District News
ABERFOYLE WALK IN THE PARK
Meet behind the Scottish Wool Centre on Mondays at 10.20am. No need to book, just turn up for a one-hour walk and chat. Contact walk coordinators for more details: Bev Clarke - beverley.clarke@ lochlomond-trossachs.org, or Fran Crumley - fran.crumley@lochlomondtrossachs.org.
PARISH CHURCH
Service on Sunday at usual time of 11.15am when a warm welcome will be extended to all. Face coverings and hand sanitiser available should people choose to continue with moderate safety.
ST MARY’S SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Service at 11.15am each Sunday. More details, secretary@ stmarychurchaberfoyle.org.uk.
FIX AND CHAT
Tuesdays 2-4pm in Aberfoyle Memorial Hall - if you have small household items which are broken hopefully the collective skill of the group can help repair or give advice to avoid throwing it into landfill.
KNIT AND NATTER
Fridays 2-4pm in Aberfoyle Memorial Hall - get out and about, kids welcome to pop in with parents after school, cuppa and snacks available.
BALFRON DANCERCISE
Low-impact exercises and dance routines, perfect for active seniors/ beginners in the Mclintock Hall on Mondays at 10am. For more details and to book contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@throthegrapevine.co.uk.
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
The library outreach programme is weekly on Thursdays in the library from 10am-1pm. Contact Chris Kinnaird on 07498 925157 or by e-mail: chris. kinnaird@stirlingcab.casonline.org.uk or via www.stirlingcab.org.uk.
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.
BALFRON CHURCH
Sunday service at 11.15am taken by the Rev Dr Lesley Stanley. Join us for tea/ coffee after the service. Any member of the congregation needing urgent pastoral care during the vacancy should contact Rev Alison Britchfield on 07415 683871.
BLAIRDRUMMOND BLAIR DRUMMOND BLETHERS
Next get together is Monday, April 24, noon-2pm at Blair Drummond Community Hall for soup and sandwiches lunch, some Blethers 10th birthday cake and a fun quiz. We look forward to seeing everyone and to welcoming new local members.
CHOIR
The RHET Factor choir are hosting a fundraising ‘Musical Meal’ from 6.30-9pm on Friday May 12 at Briarlands Farm Stirling to raise funds for RHET Forth Valley. The £20 ticket includes a twocourse meal and musical entertainment. For tickets, email rhetforthvalley@gmail. com.
BUCHLYVIE CHURCH
Today (Friday) Gartmore is holding a lunch (see Gartmore News for details). Sunday, April 23, service at 11.15am led by the Reverend Scott Brown at Buchlyvie Church. On April 26 the Wednesday Group meet in Buchlyvie Church Session
Room at 10.30am. Advanced notice that repair work will take place in Buchlyvie Church in early May that will disrupt normal programme, details will be given nearer the time.
DANCERCISE
Low-impact exercises and dance routines, perfect for active seniors/ beginners are held in the village hall on Tuesdays at 10am. For more details and to book contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@throthegrapevine.co.uk.
WI
On Tuesday April 11 we welcomed BJ Roemmele to tell us how young people are supported through the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. BJ described how she became involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme - initially through supporting her son when he joined. She is now qualified to assess youngsters up to Gold Award standard. She described the four categories of activity which comprised the scheme - volunteering, skills, physical and expedition. Within each category were a range of experiences of gradually increasing difficulty. These became more demanding as progress was achieved through bronze, silver and gold. President Lynsey Thomson led the thanks. Competition winners were an Acrostic poem on the word ‘challenge’ 1 Margaret Sparkes 2 Anne Stewart 3 Phyllis Gilroy; and a jug of spring flowers 1 Jan Mcdonald. 2 Gladys Farquharson 3 Margaret Sparkes. Next meeting is the AGM and pot luck supper on Tuesday May 9 at 7.30pm.
CALLANDER CALLANDER KIRK
Service at 11.15am in Callander Kirk every Sunday, also livestreamed onto Callander Kirk Facebook page and video uploaded of service onto the You Tube
Channel. Email or paper copy of services available, contact Rev Jeff Mccormick BD. email: jmccormick@churchofscotland. org.uk or the Church Office / Hall Bookings: callanderkirk@btconnect.com.
ST ANDREW’S SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Holy Communion with music at 9.30am on Sundays. Midweek worship on Wednesdays at 10.30am. More details see www.standrewschurchcallander.org,uk.
WALK IN THE PARK
Meet at Ancaster Square on Tuesdays at 10.20am. No need to book, just turn up for a one-hour walk and chat. Contact walk coordinators for more details: Bev Clarke - beverley.clarke@lochlomondtrossachs.org, or Fran Crumley - fran. crumley@lochlomond-trossachs.org.
RECRUITMENT EVENT
Stirling Health & Social Care Partnership is holding a recruitment event in Callander. There are a number of career opportunities available in this vital profession that enables people needing care and support to remain in their own homes and live independent lives. The event takes place on April 28 from noon-3pm at the Callander Youth Project building in Bridgend.
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
The library outreach programme is weekly on Wednesdays in the library from 10am-4pm. Contact Chris Kinnaird by telephone on 07498 925157 or by e-mail: chris.kinnaird@stirlingcab.casonline.org. uk or via www.stirlingcab.org.uk.
CROFTAMIE WALK IN THE PARK
Meet outside The Winnock Hotel in Drymen on Thursdays at 10.20am. No need to book, just turn up for a one-hour walk and chat. Contact walk coordinators for more details: Bev Clarke - beverley. clarke@lochlomond-trossachs.org, or Fran Crumley - fran.crumley@ lochlomond-trossachs.org.
DRYMEN WALK IN THE PARK
Meet outside The Winnock Hotel in Drymen Square on Thursdays at 10.20am. No need to book, just turn up for a onehour walk and chat. If you are interested in joining a Health Walk, please contact walk coordinators for more details: Bev Clarke - beverley.clarke@lochlomondtrossachs.org, or Fran Crumley - fran. crumley@lochlomond-trossachs.org.
OPEN DOORS
Drymen Village Hall’s Open Doors Project sees hall open Mondays from noon-3pm, Tuesdays 2-5pm and Fridays 10am-5pm for anyone to use. Free refreshments and lots of free activities throughout the month. Citizens Advice hold an outreach service every second Monday and there is a community laptop available for use. Drymen Church also hold an open doors session on a Wednesday from 10am-12.30pm.
DRYMEN CHURCH
All welcome to Sunday morning’s service at 11.30am, led by Rev Alex Smeed. Groups meet during service for children and young people. Services from Drymen Church continue to be available on the Church website at www.drymenchurch. org and on Youtube. Please sign up for the weekly email, if you haven’t already, and make contact if we can be of any assistance. For further information, the Session Clerk can be reached at 01360660361.
BOWLING CLUB
Buchanan Arms Bowling Club will open for the new season tomorrow (Saturday) at 1.30pm for 2pm. New members will be made very welcome.
EMBROIDERY
Strathendrick Stitchers are a friendly group who meet in Killearn Kirk Hall on the third Tuesday of the month from 10am-2pm. New members and visitors welcome. You don’t have to be an expert stitcher - bring your own work or take part in the regular workshops, and enjoy coffee and chat. Details from Susan at strathendrickstitchers@gmail.com.
LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Drymen Local History Society members night and AGM on Thursday, April 27, in Drymen Village Hall. Cheese and wine plus soft drinks available from 7pm, and short talks by members commence at 7.30pm. Topics will be Early Travel on Lochlomondside, Antique implements, and the Archaeology of the Black Bull Hotel in Killearn. A brief AGM will conclude the meeting. Visitors welcome. First meeting of 2023-24 session will be on September 28.
SENIOR CITIZENS
Drymen & District Senior Citizens’ Association president Mary Ronald welcomed a smaller than usual number of members to the AGM on Tuesday April 18. Treasurer Sheena Mcallister and secretary Linda More gave their reports and all office bearers and committee members were happy to be re-elected so the business part of the meeting was over relatively quickly. This was followed by Linda More’s game of ‘Music, Memories - House!’ which brought back songs and artistes of the 60s and 70s, along with a few smiles and reminiscences. Our outing this year is to Pitlochry on Tuesday May 2 leaving Drymen Square at 11am, with a stop at Dobbie’s in Perth on the way up and High Tea in the Salutation Hotel in Perth on the way back, returning to Drymen for approximately 7.30pm. We currently have 10 empty seats on the coach, so non-members are welcome to join us for £25pp which includes their high tea. If you would like to join us for the day please telephone Linda (secretary) on 07990 540 510.
ART CLUB
Drymen Art Club holds classes in the village hall on Wednesday afternoons from 1-4pm and anybody with an interest in drawing and painting is welcome to join. The club appointed multi-media artist Iain Mcaulay as tutor during the year and he is on hand to offer guidance and encouragement.
LADIES NIGHT
West Stirlingshire Friends of Strathcarron Hospice annual ladies dinner in aid of the hospice takes place on Friday May 5 in the Winnock Hotel, Drymen. Evening consists of a welcome glass of bubbly, a three course meal and entertainment by Barbara Bryceland. Also a raffle and some amazing prizes up for grabs. Tickets, priced £35, sell quickly - contact Rina Cranstoun on 01360 440697 or Rowan Cranstoun on 07766 241674. Evening kicks off at 7.30pm so all must be seated by 7.30pm with the event lasting until midnight.
GARGUNNOCK KIRK TOURS
Gargunnock Kirk welcome team are offering free tours from Wednesday May 3 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hear stories about old Gargunnock including when the Jacobite Army marched past
the Kirk in 1745 and ’46, the founding of the Gargunnock Agricultural Show, the coming of the first fresh water source in the village, the builder of the old school (now the community centre), and more as well as old photographs to bring it all to life. Tours take around 45 minutes for a maximum of eight people on each tour. Bigger groups once two tour guides are available. To book a tour call Helen on 01786 860630.
GARTMORE CHURCH Service
in Gartmore Church at 10am this Sunday, April 23, led by the Rev Scott Brown. All welcome. There is a Gartmore Village Lunch today (Friday) at 1pm in Gartmore Village Hall. All, of every age, welcome.
MOBILE LIBRARY
Mobile library will be in Gartmore 1.30-2.45pm today (Friday). You can now browse the books on the van, up to two households at a time. Length of the van’s visit has been extended to allow everyone to have a chance to make their choice, so please don’t all arrive at the last minute. Books can still be reserved either by phoning 01786 237553 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10am and 2pm, or by email to mobilelibrary@ stirling.gov.uk.or on the website.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Gartmore Horticultural Society’s 106th Annual Exhibition takes place on Saturday August 26 in Gartmore Village Hall from 1.45pm. Admission £5 including tea/coffee. Children free. Guest of honour will be Mr Stuart Fleming. With spring here and days getting longer, and fingers crossed rather better weather, it’s opportune to think about and do some planting for the season and cast your mind forward to late summer and the Gartmore Horticultural Show. If you have never exhibited before and want any tips please let us know and we will be pleased to help.
PLANT SALE
Annual plant sale in aid of Strathcarron Hospice and Gartmore Horticultural Society in Village Hall, Main Street, on May 13 from 10am-1pm. Admission £5, children free, to include tea/coffee and home baking. All plant contributions welcomed. Drop off with Cathy or Jo before or hand them in on Friday May 12 from 3-7pm in the hall. Also any contributions of home baking, eggs, jams etc much appreciated.
VILLAGE LUNCH
Join for soups, cheese with homemade bread, coffee or tea in Village Hall today (Friday) at 1pm. All welcome. Donations please. Children free. Let us know if you would like a lift or have dietary requirements. Contacts: Netta 382704, Alison 382910, Romma 382956. Liz 382560.
GALA DAY
This year’s Gala Day takes place on June 10.
REPAIR WORK
Repair work will commence on Monday, April 24, for three days with the Main Street being closed from the Square to the football pitch and from April 27 for two days from The Square to the bottom of the Main Street. Residents are requested to move all vehicles during this period to allow clear access for the machinery, by order of the roads department.
COMMUNITY CINEMA
Film presentation today (Friday) is Top Gun:maverick (12A), 131 mins, directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller and Val Kilmer. After 30 years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads Top Gun’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly. Showing in Gartmore Village Hall at 8pm, doors open 7.30pm. Admission, adults £5, children (under 16) £3, cash only. Licensed cash bar, snacks and soft drinks.
INVERSNAID PARISH CHURCH
Service on Sunday at usual time of 11.15am when a warm welcome will be extended to all. Face coverings and hand sanitiser available should people choose to continue with moderate safety.
KILLEARN DANCERCISE
Low-impact exercises and dance routines, perfect for active seniors/ beginners are held in the village hall on Fridays at 10am. Adult jazz dance class energetic work-out for adults of all ages - in the village hall on Thursdays at 7pm. More details and to book contact Yasmin on 07979 856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk.
KILLEARN KIRK
Morning service at Killearn Kirk on Sunday, April 23, led by Ian Armstrong, commencing 10.30am. Tea and coffee available in the Kirk Hall after service. All welcome. Service recordings can be accessed via www.killearnkirk.org.uk.
COUNTRY DANCE
Strathendrick Scottish Country Dance Club 2022-23 season has now ended. Dancing resumes on Tuesday October 3 at 7.30pm in Masonic Hall, Dunmore Street, Balfron. New members welcome, some experience preferred. Details from Alan 01360 550256.
EMBROIDERY
Strathendrick Stitchers are a friendly group who meet in Killearn Kirk Hall on the third Tuesday of the month from 10am-2pm. New members and visitors welcome. You don’t have to be an expert stitcher - bring your own work or take part in the regular workshops, and enjoy coffee and chat. Details from Susan at strathendrickstitchers@gmail.com.
PROBUS CLUB
Probus Club of Strathendrick meets at 10.15am for 10.30am in Killearn Church Hall on the first and third Thursday of each month. We aim simply to provide fellowship and a variety of speakers of interest to “retired professional and business persons”. Full programme planned for the coming weeks. New members welcome.
KILLIN WALK IN THE PARK
Meet at Mclaren Hall on Wednesdays at 10.20am. No need to book, just turn up for a one-hour walk and chat. If you are interested in joining a Health Walk, contact walk coordinators for details: Bev Clarke - beverley.clarke@lochlomondtrossachs.org, or Fran Crumley - fran. crumley@lochlomond-trossachs.org.
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
The library outreach programme is fortnightly on Tuesdays in Killin Library from 1-3pm. Contact Chris Kinnaird on 07498 925157 or by e-mail: chris. kinnaird@stirlingcab.casonline.org.uk or via www.stirlingcab.org.uk.
KINLOCHARD PARISH CHURCH
Service on Sunday at usual time of 11.15am when a warm welcome will be extended to all. Face coverings and hand sanitiser available should people choose to continue with moderate safety.
LOCAL HISTORY
Annual membership £15 or £4 per presentation. Contact Joyce Kelly (secretary) 01877 387292 or James Kennedy (chairman) 01877 387 201.
KIPPEN KIPPEN CHURCH
Rob Rawson will lead the service in Kippen Church this Sunday, April 23, at 11.15am. All welcome. Updates of interest can always be found on Facebook ‘Kippen and Norrieston Parish Churches of Scotland.’ Access also via ‘Google.’ Ellen has a few copies of the Pilgrim Journeys ‘40 days of Reflections on The Lord’s Prayer’. A date for a discussion meeting will be arranged soon. Rev Ellen Larson Davidson’s contact details: Tel: 01786 871249; Email: elarsondavidson@ churchofscotland.org.uk.
ONLINE WORSHIP
There will be no online connection for worship this Sunday.
CHOIR PRACTICE
There will not be an All Age Choir Practice this Sunday, April 23, in the Church.
START-UP STIRLING
Start-up Stirling food bank box in Kippen Church for nonperishable items (open Sunday till 12.30pm). There are more and more people needing help. If you are able, a little something would be greatly appreciated to help others in the area.
STRENGTH AND BALANCE CLASS
Weekly Strength and Balance Class organised by Active Stirling at 10am on Wednesday, April 26, in the Village Hall, Fore Road.
PORT OF MENTEITH KIRK
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Worship on Sunday at Port of Menteith Kirk at 10am. All welcome.
STRATHBLANE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
The library outreach programme is fortnightly on Thursdays in Strathblane Library from 2-4pm. Contact Chris Kinnaird on 07498 925157 or by e-mail: chris.kinnaird@stirlingcab.casonline.org. uk or via www.stirlingcab.org.uk.
THORNHILL NORRIESTON CHURCH
Service of Morning Worship as usual this Sunday, April 23, at 10 am. As the Minister will be on holiday on Sunday, we are pleased to welcome back Rob Rawson from Callander to lead us in worship. Unfortunately for those who join us from far or near there will be no Zoom link this week. But there will be tea and coffee for those who are in the church. The Minister, the Rev Ellen Larson Davidson is planning, during the weeks running up to Pentecost, another series of Bible studies, this time based on the Lord’s Prayer, once again in the vestry on a Wednesday morning and study booklets can be available. Dates forthcoming shortly. Ellen can be contacted by email: elarsondavidson@ churchofscotland.org. uk or telephone: 01786 871249 /07412 578997.
COMMUNITY HALL
AGM in the hall on Tuesday, April 25, at 7pm. Everyone welcome to this meeting and also to see the changes made to the hall over the past year.
GARDENING SOCIETY
The 2023 Plants Sale is on Saturday May 13 and the Flower Show on Saturday September 2.