A former Provost of Falkirk has stepped forward to offer to cover the expenses for a ceremony to grant the Freedom of Falkirk to a local group in an effort to expedite the process. In June, Falkirk Council members had agreed to bestow the civic honour upon the Sir William Wallace Grand Lodge of Free Colliers, acknowledging their unwavering support for miners and commitment to preserving their community traditions. However, at a recent meeting of Falkirk Council, Baillie Billy Buchanan raised concerns about the delay in holding the formal ceremony to mark the honour, which is not scheduled until next year.
Baillie Buchanan expressed his eagerness to see the event take place sooner and volunteered to fund and orchestrate the ceremony himself, taking care of arrangements such as venue booking, catering, and road closures. He highlighted his offer after learning that the council staff responsible for arranging such events were affected by the activities surrounding the July general election. Despite not receiving a response to his proposal, Baillie Buchanan brought up the matter during the council meeting, stressing the importance of not postponing the event to 2025.
Chief Governance Officer Colin Moodie reassured councillors that plans were in place to hold the ceremony early in 2025 and clarified that the delay was primarily due to the availability and workload of the staff tasked with organising the event. While appreciative of Bailie Buchanan’s offer, Moodie indicated that the coordination of the ceremony should remain a responsibility of the council officers. The Free Colliers group was informed of the proposed timeline, with no objections raised.
Following the meeting, Baillie Buchanan expressed disappointment at the council’s lack of acceptance of his offer. He noted receiving inquiries from concerned individuals about when the ceremony would take place and emphasised his ability to organise the event within weeks for the current year, deeming the delay unfair. The former Provost advocated for granting the Freedom of Falkirk to the Free Colliers of Redding to honour the group’s historical significance and ongoing dedication to supporting mining families and upholding mining communities’ heritage.
The Free Colliers have a rich legacy of advocating for improved wages and conditions for miners even before the formation of trade unions. With a 160-year history, they have continued to provide assistance to collier families and preserve the heritage of mining communities. Baillie Buchanan’s proactive approach underscores his commitment to recognising and celebrating the contributions of local groups like the Free Colliers within the Falkirk community.