Hveoaicdeeor fhtehre People
CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY
Last week saw the club get together at the Golden Lion Hotel for a social meeting, quiz night and meal. After a feed and some chat, the club had the pleasure of Rotarian Ali Plank compering the entertaining after-dinner quiz. This comprised a series of general knowledge questions and a challenge to get as many correct as possible. A clear winner emerged, in the form of Rotarian Doug Mulholland. For a supreme display of knowledge, he was rewarded with a bottle of wine. Anyone who’d like to join us in socialising whilst helping people, both locally and abroad, either visit on a Wednesday night, or get in touch social media channels by searching for ‘@ 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 tomorrow (Thursday) 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.
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 today (Wednesday) 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 five-stage historic walk around Stirling and surrounding area.
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.
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.
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.
STIRLING STAMP CLUB
Next meeting of Stirling Philatelic Society at 7.30pm on Monday, February 27, at Allan Centre, 25 Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan FK9 4AT. This is a competition night. Visitors or new members welcome.
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 831171 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.
STIRLING FOLK CLUB
Ian Bruce has been a stalwart of the folk scene in Scotland and abroad for many years. A talented singer and songwriter, he has performed solo, with his brother Fraser, with Ian Walker, and in various groups including Blue Rooster, Scotland Yard and the Ian Bruce Breeze Band. On Monday, February 27, he is guest artist at Stirling Folk Club which meets in Stirling Rugby Club on Causewayhead Road. Concert starts 7.30pm. Tickets on the door are £13 (students £5).
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.
STIRLING, FALKIRK & DISTRICT RAMBLERS
Colzium Circular, Sunday, February 26, start 10am, leisurely 8.5 miles/13.7 km. Circular walk takes paths through Colzium Lennox estate then alongside Banton loch before dropping down to canal tow path to Auchinstarry and returning to Colzium. Starting point: curling pond car park at Colzium Estate, Grid reference NS733785, nearest postcode G65 0PY. To book place contact walk leader Lynne Bell on 07946 247727 or 01324 621857. More information at https://sfdramblers.wordpress.com.
STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB
Sunday, February 26, Stirling walk and curry, Grade C, six miles. Meets at Forthside (Vue) car park 9.30am. A walk on paths around Stirling - followed by lunchtime curry at Om’s Indian Delight (1pm). Contact Elaine to book at stevensone02s@yahoo.co.uk. Leader Annie Nixon. More information at https:// stirlingramblingclub.wordpress.com/ walk-programme.
OCHILS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
The club meet in Onich was very eventful. With decent weather on the Saturday club members were hillwalking on munros in Glencoe and Ballachulish, Corbetts at Loch Leven and Glencoe. With the poor weather on Sunday folk went indoor climbing at the wall in Kinlochleven. With the short evenings the rock climbers in the club are arranging some indoor climbing at local climbing wall the Peak in Stirling. Sessions usually at 7pm Tuesday and Thursday. Further indoor climbing in the international climbing centre at Ratho near Edinburgh and Perth climbing wall. Club AGM on Wednesday March 1 at 8pm in 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 in CIC Hut & Milehouse Cottage in March at www.ochils.com, or check out Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook.
■ Put on a jacket, woolly hat, gloves and step into the garden.
■ There’s plenty of winter debris to be cleared up – so remove twigs and leaves from ponds, lawns and beds. Wash down patios and make sure drains aren’t blocked solid with leaves and twigs.
■ Order your onion sets in anticipation of spring planting.
■ Inject a little colour to your pots and containers with some pansies and primulas. ■ Dead head winter flowering heathers as the flowers begin to turn brown. ■ Prune your autumn-fruiting