Voice of the People
GUILDRY OF STIRLING
The Guildry holds its Spring court in the Guildhall on Wednesday March 29 at 7.30pm. Speaker for the evening is Guild Brother Colin Botfield talking about ‘Famous People’ who have lived in Bridge of Allan.
CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY
Last week the club met at the Golden Lion Hotel for a social meeting, quiz night and meal. After a feed and chat, the club had the pleasure of Rotarian David Sibbald compering the entertaining afterdinner quiz - a series of cryptic rounds and a challenge to get as many correct as possible. Rotarian Doug Mulholland was a clear winner. For a supreme display of knowledge, he was rewarded with a bottle of wine. To join in socialising whilst helping people, 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 introduced speaker Angela Hughes, a solicitor by profession but for the past 10 years a community volunteer for Mary’s Meals. This well known charity started in 1992 when brothers Magnus and Fergus Macfarlane-barrow decided to take help to war torn Bosnia, driving there by Land Rover from their base in Dalmally. Arising from this, a new charity Scottish International Relief became active in a number of areas, but a visit to Malawi in 2002 changed the pattern of their work. One of the starving children they met was asked what his dream was, replying “I want to have enough to eat and go to school one day”, and this remains the basis of Mary”s Meals.
It was realised mothers would send their children to school if that was where they would get food, a simple meal vitamin enriched porridge was enough to bring them to life. Once there education gave them the possibility of a better future. The idea was simple, the food locally sourced, locally prepared and inexpensive, £19.95 will feed a child for a year leading to 2.9 children in 18 countries being fed each day and 93 per cent of the money is spent on the meals. The service still operates from the same shed in Dalmally.
In different areas different needs can be accommodated, in particular the needs of girls, a group often neglected. A generation have now passed through the service, Generation Hope. Money is raised in a wide variety of ways. Mary’s Meals can be contacted at marysmeals.org.uk. Present at the meeting was Nanette Thomson, international organiser for Inner Wheel district One, who intend to organise a local Inner Wheel event later this year.
STIRLING LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Local historican Tara Leishman is speaker on March 30 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. Further details email: Stirling-lhs@outlook.com.
CALLANDER ROTARY
Annual Easter Bottle Stall and Bric-abrac Sale in Ancaster Square on April 9. Coffee, lunch and crafts event on Saturday May 13 in Callander Kirk Hall.
STIRLING FOLK CLUB
Alastair Mcdonald is one of Scotland’s most loved, most talented and most versatile showbiz personalities. A highly renowned international performer, singer, song-writer, recording artist and broadcaster.
This is the club’s 60th year and Alastair has been one of our most popular guests over these six decades. See him this Monday, March 27, at 7.30pm at Stirling Rugby Club in Causewayhead Road. Tickets at the door £12, students £5, under 14s free.
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 branch. For information email: secretary.aashstirlingbranch@btinternet.com, contact chairman on 07940 828 434 or email: james21healy@outlook. com.
STIRLING STAMP CLUB
Next meeting of Stirling Philatelic Society is at 7.30pm on Monday, March 27, at the Allan Centre, 25 Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan FK94AT, for a display on the Brussels 1910 Exhibition by Robin Sherman. Visitors and/or new members welcome.
LODGE ABERCROMBY NO531
Regular meeting in the Masonic Temple, Bridge of Allan, on Tuesday, March 28, at earlier time of 7.15pm. Business of the evening the Fellow Craft Degree. This will be the Annual Visitation by the Provincial Grand Lodge. All bretheren and visitors welcome.
FRIENDS OF THE SMITH
Once famous Scottish painter Mary Cameron slipped into obscurity after her death a century ago, but the next Stirling Smith lecture aims to change that. Speaker is Helen Scott, Curator of Fine Art at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh, who has made it her mission to bring Cameron’s life and work back into the spotlight. Lecture on Wednesday March 29 at the Smith, Dumbarton Road, starting 7.30pm, doors open 7pm. Admission by cash at the 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.
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.
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 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 non-profit 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, mahjong, 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
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 at www.ochils.com or check out Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook.
STIRLING RAMBLING CLUB
Friday, March 24, Water of Leith Slateford to The Botanics, grade C, six miles. Meet at Haymarket Station at 10.30am then catch 44 bus to Slateford. Buy return ticket to Waverley as we finish there. From Slateford Visitor Centre we follow the Water of Leith through Saughton Park to Stockbridge and on through the Botanics. Contact Elaine to book stevensone02s@yahoo. co.uk. Leaders Catherine Subasciaki and Liz Aitken. Sunday, March 26, East Linton to North Berwick (coach), grade C, eight miles, leaving 9am Alloa Town Hall and 9.30am Grangemouth. Fresh countryside and sea air with Spring on its way, enjoying open views over rich farmland along part of John Muir Way, £10 per seat. Please support this coach and book as early as possible. Contact Denis to book, denis45taylor@gmail.com. Leader Denis Taylor. More details https:// stirlingramblingclub.wordpress.com/ walk-programme.
STIRLING, FALKIRK & DISTRICT RAMBLERS
Crieff to Strowan on Sunday, March 26, start 11am (clocks will have gone forward overnight). Estimated finish time 4pm. Moderate nine miles/14.5 km. For this circular walk, we take the Laggan Road to Strowan, and return via Lady Mary’s Walk. We hope for a good show of daffodils at Strowan. Walk led at a moderate pace. Couple of steep sections and maybe fence/gate climbing. Starting point: Macrosty Park Car Park, Crieff. Due to road closure, only access is down Glenturret Road from Glenturret Distillery junction. Grid reference NN858221, nearest postcode PH7 4LJ. To pre-register place by 3pm on March 25 contact walk leader Colin Thomson on 07702636505. More information at https://sfdramblers.wordpress.com.