HVeoaicdeeor fhtehre People
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
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
Neuro Central aims to ensure that people in Scotland who live with neurological conditions, as well as their carers and families, have access to high quality services, therapies, information and support in a friendly, relaxed environment so nobody has to feel alone. For the last 18 months, due to Covid restrictions, we have been unable to hold our ‘face to face’ meetings. As guidelines have now been relaxed, meetings have resumed on the first and third Monday of the month at Stirling County Cricket Club from 11am-1pm. Precautions will be taken to ensure, as far as possible, the safety of our members, volunteers and therapists. Further information is available on the Facebook page, by calling 07526 281747 or on the website ‘neurocentral.org.uk.’ As usual, everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there. If you would like to have a cuppa, please bring your own cup.
ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND
Contact dementia advisor Donna Paterson at dpaterson@alzscot.org, 01786 8311 or 07733 302772.
GOING FORWARD STROKE GROUP
It is the intension of Going Forward to restart regular weekly meetings when all government Covid restrictions have been lifted, and conditions are safe to do so.
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.
STIRLING CITY CHOIR
Weekly rehearsals for the choir have resumed in Park Church (former St Columba’s) each Tuesday. In line with Government guidelines, sessions will be shorter (7.30-8.30pm) and physical distancing will be observed. New members are welcome, new male voice members are very welcome. The choir will be working towards a performance of Handel’s Messiah this year. The choir can be contacted through www. stirlingcitychoir.org.uk or on Facebook.
ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION (STIRLING BRANCH)
Monthly meetings are now being held face to face again in line with current Covid regulations at the King Robert Hotel, Glasgow Road, Whins of Milton. Meetings are monthly on the first Wednesday in the month If you would like any further information please contact the secretary on secretary. aashstirlingbranch@btinternet.com, or by contacting the chairman by phone 07940 828 434, or email: james21healy@ outlook.com.
FALKIRK SINGLES CLUB
Looking for something to do on a Friday night then come to an evening of socialising and dancing to live music from 8pm in The North Broomage Club, Graham Avenue, Larbert FK5 4PS . The club has members from all areas. All singles over 50 welcome. Call Liz on 07585 334521.
4TH/6TH STIRLING SCOUTS
Cub Scout leader desperately needed for the 4th/6th Stirling Scout Group, Park Church, Stirling. Cubs run on Fridays from 6pm to 7.30pm. Please get in touch with Jane MacPherson on either email, themacphersonfamily6@gmail.com or call 07792 827584. General helpers are also needed so if you feel you can give up an hour or so on a Friday evening please get in touch.
ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING AND FORTH VALLEY
Anyone is most welcome to join the Stirling and Forth Valley Arts Society. Please contact the membership secretary by e-mail: artssocsfvmembership@ gmail.com. More details at www. theartssocietystirling.org.uk.
POETRY SHARING GROUP
The Stirling group is restarting on the first Thursday of the month from 11amnoon in the Smith Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road. All are welcome to come along to share and enjoy poetry being read aloud. Bring a couple of poems of any era or style if you wish to read, or just come along to listen. If you wish to hear a particular poem read, but do not wish to read yourself, the group will provide a willing reader. The Smith Cafe will be open for the sale of refreshments. Further details from 07464 602207. Future dates are Thursday, November 4 and Thursday, December 2.
INNER WHEEL OF STIRLING
The club enjoyed a celebratory lunch at Inglewood House, Alloa last Wednesday when members and guests had a lovely time celebrating Past District Chairman Lesley Niven’s two years as District Chairman.
STIRLING AND DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY
The next meeting of the Stirling stamp club is at 7.30pm on Monday, October 25 at the Allan Centre, Bridge of Allan.
This will be a display on medicinal plants by Jean Osborne. Visitors and/or new members are welcome. The society website is www.nzstamps.org.uk/sdps.
DUNBLANE IN BLOOM
Volunteers work every Sunday from 10am to enhance the environment for residents and visitors alike. Recently, hanging baskets in the High Street have been removed to save plants for next year and at the community garden near the Faery Bridge, climbing ivy has been cut back and the wild flower garden is being prepared for next season. Voluntters who can give whatever time they like are always welcome. The group gathers for coffee for a break, to chat, or to learn from others. Youngsters join as part of their Duke of Edinburgh community involvement. More details on Facebook, email info@dunblanedevelopmenttrust. com or leave a message on 01786 822422.
BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY CLUB
Club members’ imaginations were undoubtedly stirred by the title of the talk by Rotarian Ian Dale from Glasgow Rotary Club: “How to poison your...”. As it transpired, Ian was not suggesting any desperate actions; rather, he was reflecting on the range of poisons available, and, on a more macabre note, on those who had made use of them. He pointed to the wide variety of poisons: some mineral, such as arsenic; some occurring naturally, such as hemlock or snake venom, or as micro-organisms, such as anthrax; together with some synthetic poisons such as paraquat or polonium. Of the dosage needed to prove fatal, 200mg of cyanide or arsenic is sufficient to kill an adult. At the other end of the scale, two teaspoonsful of botulinus toxin would be sufficient to kill everyone in the UK. There is, Ian pointed out, evidence of the use of poison throughout the ages. He instanced the poisoning by hemlock of Socrates in 399 BC. In the Middle Ages, recognising the proliferation of poisonings, there were efforts to find a universal antidote – not surprisingly, they proved unsuccessful.
Ian also pointed to a university course on poisons available in Venice in the 16th century. Inevitably, there were rogues using their skill with poisons for financial benefit. In 1542, John of Ragusa offered the Council of Venice a tariff for poisoning various notables, including the Pope. In terms of detecting poisoning, it was not until the 19th century that tests were developed that could detect the presence of arsenic in a corpse – the most common form of poison then in use. Looking at instances of poisoning, Ian cited the case of Madeleine Smith, born in Glasgow in 1835, who married Pierre Emile L’Angelier in 1855. Theirs was apparently a torrid relationship, ending in 1857 with the death of Pierre. Madeleine was charged with murder and a post-mortem undertaken by Professor Christison showed evidence of arsenic. However, perhaps influenced by her reputed beauty, the 15-man jury, delivered a “not guilty” verdict. Having escaped the gallows, she then emigrated to America. In another case, Doctor William Pritchard, a well-known figure in Glasgow, was found guilty of poisoning his wife and mother-in law to obtain their life insurances. He was executed by hanging in 1865, the last public hanging in Scotland. In 1920, radio telegraphy was used to arrange the interception of the ship on which Dr Crippen, who had poisoned his wife, was fleeing to Canada. He was arrested, tried and executed. In 1942, the British considered the use of anthrax as a possible weapon against the Germans. It was trialled on the Scottish island of Gruinard, but despite the experiment being abandoned, the island was not declared safe until 1990. Speaker’s host Graham Russell thanked Ian for a fascinating talk that was full of interest. Club meetings are held in the Westlands Hotel, Dunblane. It is also possible to attend by Zoom. Non–members are welcome; anyone wishing to attend should contact club secretary Stuart Brown at secretary@dunblanerotary. org.uk. On Thursday, October 28, Neil Kitching will speak on “Carbon Choices”. The club’s programme can be found on the website: www.dunblanerotary.org. uk or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ dunblanerotary.
CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY CLUB
Last week saw members gather at the Golden Lion Hotel for a business meeting where everyone gets together to socialise, enjoy a meal and discuss the business of the club. Members are still working away looking at how to organise events like Santa’s Sleigh, Kids Day Out and the Primary School Quiz. Whilst no-one can fully predict the future, it is hoped that events like these can go ahead and planning is being done around this. Anyone who would like more information on becoming a Rotarian can pay a visit to the Golden Lion Hotel on a Wednesday night or get in touch through social media channels, by searching for ‘@carserotary.’
OCHILS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
Despite unsettled weather last weekend some club members managed hillwalking in the Cairngorms and the Fannichs. With the shorter days the climbers in the club are arranging indoor climbing sessions at The PEAK in Stirling.