Review of the year 2022 Part two

We look back at the highs and lows of another year in the Stirling Observer

JULY

∙ Doune the Rabbit Hole music festival was granted a licence – with conditions – just hours before visitors started to arrive.

With the festival hanging in the balance over concerns from emergency services and council officers, the event’s licence was finally approved at an emergency meeting . But officials were given the authority to suspend that if outstanding matters weren’t addressed.

∙ Safety concerns were raised over a stretch of road near Dunblane where a resident’s garden fence was flattened by out of control cars four times in four years.

Mike Nash called for a series of safety measures to be improved on the section of the A820 Doune Road following the latest incident. A grey Ford car smashed through his garden fence.

Mr Nash said: “Hopefully something will be done before there is a fatality.”

Mr Nash says that cars have smashed through his fence a staggering EIGHT times in the 16 years he has lived at the property.

AUGUST

∙ A Menstrie hotel and wedding venue went into liquidation - with couples claiming they had been left in the dark over the move.

The news of the liquidation was formally confirmed after Broomhall Castle’s owners said the impact of accrued debts from the pandemic had left the business “unviable”. Jennifer Currie from Stirling, who was set to marry partner Rachel in February at Broomhall, said: “We’re flabbergasted by it all and it has come as a shock because there was no indication something like this was going to happen.

“It has left us having to scrape around for a venue to get married in February.”

SEPTEMBER

∙Well-wishers and public figures from across Stirling paid tribute following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, aged 96.

Leading them, the Lord-lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Alan Simpson

OBE, described the late monarch as

“an inspiration to millions of people throughout the UK and Commonwealth”.

During a 70-year reign, the Queen visited Stirling and the wider region many times, most recently in June last year.

She was welcomed to Stirling Castle to open the new Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders which she enjoyed close links with after being appointed Colonel-in-chief of the regiment in 1947.

OCTOBER

∙ A Stirling area cyclist who was left in hospital with an agonising injury follwojng a horror hit-and-run took her first step to recovery.

Christina Mackenzie was left nursing multiple fractures to her pelvis after being struck by an Suv-type car towing a farming trailer on a busy stretch of road near Kippen whilst on a training ride.

The 45-year-old was left lying in the roadside as the driver sped away without stopping and a police investigation was launched.

∙ Villagers paid tribute to legendary Scots actor and Killearn resident Robbie Coltrane after he died aged 72.

Mr Coltrane’s agent confirmed his passing and thanked medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital for their “care and diplomacy”.

∙ Ukrainian refugees settled in Killin who feared being re-located were to be given the choice to remain in the village. It was reported that the Scottish Government had cancelled a contract at the Killin Hotel, where around 60 Ukrainian nationals have been living. However, the Scottish Government later stated that any of those living at the hotel can remain in Killin, if they choose to do so.

NOVEMBER

∙ Brazen thieves stole a life-size model of a Highland cow from a field near Dunblane. The model – named Windy – was spotted being driven off on the back of a tipper truck.

∙ A Tillicoultry mum facing soaring energy bill costs to run her daughter’s life support equipment was left overwhelmed after Hollywood actress Kate Winslet donated £17,000.

Carolynne Hunter, whose energy bills are set to surge to £1400 per month, said she thought it was a “big wind-up” after the A-lister reached out to help.

DECEMBER

∙ The people of Stirling once again showed that in the worst of times they show the best of themselves - with thousands of toys donated to the Observer Give a Gift Appeal.

Charities were met with an overwhelming amount of toys at the appeal’s main collection day last week.

Pictured Top is cyclist Christina Mackenzie who was left with a shattered pelvis in a horror hit-andrun. Above is actor Robbie Coltrane who died aged 72. Pictured left are Ukrainians who were living at the Killin Hotel. Below is Windy the Highland cow model which was stolen near Dunblane.

Paying respects Stirling residents in the city centre following the death of the Queen