\Blairdrummond

\Aberfoyle

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers (around 45 minutes). Meet on Monday, December 11 at Woollen Mill car park at 10.20am for Ballaich walk (dementia friendly). Christmas lunch at noon in the Forth Inn. Please pre-order food. This is the last walk of the year; next walk is Monday, January 15. 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. Scottish country dancing The last class of the year is on Wednesday, December 13 and classes will start again in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday, January 10. The group meet every Wednesday till the end of March from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. Fun and gentle exercise. All welcome. For more details telephone Allan at 01877 385236. St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church Holy Communion 11.15am followed by Annual Parish Meeting. All welcome. Rector Richard Grosse 01877 382887. Parish Church The service on Sunday will be at the usual time of 11.15am with worship being conducted by the Rev Dr Valerie Allen. Also on Sunday we are holding our Service of Carols and Readings by the Loch. This will be held at Kinlochard Village Hall at 3pm. Do come and join in the fellowship and hospitality as following the service we will be serving mulled wine, tea coffee, mince pies and shortbread. Next Sunday, December 17, is our Family Gift Service when we think of those less fortunate than ourselves and bring suitable gifts for children, ladies or gents, which will be taken to Start-Up Stirling. Think Pink Huge thanks to the Forth Inn and to the stall holders and customers for coming out on such a nasty night. The grand total of £417.45 was banked. Santa Santa is coming to Aberfoyle on Saturday December 16 at noon. He will come along Main Street and into his grotto at the Forth Inn. There will be stalls and other things going on from 11am.

\Balfron

SWI news Past, present and prospective members are invited to join the festivities at the McLintock Hall on Monday, December 11 at 7.30pm on a lively Christmas night of finger food and fun. Competitions include: decorated Christmas parcel, Christmas confection, plus a Christmas cracker. Please remember to bring a wrapped gift for the raffle. Cards Charity Christmas cards are available in Balfron Library during opening hours. Parish church Sunday morning worship will be a gift service led by Rev Scott Raby at 11.15am. Tea and coffee will be available in the church rooms after the service. Strathendrick home service will take place at 3pm. The prayer meeting is on Tuesday in the church rooms at 7pm. Lunch club meets from 12 noon on Thursday and the Cosy Cafe is open on Friday from 6pm. Christmas Fayre Balfron Primary School and Parent Council are holding their Christmas Fayre tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am until 1pm. There will be a host of trade stalls to shop at and plenty of activities for the children, including ceramic painting and Christmas cracker making. Tea and coffee and cakes will be on sale and The raffle includes a selection of Christmas hampers. This year two hampers are also being gifted to Strathendrick Home and Friends of Strathcarron Hospice. Entry to the Fayre is a donation of a grocery item. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Jeremy McDonald will be in Thornhill Primary School on Tuesday, December 12 at 7pm.

\Blanefield

Walking group Thursdays, 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07557 439111.

\Buchlyvie

Yoga Classes 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 the village hall, cost £2. Info: 01786 448308. Bridge Group will restart early in 2018. Full details will be posted in this column nearer the start of the new session. For any further information telephone 01360 850487. SWI The Christmas party will be held at the Coffee Kiln on Tuesday, December 12. Please note the earlier starting time of 7pm. Competitions are a Christmas star in any craft and

short crust pastry mince pies.

\Callander

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 15-45 minutes. Meet on Tuesday, December 12 at Ancaster Square at 10.20am for Doune Ponds walk (new route, car share). Christmas lunch at noon in The Old Bank. Please pre-order your food. This is the last walk of the year; next walk is Tuesday, January 9. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy. scott@lochlomond-trossachs.org. Strength and balance For older adults Tuesdays in the fire station, 2-3pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Bridge Club Waverley Hotel, 6.50pm Wednesdays. Christmas dinner The annual old folks Christmas dinner will be on Wednesday December 13, at the Callander Youth Project, Callander Hostel, Bridgend, at 6pm. Sign up for the dinner at the Post Office, Stirling Road, or at East End News on Main Street. For more information contact Dan McKirgan on 07935 364066. Xmas pet appeal Riverside Veterinary Clinic is holding its annual appeal on behalf of Bandeath Dog Shelter and the Cats Protection League. Hand in food, blankets and towels, beds, collars, leads, toys and treats to the clinic in Geisher Road. Cash donations to either charity can also be handed in. Messy Christmas A chance for families to have fun, relax, explore faith and enjoy a meal together in Callander Kirk Hall on Saturday, December 16 from 10.30am-12.30pm. All welcome. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Martin Earl will be in Callander Youth Project, Bridgend on Monday, December 11 at 6.30pm. St Andrew’s Scottish Episcopal Church Church in Leny Road (near Tesco), Sunday and Wednesday 10am Holy Communion. All welcome. Rector: Richard Grosse 01877 382887. Lodge Ben Ledi The next meeting will be held at the Masonic Temple, Craigard Road at 7.45pm on Tuesday, December 12, when a ceremony of initiation to the First Degree will take place, Kirk Sunday, December 10, All Age Morning Service at 11.15 conducted by Rev Jim Brown, Time for Silence at 8pm. Messy Christmas - chance for families to have fun, relax, explore faith and enjoy a meal together - is on Saturday December 16 from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the Kirk Hall, everyone welcome. The Teapot Cafe is now closed until February. Thank you to all those who have supported it over the past year.

\Croftamie

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 45 minutes-one hour. Meet outside the Winnock Hotel, Drymen every Thursday at 10.20am. Contact Fran at 07747 038008 or email fran.crumley@lochlomondthree trossachs.org.

\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 on 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. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Jeremy McDonald will be in the Muir Hall, Doune on Monday, December 11 at 7.15pm.

\Drymen

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 45 minutes-one hour. Meet outside the Winnock Hotel every Thursday at 10.20am. Contact Fran at 07747 038008 or email fran. crumley@lochlomond-trossachs.org. Bridge Results for November 30: E/W 1 Helen Lamont, Lorna McDonald, 2 Jean Cameron, Sheila Jackson, 3 Betty Laing, Joy Kirkland; N/S 1 David Amon, Maureen McKeand, 2 Flora Hunter, Wilma Brownlee, 3 Irene Hardie, Jean Aitken. WI The next meeting will be the Christmas Dinner on Thursday December 14 in the Winnock Hotel at 7pm for 7.30pm. Members are asked to bring their charity donation in the envelopes previously provided. The money collected will be divided between Kidney Research and Robin House. Please also bring their “Secret Santa” gift to the value of £3. Church Our Sunday morning service is at 11.30am, tea and coffee available before and after the service. Another opportunity this week to donate to the foodbank. Ready meals, dried foods, cereals and festive fare are always welcome as are donations of money used for buying fresh produce. Remember to save used postage stamps for Leprosy Mission.

\Fintry

Kirk The service on Sunday at 9.30am will be led by Rev Scott Raby. A crèche is available for children. Tea/coffee after the service. A warm welcome is assured.

Gargunnock

SWI news Next meeting will be the Christmas dinner in the Gargunnock Inn at 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 12. The next meeting will take place on January 16 when Peter Rowell will be giving a talk on Scottish Bothies. Church The service on Sunday at 10.30am will be conducted by Rev Lynne Mack. Primary School Enrolment for Gargunnock Primary Will take place on Wednesday January 10 from 9.30am until 2.30pm at the school. If you are unable to attend on that day, please contact the school to arrange an alternative date. All children who are five years old on or before August 20, 2018 must start their primary education on that date. Children who are five years old between August 20, 2018 and February 28, 2019 may start their primary education on that date. Parents should complete the online enrolment form at https://my.stirling. gov.uk/services/education-andlearning/enrolment and attend with their child’s birth certificate, child benefit book/award letter, tax credit award letter, a recent council tax bill and two utility bills.

\Gartmore

Circle dance group Second Thursday of every month in Gartmore Village Hall, 2-4pm. Dances are taught