The Fife Herald has kindly given the Dairsie web site permission to copy the Dairsie News that is printed in the Fife Herald every week.
There was no Dairsie News published in the Fife Herald on the 7/03/2003.
The annual general meeting of the Memorial Hall was held last Thursday. The chairperson was happy to welcome about a further 60 villagers over and above the committee members which led to a lively and entertaining meeting. Mrs. Morag Jones was unanimously voted chairperson for a further period of one year, an appointment that is welcomed throughout the village. Reluctantly, the resignation of Rosemary Murray was accepted but Ms. Vicky Hall of Ardencaple Terrace was proposed and seconded to bring the committee up to full strength. All other serving committee members were happy to continue and were therefore, in the absence of any other nominations, re-elected. The last year at the hall has been a reasonable one financially, as no major repairs or extensions were required or undertaken. However, in reply to one question, Mrs. Jones indicated that the committee would study the feasibility of continuing the re-tiling of the roof and to this end the committee would endeavour to obtain some financial assistance from a charitable source. The hall continues to provide a centre of enjoyment for many people and groups, from the youngest to the oldest, and the re-elected committee will continue to offer a variety of entertainments designed to suite all tastes.
Rev. Alan D. McDonald of St. Leonard's Church, St. Andrews linked with Cameron is currently with the Quinquennial Visitation Committee visiting Dairsie Parish Church. He led worship on Sunday morning, and explained that the purpose of the visit is to give support and encouragement to individual churches, bringing the message that no church is alone, but is part of the whole community of Christian worship. His wife, Judith, and two elders, John Smith, St. Leonard's and John Elder, Cameron, who read the lesson, accompanied him. Mrs. Aitkenhead was welcomed as visiting organist.
There was no Dairsie News published in the Fife Herald on the 21/03/2003.
Members of the Guild were a very attentive audience as Dr. Julie Taylor, Director of Post-Graduate Studies at Dundee University spoke on "Child Protection". Why is there abuse of children? How is it defined? Essentially it is about "good enough" parenting, with poorer and most deprived families at risk. General guidelines give six categories of abuse; physical abuse; physical neglect; emotional abuse; sexual abuse; failure to thrive; and at serious risk, an indefinable instinct that things are not right. Many concerned questions and comments followed, and then Avril Paul gave thanks. Refreshments and business meeting followed.
The minister, the Rev. Alex Strickland, led the funeral service in Dairsie Parish Church on Friday, March 21, for Mrs. Martha MacDonald, who died peacefully in Forth Park Hospital on Monday, at the age of 91. Throughout the service, in the choice of hymns, prayers, readings and words spoken about Martha, her Christian faith shone. "Like Martha of old, she could say, Lord I believe and like her too, she spent her life in willing service to Him." For over 50 years she was devoted to her husband Ian, and in her home, relatives and friends were always welcome. In her 19 years in Dairsie, she found friends and companionship in the Rural Guild and her great interest, spinning, and of course, in her worship of God and in her faithful attendance at church. In recent years she accepted her physical infirmity with cheerfulness and fortitude. All thoughts are with her husband Ian, her relatives and all who knew her, at this time of sorrow.
The infant son of Euan and Hilary Findlay, 4 Dron Court, Dairsie, was baptised Callum Euan by the Rev. Alex Strickland in Dairsie Parish Church on Sunday. After the sacrament of baptism, Callum was carried down the church by the minister to be welcomed by the large congregation. The customary flowers were given by a child from the Sunday School, and the family then went to meet the children of the Sunday School in the church hall.
At the service in Dairsie Church on March 23, the minister, the Rev. Alex Strickland ordained Miss Anne Angus into the office of elder. The elder accepted the life and doctrine of the Church of Scotland, and makes a promise of Christian commitment. After the ordination, Miss Angus was given the hand of welcome from the minister and elders, and joined them to unite in the singing of the final hymn.