Voice of the People

RSVP FORTH VALLEY HEALTHY WALKS Start 10.15am prompt every Wednesday and 10.30am prompt on Thursdays and Saturdays. The walks are led by trained volunteer walk leaders. For your free list of RSVP walks, call the team on 01259 928088. ROCKTALK Stirling’s talking newspaper for the blind is free to visually impaired members of the community who can have the Stirling Observer delivered to them weekly on USB memory stick. Contact secretary Paul Reed on 01786 462844 or chairman Ella Kennedy 01786 472309. NTS STIRLING MEMBERS’ CENTRE The first summer outing for 2016 took place on a sunny Wednesday, April 20 when 52 members visited Dumfries House in Ayrshire. In 2007, Prince Charles stepped in at virtually the last minute to prevent the sale of this historic house, designed by the Adam brothers, and dispersal of its amazing contents of important Chippendale and other furniture by significant Scottish craftsmen. The Prince and other members of the Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust have inspired and encouraged a significant number of related projects which enhance and extend the contribution this rescue effort is making to the immediate community of Cumnock, to youth training, craft experience and other activities benefiting the whole of Scotland. The costs have been enormous but the effort, generosity and the results are equally special. The dedication of those involved in the process and in day to day running is much to be admired and commended. Thanks to Margaret and Sandy Moreland for arranging everything. The next outing is to the NTS Threave Garden and House in Dumfriesshire on Thursday, May 19. There are a few vacancies for anyone who would like to join this trip. Details are, as usual, available on the website (www.spanglefish.com/ntsstirling) and from the membership secretary at neilstirlingnts@gmail.com or telephone 01786 841778.

STIRLING GIN CLUB Next meeting is on Friday, April 29 from 7-9pm in The Latin Room, Stirling Highland Hotel. On the night there is a tasting from Edinburgh Gin including Cannonball; Seaside; Raspberry Liqueur; Elderflower Liqueur; Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur. Members £15, nonmembers £20. Membership £25 a year, which includes 10 per cent off all purchases in The Stirling Whisky Shop. To book your space call the shop on 01786 449152 or email info@ sws.scot.

GOING FORWARD STROKE GROUP Tomorrow (Thursday) Eric will be giving a talk on ‘A day in the life of an animal welfare. Tea will follow plus discussion. The group meets on Thursdays in the Chalmers Hall, Bridge of Allan. For more information, please phone 07789 735639 or 01786 831640 or at www.stirlingstrokesupportgroup.com.

STIRLING LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY The next meeting, including AGM, will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at 7.30pm in the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Dumbarton Road, Stirling. After a short AGM an illustrated talk entitled “Scottish Silver and Jewellery” will be delivered by Gordon Foster. This promises to be an interesting talk to which all are invited. Non-members are asked to pay a modest contribution of £2.50 (members, students, and under 18s free). Further details can be obtained via website www.stirling-lhs.org.

STIRLING, FALKIRK AND DISTRICT RAMBLERS On Sunday, May 1, the group is travelling to Falkland for a varied walk leading up to the Tyndall Bruce Monument and back down the Maspie Den. Grade C-plus: 7miles/4.5 hours/ascent 600ft. Meet at Linden Avenue car park, Stirling at 9.30am or the start of the walk at Back Wynd car park, Falkland at 10.45am. OS: 59 GR: NO254073. Non members welcome. For further info contact the walk leader Janet McNee on 01324 872205 or 07929 130582 or email janet.mcnee@googlemail.com.

STIRLING AND UNION BRIDGE CLUB Results from April 15: NS 1 Pat and Les Wilson 2 A Smith and J Douglas 3 D Beckham and L Reich EW 1 H O’Brien and S Copland 2 M Macleod and J O’Loan 3 A Salatian and K Clark. April 18: (Afternoon) NS 1 A McLean and F Lamb 2 U Evitt and M Malone 3 P Maclachlan and D Tavadia EW 1 Mr and Mrs Hedley 2 M Penman and W Jamieson 3 R Adam and C Robertson. (Evening Teams) 1 S Hopkins S Thomson P Booth and L Maclachlan 2 J Mercer G Knox D Isaacs and G Hill 3 equal E Outred E Wood J Bidwell G Harrower 3 equal Jim and Isobel Brown I Taylor and J Young. April 19: (Improvers) Winners NS J Moodie and P Sutherland EW B Melville and C Bayes. (Novices) Winners NS Mr and Mrs O’Byrne EW K Hirst and Pat. April 20: (Afternoon) NS 1 M Findlay and E Jamieson 2 M Ainsworth and D Banks 3 J Forbes and D Morris EW 1 M Milton and A McLean 2 D Fairlie and T Hedley 3 M Shaw and A Hume; (Evening Celtic Pairs) 1 A Ritchie and R Thomson 2 J Mercer and A Philip 3 D Fairlie and P Wilson. April 21: NS 1 M Bain and C Wallace 2 D Fairlie and A Millar 3 A Salatian and V Inglis EW 1 J Arthur and M Jackson 2 J Douglas and P Galletly 3 A Ritchie and G Harrower.

PARKINSON’S Stirling branch meets on Monday, May 2 in the Bruce Memorial Church Hall, Cambusbarron from 12.30-2.30pm, starting with soup/roll lunch. Further details from Gordon 01786 465414 or Janet 01786 461218 National helpline 0808 800 0303.

STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB On Sunday, May 1, ramble is Falkirk-- Bonnybridge- Antonine Wall cicular tour. Grade C: Distance: 7 miles/4 hours. Meet 10.15am at start of walk near Falkirk Wheel on north side of canal. Refreshments at Wheel Visitor Centre. Leader: Trevor Wilson tel. 01786 833785 or email trevorwilson@mypostoffice.co.uk. Club website is www.stirlingramblingclub.wordpress.com.

STIRLING ARTHRITIS GROUP Meeting is tomorrow (Thursday) in the Linden Inn from 2-4pm when Mhairi Graham will deliver a talk on the bladder and bowel service. Anyone interested in joining, call Maureen on 01786 464370.

STIRLING TREFOIL GUILD Next meeting on Monday, May 2 at 7.30pm is the AGM followed by supper.

STIRLING SCHOOL OF ENGLISH Classes classes continue at the Rock Centre in Stirling on Monday to Wednesday 10am and Wallace High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the evenings. Classes are available in a range of ability levels. Other classes have a specific focus for special interests such as academic English and driving licence tuition. All tutors and admin assistant are volunteers and a volunteers is urgently required to work on the website. More information on www.stirlingschoolofenglish.wordpress.com.

CENTRAL SCOTLAND FAMILY HISTORY The next drop-in session at St Ninians Library, Mayfield Centre will be on Tuesday, May 3 from 1011.30am. The drop-ins are open to anyone looking for some advice on family history research with society volunteers available to offer help and are run in conjunction with Stirling Council Libraries and Archives. Booking is preferable - please phone the library on 01786 472069 to book a time-slot. The society’s AGM will take place on Wednesday, May 4 at 7.30pm in the Smith Art Gallery and Museum. After the AGM, Yvonne McEwen will give a talk entitled “WWI Nurses Memorial Appeal”. Tea and biscuits will be available after the talk. Non-members are welcome at the meetings although there is a small charge of £2.

STIRLING ROTARY CLUB JVP Stewart Wilson welcomed members and visitors, Adam Gaines (speaker), David Byers and Jim Cooper.Stewart reminded members that the club will be manning a stand at Gardening Scotland from June 3-5. Adam Gaines, representing Prostate Cancer Scotland, gave an insight into the aims and activities of this organisation. Prostate cancer is an important disease affecting one in 10 men, with the number of cases expected to double in the next 20 years as the number of older men in the population rises. It is the commonest male cancer. However as a result of earlier diagnosis, which is crucial, and improved treatment , the five year survival rate is now 80 per cent. Prostate Cancer Scotland works in three main areas. Firstly by informing the public about the disease. Using an excellent collection of information leaflets, and targeting men in their workplace, and through organizations such as Rotary has led to more open discussion and greater understanding of what was often a taboo subject. Rotary has taken this up by organizing a series of Rotary Rides for Prostate Cancer, the next on June 18019. Secondly they support suffers with practical help and useful advice. Thirdly they raise money for research and improved treatment. In particular they have raised £2.7m towards equipment for robot-assisted surgery, which minimizes the severity of the surgical treatment. Glasgow and Aberdeen are now equipped and it is hoped that the East of Scotland will soon follow.

The subject was clearly of interest to an audience, mainly of men of the relevant age, and Adam responded to a number of questions at the end of his talk. The vote of thanks was given by Malcolm Cordwell Smith. Speaker’s host this week is Bill Bryce, visitor’s host Stewart Wilson. For further information about the club. www.stirling.rotary1010.org.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SCOTLAND Monthly meeting is at 7.15pm in the Masonic Hall, Forth Street, Stirling (opposite ten pin bowling) on Friday, April 29. All serving and exserving personnel welcome. For more information please contact James on 01786 609770.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY CLUB The AGM was held on Thursday April 21. In addition to reports from committee chairs, a number of members were formally nominated and elected to serve on the council. There was wholehearted agreement that the 2015/16 programme of activities had been a great success and tributes were paid to committee chairs responsible for mounting the many fundraising and other club events. In the past year, more than £20,000 has been raised to support local charities. The major events contributing to this sum were the Am-Am golf competition, the Duck Race and the crepe-making at local shows. Events on a smaller scale added further valuable contributions: the annual quiz, a sponsored mountain challenge, coffee mornings, the Shoe Box appeal and the Judy Murray tennis competition. In addition to fund raising, the club has promoted many other events, including the primary school quiz, the Young Chef competition and the concert for older members of the community. The work undertaken by the Interact Group (Junior Rotary) at Queen Victoria School was praised, with special mention made of the support given throughout the year by the young people to numerous Rotary events. A varied programme of talks, given at the regular club meetings on Thursdays, had entertained and informed members. A special tribute was paid to President nominee George Morrison for his organisation of these. The club is holding a coffee morning in Dunblane Cathedral Halls on Saturday, April 30 from 10am-noon. Money raised will support the worldwide Rotary programme to eradicate polio. On Saturday, May 28, as an integral part of the Dunblane Fling there will be the annual Duck Race, for which tickets will shortly be on sale in a number of local venues. On Sunday, May 29 the annual Judy Murray Mini-Tennis Competition takes place at Dunblane Sports Club where there are entry forms available. On Thursday, June 23 the annual Am-Am golf competition in support of the Strathcarron Hospice takes place at Dunblane New GC. Entries for teams of four can be made to Russell Clarke at russellclarke1@aol.com. In concluding the AGM, President Mary Fraser thanked members for the continued support for the club’s activities. As a result, a significant contribution had been made to local charities and to providing various community activities across all ages. Mary was delighted to be the first woman president of the club. She was sure that in the year ahead, under the presidency of Nick Rawlings, the club would continue to thrive. The meeting of the Rotary Club tomorrow (Thursday) will be held at the Westlands Hotel, Doune Road, at 6 for 6.30pm. The speaker will be Murray Cook who will talk about the history of Dunblane’s Vikings. Visitors are always welcome. Anyone interested in attending should contact club secretary Iain Fraser at secretary@dunblanerotary.org. Tel: 01786 822751. More information at www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary.