\Blanefield
\Aberfoyle
Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers (around 45 minutes). Meet on Monday, May 29 at woollen mill car park at 10.20am for Forest Visitor Centre. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@ lochlomond-trossachs.org. Strength and balance For older adults, Mondays in the Forth Inn 12.15pm-1pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Yoga and mindfulness Classes in the Memorial Hall, Mondays 7.30-9pm. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996. Car boot sale Monthly event starts tomorrow (Saturday) and will be held on the last Saturday of each month 10am-2pm in front of The Scottish Wool Centre. Pitches are £10, to book a spot contact Chrissie on 01877 382584 or 07748 970672. Proceeds to charity. Medical centre Following Dr Lindsay’s retirement, Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Medical Centres are in an interim period before new partner Dr Andrew Cox joins on August 14. In response to patient feedback and demand, the following appointments system will be implemented at Aberfoyle from Monday, June 19: New opening times on Mondays – 8.30am-1pm; “On the day” appointments bookable by phone from 8am on Monday, doors open at 8.30am; extended hours, mainly for commuters, from 7.15am on Tuesdays. The aim is to prevent patients having to wait up to three hours to be seen and to improve delivery of medical care. See the practice website. Green Routes Open Day Sunday, May 28 10.30am-3.30pm in the Walled Garden, Gartmore House. Bring your hanging basket or one can be supplied, and plant it up with expert advice. There will also be planting on the Scottish hillside with native plants through a grant from Volunteering Matters Action Earth. Refreshments and buffet lunch provided. Accompanied children welcome. St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church Sunday at 11.15am is Holy Communion. Contact Rector Richard Grosse 01877 382887. Parish church Service on Sunday 11.15am conducted by Rev Dr Valerie Allan. Service on Sunday, June 4 will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Messy Church At Gartmore Village Hall on Sunday, June 4 2-4pm. A warm welcome to all ages to attend and as it is Pentecost Sunday, this will be incorporated in the theme.
\Balfron
Bowling club Community cafe, Tuesdays 2pm. Church Sunday worship is 11.15am led by reader Ian Roy. Tea/ coffee afterwards. Prayer meeting on Tuesdays at 7pm; lunch club on Thursdays from noon, Cosy Cafe, Fridays 6pm. Community council Meet on Thursday, June 1 at 7.30pm in Balfron High School. Chairman Colin Cameron will be in Doyle’s from 10.30-11.30am to meet anyone who can’t make the evening meeting with matters they want to raise. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Graham Lambie will be in Balfron Campus on Thursday, June 1 at 6.30pm. Bingo The Friday evening bingo will keep going through summer, every Friday at 8pm in the McLintock Hall. free). BYOB. Admission by ticket only. Contact Louise 01786 841352; Helen 01786 860578 or any committee member. Walking group Thursdays, 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07557 439111.
\Buchlyvie
Yoga In the village hall on Wednesdays, 9.30-10.30am. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996. Otago Adult strength and balance class, Tuesdays 11.30am-noon in village hall, cost £2. Info: 01786 448308. Medical centre Following Dr Lindsay’s retirement, Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Medical Centres are in an interim period before new partner Dr Andrew Cox joins the practice on August 14. The following appointments system will be implemented at Buchlyvie from Monday, June 19: Open/walk-in surgeries discontinued to avoid long waiting times; “On the day” appointments bookable every morning from 8am; doors open at 8.30am, including the dispensary; emergency appointments bookable each day from 8am; more prebookable appointments available; extended hours, mainly for commuters, from 7.15am on Wednesdays. See practice website.
\Callander
Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 15-45 minutes. Meet on Tuesday, May 30 at Ancaster Square at 10.20am for Bridgend and Meadows towards Kilmahog. On Wednesdays there is a town walk, meeting at Ancaster Square at 7pm. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@lochlomondtrossachs.org. Strength and balance For older adults Tuesdays in the fire station, 2-3pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Car boot Tomorrow (Saturday) in St Joseph’s RC Church car park. For more info tel 01877 330359. Bridge Club Waverley Hotel, 6.50pm Wednesdays. Garden competition Entry forms for the Community Council Best Kept Garden Competition available at the library in South Church Street. Judging is at the end of July until the start of August. Prizes presented at the Annual Horticultural Show on Saturday, August 26 in Callander Kirk Hall. Concert The full Scottish Chamber Orchestra play in McLaren High School on Thursday, June 8 with a programme with a Scandinavian flavour. Norwegian composer Grieg’s Holberg Suite is followed by a clarinet concerto by Finnish composer Crusell which will be performed by the SCO’s Principal Clarinet, Maximiliano Martin. Next, the Pastoral Suite by Swedish composer Erik Larsson is inspired by poetry, and the concert finishes with Schubert’s joyful Third Symphony. Tickets at www.sco.org. uk, by calling at Brambles shop, Main Street, Callander (01877 330472), or at the door, from 6.45pm, on June 8. Prices are £16; £14 (65-plus and disabled, accompanying carers go free); under 16/ student/ unemployed £6; under 18 free if accompanied by paying adult. Coffee morning Callander and District Horticutural Society coffee morning in Callander Kirk Hall tomorrow (Saturday) 10am-noon. Raffle, cake and candy stall and garden plants plus home baking with coffee/teas. Schedules for the annual flower show in August will also be available. St Andrew’s Scottish Episcopal Church No Sunday service at St Andrews. Joint service marking the Bishop of St Andrew’s retirement at St Mary’s starts at 11.15am. Wednesday Communion service at 10am as usual. All welcome. Contact Rector Richard Grosse 01877 382887. Callander Kirk Congregational Prayer Breakfast takes place on Sunday from 9.30am in the kirk hall. All welcome. All age service is at 11.15am in the kirk, conducted by Matthew McKenzie and John Gallacher and Time for Silence is at 8pm in the kirk. Teapot Cafe is open in the kirk hall library on Wednesdays from 10.30am-noon. Offers of help will be much appreciated.
\Doune, Deanston
Bridge club Wednesdays, 7.15pm in the Red Lion Hotel. For more info contact Irene on 01786 841785 or Derek on 01786 842224. Intermediate classes are Tuesdays 7-9pm in Kilmadock Information Centre. Call Susan on 01786 842684 or 07778 506406 or email susan.wilson37@ tesco.net. Keep fit Mondays, 7-8pm in the Rural Hall. Aerobics and legs/bums/ tums, suitable for beginners to advanced. Cost £5.
\Drymen
Church Sunday service, 11.30am, tea/coffee before and after. Evening prayer meeting, 7pm. Drop-in coffee mornings have stopped for summer and will resume again in September. Thank you to Alison for organising this and also to the staff of The Winnock for their generosity and support.
\Fintry
KIrk The service on Sunday at 9.30am will be led by reader Ian Roy. Tomorrow (Saturday) the annual plant sale will take place from 10am2pm in the car park of Fintry Sports Club.
\Gargunnock
Church Sunday service, 10.30am will be conducted by Rev. Lynne Mack.
\Gartmore
Parent support group Village hall on Thursdays, 10.30am-noon. Call Elita Pulter 01877 382886 or Helen Webster 07929 861597. Circle dance group Second Thursday of every month in Gartmore Village Hall, 2-4pm. All the dances are taught first. Contact Romma Clements 01877 382956/Maria Miller 01259 220679. Church Sunday worship is at 10am. Coffee morning Church coffee morning on Saturday, June 3 from 10am-noon in the village hall. Various stalls include bric a brac, nearly new, baking, plants and craft stalls followed by home baked, scones and biscuits. Visitors welcome. Medical centre Following Dr Lindsay’s retirement, Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Medical Centres are in an interim period before new partner Dr Andrew Cox joins the practice on August 14. The following appointments system will be implemented at Aberfoyle from Monday, June 19: New opening times on Mondays – 8.30am-1pm; “On the day” appointments bookable by phone from 8am on Monday, doors open at 8.30am; extended hours, mainly for commuters, from 7.15am on Tuesdays. At Buchlyvie from Monday, June 19: Open/walk-in surgeries discontinued to avoid long waiting times; “On the day” appointments bookable every morning from 8am; doors open at 8.30am, including the dispensary; emergency appointments bookable each day from 8am; more prebookable appointments available; extended hours, mainly for commuters, from 7.15am on Wednesdays. See practice website. Green Routes The next Open Day is on Sunday, May 28 from 10.30am3.30pm in the Walled Garden, Gartmore House. Bring along your hanging basket or one can be supplied, and plant it up with expert advice. There will also be planting on the Scottish hillside with native plants through a grant from Volunteering Matters Action Earth. Refreshments and a buffet lunch will be provided. Accompanied children welcome. Messy Church At Gartmore Village Hall on Sunday, June 4 from 2-4 pm. A warm welcome is extended to all ages to attend and as it is Pentecost Sunday, this will be incorporated in the theme.
\Killearn
Walking group Thursdays 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07557 439111. Otago Active adults strength and balance class, Tuesdays from 9.30-10am and 10.10-10.40am in the church hall, £2. Contact Active Stirling on 01786 448308. Killearn Kirk The service on Sunday will include the baptism of Megan McColl with Rev Lee Messeder leading the service. Creche and Kirk Kids meet as normal. There will also be a service in Abbeyfield House at 2pm, to which friends are invited. Informal meeting of the Session at 7.30pm to meet Rev Andrew Campbell of Gargunnock Parish Church, who has agreed to be our Interim Moderator during the forthcoming vacancy.
\Killin
Walk in the park Short walk led by trained volunteers lasting around 45 minutes although shorter walks available on request. Meet Wednesday, May 31 at 10.20am in McLaren car park for loch circuit/old railway (if wet). Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@ lochlomond-trossachs.org. Strength and balance Exercise class for older adults every Wednesday in the Killin Hotel from 1.30-2.30pm, followed by 10-minute walk.
\Kinlochard
Yoga and mindfulness Class in the village hall Tuesdays 7.15-8.45pm. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996.
\Kippen
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. Toddlers Bring babies and toddlers to the village hall every Thursday, 10.30am to noon. Flower Show Schedules will soon be available for the 116th Annual Flower Show in the village hall on Sunday, August 20, at 12.30pm. Guild Rally On Thursday, June 1 at 7pm in Strathblane Church. Guild members and friends interested in attending please let Joanna know on 01786 870681 by Sunday, May 28 so transport can be arranged. Church Rev Ellen Larson Davidson leads Sunday service at 11.15am. Kirk Session The session will meet in Church House at 7.30pm on Monday, May 29. Christian Aid The recent house collection raised £2400, plus Gift Aid. Sincere thanks to all collectors and contributors. Cappuccino Chatter Church House, Wednesdays, 10.30-11.30am. Diary Dates The 30th Annual Street Fayre is on Saturday, June 10; Sunday, August 20 is the 116th annual Flower Show; and Saturday and Sunday, August 19-20 for the Kippen Heritage Exhibition. Street Fayre Bunting is up for the 31st Kippen Street Fayre on Saturday, June 10, 10am-4pm with stalls all the way up Main Street. All ages can join in the fancy dress parade, the theme is “Historical Characters live or mythical”. Be in the school by 10.30am for judging, parade starts at 11am. It will be led by Queen Chloe Watt and King Ryan Hawick with attendants Tiegan Findlay, Alice Brownlie, Jow White and Ewan Milligan. Plenty of music and food, dog show, children’s amusements, a pole fitness display and raffle. Still time to book a stall, more info at www.kippenmstreetfayre.com. Print a photo of your pet, add your contact details and a few words as to why your pet should win on the back. Hand the entries into McNicoll’s along with entry fee before Saturday, June 3. Photos will be displayed in the Reading Room. Prize is two tickets for Blair Drummond Safari park. Soup lunch In the village hall on Sunday, June 4, 11am-2pm, entry by donation. All profits will help the East African famine crisis. Gifts of food, baking, etc, will be much appreciated as will attendance by locals. Contact Joanna Lennon on 01786 870974 or June Waley 01786 870454. Bowling In Monday’s rink game, points were gained by Doris Sinclair, Barry Harrison, Donald Retson, Frank Brown, Willie Mills, George Cooper, Sandra Anderson and Max Taylor. The Jack Dunlop Mixed Pairs competition takes place on Sunday, May 28. All teams participating in this popular event are asked to arrived by 9.30am for a prompt start at 10am. Last Friday saw the start of the Forth and Endrick League. Points in the opening game against Strathblane were shared, the home team losing 17-12 and the away team winning 20-6. Opposition tonight (Friday) is Aberfoyle. WI news The final meeting of the session was an enjoyable afternoon to Camphill Blair Drummond. Members were shown around the houses and school and enjoyed tea with staff.
\Port of Menteith
Parish Church Sunday worship, 10am, led by Rev Valerie Allan. Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, June 4. 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. Tea’n Chat On the last Wednesday of each month, 10–1pm at the community hall. To have a stall please contact Helen Myles on 01786 850608 or Belinda MacMillan 01786 850692. SWI news The last meeting before the summer break was a “Matter of Opinion” when four local residents answered questions from members. These varied from embarrassing Christian names to the Queen’s Honours List in a most enjoyable evening. Tea and cakes was served by the committee. Competition winners: A decorated plant pot - 1 M Montgomery; 2 L Waller; 3 K Bain. A flower photograph - 1 L Waller; 2 H Myles; 3 K Bain. The Forester Cup (for most points gained during the year) was awarded to M Montgomery. Norrieston Church Rev Ellen Larson Davidson will lead worship at 10am. Thanks to all who collected for Christian Aid and to all those who gave.