News
Opening of the fishing season on the River Allan - 15th of March 2017
Anglers met on Wednesday 15th March at 9.30am on the village green at Kinbuck to toast the opening of the 2017 fishing season on the Allan Water. Roy Robertson, president of the Allan Water Angling Improvement Association talked about the challenges of having been downgraded by the Scottish Government to a Category 3 river in 2016 which meant anglers had to return all salmon caught. This had a significant effect on club membership as some of our members like to take one for the pot. Roy highlighted that the river has now been upgraded to a Category 2 river thanks to the efforts of the Allan anglers and the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board to conserve salmon and there are now opportunities to retain some salmon caught during 2017. He stated that it is the association’s policy that only one salmon may be taken on any given day with a season limit of two salmon per angler and asked that members show restraint and consider returning all salmon to help conserve stocks in the river. If any of the anglers who did not renew their permits in 2016 wished to return to the Association they would be made most welcome.
Roy commended the River Forth Fisheries Trust and Forth District Salmon Fishery Board for their efforts in improving habitat, monitoring the river and ongoing support to the club. Roy highlighted that the habitat improvement measures which are primarily designed to reduce the effects of flooding through Natural Flood Management measures, but also improve the environment are already beginning to pay off and some brown trout up to 3 pounds in weight are now caught each year. Last year also saw a substantial increase in the number of salmon being caught on the river with 340 salmon caught and safely returned during 2016 and it is hoped that after five years of decline the river has now turned a corner.
Comments:
Alison Baker – Forth District Salmon Fishery Board (FDSFB) / River Forth Fisheries Trust (RFFT) Manager said: It is great seeing clubs like the Allan Water Angling Improvement Association come together to toast their river opening for the 2017 season. The work that the club have done on the river to conserve stocks should be commended. The Board and Trust would like to remind all anglers that salmon stocks in the Forth District, including the Allan Water are fragile, and the more anglers do to show restraint, the better for salmon stocks going forward. We have created conservation policies for most rivers in the District and it is great that the club have taken these measures on board. Most clubs and proprietors follow the conservation policies but there is still some work to do to encourage more to follow these codes. The Board and Trust would like to wish all anglers a successful season ahead.
Roy Robertson – Allan Water Angling Improvement Association (AWAIA) said: Its great seeing so many anglers come together to toast the opening of the Allan Water. I thank everyone for attending and wish all anglers a very happy and successful season during 2017 and I thank Tullibardine Distillery for donating a bottle of their finest malt whisky to toast the river with. I would like to remind everyone that if anyone is wishing to fish the Allan Water, day or season permits can be obtained from the club website and also Angling Active in Stirling. The Allan Water Angling Improvement Association will again be offering some 15 miles of very affordable salmon fishing in 2017 and still has vacancies on its membership list.
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
Working Together For Our Community
Public Note of a Community Summit about Dunblane 2017 to 2020
Held on 20 February 2017 between 7.30 and 9.00pm at the Braeport Centre.
Dunblane Community Partnership (DCP) – formed of Discover Dunblane, Dunblane Community Council and Dunblane Development Trust representatives - invited local community organisations to respond to the draft Community Action Plan Dunblane 2020, developed from the Town Centre Charrette. A new project to enhance the historic centre of Dunblane was shared by Amey Consultants to gather feedback as part of a feasibility study. Terence O’Byrne chaired the gathering.
Draft Community Action Plan Dunblane 2015 to 2020
Barbara Allan described the vision as ‘The Dunblane community wants the Town Centre area to be a vibrant, healthy and inclusive place for people to live, work and visit’ before outlining the 5 themes in the draft plan:
1. A Vibrant and sustainable Town Centre for people and community activity
2. An Accessible Town Centre.
3. A Town Centre that Capitalises on its Natural and Built Heritage
4. An Inclusive Town Centre that supports Community Cohesion
5. A Town Centre that meets the Future Needs of the Community
Those attendingt the Community Summit discussed success stories and possibilities for partnership working across Stirling City Region. Needs of the Dunblane population growing older was considered. Views about Streetscape Stirling Road were shared.
Cathedral Square Feasibility Study
Drew Millar reported Amey’s role in developing proposals which enhance the historic setting of the Cathedral whilst improving access for pedestrians and cyclists. He emphasised that design ideas are still evolving and that there would be two stages of consultation – the first with those residents, businesses, churches who are in the immediate vicinity of the study area and the second with the wider Dunblane public. The study is due to be completed by the end of May.
Communication and Joint Working
Tim Hughes facilitated a discussion on local participation, communication and joint working. It was agreed by individuals gathered that it is important to have a multi-channel approach to communications and engagement.
Summit Actions
DCP listened and generated actions that the Summit believed the DCP should take:
1. To host the next gathering on Youth Volunteering in Dunblane in May 2017
2. To develop a parking strategy once enforcement operations are underway
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
A public hearing will be held on
Tuesday 25 April 2017 at 1400 in the Cathedral Halls? This is about
Allanwater Development’s attempts to build on the top of Holmehill.
http://www.holmehillblog.org/wordpress/?p=2439
For more detail :
http://www.holmehill.org/TheCampaign/PurchaseNotice.html .
On 2nd March 2017 Stirling Council’s Local Review Body rejected Allanwater Developments’ two appeals against the Council’s Planners. Allanwater had put forward two plans for the same spot on the top of Holmehill: one for a luxury private house and the other for an office block. These were originally rejected last year; yesterday the Council’s Local Review Body confirmed these rejections.
In presenting their decision, members of the LRB noted that planning decisions have to reflect the policies currently in force. This once again underlined two key points: firstly that although a mansion was demolished on the site 37 years ago, it would be wrong to build another today; and secondly that a planning agreement signed in 1987 is no longer relevant.
Read about the two planning applications
Go to the Homelhill Website and Blog
Image: Stirling Council Headquarters, Viewforth.
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
Stirling Council has agreed to hand over ownership of the Braeport Community Centre to the Development Trust.
We have run the centre for over 10 years, ensuring the provision of a welcoming and affordable space for many community activities. Community ownership will allow us to proceed with some important planned improvements using funding sources not
previously open to us.
We have already received £93,000 from the Climate Challenge Fund to upgrade the building’s insulation, including window replacement. What next? Well, we want to offer the facilities that you need. Current ideas include drop-in office space for people working from home and improved services for older people in Dunblane.
What other gaps in community services should
an upgraded centre provide? Give us your views:
Contact: Alison Brown at 01786 822422 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
Read about Tommy Gemmell's funeral
Celtic FC announces Tommy Gemmell's death
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
Four weeks of free singing and musical games will be offered in Dunblane. Wee Sing is a brand new project that aims to introduce primary 3 children to singing through fun musical games. Taking place on Tuesday evenings from March, 7 at Dunblane High School, youngsters will start to develop pitching, rhythm and sound production skills. This is a Youth Music Initiative funded project from the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS), Scotland’s national organisation dedicated to encouraging singing for young people aged 0–25. Lorna Rudden, NYCoS area choirs manager said: "As well as being fun, singing together in a choir has many benefits: gaining a musical education, socialising and making friends, and boosting confidence by performing." Wee Sing is completely free, however spaces are limited so advanced booking is required. To secure a spot visit nycos.org.uk/weesing or call 0141 287 2943.
From an article in the Stirling News
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-rower-makes-history-with-solo-atlantic-crossing-1-4364595
Message from Gordon Currie, Police Constable, Dunblane Police Office
There has been a significant rise in frauds being committed throughout the Forth Valley area. The most common frauds are detailed below along with information on how to protect yourself and a link to action fraud which has some great information, advice and can be used to report frauds. http://www.actionfraud.police.uk
HMRC and Apple Gift Card Fraud The fraudsters are using the following contact methods to defraud people:
- Voicemails: Fraudsters are leaving victims automated voicemails stating they owe HMRC unpaid taxes. When victims call back on the number provided, they are told that there is a warrant out for their arrest, unless they make payment via iTunes Vouchers.
- Spoofed calls: Fraudsters are cold calling victims using a spoofed 0300 200 3300 number and convincing them that they owe unpaid tax to HMRC.
- Text messages: Fraudsters are sending text messages requesting victims to urgently call back on the number provided. When victims call back, they are told that there is a case being built against them for an outstanding debt and they must pay immediately.
Fraudsters are using iTunes gift cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and sold on. The scammers don’t need the physical card to redeem the value and instead get victims to read out the serial code on the back over the phone to them. Action Fraud has been working with Apple and HMRC to warn people about this type of fraud.
How to protect yourself
- HMRC will never use text message to inform about a tax rebate or penalty.
- HMRC will never ask for any payment in the form of iTunes Vouchers.
- HMRC will only post out a P800 tax calculations, in circumstances of under or overpayment of taxes, if you’re employed or get a pension.
- Payments using iTunes Vouchers may not be recoverable.
- Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should not trust the number you see on your telephone display as proving the caller is genuinely calling from HMRC.
- Be protective of divulging other personal details such as National Insurance number, passport number and bank details over the telephone.
- If you receive an unexpected call, whereby the caller requests an advance fee in the form of iTunes gift cards, the call should immediately be terminated.
Gordon Currie, Police Constable, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Ward Officer. Dunblane Police Office FK15 0EY
Website: www.scotland.police.uk Twitter: @policescotland Facebook: www.facebook.com/policescotland https://scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts
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
Work costing more than £100,000 to restore Dunblane's river side walkway has been completed.
More...
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.
Stirling Council has made progress with a draft design for the play area at the Laigh Hills Park
They have met with the Landscape Architect on site to discuss current play provision and they have also considered the recent RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) inspection report.
The community consultation completed as part of the Park Masterplan in 2014 has also been considered as there was a lot of feedback relating to aspirations for the play area. The money for the proposals is coming from housing developments in Dunblane over the past several years.
The Park Steering Group agreed that the draft plan could be posted on the Dunblane Community website for a period of approx. 2 weeks to allow community feedback. The plan will also be sent to Schools and Nurseries for comment.
Send your comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Once we have completed the community consultation we can revise the plan accordingly and then progress with costing the agreed equipment and works. We will then be in a position to complete a tendering exercise to appoint a contractor to complete this project."
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
