Jason Sergis Skiloyannis

A public consultation is seeking views from Clackmannanshire residents, businesses and organizations on proposed water and wastewater charges for 2027–2033. The Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s draft determination includes limits on future bills, investment plans and expected improvements by Scottish Water. The consultation closes on September 1, and the final determination is expected in October.

Charity Resonate Together is recruiting a freelance Rural Community Activation Coordinator to support community engagement across rural Clackmannanshire. Based at the Carsebridge Cultural Campus in Alloa, the fixed-term role offers a contract worth up to £20,000 and is supported by the Forth Valley & Lomond Community Led Local Development Programme. Applications close at noon on August 24, with interviews scheduled for August 28.

Clackmannan County defeated Kinloch 2 by five wickets after dismissing them for 107 and reaching 109 for 5 in the chase. The result gave Clackmannan a 14th consecutive win and maintained its unbeaten record, leaving the first XI one victory from securing the Division Two title and promotion to Division One. Abdullah Rana finished unbeaten on 17, while Arian Gates, Ali Arshad and Hakim Noori led the bowling effort. Clackmannan has three matches remaining and will next visit Breadalbane at Aberfeldy.

Forth Valley College trainers Danni Wiseman and Stuart Paterson have been credited as authors of the latest edition of EEMUA Publication 186, a handbook on potentially explosive atmospheres. Commissioned by CompEx, the work included Paterson’s rewrite of the mechanical section to reflect ISO 80079-36 and ISO 80079-37, while Wiseman supported the broader review and validation. The updated guidance is intended to improve hazardous-area safety in oil and gas, petrochemical and other industrial sectors.

Forth Valley College is encouraging Scottish school leavers to pursue vocational courses in fields such as engineering, construction, health and social care, and modern apprenticeships, which are considered less vulnerable to automation. Research commissioned by Glasgow Kelvin College and conducted by Opinion Matters found that 55% of teenagers want skills they believe AI cannot replace, while 60% want abilities that complement emerging technologies. The survey also showed strong use of AI tools, growing concern about job prospects, and a belief among 53% of respondents that college is the best route to an AI-resilient career.

Three Care UK care homes in Clackmannanshire—Hillview Court and Beechwood Park in Sauchie, and Marchglen in Fishcross—will host food festivals as part of the nationwide A Taste of Home initiative. The events will feature local and home-grown ingredients, artisan produce, cultural dishes, recipe-sharing, and activities designed to connect residents with the wider community. Hillview Court will hold a street market, Marchglen a Nigerian, Filipino and Scottish Cultural Day, and Beechwood Park an international-themed summer open day.

Alloa Athletic Women have signed striker Caitlyn Stewart, midfielder Katie Arbuckle and versatile midfielder Megan McMillan ahead of the new season. Stewart returns after time away from football and previously played successfully for Falkirk, Arbuckle joins from Murieston after developing through the Rangers Academy and playing for Spartans, and McMillan arrives from Renfrew after helping them win the league title. Player-manager Jill Leiper said the trio would add quality, competition and leadership. Alloa will begin its competitive campaign against Grampian Ladies in the Scottish Cup at the Indodrill Stadium.

Specsavers Alloa has introduced ZEST, a 10-to-20-minute, non-invasive procedure designed to clean the eyelids and lashes, unblock oil glands and relieve dry-eye symptoms. Ophthalmic director Jill Rooney says assessment by an optometrist is important because dry eye can have multiple underlying causes and may require ongoing management. Patients receive an evaluation before treatment, and continued at-home care may be recommended because dry eye is often chronic.

Students across Scotland, including more than 148,000 learners receiving results through Qualifications Scotland, will have access to support on results day. Results will cover Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers, skills-based qualifications, vocational qualifications, and apprenticeships. A free appeals service will open on August 4, with priority deadlines for students holding conditional offers and later deadlines for other appeals. Qualifications Scotland will operate a Learner Support Hub, while Skills Development Scotland will advise students on further education, university admissions, apprenticeships, employment, volunteering, and returning to school.

The Clackmannanshire Economic Regeneration Trust is urgently seeking volunteer drivers for its community transport scheme, which helps vulnerable residents attend cancer hospital, GP and dental appointments and social activities such as lunch clubs. Volunteers need access to a car and can choose flexible hours; they receive 55p per mile toward fuel costs. Interested applicants can contact CERT by email or phone.

A football memories meeting at The Hive on Mill Street in Alloa will resume on Monday, August 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Former Alloa Athletic player Scott Walker, who made more than 400 senior appearances in Scotland, England and Singapore, will speak. The event is open to regular attendees and newcomers.

Clackmannan Development Trust has added an electric side-by-side tricycle to help people of different ages and abilities enjoy cycling. The bike was inspired by local resident John Fyall, who wanted to cycle again in his 90s, and was funded through Clackmannanshire Council’s People and Place grant with support from the Scottish Government and SEStran. Artist Karen Strang, who cannot cycle independently because of lymphoedema, also used the bike and praised local cycle routes. Volunteer pilots will provide further community outings, and residents can contact the trust to arrange a ride.

Jobcentres in Alloa and Stirling report successful partnerships with employers and training providers, helping jobseekers secure roles in dairies, construction, dry cleaning and security. Recent programmes delivered CSCS and SIA qualifications, while new initiatives on neurodiversity and confidence building are being developed. A joint recruitment event will take place at Stirling’s Albert Halls on September 16. Despite overall claimant-count declines in Alloa and Grangemouth, youth and older-worker claims increased; Stirling recorded an overall rise, driven largely by claimants aged 50 and over.

MSP Keith Brown is supporting an independent investigation into ongoing reliability problems affecting McGill’s 51/52 bus service in Clackmannanshire. Bus Users Scotland is monitoring the routes, with its review expected to conclude by the end of August. Brown has asked McGill’s to explain the problems and outline improvements, but has not received a response, and is urging passengers to submit complaints so findings can be escalated to the Traffic Commissioner if necessary.

Clackmannanshire MSP Keith Brown is backing Trading Standards Scotland’s “Shark Free Summer” campaign, which warns that increased holiday and back-to-school expenses can make families vulnerable to illegal money lenders. The campaign emphasizes that borrowers are victims of crime and encourages people to seek legitimate financial assistance. Twenty-six suspected illegal-lending reports were recorded in Stirling and Clackmannanshire between March 2025 and March 2026. Support is available through the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit, Citizens Advice Scotland, Money Advice Scotland, credit unions, grants and Scottish Government cost-of-living services.

Employment growth in Clackmannanshire and Fife has slowed, with 182,544 payrolled workers recorded in June 2026—165 fewer than the previous month but 88 more than a year earlier. The area ranked eighth among Scotland’s 20 sub-regional areas for annual employment change and outperformed the UK average, where payrolled employment fell by 0.2%. Median monthly pay rose 4.8% year on year to £2,631, exceeding inflation and continuing the recovery in real wages. Campaign Salience director Paul Hebden said the moderation could represent either healthy consolidation or the early stages of a broader slowdown.

Clackmannanshire MSP Keith Brown is urging eligible people to receive the HPV vaccine, despite strong local uptake of 88% in Clackmannanshire and 90% in Stirling by the end of S4. Scotland's national rate has fallen from 93.3% in 2015/16 to 82.9% in 2024/25. Brown said continued action is needed to prevent cervical and other HPV-related cancers, while a 2024 study found no cervical cancer cases among women fully vaccinated at ages 12–13.

The Bobbing John pub in Alloa will host a 10-day craft cider festival from July 31 to August 9, with ciders priced at £2.99 per pint. The event will feature several varieties, including Farmer Jim’s Prickly Pear, Heck’s Slack-Ma-Girdle and Thistly Cross Jaggy Thistle, while customers can also buy three third-of-a-pint tasters for the price of a full pint. Tasting notes will be available in the pub and through the Wetherspoon app and website.

Coalsnaughton Play Park has been transformed into an inclusive, modern recreational space for children and families through a partnership between Playscapes Scotland Ltd and European manufacturer FreeKids. Playscapes managed the project from installation to completion, combining European-designed equipment with local construction expertise, safety surfacing, inspections and maintenance support. Managing director Dougie Smith said the company aims to create playgrounds that strengthen communities, while the project reflects Playscapes Scotland’s expanding role in delivering durable outdoor spaces across Scotland.

Alloa Rugby Club will run its free Youth Summer Skills Camp from August 3 to 6, offering daily two‑hour sessions for boys and girls in Primary 6 and above. The club aims to promote accessibility, physical activity and enjoyment of rugby, encouraging both newcomers and returning participants to attend as many sessions as they choose.

A family fun day at Tullibody Community Garden featured wildlife trails, bug‑themed crafts, and cooking activities led by volunteers, encouraging community engagement and promoting the garden’s regular pick‑your‑own sessions. Organisers thanked the National Lottery Community Fund for its support and invited visitors to a future Art and Pizza Day event.

Italian language classes led by a native instructor will begin in Tillicoultry on August 28, offering weekly intermediate and beginner sessions over a 12‑class course priced at £144, with booking now open.