February 2012

£1 The Bridge The Community Newsletter for & New School Gains High Marks The Bridge was given an escorted tour of the refurbished Doune Primary School by Headteacher Jane McManus just before the Contractors had completed their massive extension works on the premises. We were very impressed. The rumours of leaking roofs and damaged computers and sodden books, of miserable children in a mud-ridden building site were swept away by the cheery and optimistic young faces greeting us in every classroom, by the enthusiasm of the staff for their new working environment, and by the conspicuous care with which the work clearly has been carried out. This is a job which ran into difficulties from the outset, the complexity of the archaeological dig,

Continued on page 2 Pleasant learning and teaching enviroment (Photo: Ken Campbell) A Tempestuous Start To 2012

One of the many traffic problems: a tree blocking part of the road Plenty of work for the foresters for some time to come. at the entrance to Doune (Photo: Jim Rice-McDonald) (Photo: Jim Rice-McDonald)

1 the appalling weather over the summer months, coinciding be sealed from the educational area, affording wide scope for with the discovery of serious timber rot in the roof of the community use. original building, and the extraordinary sequence of gales in the latter stages of the work.

Mrs McManus, while acknowledging that it had presented challenges, was clear that the benefits to the school outweighed any problems which had occurred. She was full of praise for the workforce who had, she said, meticulously respected the fact that they were working in and around a primary school, while the children had learned much from working in such close proximity to the inherent dangers of a building site. .

A modern, streamlined kitchen (Photo: Ken Campbell)

What is completely new is the top of the range kitchen which has been installed. Gone are the days of meals brought in from , for the school will now have its own cook with the modern resources and an attractive servery. There would appear to be a future of fine lunches in pleasant surroundings to sustain Doune’s scholars. The automatic fire screen will allow use of the servery for community activities without compromising the safety of the kitchen.

Bright and well organised cloakroom (Photo: Ken Campbell) The curious thing is, that despite all the changes, the School will still be familiar to all who have known it over the Yes, when we saw it, it was still a building site as the muddy years. The changes they will see are very positive. The clothes and boots in the cloakrooms testified, but there classrooms are bright and well equipped with ample though was a clear sense of purpose to it all. The classrooms are unobtrusive storage and the sense of light and space is clearly organised systematically with thoughtful decorative colour popular with the pupils. Apart from the banks of computers, themes. P1-3 have gentle green forest, P4-5 have terracotta provided variously by Council, the Windfarm Trust, which reminds one young gentleman of Spain, and P6-7 have the School Funds and fund raising efforts by the PTA, every heather. The colours are bold and imaginative and enhance classroom has an interactive white screen. Gone are the days the classrooms, which are larger than before, affording of Blackboard and Chalk. The new Whiteboards, provided greater space for expression and individual teaching. The by the Windfarm Trust, are a great attraction for the children once sterile corridors now afford dedicated work and play whose enthusiasm for their new surroundings is infectious. areas, allowing teaching in small groups while the sound insulation prevents music rehearsals being heard by the class This correspondent has in the past been negative about next door. the various problems which have adversely affected the operation. What he found was an optimism among staff When the new entrance area is complete (which should and pupils alike, and pride, which is clearly shared by the be before you read this) there will be a reception area and workforce who through these difficult months have respected behind it a staff suite with offices and staffroom, a complete the school and delivered a school worthy of the high medical suite, and, at long last, a dedicated office for the standards and traditions of Doune Primary School. Headteacher. The suite is a substantial improvement on the conditions with which so many of our readers are familiar, Ken Campbell where the whole school administration was cramped into one tiny group of small rooms.

The old main entrance will continue to be the entrance to the Rural Hall Update School Hall. This is a substantially changed space which Work has started to renew the windows in the Rural Hall. somehow retains the familiarity of the old. The work here Although there will be some inconvenience to the users has still some way to go but already it is clear that the space when the work is in progress, it will hopefully make the will be larger than before. When complete the whole area hall warmer and watertight. The Bridge commends The will absorb the current restricted administrative space, but Hall Committee for their efforts in raising funds for all the raised stage will remain, complete with curtain, to ensure the work now being done and wishes the committee best continuation of the School Concerts so treasured in parental of luck in raising funds for further improvements. minds. The Hall comprises a self-contained area which can

2 pies (yes, it is still illegal to eat them on Christmas Day!) Seniors’ Christmas Party and a more thoughtful piece about Christmas in the trenches On Wednesday 7 December, Doune Entertainments during WW1. Committee welcomed around 70 local Senior Citizens to Bowling Club for the 2011 Christmas Party. Our MC for the evening was the irrepressible Niall Bowser, who, with the rest of us, enjoyed the mulled wine and mince Everybody enjoyed a lovely meal supplied by Alex pies served up by the refreshments team, who were delighted Graham Catering, followed by entertainment from Ted that the new boiler had been installed in the kitchen, so hot Christopher. The guests sang along to Jingle Bells as Santa water was on tap for the washing up – bliss! The rear area called with gifts for all, which provided great hilarity. of the hall is now warm (including the loos, even more blissful). The £244 raised will help swell the funds for further improvements including warming all the walls.

Many thanks go to Helen Tobin who organised the event despite having to sit exams on the Monday. Wonder woman or what? Gratitude to Lorna for her piano playing, and to the performers in word and song, and last, but by no means least, thanks to the catering team; as always, no event at the Rural Hall would succeed without the food and drink they provide.

Festive Fund Raisers Doune and Deanston senior citizens in festive mood As well as the Carol Concert there were other fund raising activities over the festive season. In the Wood of Doune, Doune Entertainments Committee have raised funds Jayne Field once again led her troop of Carol Singers, on throughout the year and with the additional proceeds a night when the frost was deep, to raise £ 207 for the from Doune Gala, brought this event to our local over Children’s Hospice Association of . Both Doune 60s. Everyone is welcome to come along to these parties, Nursery and the Red Kites raised funds through their raffles and we look forward to seeing you all in December 2012. for hampers and the Christmas Fair provided a pleasant boost to the funds of the various organisations which took Doune Gala 2012 is scheduled for 16 June with the theme part. Fund raising in the Primary School included P4’s “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”. Any volunteers or Chocolate Fountain which boosted school funds. suggestions for the day please contact Alison 07810 628 512, [email protected] or see us on facebook. One story which we missed in our last edition is that the Firemen’s Halloween Ball in the Bowling Club raised some Alison McAlpine £1100 for the Firefighters’ Charity and support of various local causes.

Fund-raising in this community is clearly healthy and congratulations are due to all the many organisers and participants in the several events over the festive season. Thanks, of course, are due to the many who gave their contributions and donations so generously. And now Spring approaches with all the scope for hot cross buns, eggs and suchlike… Ken Campbell Christmas Carol Evening

Doune certainly knows how to celebrate Christmas! The atmospheric Christmas Fair was followed by many festive Blairdrummond Sawmill events for the multitude of local organisations, and then the On the A84 Thornhill junction Christmas Carol Evening on 21 December. We certainly “Warmed the Walls” of the Rural Hall with our enthusiastic Hardwood and softwood Logs singing of well-known Christmas songs, accompanied by for sale at the Sawmill Lorna Hardie on piano – she definitely kept us up to speed! or by transit load delivered to your door

When we needed to rest our vocal chords we were entertained with poetry recitation (a Pam Ayres’ ditty), a Telephone 01786 841580 wonderful narration on how Oliver Cromwell banned mince Mobile 077 325 63106

3 industrial use and not more housing. This is particularly Spotlight on the KCC relevant in that Stirling Council have just published a report on rural business space which identifies Doune as one area First on the agenda of the first KCC meeting of 2012 was a where there is a real great demand for business space but brief discussion on the proposed travel plan for getting the not enough sites available to meet that demand. Hopefully primary school children to school on foot; in other words Stirling Planning Dept. will take note. to encourage children to go to school in an organised group in an effort to reduce taking them by car. Unfortunately the Finally the state of the old parish church and clock tower KCC were waiting for further information but on the face of was raised with a view to ensuring that this did not change it, it sounded a good initiative. from a village feature to a village eyesore. Birdman There were three visitors present from CAfD to discuss the proposed plans for the new houses and recreation hall by Cala Homes at Deanston. Currently both the KCC INFORMATION & and CAfD have objected to the plans to Stirling Council HERITAGE CENTRE Planning Department. The key point in the objection is that the proposed recreation hall is simply too small for the DOUNE community needs. If the builder is going to put up over 40 The Centre offers a wide range of resources five-bedroom houses then it was felt that they could at least and facilities including: supply a suitable replacement recreation hall and not the Tourist and local history information Mickey Mouse scheme that they currently have on offer. Free local guides, walks leaflets Councillor Tony Ffinch of Stirling Council (present at the Maps: Walking, Cycling. Touring meeting) was well advised by the KCC that we still maintain our objection despite Stirling Planners wanting us to agree Extensive range of books on Scotland and on local information and history and allow Cala to get on with the construction. It was agreed that we would not be pushed into something that would not Secondhand books be in the community’s interest. As well as the community Handmade cards hall, concerns were also expressed about the large number of houses along with pedestrian access to the playing field. Colour and Black and White Photocopying Service up to A3 size Now that the Christmas lights have been taken down, thanks Lamination Service were expressed to all of the owners of the buildings that Internet Access displayed the lights. It was also agreed that if a good price can be negotiated, then more lights would be added for next Contact the Centre at: year. Thanks once again to RTA who supplied the Christmas 52 Main Street, Doune FK16 6BW trees for the festive season. Telephone: 01786 841250 Other matters discussed at the meeting were the very poor e-mail: [email protected] state of the local roads, in particular pot holes and debris from the recent storms. Councillor Ffinch advised that he would bring this to the attention of Roads Dept of Stirling Council. Tribute was paid to the “hit squad” who came into the village immediately after the storm and did an excellent clean up; also the team from the Roads Dept who cleared The Society the snow from the footways within 24 hours of the snow lying. In fact one could be forgiven in thinking that someone Wednesday 7 March, 7.30pm somewhere in authority is actually taking notice of the in the Woodside Hotel, Doune Community Council at last. presents Back to planning matters, the question of the proposed health centre for Doune was discussed in some depth. It included the Section 75 agreement with Miller Homes and Niall Bowser just what was in that document as well as a possibility of ARGATY – THEN AND NOW having some form of a new health centre building within the The story of an estate from its beginnings to the Doune School site. The matter of the new health centre is fire of 2011 still very much ongoing and the KCC made it clear that they will explore every avenue in an effort to see this project take place. The talk will be followed by the Kilmadock Society AGM Also on planning was the matter of the former Cemex workshops at Doune Riggs. Rumour has it that this site has ALL WELCOME – ENTRANCE FREE been sold to Miller Homes; however, the site is zoned for

4 records the PIN number being input. The devices are Police Report later recovered and the data transferred to another card (telephone card etc.). Between the 1 and 2 December eight live turkeys and several live chickens were stolen from a farm at Buchany. When using an ATM machine, please take a few seconds to examine it. If you notice anything unusual about it, do Between the 1 and 2 January a van had its windscreen not use it, then report details to the bank or police. Always smashed while parked in Leny Road, Deanston. cover your hand when you input your PIN to prevent it being seen as without the PIN number any information Between 25 December and 10 January two log burning cloned from your card is useless. stoves were stolen from the fire damaged property PC Campbell Dunn ‘Cobblehaugh’ on the A84.

The problem of fuel and metal theft in surrounding areas continues, with recent thefts of fuel in , and Craigforth. Similarly there have been reported thefts of scrap and other metals in the area. Obviously a vehicle is needed in such crimes and we would be grateful to hear of any suspicious activity.

Recently several local residents fell foul of a bank card cloning device which was fitted to the ATM at Tesco in Dunblane during the festive period. These devices are fitted externally to ATMs and are in two parts. A card reader is attached to the card slot and a small mobile phone video camera is fitted above the key pad. The card reader copies and stores the magnetic strip on the card while the camera Our Community Policeman: PC Campbell Dunn

Tree Felling at Pistolmakers The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Row 4-5 June 2012

Quite suddenly, it seemed, the trees screening the western 2012 will mark an historic milestone, 60 years since the end of Pistolmakers Row had disappeared and that part of the Queen began her reign. At the time of her accession in 1952, estate was exposed to the traffic on the A84, sheltered only the legacy of empire extended around the world and these by the fringe of trees on the right bank of the rising Draigen Commonwealth links will ensure that this celebration takes Burn or, as older residents will remember, on the south side place on an international scale. The extended Royal Family of the old Curling Pond. will be scattered across the globe to attend as many of these celebrations as possible. The Bridge contacted Larry Irwin, the local Factor for Moray Estates who confirmed that the felling had not been Here at home, the national Diamond Jubilee celebration will part of the Estate’s woodland management plan but the five take place over the extended weekend holiday (2-5 June) winter gales had taken down some substantial trees and and there are plans for communities up and down the land to exposed the rest of the stand to the risk of further accidental celebrate this occasion in their own way. There will be street falls with all the dangers entailed to the road and adjacent parties, river pageants, firework displays and public concerts. property. Stirling Council are considering a more permanent way to mark the event with a 60 tree-lined Queen’s Diamond Jubilee It was decided to fell the entire stand immediately, although Walkway but will be organising a variety of other celebrations this was not commercially the best option, and following as well. Funds are available to promote local community discussions with local householders, the felling was carried celebrations, so if anyone has ideas about what they would out during the first and second weeks of the year. like to see in Doune and Deanston, they need to make their ideas known very quickly, either here to The Bridge or to the The intention now is to replant the area with trees which are Community Council. A deadline of February 14 is set for more akin to the amenity and relevant to the site. This action submissions to Stirling Council, to ensure that applications for by the Estate was welcomed by local residents who had, funding, street closures and so on can be dealt with in good during the strong winter storms, been only too aware of their time. vulnerability to the risk of wind-blown falls. In a time of looming austerity and a dismal world economy, Ken Campbell this will be a welcome opportunity to forget the doom and gloom and celebrate something really positive.

5 The Kirks of Kilmadock The following is a summary of a fascinating presentation by John MacMillan, and he baptised a number of children from Andrew Muirhead to the Kilmadock Society, which placed Kilmadock between 1707 and 1743. the parish of Kilmadock at the heart of Scotland’s turbulent church history. However in 1740 the local corresponding societies gathered with those who left the established church because One of a thousand or so historical parishes, Kilmadock has a landowners rather than congregations were given the right Christian tradition dating back to the earliest times. Among to appoint ministers. This secession was led by Ebenezer Celtic place-names, three in particular show early Christian Erskine in Stirling and he constituted the first Secession Kirk links; ‘Kil’ , ‘Annat’ and ‘Eccles’. The Parish of Kilmadock Session which ultimately gave rise to the church of Bridge is unusual, possibly unique, in having all three in the same of Teith. When the original Secession church split into parish, although the third, ‘Aiglesteinton’, fell out of use in ‘Burgher’ and ‘Anti-burgher’ factions, Bridge of Teith was the 18th century. unusual in explicitly allowing liberty of conscience about the controversy while staying with the ‘Burgher’ faction, but it did split fifty years later with the offshoot becoming Deanston Old Light Church.

Bridge of Teith achieved its greatest stability and prosperity during the ministry of Rev. John McKerrow and joined in every reunion going until rejoining the Church of Scotland in 1929 and closing in 1948. Meanwhile its offshoot had an uncomfortable start, unable to pay its minister and suffering long vacancies until it too had a long ministry under Thomas Hislop, during which it moved from ‘Old-Light’, back briefly into the establishment and then finally as part of the Free church before merging with Doune’s other free church in 1871.

The Methodist Church in George Street, now private residences So Kilmadock has a ‘churchy’ past; in fact there is evidence for 22 church buildings over the years.

Before the reformation there was the Parish Church, but also six chapels and almost certainly at least one monastery. From 1560 to the early 18th century, only the Parish church was used, becoming increasingly ramshackle until its demolition in 1743. The post-reformation church itself did not have its own minister for many years, being served first by a ‘reader’ and then by a minister shared with other parishes.

King William established Presbyterianism as the system of church government but three dissenting groups remained apart; Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and Covenanters. Episcopalians kept a low profile but had a tiny meeting house The Auld Licht Church in Graham Street, now a private which lasted till about 1790. Its most notable priest was so residence Jacobite in sympathy that even after the death of Charles Edward’s brother he declined to pray for the Hanoverian Alongside these three traditions lay the established Church monarchs. After 1790 they were without a church until St. of Scotland, ministering to the majority of the inhabitants. Modoc’s was built in the 1870s. It was characterised by long ministries; only five ministers looked after the Parish between 1711 and 1928. None was The remnants of the Roman Catholics went underground particularly distinguished although they seem to have served completely, being served by itinerant priests, but there was their parish well. The parish church moved to Doune in 1743, a ‘papist’ school at Torry with the pupils and teacher listed although there was a gap of a year before the new church amongst General Assembly papers of 1741. As well as was ready during which the congregation worshipped in longstanding Catholic families, there was an influx of Irish Doune Castle. Although it seems likely that the workers in migrants in the mid 19th century and the priest who founded the factory at Deanston looked more to other churches, it St. Mary’s Church in Stirling also had the Catholic Church looked after the workers there when times were hard, and its of St and St Alphonsus built in Doune in 1870s for a discipline was felt by the management of the works as well congregation of about 130 (see The Bridge, May 2006) as, sometimes, by its workers. The new church of the 1740s was replaced in 1823 by the familiar building designed by The third group of dissenting Christians were the James Gillespie Graham, a Dunblane man who designed 27 covenanters; the name of only one covenanter is recorded of Scotland’s churches including the parish churches of Alloa from the 17th century but their successors, the ‘corresponding and Clackmannan as well as the Roman Catholic cathedrals societies’ of the 18th century, were ministered to by Rev. in and .

6 Nationally the Church of Scotland was split by the short-lived and probably were founded with the Deanston Disruption in 1843. Kilmadock’s minister stayed put but workers in mind. Certainly a significant part of the lost four of his six elders. The new Free Church, on the Methodists’ income was made up of fees from evening other hand, augmented the four elders who walked out with a classes. At around the time of their arrival Doune was further eight and had an additional ‘Deacons’ Court’ of seven also targeted by Mormon missionaries and several were to look after the temporal affairs of the congregation. converted, leaving Doune for Salt Lake City.

The original very basic church built at the time was The 21st century has seen the sale of the Parish Church replaced 25 years later with the present building, now a building and the congregation’s move to its present, far private residence. Doune Free Church, like Bridge of Teith, smaller, accommodation. But the choice of other churches joined the United Free Church in 1900, coming back into which the parish supported at various times speaks volumes the Church of Scotland in 1929 and finally uniting with for the commitment of the members which supported them, Kilmadock in 1971. for the readiness of people to make a stand over religion, the ease with which people fell out over religion and for The Congregational and Methodist Churches were both the centrality of faith to the life of Kilmadock through the centuries.

The Congregational Church in Graham Street which later became The Parish Church (The East Church) now in private hands The Moray Institute, now private residences

1 Mediaeval parish church at Kilmadock Lasted till 1743

2 6 chapels and a monastery Fragmentary or lost by 1700

3 3 successive parish churches in Doune 1743-1823, 1823-2008, 2008- Secession/Burgher/United Secession/United Presbyterian/United Free/ 4 2 successive churches at Bridge of Teith Church of Scotland. Built c 1790, rebuilt c 1830, Closed 1948 and demolished c 1961

5 Old Light Burgher in Graham Street Seceded from Bridge of Teith 1800, established church 1839-1843, Free Church 1843 to 1871, closed. Now a house

6 Episcopal Chapel in Graham Street c1740 to c1790

7 Congregational/Independent Chapel in c1843 to c1865 Site of Moray Institute (possibly same building) George Street

8 Methodist Chapel in George street c1843 to c1890. Now housing

9 2 successive Free churches c1845-1867, 1867 to 1971. Now housing

10 St Modoc’s Episcopal church from 1878

11 St Fillan and St Alphonsus RC Church from 1875

12 Christian Brethren Hall History unknown

7 wall, were then measured-in relative to the points marked ST AEDH’S MONASTERY A to H on the plan. Map-dowsing on the early versions of the resulting plan was used to supplement the data obtained This search for some lost bits of archaeology was started on site, and that data was then checked on my next visit. by Karen Ross, who phoned me one day (and I know who put her up to it) to ask if I could show the members of the I don’t know enough about religious institutions to work out Kilmadock Society how to dowse, and could I take them to which buildings were for what, but monks’ interest in their visit Severie’s Bronze Age Farm with its burial cist, and to stomachs was always reputed to be at least as great as their the Camp Stone with its Iron Age Farm, and could I then interest in their immortal souls. So Building 11 was probably see if dowsing could find the location of the Monastery their cookhouse. Buildings 12 and 14 are their loos. Both which was said to have been somewhere near the ruins loos had four pits dug in a row down the centre of each of Kilmadock Old Church and St Aedh’s graveyard. Just building, but I can’t make out whether these loos were, in a couple of quick jaunts, you understand, not much to it, the great Lem Putt’s “Specialist” terminology, four-holers or really. eight-holers. The pits could have been accessed from either side, back to back. So Lem Putt wasn’t the first to build So in 2009, a couple of dozen members of the Kilmadock “mighty pretty privies”. Or to advise to “dig ‘em deep”. Society learned to dowse, with very little difficulty and they came back for more, in 2011. As the leaflet on “Dowsing Buildings 13 and 15 seem to have been their wash-houses. Summarised” explains, it has been known for many years They and the cookhouse had running water supplied by a that dowsing is neither psychic nor supernatural, and that Lade. Dowsing gives no spring, no well, and no untapped there is a technical, scientific reason behind the ability, and source of water at this site. The lade system providing this that almost all of us can learn to dowse. The necessary domestic water supply ran from their mill on the Annet Burn. physiological bits are built in to all of us. So when they walked over the ground between the Old Kilmadock A fuller account and a leaflet “Dowsing Summarised” are graveyard and the Teith, with their dowsing rods and their available from [email protected] Most of the new-found ability to dowse, they were indeed competently members of the Society who went on these trips also have and correctly able to detect the general area of the buried copies as email attachments. remains of those ancient stone walls. Ian Orkney

The intention in October 2011 was to follow up our earlier visit and to start the process of using dowsing to locate and map these remains a bit more precisely. On our way there, we did a bit of dowsing for an Iron Age farm, and we did a quick scan for the minor Roman Fort in the field opposite Buchany, and for the Romans’ triple bridges over the Annet. The St Aedh site turned out to be awkward, difficult and muddling to dowse in detail, so I’ve visited the site a number of times on my own, and done as much of the detail dowsing as I can. That does not mean that I’ve got everything right on the resulting plan. It does mean that I’ve got as close to a reasonably good impression of what was there, as I am ever likely to achieve, and that I’ll welcome questions or comments or suggested corrections no matter how tentative, from anyone who is willing to have a go at dowsing on this site.

The answer to the question of why is there no stonework The Village Gardener showing today, is that useful stonework has been removed and reused, and the remaining rubble has been very Grass Cutting and Maintenance thoroughly cleared from this field by generations of farmers. Where the unwanted stonework went to, is immediately Autumn / Winter Clear-ups answered by taking a look at the riverbank. The unnaturally Pruning steep and stony section is obviously where the cleared stone has been dumped. This stretch of the riverbank coincides Plant Care exactly with the area of the Monastery as found by the newly expert Kilmadock Society dowsers, and as plotted. Path Cleaning & Clearing

When doing the detailed dowsing, temporary markers were General Tidy up set down to show where the dowsing responses gave the locations of the stone walls of the Monastery buildings and its surrounding enclosure wall. The corners of the buildings Contact Iain on 07981 920156 revealed in this way, and several points on the enclosure or 01786 841007

8 around the needs of his communities. He visits parishioners’ PEOPLE WE MEET homes, the primary schools, Eventide Homes for people in their twilight years and says he is happy to knock on doors, and that it’s a very rare thing to be turned away. He believes that parish ministry is not about being a Chaplain to a small religious club but rather it means becoming involved with the whole community, whatever their beliefs. He is appreciative and hugely enthusiastic about the creativity of his three communities and says that each has its own individuality. He praised the imaginative ways and ideas that people have come up with for bringing their communities together. He also enjoys good relations with other churches and practitioners and has collaborated in events and services with St Fillan’s and St Modoc’s.

His least favourite aspects of the job are committee meetings and paperwork. However, these are outweighed by the things he loves, such as, “meeting people, helping them to Rev. Andrew Blair Campbell enjoy life and finding that God is real.” Outside of work he The Bridge talks to the new man at the helm of the Church of enjoys photography, skiing, hill walking and reading and Scotland in Kilmadock parish. also playing the guitar - “badly”. (Most people who play instruments say that!). He lives in with his wife At the Armistice service the Reverend Campbell told us a Fiona who commutes to work with a Christian youth project poignant story from when he was a boy. One day, when out in during the week, but spends weekends here. If you playing with chums on the sea wall in North Berwick, he would like to contact Andy he lives at: The Manse, Manse fell off the wall and into the sea. There was a high tide and Brae, Gargunnock. FK8 3BQ. His telephone number is: he was struggling to keep his head above the water. He was 01786 860678, and his email address is: andycampbell53@ drowning, when all at once he felt the clasp of a hand pulling btinternet.com. him up and out of the water to safety. Later in the day Andy’s Vicki Chapman Campbell father took him to apologise to the rescuer, for the trouble he had caused him, which the young Andy duly did, and also handed over a box of chocolates. The man did not say thank you as would have been customary but instead said words JENNIFER’S to the effect, “make sure you were worth saving.” Andy’s Flowers infectious enthusiasm for life makes me think he took this comment to heart. 1 The Cross Andrew Blair Campbell was brought up in North Berwick, Doune the youngest of five children. His father was an Edinburgh 01786 841770 lawyer and his father before him a Church of Scotland minister. As a teenager Andy was keen to pursue a career as a civil engineer, a bridge builder, but went off that idea St. VALENTINE’S DAY when maths got the better of him. Instead he decided to th study theology at the University of Edinburgh. During this Tuesday 14 February time he had no intention of going into the church because he didn’t see models around him that he wanted to emulate. Then someone suggested that if he didn’t like what he saw happening in the church, he would have a better chance of changing it if he was on the inside.

He began his ministry at St Michael’s in Linlithgow, which apparently has the second longest aisle in Scotland, a fact Valentine Bouquets, Roses, worth knowing for the bride-to-be. From Linlithgow he went Chocolates, off to Oban and spent the next 26 years in ministry there. As a fabulous selection of gifts a child Andy had built a radio, and during his time in Oban he and now Ness clothing built a radio station, Oban FM, which is still going strong and run by a team of committed volunteers. Following his work Delivery Service in Oban he took up a post for the National Development Interflora Member of the Church, which he did for five years before coming to his current post with the three parishes of Gargunnock, All major cards accepted Kincardine in and Kilmadock. Ministers have to make their own hours, which means that Andy shapes his day

9 Deanston Medical Student Ewan Semple, a fourth year medical student at University and former pupil of McLaren High School, has won wins Award an award from Arthritis Research UK for his project entitled “Magnetic Resonance of the Loaded Knee”. The competition was open to all medical students studying in the UK who have undertaken a research project in musculoskeletal medicine. Ewan has a particular interest in orthopaedics, which led to his decision to enter the competition. He hopes to become an orthopaedic surgeon.

Ewan’s project involved investigating movement of menisci (small pieces of cartilage) in the knee as it bends while weight- bearing. Tearing of the meniscus is a common sports injury and tears can lead to the development of arthritis in the knee. His research involved using a special MRI scanner in order to learn how the menisci move.

Ewan is hoping to have his research published in a medical journal and is in the process of writing it up with guidance from his supervisors. He presented his project at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s Student Research Symposium in December and will present it at an NHS Rheumatology Seminar in Aberdeen in February when he will be presented with his prize.

Congratulations, Ewan. Diana Bishop

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10 VILLAGE QUIZ Doune and District WRI Doune and District WRI Monthly meeting will again be hosting the Village Quiz on Friday 17 February Friday, 24 February in Doune Castle Bowling Club 7.30pm in the commencing at 7.30 p.m.

Woodside Hotel Everyone is welcome to come along and make up a team. ‘Basket Galore’ Cost: £5 per team of four people and there will also be a raffle. Kate Sankey will talk on Willow Weaving All proceeds from this event will go to Strathcarron Hospice. Members free Visitors £2.00 We look forward to seeing as many teams All Welcome as possible for a fun filled evening so please come along. Competition: Amaryllis ALL WELCOME

11 EDITORIAL AND LETTERS

Editorial

The storm damage in December and January made an impact which will last for years on the landscape, with fallen trees damaging power and phone lines and obstructing roads. However, we’ve dodged the Big Freeze of the past couple of winters (so far) and the first snowdrops and daffodil shoots are signalling better things to come.

Our pages have news of a good Festive season with the successful Christmas Fair, Christmas Parties and Carol Singing. The Primary School in Doune has reopened with splendid new facilities, but Queen Street has seen a big change with the Glebe Garage closing its doors for the last time.

There is a lot of history in the article on Kilmadock’s Kirks, who would have thought so many churches could have existed in this small community?

I hope you enjoy this February issue and from all of us here at The Bridge, we wish all of our readers a Happy New Year and all the best for 2012.

Letters Dear Bridge, UNSIGHTLY TREE At long last the people of Doune and surrounding areas, STUMPS IN YOUR WAY along with our escalating tourist visitors, who have been deprived of the ability to fill up with fuel on a Sunday due to the antiquated beliefs of the Western Isles, will now be able We grind them down to do so. This will also give work to the staff, who for so To 8-10” below ground level long, had requested this to happen. Professional NPTC Good luck to Mr Jim Raeburn who I’m sure will make a Certified operators success of this business. Minimum ground disturbance Yours etc. ELSTON LANDSCAPES T.Webb Lower Coilentowie 01738850742 By Doune

POPPIESPOPPIES SPECIAL MENUSSPECIAL & EVENTS MENUS & EVENTS “THE JOKE RESTAURANT” PoppiesSaturday 13th Restaurant November 7:00 is for open 7:30pm for Lunch 12 to 2pm and Dinner 6 to 9pm Poppies introduces a new concept of entertainment! We have recruitedSPECIAL two new members EARLY of sta EVENING from the MENU (6 to 7pm) Dorchester in London who 2may Course not be quite £13.50 what you| 3 Course £17.50 imagine!!!…..A Unique evening of fun and of course a qualityJanuary three course / February dinner with co ee Offer £30...complimentary If you are bottle of house wine for POPPIES HOTEL AND RESTAURANT, up fortables a laugh ofyou 4 will or love more, this!! tables must be pre booked. (excluding 14th Feb) LENY ROAD, CALLANDER “MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT” “SHOT TO FAME” TEL: 01877-330329 TRADITIONAL SUNDAY LUNCH Friday2 10th Courses December £13.50 7:00 for 7:30pm| 3 Courses £17.50 (Childrens Menu available) E-MAIL: [email protected] Another night of intrigue as a jaded comedian WEB: WWW.POPPIESHOTEL.COM from a Holiday Camp is murdered. Whodunnit?? Including dinner £35.00 ST VALENTINES DINNER Tuesday 14th February 6pm –8.30pm CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR AT POPPIES Canapes and a Romantic Candelit Dinner £25 Don’t Delay to book your family, friends, Works Night/Lunch or Private Party Our Festive Menus are available fromJAZZ AND DINE Saturday 4th December.Saturday 3rd March - Supper 6.30 to 8pm £22.50 Festive Lunch3 course 2 course supper£10.95 - 3 coursewhilst £14.95 listening to the “Ian Ewing Quartet” Festive Dinner 3 course £21.00 Christmas Day Lunch £45.00 Hogmanay Gala Dinner andMURDER Entertainment MYSTERY£55.00 NIGHTS New YearsFriday Day Lunch 16th £21.00 March - 3 Course Dinner and Murder Mystery £35 New Years Day Dinner £25.00 MOTHERS DAY LUNCH RESERVATIONS BEING TAKEN NOW...... DON’TSunday 18th DELAY!! March - Canapes and 3 course lunch £22.50

12 OBITUARIES

Anne Duff Jessica Clayton–Mitchell (4 January 1920 – 29 November 2011) Jessica, nee MacKenzie, was born in July 1930, the eldest Annie Milne Duff (she chose to be known as Anne or just of five children. She was educated by the ôN tre Dame nuns Miss Duff) was a school teacher all her working life and her and left school to work in Personnel. Initially working in work took her from Longforgan (1940) to Errol and Braco; Glasgow for the Imperial Tobacco Company, she moved to then Deanston and Doune followed by a spell in Galloway London and became PA to the owners of C&A. It was here (1963-66); to Dunblane and finally, as head teacher in she met and, in 1960, married Jason Clayton-Mitchell, giving . birth to Simon a year later.

She is remembered by her pupils as strict but fair and was Shortly afterwards, they moved back to Scotland where evidently a born teacher. In 1983, she leased the Doune Jason, a surveyor, worked in the commercial property sector. School House and spent her active retirement there until They settled in the west end of Glasgow and had twin girls, 2007. A regular church-goer, she attended Kilmadock Hilary and Penelope. Church in Doune, and Dunblane Cathedral as the work took her and was finally laid to rest with her parents in Braco. In the mid 1970s they moved to Doune, where Jessica While in Strathyre, Anne was active with the Order of St. became actively involved within the community, working for John in their work for the blind: she became a member of the many charities, in particular the local Meals on Wheels team Order in 1982 and was promoted to Commander in 2003. as well as the Red Cross and Macmillan Cancer.

Anne was born in Yorkshire but was fond of pointing out that Jessica, however, was best known for her avid campaigning her first words were Scots as the family returned to Scotland for the Conservative Party. She was a key member of the when she was a year old. Her youth was spent around Crieff: team, influential in winning Michael Forsyth his seat in the her father worked as estate joiner at Drummond Castle. 1980s. Her loyalty remained steadfast and she became chair She finished school (Crieff Public School and Morrison’s of the Conservative Ladies Lunch Club in Stirling for many Academy) with Higher Certificate in Maths, Physics, successful years. Chemistry, History, English, French and Art and left for Teacher Training in Dundee in 1937. Finally, her diverse religious beliefs involved her in an ecumenical group, chaired by Stuart Coates, which aimed to Anne played the piano and taught Scottish Dancing for many share spiritual learning across different faith groups. years. She also taught dressmaking in evening classes at Doune, Strathyre and the Trossachs. She had a deep interest In her latter years the family moved to Thornhill, where they in Gaelic and spent much of her leisure time in the Isles of lovingly restored their rural property. Here Jessica was able Harris and Scalpay. She played the violin and was for years to pursue her great love of entertaining, welcoming her five a member of the Stirling Caledonian Strathspey and Reel grandchildren, family and friends on a regular basis. Society, attending fiddlers’ rallies and Mod concerts across Scotland. She will be remembered with affection for her Jessica died on 21 November after a short illness. unique character and strong opinions.

(Drawn from notes set down by Arthur and Patsy Cuthbert, close friends and neighbours, and from a manuscript by Anne herself.) Charlie Gore

13 in the book trade and latterly he ran his own publishing and (Obituaries continued) wholesale business. The main focus of the business was on Scottish books, calendars and postcards, a reflection of his love for, and pride in, his adopted homeland for he considered Scotland, and especially Doune, to be home.

Trevor Maher was a man who conveyed an inner strength but who spoke with the common tongue, who would discuss any ordinary issue in an ordinary way, who would grumble about his teenage children (all of whom are now highly successful) like any other parent. He was a successful businessman but it was vaguely known that his travels overseas had something to do with his religion rather than his commerce.

The depth of his faith was known to us only because we had heard of it or sensed it: he never imposed it nor tried to convert, yet somehow he conveyed it. The enduring memory is of a man of great inner strength.

Behind this modest local exterior lay a great preacher and teacher of international renown in the Church of the Christadelphians. At the graveside his significance Trevor Maher became clear to those of us too ignorant of his life. From all around people who had known him in his Church had come It says much for the quiet modesty of Trevor Maher that, and the words spoken were those of farewell to one who had beyond his many friends here, his profile in Doune is been their staff and their light. relatively unknown. Yet his wife Wendy is well known to most of us for her service in the Health Centre while Trevor engaged in substantial missionary work around a generation of children grew up with one or other of the the world especially in Cameroon. His work, and fund- Maher siblings as lasting friends. That perhaps is the raising for causes including Cameroon Bible School and measure of the man, that quiet granting of continuing values. his particular interest, Mbengwi School for the Disabled, ensure that a generation of children far from Doune will also Trevor was born and raised in Somerset, but spent more than treasure his memory. half his life living in Scotland, and it was in 1986 that he Ken Campbell and Wendy moved the family to Doune. He was employed

ANDREW ANDERSON Doune & SONS FUNERAL DIRECTORS Motors Ltd. Stirling Road, Doune, 24 Hour Service , FK16 6AA Prepaid Funeral Plans MOT Testing Servicing Petrol/Diesel and repairs Monumental Service Class I.V. Tyres (Free retests) Exhausts Family Run Business Welding

We can collect and Address: 14 Camp Place, Callander return your vehicle Telephone: (01877) 330398 / 330567 Fax: (01877) 331079 (only in the Callander and Doune areas) Rest Room Address: Glenartney Street, Callander 1786 841061

14 The nearest stroke group for the Trossachs area at present is Register of Electors in so it was felt that something more local The new register of electors effective from 1 December 2011 would be of great benefit to the rural area. has been published and is now available to view in local libraries and some council offices. If you would be interested in having a local stroke group where people can get together on a regular basis to have fun, Most registers show a reduction in the total number of chat, go on outings, etc then please get in touch with Carol. electors as over 2500 electors in the Stirling Council area Tel: 07760 765325 or email: [email protected] were removed for failure to respond to the annual voter registration form or reminder posted by the Electoral Registration Officer.

Brian Byrne, the Electoral Registration Officer reported an increase in electors responding to the enquiry form by email this year to over 20% in the Stirling Council area. (compared with 17.5% in Clackmannanshire & 18.5% in council Do you need a new home in any of these areas ? area) Aberfoyle Deanston The prompt response to an email last July by over 13000 Doune Strathyre households in the Forth Valley Area reduced the number of Kippen Stronachlachar forms being printed and posted saving over £5000. Brian is Callander Gargunnock encouraging anyone with an email address to contact him to If so, Rural Stirling Housing Association may be able to help. allow the annual enquiry to be e-mailed in future years. The Association’s aim is to support rural communities by With local council elections taking place on 3 May 2012 providing affordable good quality homes for people in housing Brian is offering local community groups the opportunity of need. We currently have over 500 rented homes and around 30 a visit from his staff to check members’ registration details of these become available for re-let each year. We also build and to help fill in forms to register or to vote by post. His some new homes each year. staff and returning officer staff from Stirling Council would For more details and a housing application form please contact also be able to explain the local council voting system to us at: electors. Rural Stirling Housing Association (Anyone wanting to arrange a meeting can contact Russell Stirling Road, Doune, FK16 6AA Taylor on 01786-892207 or email ero@centralscotland-vjb. Telephone : 01786 841101 gov.uk) E-mail: [email protected] Website : www.rsha.org.uk Registered as a Scottish Charity No. SC037849

NEW STROKE CLUB FOR Please note that we encourage all applicants to also apply to TROSSACHS? Stirling Council’s housing list (Tel : 0845 277 7000). Being on both lists is the best way to maximise your chances of being We are investigating the possibility of starting up a new rehoused. Stroke Club for the Trossachs area and are looking for people who would be interested in being part of this exciting endeavour, from anyone who has had a stroke to folk who would be willing to give their time and skills as a volunteer.

Carol Anderson of Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland supports many such clubs throughout Scotland and explains, “The stroke club is intended to be a place where people who have had a stroke can make new friends and enjoy interesting activities. It makes a real difference to someone who has had a stroke to realise that other people understand the difficulties faced by stroke survivors.”

15 DIARY OF COMMUNITY EVENTS: FEBRUARY - APRIL

DATE EVENT TIME PLACE February 1 CAfD 1930 Deanston School 2 Media Matters discussion 1930 Church of Scotland 6 Reading Group 1900 Doune Library 11 Pre-School Story & Rhyme Time 1300 Doune Library 13 Community Council 1945 Muir Hall 15 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark 15 Closing date for March Bridge items 16 Bookworms 1930 Information Centre 17 SWRI meeting 1930 Woodside Hotel 22 Ash Wednesday Service 18.30 St Modoc’s 24 Village Quiz 1930 Bowling Club 25 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark 29 Bookworms 1030 Information Centre 29 Closing date for Windfarm Trust Applications March 1 Media Matters discussion 1930 Church of Scotland 5 Reading Group 1900 Doune Library 7 CAfD 1930 Deanston School 9 World Day of Prayer 1400 St Modoc’s 12 Community Council 1945 Muir Hall 14 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark 15 Bookworms 1930 Information Centre 15 Closing date for April Bridge items 18 SWRI meeting 1930 Woodside Hotel 28 Bookworms 1030 Information Centre 31 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark April 4 CAfD 1930 Deanston School 5 Media Matters discussion 1930 Church of Scotland 9 Community Council 1945 Muir Hall 11 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark 15 Closing date for May Bridge items 19 Bookworms 1930 Information Centre 20 SWRI meeting 1930 Woodside Hotel 25 Bookworms 1030 Information Centre 28 Walk 0930 Castlehill Carpark

REGULAR EVENTS Mondays-Fridays Red Kite Community Nursery 0900-1200 Muir Hall Mondays Keep Fit 1830-1930 Rural Hall Tuesdays Ballroom Dancing 1000-1100 Deanston Primary School Football Club 1900-2000 Dunblane High School Bridge Class (Beginners) 1000-1200 Information Centre Life Drawing Class 1900-2100 Deanston Primary School Bridge Class (post-beginners) 1900-2100 Information Centre Wednesdays Bosum Buddies 1030-1200 Muir Hall China Painting 1400-1600 Deanston Primary School Yoga 1930-2100 Deanston Primary School Zumba 1800-1900 Rural Hall Bridge Club 1915 Red Lion Craft Club 1930-2200 Clan House, Balkerach St Thursdays Baby and Toddler Group 1000-1200 Muir Hall Bridge Classes (Intermediate) 1400-1600 Information Centre Fridays Carpet Bowls 1900 Bowling Club

16 THE BOOKWORMS Book Review Their first French meal (at Rouen) was a life-changing moment for Julia. Once they had established themselves My Life in France in Paris, she set about learning French, made friends with market traders and shop owners, and enrolled on a course at Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme the famed Cordon Bleu School.

This book is a delight, and I’ve read it twice in the last 12 Eventually this devotion to French cuisine led to a months for sheer enjoyment. If you like food, cooking and partnership with two French friends (Simone Beck and France, or any one of these, you will find it an absorbing tale. Louisette Bertholle) in a cooking school and from that to dreams of a cookbook for the American market, Mastering It was the film Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep which the Art of French Cooking (still in print). awakened my curiosity in Julia Child; the book is even more fun. Julia came from a middle class, conservative Californian The second half of the book tells of her struggle to get her family and by her own description was ‘six-foot-two-inch, ‘cookery bookery’ as she calls it, published, and the growth 36-year-old, rather loud and unserious’. She met her husband of her (American) television career, and finally her last years Paul in Ceylon where both worked for the Office of Strategic in France in Provence. Services during World War Two and they married in 1946. Julia was an adventurous, enthusiastic and humorous lady. Two years later Paul was assigned to head the exhibits office All these traits shine through in the book, written with Alex, of the U.S. Information Service in Paris. He had travelled Paul’s grand nephew, in the year before she died. widely and had spent time in France; Julia had never been. Deborah Hackett

THURSDAY EVENING GROUP Bookworms (evening group) meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Information Centre. We read novels, short stories, travelogues, autobiographies and thrillers. We are an informal and welcoming group who like a glass of wine with our book!

16 February William Blacker Along the Enchanted Way: A Story of Love and Life in Romania 15 March Robert Alan Jamieson Da Happie Laand 19 April Ronald Frame Unwritten Secrets 17 May Jane Rogers The Testament of Jessie Lamb 21 June Jeanette Winterson Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? 19 July Patrick deWitt The Sisters Brothers 16 August William Horwood The Boy With No Shoes: A Memoir 20 September Ian McEwan Solar 18 October Julian Barnes The Sense Of An Ending 15 November Andrew Greig That Summer December TBA Julie Myerson Something Might Happen

WEDNESDAY DAYTIME GROUP The daytime group meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the Information Centre at 10.30 am - accompanied by coffee and biscuits. NB February meeting will start at 10.00.

29 February James Robertson Joseph Knight 28 March Claire Tomalin Charles Dickens: A Life, or Michael Slater Charles Dickens 25 April Stephen Fry Moab Is My Washpot 30 May John Le Carre The Constant Gardener 27 June Roger Hutchison Calum’s Road, and Iain Crichton Smith Consider The Lilies 25 July Patricia Jeffrey Frogs In A Well: Indian Women in Purdah 29 August George Douglas Brown The House with the Green Shutters 26 September Rajmohan Ghandi Ghandi: The Man, His People & The Empire 31 October Alexandra Fuller Cocktail Hour Under The Tree Of Forgetfulness 28 November TBA

STOP PRESS: Bookworms have received a grant from the Windfarm Trust which will support two public book events in Doune during 2012. Following the very successful Bookfest of 2005 we will be inviting some well known writers to read from, and talk, about their work. Watch this space for further information.

17 rd 33 Doune Cubs Pack End of Cubs have also been raising funds for the group both at the Christmas Fair, where our hot chocolate stall raised £90, Term Report and through our Christmas card delivery service, which raised another £50. Thanks to everyone who supported both rd It seems no time at all since the 33 Doune Cubs restarted initiatives. back in August 2011. As we anticipate the new term we wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how things Looking to the future, we are hopeful that a Scout Troop are going and to thank the community for its support. will start in Doune in March. There is also the possibility of starting a Beaver Colony if we can get enough adult support. The Cubs have impressed the grown-ups with their If anyone is keen to help out as a leader with any of the enthusiasm and willingness to try everything on the sections, we will be glad to hear from you. programme. Attendance has been very high, which is encouraging. We now have a short waiting list for places The concept of ‘Bob-a-Job week’ has been revamped by the which is also a sign of success! Scouting movement and is now called Scout Community Week. Running this year from 14 to 20 May, it is intended Last term our theme was navigation and map reading. All as a time when Cubs and Scouts help their local community of the Cubs gained their Navigator badge after completing a with projects. If there is an initiative or project you have in series of challenges which included a treasure hunt around mind which the Cubs could help with, please contact the Doune, a night walk at Doune Ponds following a trail, and leaders to discuss it. sorting and delivering Christmas cards in the parish. In the new term our theme is safety, including personal, home and If you would like to register your child for a place at Cubs road safety. please email [email protected]

The Cubs did a lot of activities involving our local Finally the group committee would like to congratulate the community, from getting to know the area and our leaders Andy Banks, Craig Dinwoodie, Jim Francis, Paul neighbouring pack in Callander, to participating in the McClintock. Duncan Smith and Kerry Worbey for all their Remembrance Day service and the Christmas Fair. The hard work and enthusiasm. The group is off to a flying start!

33rd Doune Cubs Pack

Impressive start for 33rd Doune Cubs Pack

18 SCHOOLS

Deanston Primary School made lucky ducks and outfits to sell to P1 (plastic P3 money) and held a ‘Lucky Duck’ lucky dip (real Thank you for Fair support money) on the final day of Finance Week. Deanston Primary would like to thank you for your support of our Christmas Fair. We raised £642.00, £40 of which is learned about using change, changing pence into going to Oxfam and the rest is going towards our new stage. P4 pounds and have been doing a mega money grid. We would also like to thank everyone for raffle contributions. Mrs Warburton came in to speak to both P4 and P5 about We had a brilliant day. Thank you to the Parent Council who bank accounts. helped run stalls and the tearoom, our stall holders who were fantastic and to everyone for coming along. enjoyed researching and planning a holiday P5 within a budget, learning about percentages and investigating credit and debit cards. December activities In December we went to see Jackie and the Beanstalk. We have thought about the questions ‘What is money also had our Christmas Party and our Christmas Fair. P6 and how does it work? What can you do with money? Who controls the value of money? The children Connecting in the learning looked at interest rates, borrowing and saving scenarios and worked with percentages to work out money totals. Mrs Our topics are Animals (P1-3) and World War II (P4-7). We Warburton talked to P6 about budgeting and bank accounts. have started decorating our classrooms: the lower school have made their classroom like a zoo and the upper school Three groups were given £5 each to invest in a have made their classroom like the classrooms in the World P7 business idea. Each group managed to think of an War II. inspired business venture and made a significant profit, inspired by Fraser Doherty, owner of SuperJam, and the A Huge Thank You!!! programme Junior Apprentice. We would like to say thank you to Windfarm Trust for It has been an exciting start to the term for the whole sending us a cheque so we could buy our new stage. school and we would like to thank the parents and the local community for their support. Once again, to everyone, thank you! Lewis Denison and Gregor Aitken on behalf of P7 The Bridge report by Fern P7

Doune Primary School

Doune Primary pupils took part in many fun activities over the Christmas period, including a family disco, class parties, a lantern procession, a delicious Christmas lunch in our new hall, carol singing and a theatre production of Cinderella.

P7 had the opportunity to go out together for a special lunch to the lovely Buttercup Café in Doune and we all recommend it for a delicious meal or treat.

We came back to school on 9 January to work on all our activities for Finance Week, where the whole school was involved.

had a visit from the owner of Woodlane, Cheryl P1 Sivewright, who gave them very helpful advice and information about running a shop and allowed P1 to have a tour of Woodlane. P1 then set up their own Soft Toy shop to practise their skills with plastic money and finished the week handling real money in their own Mini Tuck Shop.

organised a Bring and Buy Sale and a Raffle. P2 They have also been learning about different coins and working with coins up to £1, counting and laying out correct amounts.

19 SCHOOLS

comfort zone. Personally, I was pushed to face my fear of McLaren High School heights, and the sense of achievement afterwards was an amazing feeling, having conquered my fear. S4 year of McLaren High have just finished their busiest term ever! It has been jam packed with prelims, weather Although the activities challenged us individually, the whole warnings and our trip to Loch Eil. Nervously chewing our year pulled together as a team. We became a lot closer and nails as our prelims dates drew closer and closer, last minute began to appreciate when help was being offered. To begin study sessions to cram anything we had missed into our with in my group, the Stewart Clan, we all wanted to be minds, and pray we remember. With the terrible tales of last heard. If it wasn’t for our instructor, Leena, we would have year’s weather and prelims being re-scheduled, we were killed each other before the end of the week! Leena taught dreading them even more. Thankfully for some, including us to be more patient and to listen to everyone’s ideas, as myself, things went smoothly with only a few hiccups we all had something to say. We found if we listened to along the way and we sailed through our prelims. Then we everyone and not just ourselves, we did in fact get a lot done focussed ahead on our silver lining which was Loch Eil. and faster.

Excited S4 students on their trip to Loch Eil

In December, 70 pupils of S4 headed off to Loch Eil for a full Raft building challenge week of varied fun activities. The bus journey was dreaded as it was for a full three hours. Lucy and I only managed an The week away really made us think about how we approach hour before we cracked open our homemade packed lunches. things in everyday life, and has made us have a different take Loch Eil offered a range of activities and our first was a on how to handle things. Prior to Loch Eil we may have peculiar one called ‘Jog and Dip’. I worried about what could handled them completely wrong. By the end of the week, be in store but first we got time to settle into our rooms. we had made new friends who helped support us in our fears Before I knew it I had been conned into getting ready to jump and cheered us on when succeeding. The week as a whole into the lake. may have brought distress as we missed home or the luxury of having phone reception in our rooms, but we learned We jogged down to the lake and lined up to make the plunge valuable lessons that we will keep forever and use in later into the freezing loch. I was shivering before I had even life. jumped; tension was beginning to build up as I waited for my Iona Campbell turn. Then I was at the edge, and all of a sudden I was being counted in, 3...2...1, ‘aaaaaah!’ I screamed and jumped in the water. The water smacked me in the face, and I spluttered and coughed as I began to choke on the water I had stupidly swallowed when jumping in. The next five minutes was the GEORGE MCALLISTER SERVICES longest of my life. I had insisted on going in first out of my friends and we had to wait for everyone to have their turn AGRICULTURAL & LANDSCAPING (only fair) but I could have killed whoever was last, as I was CONTRACTOR standing in my shorts and top freezing! I was never so glad SMALL BUILDING PROJECTS, DIY, to be able to run up into a hot shower in my life! FENCING, GARDEN Loch Eil also offered many other activities such as rock MAINTENANCE, LANDSCAPING, VAN FOR climbing, hill walking, team building, raft building and, my TRANSPORT personal favourite, a team work challenge between every OR SUPPLY LABOUR group at the end of the week. ANYTHING AT ALL GIVE ME A CALL Loch Eil was a great experience, not only did it take away the ‘result jitter’ from the prelims but also brought the MOB: 07592006883 TEL: 01786 842 467 whole year closer together. The activities challenged you 11 CASTLEHILL, DOUNE as an individual by pushing you and taking you out of your

20 SCHOOLS

With Chinese New Year just around the corner it is a Red Kite Nursery fabulous opportunity to visit the Chinese supermarket in Glasgow. Authentic Chinese snacks have been purchased A new year and a new face at Red Kite Community Nursery including lychees, Asian pears, rice crackers and of course as we welcome Andrea Robertson into our staff team. Andrea what Chinese feast would be complete without fortune has twenty years’ experience working in the preschool sector cookies? To continue the Chinese theme we have a huge and we are sure that she will be an excellent addition to our Chinese dragon hanging from the ceiling as well as Chinese team with lots of experience and ideas to share with us. This lanterns and New Year messages. To complete the experience is not the only change that is going to take place: our Lead we have some fantastic Chinese music to dance to and each Practitioner, Jacqueline Rae, who has worked with us for child will be receiving a traditional lucky red envelope filled almost eight years is moving on to pastures new and we wish with a golden surprise! her good luck in her new endeavours. To say farewell, the parents, staff and children held a tea party for Jackie, which If you are thinking about sending your child to preschool in was a wonderful way to mark the occasion. August why not come and visit us? We welcome children aged 2 years 9 months up to school age and are open five mornings a week from 9am – 12pm. We are in partnership with Stirling Council which means that we can offer free Government funded places to all children the term after their third birthday (otherwise a session is £7). If you would like to learn more, please either check out our website www. redkitecommunitynursery.org.uk, pop in or contact us on (01786) 841752 or [email protected]. uk We look forward to welcoming you to our community nursery soon! Alison Stewart (Chair)

Saying farewell to Jackie

At Red Kite Community Nursery we enjoy being active and this is expressed in our motto ‘Active Learning, Active Lives!’. This is why we are thrilled to report that we have won just over £2000 in grants from the 2014 Lottery grant programme and the Kilmadock Windfarm Trust to purchase a variety of soft play gym equipment. The package includes active spots, soft play shapes, horse and wedge. We can’t wait to get it and use it!! We want others to be able to benefit from the resources as well and Alison is planning on accessing a course which will give her a qualification as a preschool fitness coach, in the very near future. We hope to Welcoming Andrea to the team have the resources in place by the end of January so have a lot of fun to look forward to!

Charity SC016050 Bumps & Bosom Buddies Red Kite Community Nursery Muir Hall, George St, Doune Muir Hall, Doune Wednesdays (During Term Time) Funded places available to all from 3+ yrs Preschool 9am - 12pm Mon-Fri 10:30 - 12:00 Rising 3’s 1pm - 2:30pm Mon For mums-to-be and mums who are breastfeeding Awarded Qualified 6/6 Registered or have breast fed QUALITY Staff CRITERIA Friendly, chatty & supportive www.RedKiteCommunityNursery.org.uk Just drop in!! [email protected] [email protected]

21 SPORT Doune Walking Group Schedule February-April Wed 15/2 Ben Gullipan 10 miles Sat 25/2 The Whangie, Kilpatrick Hills 4 miles Wed 14/3 Laggan Hill & Currochs, 6-8 miles (Knock of Crieff optional) Sat 31/3 Dowally – Loch Ordie, 7 miles Wed 11/4 TBA Sat 28/4 Blairgowrie – Bridge of Cally 7 miles

Meet at the Castlehill Car park at 9.30. Everyone is responsible for their own health and safety, and provision of equipment, suitable clothing and refreshments. For more information contact Kilmadock Information Centre.

Callander Ramblers’ Diary February Wed 8th 9:30am Stroll: Invertrossachs (4 miles) contact 01786 842081 Wed 15th 9:30am Ramble: Along (6miles) contact 01877 382803 Sat 25th 8:30am Hill: Cleish Hills (379m) contact 01577 862799 March Wed 7th 9:30am Stroll: Killin Heritage Walk (4 miles) contact 01877 330444 We meet in Ancaster Square, unless otherwise indicated. Please bring wet weather clothing, appropriate footwear and a packed lunch. Please let the walk leader know if you plan to join the walk via the contact number given. Iyengar KEEP FIT! (with Instructor, Diane) YOGA at the RURAL HALL, DOUNE Wednesdays during term-time every Monday 6.30-7.30pm, cost £4 Deanston Primary School 7.30pm - 9.00pm The class suits adults of all ages and abilities and combines aerobics to improve cardio fitness with toning and floor exercises to work those muscles! So come along, enjoy the music, have a laugh and get in trim at the same time!

Teacher: Diane Edward Cost: £4 (£3 concessions) This class is suitable for beginners

Please bring a mat, blocks, bricks, belt and a blanket. There is limited equipment available to borrow. for more information contact Mary on Sorry, class not suitable for pregnant women. 842239 COMMUNITY ACTION FOR DEANSTON

22 SPORT Football: Doune Castle AFC Saturday 14 January: Rothesay Brandanes 3 Doune Castle 5 Saturday 17 December: Doune Castle 3 Despite the long trip to the Isle of Bute, Doune Castle Dunipace Thistle 0 returned with three league points. Late in the second half, despite being a man short for all of After 17 minutes Alan Inglis scored and 9 minutes later his the half, Doune sealed victory in this Scottish Cup fourth thunderous shot cannoned off the underside of the bar and a round tie. Rothesay defender, attempting to clear, headed into his own net. Doune were three up after 28 minutes when the keeper They took the lead after 12 minutes with a shot from Lukasz could only parry Alan Inglis’s shot and Tamas Seres scored Duszynski. A minute before half time, having already been from 8 yards. cautioned, Robbie Hurst made two rash challenges in quick succession, and was ordered off. From the resultant free kick Rothesay pulled one back after 38 minutes when a blistering a double save by Alan McGirr kept Doune 1-0 ahead at the 30-yard shot came back off the bar and was headed home. A interval. minute later the Brandanes keeper finger tipped a shot over the bar but Ryan Duncanson made it 4-1 from the resultant After 75 minutes substitute Craig Stewart was hauled to corner. the ground, from the resultant penalty Alan Inglis made it 2-0 and on 84 minutes Doune sealed the win when Lukasz After 66 minutes Paddy Napoli scored from 16 yards, Duszynski clipped a ball into the path of Alan Inglis who Rothesay hit back after 82 minutes when a shot slipped scored from 16 yards. from Alan McGirr’s grasp and in the fifth minute of added time Alan More’s rash challenge gave away a penalty which made it 5-3. Saturday 7 January: Doune Castle 3 Saturday 21 January: East Calder United 0 Harestanes 0 Doune Castle 4

Both teams had chances before Patrice Napoli hit a Despite resolute opponents and gale-force conditions Doune wonderful volley from 12 yards to make it 1-0 after 35 made it through to the East Cup quarterfinals. After 14 minutes. minutes Ryan Duncanson played a long diagonal ball to Lukas Duszynski who volleyed home from 14 yards and Doune went two up after 53 minutes. Colin Burke turned Alan McGirr made two terrific saves to keep the score at quickly, took one step forward and unleashed a blistering 1-0. drive from 30 yards. Three minutes later Lukasz Duszynski turned a defender in the penalty area, was brought down and After 58 minutes Paddy Napoli sent a long ball to Alan Alan Inglis blasted home the spot kick. Inglis who scored from 16 yards and a minute later a pass from Graeme MacMillan to Alan Inglis was lashed into the Harestanes rallied and it took a brilliant save from Alan far corner to make it 3 - 0. On 73 minutes Alan McGirr McGirr on 59 minutes to stop a dipping and swerving 30 dived full-length to his right to save a penalty and Alan yard shot from reducing the arrears. They continued to press Inglis completed his hat trick with an unstoppable drive after but the Castle held firm. 85 minutes. Saturday 28 January. The scheduled 6th round cup tie had Deep into added time Harestanes were given a penalty which to be postponed due to a frozen Moray Park pitch and was Alan McGirr dived to his right to block and crown a fine rescheduled for Saturday 4 February. performance. http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/dounecastleafc Ian Sommerville Greg Deans CALOR Gas Joiner & Glazier Available from Stockbridge Nursery UPVC Windows, Doors & Facias Design & Fit Kitchens, Roofs Gas Cylinders All sizes Patio Heaters Double Glazing, Velux Local Delivery or Collect Barbecues Conservatories, Renovations New Cabinet Heaters All Associated Fittings in Stock Extensions & New Build 07810865373 ~ 01877 331239 Kilbryde Road, Dunblane, FK15 9ND Just off Bypass on Road to Doune (A820) [email protected] Tel: 01786 821414

23 Visitor Information Doctor/Nurse Humanist Doune Health Centre, Castlehill Doctor 01786 841213 Nurse 01786 841256 Society NHS24 08454 242424 Minor Injury Unit 01786 434000 of Scotland Woodside Pharmacy 3 The Cross, Doune 01786 841216 for advice and information about Police (Callander) all aspects of humanist 01786 456000 ceremonies, please contact: Vet Struthers and Scott, Mary Wallace Main Street, Doune 01786 841304 T: 01786 842239 Kilmadock Information & M: 07968 666432 Heritage Centre E: mary.wallace@humanism- 52 Main Street 01786 841250 scotland.org.uk 10am - 4pm Mon-Sat 2pm - 4pm Sunday www.humanism-scotland.org.uk e: [email protected] Deanston Post Office 841490 Mon - Fri 9-12 Doune Post Office 841219 Church Services Contacting The Bridge The Bridge is published 10 times a year (in The Village Store) Church of Scotland M, T, Th, F 9-1 & 2-5.30 and is always in the market for articles, 43 Balkerach Street pictures, letters and ads. All suggestions Weds 9-1 Every Sunday 10.30am are welcome. Items for publication should Sat 9-12.30 Minister - Rev. Andrew Campbell normally be submitted before the 15th of (Last collection 5pm weekdays, each month, and be no longer than 750 12 noon Sat.) 01786 860678 words. Letters to The Bridge must be Cashpoints at Information Centre Episcopal Church signed and accompanied by contact details; and The Village Store Saint Modoc’s: in special cases, these will not be published if so requested. RBS mobile bank 2pm every Friday Sung Eucharist Every Sunday 9.30am Please email all contributions to Doune Library Rector - Rev. Stuart Coates [email protected]. Alternatively, 5 Main Street 01786 841732 post or deliver them to , c/o 01786 860531 The Bridge Monday 2.30pm-7pm Kilmadock Information Centre, 52 Main Tuesday Closed R. C. Church Street, Doune FK16 6BW (tel 01786 Wednesday 10.30am-12noon and 841250), where there is a box for all St. Fillan’s: Holy Mass 2,30pm-5.30pm Bridge deposits. Every Sunday 9.45am, also Thursday 2.30pm-7pm The Bridge is edited by Juliet McCracken Tuesday and Friday at 10am Friday Closed and produced by a team of volunteers Saturday 10am-1pm Priest - Father Jim McCruden including its founder Ken Russell. 01877 330702 “THE BRIDGE” POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION FORM You can have The Bridge delivered by post to your door as soon as it comes out each month, or subscribe to send it to friends, relatives or a neighbour.

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