Well done to the Gala Queen!

Queen Chelsea leads Tullibody Gala Day celebrations


The gala royal party - Queen Chelsea Craig, and her attendants Amy Wallace, Megan O'Hare and Sean Farquharson.
More than 1500 people braved the changeable weather at the weekend to attend Tullibody’s annual Gala Day.

Gala queen Chelsea Craig was crowned by guest of honour Superintendent Alan Douglas after the usual procession through the streets.

Led by the Balaclava Pipe Band of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Association, the colourful parade made their way from Banchory Primary School to Abercromby Public Park on Saturday.

Inside the arena children, young and old, were entertained with a rescue dog display, stalls, raffles, football competition and could even try their hand at martial arts. Elsehwere Tullibody’s Got Talent proved there was an ambundance of it in the area.

Banchory Primary pupil Chelsea was joined by her royal party which included Amy Wallace, of Abercromby Primary, Sean Farquharson, of St Serf’s Primary, and Megan O’Hare, of St Bernadette’s Primary.

One of the organisers and secretary of Tullibody, Cambus and Glenochil Community Council, Lynne Hiddleston said, “We had over 1500 people on the day. The numbers were slightly down due to the weather but the rain stayed off until about 2.30pm when there was a 10 minute shower.

“Everyone seemed to have a great time and we look forward to next year.”


From the Alloa Advertiser

Club hopes for soaring success

HILLFOOTS Community Club hope their latest venture will be a soaring success.

Falconry is now on offer to club members and it is already proving to be popular with young and old keen to learn more about the club's magnificent Harris Hawks.

Club president Billy Shepherd told the Advertiser, "It is an ancient art and we have some fantastic areas close at hand to fly the birds."

There are six birds of prey owned by club members and, as well as the Hillfoots, they have permission to take the birds to the grounds of Crieff Hydro.

Billy added, "The response has been great so far. We were at the Tillicoultry Gala and the response there was good the kids and the Community Club coaches all seem to be interested."

The falconry club is an extension of the Hillfoots Community Club which already offers rugby and football.

On flying days birds will fly from glove to glove for titbits of food and Billy compared the activity to taking a dog for a walk.

The hawks work in packs whilst hunting and for those interested in seeing them in action there will also be separate hunt days.

Billy said, "There isn't any clubs around that offer anything like this. For the more adventurous there are the hunts but we have to be sensitive.

"The idea is that we will take the kids out and introduce them to the art. They will learn about the birds and looking after them and spend the day in the fresh air."

At present the birds are moulting and growing new feathers but they will be ready to take to the skies again towards the end of August and the flying season runs from September to February.

Existing Hillfoots Community Club members who are interested in finding out more about the art should speak to their coaches.

For further details contact Billy on 01259 750775 or club secretary Tam Robertson on 07714 099 344.

From the Alloa Advertiser

Elvis Lives (in Coalsnaughton)

Coalsnaughton's King takes the crown


Johnny Lee Memphis won the Elvis World Cup at the weekend.
THE King from Coalsnaughton was crowned champion of the Elvis World Cup at the weekend.

Elvis impersonator Johnny Lee Memphis, or Jon Fleming as he's otherwise known, has beaten off rivals from all over the globe to the title in the international competition held in Cardiff.

Evidently it was Heartbreak Hotel after the show for the rest of the competition as Johnny had A Little Less Conversation and A Little More Action going on than his rivals.

Johnny's performances of Amazing Grace, Big Boss Man and My Way won him the Elvis World Cup and has left him feeling All Shook Up.

Johnny said he first got into the music of the King at a young age through his Auntie Helen.

He added, "It all started with my rock band 'Mojo Risin'. I would throw in a couple of Elvis songs and people always seemed to respond and tell me I sounded very much like Elvis."

The success of the songs inspired Johnny to buy an Elvis style jumpsuit from Gene Doucette, the designer who kitted out the great man himself, and he hasn't looked back since.

The award is the latest in line for Johnny who took the Best Vegas Elvis title in 2008 and finished third winner in this year's Elvis European Championships.

From the Alloa Advertiser

Author inspired by the Ochils landscape

AN award-winning children's author was inspired to write her latest book after spending time in Clackmannanshire

The mythical landscapes in Chilean-born Lari Don's 'Rocking Horse War' - which is launched today - were inspired by the majesty of the Ochil Hills and historical beauty of Dollar's Castle Campbell.

Lari (pictured right) told the Advertiser, "I wrote this book mostly from childhood memories of climbing - but I did also needed wee reminders so a few times during the year we climbed in the Ochils - Dumyat, Castle Campbell. The mythical mountain landscape in the book, the plants, the wildlife, do bear a bit of a resemblance to the Ochils."

She added, "I also based a scene where the heroine is nearly trapped in a bog on a story my father-in-law, who lived in Kennet, used to tell about being trapped in mud on the Forth when he was a boy. His story also involved poaching and the local police - which didn't make it into this book.

"I'm sure I will also discuss my Kennet and Ochil connections and inspiration when I chat to the Clackmannan Women's Guild after the summer."

Living, breathing rocking horses, magicians, triplets with special powers and a girl with a talent for reading the land all star in Lari's latest book - her first novel since she received the Royal Mail Award for Younger Readers for her debut book - 'First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts' - in November last year.

After writing two successful books in the First Aid for Fairies series, Lari was excited to explore new characters and themes in Rocking Horse War. The fantastical adventure bears a striking resemblance to Lari's own adventurous, outdoor childhood - minus the dangerous rocking horses.

"My childhood was spent climbing mountains with my dad and brother, so my head is still filled with memories of scrambling, scree, heather, blueberries, sandwiches in the shelter of rocks, never taking the easy tourist way up, deer and grouse and amazing views which you are almost too tired to enjoy, so I built these mountains and Pearl's journey from those memories," she said.

Set in Lari's own mythical version of Scotland's mountains, heroine Pearl must use all of her knowledge of the land to find her triplet siblings who have been kidnapped by their rocking horses.

Lari hopes this kind of adventure book will inspire children to get out and enjoy Scotland this summer.

She added, "Summer reading shouldn't be about sitting reading in the house, or on the beach. All my books are set outdoors in Scotland. I want to encourage kids to get out and about in the hills."

Lari will be reading from Rocking Horse War at Stirling Waterstones on Tuesday at 11.30am. To find out more about the author visit the website www.laridon.co.uk/homepage


by Iain Robertson ALLOA ADVERTISER

Shit Hot Alloa Butcher brings out World Class Sausage

Alloa butcher's sizzling World Cup treat


Butcher John Aitken has perfected the famous Boerewors sausage - bringing a taste of the World Cup to Alloa!

WORLD Cup fever has hit sizzling point in Alloa thanks to South Africa's most sumptuous sausage.

The Boerewors has been perfected by Alloa butcher John Aitken and is creating more noise than the vuvuzela among food lovers in the Wee County.

And according to a local expert on all things South Africa, anyone from the country living abroad, if asked what food they missed most, would answer Boerewors, and he said the Alloa made version "is as good if not better than the best I have ever tasted, in or outside of South Africa."

The sausage, which is usually barbecued but can be grilled or fried, can be bought at J&W Aitken butcher shop on Alloa High Street.


From the Alloa Advertiser

Clackmannanshire Business on the up!

Tilly Confectionery, the Tillicoultry-based sweet manufacturer, has submitted plans to Clackmannanshire Council for a new factory in Alva.

The company says a move to larger premises is necessary to enable it to increase its production to meet the future demands for its confectionery

Tilly Confectionery has experienced a significant increase in the demand for its traditional, handmade Scottish confectionery products in recent years and now supplies to some of the major supermarket chains such as Tesco and Somerfield, in addition to a range of food outlets and tourist attractions across the UK and Scotland.

In the past few months, Tilly Confectionery has won contracts to supply all 137 RS McColl stores in Scotland in addition to another 100 Tesco stores in the north of England, and the company has been listed with all Historic Scotland sites, including Stirling and Edinburgh castle.

And last month, the company announced that it had secured a listing for the Co-op.

Peter Paterson, founder and managing director of Tilly Confectionery, said, "The submission of this planning application represents a significant milestone in the growth and progress we have made as a small Scottish manufacturer and illustrates just how big the demand is currently for traditional, Scottish produce.

"The new premises will enable us to continue to meet the increased demand for our products whilst ensuring that the level of quality and care we put into each bar is uncompromised.

He added, "We have identified a site which would not only enable us to expand our operation successfully, but would offer an opportunity for us to work in partnership with the local community council in Alva to find ways of improving some of the surrounding buildings, and to potentially realise some opportunities in the future to boost tourism to the area."

If planning for the new site in Alva is approved, construction on the new factory will commence in October 2010 with plans to open the factory in Spring next year.

The 16,000 square foot factory will have the potential to produce around five million of its high quality tablet, fudge and macaroon bars each year, and will boost the local economy by providing around 23 jobs in the factory over three years and also through the construction of the new premises.The company is hoping it will receive part funding for the £1.1 million new build through the Scottish Government's Regional Selective Assistance programme, which aims to encourage investment and job creation for businesses in designated areas of Scotland.

Tilly Confectionery was originally started in 1997 when Peter and Elisabeth Paterson recognised a gap in the market for producing traditional, good quality Scottish confectionery, free from artificial additives and preservatives.

Its popular Mrs Tilly range includes tablet, macaroon bars and traditional Scottish fudge.

From Alloa Advertiser Wed 9th June

Charity cyclists complete coast to coast challenge

From The Alloa Advertiser

by Jamie MacDonald


IAIN (second left) and the rest of the group at Robin Hood Bay at the end of their cycle.

EARLY morning training sessions proved to be the key in helping Muckhart mountain biker Iain Ridell crack his cross country challenge.

The gruelling six-day, 338 kilometre, coast to coast route across central England was far from easy but Iain and seven pals completed the cycle to raise funds for the Bobath Children's Therapy Centre in Glasgow.

The centre provides help to children with cerebral palsy and has been of great benefit to Iain and his wife Marion's two-year-old daughter, Isla, who suffers from the illness.

Iain prepared for his trip with daily morning cycles to Greenknowe wind farm and he feels the regular slog stood him in good sted.

He told the Advertiser, "The cycle certainly was hard going. It was tough but good and it took us about nine hours each day. The training definitely paid off and even though it wasn't easy I felt good and was confident I could do it."

Before leaving it was the first two days on the bike that Iain was most worried about as the mountain bikers would be passing through the Lake District.

He said, "The first day was particularly tough. There were four serious hills to get over and most of it was off road, up and down very rocky routes. It meant a lot of pushing and carrying the bike."

So far, the group has raised £2500 with more funds still to come in.

"The money will go to Bobath and pays for the services and staff costs which are provided free to those that need it," said Iain. "Fundraising is pretty vital to support Bobath."

Amongst the team there were a few falls, punctures and broken spokes but it hasn't put Iain off getting back in the saddle and hitting the mountain tracks once again.

He said, "The best part of the journey was the relief and champagne reception on finishing at the end.

"We finished on Friday and I was quite keen to get on my bike again on Sunday but some of the guys were saying they would lock their bike in the shed for a while."

Iain can still be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/bobathisla