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 will be at the usual time of 11.15am when a warm welcome will be given to all.
ST MARY’S SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Service at 11.15am each Sunday. Visitors should book through secretary@ stmarychurchaberfoyle.org.uk whilst restrictions remain.
LODGE BAILIE NICOL JARVIE NO 1036
Regular meeting is on Tuesday, December 14 (one week early) at 7.30pm. Business only plus ballot.
BALFRON DANCERCISE
Low-impact exercises and dance routines, perfect for active seniors/ beginners are held in the McLintock Hall on Mondays at 10am. For more details and to book please contact Yasmin on 07979856837 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.
LODGE STRATHENDRICK 780
Installation of RWM elect Bro Alan M O’Donnell. Meeting commences at 5.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) in the Masonic Hall, Dunmore Street.
BALFRON CHURCH
On Sunday, December 12, Rev George MacLeod and the Worship Group will lead the service when the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. Masks have still to be worn unless exempt for medical reasons and the congregation will be allowed to sing. The Christmas Gift Service will be held on Sunday when all are invited to bring a Christmas gift for disadvantaged boys and girls. Donations of dried and canned foods would be greatly appreciated for the Stirling foodbank run by Start Up Stirling. Should you require the services of a minister please contact Ian McVean on 01360 440016.
BUCHLYVIE 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 please contact Yasmin on 07979856837 or email yasmin@ throthegrapevine.co.uk.
WI NEWS
The next meeting is the Christmas Fun evening on Tuesday, December 14 at 7.30pm in the village hall. There will be a Christmas quiz and singalong, so come along and enjoy the fun. Remember to bring a wrapped gift and your own mince pies. In light of current Government recommendations, members are encouraged to take a lateral flow test beforehand.
CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
Following the success of last year’s Christmas Windows, residents are encouraged to decorate windows which can be seen from the pavement, from December 13 until January 3. To register your window and add it to the map contact Lynsey Thomson on 01360 850078 or W33LGT@googlemail.com.
CHURCH
Communion led by the Rev Scott Brown will be held on Sunday, December 12 at 11.15am. A recorded version of the service can be accessed online. On December 15, the Wednesday Group will meet in the church session room at 10.30am.
POPPY SCOTLAND
Thank you to everyone who donated to the village’s Poppy Scotland Appeal for 2021. The collections in Buchlyvie raised £703.46. Special thanks to everyone who helped with the collection.
CALLANDER CALLANDER KIRK
Worship every Sunday at 11.15am led by Rev Jeff McCormick. Everyone is welcome to join (subject to Covid restrictions). Third Sunday in each month - 6.30pm Short Communion Service online. The kirk is also livestreaming the Sunday service on to the Callander Kirk Facebook page and uploading a video of the service on to the Callander Kirk YouTube channel. If you would prefer to have the service emailed to you or would like to receive a paper copy of the service, then please email JMcCormick@ churchofscotland.org.uk or phone Rev Jeff McCormick on 01877 330474.
MESSY CHURCH
Due to the changing Covid picture its has been reluctantly decided to cancel December’s Callander Messy Church. Hopefully it will go ahead with January’s Messy Church on January 292 in Callander Kirk Halls.
ST ANDREW’S SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Holy Communion (with music) at 9.30am on Sundays. Midweek worship on Wednesdays at 10.30am. If you would like to attend as a visitor, please use the contact page on 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.
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
The library outreach programme is weekly on Wednesdays in the library from 10am-4pm. Contact Chris Kinnaird 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 on resumption, please contact walk coordinators for more details: Bev Clarke - beverley.clarke@ lochlomond-trossachs.org, or Fran Crumley - fran.crumley@lochlomondtrossachs.org.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION
All are looking forward to ther Christmas Lunch in the Winnock Hotel on Tuesday, December 14 at noon for 12.30pm - fingers crossed the rules don’t change between now and then. Members will miss seeing and hearing the Drymen Primary School Choir and Orchestra who always help get everyone into the festive mood; hopefully by next year “normal service” can be resumed. This year however it’s welcome back professional musicians Gregor Lowrey and Kirsten Easdale who will entertain after lunch. If you are a member and do not have your name down yet, or if you have your name down and can no longer manage, please telephone Linda on 01360 660706.
CHURCH
All are welcome to Sunday’s service at 11.30am. The revised guidelines mean that there is room for everyone who wishes to attend and it is no longer necessary to reserve a seat in advance. Face coverings are still required and social distancing is still in place. The next collection for Start Up Stirling’s foodbank will be on Sunday, December 12 at the church. Between these dates donations can be made at any time by phoning 01360 660420. Sermons from services are available on the church website @ www.drymenchurch.org. Please sign up for the weekly email, if you haven’t already, and please get in touch if any assistance is needed at this time. For further information, the Session Clerk can be contacted at 01360 660361.
DRYMEN ART CLUB
The art club with 18 members continue to paint together on Wednesday afternoons in the village hall. The focus now is on the annual exhibition and sale planned for the weekend April 22-24, 2022. Anyone interested in joining this community-based art club should come along to the village hall between 1pm and 4pm any Wednesday.
GARTMORE CHURCH
Service on Sunday, December 12 is at 10am and features the Sacrament of Holy Communion with Rev Scott Brown CBE BD. The evening service of reflection is at 7pm. All welcome. The weekly service is live online at 11.15am from Buchlyvie Church and can be accessed via the Gartmore Church website. Please refer to the web page: www.gartmorechurch. org.uk/services/restrictions for current safety guidelines on attending church.
CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
Following the success of last year’s Christmas Windows, residents are encouraged to decorate windows which can be seen from the pavement from December 13 until January 3.
INVERSNAID ABERFOYLE PARISH CHURCH
Service on Sunday will be at the usual time of 11.15am when a warm welcome will be given to all.
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 - is in the village hall on Thursdays at 7pm. For more details and to book please contact Yasmin on 07979856837 or email yasmin@throthegrapevine.co.uk.
KILLEARN KIRK
Heading into a busy period leading up to Christmas, we regret to advise that due to the developing situation with the recent variant of Covid 19 the Guild Coffee Morning tomorrow (Saturday) has been cancelled. On Sunday, the traditional Gift Service at 10.30am, when everyone in the community is invited to bring along a gift for children or a special treat for a family, will go ahead as planned. For those unable to attend the kirk, the halls will be open from 9.30am to receive gifts, all of which will go to Stirling Salvation Army to distribute as appropriate. Later at 5pm and 7.30pm, Strathendrick Singers present their Christmas Concert. On Tuesday, December 14, the Guild Christmas Lunch at 1pm will be held in Fintry Sports Club with carols by Helen Barclay. Kirk Session also meets on Tuesday, December 14 at 7.30pm.
STRATHENDRICK SINGERS
The Strathendrick Singers Christmas Concerts take place in Killearn Kirk on Sunday, December 12 at 5pm and 7.30pm. Tickets £10 adults, £25 family ticket and £3 children. Available from choir members or by emailing secretary@ strathendricksingers.org.uk
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 15 at 8pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom. Local residents who wish to participate should email contactus@killearncc.org.uk for information on how to join the meeting.
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 on resumption, please contact walk coordinators for more details: Bev Clarke beverley.clarke@lochlomond-trossachs. 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.
KIPPEN CHURCH
Last Sunday the Candle of Peace, the second in the Advent Ring, was lit by Benjamin. There will be a service in Kippen Church on Sunday, December 12 at 11.15am. It will be necessary to wear a mask during the service, to use hand sanitiser on entry and exit and to leave contact details. Updates of interest can always be found on Facebook “Kippen and Norrieston Parish Churches of Scotland” and Google. In accordance with Church of Scotland advice, in the meantime the church will be closed and alarmed every day, including weekends.
ONLINE WORSHIP
Ellen will intimate online worship by email. Meditation and prayers are also available via the phone line (01786 585122). Rev Ellen Larson Davidson’s contact details: Tel: 01786 871249; Email: elarsondavidson@churchofscotland.org. uk. Reflections at the Quay has returned to BBC1 at 11.30am on Sunday. In the past this programme has been of interest to those who cannot attend worship and are not online.
BIBLE STUDY
All welcome to join the Advent Bible Study on Zoom at 10am on Wednesdays. Link available from Ellen.
PRAYER ZOOM MEETINGS
On Wednesdays there will be a Prayer Zoom meeting at 8pm. Please contact Ellen to get the link and also to request prayers.
OVER 60S CHRISTMAS DINNER
The committee would like to thank everyone who contributed to the successful delivery of 214 meals to the older residents of Kippen village on Monday. This really was a village team effort and grateful thanks go to Cameron Skinner and all his team who devised a delicious three-course meal in containers with full instructions on heating and serving. Cammy would especially like to mention and thank the following: Laurie Newlands, Jackie McEwan, Poom Ferrier, Sue Donald, Mandy Dow, Andy Struthers, Derek Shanks, Toni Odorico, Mike Bastock, Diane Louttit and David Jones. The logistics of making sure everyone gets the correct choices delivered to the right door are complex but the bags were ready for the volunteers to collect. Once again the volunteers of the Kippen Risk and Resilience Group, under the meticulous and tireless direction of Jeremy Gaywood, efficiently delivered the meals and matching goody bags to the correct addresses with festive good cheer. Thank you all so much. Local businesses, especially McNicolls and the Inn were very supportive and the children of Kippen Primary School, the Beavers, Rainbows, Nursery and Playgroup made colourful Christmas cards for every household. Greater funds than normal are obviously required for this event. The committee is grateful for the grant of £1000 from Kippen Community Trust (Falck Windfarm) and £500 from the Risk and Resilience Group as well as financial support from many village organisations and businesses. If you feel able to donate, please contact treasurer Alasdair McCall on 01786 870546 or alasdairmccall@btinternet.com. There was delightful chat on Zoom, thanks to Ellen Larson Davidson and, chair Mary Lawson would like to thank the whole committee – Patsy, Tracy, Alasdair, Dawn and Laurence, for bringing together all the elements required to deliver a successful event. It is hoped to be back together in the hall next year.
WI NEWS
On Wednesday, December 15 at 7.30pm in the Reading Room, the WI Christmas Party will take place when all will be welcome. On this occasion it will be necessary to bring your own eats. A glass of wine and mince pies will be provided. All attending should bring a present costing approx. £5 for Santa’s Sack. Please also bring your own cup.