Voice of the People

BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY

‘It’s been an extraordinary period’ was how president David Chisholm introduced his review of the year at the Club’s Annual General Meeting, following reports from the chairmen of the club’s committees. ‘Clearly,’ he said, ‘our normal format of weekly meetings at the Westland Hotel was not possible; nor were we able to mount our usual programme of fund-raising events for our chosen charities. But, undaunted, the council and committees developed an ambitious and varied programme to engage and entertain members and friends, and found novel ways of providing support for various charities.’ Weekly meetings conducted by Zoom had been popular, with strong support from members, and the club was pleased to welcome visitors to these meetings. Despite the inability to meet in the normal social surroundings, the number of members in the club had been maintained. In addition to talks, the virtual programme had included quizzes, horse racing, wine tasting, gin tasting, and a virtual Burns Supper. David also paid tribute to Rotarian Craig Mair of the Skelpit Lug Band who, since March 2020, has entertained the community with a weekly song on Facebook. A great deal of innovative thinking had resulted in the raising of a total of some £45,000. This provided support for Strathcarron Hospice, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), Start-up Stirling and Alzheimers Scotland. In addition, individual members, using money saved from not purchasing the weekly club dinner, had contributed to various charities. President David also praised the efforts of Interactors in Queen Victoria School who, unable to hold the annual winter concert, had supported Dementia Friendly Dunblane in preparing hampers for elderly members of the community, and had also included a video entertainment of pupils’ music and dancing. One change in the course of the year was to establish the club with charitable status. This will allow Gift Aid to be applied to donations made to the club in support of charities. ‘All in all’, David concluded, ‘it has been a year filled with activity. We have continued to drive the club forward. I would particularly like to thank all members for their contributions, understanding and perseverance. Special mention and personal thanks go to treasurer Steve Bassett, secretary Stuart Brown, the council, and, given the year has been dominated by Zoom, our Zoom controller Rod Jones.’ 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 the 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.

ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING AND FORTH VALLEY

Next meeting is tomorrow (Thursday) 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 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 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.

STIRLING FIELD AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The easing of Covid restrictions on March 12 permitted ‘outdoor non-contact sports and socially-distanced 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 carsharing 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.