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.
After a long illness, Stan died peacefully in Ninewells Hospital on January 19th.
At the funeral service in Dairsie Parish Church, the Rev. Sheila Blount spoke of the many good memories there are to treasure. He was born on 20th November 1928, but sadly his mother died when he was only two, and his childhood was not easy. His brother Bert was 20 years older, and his sister, Gwen was 15 years his senior, with whom however, he did recall some happy holidays.
He was a man of faith and fun, with tireless enthusiasm for his many interests. Stan was always busy. A lifelong interest was in his love of photography. With the support of the local council, he studied the computer, and used his skill to edit film taken over the years. He then gave talks and slideshows to old folk's homes, reviving memories and stimulating conversation. His love of history and membership of Cupar Historical Society led to research for booklets on Dairse and its Castle. Stan was born in the Midlands; left school at 14; first worked in the pit, but in his spare time was relief projectionist at a local cinema, from which grew his lifelong interest in film. In his early 30's, he joined the Royal Horse Artillery, and served in Britain, Kenya and Germany. A year after joining the Forces, he met and married Isabel on 5th December 1959, and it was in Kenya that their son Martin was born. After leaving the services, they settled in Leeds, where he worked first as a cinema projectionist and then in a furniture warehouse. There began his lively dedication to the Boys Brigade movement, and his service as an elder at the United Reform Church. Stan took early retirement at the age of 59, following a stroke, but was as busy as ever.
He and his wife Isabel came to Dairsie six years ago and quickly joined in the life of the village and beyond. He was a man of prayer and commitment, who continued with his many interests, and with his service to the community - never afraid to approach anyone who could help to further his work.
On the 10th July 2005 he was admitted to Ninewells Hospital, and bore courageously several operations, always appreciative of the care he was receiving. Our prayers are with his wife Isabel, his sons Michael and Martin, his daughters in law, and the grandchildren of whom he was so proud. The service was a celebration of his life, and of the many good memories he leaves to all who knew and loved him.
This will appear next week.
Winners of the January draw of the Dairsie Memorial Hall 200 club were: A. Barclay - £20; M. Fraser - £10 and B. Prophet - £5. The winners are from Dairsie, Leuchars and Balmullo, and support from the surrounding area is vey welcome.
Jean B. Manzie, who died in Ninewells Hospital on the 21st January 2005, is remembered by so many with great affection. Jean was born at Battleby Farm near Luncarty 85 years ago. She was the second eldest in a family of six, and grew up in a happy, loving family. At 14 years of age, she went into service, and worked there happily until her call up in 1941, where she served in the NAAFI. After the war, she finally returned to the family home, now at Leuchars. She met her husband to be on the train to Cupar where they both worked - Jean as a shop assistant and Philip in Watts the Seedsman's and they were blessed with 49 happy years together until Philip's death three years ago. They set up home in Leuchars where their only son, Neil, was born. Later they moved to Dairsie to live with her mother, then finally in the 1960's to their home on Station Road.
Jean was a homemaker, taking pride and pleasure in her family, house and garden, and gave a warm welcome to her extended family and the many friends she made. She took an active part in the life of the village. A devout church member, she was a founder member of the Guild in 1959; was on the committee for 45 years and represented the Guild at Council meetings. She arranged for the provision of the church flowers; distributed "Life and Work" and supported Philip in his duties as a church elder. She was very proud to receive a life membership of the SWRI, and faithfully supported village events, playing carpet and outdoor bowls until very recently. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends, with whom she always kept in touch, giving help gladly and sharing happy times together. Thoughts and prayers go to her son Neil, and to all to whom she gave such pleasure.
Dairsie "Rural" are to hold a coffee morning in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 25th February from 10 to 11.30am - admission 60p. Usual stalls, for which donations will be welcome in the hall on the Friday afternoon between 2 and 3pm. or to any member. The proceeds go to the Royal National Institute for the Blind, specifically for the Cupar area.
The AGM of the Memorial Hall is to take place on Thursday, 9th March at 7.30pm in the hall. All are welcome, and of course, offers of help are always greatly appreciated.
Wonderful, a great evening - these are the words to be heard in the village in praise of the school, for the Burns Supper held there last Friday. After weeks of preparation by staff and pupils from P5-7, the event went ahead with around 100 people enjoying the traditional supper - even the laminated placemats were designed on Burns works by the youngsters. Tradition was observed with the piper, the immortal memory, the toast to the lads and lassies, and the address to the haggis, all performed by the children. Senior citizens, families and friends were entertained to Scottish dancing, flute and violin playing, and a shadow puppet show to Tam o' Shanter, greatly assisted by Marigold Kerby, who helped with the making of the puppets and the show itself. Indeed the children were kept very busy, because, as well as everything else, they served the meal and cleared away afterwards. Well done, school! A proud day indeed!
Recovering from the successful Burns Supper, on the following Monday the children held a day exploring the number 100. This was to celebrate the fact that the children in P1 had now been at school for exactly 100 days. There was measuring, counting, and anything else they could suggest relevant to the number. And of course, they had a cake and juice - learning and playing a great idea!
All are welcome to the Guild meeting on Monday, 20th February at 2pm in the church hall, when children from the school will entertain.
Some of the items raised at the community council meeting on 9/2/2006 were:
Pedestrian Crossing - Plans for the crossing on the Main Street are still in hand. The decision on where it is to be is still uncertain, but it seems that the most likely site is outside the garage, but further discussion is needed concerning problems which may arise for the garage from that position.
20mph - The 20mph speed limit in Osnaburgh Court looks likely to be imposed, with minimum changes to the appearance to the Court. However, the Chief Executive is now to be approached to express dissatisfaction at the lack of response from the Transportation Services of Fife Council to the deep concerns of residents.
Core Paths - Enquiries are to continue on the defining of rights of way and the legal position. One cause for concern is the blocking of the access to Todhall, and this is being investigated further.
Over the past ten days, many residents will have noticed that another part of the Hall roof has been replaced, the old tiles taken off and new ones put on to match those of the extension. This was the last section that required attention to make the hall wind and watertight once again. At present, the committee has no plans to replace the middle section, but no doubt it will require attention in the future. The committee would like to thank Fife Council who donated £2500 to this project, and all of you who support the fund raising events held at the hall which are so necessary to maintain this facility, the hub of village life.