News
The NHS National Services Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland have asked us to share their survey to gather patient views of digital prescribing. This will help determine what matters to the people of Scotland in using services which involve prescription medicines.
If you are interested in giving your thoughts on digital prescribing please visit this link.
Get involved - join your community council : https://www.stirling.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/your-community/community-council-elections-2023/
The community centre built as a “living tribute” to the victims of the Dunblane shooting is facing an uncertain future amid rising costs.
The Dunblane Centre opened in 2004 after the town received donations from across the world following the tragedy at the primary school in 1996.
But there are now fears the facility may be forced to close without financial help.
Donations to the Dunblane Centre can be made on the facility’s website.
Read more on STV news here
Cycle lanes from the five ways roundabout to the Claredon roundabout are set to be erased. This is thought to be a safety measure because of doors being opened in parked cars.
Although some suggest that this route isn't particularly useful for cyclists given that there is no onward connection to Bridge of Allan from the Claredon roundabout, it should be noted that it includes the only bridge over the railway other than pedestrian bridges and is therefore key to cyclists travelling between the two halves of Dunblane. Others suggest that the cycle lanes were a traffic calming measure to support the 20mph limit. This theory certainly appears to be being given credence by the large cycles that are now painted right across the main carriageway that is presumabley still intended for use by cars.
This was discussed by Dunblane Community Council and Stirling Council at length on the 1st March. They will publish findings in due course here :
https://www.greens.co.uk/ On 11th March, the Coop became Greens of Dunblane. The shop makes use of the NISA network (owned by the Coop) so will continue to stock Coop brand produce as well as the produce detailed on their website.
According to the Glasgow Evening Times, Mary's Meals is set to close a number of shops including Dunblane. The shop is much loved in Dunblane so many people will be saddened by this news if it turns out to be the case.
World record holding Dunblane theatre group take on 24-hour singing challenge
Article from Stirling Observer
Performers sing their way through the night at church hall in the town.
Local Guinness World Record Holders Rubber Chicken Theatre are excited to announce 24 Hours of Song. The non-stop sing-a-thon event will help raise funds for their widening access programme and their upcoming trip to the MTI Junior Theatre Festival in Birmingham this spring.
Singers of all ages are taking on their share of the 24-hour stint, which began at 7pm yesterday (Thursday) and ends at 7pm tonight (Friday) at Dunblane Christian Fellowship – where the performing arts group regularly rehearses and runs drama and musical theatre classes.
“This year there are no records to break, but our performing arts family are once again coming together to support a common goal,” said creative director Pamela Mackie. “Twenty-four hours is a long time to fill, but our family of resilient performers are no strangers to a challenge.”
The local record breakers gained their Guinness title in 2022 when they made a successful attempt for fastest theatrical production.
But this year’s challenge is one of endurance rather than speed – with a continuous performance, including through the night, by almost 100 singers.
Pamela said: “As we take to the stage this week, we hope the local community will get behind our ambitious fundraiser and support us with donations either in person or online.”
Rubber Chicken Theatre believes every child should have access to high quality performing arts opportunities regardless of their background or finances and have implemented a policy to ensure that cost is never a barrier.
Pamela said: “Our goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where children from all walks of life can come together to learn, grow and shine. By making performing arts accessible to all, we hope to inspire a new generation of young performers and create a brighter future for everyone.”
Members of the public are welcome to support the performers as they sing their way through the night with back-to-back slots throughout - right up until 7pm tonight.
Pamela added: “Pop into the building during the challenge to watch the singers in action and show your support for your local performing arts family.”
The MTI’s Junior Theatre Festival brings together schools and youth groups from across the UK and Europe for a day of musical theatre mayhem. Rubber Chicken Theatre joins 1200 other participants at the ICC in Birmingham and has attended annually since 2019. The day encompasses performance opportunities, workshops presented by highly acclaimed teaching artists, and announcements of new work and showcases from world-renowned musical theatre performers.
Rubber Chicken Theatre have collected awards for their performances at the festival in the past.
Pamela said, “We’ve been producing shows, teaching and supporting the performing arts across Dunblane for 16 years. We love our wee performing arts family and welcome anyone interested in the arts to join.
“We’re a social enterprise and work with several local charities, organisations, and schools to provide access to the arts where there are barriers to participation.
We offer drama classes, workshops, community choir, shows, and performing opportunities (on and off stage) for small children through to retired adults. No auditions are required - it’s about being part of a performing arts family, and building confidence, friendships and skills through the magic of theatre.”
The fundraising page is at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/24hoursofsong.
More information can also be found online at www.rubberchickentheatre.co.uk
Case of Avian Influenza disease confirmed near Stirling - 15 February 2023
"Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a premises to the west of Stirling and restrictions are in place to limit the spread of the disease.
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance are in effect. Maps of the affected areas, the measures in place and other key information can be found on the Scottish Government website.
Anyone who keeps poultry or other birds within the 3km zone area should remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures."
Stephen Bly, Community Council Enquiry Co-ordinator
Community Development Team | Stirling Council | Old Viewforth | Stirling FK8 2ET
T: 01786 233948 | M: 07792 362690 | E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. W: stirling.gov.uk
Sadly, Claire Watt has died suddenly
She was a well known figure in Dunblane, as a secretary at Newton Primary School for many years, as a board member of Holmehill Community Buyout and more recently as part of Dementia Friendly Dunblane
She will be greatly missed
Claire's Funeral will be on Tuesday 28 February at 2.00 in Dunblane Cathedral. Wear bright colours!
From Breda Seaman of Dementia Friendly Dunblane
"My name is Fern Milne and I work with Stirling Councils Community Development team with a remit of Area Forum Development. Previously, Area Forums in Stirling were established to allow any Citizen, Community Council, Partner/Agency, Heads of Service, Elected Members to come together to explore 'Themes' or 'Topics' and ensure that information was shared and that decisions were influenced more effectively. Due to a number of different factors the 7 Area Forums are no longer running.
We would like to work with Stirling's Citizens to explore 'The re-establishment of Area Forums', where we would co-design a model that would best fit the communities it represents. To start with, we would like to invite you along to a virtual meeting to share a little more information about the project and how you can get involved. Below are two dates, if neither of these are suitable please feel free to email me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange a time that suits.
Tuesday 31st January 7-8pm Click here to join the meeting
Wednesday 1st February 7-8pm Click here to join the meeting
Kindest regards
Fern Milne"
Regards
SB
Stephen Bly, Community Council Enquiry Co-ordinator
Community Development Team|Stirling Council|Old Viewforth| StirlingFK8 2ET
T: 01786 233948 | M: 07792 362690| E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. W: stirling.gov.uk
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Message from Bridget Clark
The Glen Road withstood the winter storms Arwen and Eunice well at the start of the year.
However it was a relief when the old drainage from the field drains above was restored in summer. Tom finished digging out the settling pond and the contour drain, and put pipes down to the victorian culvert BoA side. It is diverting a useful amount of water away from the steep slopes above the road.
That has broadly completed the conservation works initiated in 2019, fundraised c£44,500. Thanks to Ian and Tom for managing the works for maximum value. Though we continue to respond to ongoing maintenance.
Thanks to Peter's Paths Team for scraping back vegetation BoA side, and at the high Wharryburn bridge.
Grateful thanks to Stirling Council roads team who responded to Ian's suggestion for a 'stitch in time' bitmac seam repair at the gabions by the high bridge.
Good to see more orchids reappearing - both common and rarer ones.
Less welcome to see 16 mattresses dumped just below our section! Thanks to Friends of BoA for removing them. Luckily fly tipping is rare, probably due to so many people passing through.
Keeping on top of ash die back, and drains after heavy rain.
Someone attempted to drive over the bollards - Dunblane end this time.
And many thanks to the annual leaf blowers team organised by Stewart and Duncan, for a particularly demanding session this year.
We always get lots of grateful thanks when working along the road. People find it very special.
Mountain cinematographer helps raise funds for Forth Valley Scouts
Dunblane's Keith Partridge received an International Emmy Award for his work on BBC’s flagship series ‘The Human Planet’.
Read the Stirling Observer article
Dunblane project shares in funding to help takes ideas into action for communities
A number of rural Stirling community projects have been handed a cash boost from the Rural & Island Communities Ideas into Action (RICIA) fund.
Dunblane Christian Fellowship is to receive £5,000 to expand a toddler group and cafe service by removing an internal wall to create more space, furniture and expanding the volunteer and staff team.
More than 180 projects across rural Scotland will receive grants. The fund encourages and supports not-for-profit community groups with innovative approaches to community-led local development, including work towards net zero and just transition goals, tackling rural poverty and supporting rural communities through the cost of living crisis. “This investment comes at a critical time for our rural and island communities, who are disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis compared to the rest of the country. “I wish all the successful community groups well as they now look to take forward these projects and make a positive difference to their local areas.”
Conservation experts have been working on the distinctive stone feature on Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library building.
You can register to attend an event detailing the story of the renovations so far which is being held in the Cathedral Halls on the 1st June.
Article from Stirling Observer 6 January 2023
The carved tablet, or cartouche, on the A-listed building’s east facade was removed early November.
It is part of a restoration project estimated at around £460,000 at Scotland’s oldest purpose-built library, built in the late 17th century.
Edinburgh-based conservator Graciela Ainsworth – who restored the statue of John Cowane at Stirling’s Cowane’s Hospital – took the cartouche to her workshop in the city to assess its condition to recommend conservation treatment.
The Leighton Library Trust has now applied for listed building consent ‘to repair the cartouche removed from the east elevation and currently in storage and then, following repair, to reinstate the cartouche in the niche on the east elevation’.
It follows consent for its removal which was granted in 2021.
The latest application includes a document from the conservator outlining how she aims to proceed with the work.
It states: “Proposed work to repair the cartouche and reinstate it in the niche on the external east wall of the Leighton Library.
“Carefully remove all ferrous fixings. Lessen the dark impervious sulphation layer. Lessen the cementitious residues, being careful not to disturb any early polychrome. Local consolidation and filling of the fractures on the back.
“Supply and installation of new non ferrous fixings, designed to suit the Cartouche and including sall marble repair at the head.
“Reinstallation of the cartouche into the back of the niche. Removal of previous dark cementitious render at the back of the niche, and application of new lime-based render to finish.”
Phase one of the library building’s restoration focuses on its exterior, including removing cement harling and replacing it with lime harling, replacing the crowsteps on the south end, and ensuring chimneys, the roof and slates are secure, as well as renewing windows.
The second phase will involve the conversion of the ground floor room, known as the Undercroft, into a state-of-the-art exhibition and visitor area.
Fundraising for the restoration project is continuing.
Leighton Library honorary treasurer Chris Onslow said: “It has been many years since this wonderful, old and unique building was restored and the Trustees are keen that by restoring the fabric, the legacy of this treasure will be secured for many generations to come.
“We continue to raise funds for the building works, costing around £350,000, and are planning how to raise funds for phase two which we anticipate will cost around £110,000.”
The Leighton Library collection - whose oldest book dates back to 1504 – has been taken into storage during the restoration of the building.
There are around 4500 books which include first editions like The Edinburgh Edition of Robert Burns poems (1787).
The building and collection is managed by the Leighton Library Trust, which originates in a bequest by Robert Leighton who was Bishop of Dunblane between 1662-1672.
By spring 2021 the building restoration appeal had raised £172,000 with generous grants having been received from, among others, The Pilgrim Trust and the Swire Charitable Trust.
Anyone who wishes to discover more about the library or make a donation can contact the trust at www.leightonlibrary.org.uk.
Donations can be made at www.leightonlibrary.org.uk