Dunblane will suffer multiple disruptions to train services due to forthcoming improvement works.
On 29th Jan to 1st Feb, trains from Dunblane to Edinburgh will stop at Falkirk. This is due to remedial work being carried out on a rock face at Rathol.
On the weekend of 3rd-4th Feb Dunblane station will be closed. This is due to the commissioning of signals. This is the final phase of a project to install a crossover South of Dunblane. This will permit southbound trains to leave from platform 3, preventing a 13 minute turnaround. This in turn will improve capacity for late running Inverness and Aberdeen trains.
Work will also start on remediation of Dunblane Station footbridge. This work will go on until May.
Electorate
The electorate was 11,778.
Number of ballot papers and turnout
The number of ballot papers was 4,315
The turnout was 36.6%
There were 27 rejected ballot papers.
The quota of votes for a candidate to be elected was 2,145.
First preference results
| Candidate name | Party/affiliation | Number of first preference votes |
|---|---|---|
| Clare Pauline Andrews | Scottish Greens | 433 |
| Ahsan Khan | Scottish National Party (SNP) | 1,000 |
| Thomas Heald | Scottish Conservative and Unionist | 1,644 |
| Dick Moerman | Scottish Liberal Democrats | 292 |
| Michael Willis | Scottish Family Party; Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life | 50 |
| David Wilson | Scottish Labour Party | 869 |
| Total | 4,288 | |
The studio audience application website is now open, Apply for free studio tickets: www.bbc.co.uk/debatenight
Debate Night thrives on a strong live audience, and with a UK general election looming, there's never been a better time for the people of Scotland to put their questions to the country's decision-makers and public
Dunblane Burns Club Centenary Burns Supper will be held on Friday 9 February 2024 in the Victoria Hall Dunblane (where the first Burns Supper organised by Dunblane Burns Club was held in 1924)
The line up for the Dunblane Burns Club Centenary Burns Supper which will be held on Friday 9 February 2024 is as follows:
Welcome - Russell Glendinning, President, Dunblane Burns Club
Toast to Dunblane Burns Club & City of Dunblane - Neil McNair, President – Robert Burns World Federation Ltd.
Selkirk Grace - Malcolm Wilson, President of Dunblane Burns Club 1995-1998
Address to the Haggis - David Scott, President of Dunblane Burns Club 1992-1995
President’s Remarks - Russell Glendinning
Sangs o’ the Bard - Alan Beck. Immediate Past President, Robert Burns World Federation & Polly Beck
The Immortal Memory - The Right Honourable The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, KT
Toast to The Lassies - Alexander Escala, Head Boy, Dunblane High School
Reply to The Lassies - Stella Anderson, Head Girl, Dunblane High School
Tam O’Shanter - Russell Glendinning, President, Dunblane Burns Club
Sangs o’ the hale companie
This will be held in Victoria Hall Dunblane (where the first Burns Supper organised by Dunblane Burns Club was held in 1924)
You can buy your tickets online or in person:
If you get your tickets online then there is a small online platform booking fee:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dunblane-burns-club-centenary-burns-supper-tickets-754504893447?aff=oddtdtcreator
You can avoid the online platform booking fee by getting your tickets in person from:
Meldrum’s Newsagent, 34 High Street, Dunblane
or
The Barbershop, 120 High Street, Dunblane
You can follow Dunblane Burns Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DunblaneBurnsClub/
You can sign up on Dunblane Burns Club website to receive updates about activities of Dunblane Burns Club
https://dunblane-burns-club.mailchimpsites.com/
- SME Business of the Year
- Family Business of the Year
- Rural Award
- Startup Business of the Year
- Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year
- Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
- Innovation Award
- Diversity Awards
- Sustainable Initiative of the Year
- Business in the Community Award
- Employer of the Year
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Business of the Year
The Dunblane Christmas Extravaganza is returning on Thursday 30th November 2023!
The event will run from 5- 8pm on the High Street and town centre area and is completely free!
Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for updates: (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095422216366)
Sponsors
We’re delighted that local businesses have sponsored the event this year, including WJM Solicitors (Barty’s), G.S.Meldrum Newsagent, Baird Optometrist, Craft Central, McLean & Stewart and more to come.
Closed Roads
The High Street between Charisma and Gold Post Box will be closed to traffic from 4pm. This means that the entrance to Mill Row Car park is also unavailable at this time. It's probably best to avoid bringing vehicles near the area on the night. Please note, however, that Beech Road and Stirling Road will remain open to traffic to allow exit from the car park and train station, so please be careful and stay safe if vehicles are passing this area.
Santa
An opening parade, lead by Santa on his sleigh, will arrive at the train station at 5:30pm for Santa to turn on the Christmas Tree Lights. A choir at the train station will entertain the crowds with Christmas songs while we wait for Santa. The parade route will start at the Perth Road Roundabout, going down past the Library, down the High Street and along to the train station.
Santa's Grotto will be open for children to visit from 5:30 – 8pm. Please note, there may be a long queue. Children are welcome to take part in ‘reverse gifting’, where they give a food donation to Santa (which will go to local food donations charity Start Up Stirling). The most sought-after donations are 1 litre cartons of orange or apple juice, cereal bars, tinned meat, cooking sauces and tinned soup or cup-a-soup sachets.
Late night shopping
Most local businesses will stay open late to welcome customers. This event is a really great way to support local businesses while you enjoy socialising in the street.
Cafes open late
Most cafes and eateries will stay open late to welcome customers and make sure there is food and drinks on offer to everybody. We hope that this will include 2 visiting food vans parked outside ‘The Bank’.
Music and Performance
We’re delighted to welcome back local performers. This year there will be three performance areas! Located outside the train station, outside Glam House and beside the Gold Post Box. Look out for announcements and a performance schedule on our Facebook Page.
Storytelling Pods
After the success of storytelling pods last year, we’ll be welcoming back local authors into local venues this year. Updates coming soon on this on our Facebook Page.
St Blane's Charity Hub
St. Blane's Church Hall will be once again turned over to a range of local charities, from Primary School's Parents Associations to the Leighton Library, where there will be a wide choice of stalls where you can support these good causes. Some other local charities will be welcoming visitors at the The Bank at the Cross.
Alpacas
We’re welcoming back our friendly Alpacas from Thornhill this year too!
Closing Parade
The Queen Victoria Pipe band will lead a closing parade starting at 7:45pm. The parade route will start at the Perth Road Roundabout, going down the past the Library, down the High Street and along to the train station. The event closes at 8pm.
Event Map
In the run up to the event, we will publish an Event Map on Facebook highlighting all the businesses, performances, eateries and attractions confirmed to be opening for the evening.
Organisers
This event is brought to you by the Town Centre Group of the Dunblane Development Trust.
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
Dandara (Housing Developer) has proposed a "Vision for Dunblane". This incorporates housing across its entire land bank to the south and west of Dunblane - this is owned by an associated company, Arnbathie Developments. The masterplan includes benefits to the community such as active travel routes, but clearly the overall plan will be of great interest to the community.
Dunblane Community Council has thus decided to pivot its forthcoming "Big Dunblane Survey" to accomodate feedback on this. Questions will be reworked to allow specific feedback on this plan. The survey will now be issued in early 2024.
Here are some of the key topics under discussion this month. Our full list of intiatives is on our home page
 |
Transport |
Dunblane Community Council (DCC) has asked Stirling Council (SC) to consider installing a pedestrian crossing on the dual carriageway across from the Dunblane Centre to improve road safety for people accessing the centre. SC have said they will carry out an assessment,. DCC has submitted a review to TACTRAN (Tayside & Central Transport) to consider improving the slip roads to the A9 at the Queen Victoria school junction. These are very short and therefore dangerous for road users. We also mentioned the need for a road bypassing the Keir roundabout between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan. SC have rejected a request for a 40mph limit on the road to Kinbuck - that will go to petition. |
| £ | Town Centre & Economy |
DCC has secured the sponsorship of a Stirling Councillor to verify that Dunblane will be elligible for a portion of the windfall funding should the Windburn wind farm development behind Dumyat be allowed to proceed. Dates of the meetings have now been advertised.
|
 |
Heritage |
The Old Bank building initiative has DCC's support and has now managed to secure 600 members supporting its vision to become an Arts and Heritage centre with a music / cinema room and a cafe.
|
 |
Community |
3 have decided not to proceed with the build of a mast by Dunblane Primary. Following DCC's raising of concerns, a number of councillors and Scottish ministers wrote to 3 (Hutchison) to reconsider the build of a 5G Telecoms Mast at Murdoch Terrace close to Dunblane Primary school. The letter details the legal precendent and scientific evidence that is starting to point towards 5G masts being a potential health hazard. Legislation permits utility companies to override such concerns, but it is hoped that level of pressure may cause 3 to reconsider.
|
 |
Housing |
Dandara have submitted a vision for a major development across the South and West of Dunblane DCC will respond with a Local Plan document. The Big Survey will be tailored to the vision with targeted questions around possibilities such as improvements funded by planning gain. |
 |
Green Spaces | Stirling Council has confirmed that work to repair the Memorial Bridge (opposite the War Memorial) will be completed by Remembrance Sunday. |
The Windburn 2 windfarm proposal is for land behind Dumyat. Parts of the turbines will potentially be seen from walks around Sherrifmuir and even from certain locations in Dunblane. On the other hand, onshore Wind is the most sustainable form of electricity generation there is and in addition, Dunblane would benefit from windfall funding. It is up to the community of Dunblane to decide. But how much would this windfall funding be? Please see the article below from the BBC :
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-67280163
Windburn Wind Farm: Public Exhibitions
Wind2 invites you to attend Public Exhibition events at which the latest draft proposals for the Windburn Wind Farm will be presented. The proposed Windburn Wind Farm is located on land within the Ochil Hills. The nearest proposed turbine is approximately 3.3km to the north of the settlement of Alva, 5.2km south of Blackford and approximately 5.6km south-east of the settlement of Greenloaning.Our current proposalsfor the site are for 14 wind turbines, each with a blade tip height of up to 149.9m, and ancillary infrastructure including battery storage. The Public Exhibitions will be held as follows:
Tuesday 14th November 2023 3.00pm to 7.00pm
The Dunblane Centre Stirling Road Dunblane Stirling FK15 9EY
The Public Exhibitions will provide an opportunity to gain information about the proposals and how they have progressed following the previous Public Exhibitions held in June, as well asto see visualisationsof how the wind farm may look if constructed. You will be invited to provide comments and feedback on the proposals as part of the consultation process. Members of the Wind2 team will be in attendance to field any questions that you may have whilst visiting the exhibitions.