District News Festival to celebrate Appeal for action on Mary Queen of Scots vandalised bridge
Loch Leven Castle to host top event
Fossoway Community Council is calling for immediate action to be taken on a vandalised bridge.
The group says the Devon Bridge at Dunning Glen will soon be unsafe if its condition is allowed to decline.
Trudy Duffy-Wigman, chair of Fossoway and District Community Council, said: “It is a vital link for residents living on the Dunning Road and closing the road would cause a lot of problems.
“Fossoway and District Community Council are deeply worried about the state of the Devon Bridge in Dunning Glen.
“We acknowledge that the bridge is a listed structure and should ideally be repaired using certain materials and techniques. However, the bridge is currently in such a state that it needs to be repaired now.
“The coping stones on one side have all but disappeared, leaving the bridge open to the full force of the elements.
“It is not the first time that the bridge has been vandalised - now many of the coping stones have been pried loose and thrown in the river. Police officers will pay the site a visit when they get reports about campers, but it is understandably very difficult to catch someone in the act.”
Kinross-shire council candidate Willie Robertson added: “The bridge forms a vital link for the people who live in Dunning Glen. If it has to be closed it would have a major impact on them.
“I am going to ask if the bridge can be covered with CCTV to both protect it from further damage and help apprehend those responsible.
“I am really concerned about the future of this bridge. If things get much worse we may be forced to close it and this would cause a major problem for the residents of Dunning Glen and others.”
Scone
Bridge Club Results on Friday, April 28, were: N/S, S Valentine/A Walker 60.71 per cent; B Pow/R Chalmers 51.19 per cent; C Ritchie/N Bull 48.10 per cent; N/W, E Collin/I Forrester 59.52 per cent; D Croll/J Rough 58.33 per cent; M Anderson/R Metcalf 42.14 per cent. Scone and District Historical Society The Society’s AGM and last meeting of this season will take place in Scone Old Church Hall, Burnside on Monday, May 8, at 7.30pm. The (usually short) AGM will be followed by a talk from Bruce McMillan on the Loch Awe Hydro Scheme. Visitors are welcome; admission £2 per head, free to members. Tea and biscuits will be served after the talk. Scone and St Martin’s Parish Church The Very Rev Dr James A Simpson will lead the parish at the service in Scone Old church on Sunday at 10.30am. Teas and coffees will be served after the service.
St Madoes
St Madoes and Kinfauns Parish Church Morning worship in the church on Sunday, will be held at 10.30am. The snack group meets in
The Mary Queen of Scots Festival in Kinross has some additional expert help for its September event the community centre on Tuesday afternoons at 1.30pm, and Wednesdays Bible study group meets in the church at 11am. All are welcome. Further details on any of the above, visit www.stmadoeskinfauns.com, on Facebook at stmadoesandkinfaunsparishchurch or email stmadoeskinfauns@hotmail.com.
Stanley
Stanley Bowling Club Lottery numbers this week were 8, 9, 16 and 19. There was no winner; prize money next week will be £1358. Stanley Church The service this Sunday will be held in Stanley Village Hall at 10am, and will be led by Anne Stewart. All welcome. Village Hall Dance Tomorrow, 8.3011.30pm, music by Sandy Paterson. Loch Leven Castle in Kinross is set to be transformed for a two-day festival to commemorate Mary Queen of Scots.
Queen Mary I of Scotland (1542-1567) was briefly imprisoned at Lochleven Castle and will be highlighted at the festival by the Cranranald Trust to mark the 450th anniversary of her reign.
The trust’s historians have previously worked on Hollywood blockbuster movies such as Gladiator, Transformers 5, the first three series of Outlander, and the upcoming Justice League movie.
They will now use their movie-making skills to turn Market Park in Kinross into an immersive historical festival on September 2 and 3, celebrating the area’s cultural history and heritage.
Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs, said: “The story of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, helps show how Scotland’s history is among the most compelling of any nation.
“This is also reflected in many of our finest historic sites, from Linlithgow Palace where she was born, to Lochleven Castle, where she was held prisoner before her escape and departure for England.
“The Mary Queen of Scots festival offers us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the story as part of our rich heritage and cultural traditions, drawing visitors of all ages from the local area and beyond.”
The free festival will re-create 16th century Scotland with knights in armour and live-action jousting.
There will also be a Royal Stuart kitchen showcasing the food of the time and an armoury.
Malin Allan from the Clanranald Trust, which is based in Callander, said: “Scotland is built on the history of remarkable individuals and one of these is Mary Queen of Scots with her trials and tribulations.
“The Clanranald Trust is honoured to be part of the festival, bringing Mary’s story to life.”