Stir

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Back to school

Meet the Head of EducationPage 8

AUTUMN 2011

Gathering local produce

Harvest time

For everyone living in tHe stirling council area

Caring for older people

Helping you to stay independent Page 18

Your views, our actions

Results of the Residents’ Survey Page 21

4Newsandevents6VisitingtheNickNairnCookSchool7 EdibleBorders8InterviewwithStirling’sHeadofEducation,BelindaGreer,andschoolenrolmentinformationfor2012/1310Stirling’sbidforfasterbroadband,andtraining

opportunitiesforStirlingpeople12Healthnews14What’son16Bookextract:Haunted StirlingbyDavidKinnaird18Careservicesforolderpeople21Residents’Survey26Contactyourlocalcouncillor

What’s inside…

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stirling.gov.uk2

FormatsCopiesofarticlesareavailablebyrequestinarangeofotherlanguages,largeprintandonaudiotape.Torequestarticlesinanyoftheseformats,pleaseemailorwritetoStirling,orcall08452777000.

Contact TocontactStirlingCouncil,pleasecall08452777000or01786443322email:info@stirling.gov.uk,visitusonlineatwww.stirling.gov.ukorvisitCustomerFirst,1-5PortStreet,Stirling(9am-5.30pm,MondaytoFriday).Followuson...

About…Stirling magazineispublishedbyStirlingCouncil.Editor:SusanCunninghamEmail:stirlingmagazine@stirling.gov.ukTel:01786443360Writeto:Stirling,Communications,Room17,OldViewforth,StirlingFK82ETDesignandediting:ConnectCommunications,Studio2001,MileEnd,PaisleyPA11JS.Tel:01415610300Visit:www.connectcommunications.co.uk

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Thanks to everyone who took part in the recent Residents’ Survey. The report on pages 21-25 includes many of your comments and concerns, and sets out some actions already under way to address them.

The survey is crucial because it’s a chance for us to hear the voices of the people we serve. Each part of the Council is now working on how to reflect local people’s opinions in their forward planning.

Looking to the future is a strong theme at this time of year. A new intake in our primary schools is brimming with energy and excitement. Older children are taking the step up to high school. And people of all ages from right across the country and beyond are being welcomed into our community as they begin university and college courses.

Our challenge is to keep building a resilient, vibrant local economy.

Food is a particular local strength, and in this issue we cover everything from Broomridge’s food festival and the new food and drink forum to the results of the successful Edible Borders project and some tricks of the culinary trade from Port of Menteith’s prestigious Nick Nairn Cook School.

Finally, as we go to print there’s exciting news that Stirling Development Agency has signed a deal to bring Waitrose to Stirling.

Over the coming year a derelict city centre site at the Craigs roundabout will be transformed. This is another example of a new chapter for Stirling, and we are determined that as we shape our area’s future local people will be at the heart of everything we do.

Comment

StirlingmagazinebringsyoucurrentnewsandstoriesfromacrossStirling’spublicsectororganisations.Pleaseletushaveyourcommentsandideasforfutureissuesbyemailingstirlingmagazine@stirling.gov.uk

“The survey is crucial because it’s a chance for us to hear the voices of the people we serve. Each part of the Council is now working on how to reflect local people’s opinions in their planning”

On the coverModern Day Apprentices with the Council’s land services ross stirling (front) and David rae gather a crop including runner beans, dill and swiss chard in the grounds of viewforth. they were grown in green spaces and borders across the stirling area as part of the Edible Borders project. see page 7

StirlingCouncilLeader

GrahamHouston

StirlingCouncilChief

ExecutiveBobJack

Fo

od

stirling.gov.uk 7

chat with my fellow

foodies. Emma, a student,

hopes to increase her

cooking confidence, and

Bill, an ex-body-builder,

has left his steamed

chicken and broccoli days

behind and is becoming

something of a gourmet.

4pm: Out come the pasta

machines. Making my own

pasta is something I never

dreamed I could do, but as

I pass the dough through

the contraption again and

again and watch it turn

into long, thin, smooth

sheets I can cut into strips,

I realise how fantastic the

tutors are. Somehow,

Tristan and John (who’s

been offering invaluable

advice) not only made a

fairly ambitious menu look

easy to do – their

confidence in us meant I

achieved more than I

thought possible.

5pm: My pasta may have

been ragged and my

meatballs stuck when I

fried them, but I’ve never

been happier to sit down

to a meal. Today was a lot

to take in, but I’m inspired

to try cooking more.

coaching

Time to eat

edible borders

fArmers’ mArkets

The Old Arcade Farmers’ Market

Every Friday, stirling Arcade, 9am-4pm

Stirling Farmers’ Market

second saturday of the month

Port street, stirling

Thornhill Market

wednesdays, 10am-1pm

Community Hall, thornhill

Fruitful

funding for

orchards

Stirling-based environmental

charity Forth Environment

Link has been awarded

funding to continue the

development of their Forth

Valley Orchards Initiative.

The initiative, running

since 2009, seeks to raise

the profile of local orchards

and encourage more people

to eat the produce.

Forth Environment Link

Project Officer Diane

Alderdice said: “Thanks to

the tremendous response and

involvement of the people of

Forth Valley over the past

two years we have another

year’s funding to support not

only the orchards, but the

development of people’s

skills to help them plant and

manage their own orchards.”

The award of more than

£84,000 was made by the

Central Scotland Green

Network Development Fund

and will allow Forth

Environment Link to

continue to support the

development of orchards

across the whole of central

Scotland and run a full

programme of events over

the next nine months.

For more information,

visit www.fvfl.org.uk

Edible

Broomridge

A day-long food festival is on

the menu for Broomridge

on Sunday 2 October at

Bannockburn High School.

It’s the culmination of the

Edible Broomridge project,

which urges local people to

eat, grow and buy more

local, seasonal produce,

reduce their meat and dairy

intake, and cut food waste.

For more information,

visit www.broomridge

foodfestival.co.uk

GroWinG Your oWn

It’s time to reap the tasty rewards

of the Edible Borders campaign to

replace traditional garden bedding

plants with vegetables and herbs.

The project, which began in

early summer, saw the Council’s

Land Services team sow vegetables

on borders and other patches of

available land across the city,

including beside the Burns Statue

in central Stirling, Quakerfield,

Bannockburn, Airthrey Road,

Causewayhead and in the grounds

of the Council’s Viewforth HQ.

Star performers include runner

beans, sweetcorn, courgettes,

tomatoes, red cabbage and

artichokes. Picked produce is being given

to organisations such as the

Salvation Army.

stirling.gov.uk6

Fo

od

CookinG Course

Nick Nairn is Stirling’s

own celebrity chef, with

an acclaimed restaurant at

the Doubletree Dunblane

Hydro and Cook School at

Port of Menteith.

He’s an enthusiastic

champion of the Stirling

area’s fresh produce, using

local suppliers and produce

from the School’s garden.

The School celebrates its

tenth anniversary this year.

It offers a variety of hands-on

courses, focusing on good

core skills. Those looking to

step their cooking up a notch

can attend three-day

masterclasses on topics such

as fish and shellfish, or meat,

game and poultry.

I was delighted to be

invited along to try the

‘Simple Italian’ course this

August. But I wondered

whether it could turn me

into a gourmet in one day?

A DAy OF COOKING

10am: Michelin-starred chef

John Webber briefed us in

the pristine, professional

kitchen, which was divided

into separate workstations

set out with the equipment

we’d need for the day.

10.30: Our tutor Tristan

Campbell showed us how to

make tiramisu. The secret was

making sure the ingredients

had the right consistency

before blending. Working

backwards on a menu is the

opposite to my usual chaotic

methods, but Tristan

explained that good cooking

is about being organised.

1pm: The tiramisu, a blend of

mascarpone, egg, amaretto

and double cream is setting

in the fridge. We’ve also

made dough for fresh pasta,

meatballs, and a tomato

sauce, all waiting to be

cooked later. It’s much harder

work than I imagined! “Most

people take this course

because it’s called ‘Simple

Italian’, but there’s nothing

simple about it,” Tristan

points out. “Italian food is all

about the quality and

provenance of the food, using

what’s in your local area.”

2pm: Our gnocci are made

with potatoes from the Cook

School garden and eggs from

its chickens. They’re light

and creamy, gently mixed

with egg, butter and flour

before being rolled into balls.

The rocket and walnut pesto

to go with them is very easy

to make, yet incredibly tasty.

“Make this if you have rocket

or basil growing out of

control in your garden, or if

you see it going cheap in the

supermarket, then freeze

some,” Tristan advises.

3.30pm: Time to enjoy our

gnocci and pesto starters and

Kitchen

coaching

rECiPE

ITALIAN MEATBALLS

IN TOMATO SAuCE

serves 3-4

ingredients

For the tomato sauce:

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, finely

chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely

chopped

small pinch dried

chilli flakes

800g good quality tinned

tomatoes.

For the meatballs:

200 g ground beef

100 g ground pork

100 g ground gammon

1 ½ tbsp dry breadcrumbs

2 tbsp grated Parmesan

1 tbsp chopped flat parsley

½ onion, finely diced

1 egg yolk 1 clove garlic, crushed

1 ½ tbsp extra virgin

olive oil maldon salt

freshly ground black pepper.

How to make it:

• Make the tomato sauce: warm

the olive oil in a thick-based

pan, add the chopped onion

and slowly sweat without

colouring. After a few minutes

add the garlic, dried chilli flakes

and seasoning and cook for

another five minutes

• Add the tinned tomatoes and

bring to the boil. reduce the

heat and simmer gently

• while the tomato sauce is

reducing, assemble the

meatballs. Place the ground

meats, breadcrumbs,

Parmesan and parsley into a

large bowl and, using your

hands, mix thoroughly. Add

the onion, olive oil, egg yolk

and a generous pinch of salt

and freshly ground black

pepper and mix again

• using clean hands divide the

meatball mixture into small

pieces and roll into balls

• when you have all your

meatballs ready, heat a frying

pan. Add the olive oil and fry,

turning occasionally, until

golden brown

• when the meatballs are all

coloured, add them to the

tomato sauce and cook for

roughly 15-20 minutes. Do

ensure the meatballs are

properly cooked. Finally check

for seasoning and serve with

olive oil, pappardelle or

spaghetti and freshly shaved

Parmesan and basil.

First-class food is a strength of our area’s economy, and

Port of Menteith’s nick nairn Cook school the ideal place

to learn how to turn that tip-top produce into amazing

meals. Stirling reporter Deborah kilpatrick does just that

stirling.gov.uk 13

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HospitAL openinG

The opening of the third phase of the Forth Valley Royal Hospital not only marked the final chapter in the development of the new hospital, but also heralded a new beginning for Stirling Royal Infirmary.Following the transfer of acute services from Stirling to Larbert in July, Stirling Royal Infirmary has become Stirling Community

Hospital, one of four community hospitals across Forth Valley which support the work of Forth Valley Royal Hospital. This ensures local people from across Stirling continue to have access to a wide range of health services including a new Minor Injury Unit, X-Ray and ultrasound services, dermatology, audiology, antenatal and postnatal care, therapy and mental health

services for children and young people and GP out-of-hours services.Stirling Community Hospital continues to be a base for hundreds of NHS

staff and is expected to handle more than 200,000 patient appointments each year, maintaining an important presence at the heart of the community.

open for minor injuries the new Minor injury unit at stirling Community Hospital is now open every day from 9am to 9pm. the unit, which is currently located in the former A&E department, provides treatment for a wide range of common injuries including sprains, cuts, minor burns, suspected broken bones, minor head and neck injuries and infected wounds. this ensures that thousands of people from across stirling who experience minor injuries every year can continue to be treated locally. the unit provides treatment for adults and children over the age of one. Children under the age of one should be taken to the Emergency Department at Forth valley royal Hospital.

the new stirling Community Hospital is now up and running, providing a range of vital services

A new chapter in local healthcare

able to stay until they go home and a separate larger delivery room for multiple births. the new neonatal suite is much lighter and brighter than existing neonatal facilities and will provide a more pleasant environment for staff, patients and parents.there are also two overnight rooms for parents who want to stay while their baby is undergoing treatment or stay overnight to help prepare for taking their baby home. the neonatal unit is on the same floor as the labour ward which has improved access and made it easier for mothers to visit their babies while they are being cared for in the unit.

“The new unit has a host of extra facilities to make time spent in hospital more comfortable”

KenzieLiddellisthefirstbabyfromtheStirlingareatobebornatthenewForthValleyRoyalHospital

Community cops on hospital beatpoLiCinG

statements from patients and staff can now be obtained far easier and quicker thanks to the work of two new police enquiry officers who are based full-time at Forth valley royal Hospital. PC steven Dodds and PC walter robb were recently appointed as Enquiry

officers at the new hospital and are working closely with staff across the site to obtain and record medical evidence, medical history and expert witness statements.

stirling.gov.uk12

Hospital security to reassure patientsFORTH VALLEY ROYAL

In a first for health services in Forth Valley, security officers have been appointed at Forth Valley Royal Hospital to reassure and assist patients, public and staff. Not only do they have a visible presence patrolling the hospital, but they also monitor the site from a control room near the Emergency Department, where information is relayed from more than 150 CCTV cameras.

The officers, who are employed by Serco, have all been trained in techniques approved by the Security Industry Authority. The new officers are just one of a number of improved services incorporated into the new Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert which is now fully operational.

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Women AnD CHiLDren’s unit

Babies born at Forth valley royal Hospital are to be known by staff as larbert lads and lassies. the new name was coined by Midwife Practitioner Catriona Cully. “i wanted a name to unite all the new arrivals and i think this fits the bill.”the first baby from the stirling area to be born at the new Forth valley royal Hospital was kenzie liddell from Bannockburn. kenzie, who was born on 13 July 2011, was

presented with special gifts from nHs Forth valley – a cuddly toy rabbit, a certificate and a cotton top inscribed with the words ‘Forth valley royal First’.the new women and Children’s unit at Forth valley royal has a host of extra facilities to make time spent in hospital much more comfortable. these include improvements in the labour suite such as an extra birthing pool, a changing room for partners close to theatres, en-suite delivery rooms where many mums will be

ThenewsecurityofficerswillpatrolForthValleyRoyalHospital,aswellasmonitorthesitefromaCCTVcontrolroom

What’s in aname?

stirling.gov.uk 17

Ha

un

ting

s

it’s not just stirling that has

intriguing connections with

the supernatural. Hundreds

of years ago, the community

of Aberfoyle had a host of

haunting stories to tell.

in the late 1600s, robert

kirk, a minister (and seventh

son) set out to collect

his parishioners’ stories

about elves, fairies, fauns,

doppelgangers, wraiths,

and other beings of “a

middle nature betwixt

man and angel”. kirk believed their

supernatural world existed

in parallel to ours, and

his research resulted

in an essay called The

Secret Commonwealth – a

fascinating mixture of

science, religion and folklore.

some believe that the

inhabitants of the secret

Commonwealth were

none too pleased with the

reverend for disclosing all

their secrets and took their

revenge. kirk walked daily

from the manse to Doon Hill,

but one day he did not return.

And they do say that the

pine tree that stands to this

day at the top of the hill

contains his imprisoned spirit.

HauntingsinStirling’shistoricOldTown

Hear David Kinnaird talk about his book Haunted Stirling on Wednesday

14 September, noon-1pm, at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum.

www.stirlingghostwalk.com

ApparitionshavebeenknowntoappearinStirling

the Black LadyA local woman had a curious and

unnerving experience as she pushed

her pram along the rough pathway

of the Back Walk one autumn

afternoon in the early 1970s. Then a

young mother, she could hear only

the gleeful gurgling of the tot as she

trundled through the twilight over the

cascade of brittle, brown leaves covering

the path – which circles the cemetery and

Castle Rock, and marks the line

of the Burgh defences fortified

by Mary de Guise in the 1540s.

As she reached the steep incline

from Cowane’s Hospital to the

Ladies’ Hill she paused to catch

her breath, and was startled to

feel something ‘like a finger

pressing up and down the

length of my back’. She

turned, and was alarmed to

find herself alone upon the

shadowy path. She lost no

time in hurrying home.

Such encounters here were

once commonplace, it seems,

and attributed to visitations

of the Black Lady, a ghostly

nun, supposedly seeking

furtive union with her secret

priestly lover in some secluded nook of the

Castle Rock. A stubbornly silent and

uncommunicative spirit – none of Stirling’s

female phantoms have a great deal to say

for themselves – her purpose is as obscure

as her origin and destination, though she

is generally thought by

older locals to be a herald

of ill omen, creating

a sense of dread appropriate to the

shadowy, overgrown

causeway she frequents.

Sightings are rare since

the path was paved and

electric light added,

though uncanny encounters on

the outskirts of the churchyard

still occur. On the afternoon of

30 November (St Andrew’s Day)

2002, Rab Allan, Master of Works for the

Cowane Trust, had one such unsettling

experience. At the foot of the stone steps

leading to the summit of the Ladies’ Hill,

where a rough path leads down to the

Back Walk, he spied a figure in what

appeared to be a capacious grey coat with

a high collar or hood, hurrying up the path

from the Valley. A local, who has lived and worked around

the cemetery all his life, and who has no

truck with ‘silly superstitions’, he was

about to call a cheery

welcome – sure that

the grey man was me,

garbed in the great grey

postal-cloak which forms

part of my Staffman’s livery – though he

did think it odd that a GhostWalk should

be in progress so early in the day.

What happened next silenced him

before he could utter a word, as the figure

‘just vanished into

the stone at the top

of the path. Not behind. Not beside.

Straight through.

Into the stone.’ (I,

incidentally, have a

saintly alibi for the

time of this odd encounter: I was playing Santa Claus

in a local shopping

centre all day.)Could this have been the Black

Lady’s immortal inamorato – a

Franciscan Greyfriar in his

distinctive vestments – hurrying to meet her

under some secluded bower?

This is an extract from Haunted Stirling

by David Kinnaird, published by

The History Press (www.thehistorypress.co.uk).

Exclusive reader offer: £7 plus p&p

Tel: 01235 465500 or

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

Please quote HPSTIRLING.

Offer ends 1 January 2012.

“None of Stirling’s female phantoms have a great deal to say for themselves”

‘Betwixt man and angel’ in

Aberfoyle

stirling.gov.uk16

Spooky

David kinnaird, author, writer and performer, has been haunting and

entertaining in stirling for more than twenty years with his stirling ghost

walk. Here, he gives an insight into the eerie goings on in the city

SUPERNATURAL

I’ve never seen a ghost. After two decades of

living and working in a host of supposedly

haunted houses, acquainting myself with the

history and mythology of the area, I’ve yet to

see, hear or feel anything that I could not

explain – at least in part – by reasonable,

rational, and utterly mundane means.

I’m not even sure I believe in ghosts, at least not in

the sense of a sentient, self-aware, persistent

personal essence – but I’m open to the possibility.

After all, if it is true that high emotions can

somehow impress themselves upon a location, then

it’s no surprise that reports of hauntings have been

so numerous in this town.

stirling.gov.uk 3

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Lovely landscapeAutumn glory: Dunblane reader ron Beaton sent us this striking view of stirling taken from Bridge of Allan. thanks to everyone who sent in images.

If you’d like to see your view in Stirling, email itwith a little background information to

stirlingmagazine@stirling.gov.uk

Earlier this year the Customer First centre opened in stirling’s Port street, replacing the council tax collection and advice service at viewforth

Customer serviCe

At the new Customer First centre you can pop in to make payments for Council services, get help with filling in forms, or speak to one of our customer service team. some of our community based teams have moved in, alongside colleagues from HM revenue and Customs and visit scotland. knowledgeable advisers on a range of council services are also based here.

Janice Hewitt, Assistant Chief Executive (pictured), said: “stirling Council wants all our customers to receive great customer service all the time. our Customer Care strategy sets standards for the service we want to give people who use our services.”

the promises are: we will always

be helpful, and treat you with courtesy and respect

we will listen to what you ask for and respond to your requests and feedback

we will keep you informed about the services we provide and when we provide them, and let you know if they change

we will do our best to ‘get it right First time’.

Janice Hewitt would love to hear from readers on how to make customer service

better. Get in touch at hewittj@stirling.gov.uk

Advisers’ viewswhat our customer advisers say about Customer First:

“the open plan area makes it easier to communicate between different services. it helps a lot in finding solutions to challenging enquiries”

“our customers are able to use the service when it suits them”

“it’s an easy stop if you’re out shopping in the city centre”

“we’re able to give a quicker, more personal service”.

Great service is our priorityCuSTOMEr FIrST1-5 Port Street, StirlingOpen 9am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday (we will review these hours aftercustomer feedback)

Customers’ viewswhat our customers say about Customer First:

Mrs Scobbie from St Ninians has popped in twice so far. “I think it’s a good idea, and very convenient. You can sort out everything in one go.”

Gillian Martin from Fallin was at

Customer First with her four-year-

old niece Milly. “The staff are

really helpful,” said Gillian. “I

love the pink sofa,” added Milly.

John Sheppard has just moved into a new flat in Stirling. “It’s a handy location, and it’s great having everything in one place. You’re not passed from one department to another,” he said.

stirling.gov.uk4

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in Brief

Help test new sitewe’re building a new stirling Council website. if you would be interested in helping test it out, please get in touch at communications@stirling.gov.uk

Disabled parking rulesnew rules were recently approved about qualifying for a Disabled Person’s Parking Place at your home. to receive a place you should now:

have a valid blue badge have a vehicle registered to your address

have no access to a suitable off-street parking space (a driveway and/or garage)

have a genuine parking problem.

For more details, visit www. stirling.gov.uk/disabled_parking

Hogmanay tickets Plenty of people were keen to get their hands on tickets for stirling’s 2011 Hogmanay when they went on sale recently at the tolbooth. watch out for more ticket offers coming soon.

Guidance to protectnew national guidance for Child Protection in scotland has been issued. Changes include: • new categories of risk • strengthened child protection case conferences• a wider definition for child protection, seeing it as part of public protection• stronger role for Chief officers and Child Protection Committees.

read the full document at www.stirling.gov.uk/childprotection

remember, it’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure our children are alright. if you have concerns about a child, contact the social work initial Assessment team (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday): 01786 471177 or social work (after 4.30pm and at weekends): 01786 470500.

volunteers neededstirling-based start-up stirling is looking for volunteers for a new befriending project which will offer support to people experiencing housing difficulties and homelessness.

to get involved, email mail@startupstirling.org.uk or visit www.startupstirling.org.uk

Have your say on rail plansstirling area people have the opportunity to comment on one of scotland’s largest-ever rail investment programmes as network rail launch a public consultation around the Edinburgh –glasgow improvement Programme (EgiP).

Despite the slightly misleading title, EgiP offers significant benefits for rail travellers from stirling, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane commuting to scotland’s largest cities. As well as the environmental benefits of electrification, the completed project will deliver shorter journey times on a new fleet of lighter, quieter trains.

To find out more about the consultation, visit

www.networkrail.co.uk/egip

radio royal has now settled into its new home at the state-of-the-art nHs Forth valley royal Hospital in larbert.

with the latest technology and studio facilities, radio royal aims to provide each and every patient with great entertainment from their own individual flat-screen bedside television to help make their hospital stay as comfortable as possible.

radio royal caters for all

audiences with everything from specialist to lighthearted programmes, as well as its famed patients’ choice show.

the station has its own team of ward visitors who collect requests from patients to be played by one of the dedicated presenters.

For more information about Radio Royal, visit

www.radioroyal.org

New home for radio show

TheteamatRadioRoyalcaterstothemusicaltastesofallaudiencesinwards

2014 will be a spectacular year for stirling, with a programme of events marking the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

A new £5 million visitor centre is being built for the event. it’s also scotland’s

second Year of Homecoming, and in addition to Bannockburn 700, highlights will include the Commonwealth games in glasgow and the ryder Cup at gleneagles.

we’d love to hear everyone’s ideas – local people,

community groups and organisations, and ex-pats and friends of stirling from around the globe.

Get involved and register your interest now at

www.stirling2014.co.uk

A year of big events

stirling.gov.uk 5

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get active

there are a number of new ways you can get active in the stirling area...

raploch Community CampusActive stirling at the raploch Community Campus has a fantastic new timetable which includes various popular classes such as spinning, Zumba, tai Chi, thumpboxing and more! Active stirling also provide gym membership at the campus. the new gym and class membership starts

from £10 per month.

Active Living expressthis is an exciting new

scheme offering local residents the opportunity to use the leisure

facilities in stirling High school from 6pm-10pm, Monday to Friday. the scheme incorporates gym, fitness classes and swimming from as little as £3.50 per week.

over 50?Active stirling’s new 50+ Physical Activity programme is a timetable of fitness, exercise and activities for the over 50s across the stirling area. Activities range from walking groups to gentle exercise classes and other activities.

Walkingwhy not join in one of the free weekly walks run by Active stirling as part of the stirling walking network? there is a range of walks within your local area – great for some gentle exercise, socialising and fresh air. walk leaders are on hand to assist and encourage you. You don’t need to register, just turn up for a great walk.

Choose from shorter walks in local communities for those who are new to walking or recovering from an illness or operation, to longer walks in the stunning countryside across the stirling area.

Download information and timetables for all the above

at www.activestirling.org.uk or call Active Stirling on 0300 028 0101.

Time to go off the page for literary treasuresBook festivAL

stirling’s popular off the Page Book Festival returns from 10-17 september with an exciting array of events for adults and children.

Highlights will include leading authors Christopher Brookmyre and Mark Billingham in conversation, first-time visits from Caro ramsay, sue lawrence and gavin Francis, an Evening of gaelic at the tolbooth, and a gruffalo drama workshop for children. Cargo’s special Delivery, which showcases a mix of acclaimed authors, new writers and live music is another first.

Prizes will be awarded in stirling libraries’ annual poetry competition off the stanza. For children, writers Cathy Cassidy, Catherine Forde, lynne rickards and Matthew Fitt will make appearances.

off the Page is sponsored by Creative scotland and the Evening of gaelic is sponsored by Bord na gaidhlig. the stirling smith Art gallery and Museum is offering a programme of lunchtime talks as part of the festival.

Visit the website at www.stirling.gov.uk/offthepage and become a Facebook friend at

www.facebook.com/offthepagefestival

environmentAL CAmpAiGn

on the verge is an environmental campaign started by local resident leigh Biagi in partnership with stirling Council. 

the idea is to provide food sources for our ailing bee populations by sowing nectar-rich wildflowers in green spaces in and around stirling.

in May, the Council sowed 13 wildflower areas, forming a ‘corridor’ through the city from the Castleview Park and ride to Cornton via gowanhill and the Back walk. 

sites along Burghmuir road and in king’s Park and Beechwood Park were also turned into mini-meadows. A further 20 areas were established by other on the verge partners. 

the next stage of the project, preparing and sowing further sites, will begin in late autumn. 

To find out more, visit the Stirling Council Ranger Service on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/stirlingcouncilrangers

BeautifulOntheVergewildflowerssuchasbluecornflowerareappreciatedbylocals,visitorsandbeesalike

On the Verge of something special

GavinFrancisshareshistalesoftravellingthroughoutArcticEurope

there’s still just time to nominate a friend, colleague or family member who you think deserves to be considered for the honour of being a london 2012 ‘Moment

to shine’ torchbearer for our area in the 2012 olympic torch relay. is there someone whose personal achievement and/or contribution to the local

community you would like to see recognised?

Nominations can be made at www.lloydstsb.com/

carrytheflame until 12 September and www.samsung.com/london 2012 until 30 September 2011.

nominate an olympic torchbearer

stirling.gov.uk6

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Cooking Course

Nick Nairn is Stirling’s own celebrity chef, with an acclaimed restaurant at the Doubletree Dunblane Hydro and Cook School at Port of Menteith.

He’s an enthusiastic champion of the Stirling area’s fresh produce, using local suppliers and produce from the School’s garden.

The School celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. It offers a variety of hands-on courses, focusing on good core skills. Those looking to step their cooking up a notch can attend three-day masterclasses on topics such as fish and shellfish, or meat, game and poultry.

I was delighted to be invited along to try the ‘Simple Italian’ course this August. But I wondered whether it could turn me into a gourmet in one day?

A dAy oF cooking

10am: Michelin-starred chef John Webber briefed us in the pristine, professional kitchen, which was divided into separate workstations set out with the equipment we’d need for the day.

10.30: Our tutor Tristan Campbell showed us how to make tiramisu. The secret was making sure the ingredients had the right consistency before blending. Working backwards on a menu is the opposite to my usual chaotic methods, but Tristan explained that good cooking is about being organised.

1pm: The tiramisu, a blend of mascarpone, egg, amaretto and double cream is setting in the fridge. We’ve also made dough for fresh pasta, meatballs, and a tomato sauce, all waiting to be cooked later. It’s much harder

work than I imagined! “Most people take this course because it’s called ‘Simple Italian’, but there’s nothing simple about it,” Tristan points out. “Italian food is all about the quality and provenance of the food, using what’s in your local area.”

2pm: Our gnocci are made with potatoes from the Cook School garden and eggs from its chickens. They’re light and creamy, gently mixed with egg, butter and flour before being rolled into balls. The rocket and walnut pesto to go with them is very easy to make, yet incredibly tasty. “Make this if you have rocket or basil growing out of control in your garden, or if you see it going cheap in the supermarket, then freeze some,” Tristan advises.

3.30pm: Time to enjoy our gnocci and pesto starters and

kitchencoaching

rECiPEitAliAn MeAtbAlls

in toMAto sAuce

serves 3-4

ingredientsFor the tomato sauce:

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

small pinch dried chilli flakes

800g good quality tinned tomatoes.

For the meatballs: 200 g ground beef 100 g ground pork 100 g ground gammon 1 ½ tbsp dry breadcrumbs 2 tbsp grated Parmesan 1 tbsp chopped flat parsley ½ onion, finely diced 1 egg yolk 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil

maldon salt freshly ground black pepper.

How to make it:• Make the tomato sauce: Warm the olive oil in a thick-based pan, add the chopped onion and slowly sweat without colouring. After a few minutes add the garlic, dried chilli flakes and seasoning and cook for another five minutes

• Add the tinned tomatoes and bring to the boil. reduce the heat and simmer gently

• While the tomato sauce is reducing, assemble the meatballs. Place the ground meats, breadcrumbs, Parmesan and parsley into a large bowl and, using your hands, mix thoroughly. Add the onion, olive oil, egg yolk and a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix again

• using clean hands divide the meatball mixture into small pieces and roll into balls

• When you have all your meatballs ready, heat a frying pan. Add the olive oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown

• When the meatballs are all coloured, add them to the tomato sauce and cook for roughly 15-20 minutes. Do ensure the meatballs are properly cooked. Finally check for seasoning and serve with olive oil, pappardelle or spaghetti and freshly shaved Parmesan and basil.

First-class food is a strength of our area’s economy, and Port of Menteith’s nick nairn Cook school the ideal place to learn how to turn that tip-top produce into amazing meals. Stirling reporter Deborah kilpatrick does just that

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chat with my fellow foodies. Emma, a student, hopes to increase her cooking confidence, and Bill, an ex-body-builder, has left his steamed chicken and broccoli days behind and is becoming something of a gourmet.

4pm: Out come the pasta machines. Making my own pasta is something I never dreamed I could do, but as I pass the dough through the contraption again and again and watch it turn into long, thin, smooth sheets I can cut into strips, I realise how fantastic the tutors are. Somehow, Tristan and John (who’s been offering invaluable advice) not only made a fairly ambitious menu look easy to do – their confidence in us meant I achieved more than I thought possible.

5pm: My pasta may have been ragged and my meatballs stuck when I fried them, but I’ve never been happier to sit down to a meal. Today was a lot to take in, but I’m inspired to try cooking more.

coaching

time to eat edible borders

Farmers’ marketsthe old Arcade Farmers’ Market

Every Friday, stirling Arcade, 9am-4pm

stirling Farmers’ Market

second saturday of the monthPort street, stirling

thornhill Market

Wednesdays, 10am-1pmCommunity Hall, thornhill

Fruitful funding for orchardsStirling-based environmental charity Forth Environment Link has been awarded funding to continue the development of their Forth Valley Orchards Initiative.

The initiative, running since 2009, seeks to raise the profile of local orchards and encourage more people to eat the produce.

Forth Environment Link Project Officer Diane Alderdice said: “Thanks to the tremendous response and involvement of the people of Forth Valley over the past two years we have another year’s funding to support not only the orchards, but the development of people’s skills to help them plant and manage their own orchards.”

The award of more than £84,000 was made by the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund and will allow Forth

Environment Link to continue to support the development of orchards across the whole of central Scotland and run a full programme of events over the next nine months.

For more information, visit www.fvfl.org.uk

edible broomridge

A day-long food festival is on the menu for Broomridge on Sunday 2 October at Bannockburn High School.

It’s the culmination of the Edible Broomridge project, which urges local people to eat, grow and buy more local, seasonal produce, reduce their meat and dairy intake, and cut food waste.

For more information, visit www.broomridge

foodfestival.co.uk

growing your own

It’s time to reap the tasty rewards of the Edible Borders campaign to replace traditional garden bedding plants with vegetables and herbs.

The project, which began in early summer, saw the Council’s Land Services team sow vegetables on borders and other patches of available land across the city, including beside the Burns Statue in central Stirling, Quakerfield, Bannockburn, Airthrey Road, Causewayhead and in the grounds of the Council’s Viewforth HQ.

Star performers include runner beans, sweetcorn, courgettes, tomatoes, red cabbage and artichokes.

Picked produce is being given to organisations such as the Salvation Army.

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IntervIew

Belinda Greer joined Stirling Council as Head of Education in 2009 and recently headed the groundbreaking merger of Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council’s education services. Here, she talks about how this will help ensure a positive future for our children.

Belinda, how will

merging the two services

improve things for

children and young

people in Stirling?

The current financial climate calls for us to do better with less, to be more efficient. Sharing skills, experience and best practice across Stirling and Clackmannanshire will build greater capacity in the team and strengthen delivery of the service in both councils.

The governance of schools is not changing and so Stirling schools will remain Stirling schools. Since we work to a national agenda

such as Curriculum for Excellence there will be very little difference for pupils. However, I would like to see improved outcomes and life chances for our children through high quality learning experiences.

What do you think is the

most important aspect of

education for children?

Wide achievement and high attainment. I believe that the core skills of literacy and numeracy are crucial.

Children get one chance at education so we must ensure that they get the best chance of achieving well and to the best of their ability.

Is there anything else

you’d like parents of

school-age children

to know?

I want to reassure parents that change is a good thing – a chance for us to take a fresh approach and improve what we do.

A place to

thrive

Stirling + Clackmannanshire

= stronger education services

“Children get one chance at education, so we must ensure that they get the best chance”

Enrolmentthe 2012/13 school year begins on 21 August 2012.

All children who are five on or before 21 August 2012 must start their primary school education on that date. Children who are five between 22 August 2012 and 28 February 2013 may start on 21 August 2012.

if you want your child to start school in August 2012 you must enrol him or her by 25 november 2011 for:

Bannockburn Primary school Braehead Primary school Cowie Primary school East Plean Primary school st Margaret’s Primary school st Mary’s Primary school,

Bannockburn Dunblane Primary school newton Primary school.Your child should be enrolled

by 20 January 2012 for all other primary schools. For details on enrolment arrangements for individual schools, please visit www.stirling.gov.uk/enrolling yourchild or phone the Council on 01786 442648, or contact your local school.

the Council now checks the residency of parents enrolling their child. to avoid any delay, please bring your child’s birth certificate, child benefit book or award letter and working families tax credit award letter, together with a recent utilities bill and council tax bill when you go to your catchment school to enrol your child.

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Children in the Dunblane and Bannockburn ‘clusters’ due to begin primary school next year are taking part in an early enrolment pilot scheme.

“We’re making the enrolment process more straightforward

and bringing it forward to give schools, the Council and, above all, children and parents more time, making the move from nursery to primary and primary to secondary as smooth as possible,” explained Belinda

greer, Joint Head of service, Education.

“Earlier enrolment makes it easier to plan classes and make sure we can offer children the best possible start at their new school.”

other schools will be starting the new pattern of enrolment in January 2012. A list of individual enrolment sessions will be available on the Council website

so parents can check when to enrol their child into P1.

Children in the Council area who will be moving from P7 on to high school will also receive P7 transfer letters earlier as part of the updated procedures.

this will allow for improved planning and sharing of information between primaries and secondary schools.

Need to know:school placesTransfer from primary to secondary

Children currently in P7 will transfer from primary to secondary education in August 2012. Your primary school will notify you about transfer arrangements. For enrolment at a secondary school other than your catchment school you should make a placing request even if your child already attends an associated primary school of your chosen secondary school.

Placing requests for session 2012/2013

Parents or guardians who wish to make a placing request for the school session 2012-2013 should do so in writing no later than 15 March 2012. Your right applies to a request that your child be placed in a school other than the school which normally serves the area in which you live. it applies to a primary school or, where

appropriate, the transfer to a secondary school, including a school providing for children with additional support needs. Application forms and guidelines are available from the

Council’s Education service on 01786 442648. it is essential that you enrol your child at the school that serves your local area, even if you are making a placing request for another school.

Please note that if your placing request is successful school transport will not be provided for your child.

Schools information

information on local authority schools in stirling Council and placing request arrangements are available from

the Education Business team on 01786 442648. For information about a particular school, please contact the school.

Denominational enrolment

Parents/carers wishing to apply for enrolment to our lady’s rC Primary school, st Mary’s rC Primary school, st Margaret’s rC Primary school, st Mary’s Episcopal Primary school and st Modan’s High school should contact the school to discuss enrolment policy.

Gaelic

gaelic Medium Provision is available at riverside Primary school,Forrest road, stirling, for which parents may enrol their

child. Further information is available from the school.

Details are also available at www.stirling.gov.uk/enrollingyourchild

The joint working is not about diluting what we do, it is about strengthening it. We are the first in Scotland to join education services. It shows that Stirling and Clackmannanshire are leading the way.

I would also encourage parents to play a part in the life of their school and join or actively support the parent council. There are opportunities for the chairs of parent councils across Stirling to meet with the education team, and minutes of these meetings are available on the web.

Belinda Greer encourages parents to play a part in the life of their child’s school

Pilot on early enrolment

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Stirling Council is working with partner organisations to deliver a faster and more consistent broadband service to households and businesses across the local area.

In partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER, the Council is delivering a pilot project called ClacksMax.

The project aims to provide a new high-speed wireless broadband service in Clackmannanshire and parts of rural Stirling. Initially focused on Throsk and Cambusbarron in the Stirling area, this pilot service will be in place by the end of the year.

We would like to extend access to

high-speed broadband across the Council area, helping to meet Scottish Government targets to deliver broadband speeds of at least 2MB/s to all households by 2015 and 24MB/s to 90 per cent.

The Government is making a limited amount of funding available to improve broadband infrastructure – and we need your help to bid for this.

You can strengthen the case for improving broadband infrastructure by taking part in a short survey

Want a faster connectio n?

“The more evidence we can gather on provision, the stronger our bid will be”

skills development scotland

last year, almost 1,000 people in the stirling area signed up to learn with skills Development scotland for national training programmes, including Modern Apprenticeships, get ready for Work and training for Work.

the organisation offers careers information, advice and guidance to people of all ages: school pupils and leavers, jobseekers, and people facing the threat of redundancy or looking to advance their career.

skills Development scotland’s

business support includes the Employer recruitment incentive (Eri), which offers companies up to £2,000 when they employ

someone who has been out of work for some time or has faced barriers in the past. And this year, the criteria has been

widened to offer 6,000 additional incentives to help businesses in scotland benefit.

Among those who will now become eligible for the initiative are people aged 18 and over who have previously been unemployed.

Businesses can also benefit from skills Development scotland’s Flexible training opportunities (Fto) Fund, which aims to help small scottish businesses become more successful by covering 50 per cent of training costs, up to a maximum of £5,000.

Turn to training for a great career

Help bid for a better broadband infrastructure for the stirling area

stirling.gov.uk 11

Food tourism

sampling top-quality, well-presented local produce is one of the most enjoyable things about visiting any area – and ours has plenty of first-class fare to promote. 

now, a new forum is taking steps to maximise the appeal of all that stirling’s food and drink businesses have to offer. Stirling spoke with Council tourism Executive Jason Clark to find out more.

 What do you think visitors to our area are looking for as far as food and drink go?People love trying new experiences on holiday. our visitors want to try famous and authentic scottish produce, drinks and dishes and tell their family and friends about it when they get back home. 

there’s also a demand for excellent and friendly customer service, and websites such as tripadvisor make it quick and easy for visitors to comment on their experiences and for businesses to receive feedback. getting glowing reviews on these sites is great marketing!

We know that many visitors welcome healthy menus and like information about how food is prepared and if it’s sourced locally. 

And for others it’s about social and cultural experiences that can be enhanced with great food and drink – enjoying a coffee and delicious cake in historic, atmospheric surroundings, for example.

 Why is the Food and drink

Forum being set up?research from the City

of stirling visitor survey over the last three years shows that

there’s room for improvement in

stirling’s food offering. there can be a gap between what our visitors are looking for and what they are experiencing.

We wanted to tackle this, so with help from scottish Enterprise two half-day tourism innovation workshops were held earlier this year with participants from the local food and drink sector. there were workshops and discussions, and the group established a private sector-led stirling Food and Drink Forum.

 How will the Forum work?it’ll help raise the profile of stirling’s food and drink outlets and hopefully improve their bottom line. the focus will be on the tourism market, and exploring opportunities to increase business and exchange views and information.

 How can businesses join in?the Forum is keen for more city centre food and drink retailers to become involved.

the next meeting is on Monday 19 september at 10am in the golden lion Hotel in stirling. new members are most welcome, and i’d encourage anyone interested in coming along to contact me.

 You can get in touch with Jason on 01786 442532 or

email clarkj@stirling.gov.uk

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that will gather information on broadband speeds and any local broadband issues.

Councillor Scott Farmer, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Tourism and Finance, said: “The more evidence we can gather on broadband provision across the Stirling Council area, the stronger our bid for funding will be.

“We are extremely pleased to be part of the ClacksMax pilot project that will deliver high speed broadband to some rural areas, but would like to extend quality broadband services to residents and businesses from all our communities.”

Find the survey at www.stirling.gov.uk/

broadbandsurvey or contact Sandy Frickleton, Business Liaison Executive, Stirling Council, on 01786 443403, email frickletona@stirling.gov.uk to ask for a paper copy to be sent to you.

Want a faster connectio n?

Turn to training for a great careerif you are looking for help

finding work or training or need advice, please call the careers helpline on 0800 917 8000.

if you are a business looking for further information on skills Development scotland’s initiatives, including Eris and Ftos, or if you would like support, advice or information on taking on a trainee or someone recently made redundant, call the employers’ helpline on 0800 783 6000.

For more details, visit www.skillsdevelopment

scotland.co.uk

Best in food and drink for Stirling visitors

Jason Clark: ‘Our visitors want to try top quality local fare’

stirling.gov.uk12

Hospital security to reassure patientsForth Valley royal

In a first for health services in Forth Valley, security officers have been appointed at Forth Valley Royal Hospital to reassure and assist patients, public and staff.

Not only do they have a visible presence patrolling the hospital, but they also monitor the site from a control room near the Emergency Department, where information is relayed from more than 150 CCTV cameras.

The officers, who are employed by Serco, have all been trained in techniques approved by the Security Industry Authority.

The new officers are just one of a number of improved services incorporated into the new Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert which is now fully operational.

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Women and children’s unit

Babies born at Forth valley royal Hospital are to be known by staff as larbert lads and lassies.

the new name was coined by Midwife Practitioner Catriona Cully. “i wanted a name to unite all the new arrivals and i think this fits the bill.”

the first baby from the stirling area to be born at the new Forth valley royal Hospital was kenzie liddell from Bannockburn. kenzie, who was born on 13 July 2011, was

presented with special gifts from nHs Forth valley – a cuddly toy rabbit, a certificate and a cotton top inscribed with the words ‘Forth valley royal First’.

the new Women and Children’s unit at Forth valley royal has a host of extra facilities to make time spent in hospital much more comfortable. these include improvements in the labour suite such as an extra birthing pool, a changing room for partners close to theatres, en-suite delivery rooms where many mums will be

The new security officers will patrol Forth Valley Royal Hospital, as well as monitor the site from a CCTV control room

What’s in a

name?

stirling.gov.uk 13

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hospital opening

The opening of the third phase of the Forth Valley Royal Hospital not only marked the final chapter in the development of the new hospital, but also heralded a new beginning for Stirling Royal Infirmary.

Following the transfer of acute services from Stirling to Larbert in July, Stirling Royal Infirmary has become Stirling Community

Hospital, one of four community hospitals across Forth Valley which support the work of Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

This ensures local people from across Stirling continue to have access to a wide range of health services including a new Minor Injury Unit, X-Ray and ultrasound services, dermatology, audiology, antenatal and postnatal care, therapy and mental health

services for children and young people and GP out-of-hours services.

Stirling Community Hospital continues to be a base for hundreds of NHS

staff and is expected to handle more than 200,000 patient appointments each year, maintaining an important presence at the heart of the community.

open for minor injuries the new Minor injury unit at stirling Community Hospital is now open every day from 9am to 9pm. the unit, which is currently located in the former A&E department, provides treatment for a wide range of common injuries including sprains, cuts, minor burns, suspected broken bones, minor head and neck injuries and infected wounds.

this ensures that thousands of people from across stirling who experience minor injuries every year can continue to be treated locally. the unit provides treatment for adults and children over the age of one. Children under the age of one should be taken to the Emergency Department at Forth valley royal Hospital.

the new stirling Community Hospital is now up and running, providing a range of vital services

A new

chapter in local healthcare

able to stay until they go home and a separate larger delivery room for multiple births.

the new neonatal suite is much lighter and brighter than existing neonatal facilities and will provide a more pleasant environment for staff, patients and parents.

there are also two overnight rooms for parents who want to stay while their baby is undergoing treatment or stay overnight to help prepare for taking their baby home.

the neonatal unit is on the same floor as the labour ward which has improved access and made it easier for mothers to visit their babies while they are being cared for in the unit.

“The new unit has a host of extra

facilities to make time spent in

hospital more comfortable”

Kenzie Liddell is the first baby

from the Stirling area to be

born at the new Forth Valley

Royal Hospital

Community cops on hospital beatpolicing

statements from patients and staff can now be obtained far easier and quicker thanks to the work of two new police enquiry officers who are based full-time at Forth valley royal Hospital.

PC steven Dodds and PC Walter robb were recently appointed as Enquiry officers at the new hospital and are working closely with staff across the site to obtain and record medical evidence, medical history and expert witness statements.

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What’s on Your essential pull-out guide to upcoming events in our area. For more information, visit www.stirling.gov.uk

11 12 13Saturday Sunday TuesdayMonday

17 18 19 20

24 25 26 27

8 10 11

15 17 18

23 24 25

30 31 1

2 3 4

6 7 8

10

1

9

16

29

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OFF TO THE OFF

THE PAGE BOOK

FESTIVALLoads of great events

for adults and kids.

www.stirling.gov.uk/

offthepage www.facebook.

com/offthepagefestival

MCLAREN COMMUNITY LEISURE CENTRE

Stalls with info about safety,

keeping well, support groups,

transport and community care.

You can even exchange your old

slippers for a nice new pair

SCHOOL’S OUT!10 - 17 October

Why not spend a fun day

at The Peak?

www.the-peak-stirling.org.uk

STIRLING COUNCIL ARCHIVEExtends opening hours.

Now open: Monday - Thursday 9am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm

Friday - closed to the public, but open for groups by prior

appointment

Rock On!Join a geologist to find out

what’s beneath our feet. 10am-noon

Stirling Wedding Show Albert Halls

Big Brilliant Book SaleStirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum

Kings of the Castle Archaeological castle walk, 2pm-4pm

Hayseed Dixie Tolbooth

The Mental Feast of Pure Delight Robert Ritchie reads from his book. Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, noon-1pm

Vasen Tolbooth

24 September - 6 November, Patricia Cain/Sam Cartman exhibitionStirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, 7.30pm

Mugdock Country ParkGardeners’ Time: Plant Swap£3. Booking preferred:

0141 956 6100

Nuts About SquirrelsSquirrely activities for the whole family. Guided walks start at 1pm

and 3pm (no dogs allowed). David Marshall Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Park

From Little Acorns...Help the rangers find fallen acorns – and do your bit to en-

sure the future of our ancient woodland at Mugdock Country Park. Call 0141 956 6100 for details

National Feed the Birds event

Help make bird feeders and seed cakes to help your garden birds through the cold winter months. 11am-3pm. Call 01786 442768 for more information

Country Roads: A Celebration of John Denver

Paying homage to one of the most pro-lific artists of the 20th century. Tickets £16/£14.50. Albert Halls, 7.30pm

Forth Naturalist & Historian ‘Man and Landscape’ Symposium 2011

Protecting Forth Valley landscapes. Full day ticket: £15 (half price for students). Stirling University, 9.30am-4pm. Visit www.fnh.natsci.stir.ac.uk/symposium

10-11 September, Stirling Doors Open Days www.doorsopendays.org.uk

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Your essential pull-out guide to upcoming events in our area. For more information, visit www.stirling.gov.uk

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COLOUR KEY:Sports events

Outdoor eventsSchool and bank holidays

Tourism, theatre etc

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

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2 3

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ALL THAT JAZZ...30 September - 2 OctoberCallander Jazz Festival -

a long weekend of jazz and blues provided by more than thirty

international, national and local bands at various venues.

Visit www.callanderjazz.com

DON’T FORGET!Look out for details

about tickets for Stirling’s Hogmanay

at the Castle

TAKE A SHINE

TO PEWTER!

Don’t miss the Neish Pewter

Collection at the new Stirling

Smith Pewter Gallery in

The Old Court at the foot

of Spittal Street. Opening

hours: Saturdays 1pm-4pm,

Sundays 2pm-4.30pm

BE A PART OF

THE BIG DIG

Archeological dig at Hillfort,

16-19 September, 10am-4pm

daily. View the dig, speak to

diggers. Limited places on

the dig also. Email cookm@

stirling.gov.uk

16

10

Hayseed Dixie Tolbooth

The Mental Feast of Pure Delight Robert Ritchie reads from his book. Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, noon-1pm

Haunted Stirling by David Kinnaird David Kinnaird reads from

his book. Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, noon-1pm

A History of Stirling in 100 Objects Elspeth King reads from her

book. Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, noon-1pm

Derek Acorah The UK’s leading spirit medium. Tickets £20.50/£19.50.

Albert Halls, 7.30pm

McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle Tolbooth

Macrobert ‘Big Ears, Little Ears’ – a short concert (45 mins) For parents/carers with young

babies. Orchestra performs classics, folksongs and lullabies

Mugdock Country Park Con-cert Night: Alan Reid & Rob Vasante

Celebration of traditional folk songs. £8 £7. Booking essential: 0141 956 6100

Countryside Rangers’ Meadow Management DayLend a hand in getting a field cut

and raked to manage a valuable habitat for butterflies and wildflowers. 10am-4pm. For details, call 01786 442768

Upbeat BeatlesOne of the premier Beatles tribute bands. Tickets £15/£13

concessions. Albert Halls, 7.30pm

The NutcrackerPerformed by the State Ballet Academy of Minsk. Tickets

£18/£16.50. Albert Halls, 7.30pm

Concert Night – Lorna Reid’s Jazz Café

Swinging and bluesy vocalist and her band create the relaxed feel of a jazz street café. £8-£7. Booking essential: 0141 956 6100. Mugdock Country Park

Theatre Night – An evening with Mr Wilde An evening of sparkling wit by

a three-women troupe. Tickets £9/£8 Booking essential: 0141 956 6100. Mugdock Country Park

The Axe Factory Manager’s Convention

Poetry reading by Alistair Findlay. Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, noon-1pm

Thursday 10, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 November

Mugdock Music Fest at the Country ParkThree evenings of music. £10-£12. Booking essential: 0141 956 6100

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Spooky

David kinnaird, author, writer and performer, has been haunting and entertaining in stirling for more than twenty years with his stirling ghost

Walk. Here, he gives an insight into the eerie goings on in the city

Supernatural

I’ve never seen a ghost. After two decades of living and working in a host of supposedly haunted houses, acquainting myself with the history and mythology of the area, I’ve yet to see, hear or feel anything that I could not explain – at least in part – by reasonable,

rational, and utterly mundane means. I’m not even sure I believe in ghosts, at least not in

the sense of a sentient, self-aware, persistent personal essence – but I’m open to the possibility. After all, if it is true that high emotions can somehow impress themselves upon a location, then it’s no surprise that reports of hauntings have been so numerous in this town.

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it’s not just stirling that has intriguing connections with the supernatural. Hundreds of years ago, the community of Aberfoyle had a host of haunting stories to tell.

in the late 1600s, robert kirk, a minister (and seventh son) set out to collect his parishioners’ stories about elves, fairies, fauns, doppelgangers, wraiths, and other beings of “a middle nature betwixt man and angel”.

kirk believed their supernatural world existed in parallel to ours, and his research resulted in an essay called The Secret Commonwealth – a fascinating mixture of science, religion and folklore.

some believe that the inhabitants of the secret Commonwealth were none too pleased with the reverend for disclosing all their secrets and took their revenge. kirk walked daily from the manse to Doon Hill, but one day he did not return.

And they do say that the pine tree that stands to this day at the top of the hill contains his imprisoned spirit.

Hauntings in Stirling’s historic Old Town

Hear David Kinnaird talk about his book Haunted Stirling on Wednesday 14 September, noon-1pm, at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum.

www.stirlingghostwalk.com

Apparitions have been known to appear in Stirling

The Black LadyA local woman had a curious and unnerving experience as she pushed her pram along the rough pathway of the Back Walk one autumn afternoon in the early 1970s. Then a young mother, she could hear only the gleeful gurgling of the tot as she trundled through the twilight over the cascade of brittle, brown leaves covering the path – which circles the cemetery and Castle Rock, and marks the line of the Burgh defences fortified by Mary de Guise in the 1540s. As she reached the steep incline from Cowane’s Hospital to the Ladies’ Hill she paused to catch her breath, and was startled to feel something ‘like a finger pressing up and down the length of my back’. She turned, and was alarmed to find herself alone upon the shadowy path. She lost no time in hurrying home.

Such encounters here were once commonplace, it seems, and attributed to visitations of the Black Lady, a ghostly nun, supposedly seeking furtive union with her secret priestly lover in some secluded nook of the Castle Rock.

A stubbornly silent and uncommunicative spirit – none of Stirling’s female phantoms have a great deal to say for themselves – her purpose is as obscure as her origin and destination, though she is generally thought by older locals to be a herald of ill omen, creating a sense of dread appropriate to the shadowy, overgrown causeway she frequents. Sightings are rare since the path was paved and electric light added, though uncanny encounters on the outskirts of the churchyard still occur. On the afternoon of 30 November (St Andrew’s Day) 2002, Rab Allan, Master of Works for the Cowane Trust, had one such unsettling experience. At the foot of the stone steps leading to the summit of the Ladies’ Hill, where a rough path leads down to the Back Walk, he spied a figure in what appeared to be a capacious grey coat with a high collar or hood, hurrying up the path from the Valley.

A local, who has lived and worked around the cemetery all his life, and who has no

truck with ‘silly superstitions’, he was about to call a cheery welcome – sure that the grey man was me, garbed in the great grey

postal-cloak which forms part of my Staffman’s livery – though he did think it odd that a GhostWalk should be in progress so early in the day.

What happened next silenced him before he could utter a word, as the figure

‘just vanished into the stone at the top of the path. Not behind. Not beside. Straight through. Into the stone.’ (I, incidentally, have a saintly alibi for the time of this odd encounter: I was playing Santa Claus in a local shopping

centre all day.)Could this have been the Black

Lady’s immortal inamorato – a Franciscan Greyfriar in his

distinctive vestments – hurrying to meet her under some secluded bower?

This is an extract from Haunted Stirling by David Kinnaird, published by

The History Press (www.thehistorypress.co.uk). Exclusive reader offer: £7 plus p&p Tel: 01235 465500 or www.thehistorypress.co.uk Please quote HPSTIRLING. Offer ends 1 January 2012.

“None of Stirling’s female phantoms have a great deal to say for themselves”

‘Betwixt man and angel’ in

Aberfoyle

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Reshaping our services for older peoplestirling Council is responding to the care needs of the older population

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Support

Over the past year, Stirling Council has been developing new ways to provide care services for older people.

We know that older people want services tailored to their needs and choices. At the same time, Government predictions show that Scotland’s older population is likely to increase by about two-thirds in the next two decades. And with the challenging financial situation facing all councils, it is crucial that limited resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Along with NHS Forth Valley, the Council has introduced a number of changes to transform care for older people in Stirling, working more flexibly to meet the growing demand and allowing us to give the best possible support.

Our new approach includes a rehabilitation programme developed within Stirling Council’s own care homes. Through this intermediate care service, three-quarters of people have been able to return to their own homes and live more independently, rather than being admitted to long-term care.

Our approach also involves Reablement and

Falls Prevention, in which carers and

occupational therapists will

work with older people to increase skills and confidence

to allow them to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, while relying less on formal care services.

When formal care is required, the Council will arrange these services based on any need that has been identified from an ongoing assessment.

“Carers and occupational therapists will work with older people to increase skills and confidence to allow them to live independently in their homes for as long as possible”

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Help with grocery shopping

The Council is working with voluntary organisations to look at new ways we can offer a

grocery shopping service to help older people who wish to stay independent in their own homes but may

be having problems getting to the shops.

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new-look meals on wheelsAt the moment meals on wheels services are provided for local people by a combination of the Council and volunteers.

Meals are prepared in the kitchens of some schools, and delivered to people using the service by Home support staff and Wrvs volunteers. the service can’t offer full coverage of the stirling Council area, and in some places is only available on certain days of the week.

After consultation with older people who use the meals on wheels service, the Council has decided to introduce a new service next year. Prepared meals will be delivered to homes by an external company, and the service will be able to cover all parts of the Council area. there will be a wider selection of dishes, and

they can be heated up and eaten at a time that suits.

the service will be able to cater for individual dietary, ethnic or religious needs, too.

it’s expected that the new-look meals will be available from 1 February 2012. if you receive meals on wheels at the moment, we will be visiting you in the meantime to assess your needs.

You don’t need to do anything – we’re just letting you know about the change, and will be able to give you more information nearer the time.

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Feedback From local people

Every three years, our Residents’ Survey gives a snapshot of how local people are feeling about Stirling Council and its services.

Earlier this summer, the survey was sent to all 1,300 members of Stirling’s Sounding Board citizens’ panel, who make up a representative sample of the community as a whole. It was also posted on the Council’s website so anyone interested was able to take part.

the latest residents’ survey is helping transform your views into positive improvements to Council services

we’ll doYou said,

Repairing roads was one of your priorities

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“I’d like to say thank you to everyone who took part,” said Council Leader Graham Houston. “It was a terrific response – almost 700 people. We’re grateful to everyone who let us know their thoughts, concerns and preferences and told us what we’re doing well and where we could do better.

“This survey is vital because it gives us a wealth of information from the most important audience of all – the local people we serve. Of course, our resources are limited, but we’ll make sure

this data is turned into real action to improve services wherever we can.”

Some of your positive comments included:

The new high schools for the Stirling area.

Plans for new housing and further programmes for kitchens, bathrooms etc.

Handling of winter weather

conditions and excellent communication using Facebook updates.

The Park and Ride Bus Service – excellent, frequent and reliable.

Maintenance and expansion of the recycling programme – much better than in my university town (St Andrews).

Elderly care seems to be

“The survey is vital – it gives us a wealth of information from the local people we serve”

< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

the biggest issues you wanted to know more about are roads and transport and winter maintenance, recycling and waste and planning and housing developments.

overall satisfaction with the Council is up 5 per cent since the last survey (65 per cent compared to 60 per cent in 2008). two out of three participants told us they were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with stirling Council.

Almost half (45 per cent) of positive comments were about recycling and waste (23 per cent) and the Council’s response to the severe winter weather (22 per cent).

the response to the bitter winter weather was also local people’s biggest concern. When

asked what had recently given a negative impression of the Council, 54 per cent of participants mentioned the condition of roads and pavements over the winter and how the Council dealt with the poor weather. the weather was the most severe to

hit the stirling area in 30 years, and a severe Weather group was set up to assess the Council’s response and help plan for the future.

Stirling magazine is your most preferred way to receive news about what’s happening in your Council area.

Survey results at a glance

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there is a big problem with litter in the area so more should be done to educate youngsters (and some adults!) on why it’s important not to litter and provide more bins in problem areas.

longer opening hours for recycling centres as not open during the week during the day – ridiculous given the money spent to provide these centres.

Faster repair of potholes, but i do understand that the winter and the economic climate were both harsh!

More information on refuse collection – e.g. changed times due to public holidays. Alternative arrangements/flexibility during adverse weather (snow) when access impossible for lengthy periods. no more

application for change of user premises to public houses (e.g. Post office Building)

to be approved.

Allowing communities to remain in individual villages/towns instead of constant development making them large faceless towns.

More variety of shops. Far too many clothes shops. We need shoe, hardware and card shops, fish shop/greengrocer etc – good quality shops.

not sure whether social services comes under stirling Council. We have home support and respite and these are excellent and highly valued.

in this period of limited resources, perhaps the Council could give priority to essential repairs to roads improvement and put traffic calming and restoring of cobbles on the back burner.

Views on Council servicesComments about the services stirling Council provides included:

finally being taken seriously, with Council initiatives under way.

You felt there was room for improvement on some issues. Here is what some respondents told us:

Disappointed in the winter with the road clearing and in the pavements being kept clear.

Horrendous state of roads and lack of information on resurfacing schedule.

No treatment of the

pavements during the cold weather, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road.

The effort to establish recycling in the last 10 years is good. Coming here 10 years ago from Germany, I was shocked to find this virtually non-existent. Projects such as food waste collection should be extended (and please don’t tell people they have to do this to avoid EU fines - this does not support the right attitudes).

Council staff are working hard to turn

your views into better Council services

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Stirling PerformsWe want it to be as easy as possible for citizens to have fair, balanced and current information about their Council and the work it does. Monthly ‘stirling Performs’ updates help you track our achievements, performance and plans to improve.

Each update tracks how we’re doing on 50 specific tasks across the Council – everything from the percentage of telephone calls answered within 20 seconds to the number of homecare hours provided, to how many people visited our museums, libraries and sports centres.

We also publish an Annual improvement statement showing the priorities for improvement for the coming year.

Read more at www.stirling.gov.uk/

stirlingperforms

I felt that gritting could have been improved this winter. Although priority routes were cleared fairly quickly, residential areas were left. There are not

enough grit bins positioned to allow residents to clear their roads.

The cleanliness of the streets, roads and other public places detracts from

the superb city and countryside we have, and is a disincentive to tourism. Litter, fly tipping and gum etc must be addressed. effectively.

How savings are going to be made.

Monthly expenditure of councillors, and areas of expenditure, for example transport, education, roads, etc staff and overtime.

Council plans for engaging local communities with, for example, topics such as local

winter clearance. recycling and what can be

taken to the tip. the rota for green/grey

bin collections and the rota over public holiday periods.

Any planning developments for local areas in small villages, which could affect the quality of life for some people.

More information neededYou told us you’d like more information on:

< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Encouraging more up-market shopping such as John Lewis/Waitrose/Lakeland in Stirling city centre.

Affordable housing for young people and families within the rural communities, and more appropriate housing for older people and others with special needs.

Professional maintenance of the roads, including re-surfacing, line painting and cat’s eyes – especially in rural areas.

More spend on roads: resurfacing and potholes.

Reduce red tape and regulations, for example too many parking restrictions, too many meters and too much traffic calming.

I think the Council does a reasonable job – refuse collecting, street cleaning and so on. But to encourage investment and tourism we have lots of walks, footpaths and tourist attractions that could do with some or a lot of attention all year round.

Make people clean up their rubbish. More severe action right away – and wardens to have

powers to take swift action.

Encourage the creation of entertainment industries other than existing sports. Yes, a swimming pool is good, but why no laser quest/paintballing or a gaming room with board games to rent?

All dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled. Dog fouling owners to be heavily fined.

Maintaining services for those in greatest need – social services, council housing, children’s services.

Priority areasWe asked for your views on the priorities for improving the quality of life for the people of the stirling area. Here are some replies:

stirling.gov.uk 25

We always want to hear what you think of your Council. Your comments and complaints help us keep improving our services. Whatever Council service you want to talk to us about, please get in touch on 0845 277 7000, 01786 443322 or info@stirling.gov.uk Alternatively, you can visit Customer First, 1-5 Port street, stirling (9am-5.30 pm, Monday to Friday).

Recycling of the respondents, 10 per cent said they’d welcome more information about recycling. the Council has joined up with Zero Waste scotland on a major campaign to encourage more recycling of food waste. the first phase will be home visits by project officers this autumn. they’ll survey the views of local people to better understand what could break down any barriers to food waste recycling and encourage residents to recycle more.

Read more about the campaign in the next

issue of Stirling.

StreetsClean streets are a priority with residents: litter and dog fouling was joint third with traffic management and roadworks in the list of things giving a negative impression of the Council. Communities across the stirling Council area have been getting a spruce-up thanks to the Deep Clean 2011 campaign. land service teams have carried out a number of the intensive clean-ups already this year, and more are planned as the budget permits. Areas targeted by the teams are:

Doune: 11.9 tonnes of litter removed Deanston: 5.5 tonnes

Callander: 30 tonnes

Plean: 10.5 tonnes (main road and the old Plean area)

Fallin: 6.4 tonnes Bridge of Allan, the A905

between Fallin and throsk, and Drymen have also been deep-cleaned, and next to be tackled will be Braehead and Doune to Buchany.

Roadsresidents’ surveys consistently tell us that the condition of roads in our area has a great influence on overall impressions of the Council. local people are also clear that they would like more information on what work is carried out to maintain our roads.

the road network is the largest, most visible community asset that stirling Council is responsible for. it includes not just many miles of carriageway but footways, bridges, street lighting, street furniture and more.

the road Asset Management Plan (rAMP), which will be

developed in the coming years, provides data on the effect of current and future planned investment on the road network and its condition. to help make it easier for local people to get information about how our road network is being managed and maintained, an annual report will be published in 2012.

You can read the current RAMP at www.stirling.

gov.uk/roads

Dog foulingsix per cent of participants felt that litter and dog fouling gave negative impressions of our local area.

We’re now following a five-step plan to tackle litter in our area over the next five years. it will focus on:

street cleaning fly tipping removal enforcement working in partnership communication

and education.

“stirling’s performance on street cleanliness was recently judged to be our best in 15 years, according to keep scotland Beautiful,” said Cllr Jim thomson, Portfolio Holder for Environment.

“We want people to take pride in their local environment and take an active role in making this plan a success. reducing the amounts of litter can only be done in partnership with the community.”

taking personal responsibility for cleaning up after your pet is the message behind the Council’s current “Bag it and bin it” campaign, and our quirky video starring thistle the Westie from Dunblane is pulling in Youtube and Facebook users.

Top dogs who support

the bag it and bin it message are starring in a picture gallery at www.facebook.com/stirlingcouncil

Before and after: Doune benefitted from an intensive clean up

How we are turning your views into actionWork is already under way on many of the priority areas you highlighted in the survey. Here are some examples...

Give us your views

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Learn more about your councillors on our website www.stirling.gov.uk/councillors

Your Councillors

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For access to all stirling Councilservices phone the contact centre on:01786 443322 or 0845 277 7000 • text: 07717 990 001visit www.stirling.gov.uk or email info@stirling.gov.uk

Ward map

6 7

4

1

3

5

2

Ward 1

Trossachs and TeiTh

Bailie Tony FfinchConservativeemail:

Tonyffincht@stirling.gov.uk

councillor Paul owensLabouremail:

owensp@stirling.gov.uk

Provost Fergus WoodSNPemail:

woodf@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 2

ForTh and endrick

councillor alistair BerrillConservativeemail:

berrilla@stirling.gov.uk

Bailie Graham LambiePortfolio holder for education

SNPemail: lambieg@stirling.gov.uk

Bailie colin o’BrienLabouremail:

obrienc@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 3 dunBLane and BridGe oF aLLan

councillor callum campbellConservativeemail:

campbellc@stirling.gov.uk

councillor colin FinlayLabouremail:

finlayc@stirling.gov.uk

councillor david GossLib Dememail:

gossd@stirling.gov.uk

council LeaderGraham houstonPortfolio holder for Policy,

strategy and social careSNPemail: houstong@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 4

casTLe

councillor John hendryLabouremail:

hendryj@stirling.gov.uk

councillor Graham reedLib Dememail:

reedg@stirling.gov.uk

councillor Jim ThomsonPortfolio holder for environment

and sustainabilitySNPemail: thomsonj03@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 5

sTirLinG WesT

councillor neil BennyConservativeemail:

bennyn@stirling.gov.uk

depute Leader scott FarmerPortfolio holder for economy,

Tourism and FinanceSNPemail: farmers@stirling.gov.uk

Dates of meetings are online at www.

stirling.gov.uk/meetings or contact us by phone at 0845 277 7000

Learn more about the scottish and uk governments online at www.scotland.gov.uk and www.direct.gov.uk

ConstitUenCy MsPs

sTirLinG

Bruce crawford SNPtel: 01786 471899email: Bruce.crawford.msp@ scottish.parliament.ukweb: www.brucecrawfordmsp.netconstituency officeunit 111, John Player Buildingstirling enterprise Parkstirling Fk7 7rP

cLackmannanshire and dunBLane

keith Brown SNPtel: 01259 219333email: keith.Brown.msp@ scottish.parliament.ukweb: www.keithbrownmsp.comconstituency office80 mill street, alloa Fk10 1dY

List MsPs

mid scoTLand and FiFe

claire BakerLabourtel: 0131 348 6759email: claire.Baker.msp @scottish.parliament.uk

annaBelle ewingSNPtel: 0131 348 5066email: annabelle.ewing.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

murdo fraserConservativetel: 0131 348 5293email: murdo.Fraser.msp@ scottish.parliament.uk

john parkLabourtel: 0131 348 6753email: John.Park.msp@ scottish.parliament.uk

willie rennieLib Demtel: 0131 348 5803email: Willie.rennie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

richard simpsonLabourtel: 0131 348 6756email: richard.simpson.msp@ scottish.parliament.uk

elizaBeth smith Conservativetel: 0131 348 6762email: elizabeth.smith.msp@ scottish.parliament.uk

MeMber of ParLiaMent

sTirLinG

anne mcguireLabourtel: 01786 446515email: anne.mcguire.mp@parliament.ukweb: www.annemcguiremp.org.ukconstituency office22 Viewfield street, stirling Fk8 1ua

councillor andrew simpsonLabouremail:

simpsona3@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 6 stirling east

Bailie ian BrownLib Dememail:

browni@stirling.gov.uk

councillor corrie mcchordLabouremail:

mcchordc@stirling.gov.uk

councillor steven PatersonPortfolio holder for empowerment and citizenship

SNPemail: patersonst@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 7 Bannockburn (Bannockburn, cowie, Plean)

councillor margaret Brisley Labouremail:

brisleym@stirling.gov.uk

councillor alasdair macPhersonPortfolio holder for housing

SNP email:macphersona@ stirling.gov.uk

councillor Violet Weir Labouremail:

weirv@stirling.gov.uk

representing you in parliament

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otHEr usEFuL nuMBErs

Active stirling 0300 028 0101

Central scotland Fire & rescue service HQ tel: 01324 716996

Central scotland Police tel: 01786 456000

Falkirk Community Hospital 01324 624 000

Floodline tel: 0845 988188

Forth valley College tel: 0845 634 44 44

Forth valley royal Hospital tel: 01324 566 000

Housing repairs 0800 027 5888

Hydro Electric tel: 0800 300000

Macrobert Arts Centre tel: 01786 467155/466666

nHs 24 08454 24 24 24

nHs Forth valley tel: 01786 463031

Quantum Meters tel: 0845 6066766

scottish Enterprise Forth valley tel: 01786 451919

scottish Power tel: 0845 2727111

scottish Water tel: 0845 6008855

stirling Community Hospital 01786 434 000

university of stirling tel: 01786 473171

trAnsCo (gas Emergencies) tel: 0800 111999

traveline tel: 0871 2002233

Adults need

protecting too.

The truth is horrifying.

Vulnerable or elderly

people can be abused

and exploited – even by

their own families.

 If you suspect someone needs protecting, please call the Adult Social Care now, and speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves.

Help protect adults at risk

If you are worried that someone may be at risk of abuse, please contact the Adult Social Care for help on 01786 471177.