Stirling Observer

HVeoaicdee­or fhtehre People

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ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING AND FORTH VALLEY

Next meeting is on Thursday, April 22 online via Zoom and YouTube at 10.50am for 11am. All members will be sent a link prior to the lecture. The talk is “Here Be Dragons: Monsters In Sculpture” by author and lecturer Imogen Corrigan. You don’t have to go into many churches right across Europe or look at many manuscript­s made at any time during the Middle Ages to notice fabulous monsters, mythical beasts and grotesques rampaging through the carvings and pages. Some are funny, some downright disrespect­ful, but all show a strange mixing of devotion with deformity, piety with profanity, reverence with roguishnes­s. Were our ancestors bonkers or did these images have a purpose? What inspired them? Did they come from travellers’ tales or were they made to make moral points? The lecture explores these questions and more. If nothing else, the medieval monsters are fun. Some are terrifying, but many others are utterly adorable. 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 faceto-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.

OCHILS MOUNTAINEE­RING CLUB

For informatio­n on the club’s more usual walking and climbing activities, visit www.ochils.com.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY CLUB

Currently, club meetings are held by Zoom. Non–members with an interest in a particular talk are welcome to the meeting. Those wishing to do so should contact club secretary Stuart Brown at secretary@dunblanero­tary.org.uk. The next talk on Thursday, April 29 is by a forensic psychiatri­st. Further informatio­n on the club’s programme and activities can be found on the club website:www. dunblanero­tary.org.uk or on Facebook: www. facebook.com/dunblanero­tary.

STIRLING FIELD AND ARCHAEOLOG­ICAL SOCIETY

The easing of Covid restrictio­ns on March 12 permitted ‘outdoor non-contact sports and sociallydi­stanced group exercise for adults in groups of up to 15 people’. On April 2, travel within one’s local authority area for non-essential purposes was also allowed, providing a framework within which it is possible for the society to begin its programme of summer outings. On Saturday, April 24 the outing is to look at agricultur­al remains in Menstrie Glen, principall­y the once-substantia­l farms of Jerah and Loss in the upper part of the glen. This outing leaves from the Smith Museum at 9.30am and replaces the visit to Perth Museum and Bertha Roman fort, which will now take place on September 18. As well as maintainin­g two metre social distancing during the outing, all participan­ts must provide their own transport (no car-sharing between households). Directions from the Smith to the destinatio­n will be given on departure but a printed map and a site descriptio­n will not be handed out. Please wear appropriat­e clothing, and bring a packed lunch for the Saturday outing.

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF STIRLING

The club welcomed speaker Rev Iain Paton to the Zoom meeting last Friday. His interestin­g talk and fabulous photos was about his trip to The Holy Land. He visited several sites around The Sea of Galilee, starting in Tiberius, and visited many holy sites to the north and from there to the Mount Golan Heights. Many of the towns visited are famous for their religious buildings. Many are built on famous biblical sites which go back to the 1st century AD. Some of these churches were designed by Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. In Jerusalem amongst many religious buildings is the St Andrews Scottish Church, built as a memorial to Scottish soldiers who were killed fighting the Turkish army during the First World War. Rev Iain and his wife support a school for the blind children in Idnha.The last place he visited was Quimran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. An enlighteni­ng and entertaini­ng talk.

 ??  ?? Reflection and ripples Swan on Airthrey Loch by Lorna Donaldson
Reflection and ripples Swan on Airthrey Loch by Lorna Donaldson

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