A WOODEN carving gone missing from Alva Glen earlier this year has thankfully been recovered from the banks of the River Devon.
Alvor, the original wooden carving of a Neolithic man who used to watch over the glen quarry, was taken from his quiet location, which was reported by volunteers of Alva Glen Heritage Trust at the start of April.
However, it is understood Alvor has been missing since the start of this year with volunteers from the trust issuing an appeal on social media, having been unsuccessful in their search efforts.
Alva man and keen volunteer Bryan Denny last week told the Advertiser that the statue has been recovered from the banks of the river – and the discovery was timely, coming just before a torrent of rain came down on the Wee County.
The recovery came after resident Craig Douglas spotted Alvor on Sunday, August 18, where the Alva Burn joins the Devon.
Bryan said: “I went down early on Monday (August 19) morning and managed to locate him thanks to the description and information left by Craig.
“Had he not been recovered yesterday before the rain last night, he would have been lost.
“Alvor is now getting some well-earned rest and TLC and he hopes to make a guest appearance at the illuminations next month on September 21.”
Indeed, Bryan is a key member of Alva Community Resilience Team and was last week monitoring water levels in Alva Burn as heavy rain came down on the Hillfoots.
With the wooden carving rescued and a mystery solved, Bryan was also keen to share the story of Alvor as he is connected to an interesting bit of Alva Glen history.
A prehistoric burial site was uncovered in 1913 at the glen by James Murdoch who was quarrying for stone.
The site housed a human skeleton with the remains buried in a natural cavity within the rock.
Tragically, James would be killed two days later by a rockfall – some believing it may have been a curse for disturbing the dead.
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The remains were examined and found to be that of a male dwarf who would have been around four feet and two inches in height, around 25 years of age.
Much of this was forgotten until 2004 when a group of volunteers got together to bring Alva Glen back to life.
As part of improvements, wooden carvings were added at the glen in 2008, one being of a Neolithic man as a nod to the remains found in the quarry.
The recent disappearance of Alvor was not the first time he went on a jolly, the carving was stolen in 2009 but recovered a short time after in Alva Burn.
He was not known as Alvor then, however, as the name came about later that year when Euan Craig, seven at the time, won a competition to name the carving.
In the years after, the carving was secured to a high ledge in the glen quarry until vandalism in 2021 meant he had to be replaced.
Not finished yet, Alvor was quietly placed in a secluded area to enjoy retirement until his rest was disturbed by a person or persons unknown.
Hopes are the wooden carving will make an appearance at the Alva Glen Illuminations this year, taking place on September 21, from 7pm to 9pm, in what is always a popular event.
A fundraiser is ongoing to help make the event possible and to support the upkeep of the beauty spot, visit tinyurl.com/52b243w8 to donate.
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