Carol Concert for Community Reminiscence Group

The St Ninians Memories Scotland group were delighted to receive St Ninians Primary children at their monthly meeting for a lovely singing session on Friday. The group opened up to many of the other groups that meet in the Mayfield Centre and enjoyed home baking, a raffle and a selection of hand made Christmas ornaments on sale provided by the Knit and Natter group.

The Knit and Natter group, which meets every Friday except the first one of the month, in the library at 10.30, raised nearly £200 for Food Train . Well done ladies!

Climate Conversation

We are proud to be hosting Climate FORTH’s Climate Conversation here in the Mayfield Centre on 11th December 10am-12.30pm.

The session is designed for those who are involved in, or interested in, the running of local natural, cultural or built heritage assets. This session will be run by the team at Keep Scotland Beautiful. By the end of the conversation, you will have:

• A better understanding of the relationship between heritage and climate change

• Discuss how climate change impacts can be mitigated

• Identify local priorities and explore ways to implement this in your own community

In order to book your space, please scan the QR code on the attached poster or email ella.duffield@rspb.org.uk

Autumn Folklore and Herbal Health Workshop

In October, the library hosted herbalist, storyteller and author of The Time Traveller's Herbal: Amanda Edmiston for a special Autumn Folklore and Herbal Health workshop. Some of the group joined a packed out audience who came along to discover some of the benefits and stories behind the plants we use for health.

Amanda shared stories and focused on everyday household ingredients and free to forage, health-boosting potions and remedies to help us navigate the changing seasons.

You can borrow Amanda’s book at the library or purchase it online. For more information you can visit: www.botanicafabula.co.uk

A special thanks to Amanda for a wonderful talk. We hope to have you back again.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be postponed until 4th November due to the October school holidays. This will be our first AGM and everyone is welcome as usual. In this meeting we will run through everything we have achieved over the last year, go over our accounts, vote in our roles and discuss plans/share ideas for our future.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Seed Library

What is a seed library? A seed library is a community-based collection point where people can donate or collect seeds. Instead of books, these libraries circulate seeds (flowers, herbs or vegetables). The idea is to encourage biodiversity, food security and community sharing.

This October, St Ninians Library will celebrating Green Libraries week by hosting a seed library created by Friends of the Mayfield and we need your help. Do you have any seeds you could donate? Collect some of our envelopes, label your seeds and donate them to the desk at the library. The seed library will launch during Green Libraries week (27th Oct-2nd Nov) with seeds from The Mayfield Secret Garden and donations from the community.

Come and see what you can grow!

Mosaic Workshop for Stirling Pride

This collaborative artwork was created during a workshop led by Creative Stirling and artist Lou Carberry in partnership with St Ninians Library to celebrate Stirling Pride 2025. The mosaics were crafted by workshop participants and members of the Friends of the Mayfield community group, built on wooden bases kindly made by Forth Valley Men’s Shed and enriched with found objects donated by library customers. Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook also contributed fascinating artefacts from local excavations, including a fragment of the historic Stirling City Wall. Alongside the making, Lou Carberry shared an engaging talk on the history of the LGBTQ+ movement in Scotland, inspiring reflection and pride within the creative process.

The artwork will be on display at the Youth Space, upstairs in Made in Stirling as part of the Pride celebrations and later re homed in the Mayfield Community Centre.

Celebrating our Community Heroes with a Special Certificate of Thanks

At Friends of the Mayfield Community Group, we believe that the heart of our area lies in the people who go above and beyond to make it a better place. Whether it’s lending a helping hand at local events, keeping our green spaces welcoming, supporting neighbours in need, or contributing in countless unseen ways, these acts of kindness and dedication deserve recognition.

That’s why we’ve created a Certificate of Thanks – a simple but heartfelt way of acknowledging the outstanding contributions of individuals who make our area a great place to live.

This certificate is not just a piece of paper – it’s a celebration of the spirit of community. Each one represents appreciation for the time, effort, and care that local people give freely, often without expecting anything in return.

If you know someone who deserves recognition, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with Friends of the Mayfield using the contact form on the website and let us know who has inspired you with their kindness, commitment, or creativity.

Lucky Birds

The local birds will be flocking to the garden with these latest additions kindly donated by the FV Men’s Shed. These beautiful metal holders which are doubling as Sunflower supports will provide water and seeds for our feathery friends. We have topped them up with seeds from the sunflowers to see if we have any takers. Thank you FV Men’s Shed

Wanted! Bits and Bobs

To celebrate Stirling Pride this September, Stirling Libraries and Creative Stirling will be running a mosaic workshop on Saturday 13th September in St Ninians Library between 10-11.30. Artist Lou Carberry will talking through the history of LGBTQ+ people in Scotland since legislation and then working with participants to make a mosaic for The Mayfield Secret Garden. We are asking for found objects from the community to be included in the mosaic which can be donated at the library ahead of the workshop.

Bouncy Castle Cushions!

The Library ran a two week sewing class for beginners this summer. Our lovely volunteers taught participants how to use the sewing machines. With fabric saved from a burst bouncy castle donated by the Mother and Toddler’s the group made these splash proof cushions for the Secret Garden. A perfection addition to our QUICKBLOCK bench. Thank you!