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ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING AND FORTH VALLEY
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 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 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 whether you’re a member or not, please contact Elise Macrae at macraefernbank@ btinternet.com.
ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION (STIRLING BRANCH)
Monthly meetings are now being held via Zoom video calls until it is possible to meet again face to face. Applications are still be accepted for membership and if you would like any further information please contact the group 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 curerntly cancelled. The website with helpline and forums are available to anyone requiring information relating to their arthritis and can be found at www.versusarthritis.org; helpine 0800 5200 520 and email helpline@ versusarthritis.org. Local contact: dolly.g@talktalk.net.
BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY
Last week’s speaker Erin Napier, an experienced puppy walker for Guide Dogs Scotland, talked to the club about her role in the initial stages of life of a puppy destined (it is hoped) to become a guide dog. The description “puppy walker” may give the impression that this role is simply to give the puppy exercise in its early months. As Erin explained, this is very far from what is actually involved. The choice of dogs to be bred as potential guide dogs is undertaken at the main Guide Dog centre. Dogs are chosen on the basis of size, temperament and suitability for training. With a characteristically gentle and even temperament, Labradors have been a popular choice, but other breeds, including German Shepherds and, more recently, some Labradoodles have been used. When the pups are about seven weeks old, they are introduced to puppy walkers who will look after them until they reach 12 to 14 months. At that stage, it is hoped they are ready for the formal training process that will determine whether they can qualify as a guide dog, and be linked with an individual with whom, in all likelihood, they will remain for up to eight years. During the period the puppy is with the puppy walker, it will pass through a number of important stages in its development. The puppy walker will teach the puppy to obey a number of basic commands; and it will be introduced to a wide variety of situations it will have to learn to cope with: journeys on buses and trains, visits to shops and restaurants, dealing with traffic, and coping with different surfaces such as metal grids. A notable experience for Erin with one puppy was to visit the Scottish Parliament. Linked with this variety of preparatory experiences, the pups meet with other puppy walkers and their pups to familiarise them with other dogs, and to learn in a communal setting. Not all pups are successful in progressing to further training. Erin explained that some have health issues; some show nervousness in coping with specific circumstances; others have to be withdrawn because of unsuitable temperament. However, there is a real feeling of pride for a puppy walker when a pup passes through its further training and is fully qualified. All this costs a great deal of money. Although puppy walkers are volunteers, to fund a guide dog from birth to retirement and beyond costs some £55,000. This financial support has to come from donations. A dog can be sponsored for a monthly sum, and, for an additional amount, it can be given a specified name, perhaps in memory of a loved one. More information is available from www.guidedogs.org. uk. Currently, club meetings are held by Zoom. More information on the club website: www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or on Facebook. Non–members with an interest in a particular talk are welcome to the Zoom meeting. Those wishing to do so should contact cub secretary Stuart Brown at secretary@dunblanerotary. org.uk.