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WE REVIEW THE KINDLE SCRIBE
INNER WHEEL OF STIRLING
President Marjorie Duncan welcomed Philip Allison president of Stirling Rotary club to our first meeting of 2023, held at the Stirling Court Hotel on Friday January 6. Retired Solicitor Philip gave us an insight into The Merchant Guildry of Stirling of which he is a Guild brother. The Merchant Guildry of Stirling officially began in 1226, when King Alexander II granted the Charter to the Guildry of the town. A merchant being someone who bought and sold goods, they bound themselves together in a body known as the Seven incorporated trades - the Hammermen, Skinners, Bakers,weavers, Tailors, Fleshers and Shoemakers. They adopted the old Merchants reverse 4Symbol as their emblem in the mid 19th century, as a symbol of honesty and fair dealing between merchants. In 2019 Elizabeth Roads LVO was elected the First Lady Dean of the Merchant Guildry in 900 years. The ancient organization held a black tie event in Stirling Castle to celebrate the Merchant Guildry of Stirling’s 900th anniversary in 2019 with honorary Guildry member HRH Princess Anne in attendance. A vote of thanks was given by member Isabel Morrison. Our next club meeting is on Friday February 3. For more information see us on Facebook or IW website district 1.
ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING & FORTH VALLEY
On Thursday January 19 at the Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling at 10.50am for 11am, the talk will be ‘Oleksandr Bohomazov: Lost Futurist of Ukraine’. Having never left the Russian nor Soviet empires in his lifetime, this Kiev-based artist can only have heard about the new tendencies in Western Art through magazines or publications. Nonetheless, Bohomazov managed to create masterpieces no less exceptional or ground-breaking than those of his European contemporaries. A difficult, at times tragic life, shaped by a passionate love story on a background of major historical upheaval. Oleksander Bohomazov is an artist of revolutionary ideas and unique style. James Butterwick, collector and art dealer, examines the legacy of the genius who many consider the national artist of the Ukraine and how his work is finally moving into the light. All welcome, contact: artssocsfvmembership@gmail.com for further information or visit www. theartssocietystirling.org.uk.
FRIENDS OF THE SMITH
Stirling has produced many intrepid travellers, including those who crossed the world as sailors, soldiers, traders, missionaries and colonial penpushers. This global reach is the theme of the latest Stirling Smith lecture, on Wednesday January 18. Nicola Wilson, collections manager at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, has spent months working with the many artefacts that people brought home to Stirling from their travels, and is ready to share her findings in an illustrated talk. The lecture will focus on objects donated to the Smith in its formative years, in the late 19th century. The lecture takes place at the Smith, Dumbarton Road, starting at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm. Admission is by cash at the door and costs £5 for adults, £4 for members of the Friends and £2 for students, on production of a valid student ID card. Admission includes tea or coffee and biscuits afterwards. A brochure with full details of the lecture series is available from the Smith.
STIRLING & DISTRICT FLORAL ART CLUB
The club meets monthly in the Main Hall of Park Church, Stirling FK8 2NA on
Tuesday afternoons. The 2023 meetings are on Tuesdays: February 21, March 14, April 11 and May 6, all at 2.30pm. Further information available from the Honorary Secretary Mrs Sarah Murdoch. E-mail: murdochsarah@btinternet.com.
STIRLING BURNS CLUB
The club returns to the Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling, for their 128th Annual Celebration of the Bard on January 27 at 6.30pm. Tickets from the hotel, any committee member or from club secretary Patrick Mcdermott by phone, text or Whatsapp on 0797 383 4173. Full details on the Stirling Burns Club facebook page.
STIRLING LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Next meeting on Thursday January 26.
STIRLING ROCK CRYPIC COUNCIL NO2
Stirling Rock Cryptic Council No2 first regular meeting of the year will be held in the Masonic Temple, Bridge of Allan, today (Wednesday) at 7.30pm when the RM, SM and SEMS Degrees will be conferred. All companions and visitors will be assured of a warm welcome.
LODGE ANCIENT STIRLING NO 30
Regular Meeting in the Masonic Temple, 6 Forth Street, Stirling on Tuesday, January 17, at 7.15pm. Business an EA degree. Visitors welcome.
FRIENDS OF THE SMITH
Monthly Stirling Smith lectures on Wednesdays at the Smith, Dumbarton Road, at 7.30pm, doors open 7pm. Admission by cash at the door, £5 adults, £4 Friends members, £2 students. Admission includes tea or coffee and biscuits. Brochure with details of the lectures available from the Smith.
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 would like extra exercise and a chat, contact Anne Marie on 07935 911156 for more information.
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. 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 practicable. Information at www.councilondisability.org. 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 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. Next meeting at Stirling County Cricket Club 11am-1pm on Monday February 6. Further information call 07526 281747 or at neurocentral.org. uk.
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 call 07596 375674/01324 633505 or email louise.bleazard@nhs.scot.
STIRLING POETRY SHARING GROUP
Group meets first Thursday of the month from 11.30am-12.30pm in the Smith Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road. All welcome to share and enjoy poetry read aloud. Bring a couple of poems of any era or style to read. If you do not wish to read yourself, the group will provide a willing reader. Further details from 07464 602207. Forthcoming dates January 12 (tomorrow), February 2, March 2.
FORTH VALLEY U3A
Retired or semi-retired? Wondering what to do? Would you like to meet new people and become involved in a new hobby, interest, or activity? Brighten your autumn and winter by joining Forth Valley u3a, run by members for members. More than 60 interest groups in Forth Valley all meeting in local venues. They include book groups, craft workshops, badminton, coffee clubs, current affairs, guitar, Mandarin, mah-jong, poetry appreciation, Spanish, scrabble, tai chi, and a walking group.
The membership also gets together socially once a month for an afternoon event. More at www.forthvalleyu3a.org. uk.
STIRLING MALE VOICE CHOIR
If you are a male who has always fancied being part of a choir or has been in choirs before, there is no audition or test to join. Choir meets on Tuesdays from September to May at Logie Kirk Hall in Causewayhead from 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome. Contact secretary John Barbour on 01786 474166.
STIRLING CITY CHOIR
Rehearsals have resumed at Park Church with practice for the Spring Concert - a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. New members welcome - come along or contact us through http://www.stirlingcitychoir. org.uk, twitter: @stirling_choir, Facebook: Stirling City Choir.
TORBREX COMMUNITY CHOIR
This choir rehearses from 9.45-11.45am every Tuesday morning in Park Church, Stirling and performs two concerts a year generously supporting a local charity. If you enjoy singing upbeat music, in a mixed voice choir, with a great bunch of gregarious people please come along.
GOING FORWARD
The Bridge of Allan stroke group meets on Thursdays in the Chalmers Hall, Bridge of Allan Parish Church at 1.45pm for 2pm. If you are a stroke survivor or know anyone who is, and would like to join with the friendly group for an afternoon of social interaction, stimulation, entertainment and tea or coffee and biscuits, contact Sandra on 07434 972818.
PROBUS CLUB OF STRATHENDRICK
The club will resume tomorrow (Thursday) when we will hold our AGM. Normal meetings resume on January 19 when our speaker’s topic will be ‘Fur, Farming & Footpaths – Reporting on Scotland’s great outdoors’. We meet at 10.15am for 10.30am in Killearn Church Hall. We aim simply to provide fellowship and a variety of speakers that will be of interest to “retired professional and businesspersons”. A full schedule is planned for the coming weeks and new members will be welcomed.
OCHILS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
Despite an unsettled weekend various club members were out walking in the Trossachs and Ochils. Some were skiing in Glencoe. With the shorter evenings the rock climbers in the club are arranging some indoor climbing at the local climbing wall, the Peak in Stirling. Further indoor climbing being done in the international climbing centre at Ratho near Edinburgh and Perth climbing wall. The club hosts a talk by Anna Wells, well known mountaineer and climbing instructor, today (Wednesday) at 8pm at Stirling County Cricket Club. On the social front, this Thursday’s pub meet is at the Crossed Peels, Stirling from 8pm, non-members welcome. Details of forthcoming meets at the club cottage and Achnasheen in January are on the club website at www.ochils.com, or check out Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook for current activities.
STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB
Friday, January 13, Logie Kirk to Bridge of Allan circular, Grade C, distance 5.5 miles, meeting Logie Kirk Car Park please park in the spaces closest to the road. A stroll from the University of Stirling into Bridge of Allan via Pullar Memorial Park, the Ninevah Fountain and River Allan returning via Mid Wood and Charlton Road. Contact Denis to book. denis45taylor@gmail.com. Leader, Pat Butterworth. Sunday, January 15, An Ochil Delight...loop Around Dumyat, Grade C+, five miles, leaving 10am from Pendreich car park, Sheriffmuir, REF:NS810975. A scenic ramble on good paths through woodland to Cocksburn Reservoir then looping round Dumyat & Castlelaw (but not the tops). Minimum elevation, a feel-good factor walk. Contact Elaine to book stevensone02s@yahoo. co.uk. Leader, Heather Lawlor. More details at https://stirlingramblingclub. wordpress.com/
STIRLING, FALKIRK & DISTRICT RAMBLERS
Hallglen to California (the Scottish one) - restricted numbers - Sunday, January 15, start 10am, distance 6.3miles/10.1km. Leisurely, circular walk. From Hallglen we go under the railway and follow the Drove Loan to Shieldhill then up to California. This is a steady climb, however we shall be taking our time and walking at a nice even pace with frequent stops. Start place: Glenburn Road, Hallglen, Falkirk Park on Glenburn Road. From Falkirk please park on left side after Beauly Court. Coming from Lauriston park on right side. Grid Ref: NS895783, postcode FK1 2QQ. To book your place contact walk leader Billy Kane on 07940 286792. For more information visit https://sfdramblers. wordpress.com.
Amazon broke the mould with the Kindle Scribe e-reader late last year – it’s the biggest Kindle the company has ever made, but also for the first time,introduced the ability to take notes with a stylus to the system.
After using one over Christmas I was left with a few questions – who is the Scribe for? Who would use it for reading over a standard Kindle? Who would use it for note-taking over a pen and paper or a more sophisticated touch-screen tablet?
It’s a handsome device, and considerably larger than a standard 6in Kindle, sporting a wonderful 10.2in screen with a sharp 300ppi.
The reading element is identical to the standard Kindle, with direct access to the Kindle library of millions of books to buy. The only difference is the size of the screen.
The Scribe would be a superior device for those who like to set their text size a little larger than average.
You can get a lot more words on screen with the Scribe at large text sizes, which makes for a more appealing look overall, and less page turning.
The new notetaking feature has some way to go to make the Scribe a must-buy for that alone. It essentially adds a new Notebooks section to the home screen, where you can keep your handwritten notes. The Scribe comes with a stylus – either a basic pen, or an upgraded one with extra features like a tool-select button and a top tip that acts like an eraser.
The writing and drawing experience is very satisfying, with the textured surface of the Scribe making it feel very paper-like.
You can also use the pen system for annotating PDFS directly, or Kindle books via the insertion of handwritten sticky notes.
Amazon promises the note-taking system will be expanded and advanced over time, and for now the answer to our third question has to be: Someone who just wants to replace a pen and paper notebook with a simple digital version.
Amazon has clearly prioritised hardware over the software here, and that element of it is great. As a first stab at a note-taking ereader it’s more promising than complete.
I would expect that to change fast. ■ Kindle Scribe costs £329.99 from amazon.co.uk