FLAGS were flown at half mast outside Kilncraigs yesterday as the council paid its respects to a former provost and "gentleman" of Alloa.

Harry Brown passed away at the age of 90 on Tuesday, March 16, at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Provost of Alloa Town Council between 1972-75, Mr Brown faithfully served his community for around four decades, later representing the Forthbank and Claremont wards for Labour at the regional level.

His funeral was held yesterday, March 30, at Stirling Crematorium with only invited family and friends in attendance due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

A beloved husband to late wife Catherine, father to Victor, Kenneth and Alan – he will be greatly missed by grandchildren, extended family and those who worked with him over the years.

Sauchie's stalwart representative Councillor Derek Stewart remembers Mr Brown as one of the youngest to sit in the provost's chair.

Conjuring up the memories from all those decades ago, Cllr Stewart told the Advertiser: "He was a very active councillor, whatever position he was in. He was very committed."

According to the representative, Mr Brown was always remained a true gentleman, even if things did not go his way at a meeting.

"I can honestly say he was a good, hard-working councillor, in the older [burgh council] and also when he was with central region", Cllr Stewart said.

"He worked for the people of Alloa, he was a very good gentleman.

"And he was always immaculately dressed, he was very respectable."

Cllr Stewart added: "He was very good at meetings at very good at central region with social works services because that was one of the big committees at that time on central region; it covered the whole of central Scotland."

Mr Brown passed away suddenly this month and Cllr Stewart said: "I was shocked [two weeks ago] when his son phoned me; he probably would have got a good turnout at his funeral, but he's only going to get 20 at the crematorium.

"People would like to go there and pay their respects, he was a well-liked man.

"He was a good servant for the people of Clackmannanshire and central Scotland."