Hveoaicdeeor fhtehre People
INNER WHEEL OF STIRLING
At the meeting on Friday February 3 President Marjorie welcomed our speakers from Neuro Central, a charity based in Central Scotland currently operating in the Auchterarder and Stirling area. The charity, run by volunteers, was founded in 2016 by a group of friends who all have a neurological conditions, honing their life skills, professions and life experiences with others in similar situations, creating this amazing support group. Funding has been received from Perth and Kinross Community Investment Fund. This has been used to provide professional service sessions, including acupuncture, podiatry, mental health first aid, living better with neurological conditions and more. Following on from the success of the programme in Auchterarder, funding is now in place to offer parts of the programme in Stirling. This will take place in Spring 2023, with a venue and dates to be confirmed. For further details of becoming part of Neuro Central by joining sessions, volunteering, or becoming a friend see neurocentral.org.uk or Facebook.
CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY
Last week the club got 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. It’s full steam ahead on preparations for our 2023 Kids Out Day and we’re busy working on the many tasks which need to be done long before the big day in June. We narrowly missed going through to the next round of The Gavel sporting competition earlier in the week. However, our opponents in the form of Crieff Rotary Club were thoroughly deserving of the win, and were a pleasure to play against. 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’.
ARTS SOCIETY STIRLING & FORTH VALLEY
Next meeting on Thursday February 16 at the Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling at 10.50am for 11am. The lecturer is Cindy Polemis, art historian, guide and lecturer, on ‘Hogarth and Europe: How William Hogarth and artists across Europe captured the new social, philosophical and economic ideas of the 18th century’. All welcome, contact: artssocsfvmembership@gmail.com for further information or visit: www. theartssocietystirling.org.uk.
ROYAL SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
Athlete Alex Moran is the speaker at the latest RSGS event in Stirling on Wednesday February 15, part of the society’s Inspiring People talks programme. In August 2021, Alex and Mike Coppock completed the first ever Island Munros Triathlon, in 32 hours and 22 minutes, scaling 13 Munros with 6,461m of ascent, and covering 309km of distance between them, with the goal of raising £10,000 for the Martin Moran Foundation. Never before had all 13 of the Scottish island Munros been attempted in a single non-stop push, by running, cycling and swimming through the dramatic landscape of the Northwest Highlands. RSGS Inspiring People talks are open to all: tickets for face-to-face talks free for RSGS members, students and under 18s and £10 for general admission.
Book online in advance at rsgs.org/ events, and some may also be available at the door for cash only. Alex’s talk begins at 7.30pm on February 15 at University of Stirling, Logie Lecture Theatre, Stirling, FK9 4LA.
RSPB FORTH VALLEY GROUP
Meeting on Thursday February 16 at 7.30pm with speaker Gordon Rae on ‘Wild at Heart - a Photographer’s Journey.’ Venue is Hillpark Community Centre, Morrison Drive FK7 0HZ. Refreshments served. Everyone welcome.
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Royal British Legion Scotland (Stirling Branch) monthly meeting of members on Tuesday, February 14, at 7.30pm in the Kilted Kangaroo, Upper Craigs, Stirling. All serving and ex-serving MOD personnel welcome to come along. For more information contact 01786 609770.
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION
Royal Naval Association (Forth Valley Branch) AGM on Monday February 20 at 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion Club, 3 Dundas Street, Grangemouth. Members are encouraged to attend on the night. All serving and ex-serving RN personnel welcome. For more information phone 01786 609770.
ARGYLLS MUSEUM
The next in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum’s popular 2023 Winter Lecture series sees former Argyll Colonel Alastair Campbell take a fresh look at the Crimean War of 1853-1856, and the crucial role played by the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders. Col Campbell is a former Argylls officer who has led a tour to the Crimean Peninsula and its principal battlefields. His talk, which provides timely historical background to today’s conflict in Ukraine, will include a vivid and entertaining account of Balaclava and of his trip to the region. It also reflects his discoveries from the museum’s 30,000-document archive. The Thin Red Line lecture takes place at 11am on Saturday February 25 in the Colours Room located in The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders museum, Kings Old Building, Stirling Castle. The talk lasts 45 minutes with a hot drink on offer before and after the event.
Tickets available via argylls. co.uk. Please note the ticket does not include access to Stirling Castle. Entry is free to Museum Guardians, serving members of the Armed Forces and members of the Regimental Association, Dinner Club and Historic Scotland on presentation of a valid membership card but tickets must be pre-booked via Stirling Castle’s website before arrival. Non-concession holders will be charged full Castle admission fee.
COUNTRY DANCING
Strathendrick Scottish Country Dancing Club meets on Tuesday evenings in the Masonic Hall, Dunmore Street, Balfron from 7.30-9.30pm. New members welcome, some experience preferred. Details from Alan 01360 550256. There will be a charity dance in aid of Robin House (CHAS) in Killearn Village Hall on Friday March 17 at 7.30 pm, dancing to David Oswald’s band - tickets £10 including supper. Prize draw.
STIRLING FOLK CLUB
Daria Kulesh has been described by Mike Harding as “one of the finest voices and one of the most intriguing and interesting songwriters on the present folk scene”. Her performances are refreshing and mesmerising, full of passion and magic. Mixing her Russian roots with Western folk influences, she creates an original and exciting sound.
Her second album ‘Long Lost Home’ features a song about her grandmother’s forced eviction by Stalin in 1944 from Ingushetia in the Caucasus Mountains.
On Monday, February 13, she and Tristan Seume, one of the UK’S leading acoustic guitarists, are guests at the club which meets in Stirling County Rugby Club on Causewayhead Road at 7.30pm. Tickets £13 on the door.
STIRLING STAMP CLUB
The next meeting of Stirling Philatelic Society is at 7.30pm on Monday, February 13, at the Allan Centre, 25 Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan FK9 4AT. This will be a display of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia by Alan Blakeley. Visitors and/or new members welcome.
FORTH VALLEY DISABILITY SPORT
AGM on Monday February 20 is being held online from 6.30pm. All welcome. If you wish to attend or require further information contact Forth Valley Disability Sport on info@fvds.org.uk.
STIRLING & DISTRICT FLORAL ART 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 from Honorary Secretary Mrs Sarah Murdoch. E-mail: murdochsarah@ btinternet.com.
FAMILY HISTORY DROP-IN
The drop-ins are open to anyone looking for some advice on family history research with volunteers from Central Scotland Family History Society available to offer help and are run in conjunction with Stirling Council Libraries and Archives. Booking preferable - phone 01786 472069 for a time-slot.
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 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. 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 date 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.
OCHILS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
Some club members were ski touring on Cairngorm. Others were hillwalking in the Trossachs and the Ochils. Quite a number climbing indoors at the Peak. 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. Club AGM on Wednesday March 1 at 8pm at Stirling County Cricket Club. On the social front, this Thursday’s pub meet will take place at the Crossed Peels, Stirling from 8pm, non-members welcome. Details of forthcoming meets in Onich in February and the CIC Hut & Milehouse Cottage in March are at www.ochils.com, or check out Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook for current activities.
STIRLING, FALKIRK & DISTRICT RAMBLERS
Choice of two walks - Blackness to Hopetoun or Blackness to Society - on Sunday, February 12, meeting 9.45am, start 10am. Meeting place - contact walk leaders or check website for important information about parking and meeting - https://www.ramblers. org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route. aspx?group=cf11&tab=walks. Walk 1: Blackness to Hopetoun - leisurely 6.5 miles; leaving Blackness we follow woodland paths beside the shore. Views across to Fife and the Bridges. Option to detour to view Midhope Castle and Abercorn Church. Short section on minor road then part of Hopetoun estate. Please re-register by 9pm on Friday, February 10, with walk leader Betty Brodie on 01324 556762 or 07936 380395. Walk 2: Blackness to Society - moderate 9.5 miles. A figure of eight walk going through West Shore Wood, Abercorn and toward Port Edgar before turning to Society. Mostly on good paths and tracks, but with tricky underfoot stretch along the foreshore. Re-register by 9pm on Friday, February 10, with walk leader Colin Thomson on 07702 636505.
STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB
Friday, February 10, Powmill-crook of Devon-rumbling Bridge-nooks, Crannies & Countryside, C walk, six miles. Meet small car park adjacent to Powmill Milk Bar KY13 0QP to leave 10am. Turn right immediately after Milk Bar, parking on right. A joy to walk and visit any time of the year, we’ll follow quiet roads and lanes with views across farming fields awaiting Spring to appear. Ending with refreshments at the 50/60s aptly named ‘Milk Bar’. Contact Denis to book denis45taylor@gmail.com, leader Denis Taylor, https://stirlingramblingclub.wordpress.com/walk-programme. Sunday, February 12, A Stroll Around Callander, Grade C, eight miles. Meet 10am at Ancaster Square in front of the Church, Main Street, Callander. Parking behind the church and in surrounding streets. An easy stroll around Callander taking in woodlands, passing Samson’s Stone, the River Teith and Callander Meadows before returning to the start of our walk along the old railway line. Contact Elaine to book stevensone02s@ yahoo.co.uk. Leader Pat Butterworth, https://stirlingramblingclub.wordpress. com/walk-programme.