Voice of the People

BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND DUNBLANE ROTARY

On Thursday members welcomed Jan Chesham and Brian Devlin from Trossachs Search and Rescue. The organisation was formed in 1998 with the aim of providing a range of support services for the community. TSAR’s primary area of operation covers from Loch Lomond to Dunblane, and from Strathblane to Strathyre. However, in response to calls for specialist support in specific emergencies, it will work across Scotland in conjunction with emergency services. There are currently 42 members drawn from all walks of life; all are unpaid volunteers. There is no government funding from to help the organisation meet its annual costs of some £40,000. TSAR provides services and support in three major areas: promotion of health; search and rescue; and community support. A major element of the promotion of health aspect is provision of CPR training in the Heartstart programme. In 2019 it mounted 123 classes (all free) with 2,290 people being trained. Associated with that programme, TSAR has provided 100 defibrillators across its area, with an estimated 28 lives consequently saved. There is a continuing programme of installation of devices that are regularly checked. A group of First Responders work with the Ambulance Service to provide a rapid response where an emergency has been identified. In its Search and Rescue guise, the organisation deploys dog teams to seek out survivors of disasters - including at the 2013 Clutha bar disaster, and recently at the 2021 house explosion in Ayr. In these instances, the dogs can locate victims using their highly develop sense of smell. They can also be deployed in coastal searches where it is hoped to recover bodies lost at sea. In community support, the organisation works regularly to provide first-aid cover at local events such as Bridge of Allan Games and Doune and Dunblane Show. It also acts as an important resource in severe weather where communities have been cut off. Speaker’s host Graham Russell thanked Jan and Brian. Club meetings are in the Westlands Hotel, Dunblane at 6.15pm on Thursday and also by Zoom. Non–members welcome; email club secretary Stuart Brown at secretary@dunblanerotary.org. uk. The club’s programme is at www. dunblanerotary.org.uk or www.facebook. com/dunblanerotary.

INNER WHEEL OF STIRLING

Speaker at our March 1 meeting at the Stirling Court Hotel was Professor Lorna Dawson CBE, FRSE, FRSA, currently principal scientist and head of forensic soil science, The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen. In her inspirational talk, Lorna covered examples from real case work and fiction, where evidence from the earth has been of importance in helping to solve crime and to bring about natural justice. Lorna explained how soil materials have been used as forensic trace evidence for many years, even in Roman times. Advances in forensic ecology over the past decade now permits samples of 20 milligrams to be accurately characterised, and permits forensic soil science to cold case investigations. Apart from Lorna’s official role, she works with crime authors and advises in crime dramas. She is also involved with Stirling’s “Bloody Scotland” festival. Fascinating to listen to, Professor Dawson turned our live social and fundraising monthly meeting into a magical one. If interested in joining us, see Facebook or Inner Wheel website.

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. If you want to get extra exercise and have a chat along the way, contact Anne Marie on 07935 911156 for more details.

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. The service is co-ordinated by registered charity Volunteering Matters. There is no charge and donations are gratefully accepted. Volunteers welcome. For details during the current climate call 01259 928088.

COUNCIL ON DISABILITY STIRLING

The office in Cameronian Street is open and available for all disability related work or enquiries. During the pandemic, CoD continues to operate successfully by phone for all types of benefit form completion and follow up work to tribunal if required. Whilst CoD is not yet offering face to face appointments, the situation is monitored continually and staff look forward to re-introducing this as soon as it is practicable. A wealth of information on services can be found on the website at www.councilondisability. org . All updates on face to face reopening will also appear here. Please phone 01786 462178 or 07521 186159 or email advisor@ councilondisability.org.

ROCKTALK

Stirling’s talking newspaper for the blind is 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 that 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 so nobody has to feel alone. Meetings are held on the first and third Monday of the month at Stirling County Cricket Club from 11am-1pm. Precautions will be taken to ensure, as far as possible, the safety of our members, volunteers and therapists. Further information is on the Facebook page, by calling 07526 281747 or on the website ‘neurocentral.org.uk.’ As usual, everyone welcome. If you would like a cuppa, please bring your own cup.

ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND

Contact dementia advisor Donna Paterson at dpaterson@alzscot.org, 01786 8311 or 07733 302772.

TOWN BREAK

The charity group supports people with early to moderate stage dementia to live well. For more information in the current climate, contact 01786 641841 or email admin@townbreakstirling.org.

ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION (STIRLING BRANCH)

Face to face monthly meetings are held at the King Robert Hotel, Glasgow Road, Whins of Milton on the first Wednesday in the month. All regiments welcome. If you would like any further information please contact by emailing the secretary at secretary.aashstirlingbranch@ btinternet.com or by contacting the chairman by phone 07940 828434 email: james21healy@outlook.com.

STIRLING CITY CHOIR

Weekly rehearsals have resumed on Tuesdays from 7.30-8.30pm in Park Church (former St Columba’s). The Spring Concert which will take place on the evening of Sunday, April 10 in the Church of the Holy Rude will be a performance of Karl Jenkins’ ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’. Further details available via our website at www.stirlingchoir.org.uk or through the Facebook page.”

FORTH VALLEY TOP TOES

Part of the Braveheart Association non-profit charity providing personal footcare service to adults who are unable to cut their own toenails. Cost is £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. The clinic meets at the Bellfield Centre, Stirling Community Hospital, Livilands Gate, Stirling on Thursdays from 9am-12.30pm. To book an appointment contact the Forth Valley Top Toes team on 07596 375674/01324 633505 or email louise.bleazard@nhs.scot.

STIRLING LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

The 2021/22 season meetings are being held online, via Zoom. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at 7pm. Registration details can be found on the current season section on the webpage. Online tutorials are available on the Zoom website. For more details on the society, please visit the About Us page.

STIRLING AND DISTRICT FLORAL ART CLUB

The club is returning to in-person meetings after two years of lockdown restrictions. Three spring meetings have been organised on March 15, April 12 and May 10 - all at 2.30pm. Please note the club is moving to a new venue - Park Church Main Hall, Park Terrace, Stirling. The entrance is from the side door. On March 15, local member and florist Ann Hertwig will be giving a demonstration entitled “Flowers with Feeling”. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Meetings cost £7 for visitors. Contact honorary secretary Mrs Sarah Murdoch fore more information on murdochsarah@ btinternet.com

DUNBLANE ACCORDION AND FIDDLE CLUB

The next club meeting is on Wednesday, March 16 in the Victoria Halls, Dunblane at 7.30pm (doors open 7.15pm), with guest artistes the Neil Hardie Scottish Dance Band. All players (any instruments) and listeners are welcome. The meeting on April 20 features guest artistes the Susan McFadyen Scottish Dance Band.

LODGE ANCIENT STIRLING NO 30

A regular meeting will be held in the Masonic Temple, Forth Street, Stirling on Tuesday, March 15, at 7.30pm. The business of the evening will be the EA Degree. All brethren welcome.

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION (FORTH VALLEY BRANCH)

The branch will hold a monthly meeting on Friday, March 11, at 7.30pm in the British Legion Scotland Club, Dundas Street, Grangemouth, Falkirk. All serving and non serving RN personnel welcome. For more information contact James on 01786 609770.

CARSE OF STIRLING ROTARY

Last week saw the club gather at the Golden Lion for a business meeting, before socialising and enjoying a meal. This particular business meeting was our SGM, where the club’s officers for the next term were proposed and approved. A representative from our club also had the pleasure of a call with Monika Kociova from the Rotary Club of Kosice, Slovakia. Monika gave an update on the sterling work they are putting Rotary funds to, helping newly-arrived Ukrainian refugees with accommodation and sending muchneeded supplies into Ukraine. In our own area, we’re still working hard on the preparation needed for events like our annual Kids Out Day. Whilst we can’t fully predict the future, it is our hope that events like these can go ahead and we’re optimistically forging ahead with the planning. We’d encourage anyone who’d like more information on helping their community and beyond, to either pay us a visit on a Wednesday night, or get in touch through our social media channels, by searching for ‘@carserotary.’

STIRLING AND DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY

The next meeting of Stirling Stamp Club is at 7.30pm on Monday, March 14, at the Allan Centre, 25 Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan FK94AT. This will be a competition night. Visitors and/or new members are very welcome. The society web address is nzstamps.org.uk/sdps.

STIRLING FOLK CLUB

Guest artist on Monday, March 14, at 7.30pm in Stirling Rugby Club, Bridgehaugh, is local singer, songwriter and performer of monologues Rob Griffith. Retired schoolteacher Rob performs with Skelpit Lug Ceilidh Band alongside his solo work. Tickets at the door, price £8.

OCHILS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB

With magnificent weather last weekend some members enjoyed winter climbing Glencoe and Torridon. Great snow coverage also gave the opportunity for some to go ski touring over the munros west of Glenshee. Club website at www.ochils.com, or check Ochils Mountaineering Club on Facebook for current activities.