Following David Murdoch, Anna Sloan and Claire Hamilton’s Winter Olympics triumph, there was an outcry from locals to transform their success into a positive trademark for Lockerbie.
And plans were mooted to see curling stones become a permanent fixture in the high street and to get roundabouts at both entrances to Lockerbie transformed in honour of the athletes. Community stalwart Pogo Patterson was quick to call for a tribute to the medalists.
However, the idea, first brought to attention 18 months ago, has failed to be picked up by Dumfries and Galloway Council, much to the disappointment of Pogo.
He said: “As a proud Lockardian I feel the council did miss an opportunity to introduce curling artefacts to not only the new High Street but also the town’s roundabouts.
“We’re quick enough to put our town down, so we should honour and acknowledge our achievements.
Lockerbie is not only where we live, it’s where we love.”
Local businessman Alec Arthur, of the Somerton House Hotel, was also vocal last year about the theme town idea.
He was keen to see the ‘unsightly’ roundabouts upgraded to feature a curling design and even offered to help cover the costs by pledging £1000 of his own money to see his idea come to fruition.
Meanwhile, the issue was brought up at Tuesday night’s meeting of Lockerbie Community Council.
Members are keen to see the local authority live up to promises that the roundabouts will be tidied up, with or without a theme.
A spokesman from Dumfries and Galloway Council said they are not currently involved with any plans to help Lockerbie’s theme town dream become a reality.
He said: “Any initiative such as this would need to be a community initiative. “Community representatives could approach the business development officer responsible for Lockerbie to discuss how this proposal could be best progressed.”
