BBC Scotland are on a mission to create a unique choir led by vocal coach to the stars, Yvie Burnett, for her new series, ‘Scotland Sings’.

For the past 20 years, Yvie has worked with a range of stars from Katy Perry to Susan Boyle, Lewis Capaldi to Leona Lewis, and has appeared on The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent along the way.

Now, Yvie is taking on her biggest challenge yet – to form and coach a choir from some of Scotland’s hidden talents, those who have kept their vocal talents a secret, until now…

We need you to help us find our country’s finest ‘secret’ singers - those who’ve kept their talents hidden away, who lack the confidence to ever sing in public but would benefit both physically and mentally from coaching and singing in a group led by Yvie, even if this is the first time they’ve let their vocals be heard outside of the shower!

So if that sounds like you or even someone you know – a family member or friend – now is the time the act!

To be considered, all you have to do is record a video or send us the email address of your nominee by heading to this address: bbc.co.uk/scotlandsings and follow the instructions.

We can’t wait to hear all the unheard voices from across Scotland!

The closing date for applications is the 31st of October 2022 at midnight.

 

NOMINATIONS LINK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u121359722

PROGRAMME PAGE: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cxrhc2

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Works have finally been completed on the sewer network with just final tidying up to complete.

Read the update on Scottish Water website.

WAGS IMAGE

Wags Pet Grocer of Dunblane is situated on Beech Road, conveniently sandwiched between Beech Tree Cafe and Cathedral City Estates. We are a family owned purveyor of Pet Food and Pet Supplies. We stock a wide range of good quality food, wet and dry, baked and natural treats, toys, bedding and also accessories. Feed your garden birds, treat your rabbits, guinea pigs or hedgehogs or just spoil your best friend and companion. We are local and we are in walking distance. Pop-in, say hello, introduce your dog and let them experience the smells of treats, food and maybe other friends. Stock up your training treats and poop bags before you venture on the long trail. If you are within the Dunblane reach, we will deliver your monthly food order or larger purchases, to your door.

A Dunblane based group is organising a shipment of much needed aid to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. 

Over 2 million refugees, mainly women and children, have made the journey to Poland, often in freezing conditions, taking with them only what they can carry. Supplies at the border are running terribly low and refugees are arriving mentally, emotionally and physically shattered. Donated aid will go by HGV next week direct to a refugee receiving centre on the Polish Ukrainian border.

We have been in regular contact with the centre and the items they desperately need are:
Tinned food, particularly tinned meat and tinned fruit
Drinks
Sweets for the children
Nappies
Sanitary products
Blankets (new only)

***Although thie collection event has passed, you can still donate towards shipment costs on their gofundme page.***
If you are able to donate any of these items, you can bring them along to Dunblane Scout Hall, 2 Ochlochy Park, Dunblane FK15 0DU between 12:30 and 16:30 on Sunday, 20 March.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Facebook link : https://fb.me/e/1QR5D1cAn

   
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Music & Movement Classes for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers

cechetti ballet

Whether you're 17 or 70-something, it's never too late to start ballet! If you're interested in coming along to a beginners class, please get in touch!


Watch Joe and Mike’s Virtual Tours of Scotland

HERE IS THE LINK https://youtu.be/zy2QsT4f-a8

An appeal has been launched to carry out £400,000 of restoration work on Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library building

The Grade-A listed building at The Cross, erected in the late 17th century, contains around 4500 books – the oldest dating from 1504 – and includes masterpieces and first editions like The Edinburgh Edition of Robert Burns’ poems (1787), Dr Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Thomas Paine’s The Rights of Man (1791), a signed copy of Queen Victoria’s Highland Journal, presented to the Library by Queen Victoria herself, and a first edition of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations. There is also a collection of early maps, including a rare American Atlas from 1775.

Alastair MacDonald of the the Leighton Library Restoration Programme said: “We’re keen to raise the profile of this ‘hidden gem’ library for a number of very special reasons. Whilst the book collection is in very good condition, the building housing it, now some 333 years old, is in pressing need of restoration. “In particular cement-based harling applied some forty years ago is now considered detrimental to the fabric, as it effectively prevents the building from breathing and encourages damp in the walls. “This needs to be removed and a breathable lime-based harling applied. Additionally, several areas of stonework are eroded and need repair. The roof and chimneys need repair. The front of the building has a particularly fine marble cartouche from the late 1600s, which once bore the Bishop’s coat of arms. Specialist advice has been received that this too needs to be removed, the fixings replaced, and the whole thing restored by specialist conservators.”

Originally intended to house the collection of Bishop Robert Leighton, who bequeathed his library to Dunblane in 1684, the collection grew over the 18th and 19th centuries. Opening its doors in 1687, the Library was originally intended for the clergy of Dunblane Cathedral. It later became a subscription library and a reading room until the mid-19th century, when it was effectively closed up until restoration by volunteers in the late 1980s. It is now managed by a small charitable trust and opens to the public in the summer season.

Mr MacDonald added that the trustees have set up an executive group to address the conservation project. He said: “We have an architect on board who is qualified in the conservation of historic buildings.
“We now have a detailed schedule of required works, for which the current cost estimate is around £390,000. It’s a great deal of money to find. Even although the Trust has a small income from donations, and occasionally benefits from legacies, these reserves cannot even begin to meet the cost of the repairs. “We have made applications to various funding bodies for grants, including Historic Environment Scotland, but there still needs to be a considerable local fundraising effort, for up to at least £150,000 preserve this treasure for future generations. It is hoped, if funding can be secured, to start the repairs early in 2022.”

Following discussions with Stirling Council, and taking on board feedback from potential funders, the group is also looking at how to open up the Undercroft, situated on street level, with the Library on the first floor, both as a community and library asset. Mr MacDonald said: “We hope to work with neighbouring historic sites, such as the Museum and the Cathedral, both of whom get a great many more visitors than us, to promote the Library and the wonderful Cross area of Dunblane.”

Neighbouring hotel Old Churches House, part of tourism and hospitality specialists the Fusion Group of Companies has promised to help the Trust develop a viable plan for private tours for both individuals and tourist groups.
Alex McKie of the Fusion Group said: “We are happy to help in any way we can, perhaps giving a more commercial edge to proceedings by advising on how the Trust can best market the Library; how best to publicise the fund raising, and how to effectively price and promote tours.”

Donations can be made at www.leightonlibrary.org.uk

 

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