Managing Raploch Skating Pond in Stirling
After the opening a further £20 was donated from the Philharmonic
Fund towards the expense of running the new skating pond. The Master of Works
was requested to erect an island in the centre of the skating pond to lessen
the effect of the wind on the banks when the pond was filled with water. The
waves caused by the wind had eroded the earth banks. The island was rectangular
in shape with the longest side facing south west.
At the town Council Finance Committee meeting of 12th September 1901, it was reported that the cost for forming and fencing the skating pond amounted to £510:9s 2d.
Skating Pond Charges remained remarkably static once the season ticket prices were finally agreed, starting at 1/6d for juveniles and adults in 1901, increasing to 2/6d in December 1902 with the Town Council reducing the juvenile season back down to 1/6d at a subsequent meeting and then 1/- in December 1903. The standard pricing is listed below.
At the town Council Finance Committee meeting of 12th September 1901, it was reported that the cost for forming and fencing the skating pond amounted to £510:9s 2d.
Skating Pond Charges remained remarkably static once the season ticket prices were finally agreed, starting at 1/6d for juveniles and adults in 1901, increasing to 2/6d in December 1902 with the Town Council reducing the juvenile season back down to 1/6d at a subsequent meeting and then 1/- in December 1903. The standard pricing is listed below.
| Season Ticket | Adult | 2/6d each |
| Juvenile | 1/- each | |
| Single | Adult | 3d each |
| Juvenile | 1d each |
The ticket conditions were ‘No juveniles after 5:00pm’ and ‘Charges for season and daily tickets exclusive of carnivals’. Tickets were issued to shopkeepers to sell. Season Tickets had to have the name and address of the holder from 1903.
The attendant at the skating pond collected the admission money at an entrance gate and blew a whistle to signal the close of the pond and ensured it was left in good order. He was provided with a shelter or paybox. A cash bag was provided in 1902 and a slow combustion stove to warm him was added in 1903. The pay was 5/- (shillings) a day rising to 7/6d by 1909.
Cleaning the pond out after the summer grazing was the most labour-intensive and thus the most expensive part of maintaining the pond. This was reflected in the cost of labourers’ wages and occasional carting expenses for removing the grass and debris from the pond. The annual cost of the skating pond was detailed in 1903. Ice Carnivals required further preparations.
Over the summer of 1903, a cart bridge was provided over the lade into the pond to the east of the entrance at a cost of £9 to improve the access for workmen and the movement of materials. It was only in September 1903 that a full set of regulations for the skating pond were published.
On the 30th November 1904 the Burgh Committee noted that the whole available water of the burn had been utilised to fill the pond, but owing to the drought, the quantity obtained had not been sufficient to fill the pond. This was the only recorded time that the pond water supply was so affected.
After deferring the question of lighting the pond and shelter in 1902, it was reported at the Burgh Committee Meeting on the 13th November 1906 that the estimated cost for illuminating the skating pond with gas would be £68: 10s. It was recommended not to proceed.
Admissions to Skating Pond during the afternoon and evening of Saturday 4th January 1908 were 773 and the sum collected was £7: 12s 6d.
A full report on the skating pond was detailed in the Town Council minute of the Burgh Committee meeting on 8th December 1909.
November 16th – 25th 1909 (9 open days, closed Sunday)
INCOME
The attendant at the skating pond collected the admission money at an entrance gate and blew a whistle to signal the close of the pond and ensured it was left in good order. He was provided with a shelter or paybox. A cash bag was provided in 1902 and a slow combustion stove to warm him was added in 1903. The pay was 5/- (shillings) a day rising to 7/6d by 1909.
Cleaning the pond out after the summer grazing was the most labour-intensive and thus the most expensive part of maintaining the pond. This was reflected in the cost of labourers’ wages and occasional carting expenses for removing the grass and debris from the pond. The annual cost of the skating pond was detailed in 1903. Ice Carnivals required further preparations.
Over the summer of 1903, a cart bridge was provided over the lade into the pond to the east of the entrance at a cost of £9 to improve the access for workmen and the movement of materials. It was only in September 1903 that a full set of regulations for the skating pond were published.
On the 30th November 1904 the Burgh Committee noted that the whole available water of the burn had been utilised to fill the pond, but owing to the drought, the quantity obtained had not been sufficient to fill the pond. This was the only recorded time that the pond water supply was so affected.
After deferring the question of lighting the pond and shelter in 1902, it was reported at the Burgh Committee Meeting on the 13th November 1906 that the estimated cost for illuminating the skating pond with gas would be £68: 10s. It was recommended not to proceed.
Admissions to Skating Pond during the afternoon and evening of Saturday 4th January 1908 were 773 and the sum collected was £7: 12s 6d.
A full report on the skating pond was detailed in the Town Council minute of the Burgh Committee meeting on 8th December 1909.
November 16th – 25th 1909 (9 open days, closed Sunday)
INCOME
| Season Ticket | Adult | 29 at 2/6d each | £ 3: 12s 6d |
| Juvenile | 4 at 1/- each | £ 0: 4s 0d | |
| Daily | Adult | 3522 at 3d each | £44: 0s 6d |
| Juvenile | 1955 at 1d each | £ 8: 2s 6d | |
| Additional Sum | £ 0: 13s 10d | ||
| Total | £56: 13s 4d |
As shown in the table above Season Ticket sales were very low as not many people trusted the weather. The daily admission numbers average 600 per day, but the one Saturday included probably had much higher numbers. It was a very well used facility when it was available. (1925 was the busiest season).
It was agreed by the Burgh Committee at that meeting to procure 2 dozen water lights costing £3 for use at the skating pond.
In 1924, the ground of the skating pond was used as a children’s playground with extra seats provided. It was recommended that the playground be opened for use by children of school age with no football to be allowed. The following year it was resown with grass and rented out to Raploch farm once more.
At the Parks Committee meeting on the 5th November 1928 it was reported that the embankments round the skating pond and at the island in the pond had been considerably damaged by cattle grazing the pond, to which they had gained access from the grass field on Raploch Farm. The pond had to be repaired again.
The use of the area adjacent to the skating pond for recreation led to the West End Rangers Football Club applying to use the ground for a football pitch in March 1929. It was reported that there might be damage to the ice on the skating pond if the ball went over the fence while the ice was forming. The Parks Committee voted in favour of the football pitch on the understanding that no claims could be made against the Town Council or their Patrons. The football club would go on to rent the refreshment room for stripping.
It was reported that the paybox at the skating pond had burnt down at the Burgh Committee meeting of 29th October 1934. £15 insurance money was received to repair the damage. It was recommended to re-erect the paybox. The Burgh Surveyor reported on the condition of the fence which required renewal or extensive repairs. The fence was repaired in 1935.
The Big Freeze In December 1937 was so severe that skating was reported on the River Forth itself, with the temperature being the coldest since 14th November 1919. There was only a modest income from the skating pond at this time. This would be the last time it would be used. In February 1938 it was agreed to close the skating pond to use the soil here for the Drip Road re-housing schemes 2 and 3. At the same time, remit was made to the Parks Committee to consider and report on the provision of a new skating pond. The story had come full circle. However Stirling would never have another outdoor skating pond. The opening of Falkirk Ice Rink later that year made sure of that. It wasn’t until 1980 that Stirling had its own ice rink at Williamfield, three years after the closure of the Falkirk Ice Rink.
References: Stirling Observer articles, 1899 to 1938. Stirling Journal articles, 1901 to 1912. Supplied by Stirling Central
Library on microfilm.
Royal Burgh of Stirling Council minutes, 1899 to 1938, supplied by Stirling Council Archives.