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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Former detective to complete epic 2,500 mile charity cycle across Europe and Africa in memory of schoolgirl
Johnny Dreczkowski, a retired Detective Inspector who worked with the Head of Counter Terrorism and Covert Specialist Training, is set to arrive in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh tomorrow (Thursday) after tackling some of Europe and Africa's toughest terrain. A retired anti-terrorism detective is nearing the end of a gruelling 2,500-mile charity cycle ride to Morocco in memory of a tragic Scottish schoolgirl. Johnny Dreczkowski, a former Detective Inspector who worked alongside the Head of Counter Terrorism and Covert Specialist Training, is due to reach Marrakesh tomorrow (Thursday), having traversed some of Europe and Africa's most challenging landscapes. The epic journey was undertaken by Johnny to raise much-needed funds for a respite home established in memory of a Scottish teenager. Setting off from the historic Stirling Castle at the beginning of May, Johnny has cycled solo and unsupported through seven countries, across two continents, crossing three different time zones – all within just 34 days. His efforts are aimed at raising vital funds for the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund respite home, located in Thornhill, Stirling. Johnny, who resides not far from the home, in Bridge of Allan, has so far navigated his way through Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, and finally Morocco. The respite home, nestled in the Stirlingshire countryside, holds a special significance for Johnny. His wife, Ally Croal, was the architect who collaborated closely with Eilidh's family to turn the dream of the respite home into reality. Eilidh, a young girl from Stirling, lost her fight against a rare germ cell cancer on March 25, 2010, just nine days before her 16th birthday. During her battle with the rare disease, Eilidh and her family, from St Ninians, spent quality time together at the Calum's Cabin respite home on the Isle of Bute. Eilidh's final wish was for a sanctuary to be built closer to home, where families grappling with the fear and uncertainty of childhood cancer could find solace. After over a decade of tireless fundraising and dedication from her family, the respite home finally came to fruition in 2023, offering much-needed support to families during their darkest hours. However, to keep the home operational, it requires a minimum of £50,000 annually. Johnny is hopeful that his solo ride will not only raise awareness but also contribute significantly towards this amount. Speaking with the Stirling Observer before embarking on his remarkable journey, Johnny explained: "Why am I doing this? Because the Eilidh Brown Respite Home provides much-needed support and a safe haven for families dealing with the unimaginable. "They offer a space of comfort and care, and I want to help ensure that with annual costs of around £50,000, they can continue their unbelievable work. "But I can't do it alone – I need your help! By sponsoring my ride, you'll be directly supporting the Eilidh Brown Respite Home and the incredible families they assist. "Every mile I ride will be powered by your generosity and our belief in this cause. "Your kindness and teamwork built this, let's keep it going, help me please." Johnny has taken on the entire cost of his ride, ensuring that every single penny raised from each pedal stroke goes directly towards the home. With the close family ties to the respite home, Johnny has been no stranger to massive fundraising efforts. In May 2021, he cycled an impressive 875-miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, all in aid of the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund. His other feats include completing the West Highland Way, conquering the North Coast 500, undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge, participating in the Cateran Yomp 24-hour Challenge and running the London Marathon. In May 2023, he embarked on a solo cycling journey spanning 1,400-miles, from Stirling Castle to the Colosseum. in Rome, to raise funds for the respite home. Just last year, he managed to cycle around the entirety of the UK and Ireland in a mere seven days. Over time, his tireless efforts have helped amass more than £100,000 for charity, thanks to the unwavering support of friends, family, and the local community. This year alone, his marathon endeavour has already raised a staggering sum exceeding £27,000. Upon his return to Scotland, Johnny plans to host a 'Rock to Morocco Music Festival' as a celebration of these efforts and to generate additional funds. The event is scheduled to take place at The Meadowpark Kitchen and Bar on Saturday, June 14, with tickets available for purchase on Eventbrite for £20. All proceeds will go towards The Eilidh Brown Respite Home. To contribute towards Johnny's 'Rock to Morocco', click here.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Stirling Council to start posting on Facebook again - despite no updates in months
The council has not made any new posts on the channel - one of its main platforms for providing information - since March, but said it will resume posting there after work to "maximise its capabilities" is comnplete Stirling Council says it will resume posting updates for residents via its Facebook page, despite making no new posts in more than two months. The council hasn't posted any fresh content on the platform – one of its main platforms for providing information – since March 24 this year. Despite the lack of content issued to residents, the authority says that it will resume posting there after Facebook's parent company, Meta, 'works on' the page to 'maximise its capabilities'. A Stirling Council spokesperson this week told the Stirling Observer: 'Stirling Council's main Facebook page is currently being worked on by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to ensure we can maximise its capabilities and while this is undertaken we won't be posting on the page. 'The main account is just one of many social media sites the council manages and information on services and events will continue to be posted and promoted across those and a range of other mechanisms. 'We hope to have the main Facebook page back up and running as soon as possible.' The Stirling Council Facebook page has more than 30,000 followers. The council has continued to post updates and information on X, formerly Twitter, regularly. Back in February this year, the council said it would 'keep under constant review' its use of X after some Scots councils quit the platform over the 'dissemination of harmful and extremist content'. South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) revealed that it was to stop posting on the platform – except for emergency alerts – due to 'widespread public concerns that X now allows the promotion and dissemination of harmful and extremist content, including content that is unlawful, abusive or false'. It was agreed that SLC would continue to use the platform for the time being, but only for the sharing of alerts that provide information that local residents need to know immediately – such as school or road closures, extreme weather events or other issues that impact on council services. The Stirling Observer asked Stirling Council whether it had any plans to follows suit and cease its use of the site. A council spokesperson at that time said: 'X, formerly known as Twitter, is one of a large number of mechanisms used to communicate information to ensure residents are informed about local services and we promote the council to a wide visitor and business audience. 'These are incorporated into the communications mix as part of our commitment that communications from the council are clear, easy to access and understand, appropriate to the audience and that all communications mechanisms used are done so in a consistent way. 'There are no current plans to stop using X but all channels are kept under constant review for their effectiveness as mechanisms in reaching audiences across Stirling Council and wider areas and managed through the council's media policy to ensure their effectiveness.' Stirling Council currently has almost 30,000 followers on X. Earlier in February, Edinburgh City Council was urged to cease its use of X. Green councillor Chas Booth put forward a motion calling for use of the site to be discontinued. A number of councils and organisations, including Renfrewshire Council, Devon County Council, North Somerset Council and others, took the decision to stop using X. X lost millions of active users after controversial tycoon Elon Musk completed a $40billion takeover of the platform in October 2022.
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Stirlingshire volunteers delve into the archives to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day with special WWII exhibition
History enthusiasts in Strathblane have put together the story of the village's contribution to World War Two. Local history enthusiasts in Strathblane have been delving into the archives of the Stirling Observer as they research their community during the Second World War. The results form part of a remarkable exhibition at their local library to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Anne Balfour of Strathblane Heritage said: 'The Observer has been a great source of information and illuminating colour.' In 1939 it reported evacuee children arriving in Strathblane by train from Glasgow. There are reports of fines for breaching blackout regulations and warnings not to leave out white washing at night that could attract enemy bombers. Numerous clips chart the 'penny a week' collections and fundraising events to provide 'comforts for the services'. In 1945 the Observer described how the community celebrated VE Day on May 8 with a concert from the newly-formed Strathendrick Pipe Band and a dance at the Edmonstone Hall. Later there would be a Welcome Home Dinner featuring Victory Trifle! Last year volunteers from Strathblane Heritage began researching the lives of the WW2 casualties featured on their local war memorial. Anne Balfour said: 'There are some heartbreaking stories. 'One man fell overboard from a minesweeper in the Firth of Forth. 'Another was killed in an explosion barely three months after his marriage. His wife bore their son eight months later. 'Perhaps the most remarkable story is of Colonel Dick Pedder, leader of No 11 Scottish Commando, who was killed behind enemy lines in Syria in 1941 and is revered by Sir Winston Churchill in his monumental history of the war.' The team have also been talking to a group of Strathblane's 'Super Seniors', old enough to remember the war. 'Regardless of their social background, they all tended to focus on the same things, like claustrophobic gas masks and going to Annie Bone's legendary confectionery shop in Blanefield for their tiny weekly sweetie ration,' said Anne. The exhibition also recounts the horror of 14 March 1941 when a parachute landmine fell on New City Row in Blanefield killing four civilians, including two children who had fled the bombing in Govan. And it details how locals prepared for a possible enemy invasion. 'Strathblane & the Second World War: Stories of the Fallen & Memories from the Home Front' is at the Thomas Graham Community Library, Strathblane, until May 23 (during library opening hours). For any further information contact Anne Balfour, Co-Chair Strathblane Heritage at anne@ 01360 770750 or 07801 456092.
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Drama club joins in knitted postbox topper craze with VE Day theme ahead of latest show
Riverside Drama Club have come up with a novel way to showcase their latest production - with a knitted postbox topper. The club's next production runs from May 7-9 at Bridge of Allan Parish Church halls. 'Paras Over the Barras' by James Barclay has been especially chosen to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. And some members of the club came up with a special creation to publicise the show in Bridge of Allan. Director George Steele said: 'The play is a WW2 comedy set in the Glasgow Barrowlands. It is of nostalgic belly straight out of your granny's room and to be missed.' A spokesperson added: 'A few of the club's 'crafty' members had a fun idea and have created a crocheted and knitted postbox topper to mark the occasion. 'It is a very intricate and detailed project and took almost four months to complete. 'It even lights up at night! 'The topper was installed on April 2 and can be seen on Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan just outside Strathallan Pharmacy. 'The lovely people of Bridge of Alan gave our members such a wonderfully warm welcome, stopping to chat and take photos. The staff from the pharmacy kindly shared photos of the topper on their local Facebook groups. 'We hope the topper will make people smile and that it will be enjoyed by the community as it was an absolute joy to make.' Postbox toppers have been popping up across the UK - many of them commemorating the 80th anniverary of VE Day. Thursday May 8 marks the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, the day when the Second World War officially came to an end in Europe. The Stirling Observer wants to know if and how the people of the Stirling area plan to commemorate the occasion, or hear from anyone who has their own memories of that day. Commemorations for the 75th anniversary in 2020 were tailored to the Covid-19 lockdown. But 2025 gives Stirling residents an opportunity to mark the date more fully once again. Contact the Stirling Observer by emailing: news@
