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 thoughts of the community are with two local families who have lost loved ones at this time of year. We remember the families of Mary Goudeket who died peacefully on December 20, and Willie Innes-Smith, who died suddenly on December 23. They have both been associated with the vilage for many years, and our sympathy goes to their families and friends in their sad loss.
The family service was held in Dairsie Parish Church on the last Sunday before Christmas, followed by the 11.30 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Both were conducted by the minister, Rev. Alex Strickland, and all were able to share in the rejoicing at the birth of the infant Jesus.
The minister, Rev. Alex Strickland, led the worship at the funeral service for Mary Doudeket, who died peacefully on December 20. He spoke of her life from her birth at Wormit Farm, then a move to Ballindean Farm, by Gauldry. It was as she grew up there, that she met her much loved and loving husband, Joe, when he was stationed at RAF Leuchers, and they were to be blessed with 58 years of happy marriage. They lived first at Woodend, then became the first residents in Ardencaple Terrace when it was built> Her working life was spent first in service, then as a cook at various places, ending up as a cook at St. Andrews University. There she was highly regarded by both staff and students. A member of the church, at one time she taught in Dairsie Church Sunday School. She enjoyed quiet domestic hobbies, but took especial delight in ballroom dancing at Guardbridge Social Club with her husband. She is remembered as a good and friendly neighbour. Parishioners' thoughts are with her husband, Joe, her children, Sandy, Andrew and Anne; her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who are missing her at this sad time.
Around 80 hardy souls of all ages braved the atrocious weather conditions on Hogmanay making their way to the village hall for the family ceilidh. The weather didn't dampen spirits, and everyone seemed to enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Although there was no live music this year, David Littlejohn managed to provide music for all tastes, using the hall's disco equipment. He had a little help and advice from Chris Crowe, who suggested various tunes and CDs for the Scottish country dancing. With a stovie supper, provided by the hall committee, and the usual friendly barmen, Blair Littlejohn and Graham Mason supplying refreshments of the liquid kind, the evening went very well. 2004 was brought in by 16-year-old piper Andrew Littlejohn. All in all, another thoroughly enjoyable village event. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the evening such a success.
A Burns supper will be held in the village hall on Saturday, January 24. Tickets will soon be available from Morag Jones. Numbers are extremely limited for this event, so it is advisable to book tickets early.
Thirteen hard souls ventured out in the afternoon on New Year's Day, and greatly enjoyed a refreshing walk. Towards Pittormie the strolled, along through the very muddy fields to the north of the village wearing much needed sturdy footwear. The arrived at the Vantage, and then back into the village, from where they cheerily made their way to the church hall, where a very welcome hot cup of tea and mince pie awaited them. All agreed that organiser Bill Sinclair had the right idea when he proposed this fresh air and exercise as an antidote to the seasonal excesses. Thanks too, to Willa Ferguson, who laid on the refreshments. Altogether a good start to the New Year.
Members are reminded that on Monday the Guild will meet at 2 pm - always changed at this time of year. The same applies to the February meeting. Thereafter meetings continue at the usual third Monday of each month at 7.30 pm. New members, male or female are always welcome. More information from the president, Willa Ferguson.
The first meeting of the St Andrews Presbytery Parish Reappraisal Committee, at a joint gathering of members of the linked churches of Dairsie, Kemback, and Strathkiness, was followed by separate meetings of each congregation. Their deliberations were referred back, and at Strathkinness last week, members met together again to hear the outcome, and clarify the current situation. The discussions were in the hope of moving forward the planning for the three churches, after the retrial of the minister in 2005. However, it seems it was not yet possible to make any decisions, so now the results of the deliberations go back to the presbytery - disappointing, but so much is involved it seems unavoidable.
Mrs. Elspeth Smith led the service in Dairsie Church, at the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, during which there will be united ecumenical services held worldwide. The Christian church is reaching out to people of all faiths. The search for peace in our troubled world is within all peoples, and the profound hopes and prayers in that search, are shared by all, not just through this special week of prayer, but at all times.
The title of the January talk was "India", and members were anticipating memories of a holiday there. The speaker, Mrs. Strong, wife of Rev. Clifford Strong, did speak of a holiday, but it was a return to the country of her birth, and to revisit and re-discover the places where she grew up. Daughter of an Indian mother and Alexander Grant, a tea planter, she became one of many Anglo-Indian children who were not welcomed by either community. The arrival in the country of a missionary, Dr. John Graham, brought change to their previous isolated lives. He saw a great need to help them, and changed direction from the work to which he had been appointed by the Church of Scotland. By his own endeavours in raising influential support, he founded Kalimpong, a community, which from small beginnings, became home for many of the Anglo-Indians - ultimately growing from one cottage in 1900, to 20 years later, 17 cottages, a school,, hospital, and much more. Mrs. Strong told the story of coming to England at about 17 years of age to see her father's homeland. She trained as a nurse, met her husband-to-be, raised a family, and finally, members heard of her return to her roots, and all it meant to her. It was a tender, moving story, and thanks were warmly given by Eleanor Muirhead.
The annual Burns supper was again very well attended on January 24, and it was particularly nice to see several new faces at this event. The chairman for the evening was Jim Anderson who welcomed all, and then invited Gareth Jones to give the Selkirk Grace. The haggis was piped in by Andrew Littlejohn, with Bethan Owen as Poosie Nansie, Ryan Crowe carried the quaich, and David Littlejohn carried the whisky. John McKie, from Balmullo, gave a rousing "Address to the Haggis". The traditional fare was prepared by members of the committee. Over coffee the chairman presented a most eloquent "Immortal Memory", followed by the "Toast to the Lasses", given by Blair Littlejohn. The reply was given by Morag Jones, who also gave thanks to everyone who had contributed to making the evening a success. A ceilidh followed, with music provided by Lewis Thomson and the floor was soon taken with everyone dancing Strip the Willow, Dashing White Sergeant, Virginia Reel, plus one or two slower numbers in between. A most pleasant sociable evening with a company so affable, the Bard himself would have enjoyed the occasion.