Voice of the People
CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY
Last week saw the club get together at the Golden Lion Hotel for a business meeting and meal. This type of meeting is one where we get together and discuss the business of the club. As the Santa’s Sleigh activity ends and we finalise our count of the funds raised from generous locals, it’s time for us to move onto the next task. Work has started on our 2023 Kids Out Day and we’re busy allocating the many tasks which need to be done long before the big day in June. We’d encourage anyone who’d like to join us in socialising whilst 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’.
INNER WHEEL OF STIRLING
Our next club meeting is on Friday February 3. For more information see us on Facebook or IW website district 1.
STIRLING STAMP CLUB
The next meeting of Stirling Philatelic Society is at 7.30pm on Monday, January 23, at the Allan Centre, 25 Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan FK94AT. This will be a display by Bill Troup and John Callum. Visitors and/or new members very welcome.
STIRLING FOLK CLUB
The club resumes on Monday, January 23, at 7.30pm in Stirling Rugby Club at Bridgehaugh with a pre Burns Night session. All are welcome to bring their voices and instruments to sing or play, with an emphasis on Burns-related songs and tunes. Come along to play, or simply to listen to the local talent. Admission is £2.
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, at Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Albert Place at 7.30pm. The topic for the meeting will be a presentation by Dr Adrian Maldonado on ‘Crucible of Nations: Central Scotland in the Viking Age’. Entry free of charge – doors open 7.15pm.
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 more 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. For 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 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.
STIRLING, FALKIRK & DISTRICT RAMBLERS
Muiravonside, Sunday, January 22, start 10am, estimated finish 1.30pm, distance 6.7miles / 10.8km. A lovely, circular, moderate grade walk around Muiravonside Park and the surrounding countryside. Woodland paths, grassy paths, gravel paths and perhaps a little mud thrown in depending on the weather conditions. Two stiles to negotiate. Start at Muiravonside Country Park. Please park in the first car park on the left as you come into the park. Grid Ref: NS960757 - location is 708 metres to the east of EH49 6LW. To book your place contact walk leader Babs Butler on 07711575561. For more information visit https://sfdramblers.wordpress.com.
STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB
Sunday, January 22, Kippen’s Country Trails, Grade C, distance 7/8 miles, meeting 10am at Kippen - outside Cross Keys Hotel FK8 3DN. Park in Main Street. Leisurely lanes and paths - as we head west of the village alongside a picturesque burn and views to Northern peaks. Returning to village, we’ll wander along some of the eastern paths with views to Gargunnock Hills. Contact Denis to book. denis45taylor@gmail.com. Leader Denis Taylor. https://stirlingramblingclub.wordpress.com/walk-programme.
OCHILS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
The club cottage meet last weekend was a great success both on the social and activity front. Despite full on winter conditions on Saturday a group of climbers ascended the north west ridge of Ben Challum. Others enjoyed more gentle walks along parts of the West Highland Way, whilst some were out hillwalking on some lower peaks. On Sunday a few skiers went ski touring in Glencoe, whilst others were hillwalking on local Corbett’s. With the short evenings the rock climbers in the club are arranging some indoor climbing at the local climbing wall, the Peak in Stirling. Sessions usually at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Further indoor climbing being done in the international climbing centre at Ratho near Edinburgh and Perth climbing wall. The club will be hosting a talk by Robbie Phillips, a well known professional climber, on Friday February 3 at 8pm at Stirling County Cricket Club. On the social front, this Thursday’s pub meet takes place at the Crossed Peels, Stirling from 8pm, non-members welcome. Details of forthcoming meets in Achnasheen in January and Onich in February are on the club website at www.ochils.com, or check out Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook for current activities.