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.
Fourteen very well-behaved children from Dairsie Primary School - P1.2.3.4, visited the Guild on Monday afternoon, together with their class teacher, Mrs. Bonar, and a student teacher. It was the student who had prepared the children for their presentation of poetry, singing and the playing of instruments, and the whole entertainment gave much pleasure. The children were thanked warmly, and then stayed for refreshments, and the time for a chat with the ladies, before returning to school with a small gift, and apologies that fewer Guild ladies than usual were there to enjoy the show, due to the snowy weather. A short business meeting followed.
There was a warm welcome from Vice-President, Anne Jones, for those who came to the coffee morning at the village hall on Saturday. Numbers were down, but all present gave great support. They bought, played tombola, and enjoyed the coffee and cheery company, and the very generous sum of £252.15 was raised - to be shared between the Dairsie Seniors treat, and the Premature Baby Unit at Forth Park Hospital.
The minister's wife, Janet Strickland, read the notices, and on behalf of the congregation, welcomed the Rev. Alan Roy, retired minister for Aberuthven and Dunning, who occupied the pulpit in Dairsie Church for the traditional pulpit exchange on Presbytery Sunday. He now lives at Drumoig, and worships at Leuchars Church, and is at present locum at Strathmiglo and Edenshead churches. He was accompanied by Mrs. Peta Rennie, an elder at Strathmiglo, who brought greetings from the Presbytery, and told of her long interest and service to it. She also read the two lessons, and together with the Rev. Alan Roy, was pleased to meet with the congregation informally over coffee after the service.
This last communion to be led by the Rev. Alex. Strickland as parish minister to Dairsie folk was very moving. All wish him well in retirement, but he will be sorely missed. He expressed his warmest thanks to the Session for their great support through his ministry, and spoke of his hope that the friendly, welcoming spirit within the church will continue. The service on Sunday 13th March will be conducted by Nath Suda, an American, who holds a divinity degree, lives in Strathkiness, and is currently studying for a post graduate degree at Aberdeen University.
At the communion service, the congregation were told something of the proposals for the future for Dairsie church, and on Sunday, 20th March, members will have the opportunity to hear from the Parish Reappraisal Committee at a meeting to be held after the morning service, so if you are concerned about the proposals for the future of your church, you are advised to attend that meeting. Meantime, Mr. Strickland confirmed that a linkage is proposed with St. John's, Cupar, and the services may in future start at 9.30 am to allow time for the officiating minister to conduct a second service elsewhere. In April, it is understood that Kemback Church will unite with Ceres and Springfield, so the successful linkage with Dairsie will cease then.
The Inn has been closed this week whilst the changeover to new owners takes place. Today, Friday, it re-opens with David Evans as Chef/Proprietor, and he, together with Isabel and Barry, are wished good luck by Maggie, Alan and Gordon as they move on. The new owners are welcomed to their new venture, and all wish them every success.
Two lucky members won the draw for a demonstration manicure when a lecturer, Fiona Drysdale and second year student, Gail Imlach, came from Elmwood College to the March meeting. The College and the Charlie Taylor Organisation have entered into a training partnership, offering courses in Health, Hair and Beauty Care, and the lecturer told members something of the training offered. The manicures followed, and as the two relaxed and the very pleasant ladies worked away, they answered questions, and handed round creams etc. for members to learn their use and try some out. They were given a leaflet on the course and on the very reasonably priced treatments offered at the College, which can be booked. Refreshments followed and the raffle was drawn, which included a donated treatment kindly gifted by the demonstrators.
Competition winners were:
Flower of the month - 1st. Katharine Tomlinson: 2nd - Anne Brown.
Hair ornament - Mary Booth.
The arrival of the latest newsletter brings a warm tribute to our minister, the Rev. Alex Strickland, as his retirement on 2nd April comes ever closer. With further meetings - today, Friday, when the members of the three churches in the linkage meet in the Corn Exchange, Cupar, the AGM and Easter Sunday service, more heartfelt words will be said - so more anon.
There are at least two "last times" which Mr. Strickland will conduct - the Parish Church AGM on Thursday, 24th March at 7.30pm in the church, and his Farewell Service on Easter Sunday, which is to be a Joint Service in Dairsie Church, when members of the linked churches of Dairsie, Kemback and Strathkinness will unite in fellowship and not a little sadness, to say their farewell to a fine minister.
Following the retiral, Dairsie will have an Interim Moderator, Dr. Donald MacEwan, who is to be contacted should a minister be needed. The newsletter carries much more information, which all can read at leisure.
The club may find itself unable to continue if no new committee members are found, so please offer your services if you can help this valuable club to continue.
The council is seeking suggestions for a suitable place to site a community noticeboard. The Secretary, Liz Woodcock, or any committee member will be pleased to receive suggestions.
A celebration of the Ministry of the Rev. Alex Strickland was held in the Corn Exchange, Cupar on Friday, 18th March, 2005. Alex is to retire on April 2nd from the linked churches of Dairsie, Kemback and Strathkinness, and a committee from members of all three churches undertook the arrangement of a big thankyou for his 23 and a half years of dedicated service to all three parishes. The evening began when David Murdoch, a former Moderator of the Presbytery of St. Andrews and an elder of Hope Park Church, St. Andrews, opened the evening in his role as Master of Ceremonies. More than 200 church members and friends had all requested tickets to be there, to give Alex and his wife Jan a celebration to remember, which they felt was so richly deserved. After grace was said by the Rev. Andrew Stevenson, all tucked in to the buffet supper - a great spread supplied by members of the three churches, and the highest praise must go to the committee for their hard work in the organisation of the evening - from the welcome at the door, the tables ready for the supper, the champagne or juice for the toast, and the planning of the meticulously arranged programme, which went forward so smoothly.
Alex and Jan cut the cake, made by Edna Baker, Strathkinness, and decorated with images of the three churches. Jan was given flowers, and spoke a few words of thanks. The speakers followed, with the warmest possible tributes paid to Alex - for his ministry, his unstinting service to all in the three parishes, often far beyond the call of duty, but most of all to Alex the man, for his thoughtfulness, kindness, his humour and his quiet humility. The tributes were many. First to be introduced by the Master of Ceremonies, whose cheery presence set the tone for the whole evening, were the session clerks from each church, Alex Lorimer,Dairsie, Veronica Smart, Strathkinness and Maurice Milne, Kemback, who each paid their warm tributes to a much respected minister. Elspeth Smith, Moderator of the Presbytery of St. Andrews brought greetings and thanks from the Presbytery. Special guest was the Rev. Ian Macleod, who came from his ministry on Arran to pay special tribute to his long-time friend, whom he met when studying together at Glasgow University. They have been firm friends ever since, and all enjoyed the tales he told - listened to with some trepidation by Alex! and given with warm affection and humour. The speeches were interspersed with musical items - from Mrs Sheena Sturrock on violin, Gordon Adams, Scots songs and Lewis Thomson on keyboard - all given enthusiastic applause. Craig Rodger took photographs throughout, to be given to Alex and family. Maurice Milne, the most senior elder, made the presentation to Alex. from members of all three churches. He was given a garden seat and cushion, a matching table, with most important, a can of oil to treat the wood! There was also a very substantial cheque, which will go towards the expenses for their new home in Broughty Ferry. Alex responded with his usual warmth, sincerity and thanks, and a special tribute to Jan for all her support through the years, and of course, with some of his usual, and always appreciated funny stories!
Altogether, it was a splendid evening - a mixture of pleasure at the loving care shown to all throughout his time amongst us: of sadness at his departure: and full of good wishes from all, as he and Jan move on to this new phase in their lives, with time to relax and enjoy time together, and no doubt, plans for more super holidays beginning soon with New York and the Queen Mary!
The evening closed with David Murdoch inviting all to unite in singing Auld Lang Syne.
Residents are encouraged to attend Fife Council's Public Meeting and Consultation about the Draft Local Plan which will affect Dairsie over the next 20 years (2006-2026) and which will be held in the Corn Exchange on Tuesday 19th April 7.00-9.00pm. (posters in shop and garage). As the Community Council is invited to respond by May 2nd it is planned to hold a Special Meeting in Memorial Hall on Thursday 21st April to allow everyone the opportunity to have a say in Dairsie's future.
The latest update is that the planned works for Main Street will commence in the next few weeks. Proposals for Osnaburgh Court are on hold at the moment until residents' concerns are resolved. Meanwhile a survey is being circulated to Osnaburgh Court by the Community Council to canvass and record opinions.
A malicious "pet lover" has deposited a bag of dog excrement on the doorstep of Kilcreggan . The Police and Dog Warden have been contacted. If anyone finds that the dog bins are full, please contact Environmental Services at Fife Council and do not dump mess on a Communty Councillor's doorstep.
At the service in Dairsie Church on Sunday, 20th March, 2005, the Rev. Alex Strickland baptised William Andrew, son of Neil and Bing Innes- Smith, and grandson of Kathleen and the late Willie Innes-Smith. The family had travelled from Singapore for the ceremony, so it was a very special occasion. A posy of flowers was given by the Sunday School, who then led the family into the hall for a Sunday School welcome.
This was the last prizegiving with Avril Paul and Morag Jones as leaders, as they have made the very hard decision to leave after more than 12 years of dedicated service. Prizes of Bibles were awarded to: Hannah Ashcroft, Catriona Black, Sarah Dawson, Bethan Owen, June Dawson and Daniel Dawson.
Members of Dairsie Church stayed behind after the service on Sunday, 20th. March to hear a presentation from Mr. Gavin Cobb on behalf of the committee, on the future proposals for the church after the retiral of the minister on the 2nd April, 2005. The Presbytery of St. Andrews Reappraisal Committee, after many discussions with representatives from the three churches, proposes that Dairsie will enter into a linkage with St. John's, Cupar, to be converted after three years to a union. The minister, the Rev. Sheila Blount, to be our minister, with the present Pastoral Assistant at St. John's to serve Dairsie as well. It will be necessary to hold our services at 9.30am - there were lengthy discussions on this, but finally reluctant acceptance. A vote was taken and the proposals accepted once our attention was drawn to clause 8, which permits "freedom to adjust the agreement as need may arise". Full details of the proposals are available from the Session Clerk, Alex. Lorimer , who will bring some copies to the service on Sunday, 27th March.
You are reminded that Alex. Strickland will conduct his last service as our minister on Easter Sunday, and this is to be a united service at Dairsie at 11am.
Alex and Jan Strickland would like to thank their many friends in Dairsie, Kemback and Strathkinness for organising and executing to perfection the retirement party in the Corn Exchange, Cupar last Friday evening, 18th March. Sincere thanks also for the most generous gifts which were received. We look forward to meeting up with our many friends in the near future.