Last month it was announced that a squirrel and a sheep would soon greet motorists entering the town.
But the chosen emblems have failed to impress members of Lockerbie Ice Rink, especially curler Marion Murdoch, mother of Olympic silver medalist David Murdoch.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of Lockerbie Community Council she questioned why initial plans to immortalise the town’s curling heroes had been chucked out in favour of a tribute to Eskrigg Nature Reserve (red squirrel) and the town’s market links (sheep).
She said: “My son is an Olympic silver medalist. Would you not have thought that was enough to merit some recognition?
“I feel we, the Ice Rink, have done a lot for the community. We have been here for 53 years and produced three Olympic medalists – the girls too – as well as World champions.”
The idea of curling stones stationed at the town roundabouts was first mooted in 2014, by community stalwart Pogo Patterson, following David Murdoch, Anna Sloan and Claire Hamilton’s medal haul at the Winter Olympics.
Since then, the community council have secured a funding pledge of £50,000 from the Lockerbie Trust to carry out the work. But along the path towards gaining funding, the curling theme was lost.
Agreeing that the curling design should be reintroduced, community councillor Ian McLatchie said: “I think that curling should be recognised.
“That was the plan way back when we first started discussions and I agree, the ice rink is a great asset for the community and the curlers have helped put Lockerbie on the map.
“There’s a lot of medals for one wee town.”
He added: “Personally, while we all love the sheep, Lockerbie already has enough.”
Community council chairwoman Jan Andrews said: “Clearly there are a lot of ideas and I think the best thing to do would be to consult the town.
“We surveyed the town asking for their opinions on the 30th anniversary of the disaster, how they wanted to mark the occasion, and it worked well, it felt fair.”
So now the community council, working in conjunction with the Annandale Herald newspaper and DNG24, have created a survey.
And townsfolk are being asked: “What design should Lockerbie’s roundabouts be given?”
Options include: Eskrigg Nature Reserve – red squirrel; Lockerbie Ice Rink – curling stone; Lockerbie market – sheep; a mix; other.
To vote please visit: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/87WJHTJ.
So Lockerbie, what’s it going to be? Curling or squirrels . . . or sheep?
UPDATE: Currently, as of mid day Thursday, in the battle of curling vs squirrel, curling is racing ahead with 43 per cent of the vote but it’s still all to play for.
