Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
Dunblane's Elaine Hopley arrived in Antigua on Sunday 12 February 2017 having spent nearly 2 months at sea competing in the 2,000 mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Her time of 59 days, 19 hours and 14 minutes makes her the fastest woman to cross the Atlantic solo in the 30-year history of the race, dubbed the world’s toughest row.
Follow Elaine on Twitter
8 February 2017 : Elaine has only 300 miles to go Read the Stirling Observer Article
1 February 2017 : Elaine nears Atlantic race record bid
4 January 2017 : Update on Dunblane rower Elaine Hopley as she rows the Atlantic
7 December 2016 : Dunblane rower Elaine Hopley all set to take on the Atlantic in tiny boat. Elaine will take on the 3000 mile journey across the ocean as she aims to become the fastest woman to solo-row the ocean - based on an article in Stirling Observer by Gareth Iwan Jones - 7 December 2016
Dunblane rower Elaine Hopley has arrived in Spain as she prepares to tackle the Atlantic. She flew to the tiny island of la Gomera at the weekend, where she has been reunited with the 22 foot boat she will undertake the daunting 3000 mile journey in. The boat was transported to the isle near Tenerife last month, and Elaine will now spend the next week working on getting the vessel ready for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which begins on December 14. She hopes to arrive in the Caribbean island of Antigua in under 70 days, becoming the fastest woman to solo-row across the ocean. She has now said farewell to her family, and said that she has to put the emotions of leaving them at home out of her head come race time. “I’ll have to get the boat ready when I arrive, and being a solo rower, I need to make sure I meet and speak to all the other teams so we can help each other,” said Elaine.
Competitors in the challenge must purchase all items from an inventory that contains a host of high-tech safety equipment. They must carry two radios at all times, with race organisers able to track their position to within a 400 metre radius of the 3,000 mile route and support vessels nearby to offer assistance. Elaine has spent more than three years fundraising for the challenge, and hopes during the trans-ocean row to net thousands of pounds for Alzheimers Scotland in memory of her late mother Janice, who suffered from early-onset dementia.
Former Scottish rugby star Kenny Logan visited Dunblane Primary School to talk about his experience with dyslexia. Read the Stirling Observer article
Dunblane Community Partnership is holding a meeting for all community organisations in Dunblane to tell them more about the draft Community Action Plan, hear their views and how they can be involved.
On Monday 20 February at 7.30pm
In the Braeport Centre
Get involved : We also want to discuss how community organisations could work together in the future. Let us know what you think! Does the draft Action Plan cover the important issues – have we missed anything? We want to make sure that more people can be involved in making the activity in the Action Plan happen. Please get involved – let us know the skills you have and what interests you.
Working groups : We are planning to set up working groups to take some of the actions forward – watch out here for more information. We will update this site regularly with news on what’s going on. We want to make sure that all households have a copy of the Community Action Plan once it is finalised– so look out for a copy coming through your door – or where you can get one.
Read more about Dunblane Community Partnership and the Charrette process.
Stirling Council is beginning year 4 of Priority Based Budgeting (PBB). The work the Council have done in years 1-3 has meant they are in a strong position financially. This means that unlike years 1-3, they will not be bringing budget options to the public for consultation, but instead finding savings through internal efficiencies.
This pause will enable the council to ask our communities for their feedback on the first three years of PBB and the ways in which the council tried to engage with them. Was everyone included? How easy was it to participate? What can they do better?
To help the council in this process, local residents can complete an online survey, which can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PBByear4. The survey closes on Sunday 12 February 2017.
If you have any queries or need more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Andy Murray will receive a knighthood after a spectacular season winning Wimbledon and Olympic gold for the 2nd time as well as ending the year as World number 1.
Read more here
Andy Murray has been voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time! This tops off a fantastic year with Andy winning Olympic gold, his second Wimbledon title and he became tennis' world number one.
Read more here
Dunblane figure skater Megan Carroll has won a silver medal at the British Figure Skating Championships in Sheffield.
Read more here
Come and Celebrate Christmas 2016 with the Dunblane Churches!
Sunday November 27th
10.30 am. All Age Advent Service, St Mary’s Church
11.30 am. Advent Christmas Service (Mince pies from 10.30), Dunblane Free Church
Sunday December 11th
5.00 pm. Radio Rainbow Carols for Christmas, Dunblane Christian Fellowship (opp. Station)
6.30 pm. Boys’ Brigade Carol Service (with BB Band) at St Blane’s Church
7.30 pm. Christmas Concert with Choir, Instrumentalists and Handbells, Cathedral (£5)
Sunday December 18th
10.00 am. All Age Nativity Service at St Blane’s Church
10.30 am. Sunday School Nativity Service at Dunblane Cathedral
11.00 am. Liturgy of St Nicholas of Myra (“Santa Claus”), Orthodox Church, off Ramoyle
4.00 pm. Candlelit Lessons and Carols Service, mince pies & mulled wine at St Mary’s Church
6.30 pm. Advent Celebration with Choir at St Blane’s Church
6.30 pm. Nine Lessons and Carols at Dunblane Cathedral
7.00 pm. A Christmas Celebration at Holy Family Church
Christmas Eve
4.00 pm. Crib and Christingle Family Service at St Mary’s Church
6.30 pm. Christingle Service at Dunblane Cathedral
6.30 pm. All Age Service with Film at St Blane’s Church
8.00 pm. Children's Celebration of Christmas at Holy Family Church
11.30 pm. Carols followed by Midnight Mass at Holy Family Church
11.30 pm. Watchnight Service (carols and refreshments from 11 pm) at St Blane’s Church
11.30 pm. Watchnight Service at Dunblane Cathedral
11.30 pm. Watchnight Service at Dunblane Christian Fellowship
11.30 pm. Midnight Service for Christmas at St Mary’s Church
Christmas Day
8.30 am. Quiet Communion Service at St Mary’s Church
10.00 am. Christmas Day Celebration at Dunblane Christian Fellowship (opp. Station)
10.00 am. All Age Christmas Service at St Blane’s Church
10.30 am. Family Service at Dunblane Cathedral
10.30 am. All Age Christmas Celebration at St Mary’s Church
11 am. Mass of Christmas Morning at Holy Family Church
11.30 am. Christmas Day Service (Mince pies from 10.30), Dunblane Free Church
New Year’s Eve
5.00 pm. Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, Vigil Mass at Holy Family Church
New Year’s Day
10.00 am. New Year’s Day Celebration at Dunblane Christian Fellowship (opp. Station)
11.30 am*. New Year’s Day Service at Dunblane Free Church
11.00 am. Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, Morning Mass at Holy Family Church
Orthodox Christmas; Saturday January 7th
11.00 am. Festal Liturgy at the Orthodox Church, Laighill Loan, off Ramoyle
* Subject to confirmation
A Perthshire Film Company wants to find ex-German POWs for documentary about Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie.
Were you, or do you know, anyone who has a connection with Cultybraggan Prisoner of War Camp at Comrie, Perthshire?
Mousehole Films is making a documentary film about Cultybraggan, or Camp 21 as the German POW Camp was also known, when it was home to thousands of German and Italian POWs during the Second World War.
“We are keen to talk to anyone who was either a POW, or Guard, or local resident, with interesting stories about life at Cultybraggan”, says Director and Producer Adrian Bean. “Many POWs worked in the community during the war, on farms or in houses, and built up relationships with local families. Some POWs even married local girls and settled in Scotland and we’d love to hear their stories.”
If you have a story to tell about Cultybraggan, or know someone who might, or want to know more about the proposed film, you can contact the film’s Producers:
Adrian Bean This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (07831 448208)
Caroline Strong This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (07917 813110)
Or go to the company’s website mouseholefilms.co.uk
Adrian Bean and Caroline Strong
Producers
Mousehole Films
