\Aberfoyle

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 15-60 minutes. Next walk Monday, September 10. Meet at Woollen Mill car park 10.20am for Loch Ard walk (car share). Walkers invited to Drymen on Wednesday, September 12. See Drymen notes. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@lochlomondtrossachs.org to book a place. Strength and balance For older adults, Mondays in the Forth Inn 12.15-1pm, followed by 10-min walk. Yoga and mindfulness Classes in Memorial Hall, Mondays 7.30-9pm. Open day Aberfoyle Golf Club is holding an open day tomorrow (Saturday) with the chance of a free round from 9am to 1pm. New member offer, 18 months for price of 12 months. Contact clubhouse on 01877 382751 or email secretary@aberfoylegolf.co.uk. St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church Sunday at 11.15am is 11.15 Holy Communion. All welcome. Parish church The service on Sunday will be at the usual time of 11.15am with worship being conducted by Bonnie McDowell. All are welcome.

\Balfron

Adult fitness Dance-based exercises and routines on Thursdays from 7-8pm in Balfron Campus studio. Take a mat, cost £5.50. Contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@throthegrapevine.co.uk. Community Cafe Open Tuesdays, 2pm in Balfron Bowling Club. Bingo Every Friday in the McLintock Hall during the bowling season. Eyes down 8pm, cash prizes. SWI news Meetings resume on Monday, September 10 at 7.30pm in the McLintock Hall. The speaker at the meeting will be Gillian Munro who will give a talk and demonstration on upholstery. Competitions: 1 A painted stone and an eight-inch DK knitted square - any pattern.

\Blanefield

Walking group Thursdays, 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07867 672513. Strictly Seniors Over-60s dancebased fitness classes on Wednesdays from 10-11am in Edmonstone Hall. Cost £5.50. Contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk.

\Brig o’Turk

Councillor’s surgery Councillor Martin Earl will be in the village hall on Thursday, September 13 at 7pm.

\Buchlyvie

Yoga Classes in the village hall on Wednesdays, 9.30-10.30am. Strictly Seniors Over-60s dancebased fitness classes on Tuesdays from 10-11am in the village hall. Cost £5.50. Contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk. Bible talks Held on Sundays at 6pm in the village hall. Church Sunday service at 11.15am in Buchlyvie Church will be led by Rev Scott Brown. Otago Class in the church hall every Tuesday from 11.30am-noon. Contact Christina Feaks, Community Physical Activity Inclusion Officer on 01786 273555. Golf society Buchlyvie Golf Society’s final competition is on Saturday, October 6 when members will play in a team format for the Andy McAlister Trophy. This is the society’s charity day when all monies raised are donated to Cancer Research. Any member wishing to attend should add their name to the sheet in the Buchlyvie Inn or by contacting Evan McLean (tel. 01360 850351). Raffle tickets can be purchased from the Buchlyvie Inn and any donations of prizes would be greatly appreciated. SWI news The first meeting of the new session will be held in the village hall on Tuesday, September 11 at 7.30pm. Rev Scott Brown will be interviewed by Lynsey Thomson on ‘Life on the Ocean Wave’. Members are reminded to bring their own cup and a small raffle prize. The annual subscription of £20 can be paid at this meeting. Competitions are a small jar of lemon curd and a favourite slimmer’s recipe.

\Callander

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 20 minutes to one hour. Next walk is Tuesday, September 11. Meet at Ancaster Square at 10.20am for Loch Ruskie walk (car share). Summer walks every Wednesday, meeting at 7pm in Ancaster Square. Various routes: 20-45 minutes (dementia-friendly). Walkers invited to Drymen on Wednesday, September 12. See Drymen notes. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy. scott@lochlomond-trossachs.org. Strength and balance For older adults, Tuesdays, meet at fire station, 2-3pm. Car boot sale Summer car boot sale is at St Joseph’s Church tomorrow (Saturday) from 9am-4pm. To book a spot call 01877 330359. St Andrew’s Scottish Episcopal Church Communion on Sunday and Wednesday at 10am. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Evelyn Tweed is in the Callander Youth Project on Monday, September 10 at 7pm. Callander Kirk On Sunday, early worship at 10am in the kirk hall will be led by Jeff (Creation - Oak); morning service is at 11.15am in Callander Kirk and Time for Silence at 8pm also in the kirk. Teapot Cafe is open in the Kirk Hall Library on Wednesdays, 10.30am to noon. Concert Callander Kirk is playing host to a charity concert on Wednesday, September 12 at 7.30pm when Forth Valley Royal Hospital Doctors’ Choir share the stage with Callander Brass. The choir is under the direction of Philip Hacking, Chaplain at Forth Valley Royal. All welcome.

\Croftamie

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Meet outside the Winnock Hotel, Drymen, on Thursdays at 10.20am. Email fran.crumley@ lochlomond-trossachs.org for details. Walkers invited to Drymen on Wednesday, September 12. See Drymen notes. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@ lochlomond-trossachs.org to book. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Alistair Berrill will be in Croftamie Nursery on Wednesday, September 12 at 7pm.

\Doune, Deanston

Keep fit Mondays, 7-8pm in the Rural Hall. Aerobics and legs/bums/ tums, suitable for beginners to advanced. Cost £5. Bridge club Wednesdays, 7.15pm in the Red Lion Hotel. Young at Heart Low-impact dance fitness classes for 50-year-olds and over on Tuesdays in the Rural Hall from 9.30-10.15am and Thursdays from 10-10.45am. Contact Janice on 07565 182259. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Martin Earl will be in the Muir Hall, Doune on Monday, September 10 at 7pm.

\Drymen

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Meet outside the Winnock Hotel, Thursdays at 10.20am. Email fran.crumley@lochlomondtrossachs.org for more details. Walkers invited to Drymen on Wednesday, September 12 for a special day out with groups and Ramblers. Health walk or three-mile route, you choose (car share). Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@ lochlomond-trossachs.org to book a place. SWI news First meeting of season 2018/19 is on Thursday, September 13 at 7.30pm in the village hall. Members old and new will be made welcome. The meeting will be entertained by the pupils of Queen Victoria School, Dunblane. Competitions for the evening will be a memento from your own school days and three chocolate crispies. The full programme for the season will be available so please come along. Church Sunday service is at 11.30am, tea and coffee is available before and after the service. The talk by a member of Stirling Street Pastors at last Sunday’s evening praise service was interesting. Thanks to the folk who donated at this and the Men of Note concert, a total sum of £467 was raised for this worthy cause. Friday coffee drop-in resumes in the Winnock Hotel on September 14 from 10.30 to noon and everyone is welcome to meet in the Ptarmigan Bar and for £1, enjoy coffee/tea biscuits and lively conversation. Another opportunity this Sunday to donate to the Stirling Foodbank. At present the foodbank is short of tinned vegetables and spaghetti items but any dried food will be gratefully received. Bridge The Drymen Club has resumed its meetings on Thursdays from 1.15 prompt.

\Fintry

Kirk Sunday service will be at 9.30am conducted by Rev Sigrid Marten. A creche is available and tea/coffee served after. All welcome. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Graham Lambie will be in the Menzies Hall on Wednesday, September 12 at 7pm.

\Gartmore

Circle dance Group meets every second Thursday of the month in Gartmore Village Hall, 2-4pm. Church Sunday service at 10am with Rev Scott Brown. There will be a retiring collection for the Christian Aid Kerala Appeal. All welcome.

\Gargunnock

Young at Heart Low-impact dance fitness classes for 50-year-olds and over on Tuesdays in the community centre from 10.45-11.30am. Contact Janice on 07565 182259. Church The service on Sunday at 10.30am will be conducted by Rev Lynne Mack. SWI news Meetings start on Tuesday, September 18 at 7.30pm in the community centre when the new programme for the year will be revealed.

\Killearn

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. Contact Christina Feaks: Community Physical Activity Inclusion Officer on 01786 273555. 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. Tennis club Autumn coaching takes place on Fridays until October 12. Coaching for P1-P3 is from 4-5pm; P4-6 is from 5-6pm and P7 up from 6-7pm. Cost to members is £35 and non-members £42. Contact 07986 221506 for more details.

\Killin

Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 15 minutes to one hour. Next walk is Wednesday, September 12. Meet at 10.20am at Capercaillie for River Dochart/Old railway walk (dementia-friendly). Also on Wednesday, walkers are invited to Drymen. See Drymen notes.. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or cathy. scott@lochlomond-trossachs.org to book. Strength and balance Exercise class for older adults in the Killin Hotel from 1.30-2.30pm each Wednesday, followed by 10-minute walk. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Martin Earl will be in the primary school on Tuesday, September 11 at 7pm.

\Kippen

Church Rev Ellen Larson Davidson will conduct the service at 11.15am on Sunday. Otago The exercise class is on every Wednesday from 9.45-10.15am in the church hall. All welcome. The instructor will provide further details. Contact Christina Feaks: Community Physical Activity Inclusion Officer on 01786 273555. Cappuccino Chatter On Wednesdays from 10.30-11.30am in the Church House. Curling Kippen Curlers will greet the new season with a short social gathering in the reading room on Thursday, September 13 at 8.15pm. Anyone interested is welcome to hear more about it by coming along. RSVP to kirstycuthbert@outlook.com. Doors Open Day On the weekend of September 15-16, Kippen Heritage will take part with the opening of the Old Smiddy at The Cross and the nearby Old Kirkyard when Irene Chapman will give small group tours (weather permitting). Kippen Parish Church on Fore Road will also be open on each day from 2-5pm. Bowls The following gained points in the Monday evening rink game: John Anderson, Donald Smith, Donald Retson, Sandra Anderson, Elspeth McNaughton and Eileen Mayhew. The McLaren Trophy played for on Sunday was won by Andy Mayhew with Max Taylor, runner-up. The summer quiz, based on the West Highland Way was won by Moira Hay from Dunblane. Golfing society The final outing of the year was a single round at Balbirnie Park on Sunday when 17 members took part (a record in present times). The weather was overcast but warm all afternoon. The round was an individual Stableford competition for the Jubilee Cup, off full society handicaps, and results were as follows: 1 Les Watson 38 pts; 2 Rob McQuater 34 pts (better inward half); 3 Ian Leith 34 pts. Nearest the pin on the 7th hole for the Iain Gillies Trophy was Peter Baker. Magic twos was won by Peter Baker. Sweep was won by Jim Nolan. The winner of the Railton Scott Memorial Trophy was finalised, going to the person with the highest combined Stableford score over the two individual rounds at both Strathmore and Balbirnie and winner was Les Watson 78 pts from runner-up Rob McQuater 72 pts. Community council The council will meet in the Reading Room at 7.15pm on Tuesday, September 11. A Stirling councillor will consult from 6.45pm. Whist drive Owing to repairs in the Reading Room the monthly winter wee whists will not start until October 10. Reading Rooms Over the last three weeks, the Reading Rooms has been undergoing the first phase of a major improvement and refurbishment programme. This has been made possible by welcome grant aid from the Windmill Funds controlled by the Kippen Community Trust. As the initial stage of the programme is close to completion, the management committee is keen to ensure that the planned improvement to the kitchen and development of the meeting rooms upstairs provide new, additional facilities that will be of use to as many village organisations as possible. The committee will be holding an open meeting on Friday, September 14 between 5.30pm and 8pm at which the current plans will be presented, with drawings developed by the architect. It would be most useful to get both input and ideas from all those in the village who have an interest in the use of the Reading Rooms – bequeathed in trust to the village by the Mitchell family in 1934. The meeting will be in the main hall, and there will be wine and cheese.

\Port of Menteith

Parish Church Worship on Sunday at 10am will be led by Bonnie McDowell. All welcome.

\Ruskie

SWI news The first meeting of the year will be held in Ruskie Hall on Tuesday, September 11 starting at 7.30pm. The speaker for the evening will be Claire Bird who will talk about the foods and flavours of the countryside and will show that ‘Foraging is Fun’. The hedgerows are filled with different delights and Claire will be bringing samples to taste. Competitions are food/drink containing brambles and a wooden object. Hostesses: Catriona Burnett, Heather Millar and Janice Milne. For more information phone 01877 330550 or visit the Facebook page or www. ruskierural.com.

\Strathblane

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

\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 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 new season has started and the ever-growing membership still needs painters for scenery, sound and light support, wardrobe helpers as well as more actors. For more information phone Charlotte (01786 850288) or email thornhillplayersdrama@gmail.com. Norrieston Church On Sunday during morning worship the Rev Ellen Larson Davidson held a short naming and blessing ceremony for Alexander Stuart Perman, infant son of Jo and Heather Perman. Morning service on Sunday is at the usual time of 10am.