Property damaged during tank testing - and rosehip plea

Testing of tanks in Stirling was causing a headache for residents in King’s Park, the Observer of June, 1945 reported.

Stirling Town Council received a letter from Miss Batholomew,Victoria Place, complaining about the damage to her property caused by tanks rumbling along the road every day of the week.

Vibration from the 20-ton tanks had damaged the ceilings of her house and cracked slates. Neighbours had also complained about the problem.

Dean of Guild Millar said in one house he visited a wall had a crack running up to its chimney head.

Tank movements had also been causing problems to property owners in Albert Place, he added.

It was agreed the council should approach the military authorities and request that tank testing should be done outside the town.

Meanwhile, the Observer of June, 1945, featured an appeal for volunteers to gather from hedges rosehips for use in the manufacture of rosehip syrup. The syrup, which is rich in vitamin C , was to be made available to children and invalids as a substitute for fresh fruit which was in short supply because of the war. Since the wartime scheme started, five million bottles of rosehip syrup had been produced and 90 per cent had gone to children and invalids. A thousand gallons of syrup had a short time earlier been flown to France for the consumption of Polish children who had been deported by the Germans. Collection was expected to be carried out by children and both the Women’s Voluntary Service and Women’s Rural Institutes were also to assist.