Voice of the People
INNER WHEEL OF STIRLING
President Marjorie Duncan welcomed members and guests to the March meeting. Amanda Namey, service manager for Equi-power Central Scotland RDA gave a passionate and exciting presentation on the future of RDA (Riding for The Disabled) in the Stirling area. Plans centre on Equipower, Stirling, developing a state of the art RDA facility at Kildean. Equi-power is an independent charity, believing in the power of horses to transform lives. It offers a range of therapeutic activities for children and adults with additional support needs to support their emotional and physical well being. Horse riding, equestrian vaulting and equine vacillated learning sessions are run by qualified coaches with the support of volunteers. And, crucially, in a safe environment. Educationally, RDA offer courses in Horse Care, and Equestrian Vaulting to schools with enhanced provision. Students may work towards RDA grades and Endeavour awards. Activities support teamwork, literacy, communication, and it is proven to have a positive effect on mental health. Fundraising, planning, community involvement have been, and will continue to be, key features in helping to bring this fabulous facility to fruition. Club member Lesley Niven, in her vote of thanks, commended Amanda for her passionate leadership and vision, and wished the project well.
CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY
Last week saw a speaker’s evening and meal at the Golden Lion, who excelled themselves with a delicious meal. No less impressive was after-dinner speaker, Rotarian Doug Mulholland, who gave an interesting talk on the art of quiz winning and keeping the brain sharp. To join in socialising whilst helping people, both locally and abroad, visit on a Wednesday night or get in touch through social media channels by searching for ‘@carserotary.’
STIRLING ROTARY
President Philip Allison started the lunchtime meeting by announcing several upcoming club activities. Colin Bayes has organised another session of litter picking on Tuesday March 28 at 10am. Visit to the observatory at the old Stirling high school hoped in the next few months. President Philip has suggested starting the Friday meeting earlier at 12.45pm allowing more time for speakers and a more relaxed time for socialising. Visit from a group of Dutch Rotarians on May 18 at the Golden Lion, joined by other local Rotary clubs. Speaker was Andy Mcewan, a retired surveyor with a long connection with Round Table and Rotary. His topic about which he was well informed was the development of local railway systems since 1848 arising from changing patterns of agriculture and industry. Some of the tracks and buildings are gone or have other functions, but from 1847 till nationalisation in 1948 they created the shape of the town, and this pattern was much of what we grew up in. The railway companies were major employers, each looking after itself with very little cooperation with its competitors often leading to duplication of structures and buildings, although they shared the main station. The main companies operating from Stirling were NBC and the Caledonian and many smaller companies came and went depending on the success of their business, often amalgamating with other companies, as trade altered. The railway allowed the development of Stirling as an important centre with a most elaborate station. As well as agriculture the presence of the Argyll and Sutherland in the castle meant that many a soldier left from here for his war service especially in the first world war. As with the railway in general Beeching and his cuts left a much reduced network, although a few such as Alloa have reopened. As always we enjoyed hearing from our speaker.
STIRLING LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Very good attendance at February meeting when the topic discussed was the restoration of the old Airthey Well House in Bridge of Allan. Speaker on March 30 is local historian Tara Leishman with an illustrated talk on Legacies of Slavery in Stirlingshire and Perthshire. Takes place 7.30pm in Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Dumbarton Road. All welcome. Members and visitors free. For further details email: Stirling-lhs@outlook.com.
CALLANDER ROTARY
Used spectacles being collected to be refurbished for use in Ghana, Kenya and other Third World countries. Rotarian Heather Swaine, in conjunction with local ophthalmologist Andrew Baird, is leading this project. Collection box for used spectacles in Callander Library. All donations welcome – no spectacle cases please. Annual Easter Bottle Stall and Bric-a-brac Sale in Ancaster Square on April 9. Coffee, lunch and crafts event on Saturday May 13 in Callander Kirk Hall.
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Association - Stirling Branch - next meeting on Wednesday, April 5, at 7pm at the King Robert Hotel, 128 Glasgow Road, Whins Of Milton, Stirling FK7 0LJ. All regiments welcome to join our branch. For information email: secretary. aashstirlingbranch@btinternet.com , or contact the chairman on 07940 828 434 or email: james21healy@outlook.com.
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION
RNA (Forth Valley branch) monthly meeting today (Friday) at 7.30pm in the RBLS Club, 3 Dundas Street, Grangemouth, Falkirk. All serving and ex service RN personnel welcome. For more information, contact 01786 609770.
LODGE ANCIENT STIRLING NO30
Regular Meeting in the Masonic Temple, 6 Forth Street, Stirling on Tuesday, March 21, at 7.30pm. Business a FC degree with a progressive candidate.
Visitors welcome.
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 tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm, dancing to David Oswald’s band - tickets £10 including supper. Prize draw.
STIRLING FOLK CLUB
Guest on Monday, March 20, is legendary singer, songwriter and social activist from County Down, Tommy Sands. His songwriting was much admired by Seamus Heaney and Pete Seeger, and US magazine ‘Sing Out’ described him as “the most powerful songwriter in Ireland, if not the rest of the world”. His songs like ‘Bread and Roses’ and ‘Daughters and Sons’ have been recorded by famous artists and translated into many languages. As well as performing and recording, Tommy works with the underprivileged, and during the Good Friday Agreement Talks, his impromptu performance with a group of children was described by Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon as “a defining moment in the Peace Process”. Hear Tommy’s songs and stories at Stirling Rugby Club in Bridgehaugh on Monday at 7.30pm. Tickets £13 on the door.
FAMILY HISTORY DROP-IN
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. 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 reintroducing 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.
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
The club had a successful meet at the Milehouse Cottage with members hillwalking on a variety of Munros and Corbetts in the Drumochter, Glen Feshie and Cairngorm areas. Some winter climbing was done in Coire Garbhlach. Good craic was had in the evenings. A few other members enjoyed ski touring on Cairngorm and Ben Macdui. Saturday was a wonderful day for weather and views. 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 in the international climbing centre at Ratho near Edinburgh and Perth climbing wall. Talk hosted by Sunny Huang (completer of all 1,124 mountain tops in the UK) on Wednesday April 12 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 Inverey and Glen Brittle in April at www.ochils.com or check out Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook.
STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB
Today (Friday) Linlithgow-union Canal-avon Aqueduct-muiravonside, Grade C, six miles. Meet at XCITE Leisure Centre, Mcginlay Way, Linlithgow EH49 6SQ to leave 10am. Directions will be given. Lots to see along Union Canal, Country Park and River Avon alongside the Slamannan Basin where Lanarkshire coal was once unloaded into barges to fuel houses in Auld Reekie (Edinburgh). Contact Denis to book - denis45taylor@ gmail.com. Leader Denis Taylor. Sunday, March 19, Walk from University of Stirling, Grade C+, eight miles, meeting 10am in main car park of University of Stirling. This circular walk takes us on a steady climb to Yellow Craig in Ochil Hills and on to the lower paths of Dumyat. Returning to the university via Cocksburn Reservoir and through Mine Wood. Contact Elaine to book stevensone02s@yahoo.co.uk. Leader Pat Butterworth, More at https:// stirlingramblingclub.wordpress.com/ walk-programme