Win a family pass to safari park which blazed a trail
on 01877 330055 or cathy.scott@ lochlomond-trossachs.org. Strength and balance Exercise class for older adults on Wednesdays in the Killin Hotel 1.30-2.30pm, followed by 10-minute walk.
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Toddlers Meet in the village hall on Thursdays, 10.30am to noon. Otago The exercise class takes place on Wednesday from 9.45-10.15am in Kippen Church House. Cappuccino Chatter On Wednesdays from 10.30-11.30am in the Church House. Diary Dates The 31st annual Kippen Street Fayre takes place all day on Saturday, June 9; Sunday, August 19 is the 117th Flower Show and over that weekend, August 18-19, Kippen Heritage will be celebrated. Messy Church All welcome at Messy Church in Gartmore Village Hall from 3-5pm on Sunday, May 20. Quilters event Kippen Community Quilters are holding their second quilt show on Sunday, May 27 from 1-4pm in the village hall. Plenty to view and admire. Raffle tickets £1 now on sale from members for the superb quilt. Entry £3 includes cream tea. Church Morning service on Sunday will be led by Rev Ellen Larson Davidson at 11.15am and will include the Sacrament of Baptism. All are welcome. Bowling In Monday evening’s rink game points were won by Sandra Anderson, Donald Smith, Robert More, Willie McLaren, Donald Retson, Eileen Mayhew and John Anderson. Last Sunday the winners of the Crown Triples competition were: Glenise Hughes, Eileen Mayhew and Willie McLaren. Obituary The community was saddened to learn of the passing on May 9 of Mr Jim McGhie, Lynnburn. With his wife, Jim came to reside in Kippen nearly 30 years ago, in time helping with the Flower Show, Street Fayre and particularly the Curling Club. Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Marjory. A private cremation has taken place. Football Kippen FC has not yet managed to start the new season. An SOS goes out now for players from teenagers upwards, available mostly on Friday evenings all summer. Noone, surely, wants to see the 118-year old club bow out of the Forth and Endrick League. Help! Blossom Time Many village trees and shrubs are flowering beautifully at present, particularly those in the Oakwood area. Planted in the 1950s by Stirling Council, the mature cherry blossom trees are a delight. There are also many in gardens, joining the laburnum and azaleas at their colourful best. Overlooked by Ben Ledi, it is a glorious vista. There was much excitement at the beginning of this week when the two huge pine trees, also 1950 vintage, by the tennis club were brought down professionally by a very fragile lumberjack, opening the At the time it was hailed as a big boost for Scottish tourism, and over the last 48 years it has grown in popularity to become one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions.
Blair Drummond Safari Park opened to the public on May, 15, 1970.
At that time, although zoos were commonplace, safari parks were a relatively new idea.
It was the brainchild of Jimmy Chipperfield - part owner with Sir John Muir and Keir and Cawder Estates – that the public should be in their
area up considerably.
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Parish Church Morning worship on Sunday, May 20, Pentecost Sunday, will be a joint service with Aberfoyle ‘cages’(their cars) and the animals should be comparatively free.
This concept was recognised as the best system of keeping wild animals in captivity, and over the last 48 years Blair Drummond Safari Park has played a major role in contributing towards the conservation and awareness of threatened species.
Blair Drummond Safari Park’s longest serving staff member, Gary Gilmour, park manager, has worked there for 33 years.
He said:“We offer a unique visitor
at the Port Kirk starting at 10.30am. The service will be led by Rev Dr Valerie Allen. All welcome.
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Mini Makers Tuesdays in the kirk- experience, and many of the most popular activities have been in place since it opened - including the boat trip to Chimp Island and the drive-through safari.
“Generations of families have taken day trips to the park and many of our visitors reminisce about earlier visits.”
Now under the directorship of current owner Hector Muir, the safari park remains an independent family-run attraction. With around 400,000 visitors each year it is one of Stirling’s most popular destinations.
The Observer has teamed up with the safari park again to offer readers the chance to win a family pass each week.
This week’s question is: In what year did Blair Drummond Safari Park open? Send your answers, along with your name, address and contact number to: Safari Park Competition, Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK8 2DW.
Usual Reach plc rules apply. Deadline is Monday, May 21, at 4pm.