\Brig o’Turk
\Aberfoyle
Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 15-60 minutes. Next walk Monday, December 10. Meet at Woollen Mill car park 10.20am for Balleich walk (dementia-friendly), followed by Christmas lunch at noon in the Forth Inn. Please pre-order your food. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@ lochlomond-trossachs.org. This is the final walk of 2018 and the next one will be on Monday, January 14. Strength and balance For older adults, Mondays in the Forth Inn 12.15-1pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Scottish country dancing Last class of 2018 is on Wednesday, December 12 and first one of 2019 is on Wednesday, January 9. The group meet every Wednesday till the end of March from 7.30-9.30pm in the Memorial Hall. For more details telephone Allan at 01877 385236 . Fun and gentle exercise. All welcome. Parish Church The service on Sunday is at the usual time of 11.15am with worship being conducted by the Rev Dr Valerie Allen. Later that day the Service of Carols and Readings by the Loch at Kinlochard Village Hall takes place at 3pm. Following the service, mulled wine and mince pies will be served. Sunday, December 16 is Gift Giving Service, when we think of people less fortunate than ourselves. This will be at 11.15am and gifts for ladies, gents and selection boxes for children will be received. Monetary donations can also be given to allow for a hot meal on Christmas Day. St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church Sunday at 11.15am is Holy Communion followed by the Annual Parish Meeting. All welcome. Contact Rector Richard Grosse 01877 382887.
\Balfron
Adult fitness Dance-based exercises and routines Tuesdays 7-8pm in Balfron Campus studio. Take a mat, cost £5.50. Contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk. Hogmanay party West Stirlingshire Friends of Strathcarron Hospice Hogmanay Party is in the McLintock Hall, 9pm to 1am on Monday, December 31. Music by The McDonald Brothers, bar and snacks. Entry £15 by ticket only, available from Jean 07540 620365; Rowan 07876 683288 and Rina 01360 440697. Bowling Club Join Jennifer Phillips and friends at a spiritualist evening tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30pm in the bowling club. To book your place on the night phone Rena on 01360440697 or graham on 01360441011 or see Facebook. Parish Church The service on Sunday will be a Gift Service - an unwrapped gift for a child or donations for Start-Up Stirling would be most welcome. Service will be led by Rev Sigrid Marten at 11.15am. Coffee/tea will be available. Prayer group meets in the church rooms at 6pm on Tuesday, December 11 and lunch club meets on Thursdays from noon.
\Blairdrummond
Councillor’s surgery Councillor Evelyn Tweed will be in Thornhill Primary School on Tuesday, December 11 at 7pm. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Martin Earl will be in the village hall on Thursday, December 13 at 7pm.
\Buchlyvie
Yoga Classes in the village hall on Wednesdays, 9.30-10.30am. Dancercise Classes for over 50s in Buchlyvie Village Hall on Tuesdays at 10am. 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. Otago Class in the church hall every Tuesday from 11.30am-noon. Contact Christina Feaks on 01786 SWI news Buchlyvie branch will celebrate its Christmas meeting with a difference when Yasmin McDonagh of Scotia Spice will demonstrate Punjabi cooking. Members are asked to bring a fork to sample the food. The competitions are: A folded Christmas napkin and a piece of party jewelllery. The donation of an item for the raffle would be appreciated. Church Service on Sunday at 11.15am will be led by Rev Scott Brown CBE. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Graham Lambie will be in the village hall on Thursday, December 13 at 7pm.
\Callander
Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 20 minutes to one hour. Next walk is Tuesday, December 11. Meet at medical centre at 10.20am for Keltie Bridge walk (dementia-friendly), followed by Christmas lunch in The Old Bank at noon. Please book. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@lochlomondtrossachs.org. This is the final walk of 2018 and the next one will be on Tuesday, January 15. Strength and balance For older adults, Tuesdays, meet at fire station, 2-3pm. St Andrew’s Scottish Episcopal Church 10am Holy Comunion Sunday and Wednesday. Contact Rector Richard Grosse 01877 382887. Christmas plea Riverside Vet Clinic at Lagrannoch Industrial Estate is collecting goodies for dogs and cats this Christmas. They will be handing over dog beds, collars, leads, towels, blankets, bowls, food, toys and treats to Bandeath Dog Shelter and cat beds, cat carriers, beds, blankets, toys and treats to Cats Protection. Donations can be taken to the clinic. Christmas dinner This year’s old folks Christmas dinner is on Wednesday, December 12 at Callander Youth Project , 5.30pm for 6pm. Books to register are in the main post office and East End News. Remember when putting down your name to tick if you need picked up. This is free, come along, bring your friends and have a great night. Contact Dan McKirgan 07935 364066 for any queries. Lodge Ben Ledi No 614 The next meeting will be held at the Masonic Temple, Craigard Road at 7.45pm on Tuesday, December 11 when a ceremony of initiation to the second or Fellow Craft Degree degree will be enacted. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Evelyn Tweed will be in the Callander Youth Project, Bridgend House on Monday, December 10 at 7pm. Callander Kirk All age service at 11.15am on Sunday in Callander Kirk with Time for Silence at 8pm, also in the kirk. The Teapot Cafe is now closed until February - thank you all for your support over the year. Organisers wish all a happy festive season and look forward to seeing the customers again in February. Councillor’s surgery On Monday, December 17, Councillor Evelyn Tweed will be in the Callander Youth Project, Bridgend House at 7pm.
\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.
\Dollar
Senior citizens’ coffee morning Dollar Academy’s Charities Committee is hosting a coffee morning for senior citizens featuring performances from the school’s Chamber Choir. The event takes place on Friday, December 14 from 10-11.15am in Dollar Academy Dining Hall. Free entry, all welcome.
\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 9.30-10.15am. Contact Janice on 07565 182259. Line dancing The Western Sunset Line Dancing Group meets in Doune Castle Bowling Club on Tuesdays from 7.30-9.30pm. Christmas fayre Kilmadock Christmas Fayre takes place at Doune Cross tonight (Friday) from 6-9pm featuring crafts, entertainment and Santa. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Jeremy McDonald will be in the Muir Hall on Monday, December 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. Senior Citizens’ Association Next meeting is the Christmas Lunch in the Winnock Hotel on Tuesday, December 11 at noon for 12.30pm. The children of Drymen Primary School are kindly coming along to sing after the lunch. Any member who has not yet put their name down and wishes to come, please ring Linda on 01360 660706. SWI news Drymen branch holds its annual Christmas Dinner on Thursday, December 13. Please contact Mrs Morag Mason to register a place, if not already done. Please remember to bring a childhood photograph for the “Guess Who” competition. Seasons greetings to all members past and present. Church Sunday worship is at 11.30am, tea and coffee is available before and after the service. The Stirling foodbank collection will also take place. The usual dried produce and ready meals gratefully received but please could you also donate some festive goodies for children. Cash donations to purchase fresh produce also welcome. Bridge Results from November 29: NS 1 Isobel Brown, Jean Cole; 2 Flora Hunter, Wilma Brownlee; 3 Irene Hardie, Jean Aitken. EW 1 Betty Laing, Joy KIrkland; 2 Anne MacLachlan, Helen Lamont; 3 Rosie Walls, Carol Jones.
\Fintry
Kirk Sunday’s service at 9.30am will be conducted by Rev Sigrid Marten. A creche is available; tea/coffee after the service. Sunday, December 9 is the Children’s Gift Appeal. Please do not wrap gifts, wrapping paper may be given if desired. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Graham Lambie will be in the Menzies Hall on Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm.
\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. SWI news Gargunnock branch holds its Christmas dinner in the Gargunnock Inn at 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 11. The next meeting will take place on January 15 when Peter Rowell will be giving a talk on Scottish Bothies. Church The service on Sunday at 10.30am will be conducted by Mr Ian Roy.
\Gartmore
Circle dance Group meets on the second Thursday of the month in Gartmore Village Hall, 2.30-4.30pm. Circle Dancing is a mixture of traditional folk dances and contemporary dances to music – traditional, classical, modern, fun and meditative. It is light to moderate exercise, good for the memory and coordination and is meaningful and uplifting. No experience is necessary as all the dances are taught first. No partner is needed. Contact Romma Clements 01877 382956 or Maria Miller 01259 220679. Christmas fayre The annual Gartmore News Christmas Fayre, this year including a celebration of 40 years of the village newslettter, will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm in the village hall. The usual wide variety of stalls run by village organisations, and hopefully Santa will pop by. Entrance is £2 adults/ 50p children, includes tea/coffee and biscuits. Christmas Concert The Strathendrick Singers Christmas concert is in Gartmore Village Hall on Sunday December 9 at 7pm. Tickets £10 adults, £25 family ticket and £3 children (including festive refreshments), available from choir members or at the door. Councillor’s surgery Councillor Evelyn Tweed will be in the village hall on Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm. Church On Sunday, the service at 10am will be led by Rev Scott Brown CBE. There is a joint Service of Reflection at 7pm at Buchlyvie Church with the Worship Group.
\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 on 01786 273555. Dancercise Classes for over-50s in Killearn Village Hall on Fridays at 10am. Cost £5.50. Contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk. Killearn Kirk The Guild Christmas Coffee Morning is in Killearn Kirk Hall tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am-noon. There will be a baking stall and sales table. All welcome. The Guild Christmas lunch is with the Thursday Club on December 13. Catering by Turnip The Beet. It will be held at the church hall at 2pm. Strathendrick Singers Christmas Concert at Killearn Kirk is on Friday, December 14 at 7.30pm. The Singers will be performing Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughn Williams and Cecilia McDowall’s A Winter’s Night. Tickets £10 adults and £3 children will be available at the door or through choir members. Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Judith Neil at secretary@strathendricksingers.org. uk.
\Killin
Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 15 minutes to one hour. Next walk is Wednesday, December 12. Meet at 10.20am at Capercaillie for Craignavie Road walk (dementia-friendly), followed by Christmas lunch in the Capercaillie at noon. Please pre-order your food. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or cathy.scott@lochlomondtrossachs.org to book. This is the final walk of 2018 and the next one will be on Wednesday, January 16. Strength and balance Exercise class for older adults in the Killin Hotel from 1.30-2.30pm each Wednesday, followed by 10-minute walk.
\Kippen
Wee Whist All welcome at the Wee Whist in the Reading Room on Wednesday, December 12 at 7.30pm. Church On Sunday the candle of hope was lit. At the service on Sunday led by Mr Mark Evans DCS, Director of Spiritual Care at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, the candle of peace will be lit. All welcome. Guild Christmas Lunch Guild members who have booked are reminded that the Christmas Lunch takes place on Tuesday, December 11 at 12.15pm in The Lion and Unicorn, Thornhill. Christmas Market Kippen Playgroup and Toddlers would like to thank everyone who supported their Christmas Market and Raffle. Around £3000 was raised, all of which will be used to help the group continue in 2019. Otago All welcome at the Otago gentle exercise class on Monday at 9.45am in Kippen Church House. The instructor will provide further details.