THE blustery weather was no match for hardy volunteers in the Hillfoots, who gathered to clean-up Alva Cemetery at the weekend.

The local community council responded to comments about “declining maintenance standards” at the spot since the foreman retired around 15 years ago.

Members organised an event for Saturday, March 17, and teamed up with Ochil Youths Community Improvement (OYCI) group who had arranged a litter pick on Ochil Road for the same day.

Sandra Rees, of Alva Community Council Events Group, said: "The event took place despite a few flurries of snow and a wind chill factor, but all were wrapped up warm and just glad that it wasn’t raining.

"The excellent community team work resulted in approximately 40 bags of compostable waste and 10 of the other stuff being taken to the tip."

The OYCI group is a new youth-led social enterprise in Clackmannanshire for those in Primary 6 and up, allowing them to develop their own ideas on how to improve the community.

At the weekend, they made dog poo bag holders from plastic bottles and placed them, with bags, along the road they were working on.

Shona Ulrichsen, of OYCI, added: "Our clean-up of Ochil road in Alva came about as our group of P7 pupils at Alva Primary wanted to tackle litter in their community, dog poo and plastic.

"That’s why they chose to make dog poo bag holders by recycling plastic bottles they collected.

“The kids and adults that volunteered their time on Saturday had great fun using the litter pickers and finding different types of litter – some that could be recycled and some that couldn’t, these were sorted into different plastic bags.

"We were really surprised at how many glass bottles we found – a full black bin bags worth.

"If you are walking your dog along Ochil Road you will see our dog poo bag holders so there is no excuse now for not picking up after your dog – dog walkers are invited to replace bags if they use them and we will be keeping an eye out on stocks so we can replenish."

Ian Anderson, former cemetery foreman who lived for many years in the cemetery house, was amongst those at the clean-up to see what others were doing to his former pride and joy.

He was surprised with an 80th birthday cake made by Mandy Binnie of Alva, along with a rendition of Happy Birthday during a break for tea.

Thanks is given to those who attended and to Kenny Inglis of Clackmannanshire Council.

Anyone interested in potentially setting up a Friends of Alva Cemetery Group should email info@alvacommunitycouncil.org.uk or leave a note for Alva Community Council in their communications folder in Alva CAP.