Stirling Summer 2011

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It’s a new beginning

Opening of Community Hospital Page 20

Customer comes first

City centre access to services Page 24

Our White Ribbon City

Stirling pledges to help end violencePage 28

Take a spinSee more of Stirling

thiS Summer

summer 2011

For everyone living in The sTirling council area

The world-class attractions and outstanding natural beauty of our area come into their own in the summer. This issue is packed with ideas about getting out and about, and suggestions for things to do and places to visit for all the family.

Our amazing outdoors is one of our area’s most precious assets. And protecting and enhancing it – making sure we leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy – is one of the council’s key priorities.

Developing and encouraging the use of sustainable transport is part of this. Stirling is a great place to explore, and walking or cycling is an enjoyable, healthy option. The urban walks featured in this issue, for instance, could introduce you to parts of our area you’ve never discovered before.

Keeping our surroundings clean, safe and tidy is consistently a top concern of local people and a challenge we need to work together to tackle. We’ve been consulting with communities about how best to use and look after our open spaces, and will be coming back with a plan in the autumn. Meantime, this summer sees the launch of a major campaign to encourage dog owners to use any bin to “Bag it and bin it”.

Making it possible for everyone to enjoy being out and about safely is a key aim.

As well as enhancing our surroundings and quality of life, measures like these will help attract as many repeat visitors as possible to the Stirling area. We’re in the spotlight with the 150th anniversary celebrations at Wallace Monument, the re-opening of the Royal Apartments at Stirling Castle after a £12m renovation and the start of the countdown to the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014.

Stirling is stepping onto a world stage – and we’re ready for it.

4 online registration saves public money 5 Details on digital tV switchover6 Big anniversary for Wallace monument8 great improvements to Baker Street 9 Workplace training scheme secures an award10 fun activities for the kids this summer12 how to get out and about for cycling adventures14 What’s on in your area

16 explore Stirling with a range of walking routes18 inspiration to grow edible borders in your garden19 encouraging local people to be “active travellers” 20 Stirling royal infirmary becomes a community hospital22 Bag it and bin it23 Project helps to turn offenders away from crime24 Access a range of services at Customer first26 find out how to contact your councillor, mSP or mP

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Stirling magazine brings you current news and stories fromacross Stirling’s public sector organisations. Please let us haveyour comments and ideas for future issues by [email protected]

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Stirling royal

infirmary becomes a

community

hospital, on

hand to deal

with minor

injuries and

provide other

vital services

Local

careCOMMUNitY HOSPitAl

The opening of the third phase of

the Forth Valley Royal Hospital

will not only mark the final

chapter in the development of

the new hospital, but also herald

a new beginning for Stirling

Royal Infirmary.

Following the transfer of acute

services from Stirling to Larbert

from Tuesday 12 July, Stirling Royal

Infirmary will take on a new role as

a community hospital, one of four

which will support the work of

Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

This will ensure local people

from across Stirling and Forth

Valley continue to have access to

a wide range of health services,

including a new Minor Injury

Unit (see right).

As well as this new unit, Stirling

Community Hospital will also

provide a wide range of outpatient

services, including GP out-of-hours

services, women’s health (including

medical clinics, therapy services and

mental health services), children and

young people’s services (including

medical clinics, therapy services

mental health services), and a

range of outreach clinics. There

are plans to transfer some inpatient

services from Bannockburn

Hospital to the

Stirling Community

Hospital site.

Know who to turn to

when you need advice about health or you are feeling unwell,

it is important to know who to turn to. to help you make the

right choices, nHS Forth valley has produced a booklet

which has been distributed to gP practices and community

pharmacies and is also available on the Forth valley website

www.nhsforthvalley.com

Minor

Injury

unit in

focus

What is a Minor

injury Unit?

a Minor injury unit is a

centre which provides

treatment for a wide range of

injuries that require urgent

care but are not serious or life

threatening. it’s important to

remember that accident and

emergency Services

should only be used

by people who are

seriously ill and need

emergency care.

Minor injury units can

treat a wide range of

injuries, including:

• sprains and strains

• suspected broken bones

• minor eye injuries

• minor burns and scalds

• cuts and grazes

• minor head and neck

injuries • infected wounds.

Who can be treated

at a Minor injury Unit?

Minor injury units provide

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

(from 12 July) which will

also provide a full minor

injury service.

What if i need to see a

doctor at night or at

weekends?

if you require to see a gP

out of hours phone nHS 24

on 08454 242424 and you

will be directed to one of a

number of gP Out-of-

Hours centres within

Forth valley.

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FEEDBACk

a group of 12 looked-after young

people from across the Stirling

area have been talking about

their thoughts, feelings and

experiences around leaving

care – in their own

words and in their

own way.they have been

taking part in

“Hear my voice”,

a partnership

project between

Stirling Council and

the Scottish

throughcare and

aftercare Forum which is

looking at ways to help young

people make the move out of

care and into work and an

independent life as positively

and successfully as possible.

the group, who are

representing young people

leaving care across the Stirling

area, recently organised an

informal “Hear my voice”

evening of discussion and

debate and invited

representatives from a cross-

section of local organisations.

they talked to politicians

and managers about their

experiences and needs, and how

to shape services for the future.

Cllr graham Houston, leader

of Stirling Council and Portfolio

Holder for Care, attended

the event. He said:

“we were able to

hear from our

young people

directly and

involve them

at the start of

our work to

shape this

service rather

than at the end.

“Councillors and

council officers take our role

as corporate parents very

seriously, and the ‘Hear my

voice’ initiative is helping build

the relationship between us and

the young people we have

responsibility for.”

Four areas for improvement

identified at the event were:

• a greater say in the process of

leaving care

• more accommodation options

• access to employment

opportunities

• involving young people in

decision-making.

Stirling Council and the

Scottish throughcare and

aftercare Forum will now

continue to offer support and

involve the young people in

shaping leaving Care services.

Hear our

voices...

in their own words...

Some comments from the looked-after young people at the

event were:

• “if you take me into care, make my life better – don’t make it

worse. Be the corporate parent you are meant to be.”

• “we need enough money to live and eat healthily. Could you

survive on £52 a week and pay bills?”

• “i just need a safe place to stay.”

FACT As part of the “Hear my

voice” project, young

people in care in the stirling

area have also been making

a DVD about their

experiences of being

looked after

Changes to

emergency

services

the third and final phase of the new

Forth valley royal Hospital at

larbert will open in July 2011.

this will allow a wide range of

acute services currently based at

Stirling royal infirmary to transfer

across to Forth valley royal Hospital

as planned.this includes accident and

emergency services for the whole

of Forth valley, which will transfer

from Stirling royal infirmary to

Forth valley royal Hospital on

tuesday 12 July.

the new purpose-built

emergency Department at Forth

valley royal Hospital is bigger and

brighter than the existing a&e at

Stirling royal infirmary and has

been designed to give patients

more privacy.

a new Minor injury unit will also

open on 12 July on the Stirling

royal infirmary site, which will

become Stirling Community

Hospital after acute hospital

service have transferred to Forth

valley royal Hospital.

For further information, visit

www.nhsforthvalley.com

“Local people from

across Stirling

continue to have

access to a wide

range of health

services”

“Making it possible for everyone to enjoy being out and about safely is a key aim”

Stirling Council leader

graham houston

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About…Stirling magazine is published by Stirling Council.editor: Susan Cunningham email: [email protected]: 01786 443360Design and editing: Connect Communications, Studio 2001, mile end, Paisley PA1 1JS.tel: 0141 561 0300Visit: www.connect communications.co.ukPrint: more. Printed on 90gsm (cover), 70gsm (inside) fSC® paper

FormatsCopies of articles are available by request in a range of other languages, large print and on audio tape. to request articles in any of these formats. please email or write to Stirling, or call 0845 277 7000

Contactto contact Stirling Council, please call 0845 277 7000, text: 07717 990 001, email: [email protected], visit us online at www.stirling.gov.uk or write to Stirling Council, Viewforth, 14-20 Pitt terrace, Stirling fK8 2et.

On the coverCycling or walking to work is part of Dunblane Primary School teacher karen Patrick’s regular routine, but especially enjoyable on fine summer mornings. read more in our features on cycling (page 12) and urban walks (page 16).

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Walk this wayexplore the city with these great routes...Abbey Craig and the Wallace Monument

Distance: 2km Time: 1 hour 15 Terrain: Tarmac and rough path map: Os Landranger 57 Access: Bus (62) from stirling to Hillfoots road

The Wallace monument sits on Abbey Craig, with a network of wooded paths and dramatic views over stirling and the Forth Valley.From the visitor centre car park, it’s a steep 15-minute climb to the top by the road. (it’s also possible to reach this road via steps from the park by Causewayhead Corner.) Halfway up,

walkers can branch right onto a gravelly path where you get your first close-up views of the wallace Monument.

By the monument there

are excellent views right across the Forth valley: on a good day you can even see the Forth Bridges.after you’ve explored, follow the road to an information board and veer right onto a track. keep children under control as this track skirts along the edge of the crags. Descend on the path by the edge of the woods and crags, ignoring any turn-offs. towards the bottom of the slope, ignore a minor path on the right and keep to your path as it curves round to the left. where it branches, you can go either way to walk beside a wall. take the next left, up three old stone steps, for the return leg. this runs through the heart of the woods, away from the crags. after some five minutes walking uphill, you’ll come to a crossroads by a large tree and a red and white orienteering marker. go right to reach the far side of the crag. Continue to climb before the path narrows and winds through a beech copse. Still trending upwards, the path comes to benches. From here, a few paces lead back to the monument access road.

Stirling Castle Back WalkDistance: 3km Time: 1 hour Terrain: Paths and roads; short, steep sections, some steps but mostly suitable for all-terrain buggies

map: stirling street Guide (Nicolson maps) Access: stirling train and bus stations are a short way from the startenjoy a stroll around the ancient walls of stirling Castle.

Start from Stirling library to join the upper Back walk. Following the old town walls, the walkway leads upwards to the castle. after 50m, you reach the ladies’ rock for a commanding view of the graveyards. turn left ahead, signed Ballengeich road, to enjoy a leafy walk on the path below the castle walls. Cross Ballengeich road and take the path for Motte Hill. at a fork, descend left to reach this hill,

where you’ll see a beheading stone with views to die for! Plenty of heads rolled here in the 15th century. a quaint form of sledging was also practised on the hill. Hurley Hawkie involved sliding down the steep hill on a cow’s skull, using its horns as handlebars. return to the fork and bear left, signed Castlehill. the path emerges opposite the castle on a grassy bank. walk round to the road and go left to reach a ramp and steps up to the castle esplanade. go through the car park and down a flight of steps by the Portcullis Hotel. turn right and follow Castle wynd, passing Broad Street, where the tolbooth Cross can be seen, to go down St John Street. this top of the town return passes the victorian Old town Jail and other notable buildings.

get 20 per cent off this fantastic guidebook from the Pocket Mountains website, www.pocketmountains.com by entering the code SCO10 at the checkout

these routes appear in Stirling, 40 Town and Country Walks – available from all good bookshops, outdoors shops and visitor centres, priced £6.99.

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Cambuskenneth PilgrimageDistance: 4km Time: 1 hour Terrain: Flat, paved; suitable for buggies map: stirling street Guide (Nicolson maps) Access: Walk starts from stirling train or bus station

explore stirling’s old harbour and an ancient abbey, both just a short walk from the centre of the city.Start from the bus or train station: facing away from the station, turn right along goosecroft road and take the first right turn onto Seaforth Place. Cross the road and follow a walkway ahead, which leads down to the river and a tiny park where Stirling’s harbour once stood. walk through the park to follow abbey road to a footbridge over the river. Cross it, go straight on and turn right at the end of the street to arrive at peaceful Cambuskenneth abbey. return across the river and take the riverside path past a white boat club, under a railway

bridge and down an underpass to a clocktower. Divert right to see Stirling’s medieval Old Bridge.

return to the clocktower and continue straight ahead to walk along wallace Street, past tesco, turning left to rejoin goosecroft road and reach the city centre.

A Bannockburn Trail

Distance: 5kmTime: 1 hour 30Terrain: minor hills, muddy paths, footpaths map: Os Landranger 57 Access: Bus (31, x39, 54, 53 or 24) from stirling Bus station to Glasgow road, Whins of milton

The route begins at the National Trust for scotland’s Bannockburn Heritage Centre. Walk up to the drumlin mound, where the Battle of Bannockburn commenced. retrace your steps to follow a path on the right. where this joins a road, turn right to enter Chartershall. Just before the old bridge over the Bannock Burn, take a path left, signed whins of Milton,

which follows the old mill lade. Cross a road and continue to glasgow road. walk along the road behind the garage, signed Milton Farm, and turn left onto Colliers way. after the farm, take the first right. the road soon branches: take the lower option to cross the Bannock Burn. Continue above a wooded gorge and go right at a junction, signed Coal wynd. in 20m, at another junction, climb steeply left up the wynd. From the top, there’s an excellent view of the Ochils. Head downhill to the Brae, and turn left. Before the bridge, go left on a path, signed Milton. Stay on the surfaced path, ignoring side-paths, to return over the river on a bridge above a weir. a track leads to a road that will take you back to Milton

Farm for the easy return stretch.

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text © Fergal MacErlean

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Fu

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ities The summer holidays are fast

approaching and it’s time to start

planning ways to keep the kids active

Jumpinto

summer

Get on board

the Superbus

a converted double decker

bus run by Stirling Council

provides a play environment

in the holidays for kids aged

2-12. look out for times and

places on the Stirling Council website.

Go back in time for games

earn brownie points by teaching kids the playground games you loved as a child: skipping, yo-yo, hula-hooping, leap frog and hopscotch.

Take a walk

there are lots of ways to help even

the most reluctant wee walker

enjoy a stroll. take plenty of snacks

and dish them out from time to

time to stop moaning and keep

energy levels up. Make walks more

interesting by calling them nature rambles, minibeast

hunts or history trails, and giving kids checklists of things to find or collect in bags. Page 16 has lots of walking routes to

choose from.

Have fun indoors on a rainy day

resist the temptation to let the kids sit in front of the tv all day. instead,

bake, do crafts or play silly games such as rough-housing, chase the

monster and hide and seek. Or stick on music and dance.

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Hunt bugs

this is an activity that is suitable for children from

the age of two up. all you need is a child, a patch

of grass and an insect, but if you want to make it

more fun, you could use a magnifying glass and

a bug list/child’s insect identification book.

look up which bugs you’re likely to find in

your local area first and make a list of ones

you hope to discover. Older children can write down the names of

the insects they find, while younger ones

could draw a picture. ask them to

describe the insect and write what

they say. watch the bugs in

their natural environment,

rather than trapping them in

a tub, as kids often want to

keep them as pets and they’re likely to die.

You could even turn your

bug hunt into a summer

project that your child could

bring a record of to school.

Spot red kites at Argaty

view these stunning birds of prey and

their spectacular flying in the wild at

argaty near Doune. the farm lies in

an area where the rSPB and

Scottish natural Heritage have

reintroduced these birds, native

to Scotland but once extinct

here. argaty is Central Scotland’s only red kite feeding station. a small amount of food is put out for

the kites every day so that

visitors can watch from a

purpose-built hide as they

swoop down for their prey. For

more information, call 01786 841373

or visit www.argatyredkites.co.uk

Go camping

Set up a tent in the garden – or make one in the

house using chairs and sheets. Or have a cheap

break at a campsite. there are plenty to choose

from in the trossachs, or closer to home in

Dollar, aberfoyle, Blairlogie, Doune,

thornhill, Fintry or Blair Drummond.

Go geocaching

kids love treasure hunts and this hugely

popular high-tech version should capture

their imaginations. geocachers hide

treasure chests in secret locations, and

then give clues to their whereabouts

on websites (such as www.

geocaching.com). there are hundreds

of secret caches all over the Stirling

area, from countryside areas to the

city centre. when you find a cache,

open the treasure chest to discover

some small gifts (such as toys or

pennies), take one and replace it with

something else, then write in the guest

book and go on to the next site.

Visit parks

there are wonderful countryside parks in the

Stirling area – so make a day of it, take a picnic

and enjoy! Mugdock Country Park (0141 956

6100) has walks, cycling, a tree trail and history

trail, archery, horseriding, a play park, nature

activities and an adventure trail.

Plean Country Park has an excellent network of

footpaths. there are three marked trails of different

lengths starting from the car park, an

orienteering course, horse trail, toilets

and picnic areas. at the David Marshall lodge

in aberfoyle (01877 382383)

you can watch ospreys or

enjoy walks in Queen elizabeth Forest, the new

play area and the orienteering course.

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A landmark perspectiveSince it’s a special anniversary summer for the wallace Monument (see story on pages 6 and 7) we’re featuring a photo of the iconic landmark in this issue’s “Your view”

– your chance to showcase a picture you have taken of the Stirling area.

Dunblane reader ralph Young, who took the picture above, said: “we recently returned to our beloved Scotland after ten years in Cheshire and leased a property up the hill in Causewayhead for around a year.

this gave us the privilege of seeing all the different ‘moods’ of the monument.”

Thanks to everyone who sent in images. If you’d like to see your view

in Stirling, email it with background information to [email protected]

Have a great time at Gaelic gatheringenjoy great music and top craic at the midsummer gaelic gathering the Stirling and galway sessions, held between 20-26 June.

the very best of irish and Scottish celtic musicians will be playing at evening events in venues right across Stirling, including many city centre pubs, as well as holding free lunchtime music sessions at the new John Cowane’s Coffee House (guildhall), to get your feet stamping and your hands clapping day and night!

Building on the success of the

2010 Stirling and galway sessions, the second Stirling galway celtic music festival (an offshoot of the hugely popular traditional irish galway Sessions) features performers including Sean ryan, one of the foremost exponents of tin whistle playing and all-ireland champion; award-winning harpist kathleen loughnane; Cormac Cannon, one of the most admired

up-and-coming young pipers in ireland; fiddle player and singer Breda keville; Cormac Begley on concertina, and many others,

including greg Cotter (singer/guitar/mandolin/accordion); Harry Donaldson (singer/guitar) and dancer emma O’Sullivan.

For a full programme, visit www.stirling.gov.uk/

stirlinggalwaysessions

Project helps save butterfliesButterfly Conservation Scotland has been working in partnership with Stirling Council to adopt its third reserve at wester Moss near Fallin – the first for large heath butterflies in the uk.

local residents have also been involved in the project.

the large heath is a uk Biodiversity action Plan species, and is disappearing throughout the country. Butterfly Conservation is the largest insect conservation charity in europe, running conservation programmes on more than 60 threatened species of butterflies and moths. For details, visit www.butterfly-conservation.org

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if people register electronically to vote, £60,000 of public money could be saved across the Stirling area, according to estimates by the electoral registration Office (erO).

each year the erO sends a voter registration enquiry to every address and it is a legal requirement to respond. electors who supply their email address by 1 July will have their current details emailed to them instead

of receiving a letter and if no changes are necessary they can simply reply to the email. “we estimate we can save as much as 50p per household,” said electoral registration Officer Brian Byrne.

To register electronically, send an email giving your name, address and email address to [email protected]

Register by email to save funds

in Brief

Houses completedSix cottage flats, ten houses and two wheelchair bungalows have now been completed in St ninians on the site of the old St Modan’s High School as part of the council’s new house-building programme to provide rented homes in local communities. the building programme is scheduled to provide 158 new homes at a total cost of £18.86m, and should be complete by 2014.

Apprentice of the YearCongratulations to Housing Services apprentice kenneth Mclellan, who has been named as Sig roofing Supplies group 1st Year roof Slating and tiling apprentice of the Year. kenneth received his award at a recent ceremony at Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline.

Become an archive volunteerStirling Council archives has a lively and motivated team of volunteers involved in a range of tasks and making all sorts of exciting archival discoveries along the way. if you’d like to join the team, please contact Jane Petrie, assistant archivist, on 01786 450745 or [email protected] to find out more.

Meeting rooms availableif your community group is searching for a meeting room in a central location, Stirling Council can help. whether it’s a large conference or a small gathering, get in touch on 01786 443383. audio visual equipment and catering can be provided.

Code to tackle traffickingScotland’s first protocol on human trafficking to cover children as well as adults was launched recently in Stirling at an event chaired by george Hunter, chair of Stirling Child Protection Committee.

the protocol is the work of organisations including Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils, Central Scotland Police, Forth valley nHS and representatives from the voluntary and independent sectors. the Scottish intelligence Co-ordination unit, Scottish Crime and Drug enforcement agency supported the working group.

we have a winnerlocal children have been taking part in a competition to design a new logo to be used on child protection information and publicity materials.

the entry from Borestone Primary School pupil Callum allport, pictured centre front with the runners up and representatives from Stirling Child Protection Committee, was the winner. the committee is responsible for the development, co-ordination and review of child protection policy and practice.

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Time for the switchoverDigitAl tV

it’s almost time for the digital tv switchover. it’ll happen in two stages. at stage one, on 8 June, analogue BBC two is switched off. the BBC Freeview channels are then boosted in power and become available from local relay transmitters for the first time. a fortnight later, on 22 June, stage two will see all analogue services switched off. the remaining Freeview channels will increase in power and become available from relay transmitters.

viewers with digital tvs or Freeview, top up tv or Bt vision boxes will need to retune their equipment at both stages of switchover.Full details are available at www.digitaluk.co.uk or by calling 08456 50 50 50.

Help schemeYou could be eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme, which will help you convert one tv set to digital if you:

are aged 75 or over

get or could get Disability living allowance, attendance allowance, Constant attendance allowance or mobility supplement

have lived in a care home for six months or more

are registered blind or partially sighted.You can apply for help until 22 July 2011.

The Help scheme’s National manager for scotland, Luke mcCullough, can be contacted on [email protected] or 07950 306972 (or visit helpscheme.co.uk) and would be happy to help with any questions you may have in the run-up to switchover.

Self-help renewalSome communities have a self-help transmitter.

these areas will need to renew their licences before the switchover to ensure that their systems continue to operate to a satisfactory level.

existing licences are valid only for analogue transmissions. see http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk for more information or advice.

Passport to wisdomlibraries across central Scotland have teamed up to create a new library Passport scheme, offering readers the key to a wealth of books and information.

the libraries in Central Scotland (liCS) scheme covers Stirling Council library Service, Falkirk Council library Services, Clackmannanshire Council library Service, Stirling university library, Forth valley College library and the Dementia Services Development Centre, as well as the national library of Scotland in edinburgh.

the liCS Passport, which is valid for one year, is used along with your library card and gives access to catalogues, books and journals – users can consult these materials at all participating libraries.

a partnership project between Stirling Council and Stirling Community Health Partnership which won a prestigious award last year is now being used as an example of good practice for other organisations. the project helps improve employment prospects for people with learning, mental or physical disabilities.

“employability and Health – an integrated

approach” was selected overall winner in the Health and employment Partnership category of the 2010 Scottish government-sponsored SurF awards for Best Practice in Community regeneration.

representatives from other organisations visited Stirling in May to learn more about the award-winning project and the work of Stirling Council’s employability Service.

Great job with project

Case manager Steven Penman (left) helps ewan Wright improve

his employment prospects

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On 24 June 1861, a crowd of more than 100,000 people thronged Stirling’s streets and climbed the Abbey Craig to take part in a huge ceremony as a foundation stone was laid. And, a century and a half later, the National Wallace Monument stands as a testament to the high esteem in which Sir William Wallace is still held.

To mark the anniversary, the first 150 visitors on 24 June 2011 will each receive the gift of a commemorative medal replicating the 1861 original, specially minted to mark the occasion.

It’s part of a colourful programme of special events, including:

150th Anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone (24 June 2011). The events of 150 years ago will be recalled, when historians will tell visitors the amazing story of how the monument came to be built. To set the scene, entertainers and musicians will create the atmosphere of a day out in Victorian times.

A Walk with Wallace (1–3 July 2011). Visitors will be able to join a foot-soldier from Braveheart’s army for a walk through the woods of the Abbey Craig to meet Wallace himself!

Encounter with Wallace (19–29 August 2011). Unique dramatic performances of scenes from the life of Wallace will mark the

anniversary of his brutal execution in London on 23 August 1305.

Falconry displays during the Walk with Wallace

weekend will add to the special atmosphere.

“Visitors come to Stirling from every corner of the world, because they want to

find out more about the fascinating figure of William Wallace, a man prepared to sacrifice his life for freedom,” said Ken Thomson, marketing manager with Stirling District Tourism. “We hope that the special events planned for 2011 will help to make their visit to the city and the whole Stirling area especially memorable.”

more information on all events is available from

The National Wallace monument at 01786 472140, or at www.nationalwallacemonument.com

Five things to know about the Wallace Monument...

Opened in 1869 attracts more than 130,000

visitors each year Open each day from 10am visitor facilities include free

car parking, a courtesy bus service from the car park to the

Monument, souvenir and gift shops and the popular legends Coffee House

a new map for visitors, showing woodland walks and nature trails on the abbey Craig, is available from visitor reception at the monument, or from www.nationalwallace monument.com

the 150th anniversary of the foundation stone being laid at Stirling’s national wallace Monument is being celebrated this summer with a series of special events at the iconic landmark

Monumental anniversary

the national Wallace monument attracts more than 130,000 visitors a year

FACTStirling Council archives has a treasure trove of

information about the monument including original plans, minutes, accounts, newspaper articles and

programmes relating to the opening in 1869.

Visit www.stirling.gov.uk/archives

Stirling on the world stage in 20142014 will see the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn – and thousands of visitors are expected to flock to Stirling and central Scotland for the celebrations.

with the Commonwealth games in glasgow and the ryder Cup in gleneagles taking place the same summer, the special year has already been designated Scotland’s second Year of Homecoming.

“an invitation is going out to friends of Stirling and Scotland right around the globe,” said

Provost Fergus wood. “this is our chance to really put Stirling on the world stage.

“the planning has already started, and i hope local people and businesses will get involved with their ideas and input. it’s an

exciting time for Stirling and as always the warmest

of welcomes awaits our visitors.”

Find out more at www.stirling2014.co.uk

The beginning“. . . no such gathering of Scotsmen has ever taken place within the memory of living men, and Stirling presented one of the liveliest and most incongruous of spectacles it has ever been our lot to witness. the streets were swarming with people . . .”report in the The Stirling Observer and Midland Counties Advertiser describing the scene in stirling on monday 24 June 1861.

What else happened in 1861?

abraham lincoln (pictured) became the american President

the american Civil war started

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens was being serialised

Prince albert, consort of Queen victoria, died

the one o’clock gun at edinburgh Castle fired for the first time.

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right: the national Wallace monument Below: the statue of robert the

Bruce, whose army won the Battle of Bannockburn, which celebrates its

700th anniversary in 2014

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Baker Street in the heart of Stirling has been given a makeover

“It was really important to carry the work out after the festive period, but before the summertime peak of the tourist season”City centre manager andy kennedy

CitY CENtRE iMPROVEMENtS

Baker Street is the latest area of Stirling city centre to receive a makeover thanks to the Vital Stirling initiative, funded through the Scottish Government’s Cities Growth Fund.

Vital Stirling focuses on streetscape improvements which bring economic and environmental benefits for people living, working in or visiting the heart of the city.

The 16-week, £400,000 project, carried out by Lanarkshire-based contractors the QTS Group, has focused on the section of Baker Street between the junctions with Friars Street and Morris Terrace. Corn Exchange Road has also

been upgraded between Back Walk and Spittal Street.

“Baker Street is a key link between the Castle, the Top of the Town and the city centre, and it was really important to carry the work out after the festive period but before the summertime peak of the tourist season,” said city centre manager Andy Kennedy.

“We’re making our streets more people-friendly – and with Baker Street and Corn Exchange, taking action to help an important area

achieve its economic potential. The facelift is the latest stage in a regeneration plan we’ve been working on for a number of years. Port Street, Friars Street, Baker Street and Corn Exchange have all been upgraded since 2006.

“The wider pavements, cobbles and generally neater appearance add to the area’s appeal. There is now space to encourage a more relaxed pedestrian experience, with the additional opportunity for businesses to develop a ‘street café’ vibe for everyone to enjoy.

“We’re grateful for everyone’s patience and co-operation.”

new look will pave the way

the latest Baker Street phase of vital Stirling improvements has: • strengthened the street’s historic atmosphere by uncovering the original

cobbles from under a layer of tarmac

• helped encourage more visitors and tourists to discover more of Stirling

beyond the Castle, boosting

local shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants

• widened pavements and created ‘landing points’ for pedestrians• increased the area’s night-time economy potential by making it an attractive choice for an evening drink or meal• reduced traffic speeds.

FACT since improvements

began in 2004, the ground floor property vacancy rate

in Baker street has reduced from 44 per

cent to 11 per cent

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EMPlOYMENt

Provost Fergus Wood recently hosted a civic ceremony for Stirling’s ASPIRE Project to congratulate participants on their achievements and to announce the ASPIRE Learner and Employer of the Year.

Participants, employers, tutors and Stirling Council staff gathered to celebrate the success of the project and individuals’ achievements. Over the past year and a half, ASPIRE has offered free workplace training to more than 250 people from small to medium-sized businesses across the Stirling Council area.

The ASPIRE Learner of the Year trophy was awarded

to Rasa Ivanauskaite for her commitment to her own learning and the help she has given to other members of her class. Employer of the Year was Westerlands Care Home in St Ninians for

their commitment to staff development and wellbeing.

Project co-ordinator Marianne Eik said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to support so many employees in such a short space of time. The success of the project is due to the participants and their employers embracing the training opportunities on offer.”

The ASPIRE project has offered training in a variety of subjects including:• literacy and report writing• numeracy• IT • English in the workplace• Sage (accountancy software)

• English and dementia classes for people working in care homes to increase communication with residents• entrepreneurial business start-up workshops for migrant workers delivered in Polish, Hungarian, Russian and English languages as well as qualifications (SVQs and NVQs) and bespoke training in British Sign Language, forklift operation, food hygiene and first aid at work.

For further information on the AsPIre Project, contact

marianne eik on 01786 432366 or email [email protected]

in their words...“the aSPire Project has been wonderful for our business – a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop skills which have boosted our business and which otherwise would have been delayed indefinitely.”Craig MacFarlane, employer, Stirling Cycle Repair

“the ten-week english and dementia training i did has given me more confidence and knowledge, and improved my language skills. it’s inspired me to learn more on my own.”liene Vitola, employee of Westerlands Care Home

Aspire to succeedworkplace training scheme awards best learner and best employer accolades at civic ceremony

from left: ASPire co-ordinator marianne eik with learner of the

Year rasa ivanauskaite and irene Bruce of

Westerlands Care home, employer of the Year. Provost fergus Wood presented the awards

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approaching and it’s time to start planning ways to keep the kids active

Jumpinto

summerGet on board the Superbus

a converted double decker bus run by Stirling Council provides a play environment in the holidays for kids aged 2-12. look out for times and places on the Stirling Council website.

Go back in time for games

earn brownie points by teaching kids the playground games you loved as a child: skipping, yo-yo, hula-hooping, leap frog and hopscotch.

Take a walk

there are lots of ways to help even the most reluctant wee walker enjoy a stroll. take plenty of snacks and dish them out from time to time to stop moaning and keep energy levels up. Make walks more

interesting by calling them nature rambles, minibeast

hunts or history trails, and giving kids checklists of things to find or collect in bags. Page 16 has lots of walking routes to

choose from.

Have fun indoors on a rainy day

resist the temptation to let the kids sit in front of the tv all day. instead, bake, do crafts or play silly games such as rough-housing, chase the monster and hide and seek. Or stick on music and dance.

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Hunt bugs

this is an activity that is suitable for children from the age of two up. all you need is a child, a patch

of grass and an insect, but if you want to make it more fun, you could use a magnifying glass and a bug list/child’s insect identification book.

look up which bugs you’re likely to find in your local area first and make a list of ones you hope to discover.

Older children can write down the names of the insects they find, while younger ones

could draw a picture. ask them to describe the insect and write what

they say. watch the bugs in their natural environment, rather than trapping them in a tub, as kids often want to keep them as pets and they’re likely to die.

You could even turn your bug hunt into a summer

project that your child could bring a record of to school.

Spot red kites at Argaty

view these stunning birds of prey and their spectacular flying in the wild at

argaty near Doune. the farm lies in an area where the rSPB and

Scottish natural Heritage have reintroduced these birds, native to Scotland but once extinct here. argaty is Central Scotland’s only red kite feeding station. a small amount of food is put out for the kites every day so that visitors can watch from a

purpose-built hide as they swoop down for their prey. For

more information, call 01786 841373 or visit www.argatyredkites.co.uk

Go camping

Set up a tent in the garden – or make one in the house using chairs and sheets. Or have a cheap break at a campsite. there are plenty to choose from in the trossachs, or closer to home in Dollar, aberfoyle, Blairlogie, Doune, thornhill, Fintry or Blair Drummond.

Go geocaching

kids love treasure hunts and this hugely popular high-tech version should capture their imaginations. geocachers hide treasure chests in secret locations, and then give clues to their whereabouts on websites (such as www.geocaching.com). there are hundreds of secret caches all over the Stirling area, from countryside areas to the city centre. when you find a cache, open the treasure chest to discover some small gifts (such as toys or pennies), take one and replace it with something else, then write in the guest book and go on to the next site.

Visit parks

there are wonderful countryside parks in the Stirling area – so make a day of it, take a picnic and enjoy! Mugdock Country Park (0141 956 6100) has walks, cycling, a tree trail and history trail, archery, horseriding, a play park, nature

activities and an adventure trail. Plean Country Park has an excellent network of

footpaths. there are three marked trails of different lengths starting from the car park, an

orienteering course, horse trail, toilets and picnic areas.

at the David Marshall lodge in aberfoyle (01877 382383)

you can watch ospreys or enjoy walks in Queen elizabeth Forest, the new play area and the orienteering course.

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tRANSPORt

Summer’s here and with improved cycle routes in Stirling and special cycle training for kids, it’s the perfect time to make the most of the better weather and get active.

In 2010/11 the Council completed the Dunblane to Doune cycle route and made improvements to the national cycle network at Fallin, Causewayhead and Strathblane. Signposting of the Stirling City cycle network also began.

Twenty-five primary schools will be getting on their bikes with special safety cycle skills training from Active Schools in Stirling. The programme has been designed by Cycling Scotland and is being delivered by volunteers, supported by Active Schools Coordinators.

Claire Peebles, Active Schools Coordinator, said: “We hope this will encourage children and their families to consider using their bikes as a means of transport. We are very

lucky to have local community police officers involved in the programme, as they help with testing at the end of the training programme and deliver road safety talks to the children.”

In addition, Bannockburn, Stirling, Wallace and St Modan High Schools were given copies of the city cycle map for every pupil.

Adults are invited to join in the fun too! Whether you’re a bike club racer, a two-wheel commuter to work, school or the local shops, or one of the happy band who cycles for fun and bit of exercise, there’s a way for you to get involved.

See right for ideas on what you can do...

it’s the perfect season to get out and about on a bike

Pedal power

“There’s a way for you to get involved”

Stirling reporter Deborah Kilpatrick gives Amy and Claudia Preiss and Sophie monteith a spin in Daisy Chain the cargo bike

Why not cycle to work like Dunblane Primary School teacherKaren Patrick?

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BikE DiARY

A weekend in the life of cargo bike ‘Daisy Chain’Friday My first Stirling ‘owner’ Deborah arrived to pick me up. She shrieked a lot as she steered me around the car park, but quickly got the hang of cargo-biking. we headed through lovely fields and countryside at Cambuskenneth then picked up a little girl called Sophie and her wee friend neve at Bridge of allan primary school.

Saturday My nice cosy cover was whipped off this morning and before i knew it, three very noisy children were clambering into my trailer, demanding to be taken to the shop for sweeties. later it was a trip to the supermarket with Deborah. She seemed pleasantly surprised by the number of heavy bags i was able to carry.

Sunday another day, another photo-shoot. this time the photographer said i might get to be in Stirling magazine. Suppose i’ll have to share the limelight with some humans. never mind – it’s been a really fun weekend.

trial a cargo bike a fun, alternative form of transport, cargo bikes (pictured left) are a common sight in europe and can be used to transport children or shopping. as the result of a grant from the Climate Challenge Fund, going Carbon neutral Stirling (gCnS) now has more than 10 continental-style bikes which are available for a month’s free trial for individuals and communities. Contact the team on 01786 468765 or [email protected] if you want to give it a go. See the diary of cargo bike Daisy Chain below left for the start of her Stirling journey!

reduce car use according to going Carbon neutral Stirling (gCnS): “One of the biggest contributors to a person’s carbon footprint in the uk is driving a car. if you cycled to work instead of driving once a week, you could trim a quarter of a tonne of CO2 equivalent off your carbon footprint (based on a round-trip commute of 15 miles). and if you cycled for two days out of five, and then persuaded a workmate to cycle with you? the carbon savings start to multiply – and you arrive home from work in a healthier and happier frame of mind.”

Join in a Stirling Cycle Connections event a series of events is being planned to celebrate the new, upgraded cycle paths that connect routes across Stirling. On Saturday 18 June there will be an easy-paced cycling cavalcade from Bridge of allan to Cambusbarron.

Join Stirling’s cycling family going Carbon neutral Stirling (gCnS) is aiming to get 500 people signed up to a new CycleStirling database.

every method of communication is being used, from texting to Facebook and email, to encourage people to sign up.

“we want to gather together cyclists of all ages and ability levels,” explained rachel nunn, gCnS manager. “and we also want to attract back into the saddle people who used to cycle.”

Carbon reduction is at the heart of all low Carbon Stirling initiatives. its promotion of cycling is aimed at fewer car journeys with considerable carbon savings as a result.

If you would like to be part of stirling’s Cycle Family, take part in future activities

or would like more information, please text CYCLesTIrLING to 82055, email [email protected] or phone 01786 477175 or visit www.cyclestirling.org.uk

PiCture ©

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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

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Saturday Sunday TuesdayMonday

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Welcome home to

the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, returning from Afghanistan www.stirling.gov.uk/

armedforcesday

Longest DayHow about a night time walk up Dumyat to watch the sunset?

25 June - 20 AugustLibrary reading scheme - The Circus.Details available in all Stirling libraries

The kids would love a swim at the Peak!

REMEMBER!

Digital TV switch

over! Check dates for

your area on:

www.digitaluk.co.uk

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Stirling Military Show

18–19 June Armed Forces Day Parade and Military Show Bridge of allan18–19 June Doune Hill Climb

Watery Weirdies Join us in exploring the world of pond dipping. kippen, 1.30-3.30pm

Woodland Weirdies Minibeast hunt. kippen, 10am-noon

Pokey la Farge tolbooth, 8pm

tea and Cake Recital tolbooth, 2-5pm

twice Brightly – the good Old Daysgo back to the days when variety was king. albert Halls, 2.30pm

Scribbler’s Picnic

Fathers Day... time to give dad a treat!

Stirling Highland games

Chamber Philharmonia CologneConcert of summer music,

Holy trinity Church, Stirling, 7.30pmScottish Schools Orchestra trust 2.45pm and 4.45pm

lochearnhead Highland games

Pond dipping Doune Ponds, 1.30-3.30pm

30-31 July Callander World Highland games

international Bog Day Find out all about this fascinating place, with

its specialist plants and insects. wester Moss, Fallin, 1-3pm

Bridge of Allan Highland games

Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham albert Halls, 7.30pm

South African Navy Band Charity Concert albert Halls, 7pm

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term starts

(teachers only)

Stirling Art Club ExhibitionHoly trinity Church, Dumbarton road, Stirling

School holidays

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COlOUR kEY:Sports events

Outdoor eventsSchool and bank holidays

tourism, theatre etc

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday FridayLongest DayHow about a night time walk up Dumyat to watch the sunset?

Time to get organised

for going back to

school. Stirling’s city

centre has everything

you need to get them

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the law Breaker hill racetillicoultry

Watery Weirdies Join us in exploring the world of pond dipping. kippen, 1.30-3.30pm

Woodland Weirdies Minibeast hunt. kippen, 10am-noon

Old Blind Dogs tolbooth, 8pm

tellison tolbooth, 7pm

Young trad Concert tolbooth

1–2 July Moth Night and Family Camp OutPlean Country Park

Bio-Blitz Action Day Fallin Bing and wester Moss, 10am-4pm

Pond dipping Doune Ponds, 1.30-3.30pm

lazytown Sports Fun DayStirling County FC, 10am

killin Highland games

Doune Action Day ragwort flowers and Hima-layan Balsam can be great

for wildlife but are invasive. Help us to pull the plants up before they seed. 10am-3pm

Minibeast Safari Plean, 10am-noon

Wet and Wild Safari Plean Country Park, 1.30-3.30pm

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Walk this wayexplore the city with these great routes...

Abbey Craig and the Wallace Monument

Distance: 2km Time: 1 hour 15 Terrain: Tarmac and rough path map: Os Landranger 57 Access: Bus (62) from stirling to Hillfoots road

The Wallace monument sits on Abbey Craig, with a network of wooded paths and dramatic views over stirling and the Forth Valley.

From the visitor centre car park, it’s a steep 15-minute climb to the top by

the road. (it’s also possible to reach this road via steps from

the park by Causewayhead Corner.) Halfway up, walkers can branch right onto a gravelly path where you get your first close-up views of the wallace Monument.

By the monument there

are excellent views right across the Forth valley: on a good day you can even see the Forth Bridges.

after you’ve explored, follow the road to an information board and veer right onto a track. keep children under control as this track skirts along the edge of the crags.

Descend on the path by the edge of the woods and crags, ignoring any turn-offs. towards the bottom of the slope, ignore a minor path on the right and keep to your path as it curves round to the left. where it branches, you can go either way to walk beside a wall. take the next left, up three old stone steps, for the return leg. this runs through the heart of the woods, away from the crags.

after some five minutes walking uphill, you’ll come to a crossroads by a large tree and a red and white orienteering marker. go right to reach the far side of the crag. Continue to climb before the path narrows and winds through a beech copse. Still trending upwards, the path comes to benches. From here, a few paces lead back to the monument access road.

Stirling Castle Back Walk

Distance: 3km Time: 1 hour Terrain: Paths and roads; short, steep sections, some steps but mostly suitable for all-terrain buggies map: stirling street Guide (Nicolson maps) Access: stirling train and bus stations are a short way from the start

enjoy a stroll around the ancient walls of stirling Castle.

Start from Stirling library to join the upper Back walk. Following the old town walls, the walkway leads upwards to the castle. after 50m, you reach the ladies’ rock for a commanding view of the graveyards. turn left ahead, signed Ballengeich road, to enjoy a leafy walk on the path below the castle walls. Cross Ballengeich road and take the path for Motte Hill.

at a fork, descend left to reach this hill,

where you’ll see a beheading stone with views to die for! Plenty of heads rolled here in the 15th century. a quaint form of sledging was also practised on the hill. Hurley Hawkie involved sliding down the steep hill on a cow’s skull, using its horns as handlebars. return to the fork and bear left, signed Castlehill. the path emerges opposite the castle on a grassy bank.

walk round to the road and go left to reach a ramp and steps up to the castle esplanade. go through the car park and down a flight of steps by the Portcullis Hotel. turn right and follow Castle wynd, passing Broad Street, where the tolbooth Cross can be seen, to go down St John Street. this top of the town return passes the victorian Old town Jail and other notable buildings.

get 20 per cent off this fantastic guidebook from the Pocket Mountains website, www.pocketmountains.com by entering the code SCO10 at the checkout

these routes appear in Stirling, 40 Town and Country Walks – available from all good bookshops, outdoors shops and visitor centres, priced £6.99.

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Cambuskenneth Pilgrimage

Distance: 4km Time: 1 hour Terrain: Flat, paved; suitable for buggies

map: stirling street Guide (Nicolson maps) Access: Walk starts from stirling train or

bus station

explore stirling’s old harbour and an ancient abbey, both just a short walk from the centre of the city.

Start from the bus or train station: facing away from the station, turn right along goosecroft road and take the first right turn onto

Seaforth Place. Cross the road and follow a walkway

ahead, which leads down to the river and a tiny park

where Stirling’s harbour once stood.

walk through the park to follow abbey road to a footbridge over the river. Cross it, go straight on and turn right at the end of the street to arrive at peaceful Cambuskenneth abbey.

return across the river and take the riverside path past a white boat club, under a railway bridge and down an underpass to a clocktower. Divert right to see Stirling’s medieval Old Bridge.

return to the clocktower and continue straight ahead to walk along wallace Street, past tesco, turning left to rejoin goosecroft road and reach the city centre.

A Bannockburn Trail

Distance: 5kmTime: 1 hour 30Terrain: minor hills, muddy paths, footpaths map: Os Landranger 57 Access: Bus (31, x39, 54, 53 or 24) from stirling Bus station to Glasgow road, Whins of milton

The route begins at the National Trust for scotland’s Bannockburn Heritage Centre. Walk up to the drumlin mound, where the Battle of Bannockburn commenced.

retrace your steps to follow a path on the right. where this joins a road, turn right to enter Chartershall. Just before the old bridge over the Bannock Burn, take a path left, signed whins of Milton,

which follows the old mill lade. Cross a road and continue to glasgow road. walk along the road behind the garage, signed Milton Farm, and turn left onto Colliers way. after the farm, take the first right. the road soon branches: take the lower option to cross the Bannock Burn.

Continue above a wooded gorge and go right at a junction, signed Coal wynd. in 20m, at another junction, climb steeply left up the wynd. From the top, there’s an excellent view of the Ochils. Head downhill to the Brae, and turn left. Before the bridge, go left on a path, signed Milton. Stay on the surfaced path, ignoring side-paths, to return over the river on a bridge above a weir. a track leads to a road that

will take you back to Milton Farm for the easy

return stretch.

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text © Fergal MacErlean

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CAR SHARiNg

the end of May saw the launch of a car club in Fintry, in response to ever-increasing transportation poverty issues and rises in fuel costs.

“when the fixed bus service to the village was discontinued, there was an opportunity to respond by becoming more sustainable and resilient,” said kelly Mcintyre of Fintry Development trust (FDt).

FDt believes that the new car club will eventually meet and exceed the local transport needs.

the project is ambitious – Fintry’s nearest neighbouring village is seven miles away – but

FDt believes the community-owned vehicles will allow for sustainable partnerships to be formed across the area.

kelly added: “we truly believe that the car club will enable Fintry to remain a place people can live and flourish, throughout all stages of their lives and needs, at a level that is accessible and affordable.

“it also enables the community to show tangible reduction in private journeys, dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions.

“Maximising the benefits from FDt’s partnership with the national car club Moorcar, the aim is to show the wider

region the viability of car clubs for combating contemporary rural transportation

challenges.”

For more information on moorcar, visit

www.moorcar.co.uk

gROW YOUR OWN

this growing season, low Carbon Stirling would like you to join us in a unique project to create your own “edible borders”.

By replacing traditional garden bedding plants with vegetables and herbs we want you to create gardens that provide healthy, locally grown, seasonal produce for you to enjoy.

to help you find inspiration to create your own edible borders, we are working with Stirling Council’s land Services team who will be transforming seven sites with a collection of vegetables, herbs and annual bedding.

this project is providing a unique learning opportunity for three modern day apprentices. the apprentices will follow the

journey of the edible borders from seed to harvest later on in the year. they will have responsibility for maintaining specific beds and they will be updating the low Carbon Stirling website regularly with the progress of the beds.

You can see these edible borders at Quakerfield Bannockburn, Milton terrace/glasgow road, viewforth, Pitt terrace, Burns Statue, lower

Bridge Street, and airthey road, Causewayhead.

to find out how to grow your own, why not take a look at the planting plans on www.goingcarbon neutralstirlingstirling.gov.uk to see just how creative you can be. towards the end of the season we are hopeful there will be opportunities to share the harvested crops with local groups or individuals.

Edible treats in Broomridge

edible Broomridge is a community-wide campaign to get residents growing,

cooking and eating vegetables, with events running from May to October culminating

in a food festival. For more details, visit the website

www.broomridgefood festival.co.uk

Make your borders edible

Fintry’s miles better

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Pupils find a natural identityDoune and St ninian’s primary schools recently took part in a natural identity project, funded by awards for all.

Pupils investigated the natural environment, recording what they learnt through the visual arts

and poetry. the project looked at the

identity of plants and trees, their uses, their needs, the folklore that surrounds them, their origins and why they are so important to our environment.

through this project the children developed a deeper understanding of their environment and the plants and trees within it. the project was completed in February with a presentation and exhibition at the Changing room gallery in Stirling.

Schools map out routesWAlkiNg AND CYCliNg

Six local schools including Doune, Bridge of allan, Balfron and St ninian’s have helped produce maps showing safe walking and cycling routes.

the children worked out how far they’ll travel in a year if they walk or cycle to school and the information is included in fun facts on the maps.

at the end of april, Bridge of allan primary school also held a successful “walk to School Challenge”, encouraging pupils to walk to school for three days.

the ideal way to travel in the city this summerleave your car at Castleview or Springkerse and hop on the park and ride bus direct to the heart of the city.Monday to Saturday,£1.20 adult return,60p child return.and during June, July and august, Historic Scotland will be running the Summer Castle Shuttle between Castleview and Stirling Castle.

WAlkiNg AND CYCliNg

People across Stirling are being encouraged to become more active by walking and cycling.

Jonathan Padmore, of the transport planning team at Stirling Council, said: “active Stirling, the Council, going Carbon neutral Stirling and others are all continuing to improve safety, provide routes and training and promote the opportunities and benefits of ‘active travel’.

“these walking and cycling initiatives, however, are just one part of Stirling’s local transport Strategy. we realise that walking and cycling is affected by other factors, including traffic volumes and road safety, and thanks to all the other measures that have been introduced,

our roads are becoming quieter and safer. “Stirling is a compact and attractive city within

an attractive setting, with lots within walking distance. the city has:

a good network of existing paths routes of historic and cultural interest a relatively flat environment a pedestrianised city centre relatively low traffic levels compared to many

other urban areas.“try walking and cylcing a bit more – hopefully

you’ll enjoy it and find yourself feeling a bit healthier.”

Obtain cycle maps for stirling City, Dunblane and stirling university by calling

0845 277 7000.

Be an active traveller

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Stirling royal infirmary becomes a community hospital, on hand to deal with minor injuries and provide other vital services

Local careCOMMUNitY HOSPitAl

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

Following the transfer of acute services from Stirling to Larbert from Tuesday 12 July, Stirling Royal Infirmary will take on a new role as a community hospital, one of four which will support the work of Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

This will ensure local people from across Stirling and Forth Valley continue to have access to

a wide range of health services, including a new Minor Injury Unit (see right).

As well as this new unit, Stirling Community Hospital will also provide a wide range of outpatient services, including GP out-of-hours services, women’s health (including medical clinics, therapy services and mental health services), children and young people’s services (including medical clinics, therapy services mental health services), and a range of outreach clinics. There are plans to transfer some inpatient services from Bannockburn Hospital to the Stirling Community Hospital site.

Know who to turn to when you need advice about health or you are feeling unwell, it is important to know who to turn to. to help you make the right choices, nHS Forth valley has produced a booklet which has been distributed to gP practices and community pharmacies and is also available on the Forth valley website www.nhsforthvalley.com

Minor Injury unit in focus

What is a Minor injury Unit?a Minor injury unit is a centre which provides treatment for a wide range of injuries that require urgent care but are not serious or life threatening. it’s important to remember that accident and

emergency Services should only be used by people who are seriously ill and need emergency care.

Minor injury units can treat a wide range of injuries, including: • sprains and strains • suspected broken bones • minor eye injuries • minor burns and scalds

• cuts and grazes • minor head and neck injuries • infected wounds.

Who can be treated at a Minor injury Unit? Minor injury units provide 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 (from 12 July) which will also provide a full minor injury service.

What if i need to see a doctor at night or at weekends? if you require to see a gP out of hours phone nHS 24 on 08454 242424 and you will be directed to one of a number of gP Out-of-Hours centres within Forth valley.

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a group of 12 looked-after young people from across the Stirling area have been talking about their thoughts, feelings and experiences around leaving care – in their own words and in their own way.

they have been taking part in “Hear my voice”, a partnership project between Stirling Council and the Scottish throughcare and aftercare Forum which is looking at ways to help young people make the move out of care and into work and an independent life as positively and successfully as possible.

the group, who are representing young people leaving care across the Stirling area, recently organised an informal “Hear my voice” evening of discussion and debate and invited representatives from a cross-section of local organisations.

they talked to politicians and managers about their experiences and needs, and how to shape services for the future.

Cllr graham Houston, leader of Stirling Council and Portfolio

Holder for Care, attended the event. He said:

“we were able to hear from our young people directly and involve them at the start of our work to

shape this service rather

than at the end.“Councillors and

council officers take our role as corporate parents very

seriously, and the ‘Hear my voice’ initiative is helping build the relationship between us and the young people we have responsibility for.”

Four areas for improvement identified at the event were:• a greater say in the process of leaving care• more accommodation options• access to employment opportunities• involving young people in decision-making.

Stirling Council and the Scottish throughcare and aftercare Forum will now continue to offer support and involve the young people in shaping leaving Care services.

Hear our voices...

in their own words...Some comments from the looked-after young people at the event were:• “if you take me into care, make my life better – don’t make it worse. Be the corporate parent you are meant to be.”• “we need enough money to live and eat healthily. Could you survive on £52 a week and pay bills?”• “i just need a safe place to stay.”

FACT As part of the “Hear my

voice” project, young people in care in the stirling area have also been making

a DVD about their experiences of being

looked after

Changes to emergency services

the third and final phase of the new Forth valley royal Hospital at larbert will open in July 2011.

this will allow a wide range of acute services currently based at Stirling royal infirmary to transfer across to Forth valley royal Hospital as planned.

this includes accident and emergency services for the whole of Forth valley, which will transfer from Stirling royal infirmary to Forth valley royal Hospital on tuesday 12 July.

the new purpose-built emergency Department at Forth valley royal Hospital is bigger and brighter than the existing a&e at Stirling royal infirmary and has been designed to give patients more privacy.

a new Minor injury unit will also open on 12 July on the Stirling royal infirmary site, which will become Stirling Community Hospital after acute hospital service have transferred to Forth valley royal Hospital.

For further information, visit www.nhsforthvalley.com

“Local people from across Stirling continue to have access to a wide range of health services”

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sPERSONAl RESPONSiBilitY

later this month we’re launching a campaign to remind dog owners that it’s their responsibility to clean up after their pet.

when setting off for walkies, please remember to pick up the lead and pick up a dog waste bag so you can ‘bag it and bin it’.

You don’t need to find a red waste bin. any bin will do – as long as the waste is bagged first. You can even take it home and put it in your grey bin. we’ll be getting the message across on radio, and online with a film on Youtube and a page on Facebook.

Please play your part. Dog poo is a health hazard, especially for

young children. Picking up and binning dog waste can also help stop the spread of disease to other dogs and avoids owners facing expensive vet bills.

Maybe your dog could star in our campaign. Send in a pic of your pet and we’ll include it in a doggy gallery of clever Stirling-area pooches who are supporting the bag it and bin it message!

You can send pics to:Stirling magazine, room 17

Old Viewforth, stirling FK8 2eTemail stirlingmagazine@ stirling.gov.ukTweet to @stirlingcouncil or upload to our We Bag It and Bin It album at www.facebook.com/stirlingcouncil

CHANgiNg BEHAViOUR

Bannockburn-based Positive Changes was set up in 2008 to support young people and divert them away from antisocial or offending behaviour. The team has provided an early and effective intervention service in partnership with Social Care and Central Scotland Police, and recently became a mainstream part of Stirling Council’s social care service.

The Positive Changes team encourages young people aged between 11 and 16 to develop personal and social skills with the goal of diverting them from antisocial or offending behaviour.

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to get involved with a programme of activities in the evenings and at the weekends – the most common times for

antisocial behaviour to take place.

Young people attend focus groups and guest speaker nights on issues such as mental health, anger management, sexual health, preparation for work, thinking about the consequences of actions and relationship problems. A parent support group runs at the same time, with individual support available, if required.

By working in partnership with the young people and their parents and guardians, as well as other agencies, we’ve helped reduce antisocial and offending behaviour, reduce the number of young people who get involved with the court system, and encourage young people to get involved positively in their own communities.

It’s local people who ultimately benefit from this early intervention – for

Positive futurethe Positive Changes project is now making a real difference to many young lives, explains its team leader Pam Jackson

bin itBag it

and

FACT Dog waste is consistently a top concern with local people, and again features as an important issue in the latest residents’ survey. more details on the survey in the next issue of Stirling.

thistle from Dunblane is supporting the campaign

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example, the reduction of police hours required to deal with antisocial and offending behaviour means a greater police presence in the community, helping residents to feel safer. And reducing the time social workers need to

spend attending hearings or writing reports means more of their time is available for child protection. Early intervention is the key.

Last November, Positive Changes was awarded the Scottish Policing Award 2010

for Outstanding Contribution, and we’ve also received the Chief Constable Certificate of Merit for our multi-services residential activity that’s on offer three times each year. This is a chance for 24 young people to

take part in a three-day Opportunity Knocks for Youth (OKFY) course organised by Positive Changes in partnership with the Army, Central Scotland Police, Central Scotland Fire and Rescue and the Ambulance Service, Youth Services and the Marines.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to try all kinds of activities that develop team building, confidence and life skills, and young people taking part have the chance to gain outstanding achievement awards.

Positive future

PC mike Parsons, project workers Suzanne mcPhee and Debbie Allan, and team leader Pam Jackson display the Scottish Policing Award that was secured by the Positive Changes project for its work diverting young people away from antisocial behaviour

in their words...“Positive Changes has made a difference to my life. the staff spent time with me and helped me understand i was taking too many risks and putting myself in unsafe situations. getting into trouble was holding me back. going to different activities helped me to see i could do better and achieve what i want to in life. i gained a lot of confidence on the OkFY residential, and i’m now ready to go to college.”

Chelsea gray, Positive Changes participant

the Mill (Momentum in lifelong learning) Project was set up in summer 2010 as part of the Offender literacies Challenge Fund. it aims to build on the initial work carried out by Stirling Council’s adult learning team on behalf of Stirling literacies Partnership with prisons across the Forth valley area.

the project works closely with Forth valley Criminal Justice services and charity aPeX to provide learning opportunities as

part of programmes designed to support previous offenders and prevent reoffending and further imprisonment. whereas one in five of the general population struggles with literacy or numeracy, it is estimated that 50 per cent of the prison population has literacy problems.

By working closely with these services, Mill hopes to engage people through community service orders and promote the benefits of learning in everyday life. it also

aims to engage those about to be released from prison who currently don’t see themselves as learners.

Mill has established links with all three prisons in the Forth valley area. it is supported by Continuing learning Departments in Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Councils, in partnership with Criminal Justice Service in Forth valley and apex and works within prisons and young offenders’ institutions in Forth valley.

From offender to learner

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HElP AND iNFORMAtiON

You can now access a whole range of local services in one convenient city centre location with the opening of Customer First at 1–5 Port Street, Stirling, just opposite King Street.

Here you can make payments, get help with filling in forms, hand in documents and speak to our customer services team face-to-face. If we can’t answer your enquiry straight

away, we’ll provide you with a freephone service or internet access to the appropriate team.

We’re also able to process debit and credit card payments for all council services.

Benefits and housing specialists are on hand to help, along with advisers from HM Revenue and Customs. Visit Scotland staff are also available to help with accommodation bookings and information

access a range of services at a convenient new centre for local people

The customer comes first

Consumer network needs new volunteers

Consumer Focus Scotland are looking for new volunteers from our area and would like to hear from people who are interested in consumer issues such as education, the environment, health, food, housing, post and public services.

the Consumer network is a group of home-based volunteers who act as Consumer Focus Scotland’s ‘eyes and ears’ across the country – helping to keep the organisation informed about the

1-5 Port

Street, Stirling

from left: portfolio holder for economy, tourism and finance

councillor Scott farmer, Stirling Council chief executive Bob Jack, hm revenue & Customs manager Cath Joyce and Vicki miller, head of local marketing at

Visit Scotland, at the official opening of Customer first

the centre provides a range of services

a to Z of services available

l Building controll Community groupsl Council housingl Council tax benefits and

enquiriesl education, including eMa

applications, placing applications

l employabilityl environmental healthl equipment hirel Family history research

servicesl Fishing permitsl Footwear and clothing

grantsl grants for disabled

adaptationsl grass cutting requests for

servicel Hire of community halls

and school letsl HM revenues and

Customs (thursdays and Fridays)

l Homelessnessl Housing benefitl Housing repairsl licensingl landlord registrationl Money advicel naming ceremoniesl needle upliftsl Parking payment of finesl Parking residents’ permitsl Payments, including rent,

licensing, finesl Permitsl Pest controll Planningl Play parksl registration of births,

deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

l rent enquiriesl renewal of vowsl roads repairsl Special upliftsl Street lighting repairsl visit Scotland – help with

accommodation booking and things to see and do in and around Stirling.

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issues that concern ordinary people throughout the country.

It’s a chance to:

l have your say on key consumer issues and give your views on government, regulators and service providers

l speak directly to experts at discussion groups and put your points and questions directly to people who have the answers and the power to act

l be part of a network of consumers and share your views, experiences and ideas with them

l investigate local services and facilities and how they are performing in your community

l keep up to date with consumer issues through Consumer network’s weekly/monthly email roundup of key press stories and quarterly newsletter.

Interested?

For more information, please visit www.consumerfocus.org.uk/scotland/consumer-network

for visitors and local people on things to see and do in and around Stirling.

There is full access for disabled people, and confidential meeting rooms are available for appointments with council staff and staff from our partner organisations.

Customer First is open from 9am–5.30pm

monday to Friday.

First customer for Customer Firstthe first to be welcomed through the doors of the new Customer First centre was kat Youd, who works in the city. She told Stirling: “it’s a very nice, modern building – i really like it. the big glass window is great, and it’s good to be able to watch the world going by. the staff were very friendly. Customer First will be useful for me for work purposes when i need to get things photocopied.”

the Stirling Council customer advisors will help with enquiries at the new centre

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 [email protected]

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Bailie tony ffinchConservativeemail:

[email protected]

Councillor Paul owensLabouremail:

[email protected]

Provost fergus WoodSNPemail:

[email protected]

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forth AnD enDriCK

Councillor Alistair BerrillConservativeemail:

[email protected]

Bailie graham lambiePortfolio holder for education

SNPemail: [email protected]

Bailie Colin o’BrienLabouremail:

[email protected]

WARd 3 DunBlAne AnD BriDge of AllAn

Councillor Callum CampbellConservativeemail:

[email protected]

Councillor Colin finlayLabouremail:

[email protected]

Councillor David gossLib Dememail:

[email protected]

Council leadergraham houstonPortfolio holder for Policy,

Strategy and Social CareSNPemail: [email protected]

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Councillor John hendryLabouremail:

[email protected]

Councillor graham reedLib Dememail:

[email protected]

Councillor Jim thomsonPortfolio holder for environment

and SustainabilitySNPemail: [email protected]

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Stirling WeSt

Councillor neil BennyConservativeemail:

[email protected]

Depute leader Scott farmerPortfolio holder for economy,

tourism and financeSNPemail: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]: www.annemcguiremp.org.ukConstituency office22 Viewfield Street, Stirling fK8 1uA

Councillor Andrew SimpsonLabouremail:

[email protected]

Ward 6 Stirling east

Bailie ian BrownLib Dememail:

[email protected]

Councillor Corrie mcChordLabouremail:

[email protected]

Councillor Steven PatersonPortfolio holder for empowerment and Citizenship

SNPemail: [email protected]

Ward 7 Bannockburn (Bannockburn, Cowie, Plean)

Councillor margaret Brisley Labouremail:

[email protected]

Councillor Alasdair macPhersonPortfolio holder for housing

SNP email:macphersona@ stirling.gov.uk

Councillor Violet Weir Labouremail:

[email protected]

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 royal infirmary tel: 01324 624000

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 royal infirmary tel: 01786 434000

university of Stirling tel: 01786 473171

tranSCO (gas emergencies) tel: 0800 111999

traveline tel: 0871 2002233

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A pledge to tackle abuseStirling is committed to helping end male violence against women and children as a white ribbon City

“The people of Stirling have sent out

a clear message to the whole country

that we will not tolerate violence

against anyone in our community”

Councillor ian Brown, Stirling’s White ribbon Ambassador

1 in 5 young men believe

women often provoke

violence, a recent

survey found

Bannockburn high School

pupils Siobhan miller and

Alasdair Keane with Stirling’s White ribbon

City award. they represented

the city’s young people at the presentation

event

Stirling has become Scotland’s first White Ribbon City – an acknowledgement of our area’s work towards the goal of ending male violence against women and children.

The White Ribbon campaign is an international movement raising awareness of the nature and prevalence of violence against women and

children. It encourages men and boys to get involved in preventing such violence

and invites them to sign the White Ribbon pledge never to “commit, condone or

remain silent about violence against women”.

Stirling Action for Change partnership has led the way on our bid for White Ribbon City status. The partnership includes Stirling Council, Central Scotland Police, NHS Forth Valley

and the independent and voluntary sectors.

The White Ribbon March

(below), which many local people have joined over the past three years, has now become an annual part of Stirling’s campaign.

For more information, visit www.whiteribbonscotland.

org.uk or get in touch with Anne meikle, violence against women policy co-ordinator, on [email protected]

If you need help regarding domestic abuse, please call the scottish national domestic abuse 24-hour helpline on 0800 027 1234 or stirling Women’s Aid on 01786 470897. You can also look at www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk for advice and information.

Stirling Summer 2011

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