Historic Environment Scotland has awarded £188,000 to help secure future of Dunblane's Leighton Library

Scotland's oldest purpose-built library is set to benefit from funding from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

The category A-listed building, near Dunblane Cathedral, dates from the 17th century, and was commissioned through the will of Robert Leighton, a former Principal of Edinburgh University, Bishop of Dunblane, and Archbishop of Glasgow, who died in 1684.

In bequeathing a sum for a building to house his books, Robert Leighton gave his collection to the clergy of the Cathedral of Dunblane. The oldest book dates from 1504. Beyond the Bishop's personal collection, the Trustees added to the collection from 1701 with many important books from the Age of Enlightenment.

The building and collection has remained in use as a library and, unusually, the books and many of the original library fixtures survive intact, including six Jacobean chairs and the original book presses that line one wall.

The HES funding will go towards a programme of restoration that includes repairs to the walls, stonework, chimneys, and roof to ensure the collection of rare and antique books can remain housed in their original building.

Central to the project is work to remove modern cement-based harling and replace it with a lime-based material, closer to that used on the original 17th-century exterior. The project will also restore the marble cartouche ordered by the Bishop's executors, his sister and her son, a wealthy City of London brewer.

The restoration project, started earlier this year, has already unearthed some unexpected finds. A fireplace and press, still with its original lime plaster, were discovered after the removal of harling applied around 1990. One notable find was a finely carved stone with the initials 'MGK' which had been reused to bolster a chimney, identified as those of a Dean of Dunblane in the 1680s. One replaced crow-step stone was found to have carving beneath it suggesting it was reused from another building nearby, possibly the (then) ruined Cathedral or Bishop's Palace.

Dr Susan O'Connor, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, said, "We're thrilled to award funding to this project and to play a part in the incredible history of the Leighton Library and, by extension, Scotland's world-renowned history of libraries and learning.

"Not only does this project conserve a historic building, but, through the care and patience of those involved in the work, we now know more about the library's history and have a further insight into the centuries of change witnessed by this building."

Alastair MacDonald, Restoration Lead from the Leighton Library Trust said, "We are very grateful for the significant support HES has given to our wonderful library. The restoration work has revealed that the repairs we have now been able to undertake are in the nick of time, as the fabric had deteriorated badly over the years. This grant, and other generous donations, have made a significant difference to the project. There's still a long way to go to ensure the collection and its unique building are saved for future generations."

The Leighton Library Trust hopes that, following repair works, the library will offer increased opportunities for tourists and locals alike to visit and experience the remarkable building and collection for themselves.

Stirling Council, like all local authorities, is required to undertake a statutory review of arrangements for polling districts and polling places every five years to ensure that suitable and accessible voting facilities are available to everyone.

We have been running a quick online survey as part of this review process over recent months, which we have been promoting on our social media channels. There are just over two weeks left to complete the survey with a closing date of 30 November.

We would appreciate you helping us promote this survey so we can gather views on current arrangements from residents and as well as any suggestions for improvement.

For more information and to take part, please visit our Engage Stirling website: https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/polling-districts-and-places-review"

The Giving Tree has opened its doors

We are pleased to announce that The Giving Tree opened its doors for the first time on Friday 17 November.

Thank you to all who have supported us through the last few months. We are really looking forward to welcoming customers old and new.

The Giving Tree will be an ethical and sustainable place to shop and will stock good quality preloved items including ladies’, gent’s and kid’s clothes, shoes, handbags, toys, household items and books all at bargain prices!

We will also be delighted to accept donations at the shop from Friday 17 November.

The profits from the Giving Tree will be supporting both local and international charities. In recognition of the history of the shop, the international charity we will be supporting for the rest of the financial year is Mary’s Meals.

A new survey, has been launched by the council on a range of budget savings proposal.

No decision have been taken on any of the savings proposals and the survey aims to find out from residents affected by savings what the impact would be on them and on the community.

Please help us to inform the budget process by completing the survey.

The full list of savings is on the survey itself, but they include:

• Close or reduce council-managed community centres.
• Stop the annual mowing of rural road verges, reduce grass cutting or increase space for pollinator spaces.
• Closure of some libraries.
• Reduction in budget for events and festivals.
• Removal of the ‘road-end’ waste collection policy.
• Stop the greenspace ranger service.
• Reduce spending on maintenance at buildings and facilities.
• Removal of the community grant scheme.
• Reduce free, confidential and impartial accredited money, debt and benefit advice to residents.
• Change the operating models (opening times and capacity) at some nurseries.
• Increase non statutory childcare fees.
• Reduce or stop the play, creche, play and out of school care service.
• Reduce teachers in the additional support needs outreach team.
• Removal of the P5 swimming programme.
• Reduce the primary school week for pupils.
• Close some or all public toilets.

There are also some Big Conversation drop-in events throughout November to which you are welcome to attend and meet directly with officers of the council.

The remaining dates are:

• Stirling High School - Monday 13 November, 6pm to 7.30pm
• Balfron High School - Wednesday 15 November, 6pm to 7.30pm
• Wallace High School - Monday 20 November, 6pm to 7.30pm
• Bannockburn High School - Wednesday 22 November, 6pm to 7.30pm
• Dunblane High School - Monday 27 November, 6pm to 7.30pm.

For more information on the councils budget position, please visit stirling.gov.uk/bigconversation

Look out for updates on our social media using the hashtag #BigConversation2425