Friends launch DVD of Sauchie Tower project

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 23 Dec 2009 10:37 0 Comments

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THE Friends of Sauchie Tower celebrated the completion of their project, Sauchie Tower and its Environ, with the launch of their DVD on Thursday.

The project, which received a Heritage Lottery Fund Your Heritage award of £46,300, aims to raise awareness of Sauchie Tower and its environment, increase community knowledge and understanding of the area, encourage people to protect the tower and to support its restoration.

Practical work on site also took place, as did historical research and oral history reminiscences, a full survey of the buildings, as well as the most significant planned excavation to have happened in Clackmannanshire so far.

A touring exhibition and a site interpretation panel have been created and the tower is now an integral part of the county's Tower Trail.

David Roscoe, chairman of the Friends of Sauchie Tower, said, "This project has been a real community one and we are very pleased with the way that it has gone. The involvement of local people was an essential part of it.

"During the excavation we had a lot of interest, support and enthusiasm from the Friends and other volunteers, who turned up on most days, sometimes calling in on their way home from work, to help the team from Addyman Archaeology.

"For many, it was the first time they had helped on a dig, and the experience inspired some people to want to study archaeology more seriously.

"We are grateful to Tom Addyman and his team led by Sarah Phillips for running the excavation in a way which encouraged volunteers and for training them in excavation techniques.

"We were also pleased at the help we received from local businesses, as well as the generous financial contribution from Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust, owners of the tower, and valuable in-kind support from Clackmannanshire Council. We hope that the tower will continue to interest and attract people to visit and get involved."

Since it began, the Sauchie Tower and its Environs project has raised the profile of the tower considerably - since 2005, 650 people have visited the tower, during the excavation, by special arrangement and on annual Doors Open Days weekends.

Susan Mills, committee member and project co-ordinator, said, "The completion and launch of our DVD puts the final touch to what has been a really successful and fascinating community project.

"Everything we and others have done - clearing the site of 70 years of tree growth, the excellent excavation, looking after the site every year, welcoming visitors for guided tours, and the research for the DVD - has contributed to raising the profile of this special tower and its surroundings.

"Producing the DVD has been a challenge, but it is extremely satisfying to have co-ordinated a project like this and to see it through all the stages from its inception to a successful conclusion."

Copies of the DVD are available (£5.00, plus £1.00 postage and packing for up to the three copies) from Susan Mills on 01259 216913 or email smills@clacks.gov.uk. The DVDs is available to Friends at the reduced price of £3 for the first two copies.

They may also be available soon from libraries in the county. If you would like to join Friends of Sauchie Tower and help them with their work, contact Susan Mills.

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