Voice of the People

ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING AND FORTH VALLEY

Next lecture is tomorrow (Thursday) online via Zoom and YouTube at 10.50am for 11am All members will be sent a link prior to the lecture. The lecture “The Punch and Judy Show” is a welcome return of popular speaker Bertie Pearce with an examination of the subversive Mr Punch, the most famous puppet character of all time. His anarchic vitality has inspired opera, ballet and punk rock. Appearing in the UK in 1662, Punch is descended from the Italian clown Pulcinella of the Commedia Del’Arte tradition. To this day his slapstick is used to dispense with oppressive authority with his refrain “That’s the way to do it”. Anyone is welcome to join the society contact membership secretary by e-mail: artssocsfvmembership@gmail.com or visit www.theartssocietystirling.org.uk.

HANDYPERSON SERVICE

Handyperson volunteers carry out small/minor maintenance jobs in older people’s homes in the Stirling, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Callander and Clackmannanshire areas. The service is co-ordinated by registered charity Volunteering Matters. There is no charge and donations are gratefully accepted. Volunteers welcome. For details during the current climate call 01259 928088.

COUNCIL ON DISABILITY STIRLING

The office in Cameronian Street regrets having to close its doors for an indeterminate period due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Staff do not know how long they will be unable to see clients on a face-to-face basis. However, there will be someone in regularly to check the phones, mail and emails. Please get in contact should you need assistance and CoD will do its best to help you.

ROCKTALK

Stirling’s talking newspaper for the blind is free to visually impaired members of the community. Contact Mike Milne at enquiries@rocktalk.org.uk or 01786 816673.

NEURO CENTRAL

Meetings on first Monday of the month at Stirling County Cricket Club have been cancelled until further notice. See www. neurocentral.co.uk for more details.

ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND

Contact dementia advisor Donna Paterson at dpaterson@alzscot.org, 01786 8311 or 07733 302772.

GOING FORWARD STROKE GROUP

Meetings of the group currently suspended.

TOWN BREAK

The charity group supports people with early to moderate stage dementia to live well. For more information in the current climate, contact 01786 641841 or email admin@townbreakstirling.org.

FRIENDS OF THE SMITH

Talks and events planned cancelled until further notice.

PARKINSON’S

All Stirling and Clackmannanshire branch meetings have been cancelled until further notice. More details from Jim 01259 762734, Muriel 01360 850357 or national helpline 0808 800 0303.

STIRLING CITY CHOIR

The choir has resumed rehearsals using Zoom on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. Current choir members who wish to participate should check their email for details. Any potential new members should contact the choir through the website www. stirlingcitychoir.org.uk. It is hoped that physical rehearsals will resume in St Columba’s Church Hall when guidelines permit.

FORTH VALLEY FRIENDS OF SCOTTISH OPERA

If you would like to get updates by email from the Friends, whether you’re a member or not, please contact Elise Macrae at macraefernbank@btinternet. com.

ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION (STIRLING BRANCH)

Due to the current and continuing Covid restrictions, the branch will not be holding any monthly meetings but will let everyone know when these will resume. If you would like any further information about the branch please contact us by emailing the secretary on secretary. aashstirlingbranch@btinternet.com or by contacting the chairman by phone 07940 828434 or email: james21healy@ outlook.com.

DUNBLANE VERSUS ARTHRITIS

Monthly meetings cancelled due to the coronavirus. The website with helpline and forums are available to any person requiring information relating to their arthritis. They can be found at www. versusarthritis.org; helpine 0800 5200 520 and email helpline@versusarthritis.org. The local contact is dolly.g@talktalk.net.

ROTARY CLUB OF STIRLING

At the fortnightly Zoom meeting, President Alan Bradshaw welcomed a good turnout of members and speaker Ellen Dickie, who was born in Clydebank where her father working at John Brown’s, but who has worked in Stirling for many years as a librarian.

Ellen now works for Forth Giving, a charitable body originally founded in 1809, known until 2019 as the Sons of the Rock. Although founded by Stirling businessmen it was based in Glasgow and was intended to help those who came from Stirling but were now working in Glasgow, and who had fallen on hard times.

An almoner was employed to make contact with applicants, assess their need and local kirk sessions were involved in organising the help. At that time individuals were held responsible for their own problems and expected to solve them regardless of their abilities and resources, by today’s standards a rather narrow view of need, only the “deserving poor” need apply.

With the passage of time by 1940/50 the original concept had become redundant and the Sons of the Rock had become more of a Stirling social group, still making some awards but focusing around an annual dinner as its main event.

It was reconstituted in 2004 and in 2016 gained a web page and in 2019 a new name - Forth Giving - with it’s aim ”giving directly to local people in crisis”, the use of the word “crisis” indicating the severity of current needs. At the time of its founding in 1809, society was divided socially and financially, but despite greater general affluence Covid-19 has revealed continuing levels of need in our society, currently one in five children in Stirling lives in poverty.

Ellen pointed to three main causes, a broken benefit system, increased family breakdown, and ill health among the poorer end of society. Forth Giving works with agencies such as food banks, the Salvation Army, Strathcarron Hospice furniture and second hand clothing bank, and others, and has given out £12,318 so far this year.

Income comes from existing investments, a diminishing source, and fund raising events, again much diminished by Covid. The charity has moved with the times and the need continues.

Ellen answered questions at the end of her most interesting and relevant talk.