Polmont: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 13:13, 3 August 2007
Polmont
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|---|---|
| Population | Expression error: "5,323 (October 2006 estimate)" must be numeric |
| OS grid reference | NS936788 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FALKIRK |
| Postcode district | FK2 |
| Dialling code | 01324 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
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.
Given its location in Central Scotland, many locations can be seen from Polmont. These include the Ochil Hills, the River Forth, Wallace Monument and Cairnpapple Hill.
Origin and history of the name
The name Polmont derives from the Scottish Gaelic term Poll-Mhonaidh, which translates into English as Pool of the Hill.
History
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 a secluded forest, close to the M9 motorway. Also of historical interest is the Culdees circle situated on the corner of Gilston Crescent, and still clearly visible.
The newer, modern Polmont has developed mainly from the 1970s with the Gilston Estate, and further up towards the railway and station, just before the adjoining Brightons settlement.
Polmont has prospered and is currently a commuter settlement with enviable motorway and train links to Glasgow and Edinburgh, which has pushed the housing count, values and social class up.
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. Very few particulars of its early history have been recorded, though undoubtedly it must have participated more or less with Falkirk in the wars between the Romans and the Caledonians under Fergus II, and in many important transactions subsequently.
Until within the last few years vestiges of the wall of Antoninus, or Graham's Dyke, as it has generally been called since the time of Robert Graham, who was killed by the Romans while fighting under Fergus, could be distinctly traced in its way through the parish from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde; but in the progress of cultivation within the present century, they have been totally obliterated. On a hill beyond the village of Redding is a stone called Wallace's stone, marking out the spot from which Sir William Wallace, after his quarrel with Sir John Stuart, one of the Scottish chiefs, is said to have viewed the battle of Falkirk, from which he had been compelled to retire, and to have witnessed the defeat of the Scottish army.
Politics
Polmont is under 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 Tory areas in the Falkirk Parliamentary Constituency.
The current de facto representative of Polmont is Scottish Conservative Councillor Malcolm Nicol, who has held the role since 2000 following the death of his predecessor Frank Hodge [2]. He previously represented a seat in Grangemouth, originally being elected in 1983. He has the distinction of having held both seats with the largest majority on Falkirk Council. He serves as a Justice of the Peace, chairman of the Falkirk Licensing Board for liquor and gaming license permits, and as Convenor of Civic Licensing on Falkirk Council. He is also a member of Central Scotland Police Board. He remains a very popular figure in Polmont, and is a key member ideologically of the Conservative Party.
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.
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.
Proposals to build an extensive new development, including offices, car showrooms, garden centres and more housing on the site of Gilston Farm on the far east have planning permission, although this consent expires in February 2007. There has been ample local opposition to the plan, and subsequent attempts by the construction developer, Hansteen Holdings PLC [3] to update the consent have been continually and unanimously refused by Falkirk Council - with united opposition being led by Councillor Malcolm Nicol, the Community Council and local residents.
Due to the proximity to Grangemouth, a decent number of the population work at the Grangemouth refineries and port. Many commute on a daily basis to work in Falkirk, Glasgow and Edinburgh, amongst other surrounding areas. Polmont is home to the Scottish Education Services, located at McLaren House in Haypark Business Centre. The hotel industry is prominent, as many tourists visiting Scotland use Polmont as their resort due to its centralization and transport links. The most well known hotel is the Macdonald Inchyra Grange, a redevelopment from one of the area's many former mansions.
Transport
Polmont has a railway station, and is located on the Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line. 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, the main ones situated on Polmont Main Street, which provide direct bus services to Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling.
Polmont's nearest airport, Edinburgh Airport, is located approximately 17 miles to the east.
Culture
Polmont is a parish and the majority of its religious community is Christian, being home to a Church of Scotland in Old Polmont and a church hall on Main Street. The area also has a denominational presence in the form of a Christian Brethen Church, as well as regular meetings for the Quakers.
Northern Polmont is home to a golf course, which has played host to several PGA events. 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 dry ski slope. There is also a popular dirt biking park on the far east.
Arguably the most illustrious export of Polmont was 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. The highest-profile Polmonter 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.