Polmont
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2008) |
Coordinates: 55°59′27″N 3°42′23″W / 55.990785°N 3.706423°W
| Polmont | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Poll-Mhonaidh | |
| Scots: Powmont | |
  Polmont
Polmont shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 5,422 (2001 census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Falkirk |
| Lieutenancy area | Stirling and Falkirk |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FALKIRK |
| Postcode district | FK2 |
| Dialling code | 01324 |
| Police | Central Scotland |
| Fire | Central Scotland |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Falkirk, Falkirk East & Linlithgow |
| Scottish Parliament | Falkirk, Falkirk East |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Polmont is a village in the Falkirk council area of Central Scotland. It lies towards the east of the town of Falkirk, north of the Union Canal, which runs adjacent to the village.
Due to its situation in Central Scotland, many locations can be seen from Polmont, ranging from the Ochil Hills and the River Forth, to Cairnpapple Hill. Although giving its name to Polmont Young Offenders Institution, the prison is in fact in Reddingmuirhead.
Contents |
[edit] History
The name Polmont derives from the Scottish Gaelic term Poll-Mhonaidh, which translates into English as Pool of the Hill.
Old Polmont, situated on a raised beach overlooking the Firth of Forth and the Ochils, was an important fort on the Roman Antonine Wall. This fort, embankment and water source has been marked out and can be visited in Polmont Woods, close to the M9 motorway.
Polmont was originally included within the parish of Falkirk, but was severed under the authority of the Court of Teinds (teind is the Scots word for tithe), and erected into an independent parish, in 1724. Nothing of the early history of Polmont has been recorded.
The newer, modern Polmont has developed mainly from the 1970s with the Gilston Estate, and further up towards the railway and station, now adjoining the village Brightons.
The first two people in the United Kingdom to contract swine flu in the 2009 outbreak were from Polmont. [1]
[edit] Politics
Polmont is within the jurisdiction of Falkirk Council, although the suggestion of east Polmont changing hands for the purposes of the Westminster Parliamentary Constituency to Linlithgow and East Falkirk arose, but was soon discounted [1]. In May 2007, the Polmont area merged as part of an expanded Lower Braes seat, as proposed for Falkirk Council by the Scottish Executive. Traditionally, the Conservative Party have strong support in Polmont, making it one of the main, but few Conservative areas in the Falkirk Parliamentary Constituency[citation needed].
The title of Lord Polmont is held by the current Duke of Hamilton, Angus Douglas-Hamilton. This title was originally given to the 2nd Duke of Hamilton in 1639.
One of the current councillors for Polmont (and the rest of the Lower Braes Ward) in Falkirk Council is Scottish Conservative Councillor Malcolm Nicol,[2] who has held the role since 2000 following the death of his predecessor Frank Hodge. He previously represented a seat in Grangemouth, originally being elected in 1983. SNP Councillor Steven Jackson has also represented Polmont, which is part of the larger Lower Braes Ward, since May 2007, being elected for the first time through the Single Transferrable Vote system.
[edit] Economy
The economy of Polmont is based mainly upon relatively small scale private enterprise, such as pubs, cafes, hotels, take-aways and convenience stores. The majority of these are based in or around Polmont shopping centre, the focal point of local custom. Agriculture is also a central industry, with arable land consuming a sizeable proportion of the area. Polmont is home to the controversial Avondale Landfill, a large employer on the east of the village.
Due to the proximity to Grangemouth, a number of the population work at the Grangemouth refineries and port. Many commute to work in Falkirk, Glasgow and Edinburgh, amongst other surrounding areas. There are several hotels in the area, with the most well known hotel is the Inchyra Grange, a redevelopment from one of the area's many former mansions.
[edit] Transport
Polmont railway station is located on the Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line. In 1984 a a train collided with a cow that had strayed onto the line near Polmont. The crash left 13 people dead and 61 others injured.
The M9 motorway runs through the village between Polmont and Old Polmont, with two exit points on the east and west sides. There are numerous bus stops throughout the village, primarily situated on Polmont Main Street, which provide direct bus services to Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling. The nearest airport, Edinburgh Airport, is located approximately 17 miles to the east.
[edit] Culture
Polmont is a parish and the majority of its religious community is Christian, being home to a Church of Scotland in Old Polmont.[3] The area also has a Christian denominational presence in the form of the Church of the Brethren and the Religious Society of Friends.[4]
Polmont is home to a golf course, which has played host to several PGA events. [5] Within the boundaries of the course is Millhall Reservoir, which is now a fishery. To the east on of the clubhouse, on Polmonthill is Polmont Ski Centre, which includes a 100 metre artificial ski slopes. There is also a popular dirt biking park on the far east, as well as an amateur level football club.
The most famous export of Polmont is Alex Raisbeck, who spent several years captaining Liverpool F.C.. He also represented Scotland on eight occasions, and was considered to have been one of the finest players of his generation, dating back to 1898.[6] The highest-profile former Polmont resident currently playing at senior level is Derek Niven of Chesterfield F.C., most notable for his winning goal against Manchester City F.C. in the League Cup in 2006.[7]
Scottish rock band Glasvegas have a song entitled 'Polmont On My Mind' on their debut album 'Glasvegas'.
[edit] References
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8020222.stm
- ^ http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/coins/member.asp?id=446&name=Malcolm+Nicol
- ^ http://www.polmontold.org.uk/
- ^ http://www.quakerscotland.org/polmont
- ^ http://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/central/grangemouth.html
- ^ http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/past_players/players/raisbeck/
- ^ http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10435~21773,00.html
