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.
The most recent quiz sheet, this time on the theme "birds, bees and butterflies" and sold to raise funds for Dairsie Church, as well as to give pleasure and fun, provided to be a real challenge. A worthy winner was Mrs. Jennifer Headen, with Mrs. Panton as a close runner-up. For those who could not complete the quiz, the answers are displayed in the church hall, or available from Mrs. Willa Ferguson.
The church hall was filled with keen gardeners, ready with their questions, when Kathleen Innes-Smith introduced the experts, Willie Duncan, Drumeldrie, and Alistair Barnard from Fife Council community services. And experts they proved to be, as questions flowed in on garden and houseplants from exhausted hydrangea beasties in pots to lawn and tree care. It was a relaxed, humorous question and answer session, which continued with individual inquiries during the tea-break. Tribute was paid to the multi-talented Willie Duncan, as plantsman, broadcaster, storyteller, musician and historian on local families, and Fife College's horticultural officer Alistair Barnard, for the community floral displays. Alex Strickland thanked both men warmly and said everyone had benefited from the answers that were given.
On Tuesday, September 16, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Memorial Hall local folk will have their chance to give their views on the future developments in Dairsie and district over the next 20 years. If you want to have your say, pop along to the hall then. There will be guidance on the subjects under consideration, and all can raise any issues by completing 'post-its' with favourable or unfavourable comments. It is your community - be there to express your views!
Sunday School resumes on Sunday, September 14, at 10 a.m. The children spend 10 minutes in the church, then go into the church hall for activities. Parents are invited to bring their children along, for what is always an interesting and enjoyable session. The Guild resumes on Monday, September 15 at 7.30 p.m. with a talk on behalf of the Bethany Christian Trust, which it is understood works with the homeless in Edinburgh. Men and women are welcome to these meetings.
The September communion service was conducted by the minister, the Rev. Alex Strickland. It was thought that the visits by the elders, as they deliver the communion cards, stay for a chat, and offer help or support if required, may account for the welcome increase in numbers at the church to share in the worship and fellowship. The last coffee morning of the season was held in the church hall on Thursday, when all enjoyed the unlimited tea/coffee, home baking and cheery chat. The coffee mornings will resume in the spring.
Local people had an opportunity to give their views on the future development of the area, as the East Fife Local Plan is now being considered. The event was well attended, with views good and less good expressed on many issues affecting the community. They ranged from 'as it ain't broken, don't fix it', to a wide range of comments, of which most frequently heard was on the speed of traffic on the main road, and at times the near impossibility for pedestrians to cross safely.
Rev. Alex Strickland led the service of dedication of the Guild. Members were at the door to give a warm welcome, others took the collection. The president, Willa Ferguson, read the lesson, four members, B. Fargie, E. Rennie, J. Stevenson and K. Tomlinson, read comments on the Hymn No 21 from 'Songs of God's People'. And others served the tea and biscuits in the hall after the service. The theme throughout stressed this year's Guild message, 'Dare to Care, as Christ is caring'.
The village is a hive of activity now after the long summer sleep. Coming events include a demonstration on arranging the flowers in the church in the hall on Monday, September 29, at 2 p.m.; an antiques evening organised by the Rural on Friday, October 3, at 7.30 p.m., and on Saturday, October 4, there will be the usual lively, enjoyable quiz night in the Memorial Hall, to raise funds for the upkeep of the hall.