Dr Welsh Trust goes back to original home

Nicola Hamilton • Published 24 Jul 2012 09:30

THE fate of a collection of historic Bridge of Allan artefacts has been given clarity - after months of waiting for a solution to be found.

Following a successful meeting with Stirling Council last Friday, it has been confirmed that the Dr Welsh Trust will be housed in the Bridge of Allan Library.

As has been followed by the Herald, the Dr Welsh Trust which incorporates a number of paintings and significant objects from the village throughout the years, was moved from the library by the council back in February. Since then both the Bridge of Allan Community Council and the Bridge of Allan Heritage Group have been tirelessly campaigning for the trust to be returned back to its original home.

After six months of discussions and debate, the council have agreed that cupboards, which had existed before the library was refurbished, will be reinstated in the IT room to allow the majority of the Dr Welsh Trust artefacts to be reunited to the library and the Bridge of Allan Community.

Some sensitive original items will be retained in the Stirling Council Archives, with the vast majority being returned once the cupboards are installed.

During the meeting it was also agreed there will be continued discussions on the possibility of the Bridge of Allan Provost's Chain being mounted in a permanent display at the library.

Chair of the Bridge of Allan Community Council, Gavin Drummond (pictured right) said: "I am delighted that after much correspondence and a number of meetings agreement has now been reached with Stirling Council to have the cupboards reinstated in the IT room at the Library.

"This will allow for the return to Bridge of Allan of the majority of the Dr Welsh Trust artefacts. It will also allow the Heritage Group to develop and expand the collection.

"Offers of artefacts have already been made to enhance the collection. If anyone has items they would like

to donate to the collection contact

can be made through the community council website."

Ian McLaren, Secretary of the Heritage Group, expressed his relief that progress has at last been made in providing a home for the Dr Welsh Trust collection.

The group will now be turning their concentration on cataloguing the existing materials, and developing this important asset for the people of Bridge of Allan.

Ian said: "I would like to express my thanks to Des Friel and Elizabeth Farr of Stirling Council for their positive response to our request for more storage space in the Library. Above all, I think the whole community should be grateful to Gavin Drummond for his tireless efforts in seeking to have the Dr Welsh Trust collection restored to Bridge of Allan."

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