\Causewayhead

\Alva

Alva Toddlers Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30-11.30am in the Cochrane Hall. Group also runs through school holidays. Look on Facebook for Alva Toddlers. Darby and Joan Group meets on Wednesdays at 1.45pm in the Cochrane Foundation Hall. Knitting group Meets at Parklands Centre, 7.30pm, on the first and third Mondays of the month for a friendly evening in the company of experienced machine and hand knitters. Carpet bowls Carpet bowlers are wanted at Alva Parklands on Monday and Friday at 1.30-3.30pm. Open Doors Alva Baptist Church is open for tea/coffee and prayers on Wednesdays 10am-noon. Noticeboard Groups and individuals can advertise on the notice board outside the library. Wee County Walkers Meet for free Monday walks at noon from Cochrane Hall car park. New walkers and walk leaders welcome. See www. weecountywalkers.wordpress.com. Alzheimer Scotland A dementia cafe is held in the Alzheimer Scotland bungalow at 22 Viewfield Drive every Saturday 2.30-4pm, £2.50. Contact Kerry MacPhee on 01786 831171 or email kmacphee@alzscot.org. Age Concern Club meets on Thursdays in Alva Parish Church Hall at 2pm for whist and dominoes. Fun day Alva Community Council is holding a fun day on Saturday, May 27 from noon-4pm. Superheroes is the theme for the day. There will be bouncy castles, slides, kids rides, face painters, owl magic, tombola, refreshments, ice cream and much more. There are competitions including the opportunity for teams to dress up the town centre bollards in the superhero theme with a £50 prize. Anyone interested in having a stall or entering competitions can collect forms from Alva Library, Higglety Pigglety or download from alvacommunitycouncil.org.uk, or phone 07979 476466.

\Bannockburn

Miners Welfare Social Club Bingo Mondays and Wednesdays at 8pm. Friday night will feature the band Crossroads. Community council Meets in the community centre on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm. Stirling Christadelphian Church hour at the church at 40 Main Street is held every Sunday from 2.30pm, with Sunday school at the same time. Afternoon tea On Saturday, June 3, a special event is being held in Allan Church Hall from 2-4pm in aid of the Beatson Cancer Unit. Tickets £5 can be bought in church or at Tuesday coffee club or pay at door on the day. Raffle, bottle stall, baking stall and Play Your Cards Right game. All welcome. Ladywell Church Service on Sunday at 11.15am will be led by the minister Rev Liz Robertson. Sunday School is held during the service. Team Four will be on duty. Tomorrow (Thursday) the weekly coffee morning is from 10am till noon. Craft club meets at 7.30pm at 8 Park Crescent. Monthly coffee morning takes place on Saturday, May 20 from 10am-noon. The Summer Fete is on Saturday, May 27 from 10.30am-noon. Allan Church Sunday service is at 11.15am led by Mrs Margaret Baxter and the church elders. Sunday school and creche available. Welcome Team 1. Tuesday Coffee Club from 10-11.30am with tea/coffee, homebaking and chat. Cost £1.50 for tea/ coffee and piece of home-baking. Free refills. Craft club in Allan Church Bible Hall today (Wednesday) from 2-4pm. Demonstrate your craft here by calling Margaret on 01786 813281. If you have an expertise and would like to help out or if you wish to learn something new, then please come alongs. You can bring your own materials if wished. Tea and coffee 50p or donation. All welcome.Members of the congregation who would like to help out (on an occasional Sunday) with power point, or learn how to use the digital hymnary please contact Douglas or Lesley. Your input will be much appreciated especially during the holiday season and training will be given. Murrayfield UF Church Service on Sunday will be led by Rev Gary Barclay at 10.30pm. On Saturday, May 20, a plant sale and coffee morning will be held from 10am-noon. Baking donations appreciated, see Miss J Bell. This is Christian Aid Week, envelopes are in the church on Sunday. Fabric, Target and charity boxes are still being used, thanks to all concerned. Welcoming on Sunday are Miss J Bell and Mr AR Morgan while offering are Mrs J Robertson and Mr D Robertson. Bowling club On Friday, May 19 there is a league match and mixed rink night followed by joker draw and bingo at 9.30pm. On Saturday, May 20 at 2pm, Alloa Co-op are the visitors to Bannockburn with four rinks. on Sunday, May 21 a touring team from Warrington (six mixed rinks) visits at 2pm. Please remember all single ties are drawn and dates must be adhered to.

\Braehead

Lunch club Meets Wednesdays in the Crawford Hall, Colquhoun Street, 1-3pm and the older members of the community are invited to go on their own or with a friend or carer. Adults art Professional artist Laura Newbury is holding classes for all levels, with beginners welcome, on Thursdays 7-9pm in the Crawford Hall, Colquhoun Street. For details contact 07729 050035. Scout Group Beavers (ages six-eight) meet on Wednesdays, Cubs (ages 8-10) meet on Mondays and Scouts (ages 10-14) meet on Fridays. If your child is interested in joining contact braeheadscouts@hotmail.com for more information and to note interest. Prize bingo A fundraising prize bingo night in aid of Braehead 2008 football team is being held in the Crawford Hall, Colquhoun Street on Friday, May 26 at 7.30pm. All welcome.

\Bridge of Allan

Parish Church Sunday worship takes place at 11am and will be conducted by Rev. Dan Harper. Sunday School meets at the usual time and there will be a creche during the service. Coffee fellowship will be served in the Chalmers Hall afterwards. Please note that Henderson Street will be closed on Sunday morning due to the Stirling Marathon. Beadle duty: Lynda Stuart. Door duty: Mary Gairns, Alan Turnbull, Duncan Faichney, Alasdair Mackie. There will be services at Strathallan Court and Abbeyfield on Sunday at 2pm and 3pm respectively. The deadline for the June magazine is Monday, May 22. The Youth Group Coffee Morning takes place on Saturday, May 27 in the Chalmers Hall. Book group meets at 7.30pm on Tuesday, June 20. The book we are reading is “The Gustav Sonata” by Rose Tremain. All welcome. For further details please contact the church office. St Saviour’s Episcopal Church Eucharist (Communion) services are at the usual times: Sundays at 8am and 10am (Sung Eucharist); young church and creche take place in the church hall during the service. Coffee/ tea are served in the church hall after the 10am Eucharist. Wednesdays at 11am in the choir vestry: a quiet, peaceful service with coffee/ tea afterwards. After Sung Eucharist on Sunday, there will be a meeting of St Saviour’s Walking Group to plan the York trip. Tonight (Wednesday) at 7.30pm, St Saviour’s Book Group meets to discuss The Beginning of Spring by Penelope Fitzgerald. Grand Gala Gatsby Night on Saturday, June 10 at Stirling Court Hotel. Dinner and dancing to The Diminished Fifth swing jazz band to raise funds for the Roof Appeal and Strathcarron Hospice. Please get your tickets by the end of April. See posters, St Saviour’s Facebook page or for more details please contact Alison Logie: 01786 83363. Lecropt Kirk Due to the Stirling Marathon, the only access to church on Sunday is on foot. A service led by one of the elders will take place at 11.30am. Door duty - Ian Tasker and Alan Hadden. Evening service in St Blane’s at 6.30pm conducted by Rev Gary Caldwell. Car boot sale arranged for Saturday, May 27 at noon in car park. For details and booking phone 01786 832829. Sponsored walk raised £2500 for Haiti. Thanks to all involved. Walking groups With trained leaders on Wednesdays 2-3pm. Contact Frances on 01786 827190 for the meeting point. Stirling University Partnership walk group is on Saturdays 10.30am-noon, meeting at the Macrobert. Contact Ian on 07768 984176. Crotchet and knitting A group meets in the library on the last Thursday of each month 2.30-4.30pm. Donations of leftover wool welcome. Allanbridge Social Club Two function rooms are available to hire. Enquiries on 01786 832198 or 07840 518896 or Facebook. Rock and Reel Fun-filled, effective exercise sessions set to Traditional Scottish music and contemporary tracks for people aged 65-90. Exercises can be done chair based/standing with support or free standing. Suitable for wheelchair users. Cost £4 per 45-minute class and includes an after-class cuppa. Classes every Tuesday in Bridge of Allan Parish Church’s Honeyman Hall and will be every Tuesday from 2-3pm. More info from Tricia Chillas on 07740 676639 or email t.chillas@btinternet.com. Dr Welsh Trust The trust is holding its annual public meeting on Tuesday, May 23 at 7.30pm in Bridge of Allan Library. All are invited long to hear how the group seeks to promote an awareness of the history of Bridge of Allan. There will be information about the progress of Craig Mair’s history book, a chance to inspect some old photographs and albums revealed by detailed cataloguing of the trust collection, and an update on some of the issues with which the trust has been dealing, including the revelations about Bridge of Allan’s role in the US Civil War. The evening will be rounded off with refreshments and informal chat.

\Cambusbarron

WI news The AGM will be held tonight (Wednesday). This will be followed by Rock and Reel with Tricia Chillas. Members are reminded to bring their voting sheets. Competitions are for a favourite cup and saucer and for a decorated flower pot. Primary school A school fayre will take place on Saturday May 20 from 10am to 12.30pm. There will be a plant sale, stalls, home baking and fun and games. All are welcome to attend. Fayre A fundraising fayre will take place at Cambusbarron Primary School on Saturday, May 20 from 10am-12.30pm. There will be a plant sale, stalls, home baking and games. All money raised will benefit the school. Save Gillies Hill The group’s AGM takes place tomorrow (Thursday) in Cambusbarron Primary School at 7.30pm. All welcome. Bruce Memorial Church Service on Sunday will be at 11am and will be led by minister Rev Graham Nash. Bible reading will be from Lamentations 3. Friendship Group today (Wednesday) is at 10-11.30am when Iain Ogilvie will talk about the charity Mary’s Meals followed by gents’ lunch at noon for 12.30pm in the church hall. Monthly midweek service is tomorrow (Thursday) at 11am, looking at the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22. Baby and toddler group Every Tuesday and Thursday at Stirling County Rugby Club from 10-11.30am. Cost £2 for the first child and 50p for additional children. Cost includes snack for children and tea/coffee. Cornerstone Community Church Service on Sundays at 10.30am in Wallace High School. Groups for children of all ages. Logie Kirk Sunday’s service will begin at 11am and will be led by Rev Anne Shearer. All welcome including visitors to the area. A creche is available. Coffee morning every Tuesday a coffee morning is held in the hall from 10am. Lunch club is held in the kirk hall every Thursday at 12.30pm. Any seniors in the area wishing to join should contact Elizabeth Crozier on 01259 213016.

\City centre

Walking group A free health walk with trained leaders takes place every Monday from 2-2.45pm. Meet at Stirling bus station by the ticket office. Also meet at Stirling Community Hospital from 11am. Contact Tricia on 07557 439111. May fayre Allan’s Primary School is holding a May Fayre at the school from 11am on Saturday, May 27. The event will include live music, face painting, toy stall, hot food, crafts, cakes, raffle and tombola. Entrance is by donation at the door. Viewfield Erskine Church Sunday service is at 6.30pm and is a joint service with the Church of the Holy Rude at Holy Rude. Please note the time change due to the Stirling Marathon. All material for Viewfield News to be in the hands of the editor Chris Hope asap. Queen Street Methodist Church Owing to the disruption to traffic expected in the centre of Stirling and on many approach roads due to the Stirling Marathon, the minister and stewards have decided that the Sunday service will be held at 6.30pm. There will be no service at 10.30am. St Columba’s Church Sunday service is at 11am led by Rev. Alex Millar. Each Sunday junior church provides age appropriate activities for young members from baby to teenagers. St Columba’s hosts friendship lunches on the second Monday of each month from noon-1.30pm to which all are welcome. Parking permits are available for 2017 from the church office at a cost of £15. Coffee club meets in the church hall every Thursday from 10.30-11.30am, all welcome. St Columba’s has a range of venues for hire. Contact the church office for further details; office open TuesdayFriday 9.30am-12.30pm, tel no: 01786 449516. Allan Park South Church Service on Sunday is at 6.30pm, (please note the later time due to the Stirling Marathon) will be conducted by the minister. Tea and coffee will be served in the hall immediately thereafter. Wellbeing Choir meets on Tuesdays at 7pm in the Pillar Hall and lunch club is on Thursdays from noon until 2pm. Full details of all church events are on the website at www.apschurch.com. Contact number for all enquiries is the minister Rev Alistair Cowper on 01786 471998 or 07791 524504 or by email acowper@churchofscotland. org.uk. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church On Friday, May 19, Holy Communion will be celebrated at 11am and on Sunday, May 21, Holy Communion will be at 8.30am followed by All Age Eucharist at 10.30am. Please note that due to the Stirling Marathon, there will be no vehicular access to the church grounds. Anyone coming by car should park on streets to the south of Albert Place and cross Albert Place under the direction of the route marshals. Youth Fellowship will meet in the church hall at 7pm on Saturday, May 20. The hall is available for hire. Please contact shaws1@ talktalk.net for more information. All welcome to services and activities. Church of the Holy Rude Service on Sunday will be a joint service with Viewfield Erskine at 6.30pm in the Church of the Holy Rude and will be conducted by Rev Alan Miller. This change is due to access difficulties with the Stirling Scottish Marathon. A service of Healing and Wholeness which was to be held on May 21 has been re-scheduled to Sunday, May 28 following the service. Prayer cards are available in the St Andrew’s Chapel and all are welcome. Stirling Free Church On Sunday the Smith Art Gallery and Museum will be inaccessible due to the Stirling Marathon. Both services will be held in The Well, Upper Craigs. Parking is available in Burghmuir Retail Park (limited to three hours), with pedestrian access through the underpass. Please plan your journey and allow extra time. Service at 11am with minister Rev Iain Macaskill and service at 6pm has speakers Neil and Rachel Rae talking about their work in Manila. Refreshments after both services. “Thy Kingdom Come” is in the Smith at 6pm on Sunday, June 4. National Prayer Breakfast Scotland is on Tuesday, June 20 from 7-9am and will be streamed live at the Smith like last year. Breakfast will be served at 7am. Tickets are priced at £7:50 to cover costs. Please book your space with Clive or Iain as numbers are required for catering. Leprosy Mission Scotland Conference is on Saturday, June 3 at Stirling North Parish Church from 11am-4pm. Meetings in The Well as follows: prayer meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 7.30pm; drop-in tomorrow (Thursday) from 10am-noon, Team 1 on duty; Tea and Testimony tomorrow (Thursday) at 3pm; Christianity Explored tomorrow (Thursday) at 7.30pm. English class for international students on Fridays at 2pm.