The Wee Vine

Residents in Kippen have written to Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford with a petition, supported by 224 signatures, which calls for the speed limit in the village to be reduced to 20mph.

Mr Crawford has supported the local campaign to reduce speed limits in Kippen, having met with the members of the Community Council, the Parent Council and Kippen Primary P7s – who produced a campaign video highlighting the importance of safer speed limits outside the school.

The SNP Group on Stirling Council is supportive of introducing 20mph zones in residential areas where there is a clear desire for them within communities – and the Environment Convener, Councillor Jim Thomson, is supportive of Kippen community’s campaign.

Commenting, Bruce Crawford said:

“This is an excellent example of a community taking this matter into their own hands to make their views known.

 “It has been proven that 20mph zones reduce the overall speed of traffic, making it safer for pedestrians – with children and vulnerable older people particularly at risk of fatal accidents.

 “I have been inspired by the work of the local community in moving this campaign forward – and the P7 group in particular who produced a fantastic video highlighting their campaign.

 “I’m grateful for this petition being passed to me. With over 220 signatures, it is a strong statement that the community wants action on safer speed limits. I will be writing to Stirling Council for an update on how this matter is being progressed and will keep my constituents posted.”

SNP Councillor for Forth and Endrick, Graham Lambie added:

“I too am hugely supportive of this campaign from the local community. I know that my SNP colleague Councillor Jim Thomson has been discussing the issue in detail with Stirling Council officers in order to turn the clear wishes of the community into a reality.

 “I will continue to pursue this issue within the Council in order to achieve 20mph roads in Kippen as soon as possible.”

Kippen Playgroup & Toddlers’ annual Christmas Market was a resounding success again this year, managing to raise an astounding £3,000 to keep our service up and running.  Our stall holders provided a cornucopia of beautiful products and gifts, our Santa’s Grotto had a serious upgrade and the cafe was fit to burst with everyone raring to get at the cakes!  A huge thank you to the community for donating prizes, buying raffle tickets, baking delicious treats and coming down on the day to support us.  It is greatly appreciated, we couldn’t do it without the help of the fine people of Kippen, so thank you!

With the Scottish winter in full swing, the Playgroup children have been busy, splitting their time between Monkey Camp, the orchard and the Village Hall.  They’ve been using tools to cut wood, using ropes as fire hoses, lion traps and for “emergency rescues”, they’ve been climbing trees, going on treasure hunts and using our new mud kitchen.  In the Hall there’s plenty of imaginative play and crafty stuff to be getting on with, so there’s never a dull moment and the children are generally tired, muddy and happy at the end of each session.

We recently had our inspection by the Care Inspectorate.  They found that “children were developing their social and physical skills, confidence and self-esteem through a balance of organised and freely chosen extended play experiences”.  The inspector noted our major strengths were the quality of learning, the quality of the children’s experiences and the phenomenal use of our outdoor environment.  We scored “Very Good” on the two categories we were assessed on; the quality of care and support and the quality of environment.  We are so proud, especially because we have radically changed our ethos this year to be more outdoor based.  A big thank you to our Play Leaders Heidi and Pam for providing such a great learning and play environment for our little ones.

Unfortunately, we are having to say goodbye to Heidi as she is moving back to Auld Reekie for some more urban adventures!  We wish her all the best and are forever grateful for all her hard work this year.  Thankfully Heidi’s departure will not be disrupting things too much at Playgroup as we already have Morna lined up to take the reins.  Morna has plenty of experience, having worked at Gargunnock Playgroup for some time, and is keen to continue with the same outdoor focus.

If you would like to support our service and get your little one booked in for a taster session, then please contact Morna via ​kippenplaygroup@gmail.com​.  We run on a Tuesday and Friday (9:30-12pm), and we take little ones from 2 years old up to school age.

Toddlers is continuing to welcome the village’s youngest residents and their weary carers with open arms and lashings of cake and tea.  We are hoping to start regularly inviting various baby and toddler companies to come along and entertain the little ones in the new year, as well as investing in some new toys and equipment, so please feel free to pop in and meet everyone. We run every Thursday (10:15-12pm) in the Village Hall.

Suzanne Lorraine

“One Journey, Many Roads!”  –  “Seeking the Way”

All men and women are welcome to attend

Guild meetings held in Kippen Church House:-               

8^th January                  2.00 p.m.

“Unexpected Journey: Off the Map”

Rev. Ellen Larson Davidson

12^th February               2.00 p.m.

“Green Routes, Gartmore”

Gillian Forster

26^th February               2.00 p.m.

“Norrieston Choir”

1^st March                     2.00 p.m.

“World Day of Prayer”

Buchlyvie Parish Church

12^th March                   2.00 p.m.

“Adventures of a Port Chaplain”

Pauline Robertson

Saturday 9th March     Coffee Morning/

10.30 a.m. to 12 noon    Gift Day

Guild Projects:  This year Kippen Guild is supporting two

Projects:– 

(1) Joining up the Dots: to combat loneliness and

social isolation wherever it exists in Scotland.  (Crossreach)

(2) Seema’s Project: Rescuing and providing homes for street children

in Pune, India.

Further information is available from

Joanna M. McPhail 870681 or

joanna.mcphail@btinternet.com

 

At the moment, we have no Community Council.  There is to be another election in the Spring, so please, anyone interested – look out for the details on the notice board and in the Stirling Observer.

Helen Wilson

 

	Time	Group name	Contact name	Tel. no./email
Monday	7.15-8.15pm	Yoga	Sharmi Musgrave	07769 711688 or Facebook Sharmi Musgrave
Tuesday	9.30am -12noon	Playgroup	Suzanne	playgroup.toddlers.kippen@gmail.com   or Kippen Playgroup and Toddlers on Facebook
	5.45-7.15pm	Cubs	Derek Shanks	01786 870046 / 0747331622
	7.30-9.30pm	Badminton	Moira Turner	01786 870 705
Wednesday	6.00-7.30pm	Brownies	Fiona Hunter	Kippenbrownies@btinternet.com
	7.45-9pm	Yoga	Sharmi Musgrave	07769 711688 or Facebook Sharmi Musgrave
Thursday	10.15  -12noon	Mother and Toddler Group	Rea Gourlay	playgroup.toddlers.kippen@gmail.com   or Kippen Playgroup and Toddlers on Facebook
	5.30-9.15pm	Football Club	Jeeka Sullivan	kippenjuniorsfcsecretary@gmail.com 07894890631
Friday	9.30am -12noon	Playgroup	Rea Gourlay	playgroup.toddlers.kippen@gmail.com   or Kippen Playgroup and Toddlers on Facebook
Saturday	9 -10am	Andy’s Fitness Class	Andy Carlin	andysfitness@ hotmail.co.uk

To book the hall call Claire Thomson 07796601197 or email kippenvillagehall@gmail.com

I have been very touched by offers of help to look after the flower tubs at the Cross. In October I had 5 willing helpers who manfully dug out the old plants and bulbs from last Spring and replanted with new bulbs and pansies for next Spring, all in some inclement weather! I now have a little bunch of volunteers who will help with the ongoing maintenance.

I’m delighted to report that 1st Carse Cubs are again supporting us with a generous donation, with money raised at the Firework and Bonfire night. They are also keen to play an active role in the plantings at the Cross, with some exciting ideas for more tubs. It is hoped that the Cubs will sow seeds and nurture some plants in Glentirran greenhouse, and plant them out at the Cross. I’m very happy to encourage them to take an interest, not only in the nurturing of plants, but to have an awareness of doing something lovely for the community.

Naomi Hirst