Doune roadworker (60) dies after being hit by car

Doune roadworker Mr John Manning, aged 60, of 20 Castlehill, was killed and a colleague was injured when they were struck by a car on the Perth-Dunblane road, near Greenloaning, the Observer of November, 1961, reported. The injured man, Mr George Crockett, 16 Anne Street, Dunblane, was taken to Stiring Royal Infirmary for treatment. The men were working near the entrance to a service road, leading to West Thirds Farm, when the accident happened. A man from Glasgow was driving the car involved in the accident. Mr Manning had been employed with Perth County Council for more than 20 years and was survived by his wife and married daughter.

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A gold nugget worth £12 10 shillings (about £275 today) was to be the surprise `ingredient’ in one of the giant Christmas puddings to be distributed to local authorities by the Australian Dried Fruit Board. Stirling was to receive one of the puddings , each of which was expected to provide helpings for 100 people. Whinwell Home and Snowdon School for Girls were to share the pud donated to Stirling.

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Killin Hotel was on the market in November, 1961. The Observer reported, however, that two timber chalets, worth nearly £3000, would continue to be used by Glasgow doctors for research into an anti-polio drug. The four-storey hotel had 33 letting rooms, eight chalets plus extensive fishing rights. It was rebuilt following an extensive fire shortly after World War Two. Owner Mr George Ballance, from Limerick, and his wife, from Glasgow, had plans to take up farming near Dublin.

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The Observer of November, 1961, asked readers whether they fancied a new life – as a dustman in England. Bullingdon Rural Council, Oxfordshire, were trying to lure dustmen south by offering a weekly wage of £18 15 shillings and sixpence, including bonuses, for successful applicants. The wage equates to about £400 a week in today’s money.