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BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY
The image of the library as an outdated, book-focused survivor from the past, increasingly irrelevant in the age of electronic media, was thoroughly quashed by Angela Seaton, community library officer from Stirling Council, when she spoke to the club. Angela did admit, however, that when she joined the library in 1983 it was very much books-only. While activity to fully embrace electronic media was already well underway, it was considerably accelerated by the advent of the pandemic and the associated lockdown; overnight the library became inaccessible to its users. The response was swift: library staff were issued with computers and ipads, and they set about finding means to provide a wide-ranging service digitally. Their focus in the initial stages was to establish contact with groups supporting those with particular needs, and then to liaise with the council to ensure that their needs were met. Recognising the increased demand for library services brought by the lockdown, the council continued to approve funding for the purchase of books and multimedia. This gave scope for the purchase of e-books, enabling the traditional book lending function of the library to continue, albeit online. In turn, audio books, e-magazines and e-newspapers were made widely accessible. With growing awareness in the community of the availability of these online services, the staff added access to other amenities such as local history material, theory tests for learner drivers, and language learning. Angela reported that in July 2020, there was a welcome reduction in lockdown restrictions allowing the library to reopen in a very limited way, with selection and collection of books permitted only at the front door. The following period to the end of 2020 and into 2021 was a period of hope as some freedoms were introduced, followed by the frustration of the re-imposition of restrictions. During this period, library staff were working to add further opportunities, including a book group (meeting virtually), making available a range of bedtime songs, and providing writing workshops. However, it was not until August 2021 that a sense of normality began to return, albeit with some hitches along the way. Now, Angela said, things are pretty well back to normal with children able to play with the toys that had up to then had to be packed away. More people are returning to use the facilities of the library, though numbers are not quite back to former levels. A new initiative, Dyslexia Awareness Week, and the availability of dyslexia-friendly books, shows that the innovative energy of the library staff has not been exhausted. Bob Duncan, Speaker’s Host, in thanking Angela for her talk, commented on the obvious versatility and enthusiasm of staff throughout this difficult and frustrating period. Club meetings are held in the Westlands Hotel, Dunblane at 6.15pm on Thursday. Non–members are welcome; anyone wishing to attend should contact the club secretary, Stuart Brown, at secretary@dunblanerotary.org. uk. The club’s programme can be found at www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or on www. facebook.com/dunblanerotary.
RSVP WALKING GROUP
Walk leaders with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme organise and lead three walks every week, starting at various places across Stirling and Clackmannanshire on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get extra exercise and have a chat along the way, contact Anne Marie on 07935 911156 for more details.
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 is open and available for all disability related work or enquiries. During the pandemic, COD continues to operate successfully by phone for all types of benefit form completion and follow up work to tribunal if required. Whilst COD is not yet offering face to face appointments, the situation is monitored continually and staff look forward to re-introducing this as soon as it is practicable. A wealth of information on services can be found on the website at www.councilondisability. org . All updates on face to face reopening will also appear here. Please phone 01786 462178 or 07521 186159 or email advisor@ councilondisability.org.
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. Meetings are held 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 on the Facebook page, by calling 07526 281747 or on the website ‘neurocentral.org.uk.’ As usual, everyone welcome. If you would like a cuppa, please bring your own cup.
ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND
Contact dementia advisor Donna Paterson at dpaterson@alzscot.org, 01786 8311 or 07733 302772.
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.
FORTH VALLEY TOP TOES
Part of the Braveheart Association non-profit charity providing personal footcare service to adults who are unable to cut their own toenails. Cost is £15 per session which covers overheads and the customers’ nail care kit. It offers basic nail clipping and filing every six-10 weeks by a team of trained NHS approved volunteers but do not provide other podiatric treatments. The clinic meets at the Bellfield Centre, Stirling Community Hospital, Livilands Gate, Stirling on Thursdays from 9am-12.30pm. To book an appointment contact the Forth Valley Top Toes team on 07596 375674/01324 633505 or email louise.bleazard@nhs.scot.
STIRLING POETRY SHARING GROUP
The group is restarting on the first Thursday of the month from the new time of 11.30am to 12.30pm in the Smith Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road, Stirling. 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 is open from 11am for the sale of refreshments. Further details from 07464 602207. Future Thursday dates are June 2, July 7, August 1 and September 1.
THE ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING AND FORTH VALLEY
Tomorrow (Thursday) at 11am at the Albert Halls, Stirling, freelance curator, lecturer and writer Joanna Banham will give a talk entitled A Decorative
Art: History of Wallpapers. The history of wallpaper is a long and fascinating subject that dates back to the 16th century and encompasses a huge range of beautiful patterns created both by anonymous hands and by some of the best-known designers of the 19th and 20th centuries. This lecture explores the history and development of this product from earliest times up to the present day. Please allow time to check in for the lecture. Anyone is welcome to join, for further information please visit the website: www.theartssocietystirling.org. uk or contact Membership Secretary by e-mail : artssocsfvmembership@gmail. com.
THE FRIENDS OF THE SMITH ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM
The next lecture on Wednesday, May 25 will be given by Yvonne Cook, a Friend of the Smith, entitled “Heart-breaking Eyes and Barley-sugar Curls - Katherine Mansfield’s silent film connection”. Are those eyes and curls enough to distract from the strain of everyday living? Yes, especially when they belong to Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Yvonne will consider why the cinema had such a remarkable influence on the public in general and writer Katherine Mansfield in particular. Yvonne has followed in Mansfield’s footsteps as a film extra. The lecture is at 7pm for 7.30 pm. (tea, coffee and biscuits included).
STIRLING BAHA’IS
The recent Scottish Baha’i Conference in Edinburgh brought together Baha’is and friends from all over Scotland including Orkney, Shetland, the Hebrides and even the Faroes. The theme was centred on community-building and serving the neighbourhoods in which we live. The programme started with a review of the history of the Baha’i Faith in Scotland, which started late in the 19th century and received a big boost with the visit of ‘Abdu’l-baha, Baha’u’llah’s son and successor, who came to Edinburgh in 1913. Dollar Academy has hosted a series of three presentations to different classes on a number of different faiths, arranged by Edinburgh Interfaith. The Baha’i faith was represented by Jeremy Fox from Riverside, Stirling. Over recent weeks in Stirling there have been meditational gatherings (still, for the present, mostly on Zoom) on a variety of themes including women, children, prioritising and spiritual consciousness. There was also a talk led by Rachel Burnett who spoke about the central Baha’i belief in the oneness of mankind and the application of spiritual principles in her husband’s business, the Highland Chocolatier, in Grandtully, near Perth. The next discussion evening will be on Friday, May 20 at 7.30pm on the subject of the education of children. For details contact secretary on parvin@pmorrissey. co.uk.
CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY
Last week saw the club gather at the Golden Lion for a speaker’s evening. This is where everyone gets together to socialise, enjoy a meal and listen to an after-dinner talk. It was somewhat of a busman’s holiday for Rotarian Chris at this week’s meeting. He gave members an after-dinner talk/ demonstration on public access defibrillators, and how they’re designed to let the average person save a life. We’re still working hard on the preparation for our annual Kids Out Day at Bridgehaugh Park on Wednesday June 8, with only a few short weeks left until the big day. Plans are going well and special thanks are due to Eddie Cramb and Jimmy Muirhead for their particularly dedicated efforts to date. We’d encourage anyone who’d like more information on helping people, both locally and abroad, to either pay us a visit on a Wednesday night, or get in touch through our social media channels, by searching for ‘@carserotary.’
STIRLING FOLK CLUB
Dan Mckinnon, award-winning singer, guitarist, songwriter and historian, is the guest on Monday, May 23, at Stirling Rugby Club on Causewayhead Road. Dan hails from Nova Scotia, and is blessed with a glorious baritone voice, a graceful mastery on guitar, and a hearty laugh that delights any room. His thoughtful compositions and smooth melodies cover the entire folk spectrum, with themes traditional, historical, contemporary and universal. His keenly observed stories and passionately delivered songs convey a deep inquisitiveness into the human condition and the rich heritage of Nova Scotia. It’s seven years since he last performed in Stirling - so don’t miss him on Monday at 7.30pm. Tickets £12 on the door.
COELIAC UK FORTH VALLEY GROUP
After a two-year break the group are finally able to hold a meeting at Greenpark Community Centre, Greenpark Drive, Polmont, FK2 0PZ at 3.15pm on Saturday, May 28. There will be a short AGM followed by a high tea. Orders for hot gluten-free food and payment will be collected when you enter the building. Provided at a special cost from Land and Sea Fish and Chip Shop, they will be brought to the hall between 4.15-4.30pm. There will also be a selection of gluten free home baking and tan and coffee as required. Pre-booking would help, email Marion at roymars1@live.co.uk or phone 01324 823011 by Saturday, May 21.