Strathblane, Blanefield, Mugdock, Carbeth & Auchineden (circulation 1000) Issue 18... June 2003 THE BRAINFREE ZONE [email protected] ost communities the chest and breaking a bone have a village idiot. in his face. His colleagues MWe have the dubious asked a neighbour to call the honour of having several. emergency services and, as These live in the brainfree the injured man was having zone and get huge laughs from difficulty breathing, the air doing incredibly stupid things, ambulance was sent. The thus demonstrating their helicopter landed in the unwillingness to think. Kirkhouse Inn car park and One bright spark (pun lifted the man to hospital. He intended) came across the was later reported as being smell of gas one Friday comfortable with damage only evening in April and decided to his face. Those who to light a match. Yes, that saw the huge valve intelligent! The source of the lying on the ground at gas was a vent designed to the site will release excess pressure in the understand that the pipeline. The result injured man of lighting the gas was very was huge flames “the community fortunate shooting into the air is growing very not to be above: the Scottish Ambulance helicopter takes creating a real weary of their killed. the injured man to hospital and left: the gas vent hazard to an immaturity” T h e adjacent house. v i l l a g e community are You do not need to give your Fortunately, the fire burned idiots got another growing very name if you do not wish to. off the gas and all that was laugh from removing weary of their It is time these young left was a burnt vent. the orange shade from immaturity and folk used their minds for Transco, who are the crossing which childishness. creative, not destructive, responsible for the gas supply, created a real danger They do not seem purposes - surely they are sent a team out on the of a child being to want to grow capable of that? following Monday to examine knocked down. At up. It is important the underground valve to find weekends they delight in to phone the police when the reason for the pressure shouting at the tops of their we see or hear this build up. While one of the voices late at night, throwing antisocial behaviour. men was working on the heavy bottles so that they smash in Unless we do it, the police piece of equipment, a surge the school playground creating cannot provide the of pressure shot the valve into a hazard for other children. necessary support to the air hitting the man full in Many residents in the restore peace and order. Inside PIPE BAND • Ronald S McNeill David Brown • Gulf families’ thanks he drumming tutor for the Association is running a • Himalayan challenge class for beginners (numbers permitting) this summer. • Digital television TIt will probably be an 8-week course on an introduction to Pipe Band drumming and hopefully continue into the • Fond memories New Year with the regular P.B. activities. All details have yet to be finalised and should be flexible over the summer. • Rugby star The Drumming tutor was a young member of Strathendrick P.B. whose drumming career took him to • 30 years in Blanefield Grade 1 in Australia and has returned for a period. Lesley Fitzsimons, ‘Sheila’ in • Portrait of a benefactor The idea is to interest those who attend in further practice and hopefully into the Pipe Band scene with ‘The High Road’, opened the • Young enterprise Strathendrick. Previous students under Niall West are very Primary 6 tuck shop. She welcome to return and continue their tuition. Contact me is with Manager Daniel • Library corner on 771065 for more details. Hutton - see page 16 1 This was done RONALD S. MCNEILL CBE with such success that Formerly of Campsie Dene, Blanefield the developers were reported to be Geoffrey Philips astonished and the application was wonder how many of the present residents of Strathblane eventually withdrawn. and Blanefield are aware of the debt we owe to Ronald It was, however, a very IMcNeill, who died recently, in preserving our community “near thing” as, when life and environment as we enjoy them today? coupled with a project It was in the Autumn of 1964 that an application for for 1000 houses in planning permission was submitted to the Local Authority for Craigend Castle a major housing development over the 480 acres of Dumbrock grounds, Blanefield and Moor. This covered an area bordering the old railway track Strathblane could well south to Craigallion Road and incorporating Dumbrock Loch have been joined to and De’ils Craig Dam. It envisaged at least 2500 houses of Milngavie, and Greater high value, Community Centre, Nursery School, Primary Glasgow taken to the School, Country Club/Hotel, Supermarket, Road network and, foot of the Campsies. if necessary, a water tower. Over the next 17 Although such a scheme was contrary to the Greenbelt years Ronald continued policy in practice at that time, it became known that Stirling to act as Chairman of a County Council were “minded” to grant planning permission. most active Green Belt Committee, including successful At a crowded public meeting called by our Councillor, opposition to a projected extensive development of Broadgate Mr. J.K. Campbell, in the Edmonstone Hall in November 1964, Farm lands up to the Country Club Hotel. He was closely it was decided that the scheme, being altogether too drastic, be involved in the unfolding Village Plan and in the preservation opposed by all possible means. A committee of residents, some of the Green Belt until it was finally established with the present with particular expertise in building/planning matters, was firm boundaries. In 1973, following the Wheatley Report, the appointed and instructed to take all appropriate measures. Local Government (Scotland) Act proposed the inclusion of Ronald McNeill was co-opted to this committee as Vice the Parish of Strathblane in the Glasgow District of Strathclyde Chairman in December 1964 and took over as Chairman early Region. This would have seriously jeopardised the rural in 1965, holding this demanding position until 1982. advantages of village life and the efforts to establish a Country The story of the work of this STRATHBLANE Park / Green Belt between Strathblane and Milngavie already COMMITTEE for the PRESERVATION of the GREEN BELT, under positive discussion with Stirling Authorities. Ronald over the following months/years, under the guidance and McNeill was in a position to approach the Scottish Office leadership of Ronald McNeill, might well fill a book. They Minister, Mr. George Younger, and with the full backing of Mr enlisted the help of Milngavie Council, Bearsden Council, the William Baxter, MP for West Stirlingshire, the Government national press, politicians of all Parties and many experts in was persuaded to amend the Act by transferring Strathblane to environmental and planning matters. Funds were raised the new Central Region based on Stirling. throughout the community and legal guidance sought. Ronald The Green Belt Committee continues to function on the was indefatigable in using his own business, professional and lines established by Ronald and his original committee. We are personal expertise in preparing a reasoned and acceptable case indeed indebted to him, and to his wife Ishbel, for their against the development. dedication and service on behalf of our whole community. FUNDING THE BLANE FOUND Key ring with key and ince our last issue, we have had a number of generous gifts that are greatly appreciated. religious fob on grass SAlthough we have written to thank you, we verge at start of Kirkland also wish to acknowledge your kindness here. Avenue. Contact: We would especially like to thank the Alan Morris 770469. members of the Blane Valley Burns Club who are donating £100 per issue for the next five issues. This will be a tremendous help in keeping the Blane DAWSON in business. ELECTRICAL LOOK OUT FOR THE BOXES IN THE SHOPS eople often say, “How down by too much money in can I pay for my copy your pocket, we are happy to All Domestic of the Blane?” Well, for provide this service to lighten P If you have difficulty and Commercial a long time we have had cash your load. These £20 notes are especially cumbersome and contacting Stirling boxes, like the one illustrated, Council for a solution to Installations in some of the shops. Browns can be squeezed in neatly. has one, as has the Chemist, The cost of each Blane your problem, phone or carried out the Library and Blanefield is about 60p although we e-mail your local councillor, PO. charge 80p for extras which Phone Graham You can put the cost of are available in the Library Alistair Berrill the newsletter in any of and Blanefield PO. 01786 489266 at the boxes and, if you We really do appreciate (evenings) 01360 770999 2 find yourself weighed the support you give. [email protected] BOB HARLEY GULF FAMILIES SAY RETIRES THANKYOU ost of us in the Blane Valley see Susan Kelly on a daily basis, carefully shepherding the children across Mthe main road to and from school. She has a smile and a wave for everyone. Yet over the past two months, she has continued in her cheerful way despite her anxiety for her son Chris, who has been serving with the RAF Regiment in the Gulf. Other local families also have had family members serving in Iraq. These include Louise Bennet’s son George who is serving with 42 Commmando, Royal Marines. Louise has been instrumental in leading the “Flowers for our Forces” campaign encouraging the placing of yellow flowers at War Memorials.