Bo'ness Community Council stalwart retires after 40 years

Madelene, who has been a community councillor for an incredible 40 years, has now handed the reins over to Wendy Turner, although she will continue to serve on the community council until the end of her term.

Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Madelene, who has been at the forefront of numerous campaigns and initiatives to improve the town and celebrate its heritage.

Independent councillor Ann Ritchie said: “Madelene has done so much for Bo’ness over the years, first as a community councillor, then later when she became the convener when Bill Bruce stepped down from his position.”

Madelene moved to Bo’ness in 1974 and very quickly became involved in local groups, including her son’s playgroup, the Cubs and St Catherine’s Church, among other good causes.

Two projects she has been most proud to be part of are the Mining Memorial, which was erected at the foreshore in 2007 to mark the town’s mining history, and the Bridgeness Slab, a replica of the remarkable Roman panel that was created in 142 CE, to mark the eastern endpoint of the Antonine Wall.

Ann recalls many more campaigns that Madelene was involved in, such as helping fundraise for the White Lady Mountain Bike Trails, while in recent years, she highlighted repairs that were needed at the Glebe Park Band Stand.

Labour councillor David Aitchison added his tribute, saying that Madelene “worked tirelessly to improve groups/facilities within Bo’ness through accessing grants to enable a variety of opportunities within the town”.

He added: “She had a wealth of knowledge about Bo’ness and was always willing to impart this to help the community.”

SNP councillor Stacey Devine added: “Her love for Bo’ness and its history and her unwavering commitment to the town is truly remarkable.

“She has been involved in so many groups and causes in the town for over 40 years and will be missed in her role as chair. I wish her all the best.”

Madelene has also stood down from her role as convener of Bo’net, a networking group of Bo’ness businesses that has also worked tirelessly to promote the town.

As Wendy now takes on the role of convener of the community council, she is delighted that Madelene will remain as a community councillor until the next set of elections.

Wendy said: “She’s got a huge amount of knowledge of the local community and experience, so that will be a huge benefit.

“She’s been on the community council for 40 years, which is quite something.

“The community council has done a lot of good things and we need to keep that going.”