STATUE UNVEILED

After three years of campaigning, Sanquhar finally welcomed a new war memorial for the town centre.

The King’s Own Scottish Borderer First World War statue was created by renowned sculptor Alan Herriot whose work includes the Soldier Bear in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens.

Weighing 300kg (660lb), the lone piper is said to be the first man killed during WWI.

Duncan Close, chairman of Sanquhar Community Council, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s been a long time coming and been a lot of work.

“We’ve raised a lot of money for it, but the product is wonderful. Sanquhar’s war memorial history is quite stormy in many ways because we used to have a war memorial institute.

“That was uneconomical to run and it fell to pieces. It was knocked down and moved to the existing site.

“We felt that this site does not convey the respect from the local people to those who gave their lives in the war. Hence the reason for a new war memorial.”

CUTS AHEAD

Staff and management of Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) were told they must deliver an accumulated savings target of £8.6m by 2024.

A meeting of the full council at East Ayrshire made them aware of the figure as they discussed the organisation’s annual report.

As well as the savings, its overall objective is making improvements on the roads as well as other remits such as traffic signals, bus shelters and car park maintenance.

Chris McAleavey, depute chief executive of East Ayrshire’s Safer Communities group, confirmed the work of the alliance complies with the council’s community plan.

He added: “East Ayrshire has delivered savings on fuel, winter materials and additional income for parking charges, fines and other rechargeable work and road bonds.”

DRUGS PURGE

Eleven people were arrested as police carried out a series of raids across Ayrshire.

A total of 10 premises were searched on Friday, November 17 and a number of items were seized during the operation, including drugs believed to be Heroin, Cannabis, Cannabis Resin and Diazepam.

Ayrshire Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent, Paul Main, said: “The supply of drugs and the harm they cause locally and more widely across Scotland is entirely unacceptable.

“Information and intelligence provided from a range of sources has allowed local officers — assisted by specialist crime units — to have a sustained focus on drugs being supplied in Ayrshire.

“Often the public will provide information to us and not always see an immediate, visible police response.

“I hope this activity gives communities the confidence that we listen to and act on the information provided to us.”