\Kippen

Walking group Thursdays 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07867 672513. Otago Active adults strength and balance class, Tuesdays 9.30-10am and 10.10-10.40am in the church hall, £2. Call 01786 448308. Adult fitness Dance-based exercises and routines on Tuesdays from 7.30-8.30pm in the village hall. Take a mat, cost £5.50. Contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk. Strictly Seniors Over-60s dancebased fitness classes on Fridays from 10-11am in the village hall. Cost £5.50. Contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk. Killearn Kirk Family service on Sunday will be led by Rev David Munro. Children will have quiet activities to keep them occupied. Fun day A fun day will take place in the Co-op on August 11 from 10am to 2pm for Sleep in the Park. There will be draughts and dominoes, fair trade treausre hunt, raffle and sweets in the jar. 15. Meet at 10.20am at McLaren Hall car park for Tyndrum river walk (car share, dementia-friendly). Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or cathy. scott@lochlomond-trossachs.org. Strength and balance Exercise class for older adults in the Killin Hotel from 1.30-2.30pm each Wednesday, followed by 10-minute walk. Toddlers Meetings resume after the summer break. Otago The exercise class is on a summer break and returns in September. Church The service on Sunday at 11am will be led by Rev Ellen Larson Davidson. Cappuccino Chatter On Wednesdays from 10.30-11.30am in the Church House. Flower Show Schedules are available in McNicoll’s Stores for the 117th annual flower show in the village hall on Sunday, August 19, at 12.30pm. The confined garden competition will include both natural/ naturefriendly and formal gardens. Front or back gardens can be entered. To enter email a picture of your garden to kippenflowershow@hotmail. com, including your name and address. Emails should be received by midnight on Monday, August 13. The judging will take place using the photos, with a follow-up visit to the winning garden before the winner is announced on the day of the show. The garden photos will be shared on the Kippen Flower Show Facebook page but Facebook likes will not be taken into account for the judging. Bowling In Monday evening’s rink game points were gained by Christine Campbell, George Goodall, Bill Boyd, Donald Retson, Sandra Boyd, Maureen MacColl and Roseanne Ditch. The annual friendly against Airthrey Spa, played this year at Kippen, resulted in a 49-37 victory for Kippen. The Neil Carson Ladies Pairs, played last Saturday, was won by Glenise Hughes (Kippen) and Fiona Rae (Campsie), who beat Christine Crawford and Trish McKay (both Buchanan Arms) in the final. Tomorrow sees the annual Top 10/barbecue taking place, with members and guests asked to arrive for 5.30pm. Speed limit Anyone who wants to support Kippen Community Council’s request for a 20mph speed limit on the Main Street can sign the petition in McNicoll’s Stores. Heritage exhibition Dates for this annual event are weekend of August 18-19 from 2-5pm. The main venue is the Reading Room with the chance to browse through a century and more of local photographs and events and interesting local items. The Old Smiddy at the Cross ill also be open and groups may be shown over the nearby Old Kirkyard. The Summer Ice room at the Reading Rooms will be available to have a go at playing this traditional game. Obituary Last week brought the sad news of the passing of Dugald Campbell, Tigh Mor, and sadly on Monday came the news of the sudden passing of his wife Fiona. More than 30 years ago they came with Fiona’s young family to live in Kippen and built a lovely home on Glentirranmuir. Both were interested in village affairs. Fiona helped with the flower show and was still one of the ladies responsible for the continued splash of colour in the tubs around the Cross. Sincere sympathy is extended to family members in their sad loss.

\Strathblane

Mini Makers Tuesdays in the kirkrooms, 9.30-10.30am. Art/creative fun for 18 months-five years.

\Port of Menteith

Parish Church Worship on Sunday will be at 10am and led by Rev Dr Valerie Allen. The church will be open to visitors Monday to Friday, 2-4pm, during August. There is a display in the vestibule of the Port in bygone times, covering the church, farming, the school, the lake, the hotel and curling.

\Thornhill

Playgroup Over-twos on Tuesdays 9.45-11.45am, Fridays 9.30am - noon, term time in the community hall. Tea ‘n’ chat The last Wednesday of the month coffee morning has resumed 10am–12.30pm in the community hall. Anyone interested in having a stall can call Belinda 01786 850692 or boghallfarm@btinternet. com. Young at Heart Low-impact dance fitness classes for over-50s in the community hall on Mondays from 12.15-1pm, More details from Janice on 07565 182259. Thornhill Players The amateur dramatics group is looking for a technician who could take over the operation of the sound and light equipment. The Players hope to be upgrading the desks to the new EU standards soon. Anyone interested can contact Charlotte on 01786 850288. Norrieston Church Rev Ellen Larson Davidson is back from her summer break and in the puklpit from 10am on Sunday.