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 Rev. Alex Strickland, his wife Jan. and the speaker, Jim Anderson were warmly welcomed to the March meeting of the Guild. The members had a retirement gift for the minister, and Mrs. Jean Manzie had the honour of presenting him with cufflinks inscribed with his initials, and there were earrings for Jan. All then sat back to enjoy a lively talk from church member, Jim Anderson, who spoke first on the pattern of his life, and how he and his wife came ultimately to retire to Dairsie. They had enjoyed a very varied life, from his birth in Wormit, through many moves, including to Kenya, and finally to Orkney, which they loved. He followed this with an excellent video on Orkney, which impressed many with its variety and beauty. He was thanked warmly. There were many good wishes to Alex and Jan, and the meeting closed with refreshments.
Winners of the March draw of the Dairsie War Memorial Hall 200 Club draw were: B. Fraser - £20: R. Ferguson - £10: and Dr. Ray - £5.
Apologies that some of the prize-winners were incorrectly named last week. They were: Hannah Ashcroft, Catriona Black, Sarah Dawson, Bethan Owen, Stuart Dawson and Daniel Rodger, who all received Bibles. Kim Dawson, who was awarded her Bible last year, was given a book token.
Members of the three churches in the linkage, Dairsie, Kemback and Strathkinness, all gathered together in a packed church in Dairsie to hear the Rev. Alex Strickland conduct his final service before his retirement. It has been a ministry of caring - and thanks and good wishes were many, as he looks forward to this new and more leisured time.
Services in Dairsie Parish Church will be held at 9.30am in future, starting with next Sunday, 3rd April. The Interim Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Donald McEwen will conduct the service that day.
The Rev. A Strickland constituted the meeting with a prayer, at this, his last annual general meeting before his retiral. The 22 members present heard a satisfactory treasurer's report, with the accounts showing a surplus. The session stated that, at the end of 2004 there were 139 members, with 10 elders and 6 board members. Sadly, the Sunday School has had to close, due to lack of support, but a volunteer willing to try to encourage some local children to attend would be most welcome. The retiring teachers, Avril Paul and Morag Jones, who had served for more than 10 years were thanked most warmly, and received gift tokens in appreciation. The Guild has had a busy year, with good membership, and now look forward to the open evening - a musical evening - to be held on April 25th. There are now only 4 board members, with a requirement now for more. The fund-raising committee raised the sum of £2004 to support the church, but believe the fellowship of the events is its own reward. The session clerk expressed good wishes, on behalf of all, to the minister and his wife, with special thanks for his guidance through the years. The minister responded with grateful thanks for the support and kindness he had received during his years of service, and then thanked all who give their time to support the church in so many ways - office bearers, board members, the organist, Rev. A Stevenson for the parish newsletter, the flower and tea ladies, and the meeting then closed.
On Saturday April 23rd, there will be a spring coffee morning in the village hall from 11am to noon: Monday, April 25th at 7.30pm. in the church - the Cecilian Choir from Dundee will give a musical evening. Both these events are open to all.
The development plans for the Cupar Area, including Dairsie, will be on view in the County Buildings, Cupar, from 5.30pm on Tuesday, April 19th. Council officials will be on hand to answer questions. Then at 7pm a meeting will begin to hear the views of the public after viewing the plans.
As a follow-up to the above, a special meeting has been called in the Memorial Hall on Thursday April 21st.at 7pm. to hear local views.
As the Parish Reappraisal Committee has recommended that Dairsie Church links with St. John's, Cupar, it is hoped that as many as possible will attend the service this Sunday, as Rev. Sheila Blount of St. John's will be leading the worship.
The Hall Committee look forward to your support at the coffee morning to be held tomorrow, Saturday, from 11am - 12 noon. Funds are always needed to support the upkeep of our hall, so please try to be there. Usual stalls. Cheerful company guaranteed!
The Session Clerk, Alex. Lorimer, welcomed Mrs. Blount, minister of St. John's Church, Cupar, to conduct the service on Sunday, and announced that the basis of a linkage with St. John's had been approved by the Presbytery of St. Andrews, and now goes forward for ratification by HQ 121 George St, Edinburgh.
Around 30 singers from the Cecilian Choir come from Dundee to perform in Dairsie Church on Monday evening, 25th April at 7.30pm - and it is hoped that as many Dairsie folk as possible, and of course, any others, will come along to what promises to be a very enjoyable evening. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
Winners of the Dairsie War Memorial Hall 200 Club Draw were: M. Jones - £20: W. Ferguson - £10: G. Owen - £5: all local folk.
Following Fife Council's Consultation meetings throughout the area, Dairsie Community Council held a Special Meeting on Thursday 21st April to provide another opportunity for residents to discuss their views in detail and contribute to Dairsie Community Council's response to the Draft Local Plan which proposes 70 houses south of Osnaburgh Court.
Sixty residents from this small village filled Memorial Hall and many gave wide-ranging and well-informed views covering several topics (a copy of the Community Council's detailed response will be available in the village shop and on the Dairsie Website.
The proposals were rejected for the following reasons.
There was an eloquent plea about maintaining the school roll and whilst there was no dissention, the mood was about addressing the present infrastructure difficulties and providing a pedestrian crossing in Main Street.
Votes cast -
Results of survey in Osnaburgh Court regarding the 20mph zones will be included next week.
A busy morning, with a full hall - a welcome sight indeed, and a very happy occasion. Many thanks to all who supported the event in any way, which raised the excellent sum of £388 towards the upkeep of your village hall.