me than myself? Everything, which surely means that my core has shifted. All I am certain of is that I have Cathie van der Watt never felt love like that which I have for my children, and the give-and-take dynamic that shapes our days is one aspect of the richer, better, more enlivened person I am because of ouble erspectives them. D P Claire K.Smith A mother thinks aloud…. I find myself increasingly pensive as time rushes past. I’ll be driving the kids somewhere and, in the freedom of mind that ANDREW ANDERSON comes from having two children momentarily confined, I start to sift through jumbled thoughts. & SONS FUNERAL DIRECTORS So many reflections; where to start? I suffer the usual maternal guilt for the boundless time and attention my 24 Hour Service first-born son had and of which my daughter does not get the same measure. I think of dream-like afternoons we had Prepaid Funeral together, my son and I, while the rain drummed down on the Plans windows (he was born in April, in the Southern Hemisphere) and we cosily got to know each other at a lazy and indulgent pace. I think of my daughter’s babyish chubbiness and Monumental Service marvel at the fact that I can’t easily bring that memory of my son to mind. At the moment he seems a permanent Family Run Business toddler, self-confident, comedic and sunny, gangly-limbed and kinetic. The thought of all that lovely time we’ve spent together makes me smile. Address: 14 Camp Place, Callander Telephone: (01877) 330398 / 330567 Fax: (01877) 331079 Chafing alongside this is a small sadness at having to share my daughter. I’m greedy for her: I want to have the time to Rest Room Address: Glenartney Street, Callander read to her as much as I did to my son; to play with her on

18 FORTHCOMING EVENTS

SOCIETIES FAIR Get information on clubs, groups and organisations in your area CHRISTMAS FAYRE Sunday 23 October DOUNE 10.30am - 2.30pm Rural Hall, Northlea FRIDAY 9th All welcome DECEMBER 2011 Free entry 6pm to 9pm refreshments available Stalls, Local Businesses late opening, Contact the Kilmadock Development Trust Street Entertainment etc and of course Information Centre, Main Street Santa will be stopping by. to reserve a stall or for further information

Welcome to CAOS! Callander Amateur Operatic Society are early into rehearsals INFORMATION & for their 2012 show, La Périchole, which will run from 14- HERITAGE CENTRE 17 March 2012 at the Mclaren High School in Callander. DOUNE There’s still time to join us! So, if you’re harbouring a secret desire to sing and dance on a regular basis, why not come The Centre offers a wide range of resources along? We meet weekly on Mondays at the McLaren High School to rehearse for our annual show, held every March. and facilities including:

Rehearsals comprise a bit of singing (you don’t need to Tourist and local history information read music), a bit of stage-work, a bit of dancing (you don’t need to be Fred Astaire, and Anne Widdecombes are most Free local guides, walks leaflets welcome), some chat and a bit of drinking tea and eating Maps: Walking, Cycling. Touring cake. It’s a great way to meet folk from around Callander and beyond (we’ve members from Doune, Thornhill, Braco, Extensive range of books on Scotland Lochearnhead, , Dunblane) who are from all walks of life and all ages. Fun is guaranteed. and on local information and history

We’d also love to hear from people who’d like to help out behind the scenes. A lot of work goes into a show and much Colour and Black and White Photocopying of this is done by a hard-working team of volunteers who Service up to A3 size help out off-stage; so, do come along and see how you can get involved. Or check out our website: http://callander- Lamination Service amateur-operatic-society.webs.com/. Internet Access Maggie Magor CAOS Press and Publicity Co-ordinator Contact the Centre at: 52 Main Street, Doune FK16 6BW Telephone: 01786 841250 e-mail: [email protected]

19 Tango and Pongo Need a Home

The Blue Cross, in collaboration with Pet Fostering PFSS has a network of volunteers who provide foster Service Scotland, is appealing for a loving home for care for pets until they can be reunited with their owners. brothers Tango and Pongo, five-year-old golden retriever By teaming up with The Blue Cross, the charity now cross whippet dogs who are being fostered in Callander. also helps find loving new homes for homeless pets. To find out more about Tango and Pongo, or if you are Tango and Pongo are very friendly, endearing dogs who interested in becoming a short term or rehoming foster just love to play with toys. However, what they love carer in Scotland, please contact Natalie Hogg at PFSS most of all is each other so we are looking for a home on 0300 456 8500 or email [email protected]. where they can remain together. uk for more information. Fun-loving Tango is fantastic with people and would be fine to be homed with older children. Pongo is less confident and can look for reassurance at times. He is very affectionate and enjoys cuddling up to a cosy lap in the evening after a hard day’s play.

The Blue Cross, one of Britain’s leading animal charities, teamed up with Pet Fostering Service Scotland (PFSS) in 2008 to help animals in need across Scotland. The collaboration helps the PFSS develop its work assisting pet owners on a low income who need their animals cared for on a temporary basis, for example if their home is flooded or if they need hospital treatment.

DEANSTON FILLING STATION and LICENSED GROCERY STORE for Fuel, oil and car accessories.

Newspapers and Magazines. GreeHngs cards and staHonery.

Hot 'n' cold food and drinks to take away

Fresh Sandwiches and salad bar now open Fresh and frozen foods.

A wide range of beers, spirits and an excellent selecHon of wines.

Opening Hours Monday ‐ Friday 7am ‐ 8pm and Saturday 8am ‐ 8pm

SHrling Road, Doune Tel: 01786 842055

**************************************************

20 DIARY OF COMMUNITY EVENTS: OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2011

DATE EVENT TIME PLACE October 10 Community Council 1945 Muir Hall 15 Closing date for November Bridge items 20 Children’s Photograph Session 1330 Muir Hall 20 Bookworms 1930 Information Centre 21 SWRI meeting 1930 Woodside Hotel 23 Societies Fair 1030 Rural Hall 26 Bookworms 1030 Information Centre 29 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark November 1 Bookbugs 0930 Doune Library 2 CAfD 1930 Deanston Primary School 13 Remembrance Day Ceremony 1145 War Memorial 14 Community Council 1945 Muir Hall 15 Closing date for December Bridge items 17 Bookworms 1930 Information Centre 18 SWRI meeting 1930 Woodside Hotel 26 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark 30 Bookworms 1030 Information Centre 30 Closing date for Windfarm Trust Applications December 3 Advent Sale 1400 Camphill Blairdrummond 6 Bookbugs 0930 Doune Library 7 CAfD 1930 Deanston Primary School 7 Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party 1900 Bowling Club 12 Community Council 1945 Muir Hall 15 Bookworms 1930 Information Centre 15 Closing date for January Bridge items REGULAR EVENTS Mondays-Fridays Red Kite Community Nursery 0900-1200 Muir Hall Mondays Keep Fit 1830-1930 Rural Hall Tuesdays Ballroom Dancing 1000-1100 Deanston Primary School Bridge Class (beginners) 1000-1200 Information Centre Football Club 1900-2000 Dunblane High School Life Drawing Class 1900-2100 Deanston Primary School Bridge Class (post-beginners) 1900-2100 Information Centre Wednesdays Bosum Buddies 1030-1200 Muir Hall China Painting 1400-1600 Deanston Primary School Yoga 1930-2100 Deanston Primary School Zumba 1800-1900 Rural Hall Bridge Club 1915 Red Lion Craft Club 1930-2200 Clan House, Balkerach St Thursdays Baby and Toddler Group 1000-1200 Muir Hall Bridge Classes (Intermediate) 1400-1600 Information Centre Fridays Carpet Bowls 1900 Bowling Club

21 School Report Deanston Primary School very happy about this. We are now in the processes of reforming our committee where the P7 pupils have full responsibility for the day-to-day running of our eco Buddies activities. For the next two years our main remits are The new buddies are all set up now: Jayne’s buddy is energy saving, school ground maintenance and litter Finlay; Natasha’s buddy is Grace; Kaitlin’s buddy is patrols. Iona; Fern’s buddy is James; Aidan’s buddy is Scott; This Bridge report comes from our P7 pupils. and Greg’s buddy is Kyle. The buddies get to spend time together playing games and looking at story sacks. The Primary Ones know they can always come to us if they need us.

Rag Bag Appeal The School is once again doing the rag bag appeal. If you have any old clothes, please bring them to the school in a black bag, tied. The collection is on 18 November at 9am. We have already collected over 25 bags.

Eco Update We have renewed our Eco Schools status. Last Tuesday we had a visit from the Eco Schools department and they are delighted with the work we are doing here. The new eco committee displays Deanston’s second green flag We have our second Green Flag. The whole school is doing something different and using their imagination to Doune Primary School create a village.

rimary 1-7 enjoyed a great day at the Doune Primary 6. P6 are enjoying learning French; their topic is Allez PMini-Olympics in the second week of term. There were PFrance. twelve teams and eleven events and the winning team was China. Everyone had a good time and worked well as a team. 7. P7 are reading the novel The Secret Garden by Frances Even though only one team could win an Olympic medal PHodgson Burnett. We are learning about the author and everybody put in their best effort. We really enjoyed using researching her career at home. the cricket field; thank you. It has already been a very busy term with P3 learning to play The school is under major renovations at the moment. We are rugby, P5 developing their skills in athletics (well done for getting a new extension and the rest of the school is getting winning the most points at the recent McLaren Athletics refurbished. Although everyone has to make changes to the Festival). Our thanks to librarian Alison McAlpine for way that they work, we are all looking forward to having a arranging a trip to Doune Library to meet children’s author brand new school. Julia Sykes. By Issy, Freya and Kim on behalf of Primary 7 1. All 17 new entrants have settled in nicely and are Penjoying their new classroom. The children are even building a castle in their classroom for their topic: Building in Fairyland.

2. The P2s’ topic is based on the books about the Scottish Pcharacter Katie Morag. They are enjoying all their activities and having fun reading the books.

3. This term the P3s’ topic is Farming. They have learned Pabout how much food we get from our farms. 4. Building and Buildings is the P4s’ focus for this term. PPs 4-7 are also enjoying learning lacrosse in PE with Mrs McLay. It is a new and exciting sport for everyone.

5. As P5s have done in previous years, this term they are creating an imaginary community. They are enjoying P Craig and Alasdair: “using imagination to create”

22 School Report

Doune Nursery we can accept applications for children once they turn 2 yrs old, so please call in for a form or email us on dounenu@ The autumn term at Doune Nursery has got off to a wonderful stirling.gov.uk. start, and we are delighted to welcome Karen McLaughlin Karen and the team at Doune Nursery back as our new Head of Nursery. Karen is also head at Wellgreen Nursery and both staff teams are already working Little Kites Get Their Kicks together in close partnership. “Active Learning, Active Lives” is the motto of Red Kite It has been lovely to welcome the returning children back Community Nursery and this month we have certainly lived to nursery after the summer holidays, with many of them up to it! We were visited by Andrew Henderson (ahenderson@ entering their pre-school year. We have enjoyed meeting new littlekicks.co.uk) from Little Kicks who came and gave our families and our returning children have been showing their children a fabulous, fun packed session. “The real goal of new friends all the lovely toys and explaining about what Little Kicks, is to use football as a fun forum to instil our happens at the nursery. growing squad with a little extra confidence, co-ordination, control and sense of camaraderie; which we feel will stand them in very good stead for the future”.

As ever we have been enjoying regular walks around our community. Sometimes we explore the woods and ponds and other times we might just go for a walk to the castle. Once a month we visit the library and listen to stories read to us by Alison McAlpine and enjoy fun activities such as drawing and colouring too. We also enjoy visiting the play park; there are so many things to do, from slides to swings, to roundabouts to see-saws; it keeps us very busy and of course active!

Success!! For the third consecutive year we have won a sports pack from Haven Fun Fitness! We are aiming to win their mystery prize, which we have done for the past two years and, with a bit of luck, will have achieved it by the time this article goes to press. It all relies on getting support from our parents and friends, so thank you to everyone who has helped us to Football fun win these fabulous prizes!

ECO School Update Our first Bosom Buddies was extremely well attended; we Due to the tremendous support from our families and staff last had mums from Thornhill, Callander, Bridge of Allan and year, we were awarded our second Green Flag and in order of course Doune. Penny Scott (Health Visitor, Doune Health to continue with this important Eco Schools work, we will be Centre) was on hand for any advice and we had chocolate cake looking to continue this term with work in our nursery garden. and drop scones to boot! Our group is open to any mum who A Family Gardening Day was on 27 September for parents, has an interest in breastfeeding so, if you are pregnant and are grandparents and other family members wishing to become thinking about breastfeeding, please come along. The group involved in helping maintain our wonderful nursery garden. meets on Wednesdays in the Muir Hall from 10:30am-12pm. Active Schools Continued on page 24 The children had lots of fun with John from Active Schools this month, when he came to Children’s Portraits by the nursery to do a football skills session. Lighthouse Photography Studio Sessions Where: Muir Hall While the nursery children have been allocated their nursery sessions already, When: 20th October please bear in mind that we are an extended hours nursery, Time: 1:30pm –5:30pm open from 8.30am to 5.30pm. If you feel that you would like Open to All – Appointment Only more time for your child at nursery, please do not hesitate To make an appointment please email to speak to us and we will do our best to try and help. Also, [email protected]

23 School Report

Continued from page 23 Charity SC016050 In addition to their mandatory qualifications in childcare, our staff are always accessing additional training. This month Tracey (Practitioner) is starting to learn Makaton, which is a Red Kite Community Nursery language programme using signs and symbols to help people communicate. It is designed to support spoken language; the signs and symbols are used with speech in spoken word order. Muir Hall, Doune Jackie (Lead Practitioner) is undertaking pre-birth to three training which aims to provide participants with a deeper Funded places available to all from 3+ yrs understanding of working with very young children and the knowledge and skills required to promote development and Preschool 9am - 12pm Mon-Fri learning within this age group. Rising 3’s 1pm - 2:30pm Mon

Awarded Qualified 6/6 Registered QUALITY Staff CRITERIA

www.RedKiteCommunityNursery.org.uk

Little Kites warm up [email protected] At Red Kite Community Nursery we aim to provide the best possible service for our children and their families. By accessing the latest training and keeping up to date with the Iyengar current thinking we are certain to achieve this aim.

If you would like to learn more about our nursery, which is open five mornings a week (9am -12pm), please visit our YOGA website www.RedKiteCommunityNursery.org.uk or just pop Wednesdays during term-time Deanston Primary School in! 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Alison Stewart Chair of the Management Committee Scottish Charity No: SC016050 Bosom Buddies Muir Hall, Doune Wednesdays during term time Starts 24th August 10:30am – 12pm

Teacher: Diane Edward Cost: £4 (£3 concessions) A new breastfeeding support group This class is suitable for beginners

for all new mums and mums to be Please bring a mat, blocks, bricks, belt and a blanket. There is limited equipment available to borrow. who plan to breastfeed their babies Sorry, class not suitable for pregnant women.

COMMUNITY ACTION FOR DEANSTON www.RedKiteCommunityNursery.org.uk

24 SPORT Golf: Red Lion Open Football: Doune Castle Championship Association Football Club A grey morning with the threat of rain couldn’t deter the Saturday 27 August. Doune Castle 2 Symington Tinto 3 Doune completely dominated this game, took the lead after enthusiasm of more than 30 competitors, all keen to show 19 minutes but were 2-1 down at half time. After 80 minutes off their golfing prowess. One or two individuals, though, the equaliser came from an unstoppable shot by Alan More did arrive rather bleary of eye (and that’s putting it mildly) from 25 yards and then three minutes into added time the but nevertheless, after bacon rolls and restorative cordials, visitors broke upfield and scored totally against the run of the party embarked to take part in the third annual Red Lion play. Open. Saturday 10 September. Doune Castle 2 Balmore 0 Once again the nine-hole course at Stirling University was After 68 minutes the Doune pressure was rewarded when the venue of choice, and Bridge of Allan braced itself for a defence splitting pass from Chris Walker enabled Lukasz the arrival of the hordes from the north, but the event was Duszynski to beat the offside trap, dink the ball past the onrushing keeper and walk it into the net. The win was incident free and the good name of Doune survived without sealed six minutes before time when Lukasz flashed an a blemish. angled drive into the far corner. The threatened rain failed to materialise and the ten groups Saturday 17 September. 2 Doune Castle 3 of golfers made good time on the course before heading back Slippery conditions contributed to Bearsden taking the lead to the Red Lion for a welcome meal and some more than against the run of play after 22 minutes. Six minutes later welcome drinks. Robbie Hurst equalised, then only a minute later Doune took the lead through Patrice Napoli; Bearsden hit back ten A steady drizzle then forced the players into the bar, where minutes after the restart to make it 2-2. A minute later Doune tales were told of amazing shots that had been played. For a took the lead when Colin Burke stabbed the ball home from six yards. But for a great save by the Bearsden goalkeeper while the air was full of shanks, hooks, pulls and divots but, three minutes before time the score would have more when the scores were added up and handicaps applied, the accurately reflected the play. victors were as follows. Saturday 24 September. Viewfield Rovers 3 Ladies: The Betty McTurk Trophy. Doune Castle 6 1st: Linda Fox; 2nd Alison McAlpine; 3rd Celeste Tom Viewfield scored after 7 minutes but after 17 Colin Burke stretched full-length to glance a backward header beyond Gents: The Jim McAlpine “Jimmy Ting” Trophy. the keeper’s despairing reach. On 23 minutes Doune were 1st Billy McAllister; 2nd Alan Myles; 3rd Kenny McAlpine. ahead when Colin Burke scored with a low angled drive. Alan Inglis then threaded a great ball between two defenders to the feet of Patrice Napoli who sent a low drive beyond the Overall champion: The Red Lion Shield. keeper to put Doune 3-1 up at the break. 1st Steve Walker; 2nd Craig Johnstone; 3rd Drew Oliver. A minute after the restart Viewfield pulled one back but on There then followed the raffle where prizes galore were 69 minutes Lukasz Duszynski sent Alan Inglis clear and his handed out, the proceeds from which will go to charity. shot deflected off a defender to make it 4-2. After 75 minutes Graham McClymont slipped the ball to Ian Tervit. The Thanks go to Jamie Oliver and all at The Red Lion who were keeper got both hands to Ian’s fierce drive but couldn’t stop terrific hosts; our major thanks must go to Linda and Karen the ball dropping into the net to make it 5 - 2. Colin Burke Fox who, once again, organised the whole event which, completed his hat trick with 2 minutes left when he dummied without them, just wouldn’t happen. The McAlpine and the keeper and slotted the ball home. Castle conceded a penalty three minutes into added time which was converted McTurk families thank Linda and Karen for arranging this despite a valiant effort from Colin Dormer. day in memory of their families. Kenny McAlpine The Doune Castle team for the Viewfield game was: Dormer, Innes, Duncanson, MacMillan, More, Napoli (Seres 70), McClymont (Walker 78), Tervit, Burke, Inglis (Stewart 76) Duszynski http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/dounecastleafc

Red Lion golf champion Steve Walker (far right) with fellow stars (back row, l-r) Ken McAlpine, Alison McAlpine, Linda Fox and (front row) Craig Johnston and Billy McAllister

25 SPORT

possible thanks to the dedicated ground-keeping and inspired Doune Cricket Club machinery-bodging of Ken Russell and George Brownlee, Runs, rivalry and rain: for which all at the club are particularly grateful. a review of 2011 The club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities. If Doune Cricket Club continued its resurgence during an you are interested in learning, playing or coaching unbeaten 2011, albeit in a season that suffered considerable please contact club captain Barrie Holmes via email on weather-related disruption. The club maintained the [email protected] momentum generated in 2010 and fielded competitive Alex Hayes teams drawn from a core group of committed players, while offering regular senior nets on Tuesday evenings and well- attended junior coaching sessions on Saturday mornings.

Ambitions to develop and enlarge the emerging West League somewhat fell victim to the disrupted fixture list, but in the matches that survived Doune put in creditable performances, beginning with a convincing win over Kippen in April.

The severe storms in late May left The Grazings carpeted with beech leaves, twigs and branches, but a sterling effort from team members and willing helpers of all ages meant the ground was playable again within a couple of days. Their hard work was rewarded with the team posting excellent results in June and July. Doune produced an overwhelming victory against Torrance in a 40 over friendly. Chris Whitehead provided the outstanding batting performance, Cricket and curling comrades on ice: (back row) Jamie Corser, Phil falling just short of his century on 92. Sadly we were unable Jones, Scott McDonald, Duncan McConnell, Barrie Holmes, Chris to schedule (or reschedule) any of our planned matches Belwood, Calum Macnee, Graeme Clark, Graham Whitehead, Andy against Stirling County, but the club’s keen rivalry with Malkin; (middle row) Mike Brown; (front row) Lesley McConnell, Gargunnock was renewed in a closely-fought 20 over league Sarah Dove, Linsey Alison, Val Salville match in July. Icy Return Match Doune set a competitive total of 114 with Mike Guest, Jamie Monday 5 September saw Doune Cricket Club swap their Corser and Chris Geddes all contributing. A determined bats and pads for brushes and stones in the return leg of the Gargunnock reply always looked likely to take the match to Cricketers v Curlers social get-together. More than 20 keen the wire and so it proved, but penetrating bowling from Billy participants of varying ages turned out for the Come-and-Try Strange and Chris Geddes at the death saw Doune home with curling evening. a handful of runs to spare.

A briefing overview of the rules was conducted in the The late season fixtures that survived a sodden August comfort of the bar, which conveniently overlooks the curling included a hugely entertaining match-up with Doune Curling rink at The Peak. However, when the clock struck 20:30 it Club, played in a great spirit and which the cricket club was time to prepare for the game. Environmental conditions narrowly won, and a convincing win over Old Talbotians weren’t quite as balmy as those with which the cricketers had (Milngavie) in the West Stirlingshire League. Batting provided us for our lovely summer’s evening match (see The performances from Scott McDonald and Barrie Holmes in Bridge’s September edition). After their long break away particular helped Doune to a total of 103, with the bowling of from the rink even some of the curlers were heard fashing at Ian Martin, Barrie Holmes and Chris Belwood restricting Old the icy climate; not for long, however, as the sweeping soon Talbotians to only 60 in reply. started to warm us all up.

The season’s finale was held not on the cricket pitch but on Experienced Doune curlers Linsey Alison and Calum the ice at The Peak in Stirling, where Calum Macnee and his Macnee led a short coaching session, explaining stone colleagues from Doune Curling Club hosted what we hope delivery and sweeping techniques to the cricketers, while the will be a regular cricket vs curling clubs curling match (see rest of the curlers refreshed their memories and their creaky column 2)! joints. In the interests of fairness, it was decided to split

everyone up into four equal teams, each containing a mix Doune Cricket Club looks forward to building on the of both curlers and cricketers. This would hopefully allow successes of 2011 and will be planning over the winter for the coaching to continue during the games and increase the an even more active 2012. Huge thanks go to all those enjoyment factor. In the hour remaining each team played who have worked hard over the past two years to revitalise four ends before swapping sheets to play a different team. the club, including all office-holders and particularly those Everyone enjoyed their time on the ice and the cricketers who have given their time on Saturday mornings to offer impressed the curlers with their natural talent. junior coaching. Cricket at The Grazings has only been

26 The two active social gatherings were plainly a success, There are also a number of external competitions which events which I think everyone hopes will continue for many members of Doune Curling Club take part in, e.g. the years to come. Introducing one another to a different sport Interclub League, the Peak League and the Central Province was fantastic fun which, both sides hope, has generated some League and knockout competitions. As I hope you can see, new members for their clubs. More than that, they provided we are a busy club, offering lots of opportunities for people two different sporting communities with the opportunity to get on the ice and curl. to get together; I feel that that alone made the experience worthwhile. If you are interested in trying the game to see if it is for you Ali Hutchison there are various courses organised by The Peak in Stirling: four-week blocks on Monday evenings and ‘Come and Try’ sessions at £1 a go. Details can be obtained directly from The DOUNE CURLING CLUB Peak by calling 0300 0280 039 or emailing askus@active News From the House stirling.org.uk. If you would like to join us please let me or any other member of Doune Curling Club know and you will be welcomed with open arms.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable season out on the ice. Good Curling.

Val Saville (Secretary) 01786 820281

The 2011 – 2012 curling season has begun. We had a very KEEP FIT! successful ‘Come and Try’ evening on 5 September (see Ali (with Instructor, Diane) and Alex’s articles) and our Club games began in earnest on 20 September. The first trophy that we play for is called the PS MacAlpine. This is our Winter League competition; four at the RURAL HALL, DOUNE teams play each other twice in the months before Christmas. every Monday 6.30-7.30pm, cost £4 The first results show a win for the teams of Lesley Malkin and Colin Abercrombie, but there are still 5 games for each The class suits adults of all ages and team to play before the winner is decided! abilities and combines aerobics to We also compete for four other club trophies before the improve cardio fitness with toning end of 2011. One is the Jack Morrison Pairs trophy which and floor exercises to work those involves eight pairs of curlers playing in a knockout format. muscles! Another is the Points Trophy which is the only individual So come along, enjoy the music, have competition available to curlers: it entails scoring points for playing predefined shots, e.g. strike, wick and curl, raise and a laugh and draw through a port. The Currachmore Trophy, presented at get in trim at the same time! our 275th Anniversary Bonspiel during the 2007-08 season, is played for on one night by four teams. This is usually followed by a meal (socialising is a very important part of the Club’s activities). The WC Smith Trophy is presented to the winners of a competition between a team chosen by the President/Chairman and a team chosen by the Secretary. I, as Secretary, have yet to win this trophy so will be trying extra hard this year (watch out Mr Chairman)!

We also have our annual match against Callander and Curling Club for the Roy Macfarlane Trophy presented for the winners of an annual match between these two clubs. Doune has managed to win this trophy 36 times PLEASE NOTE: NO CLASS since it was first presented by Roy Macfarlane 54 years ago MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER and in November we will try to make that 37. This year we hope that Robbie Macfarlane, Roy’s son, will be able to (for more information contact watch the match and present the trophy. Mary on 842239)

27 Visitor Information Doctor/Nurse Doune Health Centre, Castlehill Humanist Doctor 01786-841213 Nurse 01786-841256 Society NHS 24 08454-242424 Minor Injury Unit 01786 434000 of Scotland Woodside Pharmacy 3 The Cross, Doune 01786-841216 for advice and information about Police (Callander) all aspects of humanist 01786-456000 ceremonies, please contact: Vet Struthers and Scott, Mary Wallace Main Street, Doune 01786-841304 T: 01786 842239 Kilmadock Information & M: 07968 666432 Heritage Centre E: mary.wallace@humanism- 52 Main Street 01786-841250 scotland.org.uk 10am - 4pm Mon-Sat 2pm - 4pm Sunday www.humanism-scotland.org.uk e: [email protected] (Advice on local facilities inc heritage, accommodation, tourism, transport) Deanston Post Office 841490 Church Services Contacting The Bridge Mon - Fri 9-12 The Bridge is published 10 times a year Church of Scotland and is always in the market for articles, Doune Post Office 841219 43 Balkerach Street pictures, letters and ads. All suggestions (in The Village Store) Every Sunday 10.30am are welcome. Items for publication should M, T, Th, F 9-1 & 2-5.30 Rev. Andrew Campbell normally be submitted before the 15th of Weds 9-1 each month, and be no longer than 750 Sat 9-12.30 01786 680678 words. Letters to The Bridge must be (Last collection 5pm weekdays, signed and accompanied by contact details; 12 noon Sat.) Episcopal Church Saint Modoc’s: in special cases, these will not be published if so requested. Cashpoints at Information Centre Sung Eucharist and The Village Store Every Sunday 9.30am Please email all contributions to . Alternatively, Doune Library Rector - Rev. Stuart Coates [email protected] post or deliver them to The Bridge, c/o 5 Main Street 01786 841732 01786 860531 Kilmadock Information Centre, 52 Main Monday 2.30pm-7pm Street, Doune FK16 6BW (tel 01786 Tuesday 10am-12noon R. C. Church 841250), where there is a box for all Wednesday 2.30pm-5.30pm St. Fillan’s: Holy Mass Bridge deposits. Thursday 2.30pm-7pm Every Sunday 9.45am, also The Bridge is edited by Juliet McCracken Friday Closed Tuesday and Friday at 10am Saturday 10am-1pm and produced by a team of volunteers Priest - Father Jim McCruden including its founder Ken Russell. 01877-330702 “THE BRIDGE” POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION FORM You can have The Bridge delivered by post to your door as soon as it comes out each month, or subscribe to send it to friends, relatives or a neighbour.

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