\Gartmore
\Aberfoyle
Strength and balance For older adults every Monday in the Forth Inn 12.15pm-1pm followed by 10-minute walk. Back in 2017. Scottish country dance Classes resume in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday, January 4. The group meets every Wednesday from 7.309.30pm. More from Allan on 01877 385236. Yoga and mindfulness Classes in the Memorial Hall on Mondays from 7.30-9pm. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996 for more. Returns in 2017. Parish Church New Year’s Day will be a joint service with Port of Menteith at Aberfoyle at 10.30am. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Fergus Wood will be in the Memorial Hall on Thursday, January 5 at 7pm.
\Buchlyvie
Yoga Classes in the village hall on Wednesdays, 9.30-10.30am. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996 for details of 2017 classes. Otago Adult strength and balance class, Tuesdays from 11.30am-noon in the village hall, cost £2. For more info call 01786 448308. Class off until January 10. Bridge The group will resume in mid-January at a date to be confirmed. For details phone 01360 850487.
\Balfron
Parish Church Wednesday Club resumes with a games day on January 4 at 2.30pm in the McLintock Hall. Balfron Rovers 2016 was a very successful year for the local football club when the Forth and Endrick League Championship, Cameron Cup, Margaret White Trophy, Ian Telfer Cup, Salmon Leap Trophy and George Wybar Memorial Cup were all won by the team. To mark these achievements the club has published a 48-page book which records the 2016 season week by week and also contains a short history of the club since its beginnings in 1930. The book - modestly priced - will go on sale early in the New Year. Details may be had from members of the committee.
\Blanefield
Walking group Every Thursday, 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07557 439111. Next walk January 12.
\Brig o’Turk
Kirk Trossachs monthly service at 3pm on Sunday conducted by Rev Elinor Gordon.
\Buchlyvie
WI news President Mary Benns welcomed members to the December meeting - a traditional Christmas party. The evening got off to an excellent start with a splendid meal catered by the Black Bull at Gartmore. Following the meal the competitive side of the members was evident as they played Pass the Parcel and, with much screaming and hilarity, Musical Chairs. A visit from Santa who distributed gifts to all, provided a welcome break and gave everyone a chance to recover While the mulled wine was gently simmering and the mince pies heating, the penguin race and the rubber band challenge got under way, suitable activities for members to gradually wind down. While the mince pies were munched and mulled wine sipped, a final challenge in the form of a quiz tested the members’ knowledge of their own rural. This was won by Elspeth Murdoch, one of the group’s honorary members. President Mary drew the evening to a close with a vote of thanks to the committee who had organised such a fun evening.
\Callander
Strength and balance For older adults every Tuesday in the fire station 2-3pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Back after New Year. Alzheimer Scotland Dementia cafe in Callander Medical Centre on the third Wednesday of every month 10.30am-12.30pm. Contact Kerry MacPhee on 01786 831171 or email kmacphee@alzscot.org. Hogmanay ceilidh Tomorrow (Saturday) from 9pm-1am. Take your own drinks and snacks. Tickets: adults £10, OAP/student/children £5, under-5s free, family ticket £20. For more info contact the church office 01877 331409. Advice The Citizens Advice Bureau outreach team is available every second Wednesday at Callander Library from 10am-noon, no appointment necessary. The next outreach will be held on January 18. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Martin Earl will be in Callander Youth Project, Bridgend House on Thursday, January 5 at 7pm. Callander Kirk New Year’s Day allage worship including Communion is at 11.15am in kirk conducted by Rev Jim Brown. Trossachs monthly service at 3pm conducted by Rev Elinor Gordon. Next Time for Silence will take place on Sunday, January 8 at 8pm in Callander Kirk. The nominating committee is organising a 24-hour Prayer Vigil from Saturday, January 14 at 9am to Sunday, January 15 at 9am for all the congregation to seek God in prayer in a quest for a new minister and also to pray for the community and wider church. People can take part in this event by joining with others to pray at the church or by praying at home. Following the Prayer Vigil there will be a united service in the hall at 10am led by Lara Rawson and Rev Elinor Gordon. A short service, also following on from the vigil will be held at 11.15am in the kirk. This will be led by Rev Gordon and will include informal Communion.
\Doune, Deanston
Bridge club Meets on Wednesdays at 7.15pm in the Red Lion Hotel. For more info contact Irene on 01786 841785 or Derek on 01786 842224. Intermediate classes are on Tuesdays from 7-9pm in Kilmadock Information Centre. Call Susan on 01786 842684 or 07778 506406 or email susan.wilson37@tesco.net. Keep fit Classes on Mondays, 7-8pm in the Rural Hall. Aerobics and legs/ bums/tums, suitable for beginners to advanced. Cost £5. Returns in 2017. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Martin Earl will be in Deanston Primary School on Monday, January 9 at 7.15pm.
\Drymen
Senior Citizens’ Association On Tuesday, January 17, Sandra Thornton will help with some light exercises at the first meeting of 2017.
\Gargunnock
Enrolment Gargunnock Primary School enrolment takes place on Wednesday, January 18, from 9-11am at the school. If you are unable to attend on that day contact the school to arrange an alternative date. Church The service on Sunday at 10.30am in the community centre will be conducted by Rev Andy Campbell. Parent support group Meets in the village hall on Thursdays, 10.30amnoon. Call Elita Pulter 01877 382886 or Helen Webster 07929 861597. Circle dance group Held on the second Thursday of every month in Gartmore Village Hall, 2-4pm. All the dances are taught first. Contact Romma Clements 01877 382956 or Maria Miller 01259 220679.
\Killearn
Walking group Every Thursday, 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07557 439111. Next walk is January 12. Otago Active adults strength and balance class, Tuesdays from 9.3010am and 10.10-10.40am in the church hall, £2. Contact Active Stirling on 01786 448308. Class off until January 10. Killearn Kirk The Rev Lee Messeder welcomes one and all to the morning service on Sunday, January 1 at 10.30am.
\Killin
Strength and balance Exercise class for older adults every Wednesday in the Killin Hotel from 1.30-2.30pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Returns in 2017. Advice Citizens Advice Bureau outreach team is available every fourth Thursday at MacGregors Market, Main Street, from 10.30am-2.30pm, no appointment necessary. The next outreach will be on Thursday, January 12. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Alycia Hayes will be in the primary school on Tuesday, January 10 at 7pm.
\Kinlochard
Yoga and mindfulness Class is held in the village hall on Tuesdays from 7.15-8.45pm. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996 for details of 2017 classes.
\Kippen
Cappuccino Chatter Meet in the church house on Wednesdays, 10.3011.30am. Next meeting is January 11. Used stamps Heather Dunlop, 10 Oakwood, collects used stamps to aid a charity for the blind. Leave a narrow margin of paper round the stamps and hand them to Heather or leave them for her in McNicoll’s. Otago Active adults strength and balance class, Wednesdays 9.4510.15am in the church hall, £2. Contact Active Stirling on 01786 448308. Next class is on Wednesday, January 11. Badminton Weekly sessions resume in the village hall on Tuesday, January 10 at 7.30pm. Enrolment Kippen Primary School enrolment is on January 17 from 1.30-3pm, January 19 from 9-10.30am and January 20 from 1.30-2.30pm. If you are unable to attend contact the school to arrange an alternative date. Ceilidh The raffle at the New Year ceilidh in the village hall will aid the Kippen Sports Development Group for the maintenance work on the sports field. Raffle tickets are available in local shops but the dance is sold out. Doctors’ surgery The surgery on Castlehill will be closed on January 2 and 3. Church The service on Sunday at 11.15am will be conducted by Rev Ellen Larson Davidson in Kippen Church House (attached to the church). There will be a Traidcraft Stall on Sunday, January 8. Cancer Research UK The local committee will meet in the manse on Thursday, January 5 at 7pm.
\Port of Menteith
Enrolment Primary school enrolment is on Tuesday, January 10, from 10am-noon. If you are unable to attend on that day contact the school to arrange an alternative date. Parish Church Worship on New Year’s Day will be a joint service with Aberfoyle in Aberfoyle Church at 10.30am. All welcome.
\Strathblane
Mini Makers Tuesday in the kirkrooms, 9.30-10.30am. Art and creative fun for 18 months to five years.
\Thornhill
Playgroup For over-twos, Tuesdays 9.45-11.45am, Fridays 9.30am-noon, term time in the community hall. Norrieston Church On the first Sunday of 2017 the Rev Ellen Larson Davidson will lead worship at 10am. There is still time to top up your boxes for the food bank and to get in touch with John Woodley for collection.