Published on:
22
August 2003
Claims that Sauchie is one of the most 'miserable' villages in Scotland have been dismissed as 'utter nonsense' by Clackmannanshire Provost Derek Stewart.
For the past two weeks the Provost has been inundated with angry calls from members of the local community who are up in arms at the suggestion that Sauchie is 'miserable'.
And one of Clackmannanshire's most famous exports, the former Liverpool player and TV pundit Alan Hansen, has even voiced his support for Sauchie by stating 'Sauchie made me what I am today.'
Provost Derek Stewart said: "I think it's appalling that a magazine can print this kind of information based on one comment from a member of the public - without checking the facts first.
"There may be one person out there that doesn't think much of Sauchie but there's hundreds more who will say it's a wonderful place to live with a vibrant community spirit. Local people have been appalled by the comments and fear that one remark may cost them dear. Everyone has a right to their opinion but the magazine also has a duty to check the facts prior to publication."
Sauchie was nominated as a 'crap town' alongside other towns and villages in Scotland including Wick, St Andrews, Motherwell, Cumbernauld and Stonehaven. However statistics taken from the recent Census for the Fairfield ward, which includes Sauchie, paint a different picture. They include:·83% of residents live in a house/bungalow, 19% live in detached properties with only 17% living in flats/apartments·around two thirds of properties are owner occupied·25% of residents in Fairfield own two or more cars
And Sauchie is situated on the doorstep of Gartmorn Dam a 170 acre reservoir, lying at the heart of the local Country Park and Nature Reserve. Gartmorn is used daily by residents and visitors for walking, cycling, horse riding, fishing or picnicing. There is an extensive footpath network throughout the "Wee County" and the Park links many of these routes, including the cycleways to Dollar and Dunfermline. The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
"Sauchie is a good place to live which is why many people call it their home," added Provost Stewart. "I'm sure that if anyone from the magazine took the time to visit Sauchie they would see that there's more to Sauchie than meets the eye."
Comments from local residents
Keith Turner, President Sauchie Community Group'Our membership sits at seventy which is way above our expectation. We are privileged to have so many people care enough about Sauchie'.'One of our recent successes was the upgrade of the Sauchie War Memorial - a prime example of local people leading the way into the future.'
J Gillon, member of the N.U.M 'Living in Sauchie have been the happiest years of my life - the people are very kind and friendly. The comments about our village were unfair.'
Anne Hansen'My family owe Sauchie a great deal. My husband John was born 77 years ago and has lived all his life in Sauchie. We've been married 54 years, had three children who all benefited from their childhood in Sauchie. The church doors are always open, the education in our schools is of a high standard. No matter where John and I travel we are always happy to return to Sauchie.'