Long-awaited Falkirkopoly hits the streets
A LONG-awaited Falkirk ''version of Monopoly has finally passed GO and hit the streets.
Falkirkopoly was originally scheduled to come out by Christmas 1998 but it never appeared and the release date was continually delayed.
Worried businesses, who forked out hundreds of pounds to take part in the game, expressed concern they had been conned.
Their worst fears looked to have been confirmed when company Kennington Developments, which sold space on the board, appeared to vanish.
The silence was deafening. But at the weekend the first editions of Falkirkopoly appeared in the area.
The game, produced by a Gibraltar-based company, is high quality and celebrates Falkirk s 400th anniversary as a burgh.
Falkirkopoly features landmarks such as Falkirk Football Club s ground, Callendar Square and the Mariner Centre, as well as a host of local businesses.
Michael Lemetti s Camelon fish and chip shop was approached two years ago to take part in the venture.
After numerous delays, Michael doubted Falkirkopoly would ever appear. But this week he clutched a copy and sang the game s praises.
''I was very surprised, but it s really high quality, he said. ''This will be a collector s item.
He paid tribute to the Herald and said: ''I don t regret asking questions, but I m very happy at the outcome.
Michael has delivered copies to Falkirk Royal Infirmary s children s ward and Strathcarron Hospice. He is selling Falkirkopoly from his Camelon shop.
This week, The Herald tracked down former Kennington director Alan Mackay the driving force behind Falkirkopoly. He said he never doubted the game would appear.
''I knew it was coming out, said Mr Mackay. ''We wanted to get the board and the front of the box looking good. We didn t have copyright for the stuff we had originally.
Mr Mackay estimated around 2000 copies, at least, would be put out.
The Herald also tracked down Dan Heffernan, director of Gibraltar-based Discover Publications.He revealed an agreement had been struck with Hasbro the makers of Monopoly ruling out any of legal action in the short term.
''The games are going to be available from now and should do well in the Christmas market, he said.
The Herald has copies of Falkirkopoly, worth 19.99 each, to give away to six lucky readers who can answer this question: In the original game, where did you have to pass to collect 200?
Answersshould be sent, on a postcard, to: Board Game, The Falkirk Herald, Newmarket Street, Falkirk FK1 1JZ.