Fighting talk
Antonine Guard declares war
A ROMAN history society has come out fighting as Falkirk Council prepares to discuss the future of Kinneil Museum.
The Antonine Guard has declared war on council plans to water down the Roman content of Kinneil Museum and move some artefacts to either a refurbished Hippodrome Cinema or to Callendar House Museum in Falkirk.
The 25-strong Antonine Guard, formed in 1996, is much more than a
battle renactment society. It puts great store in the cultural, historical and archaeological importance of the Roman occupation of Scotland.
Secretary Ron Greer cannot believe, as Historic Scotland bids for World Heritage Site status for the Antonine Wall, that Falkirk Council appears to be down-playing its significance.
He said: "It's totally incredible that Falkirk Council is even considering splitting its resources as far as its Roman artefacts are concerned.
"The council appears to have had a vision bypass because its draft cultural strategy is totally lacking in vision and dynamism.
"Where better to illustrate the
district's Roman heritage than at Kinneil where the council already has a lovely estate, nice grounds and a big house in not too bad condition and direct links to the Romans.
"Kinneil Museum is directly over the Antonine Wall for goodness sake!"
Ron added: "We want to work with Falkirk Council and not against it but it appears to be ignoring its Roman
heritage.
"There has been trail bike damage on the Wall at Castlecary and quad bike tracks have even been seen over the
fortlet site at Kinneil."
He added: "We have nothing against the Hippodrome Cinema but that is a separate cultural issue and the two are not mutually exclusive."
The emergent Friends of Kinneil Estate has invited historian Ian Scott to lead an hour-long guided walk around the estate on Easter Monday at 2pm starting from the museum
Kinneil Museum will be open after the Friends successfully appealed to Falkirk Council to open it up that day.
The Antonine Guard are unable to attend owing to prior commitments. And Kinneil House will not be open.
Bo'ness businesswoman Lynn Munro, who flagged up the idea of a "Friends" group at the March public meeting, said: "The aim of the walk is to help people discover the rich heritage we have here on our doorsteps.
"One of the ideas behind the Friends group is to look at ways to promote and develop Kinneil Estate. Perhaps we may even persuade the powers-that-be to
re-open the fantastic Kinneil House on a regular basis."
Community councillor Adrian Mahoney said he was grateful to Falkirk Council for opening up Kinneil Museum on Easter Monday. The museum will be open from 12.30pm to 4pm.
Pandora Summerfield, of the Council for the Voluntary Sectory in Falkirk and District, said: "We were delighted to help the Friends with their launch event."
Anyone interested in joining the Friends of Kinneil can email: info@
kinneil.org.uk
The first formal public meeting of the group will be held soon.
Public consultation over the future of Kinneil Museum will commence with the May meeting of Bo'ness area forum.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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