Bellsbank
Bellsbank is a village half a mile away from the market town of Dalmellington in East Ayrshire, Scotland. BBC reporter Laura Bicker hails from the village. It is the 2nd highest place in East Ayrshire; only Muirkirk is higher than this. Bellsbank is now classed as a separate town from Dalmellington.
| Bellsbank | |
|---|---|
  Bellsbank Location within East Ayrshire | |
| Population | 1,619 [1] (2001 census) est. 1,530[2] (2006) |
| OS grid reference | NS480045 |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | KA6 7xx |
| Dialling code | 01292 55 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
Bellsbank was originally established to provide housing for the population of Benquhat (one of several "ghost" villages in the Doon Valley that have been demolished).
Expanded between the wars to house miners from worked out areas that were relocated there. Laid out by the County Council the houses looked out over Bogton Loch, Craigengillen and the Loch Doon Hills.
Bellsbank welcomed a new primary school in February 2020, to replace the old school opened in 1955. The new school was built in the grounds of the old school and opened to pupils on the 9th of February 2020. The current head teacher is Donald Currie.
Bellsbank was the winner of the Scottish Civic Trust - My Place Award thanks to the partnership between East Ayrshire Council and community group CANI in the Community. Bellsbank has also gained media attention due to a scheme by East Ayrshire Council in partnership with CANI in the Community and the local Primary School in which houses were rendered in pastel colours to improve the look of the village following years of decline.
References
- "Comparative Population Profile: Bellsbank Locality". Scotland's Census Results Online. 29 April 2001. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
