Club’s toast tae the lassies as ladies return to Burns supper

Stirling Burns Club’s annual supper is breaking with tradition this year.

For the first time in many years, the event will be mixed and an invite has now gone out to male and female guests to attend.

Secretary Sandy Tennant said inviting women had been considered for a number of years.

“We spoke to members after it was brought up at our last AGM and the general consensus was that everyone was happy to go ahead with it. It’s also a great opportunity to generate interest in the annual event and attract new blood.”

This year’s supper is in its traditional venue of the Golden Lion Hotel, King Street, Stirling on Friday, January 25 with a 6.30pm for 7pm start.

There will be a full and varied programme of speeches, music, songs and recitations, The Lanarkshire duo of Jimmy Jamieson and Archie Gilbert will propose the Immortal Memory and The Lassies with Anne Murray responding on behalf of the ladies.

Peter Nevans will provide musical entertainment and recitations.

Tickets are £30. More details from secretary Sandy Tennant, Hill and Robb Solicitors, on 01786 450985 or email sandytennant@ hillandrobb.co.uk.

A Bannockburn care home for young people has been praised for making significant improvements in a short timescale following an unannounced inspection.

The Brucefield residential care home – which provides accommodation for those aged between 10 and 18 – previously came in for criticism from inspectors who said staff there had set a bad example by smoking outside the premises.

As a result Stirling Council, which runs the home, was encouraged to do more to combat smoking and issued staff with advice on kicking the habit.

The Care Inspectorate, which regulates care services in Scotland, visited the purpose-built facility on August 30, 2018.

They graded Brucefield as ‘very good’ for the quality of its care and support, environment, and management and leadership. Inspectors also commended the quality of its staffing, with a ‘good’ rating.

At its last inspection, 10 months earlier, the care home’s quality of care and support, and staffing, were