Hveoaicdeeor fhtehre People

CALLANDER ROTARY

Callander Rotary is running the first post-covid local round of the Rotary Primary School Quiz on Thursday, February 23, with all primary schools in its area taking part. Winners of this local round will then progress to compete against other schools in the Area Competition. Rotary in Callander has also responded quickly to the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria by sending a funding contribution for the relief effort via the Disasters Emergency Committee, which will attract matched funding from the UK government. See next week for details of more Rotary events.

CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY

Last week the club visited Maharaja Restaurant in King Street for its quarterly external trip. With a delicious feast of Indian food, combined with the usual great company, the evening was a success. The following week sees us return to our usual venue of The Golden Lion, where a quiz evening is scheduled. To join us in socialising whilst helping people, both locally and abroad pay us a visit on a Wednesday night, or get in touch through social media channels by searching ‘@ carserotary’.

STIRLING LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Very good attendance at January 26 meeting, when Dr Adrian Maldonado provided a very interesting and informative presentation on the Crucible of Nations: Central Scotland in the Viking age. Next meeting Thursday, February 23, in Stirling Smith Museum, Dumbarton Road, at 7.30pm with guest speakers Chris Calder and Dave Walsh of Bridge of Allan Wellhouse Restoration Project. Entry free but donations welcome.

FORTH VALLEY FRIENDS OF SCOTTISH OPERA

First event of 2023 welcomes back Derek Clark, Head of Music at Scottish Opera and always a popular speaker. Topic is Scottish Opera’s new production of Puccini’s Il Trittico, to be performed in Glasgow and Edinburgh in March. Il Trittico consists of three one-act operas Il tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi; they have been performed together only once before in Scotland in 1957! The 2023 production is directed by internationally famous Glaswegian director Sir David Mcvicar and conducted by Stuart Stratford (Scottish Opera’s music director). Derek is also working on the production. The talk takes place in Honeyman Hall, Bridge of Allan Parish Church, Keir Street, on Sunday, February 19, at 2.30pm. All welcome – no need to be a member. Entry £5 at the door, to be paid by cash, cheque or online banking; we regret we cannot take card payments. More details or to be added to mailing list, contact Elise Macrae at macraefernbank@btinternet.com.

FRIENDS OF THE SMITH

City archaeologist and Observer columnist Murray Cook is next speaker in the monthly Stirling Smith lectures series. Focusing on how people crossed the River Forth before there was a bridge at Stirling, he will debunk some myths that have grown up around what he calls ‘Scotland’s forgotten frontier’, which separated the Picts from the Northumbrians. Some of the facts around the Fords of Frew are not in dispute, however. It’s known that Bonnie Prince Charlie crossed the river there. Lecture on Wednesday, February 22, at the Smith, Dumbarton Road, at 7.30pm, doors open 7pm. Admission by cash at door, £5 for adults, £4 for members of Friends and £2 for students on production of valid student ID card. Admission includes tea or coffee and biscuits afterwards. Brochure with full details of lecture series available from the Smith. Murray Cook is author of over 40 articles and books, including a paperback exploring two of Scotland’s greatest battles, Bannockburn and Stirling Bridge (2021), which includes a fivestage historic walk around Stirling and surrounding area.

LODGE ANCIENT STIRLING NO30

Regular Meeting in Masonic Temple, 6 Forth Street, Stirling on Tuesday, February 21, at 7.30pm. Business MM degree with a progressive candidate. Visitors welcome.

LODGE ABERCROMBY NO531

Regular meeting in Masonic Temple, Bridge of Allan, on Tuesday February 28 at 7.30pm. Business of evening, EA degree, to which the Right Worshipful Master and office bearers extend warm welcome to all bretheren and visitors.

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ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION

Royal Naval Association (Forth Valley Branch) AGM on Monday, February 20, at 7.30pm in Royal British Legion Club, 3 Dundas Street, Grangemouth. Members encouraged to attend. All serving and ex-serving RN personnel welcome. More information phone 01786 609770.

ARGYLLS MUSEUM

Winter Lecture series sees former Argyll Colonel Alastair Campbell take a fresh look at the Crimean War of 1853-1856, and the crucial role of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders. Lecture at 11am on Saturday February 25 in Colours Room in Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Kings Old Building, Stirling Castle. Tickets via argylls.co.uk (not including access to Stirling Castle). Entry free to Museum Guardians, serving members of the Armed Forces and members of the Regimental Association, Dinner Club and Historic Scotland on presentation of valid membership card but tickets must be pre-booked via Stirling Castle website. Non-concession holders charged full castle admission fee.

COUNTRY DANCING

Strathendrick Scottish Country Dancing Club meets Tuesday evenings in Masonic Hall, Dunmore Street, Balfron 7.30-9.30pm. New members welcome, some experience preferred. Details from Alan 01360 550256. Charity dance in aid of Robin House (CHAS) in Killearn Village Hall on Friday March 17 at 7.30pm, dancing to David Oswald’s band - tickets £10 including supper. Prize draw.

STIRLING FOLK CLUB

Three piece contemporary folk group Rallion hail from Glasgow and Perthshire, bringing together wide range of musical influences to create powerful persuasive music. Features fiddle powerhouse of Fiona Cuthill, distinctive voice of Marieke Mcbean and virtuoso guitar and bouzouki playing of Stevie Lawrence. Hear them on Monday, February 20, at 7.30pm in Stirling Rugby Club on Causewayhead Road. Tickets £13 at door, students £5.

FORTH VALLEY DISABILITY SPORT

AGM on Monday, February 20, online from 6.30pm. All welcome. To attend or for more information email: info@fvds. org.uk.

STIRLING & DISTRICT FLORAL ART CLUB

Club meets Tuesday, February 21, at 2.30pm in Main Hall at Park Church Stirling, Park Terrace, Stirling when demonstrator is chairperson Mrs Millie Christie with demonstration entitled ‘A Tribute to Rabbie Burns’. Tea, coffee and shortbread available from 2pm. All welcome. Visitors pay £8 per meeting. Further information from Mrs Sarah Murdoch, Honorary Secretary (murdochsarah@btinternet.com).

FAMILY HISTORY DROP-IN

Next drop-in session at St Ninians Library, Mayfield Centre, on Thursday March 2 from 10am–noon. Drop-ins are open to anyone looking for advice on family history research with volunteers from Central Scotland Family History Society available to offer help and run in conjunction with Stirling Council Libraries and Archives. Booking preferable - phone library on 01786 472069 to book 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. For extra exercise and some 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. Service co-ordinated by registered charity Volunteering Matters. There is no charge and donations gratefully accepted. Volunteers welcome. For more details call 01259 928088.

COUNCIL ON DISABILITY STIRLING

Office in Cameronian Street 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 not yet offering face to face appointments, 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, 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. Contact 01786 641841 or email admin@townbreakstirling.org.

FORTH VALLEY TOP TOES

Part of the Braveheart Association nonprofit charity providing personal footcare service to adults unable to cut their own toenails. Cost £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. Clinic meets at the Bellfield Centre, Stirling Community Hospital, Livilands Gate, Stirling on Thursdays 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 month 11.30am-12.30pm in Smith Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road. All welcome to share and enjoy poetry read aloud. Bring couple of poems of any era or style to read. If you do not wish to read yourself, group will provide a willing reader. Further details 07464 602207. Forthcoming date March 2.

FORTH VALLEY U3A

Retired or semi-retired? Wondering what to do? 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 CITY CHOIR

Rehearsals have resumed at Park Church with practice for 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.

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, join this friendly group for an afternoon of social interaction, stimulation, entertainment and tea or coffee and biscuits, contact Sandra on 07434 972818.

STIRLING MALE VOICE CHOIR

No audition or test to join. Choir meets Tuesdays, September to May, Logie Kirk Hall, Causewayhead 7.30-9.30pm. Contact John Barbour on 01786 474166.

TORBREX COMMUNITY CHOIR

Rehearsals at 9.45-11.45am every Tuesday in Park Church, Stirling and performs in two concerts a year for charity.

OCHILS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB

Some club members were ski touring on Cairngorm, others hillwalking in the Trossachs and Ochils. With short evenings the club’s rock climbers are arranging some indoor climbing at local climbing wall, the Peak in Stirling. Sessions usually 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Further indoor climbing in international climbing centre at Ratho near Edinburgh and Perth climbing wall. Club AGM Wednesday March 1 at 8pm at Stirling County Cricket Club. Details of forthcoming meets in Onich in February and the CIC Hut & Milehouse Cottage in March at www. ochils.com, or Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook.

STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB

Today (Friday) Torry Bay-snowdrops in Valleyfield Estate-culross, C walk, six miles. Meet west car park, Culross at 10.15am to catch 8A bus at 10.31 from Palace. A splendid walk of sea air, scenic views across the Forth and carpets of snowdrops by the Bluther Burn. Ending downhill past the Abbey and the quaint houses and Palace of Culross. Contact Denis to book, denis45taylor@gmail.com. Leader Denis Taylor. Sunday, February 19, Aberfoyle-lochan Spling and round Fairy Knowe, Grade C, eight miles, four hours. Meet/time to leave 10.30am at Aberfoyle main dar park, as you drive in park nearest to Tourist Information Centre. We head westwards on wide forest paths to stunning small loch with some attractive artworks. Returning to town area we follow trails round Doon Hill - where it’s said fairies are resident. Then head over River Forth for the old rail line to return to carpark. Contact Elaine to book stevensone02s@yahoo.co.uk. Leader Denis Taylor. Details: https:// stirlingramblingclub.wordpress.com/ walk-programme.