Advertiser Clubs & Societies

Cats Protection: Missing from Kincardine, a 10 year old female, black/white cat who has been missing since Thursday am. Wearing a collar with bell. Telephone 07817655425.

Blythswood Care Collection Lorry: The Blythswood Care Collection Lorry will be making its next visit to Alloa on Wednesday 23 April calling at Morrison’s, Alloa from 12.30pm to 1pm. Donations may also be delivered to the Blythswood collection bin at Saline Parish Church. The collection lorry accepts clothing, shoes, books, small items of furniture, bric a brac and foodstuffs. The goods are brought to the Blythswood depot at Hillington and distributed to the charity’s shops or prepared for sending to partner organisations in Eastern Europe, who are working to help extremely poor families and individuals. All donated items are processed by Blythswood Care. For further information, please go to the website, blythswood.org. Blythswood Care would like to thank all from Alloa and the Hillfoots who donate items to the monthly collections in the area. The donations help to fund the work of Blythswood in supporting disadvantaged people in eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

The Prairie Star Country & Western Club: The club will meet again on 3 May, in the ususal venue in Weir Club, Church Street, Alloa with a visit from a band on tour from Surrey - ‘Kicking Country’ they were last here in 2012. More details from Dorothy on 01259 724352.

Osteoporosis Support Group: The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 22 April from 7pm to 9pm in the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Dumbarton Road, Stirling. Guest speaker will be Dr Elspeth King, Director of the Stirling Smith who will talk about the Museum’s History. All welcome. For further information please contact Janice on 01786 463098.

Clackmannanshire Diabetes UK Support Group: The next meeting of the group is on Wednesday 23 April at 6.30pm in The Murray Square Annexe, Tillicoultry, FK13 6DU (next to Baptist Church). Please note change of date. The theme will be “Diabetes Support - The Way Ahead”. A very warm welcome is extended to everyone who has diabetes, and to family members and friends who live with, or have an interest in diabetes. Questions and participation are encouraged. More information can be obtained from Bob McQueen, Area Liaison Coordinator, Diabetes UK: email him on Bob.McQueen@Diabetes.Org.UK or call 07778 039323.

Unite: Forth Valley Retired Members Branch meeting will be held on Monday 21 April at 1.30pm. Visiting the branch will be Historian Ian Scott talking about the area and showing slides. The meeting is held in the Royal British Legion, Dundas Street, Grangemouth. New members welcome telephone Moira 01324 556464 (branch secretary).

Astronomy: The Stirling Astronomical Society is delighted to welcome Professor John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, who will be delivering the society’s next lecture. Go along to the next open meeting of the Stirling Astronomical Society on Friday 18 April at 7.30pm in the Smith Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road, Stirling where he will give his lecture titled “Sun Plunging Comets - Supersonic Snowballs in Hell”. All open meetings are free and interested parties are most welcome to attend. Enquiries to stirlingastronomicalsociety@gmail.com.

Friends of Alloa Tower: The Friends will be holding their AGM in Alloa Tower on Wednesday 30 April at 7.30pm. Following the business of the AGM the guest speaker will be Duncan NcNiven, former Registrar General speaking on ‘The Clackmannan People’, everyone welcome. If you are interested in attending please telephone 01259-750889.

Central Scotland Safety Forum: The next meeting of the Central Scotland Safety Forum is on Thursday 17 April at 1.45pm for 2pm at the Ineos HSE Building Conference Room, Inchyra Road, Grangemouth. One of the forum’s members, Glyn Beech, will be leading a discussion on the subject of Energy Saving Projects. As always, visitors are most welcome. Further details from secretary@centralscotlandsf.org.uk or visit them at www.centralscotlandsf.org.uk.

Stirling & Falkirk Ranblers: The next ramble will take place on Sunday 20 April - Holl Reservoir/Bishop Hill Circular. Grade B: 8 mls. 5 hrs. Meet/Time: Linden Avenue car park at 9.30am or Holl Reservoir car park at 10.30am. Map Ref: 58/NO:224035 Description: A moderate hill walk - rewarded by superb views over Loch Leven. Tracks for most of the way with some rough heather on the descent. Ascent 280m. Note: RADO, NoSC. Leader: Eric Davidson - telephone 07757 658055 davidson.family.es@gmail.com. Thursday 24 April John Muir Way Festival. Description: From 21 to 26 April, Ramblers Scotland groups will be staging a relay along the route. Starting in Dunbar (21 April) to Helensburgh (26 April). They are organising two walks on Thursday 24 between the Falkirk Wheel and Kirkintilloch. Contact: Janet McNee - telephone 01324 872205, mobile 07929 130582, janet.mcnee@googlemail.com.

Forth Valley Friends of Scottish Opera: AGM and Scottish Opera’s Early Days (part 2). The next meeting is the last in the current season. They have a treat for the final meeting - everyone enjoyed Jim McJannet’s talk last season so much that they have invited him back to say more about Scottish Opera’s Early Days. Jim was a member of the chorus for over forty years, so he still has plenty of tales to tell. The talk will be preceded by the AGM which should, as usual, be very short. All welcome on Sunday 27 April at 2.30pm in the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Stirling. Members £5, visitors £6, students £1.

Friends of the Inpatients of Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre: The AGM will be held on 12 May at 7.30pm in the general purpose room of the Inpatient Wards, Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre, Parkhead Road, Sauchie.

Alpha Community Association Dance Club: The end of season dinner dance will be held in the Cochrane Hall, Alva on Saturday 19 April, dancing to Raymond’s Magic Music. Members are reminded that the dinner will be served at 7.30pm prompt.

Stirling Decorative and Fine Arts Society: This month’s lecture from the society is Durer: Graphic Artist of Pure Genius and will be held on Thursday 17 April at 11am. The lecturer is Hilary Williams BA (Hons) MA (Courtauld), formerly print room superintendent at the British Museum. The society hosts a series of monthly lectures at the Albert Hall in Stirling from September to June as well as visits, study days and tours. Enquiries: Beth Annan 01259 761281. For more information about the society visit their website at http://stirlingdfas.org.uk/.

WISH: They offer support to attend the gym and/or classes to WISH Women at the Alloa Leisure Bowl. Please book at WISH Office, Alloa Leisure Bowl, Parkway, Alloa, FK10 2AF, 01259 217213, wish@wishgroup.org.uk or Facebook “WISH Clackmannanshire”. Wednesday 16 April at 11am to 1pm at CTSI, The HUB, Whins Road. Family event, Creative Easter Workshop. Cost £1. Please book @ WISH Office, Alloa Leisure Bowl, Parkway, Alloa, FK10 2AF, 01259 217213, wish@wishgroup.org.uk or Facebook “WISH Clackmannanshire” Craft2Distract: A place where people who suffer from chronic pain have the opportunity to meet other people who also suffer chronic pain and learn paper crafting skills which can help distract them from pain for a spell. This a friendly weekly class held on Fridays at 10.30am to 12.30pm where you don’t have to make excuses for the occasional weeks non attendance when you are too ill to attend. Classes run by Lilian who herself has suffered chronic pain for 10 years. Learn to make or improve your skills in making greeting cards of all shapes and sizes, with matching gift bags or boxes, plus a variety of other paper craft items. First class free then £6 per class. All tools and materials supplied. Classes at Resonate Arts House, North Castle Street, Alloa. Telephone 01259 928014 or contact Lilian at lilian-moir@sky,com to book your space or just pop in.

Healing Rooms: Open every Tuesday at 11am to 12.30pm at Alloa Elim Pentecostal Church, Greenside Street, Alloa (opposite Lidl’s car park). Offering free Christian prayer for healing by a team of trained volunteers from various local churches. The aim of this ministry is to heal the sick and set free the oppressed as a demonstration of the good news of the Kingdom of God. Their vision is to see the healing, liberating and life transforming power of Jesus Christ made accessible to the people of Scotland. For further information contact Elaine McDonagh Local Director 07742175453 or email: alloa@healingrooms-scotland.com.

The Royal British Legion Clackmannanshire and District: They are currently upgrading contacts for all information for the Remembrance Day Parade to be held at Alloa War Memorial on Sunday 09/11/2014. If you wish to be informed of all times and details of this event can you send your e-mail address to secretary@rblsclacks.org or telephone the office and leave a contact address. Telephone 01259 404024 and they will send out any updates.

Ochils Mountaineering Club: All hillwalkers and climbers welcome. Group meets on Thursdays (from 9pm) at Stirling Rugby Football Club, Causewayhead Road. For more information go to www.ochils.com or email info@ochils.com.

Forth Valley Sensory Centre: Do you have a passion for Art and/or craft work? Could you help our service users by leading art and craft projects? Forth Valley Sensory Centre is looking for a sessional worker or volunteer with a background in art and craft work to come along and lead our in-house group. We meet every second Monday afternoon and would love to have someone along to show us new skills, expand our existing skills and help us complete new projects. Sensory Awareness training available. Interested? Please call 01324 590888 for a chat or e-mail sensory@falkirk.gov.uk Wednesday Art Club: The club meet every Wednesday morning at 10am to noon. New members, both beginners and more experienced artists very welcome to a friendly class where you can work on your own project or take advantage of the advice and tuition of teacher, Heather Walsh. Drop in to Resonate, North Castle Street, Alloa, FK10 1EU; £5 per session. For more information call 01259 928014 or call in for a cuppa and a chat.

Forth Valley Stoma Self-Support Group: The group provide an opportunity for people with colostomies, ileostomies and urostomies and their carers/partners to meet informally for a chat and to support each other by sharing experiences. The group meet on the last Tuesday of each month at the CTSi, The Hub, Whins Road, Alloa from 7pm to 9pm. Light refreshments are available. For further details please contact Ronnie on 07594110635 or email ronaldbassy@btinternet.com or Elaine on 07956 751530 email jack.philp098@btinternet.com. or just go along.

Going Forward Stroke Group: At this week’s meeting they will be having picture postcards with John, followed by tea and a quiz. Going Forward invites stroke survivors to meet with others and join a range of sociable and beneficial activities in friendly and supportive surroundings on Thursday afternoons in the Chalmers Hall in Bridge of Allan. If you have suffered a stroke or know someone who is recovering from one and would like more information, please telephone 01786 831608 or 832228. New members are always welcome. Going Forward is affiliated to Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.

Teenager Cancer and Leukaemia Group: At the present time the Teenager Cancer and Leukaemia Support Group has been cancelled. Stirling Slimming World: Every Tuesday in the Crawford Hall, Braehead (next to Linden Inn) at 9.30am, 5pm and 7pm. Further details from Margo, telephone 07879 477 921.

Bikers Cafe: First Saturday of each month at 11am to 1pm in Powmill Milk Bar. Find out about other events when there.

Forth Valley Reptile and Exotic Club: The club meet from 2pm to 4pm every second Sunday at the Bowmar Centre in Alloa. They often have lots of reptile and exotic mammals (snakes, lizards, Pygmy hedgehogs), and guest speakers each month, as well as trips to Wildlife Centres, zoos etc. They are a friendly bunch of all ages, and are always looking for new members. So, if you have an interest in unusual pets, go along and see for yourself, and visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/forthvalleyreptileclub.

Alloa Allotments Association: The association has opened its waiting list. Anyone looking to grow their own fresh produce can contact Andy Mitchell on 079741 53539. The allotment is located near to the Arnold Clark Vauxhall Garage in Alloa.

Breathe Easy: The April meeting will take place on the third Thursday (17 April) and not the usual second Thursday 10. This will just be for April. The support group is for people with lung conditions and their family, friends and carers, supported by the British Lung Foundation. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet other people with lung conditions, support each other and access and influence services in your local area. The group meet in the Pensioners Hall, Erskine Street, Alloa, on the second Thursday of each month from 2pm to 4pm. For more information contact Linda on 01259 724447/07738161837.

Sewing Club: Looking for space to work on sewing projects, tuition or inspiration. The sewing club meets on Thursdays (during school term time) at 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Resonate Arts House, North Castle Street, Alloa. £5 per session which includes tea/coffee and use of sewing machines. For information contact nic@nicsecoknits.co.uk or telephone 01259 928014.

Wooly Wednesday - Daytime Knitting Group: A friendly group of knitters and crocheters meet every week at 10am to 11.30am at Resonate Arts House, North Castle Street, Alloa. £1 per person and that includes a cuppa. For information contact nic@nicsecoknits.co.uk or telephone 01259 928014.

Clackmannanshire Listeners: Do you sometimes wish that someone would just listen to you? Well, the Clackmannanshire Listeners offer that service. They will give you their time in a comfortable, relaxed and confidential environment and really listen to you, giving you the chance to offload. This is a free service available to all. They are only a phone call away. To meet with a listener please telephone either 07949845752 or 07947972770. Listeners are also available on Mondays at the Moncrieff Church cafe from 10am to noon.

Cancer Support Group: The Cancer Support Group is held in Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre, Hallpark, Sauchie. Enter through the out of hours entrance of Sunnyside Brae from 6pm to 8pm on a Friday night. Drop in for a chat. Everyone welcome.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers – Care with Confidence: Do you look after someone who could not manage without your help? Care with Confidence sessions can help develop the skills and knowledge you need to continue in your caring role. New June to December Programme with sessions in Sauchie, Alva, Menstrie and Dollar. Telephone Ian McCourt or Stella MacDonald on 01324 611510 for more information.

Alloa Circle Dance Group: The group meet every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm in Sauchie and Coalsnaughton Parish Church Hall, Main Street, Sauchie. Circle Dance is a very accessible and community orientated form of dance which encompasses traditional and choreographed dances to music from all around the world. It is non competitive and does not require a partner. For more information please contact Maria Miller on 01259 220679.

Play Alloa: Play Alloa provides play and social opportunities to children and young adults with additional support needs from Clackmannan District. Please let them know if you would like to carry out any fundraising activities on behalf of Play Alloa or make a donation towards their services. For further information please contact Maria Malcolm, Project Manager, Play Alloa by telephoning 07800859161 or emailing playalloa@aol.com.

Gamblers Anonymous: Call the helpline on 0370 050 8881 or visit www.gascotland.org.

Stirling Speaking Society: The society meets in Dunblane on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Leighton Room of Dunblane Cathedral Halls, from 8pm to 10pm. If you need to brush up your skills of presentation and persuasion or just want to enjoy some company and learn new skills in an informal way, please join them. Find out more at www.stirlingspeakingsociety.wordpress.com or email them at stirlingspeakingsociety@yahoo.co.uk.