Price £1.30 Issue 34... March 2009

Strathblane, Blane eld, Mugdock, Carbeth, Auchineden (circulation 1000) theblane@strathblane eld.org.uk

Inside

• New welcome boards • Letter from America • Scandalous doings • Sports successes • MUGA survey • Animal welfare centres • Local headbangers • Beavering away in Argyll • My ‘Strictly’ experience • Halleys through the years 1

Blane March 09.indd 1 1/4/09 09:50:58 CAMPBELL AIRD N Died: 11 January, 2008, in Wales, aged 57. The indefatigable Robert Campbell Aird up. Campbell sped off leaving B delighted in describing himself as, “part us in the support boat unable to W man, part machine, all Scottish”. He keep up with him. He literally received the world’s  rst complete bionic  ew into the French beach, arm in 1998 after doctors diagnosed turned around and was soon muscular cancer in 1982. His bionic arm back on board with us having T th was christened the Edinburgh Modular successfully windsurfed across tim Arm System, and packed with microchips, the English Channel. m position-control circuits, miniature One memorable incident en motors, gears and pulleys. It rotated at the occurred on our arrival in Co shoulder, bent at the elbow and twisted at Dover the previous day. We m the wrist, and could grip using arti cial were staying in a camp site  ngers. Ken Campbell writes about the kicking a ball about when we th friend he misses. noticed small faces watching The channel crossing team: Ken Campbell is 2nd from qu us through a hedge. Campbell the left and Campbell Aird is 3rd from the left. we was deeply saddened to hear of the kicked the ball in their direction recent death of Campbell Aird who will inviting them to join in and slowly about 10 them all afternoon and according to their I be remembered by many in the village or 12 youngsters emerged from the hedge. carers it was the best day they’d ever had. as Manager of the Kirkhouse Inn in the Some of them had their right arm tucked We were choked when they piled into the 1980s. inside their tops leaving an empty sleeve bus to leave. I’m sure Campbell felt that I was lucky to have been one of the  apping about. Campbell was tickled pink this was the icing on the cake of his English team on his channel crossing trip. The at this and considered it a great compliment. Channel crossing. crossing was slow going at  rst until about The kids were from the Margate Home for There aren’t enough superlatives to do half way when the wind suddenly picked Deaf Children. We played football with him justice and I will miss him deeply.

JAMES THE KIRKHOUSE MCGILLIVRAY “SHOWCASE” ames McGillivray was born on the penguins. 11 December 1947 in Lennox He enjoyed Friday 8 May 7.30 for 8pm JCastle Hospital. His parents lived his work and its Featuring the Elderly Brothers (an at Balevulin, on Mull. When he was challenges, and Everly tribute duo) plus local artists. Co six, the family, which now included his he earned the Entry by donation to Cancer younger brother Robert, emigrated to respect of all who Te Australia. worked for him. Research UK. be His love of boats developed as he He was a had to row himself and Robert across DIY fanatic the River Darling to school. While and enjoyed NO COMPLAINTS W in Australia his brother and sister m o d e r n i s i n g C Kenneth and Linda were born. The family his home in Blane eld, but his pride and Jenny Elliot, Stirling Council to returned to Inchkenneth, off Mull, where joy was his remotely controlled lighting no his youngest sister Catherine was born in and watering system, installed when he here have been very few complaints w 1968 landscaped his garden. Often these projects since the mobile team took over James was a boarder at Oban High were interrupted by a call back to sea, Tthe street cleaning in the village, so M School and it was there, at a school dance, leaving Christine with holes in walls, and it seems as if it is working out quite well sc he met Christine Downie. Not only was she un nished projects. for now. We had some additional funds for C a great dancing partner, but she had the use Many neighbours have fond memories ‘deep cleaning’ recently and, amongst other no of her father’s car, saving James the two of James helping out with malfunctioning areas, we tackled the A81 verges from the m mile trek back to his hostel. domestic appliances, motor cars, and boundary at Milngavie to Killearn Smiddy After High School, he attended Stow central heating systems. roundabout, lifting 210 bags of litter! It ea College as an engineering cadet with Latterly he enjoyed the freedom to was great to get this done before the grass by Denholms Shipping Line. With them socialise with friends and family. He was an starts growing and hiding it again. he rose through the ranks to become the active and popular member of the bowling C company’s youngest ever Chief Engineer at club, where he had made many friends and the age of twenty-seven. was looking forward to competing on the APOLOGY TH He and Christine were married in 1970 green. He had also, recently joined the th and she accompanied him on many voyages committee of the local Burns Club. n the December issue, we wrongly W around the world. Their son Lorne and James was a devoted family man, a true quoted Mrs June Campbell in an so daughter Morvern also sailed with James gentleman who will be sorely missed by all Iarticle about the old Blane Valley W and Christine, spending many happy hours who knew him. News as saying, “I well remember my on board. husband, Archie, delivering the milk In 1982 James was working on a diving to John’s door.” Mrs Campbell’s late support vessel and his ship was seconded AND ANOTHER APOLOGY husband did not at any time deliver to the Navy during the Falklands con ict. milk; it was her son, Alistair, who made T On his trips ashore, the Falklands reminded e apologise for the delay in the deliveries. m producing the March issue We apologise to Mrs Campbell and him of his home island of Mull, apart from of the Blane. Because of £ W her family for the distress that our error o a number of problems, including a caused them. The view on the front page is of the health one, we were not able to get m Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond, with started on the production until late in the ‘fairy hill’, Dumgoyach, in the March. The next issue will be in June P centre ground. The photograph was We are sorry if we have missed 2009. The deadline for articles is 0 taken from near the top of the Glen. any of our contributors deadlines. 20 May. p 2

Blane March 09.indd 2 1/4/09 09:51:01 NEW WELCOME IS THIS YOU? BOARDS NEEDED Concerned resident Willie Oswald ad driving was something that I considered always happened in large he village has been blessed by two Btowns. How wrong I was! very  ne ‘Welcome’ boards for When I moved to the tranquil village Tsome considerable time. Regrettably of Blane eld from a busy town, albeit the these have suffered from the ravages of that our one community has two names, suburbs, I expected better. I had left behind time, weather and insuf cient timely “Blane eld” and “Strathblane”. Though inconsiderately bad driving standards, maintenance. They are approaching the for strangers, identifying the ‘join’ can be where drivers ignored speed limits, end of their natural life. The Community dif cult. Council has been examining a natural, Would you be happy with “Welcome especially at schools and safe crossing maintenance free replacement. to Strathblane” at the eastern end and designated areas. Most of these problems The existing boards state “Welcome to “Welcome to Blane eld” at the western were caused by local drivers taking their the Parish of Strathblane”. This has caused end? children to and from school. Safety, I m questions, particularly with regard to the Answers and comments on a post card should have thought, would be uppermost western end of our community. to the ‘CC Suggestion Box’ in the library or in the minds of all parents. Yet I see parents One of the issues faced by the CC is email cc@strathblane eld.org.uk. on the mobile phone; speeding, probably eir because they are late; ignoring the speed ad. Some suggestions limit on the main road, 30mph, and on the he for wording roads around the school, 20mph; cutting hat on the village the corners on the wrong side of the road; sh and ignoring the white lines at the junction. signs. All ideas What will happen if a speeding parent on welcomed. do the mobile comes along on the correct side of the road and meets another doing the same, but on the wrong side, I dread to think! Nearly every time I leave my house and go to the junction of my road, or indeed see someone else doing the same thing, I  nd someone cutting the corner, head to head with me or another vehicle. I cannot believe the surprised look on the face of the driver cutting the corner, that some one dared to n be on the correct side of the road. Councillor Berrill Councillor Lambie Councillor O’Brien Please don’t wait till a fatality happens, Tel: 01786 443331 Tel: 01786 442948 Tel: 01786 442660 when it is too late to improve your attitude [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] and driving habits. Please drive safely and keep everybody in your vehicle safe. A ant to speak to your little thought and consideration for your local Councillors about COMMUNITY fellow residents goes a long way. It might W COUNCIL MEETINGS be you on the right side of the road one of Council issues? Come along these days! to your Councillor’s surgery - Monday 11 May - Tony Teasdale, a director no appointment needed... all of Rural Stirling Housing nts welcome. Association, will be present to er Next surgeries - Monday 11 explain how the housing needs so May and 8 June in the primary of the area might be met by the ell school prior to Community Association. Tony Cain, Head of or Council meetings. Watch the CC Housing, has also been invited er notice board for location of other to discuss the council’s Local he meetings. Housing Strategy and how that dy One of our councillors attends is a crucial link into the local It each CC meeting and they do it development plan process. At ss by rotation. time of going to press, CC is still awaiting his response. CC VACANCIES Monday 8 June - AGM and THERE are currently three vacancies on ordinary meeting. the Community Council, one in Mugdock y Ward (includes Kirkburn and Dumbrock Both meetings are at 7.30pm in n south to Mugdock) and two in Strathblane the school. y Ward. Lorna Morris y k MUGDOCK utumn 2008 saw another excellent collection e JUST A MINUTE MOBILE LIBRARY, TIMES for Poppy Scotland in our village. In spite of APR 6,20 dark evenings and other challenges the house to r he Community Council is looking A e MAY 4,18 house collection raised the wonderful  gure of £1401, Tfor someone to be a permanent while local businesses who kindly display cans for a minute-taker. Stirling Council will pay JUN 1,15,29 couple of weeks made £1015. This is very gratefully d £270 per year. The CC normally meets r JUL 13,27 received and helps to meet the many demands on the on the  rst Monday of the month (no AUG 10,24 funds of Poppy Scotland. meeting in July) 7.30-10pm. If you are SEP 7,21 Although most collectors are able to help out year interested, please contact the Chairman, after year there is also a need for some additional help e Philip Graves, on OCT 5,19 every autumn. If you could spare a couple of hours to s 0141 956 1954 or e-mail: NOV 2,16,30 do a small house to house collection in late October [email protected] DEC 14,28 please contact Lorna Morris on 770448. 3

Blane March 09.indd 3 1/4/09 09:51:01 STRATHENDRICK PIPE BAND S John Muir, Chairman S he Band’s progress is continuing under the leadership of Pipe TMajor Colin Johnston with the chanter and piping classes producing T in more young, and some not so young, Ha pipers for the band. Ja We are now fortunate to have the of services of David Ogilvie who, although of a very talented and experienced Pipe Bu Major in his own right, is also a highly att quali ed and competent drummer and is now our drumming tutor and Leading an Drummer. Along with his many skills, Po David has provided the band with the th loan of a full set of drums until we can Chanter practice at the Edmonstone Hall Gr afford to purchase our own drums and ca we are indebted to him for this. Following the generosity of most fortunate to have obtained them, along to all who supported this function. an local businessmen Jim McPherson, Jim with pipe reeds, at a very competitive price. Our future fundraising events include Ha Hamilton and Arnold Clark, and the keen We owe this to the efforts of Pipe Major a mini pipe band concert to be held on of price supplied by David Ogilvie for the Malcolm McKenzie who negotiated the Saturday 25th April at Strathblane Country supply of new jackets and kilt remakes, the purchase of these on behalf of the band. House by the Boghall and Bathgate Grade a order is now well underway. We should be 1 Pipe Band. The price of tickets is to be ex wearing some new jackets and kilts at our Our recent fundraising dance proved con rmed. Th next engagement. This is a good start and to be a great success with the function A solo piping recital by one of M with future fundraising events planned we being a sell-out. The music provided Scotland’s top soloists and recording artist, pe should be able to purchase more uniforms by Steve Lochead and the Ceilidh Club Fred Morrison, will be held on Saturday 6th ‘Im as the band grows in numbers. We have Scottish Dance Band (including former June at the Edmonstone Hall, Blane eld – ro also managed to purchase twelve new Strathendrick drummer, Ian Kidd) made tickets £10.00. Tickets for both events matched pipe chanters and again have been this a very enjoyable evening. Our thanks will be available from band members. B Colin Johnston FAIRTRADE STATUS am the Pipe Major of Strathendrick started to help Anne Scott I Pipe Band. I am married and have two my father make Je I children. I have worked for approx 24 hide pipe bags he Annual Fairtrade Coffee Morning years as a welding instructor and my full and this has took place in March and raised £150, time hobby is playing the bagpipes. proved to be T£75 each for Traidcraft and Tearfund. I started to learn the pipes when I was very bene cial We do not currently have Fairtrade F seven years old and when I was twelve, as as I was later status in Strathblane/Blane eld as it has ou a member of a Boys Brigade Pipe Band, approached by to be renewed each year and as yet, I have pl had my  rst taste of success when we came R G Hardie not done that. My apologies. To ensure th third in the Novice Juvenile section of the (Pipe Makers) its renewal we need to be able to show an re World Pipe Band Championships. Since to produce increased use and awareness of Fairtrade then I have had many successes in various s h e e p s k i n Pipe Major year on year. To achieve this, I need your re grades and championships and have held bags for their help. Could you please inform me if you use the position of Pipe Sergeant or Pipe Major p r o d u c t s . Colin Johnston Bl Fairtrade products in your work place, or lea in many successful bands. I am still within your organisation, in order that I can I started to teach piping to children in very involved in looking at the further update my records on the use of Fairtrade hu 1990 and have since taught many children development and improvement in the products in the village. If you hold an event from the beginners stage to Standard Grade quality of pipe bags for the piping world. involving Fairtrade or anything that spreads a c level and in 2008 I began teaching piping In 2008 I joined Strathendrick Pipe the word about this worthwhile cause to a Pr to all ages. I have also gained a number Band and the experience and knowledge wider audience could you please also let me wi of Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association I have gained over the many years of know. de Quali cations. practising, playing and teaching makes me If you can help with this or have any sh As well as playing and teaching the determined that Strathendrick Pipe Band queries, please contact me at 771065 or Pr bagpipes, I have always been very interested will once again compete in Pipe Band e-mail [email protected]. an in the development and construction of pipe Competitions and that local people will be so bags. In 1982, to earn my pocket money, I proud of their Pipe Band. We welcome comments on wi en anything that appears in the newsletter. Please write to pu ORGAN RECITAL the editor, Mike Fischbacher of imon Graham, assistant organist at: sim at Dunblane Cathedral, will give 4, Southview Road as a recital on Saturday 18 April Strathblane G63 9JQ be S pr at 7.30pm in aid of Children In Need or email: Institute (CINI), Kolkata, India. theblane@strathblane eld.org.uk Tickets, costing £10, are available ! 01360 770716 Bo fo from any member of the Friends of " " " " " CINI committee, or by telephoning fu a M 01360 770749. To contact Stirling Council, After the recital a light supper will be phone 0845 277 7000 available for £5, payable on the night. pl Bored meeting. Email: [email protected] or 4

Blane March 09.indd 4 1/4/09 09:51:01 SUCCESSFUL BURNS HOLIDAY, ANYONE? SUPPER Mary Brailey he 29th Blane After the next interval the Raf e was n September’s issue of The Blane, Valley Burns drawn and the Cheil in his ‘The Years we promised to bring you more TSupper was held Away’ statement told the company of the Iinformation about TAGS (Third Age in the Edmonstone various ‘ongoings’ of the Blane Valley Group Strathendrick), the local group that Hall, Blane eld on 24 Burns Club since the AGM last April. runs trips and holidays for the over- fties. January 2009 on the eve The next artiste to perform was Murray So here goes. of the 250th anniversary by Sarah Cushley O’Donnell who recited the well-known First things  rst – the trips themselves. of the birth of Rabbie poem of Burns, ‘Tam O’Shanter’ and Daytrips take place on the last Wednesday Burns, and was a sell out with 145 people  nished to rapturous applause. of each month and are advertised a month attending. It was then the turn of Claire Thyne in advance on the website: www.tag- Hugh Parsons piped in the top table and Alistair Ogilvy to sing for us again, strathendrick.org. Destinations have varied and the Cheil, who this year was Gordon which was greatly applauded. This was from those close at hand like the Falkirk Posnett, welcomed all those attending followed by ‘The Toast to the Lassies’ by Wheel or Edinburgh Castle to the more far- the Supper. Alan Morris gave the Selkirk Jim Wilson, which was witty and excellent.  ung: the isles of Skye and Mull proved to Grace, and the soup was served then by our Susan Rhind replied on behalf of the be a fantastic – but very long – day. You Lassies and got rapturous applause from just sign up for trips you fancy and pay on caterer Alex Graham. the day for the costs of travel and entry to Hugh Parsons next piped in the haggis the ladies in particular. venues. Daytrips cost £10–£20. and David Riddet gave ‘The Address to the The evening was concluded by the de The group also organises longer Haggis’ which was followed by the serving company singing songs led by our singers, holidays, in the UK and abroad. The on of the rest of the meal. then Elspeth Posnett gave a vote of thanks ry programme bene ts from substantial After the interval Hugh Parsons gave to those who had performed during the discounts, and is designed to suit different de a piping selection. This was followed by evening. The Chiel then gave gifts to the be tastes and pockets. The box below gives excellent individual singing by Claire artistes to remind them of this special details about the holidays that have been Thyne and Alistair Ogilvy. Thereafter evening and thanked all who had made the lined up for the next few months, and how of Michael O’Neill recited ‘To a Mouse’ with evening so special. to book them. st, perfection. John Donohoe then gave his The evening  nished as normal with You’re automatically eligible to take th ‘Immortal Memory’ which was met with a ‘Auld Lang Syne’. part in TAGS daytrips and holidays if – rousing accolade on completion. you’re over 50 and live within the Balfron nts High School catchment area, and you can bring your family or friends too. There are no membership fees or club meetings. BUDDING ARTIST ROSS HAMILTON Pick-up points for the coach vary with S the destination, but include bus stops in IS A WINNER FOR GREENHEART! Aberfoyle, Gartmore, Drymen, Buchlyvie, Balfron and Killearn, and sometimes the Jenny McCutcheon Kirkhouse Inn. ng Every  rst Wednesday of the month at 0, or a number of years the villages of Strathblane 5 pm there is a special TAGS members’ nd. and Blane eld have been neglected in terms dinner in the Saffron Restaurant, Balfron – de Fof play provision for the young members of two courses for £7.95. Just turn up! as our community, from toddler to youth, with the TAGS is a registered charity, and has ve play facility provision for 300+ young children in received lottery grants to help with its re the village being two swings, one see-saw and a administration costs. It has been going for an redundant roundabout. 14 years, and in that time some 300 people de It is the aim of the Greenheart Project to – whose ages range from 50 to over 90 – ur revitalise the play facilities for Strathblane and have been away with the group. As anyone se Blane eld providing a more exciting range of play, who has been on a TAGS holiday will tell or learning and social interaction opportunities for you, they certainly enjoy a good time! an de hundreds of children of all ages and backgrounds. We have  nally kicked off our fundraising with Forthcoming TAGS events nt To book a TAGS trip, ask the librarian ds a competition which all the children at Strathblane Primary took part in. Their task was to come up in Balfron library (phone 01360 440407) a to add your name to the list kept there, or me with a drawing of their ideal park, the winning email Joan MacPherson at joanmacp@aol. design of which would be printed onto cotton com. See the TAGS website for the next ny shopping bags and sold to raise money for the daytrip. or Project. All the children, from P1 to P7 took part Ross with the Greenheart bag and the standard of drawings was amazing, as were Edgbaston and the National Memorial some of the ideas for the Park, not all of which are Arboretum: Friday 15th May DB&B price: n within the realms of our undertaking! It was very obvious that there are some budding £179 per person. 20 single rooms available. engineers and architects, perhaps even the future design of spaceships was thought up. 4 days, 3 nights at the Menzies Strathallan e There can only be one winner, however, and that accolade went to one of the youngest Hotel, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Insurance o pupils in the school. Ross Hamilton of Primary 1 came up with a simple, childlike design included, no single supplement. See website r of what I believe we all envisage a park to be. Nothing out of the ordinary, just plain for excursions. simple fun. He was presented with the  rst bag off the press at the Christmas Concert German Rhineland: Saturday 29th as well as a small prize. I can only hope it won’t be too far in the future when he might August. £499 (subject to 35 booking), single be able to be photographed at the opening of a brand new park which the village can be supplement £ 115 per person. Hotel Lamm, proud of. Assmannhausen: 8 days. See website for excursions. k The bags are on sale at Browns in Strathblane, where the amazing sales powers of Bobby are to be proud of, and also from any of the lovely ladies at Strathblane Library, Nottingham and the Robin Hood for whose help we are very grateful. Please keep looking in the paper for information on Pageant: Friday 23rd October. £165. Single fundraising events for Greenheart to include supplement £30. 3 nights. a Murder Mystery dinner in early summer. l, For any more information on Greenheart VISIT THE COMMUNITY WEBSITE @ please contact either me on 07979 554843 or Eleanor Forrest on 07713 638287. WWW.STRATHBLANEFIELD.ORG.UK 5

Blane March 09.indd 5 1/4/09 09:51:02 LETTER FROM AMERICA T Eleanor Friel tapered off without much shouting or cheering. e started 2009 in  ne fettle with Being the hearty Celts we are, we the arrival of our son Greg and marched our way back to the car, arms Whis wife Linda to enjoy some linked singing Scottish songs such as Christmas cheer and ‘bring in’ the New Year Scotland The Brave, the Northern Niagara Falls style. We already had ‘big’ Lights of Old Aberdeen (my Father snow and the temperatures were in the teens was from Aberdeen) etc. No one else F. (There is always confusion here about joined in until we sang ‘Auld Lang temperature readings as Canada reads in Sang’ then we were cheered by many Celsius and the USA reads in Fahrenheit.) nationalities who tried to sing along However, we swaddled ourselves in many with us. They thanked us for making Greg and Linda at Lewiston Landing layers and set off for the Falls at around their New Year special. We made it H 11.30 p.m. The spray coming off the  oodlit special by climbing back into the car with the Irish Sea and has a microclimate which S Falls was ice particles that bit into the the heater going full blast and drinking hot produces gasps of astonishment when the face like needles. Undaunted, we trudged coffee laced with a little (just a tincture!) temperature goes below 40 degrees F. Sy through the deep snow, feeling like Captain of Bailey’s Irish Cream! The designated However, the strange anomalies of weather Scott, to the railings at the American Falls driver (Eddie) was on hot chocolate! this winter both here and in the UK have “S and watched for the Midnight hour being Further into January saw us welcoming produced this unusual occurrence. Already pr ‘counted down’ on the Canadian side at the in the new President at the Hollywood style the snow total for Buffalo and surrounding Skylon tower. Inauguration. The crowds in Washington area is 89.8 inches. We have had regular St There were some funny moments DC were enormous as you will no doubt snow from November but we also have had se when, not being able to properly identify have seen. We had many local people make mild breaks which thaw things for a few Do our neighbours who were also huddled in the journey by coach in Arctic conditions, days to ease the strain on the heating bills in scarves and ridiculous hats, we exchanged so they could tell their children that they and snow shoveling exertion. ch abusive comments only to discover we were there when history was made. The We have awarded the ‘Golden Snow m were addressing our remarks to some biggest talking point here in the media was Blower’ to our kind neighbour Terry who, of Korean tourists! Unfortunately someone Aretha Franklin’s hat which gave great as soon as each individual snowstorm th did not get the timing quite right and the material to the late night talk show hosts. It ends,is round in our driveway blowing the ho  are travelled up the Skylon to the top to seemed to take on a life of its own and will snow clear for us to emerge. So maybe our co explode in  reworks quite a few moments probably get its own television series! mild spell now (60 Degrees F today and I before it was actually midnight. It is strange to relate that the temperature have a window open), will herald an early Confusion abounded and the few people here is now warmer than Southport where Spring. there exchanged New Year wishes only to my sister lives. Southport, as you will I am sure you all join with me in that M be told it was not there yet! So it all kind of know, is situated on the Lancashire coast on faint hope! S C NFU MUTUAL STRATHENDRICK M Th ROTARY CAR TOUR bo Robin Taylor th co id you know that Sunday 26th April, 2009 is “Drive it hi Day”, a day for Classic Car owners to take their special Dcars out for the day to show the nation the popularity and importance of the Classic Car movements – so dust off your Daimlers, tune up your Triumphs, muster your Morgans, cherish your Citreon 2CV6s, and jump into your Jaguars – this is the day A St for you. M So why not join up with the Strathendrick Rotary Classic Car Sm Tour on the same day starting at 9.30 am. at Clucceruch Castle, ac Fintry. The approximate 100 mile route is on glorious roads through Stirlingshire, Perthshire and the Loch Lomond & the Jo Trossachs National Park  nishing back at Clucreuch Castle. The be Ch One of the cars that entered the  rst Classic Car Tour 17 PILATES CLASSES heading up Glen Quaich: Citroen Charleston 2CV6  rst on registered 1982. Owned by present owner for 25 years. More than just another exercise an wh routine, Pilates delivers a step-by- event has been organised essentially for driving enjoyment on step approach to improving posture, th quieter traf c free roads. va movement and general wellbeing. The Rotary Club of Strathendrick has run this event for the Based on small class sizes to ensure personalised tuition, the Body Control Pilates® approach is widely regarded past two years and does not charge an entry fee, but competitors as a benchmark for safe and effective teaching of the are expected to raise a minimum of £25 per car. Last year the sum world-famous Method. of £4350 was divided between The Maggie Centres and Rotary Polio Plus. For details of classes in and around This year the nominated charities are Click Sargent, (caring for Blane eld, call Jane Meek, Body children with Cancer) and Leonard Cheshire Disability School4all, Control Pilates® instructor, on (reaching out to disabled children around the world). 01360 771 742/07759 182236 To date, there are 45 entries of which 2 are from Strathblane/ or e-mail: [email protected] Blane eld. Further information can be had from Joe Norman at 01877 382075 and the website www.strathendrickrotary.org.uk Body Control Pilates and the Body Control Pilates logo If you would like to sponsor your local entrants, please contact are registered Trade Marks used under licence. me ([email protected]). 6

Blane March 09.indd 6 1/4/09 09:51:02 industry! THE KIRK About seventy people enjoyed dinner SENIOR at the Strathblane Country House Hotel on February 19th before being entertained CITIZENS with a number of fascinating stories from Emma Findlay Donald about his life, and his involvement in the creation and development of the e began our 2009 session with international hotel chain. an excellent “High Tea” at the The evening was hosted by the Rev. Kirkhouse Inn before going Alex Green who encouraged Donald to W to see Cinderella at the Kings Theatre, reveal to his audience some of the trials and Glasgow. Later in the month, instead of a tribulations of running a major international Burns Supper, we had a “Scots Night” and business, and at the same time show how he our thanks go to Murray O’Donnell for HOTEL BOSS VISITS was able to bring his quiet Christian faith arranging a most entertaining evening. into play. To keep our brains active, our next ch STRATHBLANE It was clear that Donald, speaking meeting was a “Know your Britain Quiz” with a lovely West Highland accent, was he hosted by David and Margaret Anderson. F. Sylvia Armstrong a ‘people person’. Many of his staff had been with him during most of his time in Although there was much hilarity er throughout the evening the teams were ve “Son, why don’t you get yourself a the hospitality industry and it was evident proper job?” that they greatly respected his knowledge, very competitive and the  nal scores were dy very close. ng The after dinner guest speaker at experience and his honest dealings with ar Strathblane Parish Church’s popular them and the public. Our last meeting was a Country and ad series of “An Evening with .....” was Donald covered many issues during his Western evening with Patrick Friel and his ew Donald Macdonald, chairman of the talk - from the current problems during cousin Steven singing traditional and new lls international multi-million pound hotel the ‘credit crunch’ to the charities that he songs. This has always been a popular chain, Macdonald Hotels. His elderly and his wife have set up, with particular evening with our members and proved to ow mother had serious doubts about his choice emphasis on the care of the elderly and be so once again. ho, of career; her aspiration for Donald was supporting children’s work throughout the The Senior Citizens meet every second m that he should become a banker and not an world. Donald Macdonald is a man whose Tuesday from September to March in he hotelier – perhaps not such a wise choice Christian faith is the motivating and driving the Edmonstone Hall at 7.30 p.m. New ur considering today’s turmoil in the banking force of his life. members will be most welcome. d I rly hat MR ARCHIBALD SMITH, MINISTER OF STRATHBLANE, 1770-1784 COPING WITH SCANDALOUS DOINGS IN THE PARISH Murray O’Donnell gone into disrepair and want immediate reparation This extract from John Guthrie Smith’s in order properly to book The Parish of Strathblane shows accommodate him and that the life of a parish minister was full of his family.” The petition complications; and even his hens caused was granted, and on the him problems. 24th of the same month the inspection took place t a meeting of the Presbytery and “£55 sterling was of Dumbarton held on the 5th awarded for the purpose ADecember, 1769, a presentation to of repairs.” Strathblane was received from the Duke of The appointment of The Manse of Strathblane at the time of Rev. Archibald Smith Montrose in favour of the Rev. Archibald Mr. Smith was an excellent Smith, and at the same time a letter of one for the parish. He with the Church in the background acceptance from him was produced. was active and energetic about some case of irregularity which had Archibald Smith was a son of the Rev. in looking after its secular affairs, and it taken place in the Kirkhouse. John Smith, minister of Fintry, and he had was very much due to him that the much- The session tried, but in vain, to deal been for some years pastor of the Scottish needed schoolhouse and salary for the with him in such a way as to bring him Church at Rotterdam. On the l0th May, schoolmaster were at last secured, and to repentance and punishment. He was 1770, he was translated to Strathblane, and extensive repairs and additions made to made over, therefore, to the Presbytery. He rst on the same day he gave in a petition for the church. He was, too, an earnest and made rather a good defence, and brought an inspection of the manse, showing “that good preacher, and administered discipline some counter charges against the minister, whereas the manse and of ce houses of faithfully, though what follows shows that and also averred “that the reasons of this on the said parish, by reason of the several he had sometimes his dif culties in doing prosecution against him were that he would vacancies which have happened in it, have so. not allow the minister’s hens to eat his corn.” he The Kirkhouse, a tavern at the The Presbytery appointed a committee ors church gate, was often the scene of very to inquire into the affair and examine m scandalous and improper proceedings, witnesses, and the end of the matter was ry doubly improper from being so near the that his charges against the minister were sacred edi ce, and in 1774 the keeper of it found groundless, and he was laid under for was in open rebellion against the minister the sentence of Lesser Excommunication ll, and session. One of his many offences was till he should repent and humble himself. his appearing at a meeting of session and On the 4th May, 1784, Mr. Smith ne/ threatening “to kick up the kirk of cer’s intimated to the Presbytery a call from at heels and trample him like dirt under his Kinross, and on the 12th of the same feet if he would but presume to go to his month he was loosed from his charge of act house and call his wife.” The reason his Strathblane, and again the parish parted Cat ‘n’ moose wife was wanted was to give evidence with their minister with sincere regret. 7

Blane March 09.indd 7 1/4/09 09:51:02 the game. We may or may not have any TENNIS CLUB future Wimbledon champions in our midst, WILD WOLVES C but we could de nitely do with some new S NEWS young talent in our teams. We regularly HOCKEY CLUB Graeme Ross come up against some school-age players Graeme Ross A in opposing teams and it is great to see that M t’s just as well we had young and old(ish) can play together. In he club is continuing with the Tuesday our new surface laid the men’s team, we rely on young Bob to evening sessions (6-8pm) for players Sc Ilast Autumn. The ice provide some youth and even he’s pushing Tfrom P4 to S6 ages. We play on the and snow that we have thirty these days! astraturf pitch at Balfron High School. had this winter would In order that we produce the club Although we have had a lot of disruption S have really broken up champions of the future, we will be from the poor weather conditions, the Au the old surface to a point running the Saturday morning coaching enthusiasm shown by everyone has been where it may not have programmes again this year in the Spring great. Hockey is a minority sport and so it to been safely playable. Our and Autumn. We hope to start the Spring has been proving dif cult to get matches re  nal step is the painting session a little earlier this year and take and festivals for our players to participate ou and lining of the whole surface and we in the last two Saturdays in March. The in. However there is a new co-ordinator  n hope to have this done around late April. classes are very popular and places  ll in now in Active Stirling and we are con dent sil Playing again with an even and true bounce quickly, so please contact Sally Gray on that we will be able to provide some inter Sc is fantastic and when it is all bright and 771031 ASAP if you are interested. club activity soon. We also suffer from a se colourful, it should be even better. We are de nitely hoping for a good lack of parental involvement, so if anyone 7) We can’t claim that Andy Murray is from summer to wash out there would be interested in becoming our club, but he did cut his teeth playing for away the memories of involved with the club, please let me know a club in our District, and one that we come what has been a long (771571). G up against in competition fairly regularly. cold winter. Long His progress has been amazing and it days sitting in the B hopefully won’t be too long before he gets sun, playing tennis FROM FOUR his hands on one the sport’s big trophies. and enjoying good This should serve as extra inspiration to company. You are LEGS TO TWO all the youngsters in the village to pick up very welcome to join WHEELS FOR I a racket and see what they can achieve in us (771571). fro LEANNE in n the 24th July, Leanne Peters, along Ba THE GUILD with 350 other athletes and coaches will be travelling to Leicester to 7 Margaret Livingston O la SCOTLAND IN take part in the Special Olympics National ag he guild has enjoyed some SONG Summer Games. re excellent evenings so far Sylvia Armstrong Leanne has been a member of Special this session. Our Christmas Olympics since 1996 and has competed Pr T in equestrian events in Portsmouth, North tre Celebration was a great success. ell known Scottish The Guild committee served up Carolina, Cardiff, Glasgow and Shanghai. pl folk singer Moira Kerr Having competed at the highest level in M a delicious dinner, followed by entertained the Guild and some seasonal readings, poems W Shanghai, and returning home with three to their guests with Scottish songs old silver medals, Leanne decided to challenge and carols ably put together by and new – from Glasgow to Glencoe Ca Sylvia Armstrong – altogether a most herself and see if she could qualify for 3r via the ‘Bonny Bonny Banks’ and on Leicester competing as part of the cycling enjoyable event. through Mull to the Western Isles. ‘Ye La At our  rst meeting of the new year team. To prepare for this she took part in the canny  ing pieces oot Bobath cycle from Glasgow to Balloch, and pl we had a talk from the to minister entitled “He a twenty story  at’ had also Pedal Scotland, cycling 55 miles from restores my soul”, which everyone singing along, Glasgow to Edinburgh. She was delighted is the Guild theme for some with childhood when she received a letter con rming her this session. memories of playing out place in the team and will compete in three I Our second meeting in the back court. events; 5km Time Trial, 10km Road Race in January was a Moira related the and the 25km Road Race. T musical evening when story of the massacre of The cost of taking part in the Games is Moira Kerr, the Scottish Glencoe and told how, quite high and although Leanne has been folk singer, entertained when making the BBC taking part in various events to help raise money, if anyone wishes to sponsor her, or F us with songs and series ‘Where Eagles ha anecdotes. An audience Fly’ in Glencoe, she could suggest fundraising events that she law of around 90 attended composed the words could take part in please contact her on wa and, by all accounts, had and the haunting melody 770922. re a very pleasant time (see of one of her best loved Special Olympics provides year-round hi article over). songs, MacIain of sports training and athletic competition Into February Glencoe. After all the in a variety of Olympic-type sports for W and our “Evening singing and laughter she children and adults with learning disability, cy of Fragrance” had and her audience of 80 giving them continuous opportunities re to be cancelled due Moira Kerr in Glencoe were more than ready to develop physical  tness, demonstrate tri to adverse weather for the delicious light courage, experience joy and participate in wa conditions. However, we had a “do–it– supper provided by the Guild members. the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship bo ourselves” evening of games and, also, a with their families, other Special Olympic su It was a memorable evening, and Guild athletes and the community. most interesting talk from Marin Black’s members were delighted to welcome the daughter, Rosie, on crafts and recycling many guests who came to enjoy Moira’s BLANE VALLEY PLAYERS allsorts! It’s amazing what can be done singing. will put on a play in May to do

with a teabag wrapper! raise funds for Leanne to send So

Three more meetings to go this session Row. West at Netherblane her to Leicester. Th

and, if you haven’t managed along to the of corner north-eastern the On is: page on Watch out for posters in the a w Guild so far, there is still time to join us. I? am Where question, the to answer The You would  nd a very warm welcome. village. ty 8

Blane March 09.indd 8 1/4/09 09:51:02 COLIN GREGOR LEADS SCOTLAND TO VICTORY SCOTLAND CROWNED PLATE CHAMPIONS AT RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS Murray O’Donnell Plate  nal. ay Local boy Colin ers Scotland 21 - Australia 17 Gregor was Scotland’s he cotland lifted the Plate title at the captain and Colin’s ol. Rugby World Cup 7s in Dubai in accurate goal kicking in on SMarch in a close-fought win over no small measure helped he Australia. to secure the victory. en After the huge disappointment of losing Coach Stephen Gemmell it to Canada in their opening pool game – a said Colin is a world class es result which effectively knocked Scotland sevens player. Gemmill ate out of the Cup competition – it was a went on to say, “We are or  ne  ghtback which saw the team collect right up there with the nt silverware in front of 35,000 spectators. best”. The temperature in er Scotland played some intelligent rugby, Dubai was in the high 30s, a seeing off France (21-19) and Portugal (29- and the atmosphere with capacity crowds Colin Gregor and his team celebrate a ne 7) en route to facing the Wallabies in the was incredible. great victory over Australia ng ow GREAT SUCCESS AT BOWLING CLUB BADMINTON FESTIVAL Susan McDonald t was a great boost for resident Alistair Campbell will be the sport of badminton in delighted to welcome members to the IStrathblane when 7 boys PGents Opening Day on Saturday 18th from the village took part April at 2.00 p.m. and on Sunday 19th April in the Clackmannanshire at 2.00 p.m. the Ladies President, Linda Badminton Festival. Dunigan, will be delighted to welcome ng members to the Ladies Opening Day. es All six of the Primary During the closed season our members to 7 boys ended up in the have enjoyed various social evenings nal last 16 players in the P5-7 which have included hosting a presentation age group. The boys, evening, a dinner dance, a Christmas party ial representing Strathblane and a variety evening. These, together with ed Primary School, were our fortnightly bingo sessions and frequent th tremendous sportsmen and quiz nights have helped to maintain interest i. played with enthusiasm. in the club throughout the winter. in Mark Shields went on We would be very happy to welcome ee to win the P5-7 event, new members to our Club. If you have Max Murray, Lachlan Brown, ge Cameron Smith came in never bowled but would like to give it a try, for Ruaraidh Brown (2nd year you would be made most welcome. We run 3rd closely followed by coaching sessions on a Monday evening, ng Lachlan Brown in 4th Balfron High), Cameron Smith he (3rd), Andrew Appleton. Front: starting 27th April at 6.45pm and bowls nd place. Well done to all who and footwear are available for beginners. took part. Mark Shields (1st). Right: John m Penrice. Bowling is a very convivial sport with ed games played against other clubs, both at er home and away and bowling provides good ee camaraderie with fellow bowlers. ce IT’S DOWNHILL ALL Why not give it a try. If you would like THE WAY IN FRANCE more information call me on 770063. is or most people, retiring means a chance to put en their feet up and relax. Not so for David James. se When David decided to take early retirement he or F had one ambitious plan. Together with his brother in he law, he planned to walk the Santiago De Compostella on way, staying at refugios all along the way. THEN he read a book that changed his life … well, not exactly nd his whole life, just his plans for June! on The book in question was “Downhill All The for Way” by Edward En eld and told of a 60 year old’s ty, cycling trip from le Havre to Montpelier. Although I es remain deeply suspicious of Edward En eld’s halcyon ate trip (It MUST have rained sometimes surely!) David in was sold immediately and began to plan “Le Trip”! He ip bought a French CD and began to learn useful phrases David James (right), and Ron Robertson, are pic such as “Deux bieres s’il vous plait” “C’est combien? ….COMBIEN??!!” hoping there are no uphills in France Originally, he planned to cycle alone as En eld had done, but having mentioned it to one of his climbing friends he suddenly realised he could have a chum! Soon the two were exchanging enthusiastic e mails about bikes, bags, tents, French Rail and French life! Then, Ron, his companion to be, came up with a new idea. Should a trip like this not be raising money for a worthy cause as well? There is a now a website page set up for donations to David’s trip www.justgiving.com/ronandave then type in Ron Robertson as the “friend”, although the guys are going to entitle their site “Top to Derriere!” 9

Blane March 09.indd 9 1/4/09 09:51:03 such as haggis, oatcakes, shortbread and BEAVERS Irn-bru!) and Pancake night, (where the M beavers made pancake faces with pancakes, M Avril Sandilands fruit, sweets and whipped cream). FO We are now looking forward to the n Strathblane the Beavers’ numbers lighter nights and warmer days when our Jane McCallum continue to grow. We say goodbye to activities can be moved outside and further Ithose we have “lost” to cubs and hello a eld! T he winter session of Brownies is to those who have joined the “colony”. With the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts pu well under way and as usual this We now have a “colony” of 24 beavers. going from strength to strength, and co Tis a very busy session with Burns New and hopefully more invigorating growing very quickly in numbers. We night, Shrove Tuesday, Mother’s Day programmes are being planned and put in need more help. We need YOUR help! We ar and Easter among other important dates place, incorporating fresh ideas from the need YOUR time! wi to contend with! In addition, this term is new adult volunteers. Lots of additional If you can, please join us – we need alt when the annual census is taken keeping badge work is also being undertaken (some more adult helpers and more fundraisers. sw Claire busy and somewhat stressed! As of which the beavers are unaware they are We are in desperate need of a fundraising part of the census, we have to pay £25 to doing). committee, so if there is anyone out there co the Guide Association for every Brownie Since I last wrote the beavers have been who wishes to volunteer their time and/or m and leader in the unit: this is taken from the busy “having fun and making friends”. ideas, please contact any of the leaders or su annual subscription. We currently have 23 We had an owl pellet dissecting night in Val MacCorquodale. th Brownies, half of whom are 7, and 5 who Mugdock where, after a freezing start, and Pl are 9 years old. This can be challenging it being decided it was too frosty for a safe Beavers: Age 6 – 8 yrs when preparing the programme as we have night hunt, we remained indoors for some Monday: 6.30pm – 7.30pm it to ensure that we have age appropriate game playing and dissected pellets that had Scout Hall behind doctor’s surgery activities for the younger girls while been - in true Blue Peter tradition - found keeping the older ones interested. earlier by the Rangers! B.S.L: Avril Sandilands (771082) G As Claire and I are now in our 5th year Early in December we heard that Santa David Orr, Ian Peddie of leading Brownies, we have a repertoire was “missing” somewhere in our area. So W of activities that we can draw on – this in order for there to be no disappointed Cubs: Age 8 – 10½ M session we plan to have a Fair Trade children on Christmas morning we joined Wednesday: 6.30pm – 8.00pm evening, plant potatoes, and do our usual together with other beaver colonies and went mix of crafts and games. We had a great on a “Search for Santa” in the last location Akela: Lynn Buchanan (770267) evening in February when Jan Miller and he was spotted - Barrwood, near Stirling. Sarah Kelly, David Brown, Robin Hoyle I Booey from the Lomond Mountain Rescue The day was cold, bright and sunny but I Du Team came to speak to us about their role in am glad to say that after locating/solving Scouts: Age 10½ - 14 I h the team – Booey is a search dog! Jan kept lots of clues Santa was  nally found safe Wednesday: 8.00pm – 9.30pm sc us all enthralled for an hour with a mix of and sound, bouncing on a trampoline in a to slides and chat, although Booey de nitely barn in the middle of a wood! S.L: Paul Brogan (771636) go stole the show! It was the quickest evening We had the usual Burns night, (where Geoff Pinnell, Gerry Corrigan we’ve had! the beavers got to try “Scottish” delicacies Alan Murray be We greatly appreciate the support we’ve to had this session from Tanya and Joyce who ow turn up and help every week as well as A wa getting involved with the organisation of to become warranted to help spread the THE FUN HUT we activities. However, Claire and I are still workload. If you are interested in lending a an the only warranted leaders and would be hand, or becoming warranted, please speak TOYS FOR THE KIDS AND delighted if another parent/adult was willing to Claire (771816) or me (771281). COCKTAILS FOR THE ADULTS! ge Kate Baxter we in FIRST STRATHBLANE GUIDES he Fun Hut ol HIGH DEFINITION ENTERTAINMENT UNIT ON group for ye pre-school SPECIAL OFFER T 5 children and their so carers continues of Lynn Wishart, Guide Leader some of the most entertaining stories you to meet every Monday, Wednesday and are ever likely to hear, enjoy crafts and the Friday between 9.15 and 11.15am in the wh his genuine entertainment unit is on great outdoors. Kirk Rooms. Since the last edition of ‘The di offer for the fantastic bargain price If no-one takes up this offer, then this Blane’, we have been delighted to welcome wi Tof £0.00. Yes, that’s right ladies and very special unit will close. Are you going a number of new babies and children (and Pe gentlemen. You are being given the chance to allow this to happen? their Mums/Dads/Grannies/Childminders of today to take on board a high quality The leader in charge of this unit etc) and, as always, continue to extend that ho product with a full service history going desperately needs help to keep this welcome to all other pre-schoolers in the back nearly 100 years. It has in its lifetime remarkable product in the village. One area. Hi had some very careful lady owners, who lady has already shown an interest and I It is inevitable with the constant use pi have nurtured and loved this unit, taken look forward to speaking to her shortly but (and occasional abuse!) of our toys that ra care to watch it grow and produce some much, much more help is required and, if they can become a little tired. With this Am of the most dynamic, funny, entertaining, this is not forthcoming, then the Guides in mind, we would like to make a request Tu clever and brilliant young ladies this village will cease as it is not possible (nor legal) for to all our fellow villagers to consider has ever seen. one person to run a Guide Company with donating any unwanted toys to the Fun Hut. ne As we near the 100 year mark in this approximately 30 girls. In particular, we are currently short of toy it. remarkable unit’s life, it is in need of new If you never thought of having “high cars, dressing up items and any pretend af blood to move it forward and take it to de nition” in your life, now is the time to kitchen/house items for the ‘home corner’, to the next decade. To fully appreciate and give it a try. I promise you, you will not but would welcome anything suitable for wh get all you can from this remarkable unit, be disappointed by this remarkable, quality under-5s. If you have any items to donate, you need no special training as you learn product. they can be dropped off at the Kirk Rooms Or along the way. It would be an advantage, For further information contact me on during our sessions, or phone me (Kate) on vo however, to be able to handle laughing at 770569. 771149 to arrange collection. wi 10

Blane March 09.indd 10 1/4/09 09:51:03 nd new powerpoint equipment. he MUGA HERITAGE A lot interest was shown in our es, MULTI-USER -GAMES-AREA last speaker of the season, David SOCIETY Roberts from Paisley. David presented FOR THE COMMUNITY he Murray O’Donnell the history of the working horse to a ur he School Parent Council is heading full house. He gave us an extremely er up a project to instal a MUGA on nn Johnstone (we all know interesting talk, one that will be long Tthe school playing  eld for use by her better as Ann Balfour) remembered by his audience. uts pupils during school hours and the wider Aspoke at the January meeting of her As always, our meetings are open to all, nd community at other times. life in journalism, and what a fascinating and a warm welcome awaits you. We have We This would be a hard surface recreation subject it was. Starting off with her early reached the end of this session and there We area with marked pitches/courts to enable a career in Wales, and humorous tales of the will be no more meetings until September. wide range of activities. It would be  oodlit characters that she worked with over the We hope that you will come to our  rst ed although it is proposed that lights would be years, and the innovations in newspaper meeting then if you haven’t been before. production, Ann, at the end of her talk, We shall be glad to see you. And, of course, switched off at 9pm. answered numerous questions from the we shall welcome back those of you who ng In order to ascertain the views of the re members and friends present. The evening regularly come. community and, in particular, the residents passed all too quickly, and our thanks go to or most likely to be affected by a MUGA, a or Ann for a very entertaining evening. survey will be distributed soon, either with By the time you read this the  rst of COCKALANE the Blane or direct to your letter boxes. our two programme changes will have Murray O’Donnell Please treat the survey seriously and return taken place, the Parish of Strathblane, it as directed. presented by the Heritage Society on our he no nonsense residents of Cockalane View may be interested Tin this comment from John Guthrie Smith’s book, The Parish of Strathblane. GLENDRICK ROOST ANIMAL “Cockmylane is perhaps a corruption of WELFARE CENTRE the old Scottish word Cockalane, meaning “a comic play or satyre”; and it may be that Mione Morrison Hopefully one day we will have an Animal Cockmylane was the spot where in pre- Welfare Centre which can house all the Reformation times such were enacted in am founder and Centre Manager of animals in one place. If you know of anyone the parish. It is derived, like many other Glendrick Roost Animal Welfare with approx. 30 acres of rough grazing to Scottish words, from the French, Coq-a- I Centre which at present has animals at spare – please contact me! l’ane, meaning “nonsense” or “ cock and bull Duntreath, Ballat, Gartocharn and Fintry. I am very keen and willing to teach story.” A little to the west of Cockmylane is I have an honours degree in environmental youngsters to care for all animals and a very large boulder, standing where three sciences with biology and have been able strongly believe that, by doing this, they lairds’ lands meet (Craigend, Craigallion, to put a large amount of my knowledge to will not only care for animals but will and Duntreath). It is called “The Gowk’s good use in the care of the animals. become more caring adults. Stane,” and may have got this name from Our organisation came into being I shall be at Dobbies Garden Centre in the “anticks” performed there by the fool because many animals were being brought Milngavie over the Easter Week-end with or jester in these days old plays.” to me that were no longer wanted by their owners or they were suffering from abuse. As the number of animals being brought Frances Hunt asks: What is the was more than I could cope with on my own evidence for the claims that the we became a proper organisation in 2003 Kirkhouse Inn dates back to the 16th and achieved charitable status in 2005. or 17th century? Does anyone know or The animals in our care range from are we going to have to ask Murray? S! gerbils to Clydesdale horses. At present we have 13 equines to look after which include a 9 year old Clydesdale; a 10 year old Highland, a 3 year old Eriskay, a 20 year old Piebald, a 39 year old Chestnut, 5 Shetlands, all ponies, (two mothers, two sons and a miniature  lly); and 3 donkeys of different ages. nd We also have dogs with disabilities he which include the loss of a limb, hip he displacement, blindness and those born me with a deformity. Four of the  ve dogs are nd Pets as Therapy dogs and, along with one some of the dogs and ers of our cats, are able to visit schools and small animals and hat hospitals. would be pleased he Other animals in our care are a shaggy to see you there. Highland cow, Jersey bullocks, Vietnamese I am also willing se pigs, a Pygmy goat, hens, cats, chinchillas, to visit any Youth hat rabbits, guinea pigs, cockatiels, budgies, an Organisation, Rural, his Amazon parrot and a large terrapin called Rotary Club etc. to est Turtle. explain the work of er We take in any domestic animal in our Welfare Centre in ut. need, if we have the facilities to care for more detail, assisted oy it. Wild animals are also taken in and, by some of the nd after necessary  rst aid, are transported animals. r’, to Hessilhead Wildlife Hospital at Beith, for where expert care is available.. I can be contacted at info@ te, Like many other Charitable glendrickroost.org.uk or by phone ms Organisations, we are always looking for at 07748351287. A website www. Mione Morrison and some of her on volunteers to assist us, not only to help glendrickroost.org.uk is also available for animals at Glendrick Roost with the animals but to help raise funds. further information and pictures. 11

Blane March 09.indd 11 1/4/09 09:51:03 NEW BENCH BY THE OLD OAK CROWNINGC SUCCESS AND A ON MUIRHOUSE MUIR FITTINGF FINALE David Shenton reinforcing struts were Convenor, Loch Ardinning Wildlife added. Reserve Management Group, Scottish Over the next few E Wildlife Trust months the bench became wobbly again. po everal years ago a bench was installed The prime suspects th by one of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s were now four-legged Jil Ha STraining Teams at the brow of the hill vandals, namely Tr leading onto Muirhouse Muir, north-east of Highland cows, es Loch Ardinning. This was a conventional, having left evidence Ph park-type, wooden bench and was placed in the form of tufts Gr where a  ne view could be obtained of coarse, orange- M looking down the Blane Valley. Just west red hair on the ends Fr of the bench’s position is an old oak tree, of the bench, where Gr one of the last markers of a small enclosure they had presumably Photo: David Shenton th of trees marked on Guthrie Smith’s map been rubbing. Further Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers trying out the new bench. ev of 1886 but gone by the time the 1899 repairs were carried Tu Ordnance Survey map was issued. A few out in January 2007 and this lasted until of her husband and son. St lengths of dilapidated stone wall mark the summer 2008 when the bench was now Francesca lives in west London and M former southern edge of this small wood beyond repair and was demolished because her husband, Keith, who died in 2008 after pr and for several years from 1989 onwards, it had become unsafe. a long illness, used to love visiting and of Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers planted a Discussions started in the Scottish walking in the country north of Glasgow, as selection of native trees in this area. Some Wildlife Trust Reserve Management Group did their son Ivan who died about 27 years to of these, such as Scots Pine, Holly and a about replacing the bench, possible designs earlier. She was delighted with the idea few oak trees are doing well, though others and how it could be funded. of funding a replacement bench at Loch have struggled in this exposed position, There would be some wood available Ardinning, to quote Francesca’s words, “It where the soil is shallow and very peaty. from two old oak trees which had fallen in was a special gift for the Ball family, two It is dif cult to judge the age of the oak the Trust’s reserves at Cumbernauld. of whom work and live in Glasgow, that the tree since it is in a very exposed position, From talking with Julian Angus a bench overlooking Loch Ardinning needed but it could well be a seedling from the specialist garden furniture-maker, based replacing. It is the most beautiful place for older wood. near Leadburn, south of Penicuik, a two- a dedication to the memory of Keith and The bench proved to be very popular sided design was decided upon, giving Ivan, father and son together, from the with walkers due to the  ne view, and greater capacity and the option to look whole family.” being at the top of the hill, provides a good across the muir or down to the loch as well So the bench’s design and dimensions resting place. as down the Blane valley. were  rmed up, and after a trial assembly In August 2006 it was evident that the Coincidentally, at this point the Scottish in Julian Angus’ workshop the pieces were arms of the bench had been forced apart, Wildlife Trust was contacted by Rachel transported to Loch Ardinning by trailer whether by an act of vandalism or over- Ball who said her mother, Francesca, just before Christmas 2008. The last leg of enthusiastic use, we do not know. The a “sprightly 83 year-old” would like to the journey was a special challenge to Sven bench was by that time rather wobbly so contribute something suitable in memory Rasmussen (SWT’s Reserves Manager), Sam Gibson (SWT volunteer) and Julian Angus, given the rough terrain and very heavy weight of the oak planks. Re WOMEN’S Note that no nails were used in its Ph construction, which is wholly of wood, RURAL apart from some steel rods pinning it into Jean Shaw Cake Decorating business and we thank the ground. her for taking the time to teach us some of You can reach the bench by going f your immediate picture of the Women’s the tricks of the trade. Our next meeting through the kissing-gate at the north-east Rural is of middle-aged to elderly ladies involved another local lady, Jenny Oswald, corner of the Nature Trail (post number Iwearing tweed skirts, twin sets and who gave us an insight into the history and 13), then heading left and up the hill. rows of pearls sitting knitting, crocheting origins of “Circle Dancing” and had us all If you would like more information or sampling each others baking then think on our toes learning dances from various about Loch Ardinning, and what to see again! The Blane Rural has a group of parts of the world. This was thoroughly there, or about the Scottish Wildlife Trust, ! ladies of varying ages, modernly dressed, enjoyed, not only by those dancing, but by please contact me, David Shenton (0141 " full of fun and willing to try anything. the spectators! 776 5506) or Sven Rasmussen (01236 # We meet in the Edmonstone Hall at 7.30 Visitors are welcome at each meeting 457050). $ p.m. on the third Thursday of the month and for the small sum of £1.00 so why not come % the programme so far has included evenings along and give it a try. You will be made & of Witchcraft Accusations, how to make very welcome. was dying she cursed the family of Stirling ' Jewellery, Cake Decorating and Circle and also the loch, which thereafter was ( to be without living inhabitant. The story Dancing and there are further interesting AND TALKING ABOUT ) and enjoyable topics still to come before we goes that this curse weighed heavily on the * stop for the summer break. WITCH ACCUSATIONS... late Craigbarnet, and that he was at great + The Christmas Party was unfortunately pains stocking the loch with  sh so as to not as well attended as it could have been Murray O’Donnell show the impotency of the witch’s curse. due to illnesses but those who were there The author believes that there is no truth enjoyed a lovely evening with an excellent found this comment in John Guthrie in the story. There are no traces of witches meal prepared by the Committee. Smith’s book: “There is a vague in Strathblane either is the Session or Our opening meeting of 2009 was a very Istory  oating about in the district Presbytery Records. The loch certainly enjoyable evening with a demonstration about a witch in connection with Loch was carefully stocked with  sh in the late of Cake Decorating by local “girl” Claire Ardinning. It is said that one of the lairds laird’s time, but the object was no doubt for Sharp. Claire, who is self taught in this of Craigbarnet had one of these unfortunate sport for himself and friends and from no art, now owns and runs a very successful creatures drowned there, and that when she superstitious feeling. 12

Blane March 09.indd 12 1/4/09 09:51:04 CROWNING SUCCESS AND A FITTING FINALE leven years ago, the  rst village pantomime performed by the Blane Valley Players was “Babes In The Wood”. The event proved to be so popular that a new pantomime Ehas been performed every year since then. This year, the Players revisited the “Babes” and found them just as youthful and popular as ever. This year’s cast showed how much outstanding talent is available, from the youngest chorus member to the oldest dame. Yes, this means Murray O’Donnell! Jill Allardice has grown in talent year on year and proved a delightful heroine. Aldis Hamilton, a new player, proved an able foil as Robin Hood, while another new face, Trish Ralph, as the Sheriff of Nottingham, showed just how bad a real baddie can be, especially when given support from henchmen, Block and Tackle, aka Martin Arrol and Philip Graves. Dangerous Dave (Michael O’Neill) tried his best to join Sarah Gibson, Beth Grant, Michael Ewart and Lewis Currie as part of the Merry Men, but it was his bravery in helping save the babes (Jack Fryer and Connie Lynch) that gained him that special Lincoln Green. The beautifully costumed fairy, Susan Rhind, oversaw ton the whole story, and the enthusiastic chorus entertained everyone, as did the cute little animals provided by the Lynda Turner Dancers. This year’s Guest Star was provided by Strathblane Primary School, in the form of the drum beating nd Morven Bulloch. Billie Ferguson, the producer, can be very Above: Maid Marian, played er proud of her production, her cast, and her technical crew, all by Jill Allardice, and the dame, nd of whom gave their all for the nights of the Panto. Murray O’Donnell no less. This as So, it is perhaps, truly  tting that the Panto Season’s come was Murray’s swan song as the ars to an end for now for the Players. annual dame - some swan! ea In show business it is always said to be good to leave the ch people wanting more, and the Left: The Sheriff of Nottingham’s “It Players feel that they would henchmen, Block and Tackle, wo like to get back to their acting he roots, with one act plays, skits aka Martin Arrol and Philip ed and songs. Graves. for The next production will nd be exactly that: a play and a he cabaret, on May 29th and 30th in the Edmonstone Hall. Bring ns along a bottle of wine and some ly friends and enjoy a great night re out! There may well be a seasonal er play and concert in December but, of for anything like that to go ahead, en the Players will need new adult r), members who would like to try an their hand at acting. ry If you would like to tread the Resident of Southview Drive. boards, please contact Joyce Ward its Photograph by Maurice Lee on 770073. d, to !"#$%&'%()"*+,-%+.% ng ast !"#$%&'$()&&$*)+!! er !"#$$%&&'()%&"&*'+! on ee !"#"$%&'()#*($+,#-.%%/$')# st, /0)10,2,3%4)3,1+)."%$.*%10..-,%+.%+352,#6%$.*%53,%."#$%&'%7)"*+,-%83.7% 41 8)"4)"9%)"-:)35+)."5#%1534-%5"4%9)8+-%8.3%5##%+0,%)7:.3+5"+%:,.:#,%)"%$.*3% 36 #)8,;%<."=+%8.39,+%$.*3-,#8%5-%>,##;%/,%052,%85?*#.*-%35"9,-%.8%@,>,##,3$6% 05"4?59-% 5"4% ?.4$% :3.4*1+-% +.% :*+% +05+% ,A+35% ?.*"1,% )"% $.*3% -+,:% +0)-% B:3)"9;%%%%%!*3%1534-%>)##%4,8)")+,#$%:*+%5%-7)#,%."%-.7,?.4$=-%851,6%.*3% ?5?$%:3,-,"+-%>)##%7,#+%5%0,53+%.3%+>.%5"4%.*3%10)#43,"=-%+.$-%>)##%?3)"9% ng -C*,5#-% .8% 4,#)90+;% % D0.+.% 8357,-6% :*EE#,-% 5"4% 9)8+-% 8.3% 9534,",3-;%% as F*#)",3$% F."1,:+-6% G)++#,% ()--H(5+10,46% !II,3% 9#5--% 1#.1I-% 5"4% J"5)% ry >5+10,-;%K0,%#)-+%9.,-%."%5"4%.";%D#,5-,%2)-)+%,)+0,3%.8%+0,%-0.:-%+.%8)"4% he 93,5+% )4,5-% 8.3% 5##% 59,-6% ,"@.$% -.7,% >537% :,3-."5#% 5++,"+)."% 5"4% +5I,% eat 5425"+59,%.8%+0,%>35::)"9%-,32)1,%+05+%:*+-%+0,%8)"5#%+.*10%+.%5%9..4%9)8+% to se. th !"#$%&'%()"*+,-%+.% es or ly ate or !"#$%!&'!"#$%!&'!"#$%!&'%!"#$%!&'%%% no H o m e v i s i t s c a n b e 01#2$.)#34'//4,#2.%)5$6./# arranged to suit 13

Blane March 09.indd 13 1/4/09 09:51:04 WHERE AM I? CYCLE PATH Below: Moira Drennan, sent us this photograph of the newly resurfaced cycle track. Moira is the volunteer Sustrans Ranger for this section of the National Cycle Network. The project was funded 50% by Sustrans and the rest by East Dunbartonshire Council’s Transportation Services. If you are looking for a good family cycle, or just an easy path to walk, this is a beautiful route. It starts at the side of the Church Manse and goes to Lennoxtown and beyond. This couple and their moggy recently moved to the village but, showing a sad lack of commitment to the community, they left shortly afterwards. When Alastair Smith asked them for a brief interview, they just gave him a frosty stare. Alastair is used to that sort of thing. No frosty stares from the lady next to them - Julia Roberts is actually winking at him. Shocking really. He probably won’t let on where he saw her but we have put the answer on page 8. PHOTO WORKSHOP ver wanted to be able to take really Eprofessional photographs? Now is your opportunity learn from an expert. Martin Shields had a trial workshop a few weeks ago when several greenhorns, including the editor, spent a day being taught some of the tricks. Martin is holding another workshop at Mugdock Country Park on Sunday 19 April from 10am to 4pm. The work will be mainly be around £80 for the day and more details practical photography out and about, and can be had by emailing Martin at martin. some photoshop image enhancement to get [email protected]. Have a look the best from your photographs. There will at his gallery at http://gallery.me.com/ be a maximum of 5 to 6 people so that there martin.shields. will be lots of personal attention. Price will The editor highly recommends the course and was amazed at the way he could produce a good picture after a THEN... few hours tuit ion (above is a sample and he hopes you are impressed). ...AND NOW

Left: The ‘Meikle Tree’ is at the side of the road at Blairquhosh near the distillery. Sometimes known as Rob Roy’s tree, it was ‘a favourite trysting place, both for the peaceful purposes of making bargains and drawing up agreements, and also, it may be supposed, for the assembling of the Strathblane branch of the Clan Buchanan“all bodin in feir of weir” to attack their enemies or defend their friends.’ (John Guthrie Smith, Parish of Strathblane - there is a reference copy in the library.) 14

Blane March 09.indd 14 1/4/09 09:51:05 us wly ra ns he he by ast l’s od sy ful of to

A warm welcome awaits you from Allan and Margaret and their new team. The function suite, with its new cocktail bar is available for weddings, birthday parties, dinner dances and conferences. Bar meals and the brasserie restaurant are open all day. 2 courses £11.99 Menu available all day 3 courses £15.99 excluding Saturday nights

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he ry. it for ns o, ng an to eir of in 15

Blane March 09.indd 15 1/4/09 09:51:06 blotch on the nape of its neck and a further red mark under its co THE HEAD BANGERS tail feathers. It is a Great Spotted Woodpecker. This is possibly in the most widespread of the woodpeckers of Europe, ranging up DHL from the Arctic coniferous forests of Sweden and Norway to the southern scrub woods of Spain and Italy. It is one of only af f you go down to the woods two woodpeckers found regularly in Scotland. There are some as today you’re pretty sure of a big 4-6,000 breeding pairs in the country concentrated around fro Isurprise. Especially will this Dumfries and Galloway, Lothians, the Endrick valley and cr be so if you choose a calm sunny Loch Lomond side, and the Great Glen. The last century saw sq morning and go out reasonably a steady decline in numbers but more recently the situation a t early (before 11am). The Mugdock seems to have stabilised with numbers increasing a Country Park is a good place to little. Reasons for the decline and subsequent G start but any mixed wood with stabilisation are unclear, although the reasonable numbers of deciduous increase in conifer plantations and the ar trees will do. Just walk along regular felling of these trees may have (~ quietly with your ears tuned to the a role to play as woodpeckers prefer 60 many woodland noises. old trees with many rotten branches m Listen particularly for an which can provide plenty of grubs and Fi intermittent drumming noise nesting sites. ne coming from mid level or higher The increasingly widespread use St in the branches. It will sound like of bird-feeders, particularly those pa drrrrrr…..drrrrrr…..drrrrrr, then a with peanuts has caused a change in wo pause followed by a repeat of the behaviour of this species which now an drumming at intermittent times regularly visits feeders to broaden their re until with a bit luck you hear a m This Great Spotted Woodpecker diets. Woodpeckers are monogamous and Ba reply coming from elsewhere some may well mate for life. Their breeding was photographed by Maurice Lee pa in the wood….. DDRRRRR….. season commences in March and April and de DDRRRRR. If all is otherwise in his back garden in Southview it is in preparation for this that they begin to Drive. to quiet this can go on for some 10 - drum during February and March. gr 15 minutes then quietens down for Drumming is not associated with so a time before repeating itself. Whilst this is proceeding, try to actual nesting - they are not attempting va identify where the sound is coming from – not quite as easy as it to excavate a nest in a hollow tree - rather Green Woodpecker seems. Advance gently towards the noise and you might well see they are communicating with each other dr its source – a medium sized bird (~22cm long) sitting near the by using the magnifying effect on noise production of bashing tec trunk of a tree and repeatedly striking its bill against the trunk their bills against a hollow log or branch. Drumming is undertaken ca itself or an adjacent hollow branch. by both sexes but is a potent sign that the hormone levels are ge The bird will have black and white-barred plumage with a red cont’d next page col.1 Ap us an BEAVERING AWAY IN ARGYLL de LOCAL MAN TO MANAGE THE PROJECT wi Introducing beavers into Scotland once they’ve had a while av is controversial and there are strong dr to settle in to their new to arguments for and against. Simon surroundings. Jones, who lives in Strathblane, is as The UK is one of the th a Reserves Manager with Scottish last countries in Europe Wildlife Trust and project manager to embark on a re- of the Scottish Beaver Trial. Here he introduction programme. BE explains the project, which will trial the Beavers were hunted to co introduction of wild beavers to Argyll. extinction in Scotland in the 16th century for food or his spring, about 20 wild beavers and for their pelts, and the clo will be released into the Knapdale Knapdale newcomers will be the  rst wild burrows or lodges which have a submerged co TForest in mid Argyll, the start of beavers families here for 400 years. The entrance and are built up with branches and th a Government-backed  ve-year trial beavers that have starred on Autumnwatch mud. They prefer to live on the banks of sc that could pave the way for the return of are captive animals within enclosures. existing lochs or slow- owing rivers, but to beavers across the wetland areas of the UK. Beavers are large rodents, over a metre will build dams on burns to create their pr The trial is being run by Scottish Wildlife long. They live in tight-knit family groups own lochans if necessary. They do not Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of with an adult pair and two or three young. tend to like faster  owing rivers or canal in Scotland, in collaboration with the Forestry They are mostly nocturnal, but during systems. a Commission, which owns the Forest. It summer months are active in late daylight. Beavers can bring bene ts for our th will be possible to go and see the beavers, They are active throughout the year and do wildlife, for our water, and for eco-tourism. ‘b not hibernate. They spend all By building dams they create ponds and be of their time either in or very wetlands that attract other species such en close to freshwater. They only as frogs, toads, water voles, dragon ies, ar eat shoots, leaves, twigs and birds and  sh. They also help to improve tra bark and do not eat  sh. They water quality and manage local  ooding an fell broadleaved trees close by creating their own water-holding areas Go to the water’s edge in order to and  ood defences. In the woodlands they fu feed on bark, leaves and twigs, help to stimulate new growth by gnawing W and they may use the timber to on tree stems and coppicing. Sc build lodges and dams. These The beaver’s engineering behaviour pr trees then re-grow new shoots. can occasionally bring it into con ict with re They prefer aspen, willow and humans, mostly with landowners with wi birch and do not like coniferous forestry or agricultural interests. They can trees. block drainage culverts, fell orchard trees ho They live in waterside cont’d next page col.1 ww 16

Blane March 09.indd 16 1/4/09 09:51:07 its cont’d from previous page the recognisable single muscle used for water in a dive they fold their wings back ly increasing and the urge to procreate is feeding. This large muscle bulk protects the and become like a torpedo. Nevertheless, ng upon the birds. brain from sustaining major injury during the potential for major traumatic effects to Nest excavation is altogether a quieter the head-banging calls of the Great Spotted on their brain would be almost intolerable ly affair and is done in an irregular manner Woodpecker, and whilst both species are were it not that they have an intricate series me as the objective is to remove rotten wood excavating their nest holes in trees. The of sinuses in their skulls to cushion the nd from a large branch or trunk of a tree and adaptability of nature is truly astounding. effect of the collision with the sea. This nd create an area safe from predators such as is another and quite different adaptation aw squirrels and pine martins in which to rear Northern Gannet from that adopted by the woodpeckers to on a typical brood of 4-5 eggs. Only one other species of European protect their brains from the trauma of bird needs special protection to avoid their lifestyles. These Green Woodpecker concussion. In this case quite a different head bangers, as I have The other woodpecker found in our mechanism is brought into play. The bird called them, seem to cope well area is the larger Green Woodpecker in question is one of our most beautiful with their potentially traumatic (~33cm long) of which there are some ones but cannot be seen in the valley as it is lifestyles although we have no way 600 – 800 pairs in Scotland concentrated an exclusively maritime summer migrant. of knowing whether or not they mainly in Dumfries, East Lothian and The Northern Gannet – a get regular headaches after a Fife – Perthshire areas. Smaller numbers beautiful dazzling white drumming session to nest in the triangle from East Kilbride to bird with black wing tips attract their mates Stirling and thence to Loch Lomond. A few and a bright yellow head. It is about (woodpeckers) or pairs nest in the Valley especially in open 100cm in length with a wingspan after a long dif cult series woodlands along the Loch Katrine pipeline of 180cm – as large as many of dives to get their evening meals and into Mugdock Country Park. I have albatrosses of the Southern Oceans. (Gannets). Even more bizarrely we do recently seen one  ying in its characteristic We in Scotland have around 70% not know if old woodpeckers or gannets manner over Blane eld heading towards of the world population of this suffer from post traumatic Parkinson’s Ballagan House. Green woodpeckers are stunning species with 182,000 nesting disease like old boxers! Perhaps this particularly partial to ants as culinary sites scattered around our coasts on would be a fruitful issue to study for a delicacies and so are linked in distribution uninhabited islands such as Ailsa Craig budding PhD in Ornithology. Nature to areas where turf is kept short due to in the Clyde Estuary and the Bass Rock at is truly wonderful in its diversity and its grazing by sheep, cattle and even rabbits, the entrance to the Forth Estuary. Breeding many ingenious adaptations to individual so they should be happy enough in our pairs arrive from their wintering haunts off lifestyles. valley! West Africa in February and stay here until Green Woodpeckers generally do not late October and sometimes even later if the drum, but attract their mates by other weather is conducive to continued  shing. Offers in Region of £134,000 ng techniques including use of a characteristic Gannets dive from heights as great as en call (referred to as a ‘yaf e’) which is 40m directly into the water to catch their re generally best heard in March and early food – mainly  sh around 10-30cm long. l.1 April. They do however excavate nests by At the last moment before they enter the using their powerful bills to remove dead and living wood mainly from mature deciduous trees. Evolution has provided woodpeckers with a wonderful shock-absorber to avoid suffering from concussion whilst drumming and excavating nest holes. Their tongue is particularly long and originates as two large muscles which wrap over their skull before coming together into ! BEAVERING AWAY IN ARGYLL !"##$%&'($%'&)$*+',((+-&+.' Mid Terraced Villa in Dumbrock cont’d from previous page /0'123$%-+'$%'!+#,%,&2$4' Cres., Strathblane; set within lovely landscaped gardens and with views or feed on crops such as maize that are very of the immediate Campsie Hills. close to the water’s edge. The evidence from Are you, or someone you know, going through or suffering from the Accommodation comprises entrance ed comparable countries in Europe is that effects of a broken relationship? porch, lounge, modern  tted dining nd these problems tend to be on a small, local kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, bathroom of scale and there are many proven methods Feeling overwhelmed, lonely, depressed, (white suite) & substantial attic ut to deter beavers using fences and pipes and hurt, lacking confidence and self-esteem, conversion. GCH. DG. Private front protect particularly vulnerable sites. bitter and angry? and rear gardens. Viewing advised! eir ot The Knapdale beavers were captured Or wanting to help a friend or relation Call 0845 408 9636 nal in Norway this autumn and are undergoing going through a difficult time? a six-month quarantine before release into View the property at: their new home. With the help of volunteer We provide a range of support services rightmove.co.uk & gspc.co.uk ur mob: 07776151387 m. ‘beaver wardens’, the trial will study the including: beavers and their impact on the natural • telephone support, nd • ch environment and local economy of the 1-1 support area. After  ve years of intensive radio- • 6 week support courses, es, • signposting to websites ve tracking, tagging, vegetation monitoring • and sampling by scientists, the Scottish support evenings, ng • useful reading as Government will then decide the long-term ey future of the European beaver in Scotland. For more information contact: ng Will it be further trials in other parts of Scotland? Will it be a full re-introduction 01877 339966 ur programme at other sites? Or will it be au or revoir to the beaver once more? Only time 07790 437713 th th will tell. Email: [email protected] an For more information, or to  nd out es how you can support the project, visit Room 3, Callander Kirk Hall, South Church Street, l.1 www.scottishbeavers.org.uk. Callander, FK17 8BN Hanging out with the lads 17

Blane March 09.indd 17 1/4/09 09:51:07 MOLES ON THE MOVE H Ellie Mills, Mugdock Ranger now may be due to tunnels  ooding and changes in temperature. Even in the cold S collapsing as the soil is quite waterlogged snap we had in early December the soil was walking around Mugdock looking at the moment. temperature at 30cm did not drop below Su for inspiration for my next Blane article Moles are very territorial and they will 3°C and in the warmer days of this summer I when I literally stumbled across it. The defend their tunnels  ercely if another it only got up to 15°C. They are not forced beginning of the year, here at Mugdock, mole ventures to only come out at night saw a surge in mole activity and it got me into them. This is to avoid predators like I wondering what they actually get up to because they rely other small mammals da down there. Perhaps a few people reading on their tunnels either. It is a very be this article have actually seen a real, live for a good supply unlucky mole indeed that eth mole but we have certainly all seen the of food. Although gets caught above ground lo (welcome or otherwise) little mounds of moles are solitary by a fox or bird of prey. in earth that they leave behind them. they know where Moles make up their own so Mole hills do not mark the route of the their neighbours time table which falls th mole’s main tunnel they are made at the end are through a into the general pattern be of purposefully dug lateral shafts which system of scent of alternate sessions ye are blocked again once the spoil has been marking which of activity (feeding bu pushed above ground. The number of mole tells them which or digging) and rest wh hills is not always an indication of how other moles are (sleeping or inactive in alm many moles are living in an area because in the area and their tunnels) that each th they do not have to dig tunnels constantly how long it was last about 3 – 4 hours. lo as they move around underground in fact a since they were last there. They will move This follows for most of the year apart Ni very small proportion of their time is spent in pretty quickly to take over the burrow from late autumn when males change their Or digging. Moles do most of their digging of a neighbouring mole if they die or are routine to 2 longer periods of activity in an Fo during autumn and winter. This is because removed. Moles patrol their network effort to extend their territory before the str the softer soil at this time of year is easier of tunnels looking for food and eat any breeding season. to work than the hard dry summer soil. worms or other soil invertebrates that drop Moles aren’t completely subterranean ha They need to make the most of this digging in through the roof. If they  nd that more and they do venture above ground either to th opportunity so that they have a serviceable worms than they can eat have dropped  nd food in dry spells or to gather nesting we network of tunnels ready for the breeding in they will store them in specially dug material. Young moles will also go above ne season which starts in late February. larders by biting the worms nerve cord and ground to  nd a territory of their own to Although autumn and winter are the best severing it so that it doesn’t wriggle off but towards the end of the summer. If you do re time of year to repair and extend tunnels stays fresh.  nd a mole above ground it is just part of gr it is also when tunnels are most likely to The day to day routine of a mole is not their natural behaviour and if left quietly the it be damaged by  ooding or hard frosts. A really that at all. Living underground they mole will make its own way underground wi lot of the mole activity that you can see are not exposed to night or day or rapid to carry on its secretive existence. gr sw COLD CALLING WARNINGS ROGUE TRADERS ARE CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS C Co Gary Nimmo, can compare prices. Neil Chalmers added: and suggests some guidelines: un Stirling Council Press Of ce “Don’t be rushed into making a decision. • If the company can only offer the price or • Find out if planning permission is af rading Standards and Central Scotland deal that day if you sign immediately, then needed from you local Council su Police are warning members of the I would be highly suspicious.” • Get several written estimates for to public to be on their guard against a Stirling Community Safety Of cer, works to be undertaken un T • Find out if the trader you intend spate of cold calling complaints they have Police Constable Derek Mitchell said: received regarding security systems. using is a member of any professional Stirling Council’s Trading Standards “The alarm system may be o! ered for free organisation, such as Federation of Master sa (SCTS) Manager, Neil Chalmers explained but the householder is then expected Builders or National Federation of Roo ng Contractors or British Association sa that one unsuspecting consumer was to sign a maintenance contract costing m several thousand pounds.” Landscape Industries. These organisations telephoned at home and was told that the should be able to supply you with details in company was doing a crime awareness of their members who may have to operate St campaign and their property had been “The recent approaches to members of within their code of conduct. Some th selected to receive a free alarm system. the public by companies selling services, organisations have dispute resolution cir Another consumer was also contacted and including double glazing or alarm systems processes told that they lived in an area with a high have caused concern due to the ‘hard sell’ • Have any contract clearly de ned pa crime rate, which the householder knew to tactics adopted by some. Always take time in writing identifying what work is to be cr be untrue. to decide on any decision to have works Continued on next page col.1 cr Neil said: “The alarm system may be carried out or purchase services and do or offered for free as an incentive but the not be persuaded to part with money on re householder is then expected to sign for the doorstep. Reputable companies will o l o u r e d wh a maintenance contract costing several be happy to invoice you after satisfactory s t i c k e r s thousand pounds.” completion of the work.” Cfor display is He continued: “Consumers who are at your door to an approached as a cold call usually have a 7 HOME IMPROVEMENTS discourage people be day cancellation period but if the equipment A warning is also being issued to anyone selling items un is installed immediately, and it usually is, thinking of a house extension, a new garage, or services are sta they have no right to cancel.” landscaping or other home improvements available at the SCTS advice is that if householders to think carefully before beginning any library or directly ca are considering having a security system work or employing contractors. from Stirling co  tted they should contact Central Scotland The SCTS receives complaints all Council Trading 43 Police for advice and then contact a few year round regarding problems people Standards on 0845 277 7000, email: sti different companies for quotes so they experience with home improvement work [email protected]. Sc 18

Blane March 09.indd 18 1/4/09 09:51:07 HERALDS OF GARDENING CLUB ld SPRING Mary Brailey oil ow Susan MacDonald ere you offered sherry fondant slices and er mincemeat macaroons everywhere you ed and I imagine most of you, am desperate Wwent in the village over the Christmas ht for signs of spring and for those heralds period? Or ‘stained-glass’ gingerbread hearts hanging ke I of warmer, drier, longer from Christmas trees? That’s because als days to come. Lovely as it has the gardening club’s special Christmas is ry been to look out on a white, Coming event on 15 December featured hat ethereal landscape, I now some mouthwatering confections nd long for a glimpse of colour demonstrated by Sheila McKinlay. Her ey. in the garden and a sign that partner in crime was Janette Tennant, who wn something is growing beneath constructed some lovely  oral displays lls this white canopy. We have while keeping up a stream of anecdotes and rn become used, over the past few snippets of festive information. ns years, to mild winters, to seeing In January Sue Thornley gave an ng bulbs coming up through the ground, the illustrated talk about plants in the Greek Peloponnese, white nodding heads of tiny snowdrops and in February James May spoke on Plants for est Some of the confections in almost buried beneath the snow that gives Retirement. ch them their name. I have been admiring the demonstrated at the gardening rs. lovely helleborus in  ower – Helleborus Forthcoming attractions club’s Christmas is Coming event art Niger, the Christmas rose and Helleborus The AGM and a local garden visit will take place on 24 eir Orientalis, the spring  owering Lenten rose. April: details will be published. On Saturday 2 May there will be an afternoon visit by an For winter interest and some early colour, I car to see two gardens: Aeolia and Blackmill. The last event of the season will be a bus he strongly recommend these  owers. trip to Lanercost in Carmunnock Saturday 27 June. I cannot remember a winter when I More information about these events and the club in general is available on the website an have had such a long spell of inactivity in www.strathblane eld.org.uk, or phone Tom on 771433. to the garden, due to the prolonged cold and ng wet spells - even the greenhouse has been ve neglected - but now is the time to get down melons now is the time to start sowing growth from July into autumn. Unlike most wn to some serious seed sowing in order to indoors for transfer to your plot later. spring and summer  owering shrubs, which do reap the bene ts in the summer. While a Outdoor sowing should take place from  ower on wood produced the previous of greenhouse is an advantage in this respect March to April when you can sow onions, year, late summer  owering shrubs always he it is far from a necessity as a kitchen shallots, potatoes, broad beans, brussel do best on shoots grown since the spring. nd windowsill can do the task equally well. sprouts, broccoli, beetroot, turnips, Extend the life of winter  owering pansies, If you have a vegetable plot and plan to parsnips, and carrots. (Weather permitting planted in pots, by regular dead-heading. grow lettuce, leeks, baby root vegetables, of course). This allows the plant to put its energy into sweet peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and For the  ower garden, sow half-hardy making blooms for many more weeks. annuals such as cosmos Nicotiana and If you have grown, or bought, indoor Busy Lizzies and perennials such as lupins, bulbs such as Narcissus Paperwhite or COLD CALLING WARNINGS delphiniums and primroses. It is also time Hyacinths, remove the faded  owers by Continued from previous page to plant lilies and gladiolus corms. Check cutting off the  ower spike near the base. undertaken and the cost involved hardwood cuttings taken in August, and Never remove any foliage. Move the bulbs • If you are having concerns stored dahlia tubers and begonia corms. to a cool place give them a drink and leave is after the work has started, write down These can now be potted for  owering them to rest. The foliage will slowly die such concerns and make them known later in the year. If you have late summer down and can then be removed, the bulbs for to an appropriate person involved in the  owering shrubs, such as Buddleia, cleaned and stored away for next autumn undertaking of the contract Hardy Fuchsias, Lavatera, Leycesteria, when they can be re-planted either in the nd Caryopteris, Spiraea, bush and shrub roses, garden for a show the following spring or nal Consumer Adviser, Gordon Howieson, hydrangea Paniculata or Snowberry, now is re-potted for an indoor display next year. er said: “If the contractor does not act to your the time to cut them back. A winter cut- It may seem a lot of work just now but ng satisfaction, contact any organisations they back helps keep them attractive, compact you will enjoy the fruits of your labours on and tidy while encouraging a  ush of new throughout the summer. ns may be members of as soon as possible, ils in writing, and also contact your Trading ate Standards Service. Consumers may have me the right to claim redress and in some CASTLE RECIPE on circumstances compensation” People are asked to remember if they Julie Edmonstone ed pay over £100 of the contract price by be credit card or credit agreement, that the THE CHOCOLATE CAKE l.1 credit grantor, i.e. the credit card company or  nance company, may also have a Look no further. This is the only chocolate cake responsibility to assist you in any disputes recipe you’ll ever need and quite different from which may arise. s shop-bought one. Good fun for the children to If the agreement to carry out any work make on a rainy day! is the result of a ‘cold call’ by the trader and the work is for more £35, then you will SIEVE TOGETHER be entitled to receive cancellation rights unless you give the trader permission to 175 gms plain  our 150mls warm milk BEAT ALL start work immediately. 125 gms caster sugar 150mls sun ower oil INGREDIENTS If you have had experience of cold 1 tsp baking powder 2 eggs TOGETHER. calling and want further advice or help 1 tsp bicarb. of soda 2 tbles golden syrup BAKE IN 2 X 6” TINS contact Trading Standards on 01786 2 tbles best cocoa 180c for 20” 432170 or e-mail tradingstandards@ stirling.gov.uk or contact Central Turn out on rack to cool and sandwich together with choc. butter cream. Butter/ Scotland Police on 01786 456000. melted plain chocolate/icing sugar all beaten together. 19

Blane March 09.indd 19 1/4/09 09:51:08 MY ‘STRICTLY’ EXPERIENCE C Margaret Robertson but it was a much nicer process than at an The make-up M airport. Eventually we arrived in a warm, for girls and t is unnerving when you answer the bright BBC canteen which offered food – boys looks telephone and the person at the other and drink. The  rst division are naturally over the top Iend says ‘Sit down, I have something entertained in the famous Green Room, seen at  rst O important to tell you … I have two tickets but this canteen was just as  ne for us as hand, and the he to be in the audience for Strictly Come we began to thaw out. Everyone was given dance  oor is fo Dancing on 22 November and I would like a numbered ticket on entry, which would much smaller br my ‘two Mums’ to go …’ It was Julia, my determine when we were called. In the than it looks of daughter-in-law. She had applied online, meantime we had an hour or so to regain on TV so you air along with 250,000 other people, and her the feeling in our feet, sip some warm BBC can actually wi name came out of the hat. wine and enjoy the previous week’s Strictly watch their pr What excitement! Julia knew that I Come Dancing show on the big screens all f o o t w o r k th was a fan of ‘Strictly’, but her own mother, around. quite easily. wh Yvonne, is a complete ‘Strictly’ freak. As We were in the  rst batch of the J o h n I discovered later, her knowledge on the audience to be called. We felt we had ‘won S e r g e a n t Margaret Robertson of subject knows no bounds, and I almost felt a watch’, with a ground- oor position and and Kristina so a fraud in her company. an excellent view. The studio is every bit Rihanoff provide a most elegant waltz se What the BBC don’t tell you is that they as glamorous and kitsch as it looks on TV. and  nish to a standing ovation. By this En give out more tickets than they have seats The only downside was the tiny gilt chairs time the atmosphere in the whole studio wi to ensure a full house. The availability of which are meant for bottoms a lot smaller is electric. Once the dancers are  nished wh seating also depends on how many VIPs, than mine …in fact only the stick insects the live programme comes to an end and celebrities, and friends and relatives of the in the audience looked comfortable. But I the telephone voting begins. We remain dancers wish to attend. It is all done on a guess they don’t want you falling asleep in our seats while the guest singer, John E  rst come,  rst served basis, so it was tricky halfway through the show. Barrowman, records his spot for Sunday’s to know when to arrive at the audience Eventually the whole studio  lled up Results Show. th doors. I wasn’t going all that distance to be and then the VIPs and celebrities appeared Until the telephone lines close and of denied my seat! and took their places in the front and they can  nish recording the Sunday night It also happened to be the week that second rows. We lost count of the famous show, we are tempted back to the canteen John Sergeant decided to bale out of the faces – Gloria Hunniford, Felicity Kendal, with the promise of refreshments –BBC- competition, creating a huge media frenzy. John Barrowman ... the list was endless, speak for cartons of orange juice and Kit N He would be performing his ‘bowing-out’ and it was an entertainment itself just to Kats. However, there is a bar. While we are V dance that night. So, instead of turning up view all the comings and goings. Shortly catching up with our chums from the queue, at TV Centre at around 2.45pm for doors before the show went live, Zara Phillips I am quietly nursing a glass of wine when a El opening at 3.45pm as the BBC had advised, and Mike Tindall appeared out of nowhere terrifying lady from the News Department Yvonne was leaving nothing to chance. We appears in front of me and invites me arrived at 12.30, on one of the sunniest, but outside for an interview. Too scared to say coldest, days of the year in London. no, I follow her outside, with Yvonne hard Y an A couple of dozen people were already on my heels. Th there. Most of them, obviously experienced Before I know it I am being blinded by th audience goers, were equipped with a bright light, and one of those furry things wh picnic tables, folding chairs, food, drink which interviewers use is stuck under my Co and warm clothes. The doors didn’t open chin. Asked whether I agree with John until 4pm so it was a very long, and very Sergeant leaving the show, I say the  rst av cold, wait. The queue grew ever longer – thing which comes into my head, a view co with just a smattering of men – and there which Yvonne disagrees with. In the space is was much discussion as to who would be of a few minutes we unwittingly give the wh lucky enough to get in. We got to know our BBC two opposing views on the affair in immediate neighbours quite well. Our little Dancing partners, Kristina Rihanoff and one take. tuna sandwiches, taken as an afterthought, John Sergeant Thinking no more about it, we go paled into insigni cance alongside the back into the studio and watch the Results feasts these ladies had brought with them, and sat just three seats away from us. They Show. Yvonne is rewarded with Craig’s and food was generously shared out with had come to support Austin Healey. Well! autobiography ‘All Balls and Glitter’ for anyone who felt peckish. All very jolly. By this time I thought Yvonne might faint her efforts in the off-screen audience jive The invitation stipulated ‘glamorous’ with excitement. competition, and the whole thing  nishes dress for ladies, a tricky thing to get right Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno then about 10.15. when you have to stand for hours in sub- appeared, telling everyone within earshot Yvonne’s ansaphone was bleeping zero temperatures. We clothed our lower that they were really nice people in normal when we got back home. From all the halves with warm trousers and boots and life! Len Goodman made an elegant and excited, babbled messages we gathered layered the top half as glamorously as the digni ed entrance and Arleen arrived that something had happened on the 10 circumstances would allow. Of course, the last, once all the other judges were seated, o’clock BBC News. Texts and voicemails old hands knew there would be extensive accompanied by a squad of make-up artists started  ooding to our mobiles. I called cloakroom facilities. Dressed for a trek to who dabbed and patted on make-up and re- Forrest, my long-suffering husband. He the South Pole, they morphed into shiny, arranged her hair several times. Brucie and would normally rather poke sharp sticks in Ho sparkly creatures once inside – and that Tess quite happily milled about among the his eyes than watch Strictly Come Dancing was only the men! audience chatting to everyone, and there but he had decided he had better watch this Four o-clock and at last the doors was a great feeling of camaraderie. Bruce time in case he could see us in the audience M opened to those of us in the third division. Forsyth is a complete professional although and was likely to be questioned closely on co The  rst division are celebrities and he needs Tess to prompt him from time to my return. But he didn’t watch the News – as VIPs, who sweep through the barrier time, but they clearly have a great time where he would have seen his beloved wife Br in limousines behind tinted windows at doing this show. giving the nation the bene t of her opinion re their leisure. The second division are the Until the very last seconds all seems on recent Strictly events! Wars in Iraq and rid families of all the dancers, who are only chaos. But at last, after a ten-second Afghanistan, global  nancial meltdown, required to turn up just before doors open. countdown, the audience is clapping there are all sorts of serious issues to be cli We knew our place. through the opening sequence, and then addressed on national TV, but the question a h Bags have to be scanned through the it’s live. Brucie and Tess descend the stairs of whether John Sergeant jumped or was is security system and mobile telephones are do their little dance together, and we’re off. pushed out of Strictly was seemingly just of con scated for the duration of the show, The dancers all look absolutely fabulous. continued bottom of next page col.1 I’m 20

Blane March 09.indd 20 1/4/09 09:51:08 CARBON NEUTRAL GROUP Mary Brailey Ef ciency Fair. You can see it on the processing food waste, a village composting group’s web page at www.strathblane eld. scheme, reviving the ‘village centre’ idea ver the winter months the Carbon org.uk/carbonneutral. to encourage local shopping, community Neutral Group may have been The next step in our ‘energy strategy’ of ce space, and recycling facilities to cut Osaving energy by turning our is to secure funds for a project that will what goes into land ll even further. heating down, but we’ve been making up make an energy audit and energy advice for it by generating heat at a couple of available free to everyone in the village. SOIL TOIL brainstorming sessions about the best ways The aim is to cut our carbon footprint by Some of us went to a Master Composting of saving our bit of the planet. Not just hot helping people to make their homes more workshop and are now quali ed to practice air though – over the next month or so we energy-ef cient and reduce their energy as ‘Master Composters’ – see the article will be pulling together a list of further consumption. Under the umbrella of the below. And we have made contact with practical things we can do, and we hope Community Development Trust we have Forth Valley Food Links to mull over some that there will be other people in the village applied to the Climate Challenge Fund, ideas about local food. More on this in the who will want to get involved in them too. and are anxiously waiting for the outcome. next issue! Some of the main contenders to start The Blane Valley Carbon Neutral off with are reducing ‘food miles’ by LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Group welcomes new members at any sourcing, growing and eating more local ltz Stirling Council has embarked on time. The more active members we have the seasonal food; following up last year’s a new Local Development Plan for the more we can do! We normally meet at 8pm his Energy Debate and Energy Ef ciency Fair io area, and during the initial consultation on the third Thursday of each month, and with more energy projects; and improving we took the opportunity to send in some in the meantime share information, news, ed what we do to reduce, re-use and recycle. nd ideas that could help the village cut its ideas and moral support round the group in carbon footprint. These ideas ranged by email. Dates and minutes of meetings hn ENERGY STRATEGY across housing, transport, and renewable are on the website, or you can email cn@ y’s In the meantime, we are delighted with energy, among other things. We made strathblane eld.org.uk or phone 771613. the short  lm that we made, with the help some suggestions for village-wide schemes Next meetings are on 16 April, and 21 May: nd of the BBC LAB, of October’s Energy such as land for allotments, a system for contact the group for venue details. ht en C- Kit NEW CLINIC OPENS IN re VILLAGE ue, n a Elizabeth Normand problems. Anyone can attend the course nt themselves – it’s free – by contacting Eve me es, that’s right, we have a new set Keepax at Forth Environment Link (see ay of doctors in the village. You hadn’t below). If enough of you want to do it then rd Yheard? Well, they’re not medical Eve may be able to run the course locally. and their clinic will be in your back garden. If you’d prefer to start with your own, They are the compost doctors, members of personalised compost consultation then by the Blane Valley Carbon Neutral Group one of the local compost docs can come to gs who attended the Forth Valley Master you. You can set up an appointment with us my Composter course in Alloa on 7 February. directly by e-mailing us at compostclinic@ hn This course is part of a national scheme, strathblane eld.org.uk or, if you prefer rst available across Scotland, to provide to phone, please contact Eve initially. A ew community-based support for anyone who compost consultation can cover: getting ce is thinking about starting to compost, or and setting up your compost bin, how to he who is already composting but is having compost, using your compost, and checking in that you are on the right track. We can also help with anaerobic digesters, wormeries go and Bokashi bin fermentation systems as lts appropriate. g’s Composting and related activities are for very important to reduce food waste going to Look out for posters like this around the ve land ll, which is a major factor contributing village es to carbon emissions and pollution. Land ll is taxed so reducing its volume saves you ng money, while reducing its transport around DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE he the country to disposal sites also saves hile the media have been ed money and reduces emissions. highlighting that, due to the 10 Composting can be a low-effort activity current  nancial climate, ils W with minimal input, or you can do a bit more local authorities are reneging on their ed to produce high-quality material for your environmental promises, Stirling Council He garden. If you’re thinking, “but I’ve no use wants to reassure the public that they are in Hot dog: fat free - puppy fat that is! for compost”, fear not, we hope to develop not land  lling recyclables. This is mainly ng a village scheme to make sure nothing goes because of residents using blue boxes to his to waste. Just give it a go and we’ll see what recycle at source. It is clear that the media ce MY STRICTLY EXPERIENCE evolves. Phone Eve, or e-mail us locals, and have done Councils no favours by the on continued from previous page we’ll see if the composting snowball can extreme reporting. – as important that evening. Even a friend in get as big as some of the real ones spotted fe Brussels saw it on News 24. Extraordinary round the village in recent weeks! Local Property on really. Perhaps it’s the British sense of the Management Services nd ridiculous which prevails regardless. Local compost docs: compostclinic@ n, A very kind person emailed me the news strathblane eld.org.uk Tailored to your requirements be clip, which I can now keep as a reminder of Eve Keepax (Forth Enviroment on a highly entertaining experience. Everyone Link): 01786 449215, eve@ Large or small scale as is supposed to get their own  fteen minutes forthenvironmentlink.org ust of fame so that must have been mine. Sadly Low-cost compost bin offer: l.1 I’m not going to win a BAFTA for it! www.wasteawarescotland.org.uk ! 01360 770579 21

Blane March 09.indd 21 1/4/09 09:51:08 TALES FROM THE NEW M MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT Robert S Davy whether or not the pair of lady’s bloomers, which was n 1988 the Museum of Transport donated anonymously, will moved to its present home in the Kelvin be displayed! IHall from the former tramway sheds The exhibits will be in the south side of Glasgow where it was much more interactive than founded in 1964. Attracting in excess of at present and, for example, 500,000 visitors a year it is one of the most the interiors and engine visited in the United Kingdom. Work is compartments of the classic now well under way on the new Museum cars will be viewable using M of Transport (the Riverside Museum) and state of the art high quality ongoing construction can be seen from the graphics. An archive of Clydeside Expressway or from a train on spoken memories of people the adjacent railway line. The wave–like who remember the times form of the new building, which has been when Glasgow was the The huge South African Railways locomotive 3007, built in 2 designed by Iraqi Architect Zaha Hadid, second City of the Empire Polmadie, Glasgow, will be moved to the new Museum. in can be clearly seen with most of the steel is being recorded. Called m frame in place. “Reel Lives” these memories will form Railways locomotive 3007 which was or The site is located where the river an important personal history. Any reader purchased at a cost of £22,000 (it actually tea Kelvin meets the Clyde and the building who feels they have a story to tell can visit cost £19,600 new which is equivalent to £2 Lo will also be home to the Clyde Maritime the Museum and arrange a recording for million in today’s money) and is the largest fo Trust and the Tall Ship, Glenlee. The site posterity. object ever collected by Glasgow Museums. ye is of historical interest as it was here that The existing Museum will close as Its vital statistics are: weight 180 tons (plus Do the  rm of Todd and McGregor opened a the time draws near for the exhibits to be 70 tons for the tender), length 74 ft (22.5m), Ca shipyard in 1844. This  rm was acquired moved to their new home. Work is already height 13 ft (3.95m). It is a type 15F class in 1872 by Handyside and Henderson, the underway in preparing the collection for (one of 204 similar giants supplied to South in founders of the Anchor shipping line. The the move. The model ships in the Clyde Africa) and was built in 1945 at Polmadie on new Museum will open in early 2011 and Room are being painstakingly cleaned by the North British Locomotive Company an will incorporate the latest in environmental and weighed and form part of over 2000 which became the largest locomotive ta controls to help preserve the collection, exhibits which will be transferred. The builder in Europe with three works in Th much of which is of National and steam locomotives present a major Glasgow employing over 8000 workers. eq International importance. challenge. Most visitors ask how on earth The locomotive which was hauled over th Kelvin Street (representing a back street a 100ton train can be moved down the 6000 miles back to Glasgow represents the as in Glasgow in 1938) which is one of the front steps. Simple: an extra length of track great engineering achievements of the men se most popular for visitors, will be replaced will be brought in and placed in front of and women of Glasgow and the impact by three streets covering the periods 1900s the track on which the locomotive stands. their work had across the world. th to 1930s; 1930s to 1960s; and 1960s to The train is moved forward and the process To see views of the progress of the Lo 1980s (this era is already history to my repeated until the back door (which is at building work on the Riverside Museum, be grandchildren). Rumour has it that each street level) is reached. The exhibit is then log on to www.glasgowmuseums.com and da street will incorporate a pawnbroker’s shop taken to Riverside and the process repeated click on “museum of transport”. It promises which will give an opportunity to display in reverse. to be a world class visitor attraction clothing, jewellery, toys etc. of each period The most exciting new exhibit which showcasing Glasgow’s internationally R which also form part of the city collection. will, in my opinion, be the star of the important engineering heritage. See you A decision has not yet been taken as to Riverside Museum, will be South African there in 2011. W so THE MARIE CURIE WHOLE HOG. ADVENTURE GUARANTEED! arie Curie Cancer Care is set to take Scotland’s adrenaline scene by storm Min 2009! A special event designed to maximise the unique location chosen in central Scotland’s beautiful Trossachs, The You can also call us on 0131 561 3963 Th Marie Curie Whole Hog promises to be the or email: lea event for  tness fans, thrill seekers and fun [email protected] ar lovers from all over the country. on The Marie Curie Whole Hog is an all terrain adventure race comprising elements of cross country racing, army assault course COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS and a host of unexpected and exciting challenges that will test your mental and physical H agility as well as your stamina. Each challenge may be opted out of, known as taking Blane eld Ward S “The Piglet Option”, but this incurs in a time penalty and experience has shown that the David Anderson 770669 bigger the challenge you overcome, the greater the sense of achievement and exhilaration Willie Oswald 770497 you feel! The race day culminates in medal and prize giving followed by a Hog Roast Margaret Vass 770131 T celebration. Fiona Murray 771497 th Date: Saturday 9 May Venue: Glenside House, Balfron, G63 0RP Strathblane Ward fa Timings: 09.00am Registration, 11.00am start Cost: £35 registration, £150 Elspeth Posnett 770113 to minimum sponsorship (£105 and £450 per team) Marjorie Peddie 770074 ta op To register or enquire about the event please follow this link where you will be able to Mugdock Ward vu download you registration pack: Philip Graves 0141 956 1954 to Bob Flashman 770979 www.mariecurie.org.uk/events/adrenaline/ultimate_challenges/Whole+Hog+Challenge.htm John Gray 771031 22

Blane March 09.indd 22 1/4/09 09:51:09 one of the major causes of the incidents with the casualties either MOUNTAIN RESCUE having none or insuf cient lighting. On one rescue, this was further compounded by the more experienced of the two, who was also the navigator, losing his reading glasses. A very cold duo were found by the team in deep snow at around 11 pm and returned to the roadside by helicopter. On that occasion the weather was particularly bad and the only vehicles that had managed to safely navigate the lochside road were those with four wheel drive. As the casualties tried to drive back home they had to be rescued again by the team in a Land Rover and given a lift home. In early February the team was called to an incident on Beinn Chabhair at the head of Loch Lomond. On this occasion, the casualty was an experienced walker who had tripped rupturing his Achilles Martin McCallum tendon. As he fell, his crampon caught and ripped his other calf. The casualty was still at a height of around 2000 ft but was very

008  nished off with Lomond MRT being awarded the Provost’s Award by Fergus Wood, Provost of Stirling in 2Council. The prestigious Provost’s Civic Award is given to individuals or organisations who have over the last 24 months made signi cant contributions to the life of local communities, as or who have achieved national recognition in their  eld. The ly team were nominated by a group who were rescued on Ben £2 Lomond in November 2007 and it is a very satisfying award est for the team who have now completed many rescues in their 40 ms. year history. The award was accepted by Team Leader David us Dodson and dog handler Jan Millar at a ceremony at Stirling m), Castle on November 7th. ss November and December had a number of varied call-outs th including another call-out for a lost party on Bealach nam Bo die on Ben Venue (the teams fourth rescue there in 2008), a broken ny ankle on Conic Hill and the rescue of a couple of young men ve taking part in a sponsored walk on Ben Lomond in December. The two young men on Ben Lomond were particularly badly in David Dodson, Team Leader, is standing back right; Jan Millar rs. equipped for a day on a hill in December and this, together with er their lack of knowledge and their level of intoxication led them is fourth from right, second front row. he astray. Fortunately, with the help of the team and a number of search dogs they were located, cold but safe. well equipped having a bivi shelter in which he was able to shelter en from the wind. Fortunately, there was a brief break in the clouds and act The Christmas period was actually quiet for rescues but since the snow arrived in January the team has been much busier. Ben a rescue helicopter from HMS Gannet was able to reach him and Lomond has been the scene for several rescues due to people evacuate him to the Southern General. This shows that even the best he equipped and experienced walker can have accidents. m, becoming lost as they descend the hill in the fading light of day. On these occasions lack of adequate lighting has been nd TOP TIP es Remember your spare batteries for torches and on always take a whistle. If you are on the hill for quite a ly RURAL WALKING GROUP while then torch batteries will run out – particularly ou WHY not get some exercise, meet new people, and explore in the cold. Lithium batteries are better as they last some of the beautiful Stirlingshire countryside? considerably longer. A whistle is also a must as it will help to attract attention if your torch 23 April - round Ardinning Nature Reserve batteries die. A whistle can be heard much 30 April - Paths around Croftamie further a eld than the human voice. 7 May - Forest walk round Dalmary 14 May - Gartocharn Nature Reserve 21 May - Gargunnock route towards Kippen 28 May - Paths around Loch Ard at Kinlochard this ’n’ that... 63 The walks (45-60mins) are for gentle exercise led by trained walk # Southview Road - kerbs have been raised and pathways partially leaders. Lea ets showing meeting points and other information resurfaced. Stirling Council have said that they will complete the are available in the Chemist or you can phone Tricia Cumming work shortly and resurface the road at the same time. on 01786 432323 or email: [email protected]. # Milndavie Glen - work is under way to reconstruct the stepped HOME HEAT HELPLINE HELPS path and to put in drainage ditches to stop the soil being washed SCOTS REDUCE FUEL COSTS down to Dumbrock Road. he Home Heat Helpline exists to help people who are # Firewood Exchange - if you are cutting down trees, don’t throw Tstruggling with fuel costs to get free assistance in reducing away the wood. It can be used by those locally who have wood their bills. burning stoves. Contact Alan on the community website (see p5). The Helpline continues to help low-income and single-parent families, people living with disabilities and pensioners over 70 # Balfron Amenity Site - The Blane has followed up Jane Early’s to reduce their energy bills. The help includes access to reduced letter in the September 2008 issue requesting that the site would tariffs, grants for free home insulation and  exible payment be open during the day to make it easier to use the facilities which options, as well as a disconnection safety net to ensure that vulnerable customers will not be cut off even if they are unable are only open in the evenings during week days. Stirling Council’s to pay their bill. Waste Services is currently facing a considerable cost cutting For more information, visit the website at exercise at present and it is very unlikely that they will have funding www.homeheathelpline.org.uk or call 0800 33 66 99. to expand the opening hours. 23

Blane March 09.indd 23 1/4/09 09:51:09 HALLEYS THROUGH A Halley’s  re engine THE YEARS Harvey Taylor to Calgary in Canada. Another two chassis with charabanc bodies were delivered, one ost of you, if not all, will be aware to Achnasheen and the other to Oban. of Halleys Garage in Milngavie, In October 1907 the RAC held a 17 day Mbut few know of its long history, trial for commercial vehicles and the Halley Je so I thought it may be of interest to write 30cwt won both gold and silver awards. A 3 G about the story of the Company and the tonne chassis was then produced  tted with family behind it. a 4 cylinder Taylor engine (no relation). The Halley’s have had connections These engines were originally made in the (of horses). with engineering going back as far as the Taylor Works in London and then latterly David joined the Company in 1925, P 1880’s when David Halley left Napier & at the Halley Engine Works in Linwood concentrating on bus sales from their sta Sons in Old Kilpatrick to join Burmirster (home of the Hillman Imp). London of ce located just off The Strand in & Wain Engerineering in Copenhagen, It was around 1910 when the  rst (where ‘Halley House’ still stands today). bl where he became Managing Director. In ‘Halley’  re engines Unfortunately, the or 1890 the company was awarded an order appeared. It is thought slump took its toll ha to build the Royal Yacht for the Czar of that the  rst of these and the Company was Th Russia (Alexander III), for which David was delivered to put into liquidation in ou was accredited with the Chevalier de Notre either Partick (which 1926. A year later a th Order (Danish Knighthood). David died in was a separate Burgh new company, known 1895 and his widow and family returned to at that time) or as Halleys Motors wh Scotland. Glasgow; an example Limited, bought the an In 1901 David Halley’s second son, is now preserved in old company and 17 George, who had served his time as a the Lauriston Fire it continued until at marine engineer with Ramage & Ferguson Brigade Museum in 1936. Meanwhile, da of Leith, started work (with a friend) on Edinburgh. A large David bought two To a small dog cart with a steam engine in a ‘Halley’  re engine, ‘Jumbo’ was exhibited at the 1911 exhibition Studebaker 20 we painters shop just off Great Western Road affectionately known in Kelvingrove Park seater coaches from Hi at Kelvinbridge. Shortly after this, they as ‘Jumbo’ was Cameron & Campbell Th moved to Finnieston where they started exhibited at the 1911 and started a bus service to Aberdeen and m building steam lorries with solid steel tyres, Exhibition at Kelvingrove Park. While wh Liverpool. we under the name of the ‘Glasgow Motor there, it also served as the main  ghting In 1931 a garage and taxi business in Lorry Company Limited’. This is the same unit for the Exhibition. we Belmont Lane, Hillhead was purchased for we year that the Henry Ford Motor Company £302.1.0d. This price included ‘an old Buick  rst started (now known as Cadillac). alleys continued to make around 500 ge Saloon, a reasonable Daimler Landaulette cu In 1903 the Company then moved to Hchassis per year complete with their and a shabby Austin 12’. He ran it under the Crownpoint Road where Halleys Industrial own engines, gearboxes and differentials name of ‘Hyndland Motors’ then moved to and at its height, employed around 1000 an Motors was formed. The  rst steamer to a garage over the subway station at Partick be produced was workers over a 15 m a 7 tonne lorry, acre site. When Cross in 1935 where he increased his  eet W although it proved war broke out of taxis to 10, garaged around 30 customers on to be somewhat in August 1914 cars and took on the Austin agency. he too heavy. It ran they concentrated The business moved to Avenuepark between Bridgeton on producing Street in Maryhill in 1937 where the V and Port Glasgow vehicles for the name Halleys Garage Ltd was  rst used. It carrying steel war of ce and also continued trading throughout the war and P plates for the parts to supply in 1945 moved to the Broomhill Motor Co s h i p b u i l d i n g AEC for tanks. In in Clarence Drive. It was here in 1949 that i n d u s t r y . 1915 George built Halleys started the agency for Thompson S Unfortunately it left Halley 3-4 ton steam wagon another factory caravans and Singer cars. so behind a long row known as the The site at Burnbrae was purchased th of broken manhole ‘Little Factory’ in 1953 and was opened for caravan sales C covers, which produced much discussion where, to support the war effort, they in April 1955. Prior to this, land was O between Police, Weights & Measures, produced 5,000 60lb shells per week! purchased at Inveruglas on the banks a and Halley’s. The 7 tonne was eventually George died in 1922, by which time of Loch Lomond and the Loch Lomond in withdrawn and a series of 3-5 tonnes were the remaining family moved into a house Caravan Park opened in summer 1955. It th produced, still with steel tyres, but now in Killearn called ‘Dunkyan’. One of the remains part of the Halley operation today, pa within the current weight regulations. In children, David, did not keep well, so with 5 star status, catering for tourers and be the same year production of the  rst petrol instead of going to ‘Loretto’ as intended for luxury lodges. A driven two cylinder lorries commenced and schooling, it was arranged that the Minister They took over the operation of the also three omnibus chassis with 4 cylinder of Blane eld Parish Church, Rev Mr Shell  lling station at Burnbrae and started A engines were manufactured and delivered Johnston would tutor him. Mr MacKinnon selling Fiat cars from there and eventually te of Balfron built a car showroom on the site and moved who owned the car servicing from Clarence Drive to only hire car Milngavie. company in West In 1983 additional premises were Stirlingshire, was bought at Burnhouse in Ayrshire and used commissioned to for caravan sales and servicing. In 1990 take David to and some land at Burnbrae was sold to Texas from Blane eld (now Homebase) and all caravan sales were daily in either his moved to Burnhouse, where it remains Model ‘T’ Ford today. Tourer or the A long and varied history that makes more comfortable the Halley family one of the oldest names A Halley wagon carriage and pair in the motoring world today. Ca 24

Blane March 09.indd 24 1/4/09 09:51:09 P3 & P4 BALFRON HIGH SCHOOL BLOG IS VIEWED EXCHANGE TO MALAWI reparations are full steam ALL OVER ahead for this year’s phase THE WORLD Pof the Balfron-Malawi exchange. Eight students – Jenny, Oliver, Maia, Jamie, Cailan, including Bethan Williams from Georgina, Jamie and Ziad Blane eld (pictured third left) with four teachers will be making rimary 3 and 4 have been working on the trip at the end of June, and will a very exciting project that we would spend two weeks as students at 25, Plike you to be a part of. We have Robert Laws Secondary School in eir started a blog which is something on the Embangweni, followed by a week The students of BHS who will make the trip to nd internet. All you need to do to look at our travelling in Malawi. y). blog is go to www.strathblane.edublogs. The students are jointly Malawi. Bethan Williams is third from the left. he org. This will let you see all the things we responsible for raising the £12,000 oll have been doing over the past few weeks. they need to cover the expenses of the A sponsored wall-climb at Edinburgh as There is an images page with pictures of trip, and have been working hard devising International Climbing Arena, Ratho, in in our pyramids. You can also read our debates fundraising ideas. In February, a Valentines March will see the group between them a that are really funny. Day special in Balfron High School included climbing the total height of the highest wn Each day we have bloggers of the day a sale of red roses with personalised mountain in Malawi, Mount Mulanje. ors who check at 11:45am how many countries messages, a Blind Date special hosted by Other upcoming fundraising events include he and people have been on. Today we have a willing (long-suffering!) teacher, and an a showing of the  lm “Out of Africa”, at nd 1720 people and 31 countries have looked ever-popular bake sale. Balfron High School on Friday 27th March til at it. The bloggers also write about the The students are currently compiling a at 7.15 p.m., and a race night at Fintry le, day and research things to put on the blog. cookbook of friends’ and family’s favourite Sports Club on Saturday 4th April at 7 p.m. wo To let you know that we are the bloggers recipes. This will be on sale after Easter. If you would like tickets for these events 20 we wear a blue bib and a nametag with If you would like to contribute a recipe to or any further information, please contact m Hieroglyphics (Egyptian Writing) on it. this, please contact Bethan on 771597. Bethan. ell The bloggers change each day but we nd mostly have them on Mondays and Fridays which are our big task days, the other days we do other work. We tell our teacher what in we want to say and she types everything for we say – it is sometimes funny. Bloggers ck get treated with respect and get to sit on a tte cushion. he We would like you to look at our blog to and see what we are doing. If you want to ck make a comment just write your  rst name. eet We would feel happy and proud if you go ers on the blog. We would be thankful if you help us with our work. rk he It VACANCY FOR SUMMER FAYRE WITH AN nd PART-TIME JOBS AMERICAN FLAIR Co Linda Barclay bouncy castles and a bucking bronco; in hat tirling Council the late afternoon there will be rock bands on Sis looking for ome rain or shine, Strathblane performing in the Edmonstone Hall; and someone to  ll Primary School will be the place in the evening there will be a children’s ed the post of School to be on the 23 May. This year cinema; an evening band with broad appeal; es C Crossing Patrol the Strathblane Primary Fundraisers sport activities; a beer tent and a BBQ. as Of cer as well as are teaming up with We are looking for ks a relief of cer. It the Strathblane eld SATURDAY 23 MAY people of all ages to help nd involves patrolling C o m m u n i t y create and co-ordinate It the zebra crossing, Development Trust to organise an American various activities and events throughout ay, particularly at the themed Summer Fayre for the residents of this day of celebration. In particular, we nd beginning and end of the school day. Strathblane and Blane eld, rekindling the are seeking an instructor, for a half an A lunchtime patrol is negotiable. old Gala Day. hour in the evening, to teach line dancing; he If you are interested, contact It will be a full day event, held on the someone who would be prepared to dress ed Alan Ivatt, [email protected] , premises of Strathblane Primary. The as a native Indian and do a storytelling ly tel 01786 443823. school site is a focal point of the community session on this theme and a person(s) who ed but the event is not just for families has some carpentry skills to create some of to associated with the school. Instead, we our games stalls. Many others are needed to aim to bring together the entire community organise and run small parts of the event. re and provide activities for many different If you are a local business or group and are ed segments of the population. In the morning interested in renting a stall or would simply 90 there will be a running race for children to like more information about the Summer as help raise money for a community sports Fayre, please contact: Linda Barclay on 771 re facility; in the early afternoon there will 429 or at [email protected] ns be a “4th of July Parade” with the children dressing up in American Theme costumes; This is not an event to be missed! es during the day there will be stalls featuring Leading up to the event, more es local merchants, craft making, and games, information will be available around the Cat nap. Okay, cat ’n’ mouse if you insist. together with in atable attractions such as village. We hope to see you there! 25

Blane March 09.indd 25 1/4/09 09:51:10 Why are we who LIBRARY work in libraries so passionate about reading? Why do we think libraries are a vital part of a community, any community all communities? It’s because we believe that reading is so important for our well being in many different ways. If you don’t exercise your muscles they become  abby and eventually atrophy. If you don’t use your imagination it will do the same. Reading CORNER takes you places you’ve never been, gives you experiences you’ve never had, puts you into the minds of people you Robert Davy supervises the installation of the roof (donated have never known. Reading by his company, Dynatec Ltd) on the new bus shelter at the Lynne James feeds your imagination, junction with Kirkburn Road. The shelter was built by local stretches it, puts it through its builder John McClory’s company Brick & Steel Construction t can hardly have escaped anyone’s paces and generally gives it Ltd. The project was organised by Strathblane eld Community notice that libraries have been in the the work out it needs. Development Trust and funded by Stirling Council Transport Inews lately. Well, more particularly; I have heard people say, Department. The shelter is now in use. libraries losing issues, libraries being almost proudly, “Of course closed, and libraries in crisis. Why do I never read.” And I think you think that is? Are they outmoded, old to myself, “Why on earth not? Don’t you How many of you spend regularly more fashioned elitist, irrelevant? It will come as know what you are missing? How can you than £5000 a year on books? Two “yes” no surprise when you see a resounding NO be pleased with that thought?” answers and one “no” I suspect! Even our from us on this subject! So, you say, you can buy the books you little library has a budget to call on that is Of course there are so many want and read them, that still doesn’t make in excess of most people’s buying power for claims on our leisure time these days, so libraries important does it? Well, yes it does books. Libraries in general, give YOU the many sophisticated forms of entertainment actually. Of course you can buy the books, power to tap into hundreds, no, thousands, to call us away from reading. Of course we but once you have read them, what then? of books. YOU have the power to choose live busy lives with pressure from work and How many of you have given away books and make mistakes, choose and  nd an home commitments. Of course books and to charity shops? How many of you have unexpected gem. You can change your reading are an extra we can all do without... kept books on your shelves to read again books as often as YOU want on as many Er NO! and then watched as they gathered dust? different topics as YOU can dream up. How many adults remember the joy of a library visit as a child? How ARCHIVE OFFICE many adults remember the excitement of having their own library card? Of being ecently, the library recommendations. allowed to choose books to bring home hosted an exhibition for themselves? Can you remember a book Rof the work done by Providing advice that took you away to a different world ... the Stirling Archive Of ce We also provide advice and one that existed in only your own head? and there may well be people assistance to organisations or If you can remember any experiences like who would like further individuals that wish to retain that then how can you think libraries are information on the service, their own records. For further irrelevant or outmoded? Those experiences so here is a little extract from details, please feel free to remain as fresh today as they ever were. their website contact us on 01786 450745. Now, if that experience is freely available Where to  nd us: to every single person, and it is, how can 5 Borrowmeadow Rd FAMILY HISTORY libraries be elitist? Stirling FK7 7UW THROUGH And now, if you go into a library why not share the enjoyment of books, swap Opening hours SCOTLAND’S recommendations. Read about books that The of ce is open to PEOPLE inspired, or pleased, or even annoyed other the public on Monday, readers. Participate in reading and share Tuesday, Wednesday reading with others. A library community (closed Thursdays and ore and more people have an interest in stays alive and grows when people feed it Fridays) from 9.30 - 12.30 through their enthusiasm and enjoyment. and 1.30 - 4.30 (the of ce M nding out about Without a doubt, your library needs closes for lunch between their family history and programmes such as “Who YOU but can I also say that I passionately 12.30 - 1.30). While no believe that YOU need your library. So appointment is necessary, Do You Think You Are” show how fascinating a subject get down there before it’s too late and W it is advisable to contact that valuable treasure house is taken from us in advance, as reader one’s Family tree can be. of Until now, research has your grasp in the name of economy and an spaces are limited. budgetary cuts. As an Archives Service we are very often meant trekking across to Edinburgh wo keen to acquire further historical records to search through the many records held in relating to the Stirling Council area. there. Now, however much information th These could include records of any age, can be gained from the fascinating www. their family’s history. th such as minute books, accounts, letters, scotlandspeople.gov.uk site. The wealth of I used the site myself the other day photographs, maps, plans and title deeds information available to individuals cannot and was immediately hooked,  nding relating to individuals, families, clubs, be described in a short article and if you in seconds an entry in the 1901 census Di organisations or societies. If you think have never visited the website I would urge showing my great grandparents’ family W you have such material we would be very you to have a look at it. living in Edinburgh. ad pleased to hear from you. Libraries have been given the Come down to the library for a chance co In depositing records with the Archives opportunity to help would be genealogists to see how the site works if you are a re Service we ensure that all records are with their research by offering them a novice, and come down to buy a 60 credit th preserved and accessed in accordance chance to buy vouchers which can be used start up voucher if you have already started ex with professional archival standards and online to view various records regarding work on you Family Tree. on 26

Blane March 09.indd 26 1/4/09 09:51:10 ed he cal on ity ort re s” ur is for he ds, se an ur ny er ow of ng me ok ... d? ke re es re. ble an ry ap hat er re ty it ds ly So nd We wish to re ect the views and opinions BLANE TEAM Beading Mad T R Electrical Services m of the whole community without including Jewellery Parties Tommy Reynolds nd anything that would offend anyone. We Morag Roy 770863 Design & make earrings, Electrical & Air would emphasise that the views expressed [email protected] necklaces, bracelets Conditioning Installations in the Blane are not necessarily those of Ideal for all ages TTTTT Murray O’Donnell 70748 ****** the editor and he retains the right to have Ruth Reynolds mob: 07988639981 the  nal say on any articles included. [email protected] ( 0141 956 6909 ay ( 0141 956 6909 ng mob: 07770596297 [email protected] Disclaimer Alastair Smith 770120 us smith@blane eld.freeserve.co.uk ly While we do our best not to accept advertisements from irresponsible If you have any news items, please ce companies or individuals, we do not take Mary Brailey 771613 contact one of the team or the editor (see a responsibility for those that appear in [email protected] page 4 for details). If you are not con dent dit the newsletter and expect our readers to at writing but would like to have an article ed exercise due care when choosing to use Patsy Fischbacher 770716 in the newsletter, we can help by editing it one of the services found on these pages. patsy. [email protected] or writing it if you give us the information. 27

Blane March 09.indd 27 1/4/09 09:51:11 Cinderella Vivienne McKay & Andy Thompson

t was with great gusto the cast of Cinderella made their way onto the stage Iat the Edmonstone Hall this February. We were delighted and entertained by the superb singing and genuinely funny performances by the ensemble. The show started as it meant to go on, with the mice far from timid as they let rip with the cheese song. There was a good balance between the key characters and the supporting cast throughout that showed everyone in a strong light, no matter how little they had to say. Special mention, however, should go to Semolina and Ravioli (played by Jack Fryer and Jamie Stewart on Wednesday; and by Michael O’Neill and Andrew Appleton on Thursday). They stayed in character throughout, ad libbing and seeming very at home on the stage in frocks, fake bosoms and make-up. Particularly enjoyable moments were performance. Olivia El Attar’s (Thurs) the singing from Buttons, played by Connie gravelly voice sent shivers down the adults’ Lynch (Wed) and Erin Cherry (Thurs); and spines too. the real chemistry and fun between the Adding to the whole atmosphere was Fairy Godmother and the Learner Fairy the understated but vital support of music, played by Heather Allen and Emily Barrett lighting, set and costume. Slick stage who swapped roles. management was obvious by its subtle Evil witch Eilidh McGilp (Wed) did presence. a very good job of terrifying some of the Overall this was a very well delivered P1 children, with her intensely powerful show, with bags of natural, uninhibited performances. We can’t wait 4QFDJBM
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 the process. They are a credit contact her at the school 770608 as she XXXMPDILBUSJOFDPN to the school and staff. would like to make copies of these.

28

Blane March 09.indd 28 1/4/09 09:51:12