May 2012 £1 The Bridge The Community Newsletter for Doune & Deanston Gartincaber Tower Toppled Bad weather and human neglect have combined to cause the destruction, recently, of a signifi cant local landmark erected more than two centuries ago to mark the centre of Scotland. Anyone travelling along the B826 between Deanston Toll and Thornhill and looking to the north cannot fail to have noticed Gartincaber Tower, standing on the skyline. The isolated landmark was built in 1790 for the owners of Gartincaber House; an elegant folly, the tower was said to mark the geographical centre of Scotland on the east-west axis. Long neglected, the building was of octagonal plan, rising two storeys to a battlemented platform and accessed from ground level by an external cast iron circular stairway. The fi rst fl oor had large, pointed, church-style windows on each side, giving all-round views, but those energetic enough to climb to the top would have enjoyed a wonderful panorama, encompassing the Forth valley, Carse of Stirling, Gargunnock Hills, the Trossachs and the southern Highlands. Over the years rain and frost have weakened the structure and recent severe gales fi nally caused the collapse of most of the walls, leaving only a forlorn fi nger of stone pointing skywards to mark the spot. Although designed solely as a “folly” and viewpoint, a remarkable building that stood on the spot for 220 years has met an Scene of desolation: the once elegant folly, Gartincaber ignominious end; it will be missed by many. Tower, fallen victim to neglect. Colin Graham Woodlane Has Spring in its Step Ali Hutchison was delighted to be invited to write another review of the Woodlane Fashion Show, held in late March, an evening now considered to be a staple of the Doune calendar. Cheryl and the girls (Karen, Caroline, Linda, Liz, Mandy, Jean, Arlene, Anne, Pauline, Hannah and Becky) worked energetically throughout the evening to showcase a huge variety of outfi ts; as did Cheryl’s father Norman and son Jamie who helped out in the background. The versatility of each and every piece was, as always, carefully considered by Cheryl’s discerning eye. March brought about an unexpected spell of sunshine which allowed her to charm the audience with some fantastic summer dresses, all of which could be dressed up or down and layered to allow continued wear into Autumn and Winter. Colours on display were vibrant and bright; if you want to stay one step ahead of the trend, mustard is going to be a key colour next season, alongside a fantastic range of reds (the foodies amongst us can think strawberry and raspberry shades). Cheryl models a dress from Skunkfunk, a Continued on page 3 newcomer to the Woodlane rails. 1 Spotlight on the KCC recently done by the authorities in cleaning up the district’s streets. The saga about the recycling corner in the Moray Park continues. Alison McAlpine reported on the Ponds The Kilmadock Community Council held their April meeting and the fact that the steps were still not up to standard; she on Monday 9th at the Muir Hall. added that she would contact the Ranger, Claire Bird, about improvements. First on the agenda, two guests: Gerry McGarvey and Alycia Hayes, representing the Labour and Cooperative Party and Alistair Buchanan proposed a competition for Doune and the SNP respectively, introduced themselves as candidates in Deanston Primary Schools to design two Christmas lights. the forthcoming local council elections and briefl y outlined There was also talk of some more village seats and perhaps a their key objectives. The third guest was Ray Donaldson table or two. The meeting closed with a long discussion on from Doune who came to update the KCC on proposals for a the proposed new facilities at the Moray Park with the Chair, cycleway from Doune to Callander. This is an issue that has Jimmie Innes, stating that he would write to the people been running for years; Ray, however, was upbeat this time, concerned to raise a number of points about the proposed explaining that funding from government was now in place building, particularly as the KCC had been asked for an for the cycleway and that he wanted to work closely with the opinion. KCC to ensure that matters progressed. Birdman The matter of high speed Broadband was briefl y discussed with the news that this too was moving forward for the KCC Community Council Active district. (It’s amazing that we can get all these funds but when the KCC ask for something like a pedestrian crossing in Planning Consultation or better road signage, then there is no money available.) In last month’s edition, in relation to Stirling Council’s Councillor Paul Owens said goodbye as he was retiring from consultation on its Draft Proposed Development Plan, public life. The Chair thanked Paul for his contribution and I reported that Kilmadock Community Council, while input at KCC meetings over the last few years and wished supporting the argument that there should be no further him a very happy retirement. housing development in the near future, did not rule out development in the long term. I have now received a letter The Chair went on to mention comments recently made in from Jimmie Innes, Chair of the Community Council, stating The Bridge about the KCC; he said he was replying to these that this is not the case, and pointing out that the KCC ‘will but added that surely the best place to question any aspect of look at every Proposal as it comes up, and … will continue the KCC would, in the fi rst instance, be at a KCC meeting. to represent the views of the people of Kilmadock regardless (I suppose we should be thankful that most people know that of the Developer.’ the KCC does actually exist and does work on behalf of the community; also that you cannot please everyone all of the In my article, I also stated that there was no observation time). from the Community Council on Stewart Milne’s proposals for Deanston. Mr Innes’s letter enclosed copies of The meeting was updated on the proposed new Health Centre correspondence clearly indicating the contrary with a copy of and the Section 75 Agreement on the site. However, it was a detailed observation on the Milne submission. noted that the information from Forth Valley Health Board I based my article on detailed examination of Stirling was not at all clear and further clarifi cation was required Council’s website in relation to the Report to that Council before the KCC could be satisfi ed that matters were moving when they approved the Proposed Development Plan and I in the right direction. am patently culpable of misinterpretation of that complex document. I regret my errors and apologise for them. I do Moving on to the Treasurer’s report, Bob Oliver talked about not regret that I was wrong. It is good to be reassured that future plans to amalgamate all of the different funds into the Community Council remains vigilant on our behalf. one, making it easier for people to understand just where we The situation now is that the Proposed Plan itself will be stood fi nancially. It was noted that a contribution of £300 published in August and the statutory consultation will take had been made to the Community Consultation project and place in September and October. In other words the political that the secretary would write to the KDT to confi rm this. stunt of deferring approval of the Plan by one Council cycle Alistair Buchanan gave his report on the local halls and the of meetings has, as The Bridge predicted in November last KDT. This raised comments about future funding, and the year, had the effect of delaying the whole process by, at Chair asked all KCC members to email him on this point so least, one full year. Prepare yourselves for a re-run of last that he could offi cially raise the matter with the committee autumn’s consultation. concerned. He added that the Chair would contact Claire Ken Campbell Milne of Stirling Council’s Planning Department regarding the old bakery. Richard Bird reported on roads and the usual lack of response from our two road authorities, Stirling Council and TransServe. John Blackwood gave an update on the state of the streets and we all commented on the good job 2 Designers on Clothing items aside, Woodlane has a fantastic range display ranged of accessories, all ideal for adding colour to an outfi t or from the well purchasing as a gift for someone special. Making the known and headlines this season are large colourful rings and necklaces, loved mix and woven and clutch handbags and, on the shoe front, gorgeous match Masai summer clogs and wedges from a range of designers not and Out of Xile, widely available in the UK. the fabulously feminine As always, Cheryl provided not only an excellent 90 minutes Isabel de Pedro of entertainment (repeated four times in two days) but also dresses, the raised an impressive £1,000 for a local charity. This year elegance and Woodlane are supporting the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund. simplicity of On 25 March 2010, Eilidh Brown, from Dunblane, passed Lauren Vidal, away after a 14-month battle with Germ Cell Cancer. She and a spark was nine days short of her sixteenth birthday. The Eilidh of exuberance Brown Memorial Fund has been set up by her family to make from new arrival Eilidh’s wish of helping others in her situation come true.