ISSUE 11 SUMMER 2008 £1

KillearnCourier

publishedby:

Anyone wishing to contribute to theChristmas edition is reminded that it willbe distributed on 15th November 2008.Advertisements and ArtworkAll adverts should be handed to one ofour Advertising Executives byFriday, 3rd October. Gwen Stewartcan be contacted on 01360 550856and Sara Hudson on 01360 550806.ContributionsAll contributions and letters to theeditor should be in the hands of theeditorial team by Friday, 3rd October.Send them to:

2 Elder Road, Killearnor email to courier@ kcfc.co.uk.Our advertisers make the Courierpossible, so please support them.

The Courier is not responsible for thecontent of advertisments.

An extra meeting of KillearnCommunity Council was held on9 July, prompted by theimportance of the planningconcerns surrounding proposalsfor the Schoolhouse and OldSchool site on Main Street.Around 80 villagers attended themeeting in the Village Hall. Plansfor the proposed changes to boththe Schoolhouse and Old Schoolwere on display before the startof the meeting.Chairman Brenda Pell set out theresponsibilities and constraints on theCommunity Council in planning issues, aswell as giving a short history of the OldSchool, commenting that since being takeninto Council hands ‘loss of heritage’ hadbecome a sensitive issue arousing ‘strongopinion’ in the village.Carlo Dinardo and Karen Dinardo wereinvited to introduce their plans for thesetwo important village sites. Mr Dinardoconcentrated on three main issues: changeof use of the Old School, access to the site,

Development of Old School site

and the proposed extension to theSchoolhouse. The Community Councilaccepted the need to make use of the site,however, the question of access to the siteand the extension of the Schoolhousearoused the most debate duringquestioning by Community Councillors andvillagers. Mr Dinardo answered questionsfrom both the Councillors and the Chair,with occasional interventions from MsDinardo.The plans show the solution to the accessproblem by the creation of a new roadbetween Bruce Cottage and theSchoolhouse. This would use a portion ofthe Schoolhouse garden to widen thecurrent Public Right of Way (PROW). Themetalled lane between Hillview and theSchoolhouse would be incorporated intothe Schoolhouse garden, although theoccupants of Hillview Cottage haveestablished servitude over their use of theexisting lane. Mr Dinardo stated that StirlingCouncil’s Road Department agreed that thenew entrance between the Schoolhouseand Bruce Cottage might be a solution tothe problem of access. However, he failedto convince many at the meeting, severalof whom pointed out that the change wouldput another entry into the Main Streetbetween Crosshead Road and HeadriggSquare and be very close to the entrance toCalibae. A point was also made that new

Continued inside on page 5...

INDEX

Malawi Visitors 2Editorial 3Letters 3Notice Board 5Features 7, 8, 9, 23Buchanan Monument 10, 11Boys Brigade 10Scouting 13Primary School 14, 15KCFC Report 19KCC News 21Sports 12, 16, 17, 18Competitions 22

View from the topSee page 11 for a birds-eye viewfrom Killearn’s top spot.

© Hugh Cameron

2

In June, nine members of the Robert Laws Secondary Schoolvisited Balfron High School. They stayed with local families,four of them in Killearn, one in the Manse.

Mr Nation Mafuleka is abiology teacher, and a keenChristian. He had helpedthe voluntary group ‘StudentChristian Movement ofMalawi’ to grow until halfthe school had joined – byprofessing faith. He was adelightful guest.He and his wife have fivechildren, plus threenephews and niecesorphaned by AIDS. Hesupplements his meagreteacher’s salary by farming

and marking exam papers. He thinks nothing of cycling 25miles each way if he has duties at another school. His nearestinternet connection is 60 miles by bus.The visitors all laughed to hear us call Killearn a ‘village’,and could not get over the length of daylight. I’d like to shareNation’s words as he prepared to leave for home.We had been stuffing and weighing cases until late on theeve of his departure, hoping to take as many of the donatedclothes as the airline would permit. Next morning, he said hehad read Ecclesiastes before going to sleep. That’s a bookin which Solomon recognises that all hiswealth, power and women weremeaningless without God.Nation had worked out how he couldleave our luxury and return to a simplelifestyle: ‘All the things that peoplepossess mean nothing, if they do nothave Christ.’He had learned Paul’s secret: ‘Iconsider everything a loss compared tothe surpassing greatness of knowingChrist Jesus my Lord… I know what itis to be in need, and I know what it is tohave plenty. I have learned the secretof being content in any and everysituation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want: I cando everything through Him who givesme strength.’ Philippians 3:8; 4:12–13As we in Scotland enter a period ofeconomic upheaval, maybe society isgoing to have to learn that contentmentis more important than wealth; thathaving a personal relationship with Jesusis safer than having money in the bank.

Philip Malloch

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Thought for the Day – Paul’s Secret

After last year’s highly successful trip to Robert Laws SecondarySchool, it was Balfron High and the local community’s turn towelcome the returning Malawian pupils and teachers to Scotland!The visit was 3–19 June, and during this time they managed topack in a whole host of activities, including visits to LinlithgowPalace, Edinburgh Castle, a local farm, Inchcailloch, the ScottishParliament, Glasgow Science Centre and Ardmay House activitycentre, as well as an entertaining hike up Dumgoyne! A lot of thetime was spent in Balfron High itself and with the local host families– Augustine Chirambo, the headteacher, Nation Mafuleka,Madalitso Sanga and pupil Robert Malongo were all staying inKillearn. It was fantastic to be able to welcome the Malawians toScotland and into our homes, and the Balfron High – Robert Lawsexchange grew greatly in strength. Some reflections on the tripfrom the Malawians themselves will be appearing in the next editionof the Killearn Courier.

Malawians Come to Scotland

Mr Nation Mafuleka

At the Leaving Party

3

EDITORIAL

I’m often asked why we want contributionsand adverts in to us by a certain date. Thereason is really quite simple – we have to meetdeadlines!To get the Courier through your letterboxwhen we say we will, time is needed to do anyediting required, contact contributors andadvertisers if there are any problems, and geteverything ‘laid out’ ready for printing. A ‘late’submission will either miss out on the issueor cause a re-jigging of the entire lay-out.Then the whole lot goes off to the printer,who needs about 2–3 weeks to get it done.All of this takes time, hence the deadline datewhich we always publish on the bottom left-hand corner of the front page.All that said, many thanks for your continuingsupport and keep these contributionscoming!

Ed.

LETTERS We welcome letters from readers. Please include afull name and address (not necesarily forpublication). Contact addresses on the front page.We reserve the right to edit letters.

Ian DickieEditor

Dear EditorThe Dinardo Partnership was surprised tomake the headlines relating to plans for theOld School etc. There were a number ofinaccuracies and unfair criticism andinnuendos, which you might be kind enoughto take note of.1. The proposals with conservation in mindwere initial thoughts to introduce flatlet units,in the old retained and repaired schoolbuilding, that would be popular for Killearn.The number of units would exceed those laiddown by Stirling Council provided the limitedrestrictive existing access road was resolved.If resolved, to a superior, safer format, tothat which exists today, and the due legalPlanning process allowed more units, thenmore units would be built.There is no question whatsoever that anyonewould be allowed to exceed those to bepermitted by the Planners.The purchase price for the site will increase ifmore than 2 units were to be permitted.2. The alternative road access solution wouldremove the problems of narrowness, and theproximity to the elbow of Main Street–Balfron Road and would produce a safeextended sight-line arrangement than existstoday. Parts of the Old School House wouldbe utilised.Once that is provided the existing problem isremoved and the added number of units andtheir cars can be accommodated quite simply.It would not exceed other similar existingworking arrangements nearby.3. We wish to establish that the developersintend to conserve, improve and preserve (inuse) old Killearn buildings and their accessesto them to the advantage of all, both privateand public interests., It isexactly for this reason that wehave made our initial thoughtsknown to all parties at an earlydate, so that the consultativeprocess is achieved with thebest interests of theneighbours of Killearn.Once all parties have made theirviews known and this processis exhausted, the Council willthereafter award their consentsand approvals.

It is necessary not to jump ahead and drawwrong conclusions, stirring up unnecessarycontroversy, when none, none at all, ismerited. The plans will be modified now andresubmitted based on responses and viewsreceived.Developments in Killearn will be towardsimprovements which will benefit us all in thecommunity.RegardsYours sincerelyDinardo Partnership

18 March 2008

WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOPS with local artist Iona Buchanan

STEP-BY-STEP PAINTING FLOWERS LANDSCAPE PAINTING

Saturday 19th September Saturday 31st October

10am – 3.30 pm 10am – 3.30 pm

Killearn Village Hall Killearn Village Hall

Tuition, Materials and Lunch at the Old Mill all included

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

£35 per workshop £65 for both workshops

For more information and to book call Iona on

01360 860 121

Deadlines

Killearn Health Centrewill close at 12.30 pm on the followingdates for training purposes. The dates donot affect Physiotherapy appointments.

Tuesday 26 AugustWednesday 24 Sept

Thursday 23 OctoberWednesday 26 November

When I read through the proof of thisedition, I became very aware of theamount of time spent by numerous localpeople in their support of charities, localgroups and the community in general.Just think for a moment what it wouldbe like if we did not have unpaidvolunteers working away for the benefitof our Community – no CommunityCouncil, no KCFC, no Scouts, Guides,Boys’ Brigade, no Courier! Killearn wouldbe so much poorer if we did not havesuch people in our midst.But like all things, changes do take placefor a variety of reasons, people retire ormove on, or find that they are unable tospend as much time as they would likedoing what they are involved in.The Courier is no exception and we havehad a couple of changes. In fact, this isthe last edition that will have Fay Pascoe’sregular Nature Notes. Many thanks to Fayfor her support over the years and wewish her well in her new surroundings.Not to worry though – we have JennyWilks taking her place.We also say goodbye to Nancy Bailey,our sub-editor. Every contribution passesacross her desk where, if needed, theyare ‘tweaked’ to suit our layout, to readbetter, etc., without losing the meaning.Her job is the one that kick-starts thewhole process involved in producing anedition, and her loss will be keenly feltby all members of the Group. She hasgiven much of her time, unstintingly, tothe Courier and many thanks for that.When we heard of her ‘departure’, wefollowed along the lines of a well-knownTV programme (but without involvingAndrew Lloyd-Webber), in our hunt fora ‘Nancy’. Fortunately, we found one inLennie Lindsay.So, we lose a valued member of theGroup and a regular contributor at thesame time but, lo and behold!, twovolunteers step forward and we are backon track.Restores your faith in people, doesn’t it?Enjoy this issue.

4

Woodland BurialWoodland BurialWoodland BurialWoodland Burial …an environmentally sensitive alternative

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demand for natural burial. For information or a brochure on how to plan a

woodland burial and for all types of funeral arrangements� please contact me…

It was with great shock that the villagelearned of the sudden and unexpecteddeath of John MacGowan at the age of32.John was the son of Ros and WalterMacGowan, and grew up in Killearn. Inchildhood he was a lively member of theCubs, and played the Raven in amemorable village production of NoyesFludde in 1983.School did not appeal to John and hisgrowing-up years are described by hisparents as ‘colourful’! He was an activeCeltic supporter despite being broughtup in his father’s traditional allegiance toPartick Thistle.His sense of mischief and hisinventiveness became transformed intoa strong entrepreneurial bent as he grewto adulthood. He tried several types ofjob, set up his own successful internetbusiness and was thinking of newbusiness possibilities when he died.It is the cruellest stroke of fate that John’slife ended when he was on the thresholdof marriage to Kirsten, the love of hislife, to whom he was utterly devoted. Toher and to his parents and his sister Kate,her husband, Robert, and their twochildren, to whom John was a belovedson, brother, brother-in-law and uncle,the Courier extends its sincere sympathy.

BP

John MacGowan 1976–2008

Robert was born in Maryhill in Glasgowto Grace and Robert. At the age of one,his family moved to Dumgoyne. Hisfather was a vehicle mechanic with theAlexander Bus Company. Robert was theoldest of eight children, and received hisschooling at Killearn and Balfron, leavingschool at 15 to become a delivery boywith the Co-op in Killearn. He carriedon in the food retail trade and becamemanager of Low’s Supermarket inMilngavie. To further his career, he trainedas a technician with M.I.T.A. photocopiermanufacturers, and was stationed inLondon, travelling to Hong Kong andJapan. He then gave up this travelling andstressful job, and joined Stirling DistrictCleansing Department. He was veryconscientious in his work, and many herein West Stirlingshire were thankful for hisaid and advice on how to get rid ofunwanted articles. Robert was a colourfulcharacter, and a former member ofKillearn Boys’ Brigade, rising to the rankof corporal. His generosity to localcharities was given with a free hand. Hisexuberance toward Killearn FootballClub was unstinting – his firstappearance in a Killearn strip was at theage of 14 in 1961. His golfing was good:he had a hole in one on the Aberfoylecourse (no one else has achieved thishonour to date). At darts he excelled, andwhen we look at Robert, anythingcompetitive appealed.His health deteriorated greatly in his lastyears, but he had visitors, and the vastthrong who attended his cremation atClydebank and afterwards at the BlackBull speak of his popularity with thecommunity.

JAF

Robert Hugh MacCallum Gourlay1947–2008

An exciting nationwide project is beingrun by Scottish Book Trust and BBCRadio Scotland called Days Like This.Days Like This will give people acrossScotland the chance to be a part of thenation’s history by writing about a specialday in their life which made a strongimpression on them. The project aimsto gather thousands of extraordinarytales, from born-and-bred Scots tonewly-arrived immigrants, from Moffatto Orkney.To take part in Days Like This, all peopleneed to do is write about a day in theirlife that was a bit extraordinary: it couldbe the day they didn’t get married, orthe day they got lost in a supermarket; itcould be a childhood memory orsomething that happened yesterday. Ifthe story is true and centres on a singleday, we want to hear it!Author Irvine Welsh, broadcasterHardeep Singh Kohli, mountaineer JamieAndrew, actress Siobhan Redmond,percussionist Evelyn Glennie andIdlewild frontman Roddy Woomblehave joined the project as celebritycurators, writing and recording theirown story as an inspiration for peopleto do the same.Anyone can send a story – content is whatmatters! Stories should be no longer than1,000 words and can be about anything,as long as it’s true! All stories will appearon the BBC website for everyone toread. The celebrity panel will choose theirfavourites to be recorded and discussedin a series of radio programmes andpublished in a book in 2009. Thedeadline is 1 November 2008.For more details (including the curators’stories), click on:www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/dayslikethisThe project leaflet can be found on thewebsite: www.scottishbooktrust.comFor a hard copy, contact:Clare Rodgers, Programme AssistantTelephone: 0131 524 0166clare.rodgers@scottishbooktrust.com

Days Like This

5

19 Aug Panik Gallery. Local Artists’ Exhibition (until 14 September).20 Aug Balfron High School, new session begins.20 Aug Killearn Primary School, new session begins.20 Aug Playgroup, new session begins. Church Hall, 9.30–12 noon.21 Aug Walk About Stirling, Meet 10.45 am Oakwood Nursery. Walk along West Highland Way (for

schedule of weekly walks, contact Susi 440849).24 Aug Strathendrick Cycling Club. Cycling near Auchterarder and Social Cycling Fortnightly. Contact

Morag Jervis (660437).27 Aug Thai Chi (every Wednesday). Church Hall, 1-3 pm. Contact Karen Limb (550461).30 Aug Killearn Cottagers’ Horticultural Society Show. Village Hall. Doors open 2–4.30 pm. Contact

Glenda Asquith (550142).2 Sept Get Reel Registration plus Come & try. Balfron Campus, 4–6 pm. Contact Sara Bell (550770).4 Sept Probus Club of Strathendrick First meeting of the season. Church Hall, Killearn, 10 am.4 Sept Thursday Club First meeting of the season. Church Hall, 2 pm. Contact Betty Smith (550486).6 Sept Wee Green Market Village Hall, 10 am. For further information contact Jaqui McAlpine (551659).8 Sept Strathendrick Singers First Rehearsal, Kirk Session House, 7.45 pm. New members welcome.

Contact C. Heron (551174).10 Sept Inner Wheel First meeting Black Bull, 6.45 pm.21 Sept Panik Gallery Autumn Exhibition (until 2 November).27 Sept Drymen & District Local History Society Two illustrated talks: John Mitchell, “Sheilings on Loch

Lomondside” and Libby Urquhart, “Cashel Sheiling Project”. Drymen Village Hall, 7.45 pm.4 Oct Wee Green Market Village Hall, 10 am. For further information contact Jaqui McAlpine (551659).5 Oct Harvest Thanksgiving. Killearn Kirk, 10.30 am.6 Oct Monday Club Bridge and badminton start. Village Hall, 1.30 pm.7 Oct The Guild First Meeting, Harvest Evening. Church Hall, 7.30 pm.7 Oct Colourful Killearn. AGM. Village Hall Committee Room, 8 pm.9 Oct Friends of CINI Lunch and Bridge. Millennium Hall, Gartocharn, 12 for 12.30. Contact M.

Kennedy (550474).18 Oct Friends of Strathcarron. Autumn Fair. McLintock Hall, Balfron, 10 am – 4 pm.23 Oct Drymen & District Local History Society An illustrated talk by Lesley Brown, “The Maid of the

Loch”. Drymen Village Hall, 7.45 pm.25 Oct RNLI. Coffee Morning & Sale of Christmas Cards. Village Hall, 10 am – 12 noon.27 Oct Monday Club First Social Monday. Village Hall, 2 pm.29 Oct Strathendrick Rotary Charity Bridge. Village Hall, 7 for 7.30 pm.30 Oct Killearn Community Futures Company AGM, Village Hall, 7 pm.31 Oct Killearn PTA Hallowe’en Disco. Village Hall, 6.30–9 pm.1 Nov Crossroads. Coffee Morning. Village Hall, 10 am.5 Nov Killearn Cottagers’ Horticultural Society, talk by James Williams of the National Vegetable

Society, “Growing and Showing Vegetables”, Village Hall, 7.30 pm.7 Nov Panik Gallery, Christmas Exhibition (until 24 December).8 Nov Wee Green Market Village Hall, 10 am. For further information contact Jaqui McAlpine (551659).14 Nov WRI Whist Drive. Village Hall, 7 pm.21 Nov Strathendrick Country Dance Club Annual Charity Dance. Village Hall, 7–11.30 pm.27 Nov Drymen & District Local History Society An illustrated talk by Ewen Donaldson, “The

Restoration of the Kibble Palace”. Drymen Village Hall, 7.45 pm.29 Nov The Guild Sale of Work. Church Hall, 2 pm.

If you have any dates for the November 2008 issue (mid November 2008 to midMarch 2009) of the Diary, please contact Pat Ryall (550713).

Development of OldSchool site

(continued from page 1)

traffic calming measures, specifically a miniroundabout at the corner of the Balfron Roadand Main Street, would go some way toslowing traffic, making the new accessunnecessary.A number of questions explored therelationship between access and the sizeof the eventual build. Mr Dinardo explainedthat the site had been bought on conditionof two units being built, but that improvedaccess would allow the three that appearon the plans. Dinardo Partnership wouldpay Stirling Council an increased amount ifmore units were approved. The plans showspaces for between 17 and 19 vehicles, andthese were described as parking for guestsof the property owners.Questions from Councillors also examinedthe proposed extension to theSchoolhouse. These plans include a two-storey round turret. The property,considered one of the finest in Killearn, iswithin the conservation area but not a listedbuilding. Questions from the Councilshowed concern that the additions neitherrelated to nor were sympathetic toward theoriginal house, a necessary constraint in aconservation area. Mr Dinardo gave severalexamples of instances where turrets hadbeen added to homes.Other concerns raised at this generallythoughtful and well-organised meetingincluded the retention of the steps leadingdown to Calibae from the proposed newaccess road, the manner in which theCalibae neighbours were consulted aboutthe proposed buildings, the preservationof roosting bats, and the legality of StirlingCouncil including the PROW in the salewithout first establishing legal ownership.Another strong concern was expressed inrelation to the field behind the site, andwhether improved access might lead to italso being sold to developers in the future.Killearn Community Councillors summed uptheir views at the end of the meeting, basedon the existing plans and arguments fromthe Dinardo Partnership and from the floor.The Council unanimously opposed theextension to the Schoolhouse, basedpredominantly on conservation areaissues. They also opposed the plans forthe Old School by a majority. This wasbased on concerns about the change ofaccess. They also voted to oppose thenumber of units increasing from two to threeunless the current access was retained.

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Our Abbeyfield House in Beech Drivewhich provides very sheltered housingfor the elderly has provided an importantservice for residents of Killearn and theirfamilies for over 20 years. Changes havetaken place in the organisation andmanagement of Abbeyfield Societies allover the UK and we in Killearn haveopted to join with the majority of theScottish Societies to follow this lead. Thiswill not affect the operation of theHouse, which is still firmly established inour community, or the care provided forthe residents, which will be maintainedat the high level we have been used toand look forward to this continuing formany years.The Killearn Abbeyfield Society has beenan independent charitable body since itsformation, in common with all Societiesin the Abbeyfield movement. Themanagement of the Society has beeninvested in a group of volunteers whohave taken responsibility for operating itas an Industrial and Provident Society inthe same way as any commercialorganisation, with all that that entails inthe multiplicity of legal requirementswhich safeguard the residents of thehouse and its links with the community.These complex aspects of running abusiness never detracted from thevolunteers’ main aim which was toprovide a happy and comfortable homefor those who have found a need forthe support that the Society can offer.We have always succeeded in meetingour aims, both on the business side andthe care of the residents. But the worldis changing, and we have to alter ourmethods to meet the new challenges. The

Changes at the Abbeyfieldvolume of legislation coming out ofHolyrood and Westminster, aimed atproviding protection for the elderlyfrom unscrupulous landlords, bogustradesman and others, has escalated inrecent years and resulted in theestablishment of many newGovernment agencies for enforcement.We have had to accept that thebureaucratic overload, in addition to theresponsibilities at law that this entailed,had reached proportions that imposedan excessive burden on the volunteerExecutive.In common with over 30 ScottishAbbeyfields and around 400 in England,we found that this was also making itdifficult to recruit new volunteers so wesupported the proposal to set up anAbbeyfield Housing Association to takeover the administration of the Societies,using professional staff. It wasrecognised from the beginning that thestrength of Abbeyfield was in the ethosproduced by the volunteer element andthat even though the business side couldbe handled by a central organisation, thewell-being and support for the residentswould still have to be provided by alocal group which would be called‘Friends of Abbeyfield’.This is the point that we have reached atour Abbeyfield House in Killearn. Thenew body, called ‘Abbeyfield ScotlandLtd’, is based in Edinburgh and hasrecruited a small staff of peripatetic areamanagers, each with responsibility for agroup of Societies. Our Housekeeper,now more of a House manager, reportsto the area manager but maintains closelinks with the Friends. Virtually all theprevious committee members haveagreed to maintain their relationship withthe house as Friends and have willinglyaccepted responsibility for providingwhatever support or assistance theresidents may need in addition to theorganisation of in-house entertainmentand outings. This continuity is veryimportant for the residents who mightotherwise be fearful of the change inmanagement procedures. I am glad tosay that everything is proceeding withthe same enthusiasm as before.Abbeyfield is still going strong and willcontinue to provide accommodation for

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It is with much fondness that the parents andchildren of Killearn and surrounding villageswould like to wish Jane Crawford a very longand happy retirement. Jane has been a much-loved and respected childminder in the villagefor 18 years, and we will all be lost without her.She and her husband, Lawrence, will certainlynot be stuck for something to do. With fivechildren and nine grandchildren to visit aroundthe globe, there will be a lot more foreign travelon the cards. Jane has also designed three largevegetable patches in her beautiful garden, soshe can turn her attention to nurturing hercarrots and runner beans instead of the villages’children.Good luck Jane and Lawrence. Thank you forall your care and attention.Bon voyage and happy gardening!

Jane CrawfordRetires

as long as there is a need for it. We have avery happy house in Beech Drive, and ifany reader would like to consider it as apossible home for a relative or friend,the Friends group will be pleased to showyou around and to put you in touch withAbbeyfield Scotland if requested.Similarly, as always, we would be pleasedto welcome anyone who feels that theywould like to join the Friends andparticipate in the pleasure of supportingthe activities of the House.

Michael Pell (Chairman)

7

Passing through Balloch one cannot failto notice the impressive new buildingthat has gone up opposite the Co-opsupermarket.Carrochan is the new headquartersbuilding of the Loch Lomond andTrossachs National Park Authority. Thenew building had to represent in a visualway what the park stands for, beenvironmentally sustainable, yet beeconomic to construct and run. Thesensuous curves of the building aredesigned to make sense of the sitewhich is placed on a circular junctionwith Balloch Park to the north and thebusy Road to the Isles. The architectcalls it the soft ‘S’ plan which inhalesthe sweep of the roundabout andexhales it in a counter twist towards theCountry Park! Whatever the reasoning,most people I have talked to find thestructure both attractive and eye-catching.The architect’s brief required them tomeet the highest environmental

benchmark possible within the allocatedbudget. This determined that thestructure would be timber framed, cladin natural slate and stone and insulatedwith sheep’s wool, all sourced locally ifpossible. It was decided after muchresearch to use green (that is untreatedand not kiln-dried) Douglas fir for theframe, all of which was obtained fromGrampian and Cumbria. The Burlingtonslate used for roof, walls and floorscame from the Lake District after it wasdecided that it was not possible toreopen the Aberfoyle quarry. Over2,500 local sheep sacrificed their wintercoats for the insulation.On walking into the building the firstthing that strikes you are the massivewooden beams, which being green arecracking and moving as they dry. Theinside of the building is designed to be awork space, a social space and acommunity space. The wholeoffice is open plan, but thecurved walls do not give theimpression of working in a largeopen area. Overhead naturallighting and the high roof makeit a really light and pleasantworking environment. Thesocial space gives staff placesto interact, share ideas or justrelax. The community space isfor the use of local communities,partner agencies such as SEPA,and the local community.To meet the strict environmentalrequirements, the building isheated by a biomass boiler usingwood chips as a fuel. It isplanned that grey water

CARROCHAN

© Renzo Mazzolini The Soft ‘S’

© Renzo MazzoliniStaff Canteen

The Entrance© Renzo Mazzolini

harvesting and solar panels will beretro-fitted, and the boiler converted togenerate electricity when this becomespossible. The building has a very lowcarbon footprint, generating less thanhalf the carbon of a conventional officebuilding. One important requirement,that the site be easily accessible bypublic transport, has been realised.Carrochan is a rare beast,environmentally friendly, a first-rateplace to work, looks good and was builton time within the budget. Staff movedin on 21 April 2008, which just happenedto be the birth date of John Muir, thefounder of national parks in the USA.

PW

Forth Valley Orienteers are planningto hold an orienteering event aroundKillearn on Wednesday, 27 August2008 from 5–8 pm. This event is partof our summer evening programmeand will involve approx 50–60participants.If you would likefurther details onorienteering youcan visit ourwebsite at:

www.fvo.org.uk

Orienteers

8

strimmers

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EQUIPMENT

The car was produced from 1949–53and was classed as a super sporting car.The chassis is formed from a rigid boxsection frame 6.5 inch depth (162mm)!This is further strengthened by fourcrossmembers. All points on the chassisrequiring periodic lubrication areattended to by a pedal-operated‘oneshot’ system.Independent suspension is used at thefront, employing a laminated transversespring andwishbonesconnected tod o u b l eh y d r a u l i cdampers ofB r i s t o l ’ sown design.The rearsuspensionis by torsionbars assistedby hydraulic dampers. The engine is asix-cylinder Bristol which has threedown draught Solex carburettors whichproduces 80 bhp at 4200rpm.The bodywork is of great interest as thedesigners have followed theconstructional lines laid down bySuperleggera of Italy in which alightweight tubular structure carries thealloy panelling.The bonnet, the petrol filler and luggageboot lid are all spring-loaded and canbe opened from within the car. There

The previous report on the activities of theStrathendrick Classic Car Club asked thatanyone interested in joining the club shouldcontact us, and the results demonstrated thepower of the press – membership jumped by10 and now stands at 40.Since the last issue, the club has held its twomain events. The first was at the Drymen Showat the end of May. A manoeuvering test wasset up in a corner of the ground, carefullyplanned to allow all cars a relatively evenchance. In fact, the tight layout and theslippiness of the grass put the more powerfulcars at something of a disadvantage, as thosewho tried to use too much power found to theircost – their wheels simply spun while the carwent nowhere. After a free barbeque, memberstook part in a short but intriguing navigation runinto some minor roads that most of us had neverseen, let alone driven. The results of themanoeuvring test and the navigation run werecombined, and Jamie Gibbon, who was drivinga 1969 Rover 2000TC, was awarded the ClubChampionship for the year. The award for themost interesting car went to Bill McCreath’s1939 Rover 13hp drop-head coupé.Another navigation run was held at the end ofJune. Although the route was set using the‘tulip’ form of instructions, this was only toadd a bit of extra interest to a run along anumber of obscure, and scenic, roads in thearea, with coffee at Loch Katrine, and a buffetat Drymen at the end (not to mention baconbutties at the start) and there was sufficientinformation to ensure that nobody missed anyof it. We were joined by a number of cars fromHelensburgh Classic Car Club, and 23 carsparticipated, driving a route which took in partof the Carron valley, Thornhill, Callander andthe Trossachs.The next meeting is in September, and anyoneinteresting in joining or coming as a guestshould contact the secretary on 550752.

Robert Livingstone, Chairman

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1953 Bristol 401Original Price — £2,995.18s.11d

Makers: The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltdare no door handles; instead thedoors are operated by flush-fitting push buttons, theadvantage of which is thatleverage cannot be applied toforce the door. The car has areliable cruising speed of78mph, and petrol consumptionof 23.5mpg. Bristols are stillbeing produced today.

PJP

STRATHENDRICK CLASSICCAR CLUB

9

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For many people, one of theinherent pleasures about going onholiday is the coming home again.It is when one arrives back in thiscountry from abroad that onenotices the good things, like howgreen everything is, and how sleekthe cows are. Variousembarrassments draw themselvesto one’s attention too, of course,like the dirt and litter that proliferateour public places. There is not quitethe same dramatic impact involved inreturning from a week’s sojourn inSuffolk, but just the same it is interestingto note variations in different parts ofthe United Kingdom.Take the architecture. Killearn has its shareof old houses, witness the top end ofMain Street, the Square, and the BalfronRoad. Many of these buildings have afine historic pedigree, perhapsundergoing alterations as the centuriesprogress but still maintaining their status.And they are distinctly Scottish. No onewould ever place them in Suffolk, just asSuffolk’s ancient buildings would lookmost odd in Killearn. But they are bothsaying the same thing. These are thehouses of ordinary people, occupied andlooked after by generations of workers,tradesmen and professionals. The majordifference is that the ones in Suffolk areoften deeply thatched, usually half-timbered, and much more likely to appearon a chocolate box or jigsaw puzzle. Theyare breathtakingly pretty.The landscape, too, is very easy on theeye. This is Constable country, andthough one does not necessarily run into

a hay-wain at every corner, modernfarming has not totally wrecked theSuffolk that Constable knew. It wouldbe difficult to change its flatness, for astart. The soil is dark and fine and fertile,and the country lanes still have luscioushedges, home to wild roses,honeysuckle, and the odd darting stoat.The painter would surely also haverecognised the huge billowing skies,where even the clouds seem full of light.He would, however, have been deeplysurprised at the quality of the roads. Theyare 21st-century roads, smooth, wellmaintained, in excellent condition – not

a pot-hole in sight. The contrast withWest Stirlingshire is damning. One canonly hope that ongoing roadworks inour area will make such a comparisonout-dated. Eventually. In themeantime, although other parts of thecountry are very pleasing, we havemuch to love and appreciate aboutour own neck of the woods. TheGlen is probably much as it alwayswas, a haven of refreshment andloveliness. Then there’s the brooding

presence of Dumgoyne – unmistakablein its outline, immeasurably old, andreassuringly local. This is, after all, ourvery own extinct volcano. The wholesurrounding area is green and pleasant,and the amount of moss around meanswe breathe very fine air. The old housesare handsome, and the newer onesprovide a mixture of styles, so that theyall seem to blend and settle. Just as peopleremoved from Suffolk pine for theiropen landscape and their huge and everchanging skies, so we love our prettyvillage, our undulating fields, and ourconstant hills.

Hills and Flatland by Joyce Begg

10

Buchanan Monument - Repairs CompleteThe Buchanan Society is a registered charity and was foundedin 1725 as ‘The Buchanan’s Charity’ by a group of Glasgowmerchants to ‘assist the poor of the Clan and Septs and tofurther the Education of Members of the Clan and Septsshowing promise.’ These continue to be the objects of the

Society.The monument or obeliskin Killearn was erected in1788 by the parishionersof Killearn in memory ofGeorge Buchanan. It wasdesigned by James Craigwho was also the architectof the New Town inEdinburgh.In 1836 the monument fellinto serious disrepair andthe Buchanan Societycontributed to the cost ofrestoration. In 1881 the

Society made further contributions to the repairs of themonument and this time ownership passed to the Society. Allof this was in total breach of the constitution and objects ofthe Society, and has left the charity with the burden of upkeepof the monument. In addition the monument has been listedas a grade A structure, which means it is of national significance,and that repairs are considerably more expensive.Recently urgent repairs were required to the monument andits surrounding wall costing in the region of £125,000. TheSociety was able to obtain a grant from Historic Scotland of£77,776, but has had to foot the bill for the rest of the repaircosts plus professional fees which has been a considerable drainon its charitable resources.The Buchanan Society is now concerned that the handsome,newly rebuilt wall is not damaged, yet again, by vehicles usingadjacent roads and hopes to find some way of protecting thewall. It is also concerned that a monument of such nationalsignificance is left to the care of a small charity which could becalled to question by the Charities Commissioners forinappropriately spending money on something which is totally

outwith its charitable objects.The future of the monument is secure fornow, but questions must be asked aboutits long term future.

Fiona M. RiskSecretary, The Buchanan Society

© Hugh Cameron

Traffic ManagementIn cooperation with Killearn Community Council and residents,Stirling Council are producing a plan for traffic managementthrough the village. The plan will address the problems ofspeeding traffic, parking issues and the safety of pedestriansand will be implemented as finance becomes available, but weshould be seeing the introduction of certain features later thisyear.The first measure to be selected is the installation of a miniroundabout at the right angled bend at the top of Main Streetin an attempt to make the approach from the Balfron Roadto the Black Bull and the bank a safer manoeuvre.After this, attention will turn to the Main Street where it isagreed that, by allowing parking in selected blocks on bothsides of the street, the traffic will be effectively slowed.Further measures require more consultation with householdersand businesses but among the measures proposed are theinstallation of a mini roundabout on Balfron Road at thejunction of Drumtian Road in order to slow traffic at theentry to the village, pedestrian crossings at the head of StationRoad and close to the Spar, a further mini roundabout at thejunction with Beech Drive, a change of position for the speedslow sign and also for the bus stop by SparThe opinions expressed so far reveal a range of views. What iscertain is that it will be impossible to please all of the peopleall of the time! It is a subject that will continue to provokeargument, but Stirling Council has promised not to imposemeasures against the public will. If you have strong views,why not come along when this subject is on the agenda of aKCC meeting and add your opinions to the discussion.

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Our company is growing, and the boys’ activities areexpanding. Your local company gave a lot of money tocharity, such as Children in Need and the Erskine Hospitalfor Veterans. However, as things grow so does the needfor more helpers. Any former members, former officersor parents are very welcome to come along and help onThursday nights. Contact Alastair Smith (550935).

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LMH Lynne McVicar Hair

LMH THEN AND NOW Opening in September last year, with a small team of two, LMH aimed to bring to Killearn the style and professional standards

usually found in city salons. Today, with three stylists, two trainees and client numbers growing daily LMH is now firmly established as one of Killearn’s thriving businesses.

Lynne McVicar who owns and runs the salon says "We have been

amazed by the number of regular clients we have already. This has allowed us to bring forward our plans to develop beauty rooms and offer a tanning service upstairs.”

While the ladders were erected on themonument, the opportunity was takento take photographs of the village fromthe top.If you are interested in any of thesephotographs, contact:Hugh Cameron, 01360 550649.

The View From The Top

© Hugh Cameron

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Robert MacNeill of Allan Road, Killearn, and Sarah Oswalt ofBluffton, Indiana, in the US, were married on 5 January 2008 at

Uniondale United MethodistChurch in Indiana. Thereception was held at TimberRidge Golf and Country Club.After graduation in Biosciencesfrom Glasgow University, Robertstudied for an MBA at LincolnMemorial University inTennessee, where Sarah was anArt History undergraduate.Now resident in Knoxville,Tennessee, Robert is in salesand marketing, and Sarah ispursuing postgraduate studies.

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With all the negotiations about the future of the club nowsettled and the lease renewed it has been great to be able toconcentrate on the usual business of the tennis club.

The junior coaching programme resumed in the spring andagain has been very successful and well attended. No AndyMurray clones emerging just yet, but we live in hope.

The Gents’ team finished their seasonon a high note with a fine win away toLinlithgow II securing their place in theCentral and District 1st Division foranother season. Unlike some previousseasons in the top flight, all matches havebeen keenly contested this year. This hasbeen due to the strong pool of playersthat the team can now call upon. It hasbeen particularly encouraging to be ableto introduce one of our junior members,Cameron Nicol, to the Gents’ first team.Cameron played very well and held hisplace on merit, and it has been excellentto see his game improve as the seasonhas gone on. Hopefully we will be able to include Cameronin the team for quite a number of seasons to come. On thedownside we still have not been able to commit to fielding a2nd team. This is something we continue to aspire to.The Ladies team have had a mixed season. The results havebeen varied with only one win and three draws at time of

writing, with two re-arranged matches still to play. Whetheror not we manage to stay in the second division will dependupon the results of these two matches, so it is all to play for.Despite entering only one team in the leagues (instead of ourusual two) there have been weeks when we have struggledfor players. Those who have played have done so withcommitment and enthusiasm, and the team spirit has been

great with the emphasis being uponenjoying the games. While some of theteam have played together for a fewseasons the Ladies have also enjoyedgetting to know those who have chosento play for the team for the first timethis year. New team players, whetherit be from existing or new clubmembers, will be very welcome. Don’tbe shy – let us know if you want toplay.On the social side, the club hasorganised a number of open afternoonsthroughout the season. However, it hasbeen a bit disappointing that numbers

haven’t been better. These afternoons have been enjoyed bythose who have attended and we would encourage everyoneto come along. New members and existing will be made mostwelcome.Look out for notices or contact John Forshaw on 550185.

Back Row: Gordon Thomson, Iain Dingwall, John ForshawFront Row: Ian Georgeson, James Chalmers, Cameron Nicol.

Business As Usual at the Tennis Club

13

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In April, the Cubs had a ‘litter pick’ evening in the park andfootball pitch to help keep Killearn tidy.In May, the whole Scout Group undertook a sponsored walkfrom Blanefield to Killearn along the pipe track with the Scoutmembers of the group climbing Dumgoyne along the way.Over 60 boys took part and raised over £1,200 for Scoutfunds.

Last week we said goodbye to Mary Fraser who has beenour devoted Beaver leader for five years. We wish Mary allthe best with many thanks for her hard work and commitment.Derek Bell and Angus Cartwright will be taking over inAugust.

Lynn Simmers

Scout News

14

Scottish National ChampionsKillearn Primary School’sLacrosse team are the ScottishPop Lacrosse champions!Pop Lacrosse is a juniorversion of the game and wasintroduced to the pupils bytheir PE specialist teacher, MrsMcKie, herself a ScottishLacrosse Team player.The P7 team took part in theStirling Regional Pop Lacrossetournament at Balfron HighSchool from which the firsttwo teams in the OpenSection, Killearn and Drymen Primary, went through to theScottish National Championship at Meadowbank Stadium,Edinburgh, in April. The national championship hosted teams

from five regions of thecountry. It was a hard foughtday with Killearn making adramatic come back fromsixth place to win every oneof their playoff matches.Cheered on by family andteachers, in one of the mostexciting matches of the dayand with a nail-biting finish,the Killearn team won 3–2against Dumfries andGalloway’s Lochmaben teamto take the nationalchampionship shield.

A great achievement for our village school.

Calum Biggart, Stuart MacDonald, Fraser Boland, Lewis McLean,Heather Banks, Robyn Hillman, Nicole Harley, Amy MacGregor.

Killearn Primary School came second out of 14 teams in theRotary District Final of The Primary Schools Quiz held inClydebank Town Hall on Tuesday, 3 June. Killearn PrimarySchool went forward to the District Final (covering primaryschools in the West of Scotland from Stranraer to Obancovered by 56 Rotary Clubs) having won their initial roundon 27 February. The team consisted of Heather Banks(Captain), Callum Watson, Ruairi Fraser and Rachel Maitland.The initial round was organised by The Rotary Club ofStrathendrick for all the feeder schools to Balfron High Schooland Val Corry invited the Club to host the event at Balfron.This is the third quiz that Strathendrick Rotary has staged,with a record number of 10 teams representing 6 schools

taking part this year.There were 4 pupils,both boys and girls,from Primary 7 ineach team. Theformat on the nightwas 10 topics and 6questions per topic.After 5 topics therewas a break for teaand biscuits for thesupporters and softdrinks and crisps forthe teams. Seniorpupils were on handto help, and theirsupport was verymuch appreciated.

Killearn entered 2 teams, with the first going through to thefinal and the second team coming third against some stiffcompetition. Drymen also entered 2 teams, finishing secondand fourth. Other strong contenders were Fintry, winners 3years ago, Strathblane School and Buchlyvie. As in previousyears there was a very high level of general knowledgeshown.Certificates were presented to all the participants and theemphasis was on fun,with each team’s supporters very vocalin their support.Killearn Primary School’s effort in not only winning theopening round by beating nine other teams but also then goingon mount their challenge in the District Final against 13 otherteams was a fantastic result. Isabel Tempest, Depute Headof Killearn Primary, stated that the team had held specialgeneral knowledge classes, on a completely voluntary basis,out of school hours and there was no doubt that this hadhelped in obtaining such a magnificent result.

MM

Killearn Primary’s Premier Performance

Peter Rea , Strathendrick Rotary Club President (picturedabove), visited the school and presented the winning teamwith their certificates and congratulated them on their efforts.

15

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Royal Highland Education Team Workshop We kick started oursummer term with a ‘Healthy Eating Workshop’ on Friday, 25April. This was provided by the Royal Highland EducationTeam. The workshop offered lots of useful advice about howto make healthy eating choices. The pupils learnt the names ofsome unusual fruits and vegetables (and some not so unusual!)and about where some foods come from. However, thehighlight was most definitely the smoothie tasting. This wentdown a treat!

PTA Summer Fête Our hard working Parent Teacher Associationorganised another successful summer fete this year. It tookplace on 17 May. We had a large number of stalls and activities,including story telling, face painting, hair streaking, and hotdogs! The rain even managed to stay off for the day which isprobably a first!

Ardentinny The families of our P6 pupils had their hankies atthe ready when they had to wave goodbye to their childrenfor a week! The pupils left on Monday, 19 May, to spend aweek at Ardentinny outdoor adventure centre. They took partin all sorts of exciting activities such as gorge walking, abseiling,and archery. It was a fantastic week and has been enjoyed bymany classes from our school in previous years.

Sports Day Our school sports day took place this year onMonday, 26 May. It was a great opportunity for all the classesto get together to enjoy themselves outside! There was a varietyof races as well as some fun events such as a football dribbleand netball shoot. The school’s lacrosse team also showed ustheir skills (as they are now the National Champions!). Familiescame and watched, and even took part in the ‘Dads’ or ‘Mums’races!

Brainiacs Mrs Tempest, our Depute Head, worked very hardwith a group of P7 children last term to increase their generalknowledge in a ‘Brainiac’ after-school club. They entered theStrathendrick Primary Schools Quiz against other schools inthe cluster and won! As a result, they went on to compete inthe Scottish Finals in Clydebank on Tuesday, 3 June, wherethey came second.

Once Upon a War P7 worked very hard to write and edit theirown school show – ‘Once Upon a War’. There were two

showings – 4 and 5 June – during school hours. Not only wellacted, but the costumes looked fabulous, too. A great success.

New Primary One Parents’ Curriculum Workshop A workshopfor the parents of new Primary One pupils was held on 6June. It provided an insight into what will happen when theirchild starts school in August. It was a chance to shareinformation and an opportunity for parents/carers to ask anyquestions they might have had.

Wheelie Fun Day Our Pupil Council planned a fundraising dayon 6 June. The purpose of the day was to raise money to helpone of our pupils to buy a new wheelchair. Therefore, the dayhad a theme: ‘wheels’! The pupils brought their bikes, scootersand skateboards to school to use in the many activities weplanned. It was certainly a memorable day!

P7 Visit to Balfron High School On 10 June, P7 visited BalfronHigh School for their induction day. This gave the pupils anopportunity to tour the school and meet some of the staff.

P1 Induction Although we said goodbye to the P7 pupils, wewelcomed the new P1 children. They came with their parents/carers to visit the school on the afternoon of 10 June.

PTA Duck Race and Barbecue This year another successful duckrace and barbecue took place on 14 June.

End of Session Assembly The end of session assembly is a timeto wish our P7 pupils luck as they move on to high school.This year it took place on Wednesday 25 June. It was difficultto spot a teacher or parent with dry eyes!

The school has been very involved with activities with a greentinge. P3 and P4 have been planting bedding plants which werekindly donated by the Co-op and parents. They also workedwith our local Ranger to make bird boxes for the schoolgrounds. Mrs Pattenden, the Learning Support Teacher, hasbeen working with a group of pupils to develop the garden‘den’ area to allow pupils to have a ‘hands on’ experience.Every class in the school has an ‘eco’ job to do, such as lookingafter our compost, or managing our recycling. The P4/5 classis making a DVD to show all of this. Even the adults gotinvolved: the Parent Council organised the planting of somenew trees in the school grounds.

Linsey Rees, Principal Teacher

Killearn Primary School News

Killearn Primary prize giving took place on Wednesday 25 June, and it provedto be a bit different this year. The Ogilvie Achievement Award is usuallyawarded to an individual. In a break with tradition, this year it has beenawarded to the lacrosse team in recognition of their winning the Scottish PopLacrosse Championship. WH Smith vouchers were also given.The annual citizenship award was won this year by P7 pupils Jenny Tollandand Stuart Macdonald. This award is made to individuals who have beengood role models displaying the values and qualities of citizenship at all times.The winners received a silver quaich and £20 WH Smith vouchers.Congratulations to all the prizewinners!

Special Prizes at the Primary School

16

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Driving to Change the Face of Golf

Strathendrick Rugby Club’s 2007–08 season finished on a highwith a thrilling President XV versus Club 1st XV match endingin a draw before the President’s Dinner with guest speaker,former internationalist Peter Wright. This was followed thenext day by the second StrathendrickMinis’ Charity Festival where – on aglorious, sunny Fintry day – literallyhundreds of young rugby players plusparents and supporters enjoyed agreat tournament and raised anincredible £6,300 for local hospices.Organised by Iain Somerville andcrew this is a fantastic event.

And so the Club looks forward to a new season: the Miniswill be holding their Open Day at Fintry on Sunday, 31 August– all potential players, boys and girls, from P3 to P7 are mostwelcome.

The Midi and Youth section will be running an S1 / S2and Under-17s teams this year; and an Under-18s incollaboration with Balfron High School. Excitingly, theYouth section is planning a tour to the USA and Canada atthe end of the season: more in future editions.

The seniors are already in pre-season training with 1st and2nd XV league games kicking off on 6 September. TheClub’s ambition is to win promotion to National League

Rugby Round-Up

even though it is one of the few sportswhere the whole family can play togetheras equals thanks to the handicap system.We are fully committed to thisprogramme to encourage more peopleto the game.”Telephone Keith on : 660330.

Buchanan Castle Golf Club is adaptingtheir ‘offering’ to keep ahead of thegame!At Buchanan Castle Golf Club, ownedby the Duke of Montrose, a £200,000+development aimed at laying out thewelcome mat to beginners, families andjuniors is underway and the Club hasintroduced an ‘Academy Membership’.The idea is that you can arrive notknowing a thing about golf, join as anAcademy Member for a lowsubscription that includes coaching, usethe par-3 course and practice facilitieswhere you can play and improve withoutgetting in the way of members.Eventually, when you are confidentenough, you can join as a full memberprogressing to the scenic 18-holeparkland course, set within the LochLomond National Park area.A six-hole par-3 course – there are plansto increase it to nine – and a dedicatedshort-game area are already in place,complete with golf range that is opento all. Three holes of the classic James

Braid designed course have beenrealigned and improved toaccommodate the new facilities, alllocated close to a clubhouse that is filledwith history. An extensive refurbishmentof the Clubhouse is also planned for thenear future.Driving range facility is also available toall – contact the Pro Shop for details.Starting them youngBuchanan Castle has also become themain centre of the area for the ScottishGovernment backed ‘Clubgolf ’Programme that is aimed at introducingevery nine-year old in Scotland to golf– that’s around 50,000 children. KeithBaxter, club professional, says the sporthas been crying out for this kind of facility.“We now have a pathway here that cantake golfers from complete beginnerright through to international level,” hesaid. “Our ultimate goal is to have the wholefamily playing golf,” added Keith. “A lotof emphasis nowadays is put on familytime, but golf is not really set up for it,

Division 3 this season, so support from players, spectatorsand sponsors is always welcome.

Killearn has a fair representation in the Strathendrick set-up asnot only do key men Iain Somerville(Minis Convenor) and AndySummers (Midis and YouthConvenor) and Mark Gibson (ClubCaptain) hail from our village, but sodo new appointees Nick Hawkins(Club President), Gavin Hunter(Treasurer) and Sue Buchanan (YouthTour Organiser) – quite apart fromcoaches, players and supporters at all

levels! There’s no escaping!

NH

Rugby Contacts:Minis — Iain Somerville (550842)

Midis / Youth — Andy Summers (550147)1st and 2nd XV — Nick Hawkins (550576)

Sponsorship — Gavin Hunter (550322)

17

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Another enjoyable curling season came to anend for Strathendrick Curling Club with theAnnual General Meeting and prize presentationheld at Glengoyne Distillery.The main mixed club matches were played onTuesdays at Stirling Ice Rink at various timesbetween 2.30 pm and 9.55 pm. Two Leagueswere operated during the season. The AutumnLeague was won by Margaret Falconer withDiana Jackson, Gill Smith, John Bowie and IainBowie by two points from John Phillips’ team.There was an exciting finish to the SpringLeague with three possible winners at the startof the final session. Eventually, Mike Jackson’steam of Stan Moore, Matt Gingles and IainBowie were the winners, again pushing JohnPhillips’ team into second place.The pairs competition was won by Steve Holdenand Betty Meikle, while Mike Jackson was ourtop-placed player in the Points Competition(compulsory disciplines) which was played atBraehead Curling Rink with our neighbouringclubs in the Forth and Endrick Province. FionaGlass was Curler of the Year.Our Ladies section, who play at Stirling Ice Rinkon Thursday mornings, also played Autumn andSpring Leagues. The winner of the AutumnLeague was Anne Roy’s team of Jenny Knox,Carol Hill and Norma Thornton. The winner ofthe Spring League was Margaret Falconer’steam of Barbara Andrew, Gill Smith/Gail Painand Carol Hill. The Ladies had their own Pairscompetition which was won by our Pairsspecialist, Betty Meikle, this time playing withBarbara Andrew (repeating their victory of 11years ago!). Gill Smith was Curler of the Year.The Club has had a very successful season inthe Forth and Endrick Province. They won theRobert Paterson Shield league competition atStirling against eight other clubs, and came jointsecond in the Forest Hills League at Braehead

against seven other clubs. They alsoachieved their first ever victory in theJim Carswell Trophy knock-outcompetition, winning the final againstDrymen Curling Club.The club also had its usual socialevents including a golf outing, DinnerDance and New Year Meander.

Prize winners at the AGM at Glengoyne Distillery

If you want an interest and someexercise to keep you occupiedduring the winter months andwould like to have a go at curlingcontact Stan Moore or FionaGlass, or look at our website(www.strathendrickcurling.org.uk).

GS

Curling Sweep Up

Strathendrick in action against Lochard Curling Club.

18

Killearn’s Christie MacLeod was oneof three area girls to compete in theScottish Youth ClimbingChampionships at Extreme Dream inAviemore on Saturday, 31 May.Along with Jasmine Ryan fromCallander and Eleanor Hopkins fromKippen, all three girls are clubmembers of Young ExplorersScotland (formerly CallanderAdventure Activity Group), anadventure club based at the McLarenLeisure Centre, Callander.Active Stirling’s Outdoor Instructor,Jamie Leith said: “The youngclimbers competed on some of themost difficult indoor climbing in thecountry, on slopers, lips,mantles, roofs, anotherworld for most of us butan extremely excitingsport for young people.”Young Explorers Scotlandis always looking for newmembers and adultvolunteers looking tosatisfy their adventurousspirit. The group take partin a vast range of fullysupervised water andland-based adventurousactivities.If you are aged between 10and 16, or an adult keento volunteer, and wouldlike more information onthis great project or wouldlike to find out how to takepart, please contact JamieLeith (07717 544795 orleithj@stirling.gov.uk).

Local Girls Climb to the Top

Competitors from Young Explorers Scotland in the final

And thereby hangs a tail

Seen on the roof of 49 Allan Road one morning in May.

Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 5pmGraham Scott and Keith Harvey look forward to welcoming you to Ben View soon.

The OrchidsLarge selection of quality orchids and advice available in our custom built orchid house.Regular workshops, to sign up to email notification mail to info@theorchidhouse.co.uk

www.theorchidhouse.co.ukThe Garden Centre

Large selection of bedding plants, garden sundries, hardy shrubs, specimen shrubs, basketsand planters (orders now being taken for baskets), Vegetable and fruit plants and seed,

Compost, Gravel and Bark.www.benviewnursery.co.uk coming soon

Pet SuppliesAll types of small animal food, treats, bedding and care items.

If we do not stock something you require we can have it within one week.

Coffee and Gift shop next door, under original management

Midsummer at The Old MillThe Old Mill celebrated their re-launchrecently with a midsummer party. Anevening of superb gastronomy, greatcompany and much enjoyed Glengoyne‘Kilt-lifter’ cocktails. The new andtalented Chef, Paul Morrison, created avery impressive buffet, featuring a wideselection of locally sourced seafood,meats, vegetarian delights and home-made desserts to die for. Entertainmentincluded a unique and interactivefalconry display, female folk singer withthe voice of an angel, a superbly talentedduo of small pipes and accordion, aclarsachist and finally a rather unusualperformance of Gaelic Mouth music...the place was alive and just exactly howthe new manager, Ian Curran, wants itto be!

19

STUARTS FRESH FISH delivered to your door

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‘Community capacity’ is a phrase risingup the Government’s agenda.It is a phrase used to describe the skillbase of a community, not just practicaland intellectual skills, but mostimportantly, also, communication skills.So how would you describe yourcommunity’s capacity or skills base? Doyou feel we are rich in capacity – or coulddo better?I attended one of the excellentcommunity training workshops run bythe National Park. It became very clear,listening to other community participants,that we were rich in the first two andcould do better in the latter.Our newest project, The Village HallDevelopment, is designed to address anyshortfall in Killearn’s community capacity.The Wee Green Market is another projectwith enormous potential to bring more

of the community together on a regularbasis. This project has grown from thevision of one resident and is self-fundingat this stage. Jaqui McAlpine has feltpassionately enough about Fair Tradeissues that she has done something aboutit and brought it to a local level.Local people now have an outlet fortheir produce, the first Saturday of themonth, in the Village Hall. Jaqui’s projectbegan last year just prior to Christmas.The quality of craft and food stallholdersis outstanding. Several have since securedorders from stores such as Liberty ofLondon and Selfridges. These are localpeople producing on our doorstep. Jaquiis working on bringing together those

KCFCwho garden and grow vegetables andwhose surplus could be channelled to theWee Green Market to add to the organicboxes. The next challenge is to raise theprofile of the market.You must have noticed an improvementto our roads over the year. YourCommunity Council is represented onthe Rural South West Forum which, overthe past three years, has been meetingwith the Roads Department and by theirlobbying have succeeded in getting StirlingCouncil to increase the budget for ruralroads.Communication is a two-way process,and we want to hear your views andideas. One idea has been for a noticeboard outside the Village Hall with aprogramme of ‘what’s going on’ in thevillage.

Daye Tucker, Convenor KCFC (551060)

Colourful Killearn will be holding their AGM in the committee room of the VillageHall on Tuesday, 7 October 2008 at 8 pm. All welcome.

Anyone glancing over to the plant beds opposite the Co-op during the months ofApril and May would have been delighted to see the flaming azalea bush at the back.It looked glorious when the sun shone on it – which was often.

As always, we would welcome more helpers. We have a great team who plant out,weed and water the tubs throughout the village but we need more willing helpers toweed and prune the beds opposite the Co-op and also our Beech Drive beds.

Talking of which: a huge thanks to Handy Andy who re-did the wooden surroundsfor the Co-op beds at no cost – a very generous and much appreciated offer. Whata difference this makes, as the old wood was crumbling underfoot.

At time of writing the village tubs have been planted with their summer flora andwe hope that the reds and purples are cheering folks as they make their way throughthe village. We have tried a varied theme this year and some of the tubs have ayellow and white theme – more sophisticated and less gaudy?

Colourful KillearnKillearn Community FuturesCompany are seeking a MinutesSecretary.KCFC comprises 13 Directors, alllocal people serving the communityone way or another. They meet locallyfour times a year and meetings lastbetween 2 and 2 ½ hours.The Minutes Secretary prepares theagenda, takes the Minutes andcirculates them.If you are interested and would liketo do your bit for the community,please contact Daye Tucker (551060).

WANTEDMinutes Secretary!

20

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Roll up! Roll up on 18 October for theAutumn Fair at the McLintock Hall, Balfron!Start with a refreshing cuppa and then checkout the crafters’ stalls for early Christmaspresents and cards, get lucky in the raffle, havea face-paint or indulge in some truly wickedcake and candy. And as you do so, massageyour conscience with the knowledge that you’llalso be helping the West Stirlingshire Friendsof Strathcarron Hospice.

Located in Denny, the hospice may not seemparticularly close to Killearn but, in fact, itserves the whole Forth Valley area and alsoparts of Lanarkshire and Cumbernauld. Thoseof you who have experience of it know aboutits lively day centre, its sensitive palliative care

Just Friends?for in-patients and support for those at home,and the bereavement counseling which it hasbeen offering patients and their families forthe last 27 years. But this service costs £45,000a week, slightly under half of which comesfrom the NHS. Strathcarron is therefore verydependent on sponsored events, its charityshops, the well-known Strathcarron Choir(featured in the last edition of the Courier)and the efforts of its 14 groups of Friends.

The West Stirlingshire Friends, based mainlyin Balfron and Killearn, came into being on11 September 2000, and raised £4,000 in theirfirst year with a variety of activities. As presentConvener, Rina Cranstoun, says of thecommittee, “We all have different

backgrounds and experience to tap into forideas.” Since 2000, they have held highlysuccessful fashion shows, a Valentine’s DayDance, a Race Night and now annual theirAutumn Fairs. They also regularly run the teasand organise the Craft Tent at CallanderHighland Games. Last year, they raised about£10,000 according to Friends Treasurer, CeliaHamilton, who pays grateful tribute to thegenerosity of all who have helped them.

And what about 2008? As the public tightensits belt, Strathcarron’s costs increase, and theFriends are looking not only to their existingloyal supporters but also to new ones, whocan contribute not just money but time andtalents as well. “We’re all busy people on thecommittee,” says Rina, “and we really needmore – and younger – volunteers, so if youhave some spare time and would like to help,please get in touch. All suggestions welcome– except bungee-jumping! And meantime,mark 18 October in your diaries now!”

KJVT

We had a large gathering of oursupporters come again to the KCFC andPaths Group Open Day in March. Thiswas our second ‘drop-in’ day, and ourfriends came and viewed what we hadput together in our first year. Using acomputer, a continuous show ofpictures was available to view in theVillage Hall Committee Room and thisproved very popular.Our work is progressing. We arecontinuing to interview people andrecord their memories. A few familiesin the village have become so interestedin what we are doing that with the aidof online access to documents such asregisters and census records they arefinding out the history of their ownhomes, which is very encouraging andhelpful for us.Everything is being transcribed andstored on disk – thanks to our computerexperts within All Killearn Archive(AKA.).

More Success For Archive GroupAt present we do not haveanywhere to store or exhibitour finds. We would ask that ifanyone has any memorabiliaconcerning Killearn, villageclubs or organisations withintheir keeping, would you pleasecontact me or anyone in AKA,so that we may record wherethings are at present. The mostunlikely things are important:photographs, Horti showcatalogues, Killearn PrimarySchool brochures will all, oneday, be history!Recently, we have been invitedto talk and show pictures tovarious local history societies. Atalk was given to the StrathblaneHeritage Society, the Thursday Club andthe Rotary Club of Strathendrick. Thesehave been most enjoyable to do, and wehave had good feedback, too.

All Killearn Archives will next be inevidence when we serve tea at the KCFCAnnual General Meeting in October.

Helen Loudon

21

A full version of this report is available on thenoticeboard and on the website

Killearn Community Council reaches themidpoint of the current session with afull complement of members. We arehappy to have the support of our localCouncillors: Alistair Berrill, GrahamLambie and Colin O’Brien who attendmeetings on a rota basis and PamCampbell, Rural Villages DevelopmentOfficer. Police presence is provided byPC Eddie Goldie who is appointedtemporary Community Police Officer.

He has reported relatively few problemsin the past year, these mainly limited toincidents of vandalism.

There have been two extra meetingsduring the past year in order to considermatters of local importance. The first,in January, examined the question ofrenewable energy particularly theexpected application by Npower to installnine large wind turbines on BallindallochMuir. KCC thought it important that thesubject be aired publicly and invited avariety of speakers to present both sidesof the argument. At the end of themeeting it was clear an overwhelmingmajority were opposed to this proposal.

KCC reflected this opinion when calledto respond to the planning application.

A second extra meeting in May dealtentirely with plans for Road Safety andTraffic Management. Two StirlingCouncil officers have been working withKCC throughout the past year to preparea plan that will meet residents’ concernsregarding the speed of traffic passingthrough the village, parking problemsand the needs of pedestrians. Trafficcalming measures have been introducedin Beech Drive; other features have beenprioritised in a plan that covers theBalfron Road and Main Street.Community involvement in theproduction and acceptance of this planhas been of great importance and willbe ongoing.

Planning issues form a large part of thework of the Community Council whoserole is to consider every application onits merits with reference to planningguidelines and to offer our opinion. Thedecision-making process is done byStirling Council. The application toconstruct three very large houses on thewoodland adjoining Garteneaglais wasgranted on appeal to the ScottishGovernment causing greatdisappointment that a battle to preservethis much loved natural area seems tohave been lost after decades ofopposition by the village. Someapplications have been opposed becausethe proposals appeared out of keepingwith the surroundings. The growingtrend for developers to buy upproperties in order to increase the sizeof the original buildings has led to anerosion of the village stock of modestsized houses. The real housing need inthe village is for ‘low cost’ or ‘affordable’housing and KCC has made severalapproaches to our local councillors, toStirling Council and to Rural StirlingHousing Association to pursue thispossibility. It had been hoped that thesale of the Old School, currently thesubject of a planning application by aprivate developer, might have provideda suitable site for a small development.

Other matters dealt with during the pastyear have included a talk on the

Community Wardens Scheme, theinstallation of benches by the footballpark, representation of KCC at theopening of the Woodland BurialGround in Gartness Road, repair to thecarpark wall by the public toilets,removal of the site fencing and a searchfor a site for recycling bins following theloss of the facility by the sale of the OldSchool.

The Council has signalled its support fora steering group currently pursuing therefurbishment of and possible extensionto the Village Hall. Facilities for youngpeople and our Football Club areurgently required.

An annual grant is made to the KillearnCourier, recognising its value incommunicating news to the village.

KCC is represented at the AreaCommunity Planning Forum. Pressurefrom rural areas via this forum hasresulted in a significant increase in thebudget for rural roads. The provision ofhealth services and the new hospital atLarbert are matters currently on theagenda of the Forum.

All are welcome at Community Councilmeetings, held on the third Wednesdayevery month from September to Junein the Primary School. Informationregarding the Community Council canbe found on the noticeboard, in the localpress and the website(www.killearncc.org.uk). We thankresidents for their interest in and supportof our work.

Brenda Pell, Chairperson KCC

Killearn Community Council Annual Report 2007–2008

22

ACROSS

5. Anchor about to follow vehicle into8,15a,10,19,9,17 headquarters (9)

8,15a,10,19 A Scotch homeland soldthorns around this beautiful place(4,6,3,3,9)

9. Grand horserace (8)10. See 811. Ship in good health is troubled (6)13. European trips over sprightliness (5)15. See 816. Big paper found playing around

8,15a,10,19,9,17(8)18. Primate gets kiss at the top (4)19. See 8

DOWN 1. Provide food around the tube (8) 2. Band in further education provides

entertainment in Edinburgh (6) 3. Spirit found in Ascot church (6) 4. Pudding, nothing follows droop (4) 6. Delivery person circles chap (9) 7. One at back becomes late diner (9)12. A spy myth deserves compassion (9)14. Secretary held by empty pistol (6)15. Lieutenant holds in air with looped

rope (6)17 Leave car on quiet vessel (4)

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Congratulations to the winner of our last Crossword : Catriona Thomson, Killearn

Solution to the last Crossword Across 5 translating; 7 watt; 8 recycled; 9 scarlet; 11 banns; 13 tempo;14 writing; 16 windfarm; 17 cars; 18 meteorology. Down 1 fast; 2 usurper; 3 March; 4 aircraft;5 Thatcherism; 6 green energy; 10 rapidity; 12 crimson; 15 canon; 17 cook.

Solve the crossword, fill in your name andaddress, and place it in the box in Spar. Thefirst correct entry to the crossword drawn outof the box after the closing date will win aFamily Ticket to Theatre Royal or TheKing’s Theatre, Glasgow, subject toavailability and restrictions on certain days.

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age. . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phone No. . . . . . . . . .Congratulations to the winner of the £10 Spar voucher in our last competition: Kate Cottle

Closing Date for both competitions – 5 September 2008. Please place your entries in the box in Spar.

The first correct entry pulled out of the box will win a £10 voucherwhich may be spent on anything in your local SPAR.

CHILDREN’S SPOT THE DIFFERENCE sponsored by

Find ten differences in the picture on the right and ring them. Write your name, address and age below, cut out thepictures and place in the box in Spar to win a £10 voucher. To enter the competition you must be 12 years or under.

Fiddler on the Roof 18 – 23 AugVagina Monologues 18 – 23 AugThe Jungle Book 2 – 6 SeptAbsurd Person Singular 8 – 13 SeptScottish Ballet 18 – 20 SeptThe Secret Marriage various datesThe Two Widows various datesLa Traviata various datesMy Brilliant Divorce 2 NovThe Stephen Petronio Co. 4 – 5 NovPhoenix Dance Theatre 7 – 8 NovWest Side Story 11 – 29 NovThe Sleeping Beauty 6 – 27 Dec

Disney’s High Sch Musical 4 – 16 AugFlashdance 18 – 23 AugMilkshake! Live Concert 28 – 30 AugEvita 1 – 13 SeptSunset Song 16 – 20 SeptNoises Off 22 – 27 SeptCalendar Girls 30 Sept – 4 OctThe Tiger who came to Tea 9 – 11 OctCan’t Smile Without You 13 – 18 OctOklahoma! 21 – 25 OctRomeo and Juliet 28 Oct – 1NovAll the Fun of the Fair 3 – 8 NovSlava’s Snowshow 11 – 15 NovBoogie Nights 18 – 22 NovCinderella from 28 Nov

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FREE ESTIMATES

Tel: 01360 551509 Mobile: 07970 755414

Forget-Me-Not

© Louise M Smith 2008www.greenstems.com

This is my last contribution to the Courier. By the time youread it I shall have taken up residence in suburban Milngavie,so a treatise on memory-enhancing plants seemedappropriate. Who can forget Ophelia’s mad scene– ‘There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance’, buthow did that come about? Rosemary, like manyof our aromatic plants, originated in the

Mediterranean, and its oil isused in Eau de Cologne andother toiletries, and in the pastas a cure for headaches. It does

not seem to be known when orwhy rosemary became associatedwith memory, but it has had thisreputation since ancient times. ItsLatin name, Rosmarinus (‘dew ofthe sea’), may have been bestowed

by Pliny himself. It has been usedat weddings (maybe the ‘something

blue’?) and as an emblem of fidelity. Anne of Cleves wore itin a wreath at her wedding to Henry VIII – alas for her! Oneold proverb says, ‘Where rosemary flourishes, the womanrules.’ There is a belief that as it would not grow where thehusband is the dominant partner – so it was forbidden insome gardens!However should you wish to grow it regardless, to flavouryour lamb, scent your bath or provide a feast for bees andbutterflies, choose a sunny dry spot, with perhaps a littlelime, in poorish soil. And it seems the smell of a box made

of rosemary willpreserve your youth,and therefore, of course,your memory.As for forget-me-not, ‘ithas a strong affinity forthe respiratory organs,especially the left lowerlung’ so nothing muchabout memory there.However, it, too, has

been used as a symbol of love, and the advice to a youngswain in 1419 was ‘any conversation with a winsome lassshould be about nice clothes and forget-me-not flowers’. Justto complete the picture, the plant has been used to treat ulcers,abscesses and ‘general debility’. Fortunately it seems to growanywhere and everywhere – so, you have no excuse to forgetthe writer of this column! Fay Pascoe

The Killearn Cottagers’ Horticultural Society Annual Showis on Saturday, 30 August, and we are hoping for a good turnout both from growers and viewers. The good weather earlyin the season will ensure a plentiful crop of horticulturalexhibits. We hope that the artists, photographers, craftspeopleand bakers will have been busy, too. We will also have ahuge display of pictures from the young artists of the village.Bring along your exhibits on Friday evening 7.30 pm to 9.00pm or the morning of the Show between 7.30 am and 10.00am. The halls open at 2.00 pm and our piper will be at thedoor to greet you. The mega marrow weigh in will be at 2.15pm. The official opening and presentation of prizes will be at2.30 pm, and the Show closes at 4.40 pm. Teas and cakeswill be served in the Church Hall from 2.30 pm.

Glenda Asquith

It’s Show Time!

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