Wheel-ly well done as kids get in gear

Bridge of Allan Primary School has pedalled away with a top national cycling award.

Before the summer break, the school collected a Cycle Friendly Award in recognition of its efforts to support and encourage cycling to school.

The honour from national organisation Cycling Scotland rewards parents, teachers and volunteers around Scotland who are committed to increasing cycling in schools.

Bridge of Allan Primary has a Cycling Champion – mum-of-two Gabriella Farquhar – who runs Bikeability cycling training sessions for older pupils.

The school also promotes cycling activities such as The Big Pedal which encourages schools to record the number of parents, staff and pupils coming to school by bike or scooter over a two-week time period each year.

Mrs Farquhar said: “Being awarded Cycle Friendly status by Cycle Scotland is fantastic news for the school.

“Cycling to school helps keep children fit and healthy, gives them independence and means there are less cars on the road particularly along routes to school which is safer for everyone.”

Mrs Farquhar and several other school volunteers run annual Bikeability sessions for P5 and P6 pupils with 42 children passing the Level 2 course last year.

This year, 52 children were trained at Level 1 and 39 children were trained at Level 2.

Level 1 is covered in the playground while during Level 2 cyclists are taken out on local roads so they can learn how to cycle safely while out and about.

The youngsters’ bikes are also given free Dr Bike safety checks by staff from Recyke-a-bike in Causewayhead.

The school promotes Safe Routes to School, has bike racks for pupil use and promotes community cycling activities.

Plans for new scooter and cycle parking are also underway after the school recently received £2000 in grant funding from sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

There is also a team of Junior Road Safety Officers, led until her recent retirement by teacher Janice Sherman, who help promote cycling among pupils.

The school’s depute head teacher Julie Russell is delighted with the Cycle Friendly award.

She said: “It’s a tremendous achievement and we couldn’t do it without volunteers like Gabriella who do so much to promote cycling at the school.”

The Cycle Friendly School Award is open to every primary and secondary school in Scotland and is nationally recognised. It is aimed at encouraging cycling to become part of a school’s culture - providing benefits such as improving children’s health; improving the school and surrounding environment.

Sunday services begin with a short prayer gathering in the Session House at 10.40am. Reading of the Intimations is at 10,50am and morning worship conducted by Deaconess Jean Porter at 11am. All welcome. The Ladies Discussion Group continues through the summer and will meet again today (Wednesday) at 2pm in the small hall.

\Riverside

Parant is Paiste Gaelic parent and child group for children up to age five meets on Mondays from 10am-noon in Riverside Primary School. £1.50 (includes snack). Call 07805 704884. Bowling club Coaching session will be on as normal tonight (Wednesday) from 7pm. The next friendly will be on Saturday, July 29 against Bannockburn at home, playing for the Glen Bridgeman Trophy.The second Open Weekend of the season will be on August 5-6. If interested in having a go at bowls, come and meet members from noon-4pm on either or both of the days. Contact John Millar on 07709 058642 for further details.

\St Ninians

Walking group Free health walk with trained leaders, Thursdays from 11.30am-12.15pm, meeting at the library in the Mayfield Centre. Contact Tricia on 07557 439111. Civil Defence Club Two sessions of bingo on Wednesday and Sunday from 8pm. Entertainment on Saturday by Stewart Kennedy plus bingo. St Ninians Community Church Sunday family service will take place at 11am (tea/coffee from 10.30am) in the Mayfield Centre. All welcome. St Ninians Old Parish Church The service on Sunday at 10.30am will be conducted by Rev Gary McIntyre, all welcome.

\Throsk

Community centre Cash bingo every Wednesday, eyes down 7.30pm.

\Tillicoultry

Wee County Walkers Meet Saturdays, 10.30am near the Nike outlet at Sterling Mills in Cochrane Hall car park. See www.weecountywalkers. wordpress.com.