The Furnace Lade
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The Carron lade was constructed in 1761 to provide water for the Carron Ironworks. In 1975 the lade was sealed off and since then it has developed into an excellent habitat for wildlife and an important pedestrian link between Larbert, Stenhousemuir and Carron. Although through the years the waterway has been known as the Carron Lade the correct title is the Furnace Lade
Definition:
A lade is a watercourse, especially one that carries water to a mill.
The latter is often called a mill lade.as in - "The old mill lade off the River Leithen powered five woollen mills and a saw-mill."
Background | |
The local community have directed an increasing level of effort since 2005 towards achieving their vision for The Lade. An article in the local community newsletter (Valley’s 20/20 Vision) in Autumn 2005 identified a need for people to work together to improve the site. In January 2006 the VISION Group assisted by the Local Community Planning Team held two meetings with relevant partner agencies to see how best a number of identified issues could be tackled. It was agreed that a concerted effort would have to be made. Key elements of the approach would be:
Since this time further meetings have taken place with Community Wardens to actively seek solutions to the problems, including signage for the site, special litter clearances, and arrangements for an increased level of maintenance to prevent any further decline. This entailed a site visit by Criminal Justice (Community Service by Offenders) to agree what was feasible. |
NEWS | |
The group meets currently on the second Monday of the month at 7pm in the Crown Inn, Stenhousemuir. Members new and old are warmly invited to attend the meetings scheduled for 2010 on the following dates (subject to holidays, etc.) 12 April, 10 May, 14 June, 12 July, 9 August, 13 September, 11 October, 8 November and 13 December.
The group hopes to apply for funding to carry out a clean-up of a stretch of the Lade in 2010, as part of wider regeneration work proposed under the Carron Loop Interpretation Plan. The LASER group is keen to work in conjunction with other local initiatives, including the Communities Along The Carron Association, to improve access to and the amenity of the environment around the river. |
