THE Clackmannashire economy has been handed a major boost by news that a Tillicoultry confectioner will create at least 23 jobs in Alva.

A TULLIBODY mother and daughter are hoping a mammoth charity cycle will help raise money for much needed soft play and sensory facilities.

DRUGS with an estimated street value of £150,000 have been seized by police in Kincardine.

Dollar Museum has secured a major award with the announcement that it has been awarded Full Accreditation – a remarkable achievement for a small independent museum which is run entirely by volunteers.

AN Alloa singer through to X-Factor’s boot camp with boy band 'Princes and Rogues’ has denied the group was involved in a drink-fuelled demolition of Simon Cowell’s Marbella villa.

A national wildlife rescue centre is to be based in Clackmannanshire creating more than 20 jobs.

Labour has branded Ochil MSP Keith Brown the SNP’s “most evasive Minister” for failing to answer more than one in five parliamentary questions on time.

A new National Wildlife Centre is to be built by the SSPCA at Fishcross.

Councillors gave the proposal their unanimous backing at Thursday's meeting of the Planning Committee.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals intends to develop the centre within the area previously occupied by the equestrian centre to include a veterinary hospital, pools for birds and marine wildlife, several aviaries and mammal enclosures. The centre represents a multi-million pound investment in the area and will employ 12-14 full time staff and up to 8 seasonal workers.

The development will provide a purpose built wildlife rescue centre for the treatment and recuperation of wild mammals, birds and amphibians from across Scotland. It will incorporate a cleaning facility for birds which need oil removed from their feathers. The centre will replace the existing one at Middlebank in Fife which can no longer cope with the demands placed on it. The centre at Fishcross will be designed to cope with over 5000 casualties a year.

Committee Convener Councillor Alastair Campbell said: "I am delighted that Clackmannanshire is the new home for the his national facility. This is the perfect site for a wildlife centre, providing a tranquil and beautiful environment in which the animals can recover. I look forward to the Council and the local community developing an excellent working relationship with this charity - their presence is likely to raise the profile of Clackmannanshire as a good place to live and work."

 

Mrs Tilly Confectionery's plans to build a new factory in Alva have been approved.

The proposals received the unanimous support of councillors at Thursday's meeting of the Planning Committee, subject to the Council selling the land required to accommodate the development.

The proposals will see the firm relocate from its current base in Tillicoultry and build a new, larger, factory to the rear of Glentana Mill.

As well as a factory, the development will feature a cafe and shop which are expected to attract visitors.

The committee heard that the proposal represents a significant investment and expansion for the company, which principally produces tablet, fudge and macaroon bars. The business has outgrown its current premises due to the predicted growth in sales of its products including to outlets across the United Kingdom.

The development will ensure that production will meet the significant quality assurance requirements of the distributors and will introduce a visitor experience. The current business employs 10 staff and the applicant predicts that the development would create a further 14 jobs over 3 years related to the increase in production and 8 - 10 jobs within the cafe giving a total of 34 jobs.

Committee Convener Councillor Alastair Campbell said: "This is great news for Clackmannanshire. It's fantastic to hear that a local company is expanding, creating all important jobs, as well as a much needed visitor attraction which is likely to lead to a tourism boost. In the current economic climate, this application is very welcome."

 

Pupils at Clackmannanshire's Strathdevon Primary School were delighted to win a prize at the Dollar Horticultural Show recently. The students entered produce grown as part of their Wester Dollarbeg Farm Project and came third with their organic snowball turnips.

Another great success was the nursery class winning the Tait Cup for the best miniature garden. The children gathered all kinds of different bits and pieces from around the school grounds to create their garden.

The green-fingered pupils are visiting the farm in small groups over the next two weeks to harvest potatoes and turnips and will be at the Scotfest Food Festival on Saturday 18 September to tell people about the farm project and to show and sell organic produce.

Portfolio holder for inclusion, councillor George Matchett, said, "I'm very proud of the Strathdevon pupils and teachers for such success. Through Curriculum for Excellence, we help young people to experience their environment and learn from those around them, as well as running projects which get students involved in their communities. This is a super example of how wide-ranging life skills can be learnt and put to use."

Photographers would be welcome to join pupils at Wester Dollarbeg Farm on Wednesday 8 at 11am-12noon, Monday 13 at 9.30-10.15 and Wednesday 15 at 11am-12noon or at 1.30-2.30pm to take photos of the children digging up their vegetables.

The promoter for ABBA Magic, due to perform at Alloa Town Hall on 16 September, has unfortunately decided to cancel this event.

Anyone who bought tickets through the Council can have these refunded by calling 01259 213131 (if you paid over the phone or online) or coming in to the one stop shop at Alloa Library (if you paid cash).

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the late cancellation of this event.

Research by independent firm Ipsos MORI has shown that people rate Alloa as a better place to visit thanks to the Imagine Alloa project.

The project, which saw Clackmannanshire Council, Alloa Town Centre BID and Clackmannanshire Alliance successfully apply for £2 million of government funding, aimed to put the town on the map with new pavements, shop fronts, signage, lighting and art work.

And the results show that most people now think that Alloa town centre has improved over the last year. Over half of people asked after the project said they thought the town centre had got better in the previous 12 months, compared to fewer than one in four when they were asked before the project began.

The numbers of people rating Alloa as a good place to visit also rose by 7%. Respondents' satisfaction with ease of getting around was up 12% to 90% and satisfaction with ease of access to the town centre had increased from 76% to 86%.

Comments from respondents included:

• "More shopper friendly, starting to look more appealing."
• "I like the sculpture and benches."
• "It looks better - there's easier access to stairs and the bus stop."
• "There's a lot more space and cleanliness in the town and parking is improving."

Chair of Clackmannanshire Alliance Councillor Janet Cadenhead said, "I'm delighted that MORI's independent research has confirmed that Imagine Alloa has made a real difference. While it will take time to build up the lasting reputation as an arts destination that we're hoping for, the physical improvements have already had an impact, making Alloa town centre a more open, pleasant place to visit."

NOTES

Ipsos MORI was commissioned by Clackmannanshire Alliance to gauge perceptions of Alloa town centre before and after the Imagine Alloa project. They conducted 250 face to face interviews with people visiting the town centre before and after the project.

The winners of this year's Council Gardening Competition will be presented with their prizes this week.

Provost Derek Stewart will make the presentations at a reception at Kilncraigs on Friday 3rd September. You are invited to send a photographer at 7.30pm.

The Council selects winners in 16 categories, as well as the overall winner, and they will be presented with their competition trophies, certificates and prize money at Friday's reception.

Provost Stewart said, "It is always a pleasure to judge the competition and to present the prizes to individuals who have worked long and hard to make parts of our county even more beautiful. The level of competition was fantastic this year."

This year's overall winner is Haldis Scott of Alloa. The trophies are kept by the winners for a year.

 

 

A DRIVER who killed a Tillicoultry woman in a head on car smash after taking drugs has been told he is facing a lengthy jail sentence. Redfern's car suddenly veered across the road after overtaking and collided with an oncoming Citreon Saxo being driven by Rachael Ward (20) who suffered fatal injuries.

ALMOST a quarter of Central Scotland Police officer posts could go as the force struggles to accommodate crippling budget cuts. Chief Constable Kevin Smith expects the squeeze on public sector finances to lead to a reduction of between 12 and 24 per cent in its finances over a four year period.

FOUL play has not been ruled out as Fife Police and Fire Service continue to investigate the cause of a fire at Tulliallan Primary on Monday morning. The blaze in a wall cavity at the Kincardine school was spotted at around 2.20am by a member of the public.

FURIOUS Labour MP Gordon Banks has slammed UK Government Minister Ed Davey who has claimed he is too busy to discuss a possible ban on looped blind cords.

TIRELESS fundraiser Seamus Corry will be travelling the highways and byways of Central Scotland this weekend to raise funds for Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

Linda McRoberts and Robert Wright feared their dream wedding was ruined when they discovered the day before that the venue they set their heart on was double booked. But, at the last minute, the wedding and reception was saved by the hard-working staff at Tillicoultry's Harviestoun Country Hotel.

SHORT-TERM inmates at Glenochil are not receiving the same opportunities to learn new skills as long-term prisoners, according to a new inspection. Chief Inspector of Prisons, Brigadier Hugh Monro found the take-up of vocational programmes was "overly skewed" towards long termers (those serving four or more years) with little regime for many short-term prisoners.