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.
Winners of the April draw of the Dairsie War Memorial Hall 200 Club were: J. Headen - £20; R. Ferguson - £10; B.T. Granger - £5.
Squadron Leader Philip Peter Williamson (RAF Retired) died suddenly at home on April 15th and the funeral was held at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Friday, 25th April, and there were moving tributes paid to him by family members at the service. Phil was well known in the village, having lived here for many years, and at one time his children, Steven and Sally, attended the village school. There was sorrow at his death, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
Though the redecoration of the church hall is unfinished, there is no problem about using the hall for the customary coffee morning on the second Thursday of the month, so all who pop in on 9th May from 10am will be made very welcome – there is no need to be a church member.
The concert given in Dairsie Church by the Buckhaven and Methil Miners Band was voted by the large audience to be an outstanding success! They were welcomed by the Guild President, Willa Fergurson.
We were told that their aim is to keep alive the traditions of Brass Band music; there are many bands in the country and they were proud to become champions in the 4th section 2007 competition. Led by conductor Gordon Evans MBE, with his lively and informative commentary, the audience was treated to a variety of music, carefully presented to be of perfect volume for the building (many had feared that it would be too loud!) The conductor explained that they are very keen to encourage young players, so we heard first a few pieces played by around twelve juniors - aged from eight upwards - their first public performance and they well deserved the applause. The adults were splendidly dressed in their traditional style uniforms, and they showed great versatility in the range of music chosen There were two very talented soloists - the first Mark with a cornet solo, and then our own church organist, Lewis, playing "Grandfathers Clock" on euphonium. There was an interlude when Jacqui Thomson spoke of the work of the Raven Trust in Malawi, which from small beginnings is now supported by many churches in Scotland. The Trust supplies much needed items to projects in Malawi, and will now welcome the £193 raised at the concert. The heartily endorsed vote of thanks was given by the Rev. Andrew Stevenson, and a plethora of refreshments supplied by the ladies of the Guild concluded a great evening with many 'haste ye backs' expressed!
Dairsie Primary recently held an Open Afternoon for parents and other members of the community to see what the children had been working on since Christmas. The Primary 1-3 class performed their "Spring on the farm" dance, dressed as chickens, cowboys, cowgirls and horses which they had travelled to Lochgelly to perform at the Creative Dance Festival.
The P4-7 class did presentations and activities on their Human Body project. Parents and others were then invited to take part in various activities and competitions organised by the children. Finally, they were then treated to a little light music performed by some of the older children on clarinets or saxophones. A much enjoyed afternoon.
Please collect the Tesco Computors for Schools vouchers, and also they are asking for old printer cartridges which can be exchanged for vouchers, so please send any in to the school.
It was announced at Sunday's service that it has now been decided to purchase the organ which has been on trial in the church. At the service was the K2000 Youth Worker for this area. Gavin Thomson spoke on the way in which the work of the church is brought to the young folk. They like to go where the young are to be found, and are pleased that a number of schools have invited them in to talk, and they have set up after school clubs and other projects which any interested young folk can join. As always they are dependent on financial support, which is always warmly welcomed.
President Mary Booth welcomed members of Cameron SWRI who came to entertain with a varied programme. It included poetry reading,flower arranging, cooking, quizzes and a demonstration of felting. The raffle was drawn after tea, and competition winners announced. They were: Muffins - 1st Rhoda Dewar, 2nd Jeanette Armes; Flower of the month: 1st Helen Horsburgh, 2nd Agnes Jeffs.
The President thanked the members from Cameron and the meeting closed.
The Pitcairn Trust held its AGM in the Memorial Hall on 1st May when the chairman, Mr James Murray, noted that the gate had been installed at the west entrance to the park and this had increased the safety of all users and had also cut down the number of vehicles illegally entering the park. The big event of the year was undoubtedly the Gala Day which was well supported by the villagers in spite of the inclement weather. He had also written to Fife Council thanking them for their grant of £600 and gave them details of the result of the day. The treasurer, Mr Bill Sinclair, went on to say that mainly because of the Gala, a sum of £2,200 had been generated over the year and the Trust was in a healthy financial state. Office bearers for the next year are unchanged with Mr Murray and Mr Sinclair continuing as chairman and treasurer respectively, and Mr Blair Littlejohn as secretary. Other Trustees, also unchanged, are Mrs M Campbell-Brown, Mr H Chapman, Mrs N Davis, Mr J McGowan, Mrs M Ray, with Rev S Blount and Mrs J Evans. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair.
The May Quiz Night is to be held on Saturday 24th May at 7pm. At the recent committee meeting it was noted that to make the evening successful, a good turnout of folk was needed, and it is hoped that local folk will join in at what is always a lighthearted evening! This time it has been decided to serve small snacks as well as provide a bar. The entry fee stays at £5 per team of four people, but anyone unable to make up a team is welcome to come along and join in.
The summer meeting of the Presbyterial Council of the Guild was welcomed to Dairsie Church on 6th May by the Rev. Marion Paton, President of the Council. President, Willa Ferguson gave the welcome on behalf of Dairsie Church Session and Dairsie Church Guild. Present were around 90 members of the Presbytery Council and Guilds in the Presbytery. The speaker, the Very Rev. J. Simpson gave an interesting and entertaining talk on “The magic and power of words”. Holy Communion was celebrated, led by the Rev. David Arnott, minister of Hope Park Church, St Andrews. There was an opportunity for fellowship over refreshments after the meeting.
A three course meal was enjoyed on Saturday evening as the guests moved from the church hall, where there was a welcome drink and they learnt of their route. Then they went on to each course at a different house, before returning to the hall for coffee. It was a most enjoyable evening, with the charming hostesses offering delicious food, and the company was cheery and full of appreciative thanks for the warmth of the hospitality. The evening raised £500 inclusive of a donation, which will go to help to fund Kingdom 2000, the local outreach programme led by Youth Leader, Gavin Thomson, which seeks to bring the work of the Church to local young people.
This Sunday, 18th May, marks the end of Christian Aid week, during which there will have been a house-to-house collection in the village, and Dairsie Church is holding a Rich and Poor Tea in the church hall from 3 – 4 pm. Entry is £1, and participants will receive a colour-coded ticket – after purchase, whether you have a richer tea or just biscuits will be revealed!
At their recent meeting, the Memorial Hall committee decided to hold a Gala Day in the Hall grounds on Saturday, 28th June. It is hoped that the various village organisations will take part to make it a fun day for young and old alike. There will be stalls and competitions, including a Garden Competition. So better start tidying up your gardens now – only the part visible from the street will be judged! In the evening there will be a Dance in the Hall with the Dunshelt Ceildh Band, an event not to be missed, although tickets will be limited. A letter giving further details of the day's activities should have been delivered to your house, and there is a form to complete to indicate in which competitions you would like to enter. If you have not received the circular, or have any enquiries, please phone Carol.
Some lucky Rich folk had a cloth and flowers on their table and they had cake! The table was bare for the unlucky Poor folk, and only plain biscuits were offered with their cup of tea! However, such joy! The rich shared their feast with the poor, and a good time was had by all who were in the Church Hall on Sunday afternoon. The event marked the end of “Christian Aid” week during which the collectors were round the village with envelopes for donations. The Tea raised £73 for Christian Aid and thanks go to all who helped or participated.
The convener is pleased to report that the door to door collection in Dairsie and district raised the sum of £331.68 for the essential work done by this charity, which, in cooperation with around 600 different organisations in nearly 50 countries, helps some of the world’s poorest communities to improve their lives.
An extra meeting of the Guild was called to deal with some outstanding business. Included were plans for the summer outing; for the much enjoyed Strawberry Tea - to be held this year on Sunday 13th July from 2 to 4pm, so be sure to pop that date in your diary. As usual, all are warmly welcomed – not just church folk.
Winners of the May draw of the Dairsie War Memorial Hall 200 Club were: Helen Horsburgh £20, Ruby Braid £10, and David May £5. All live in the village and give active support to village events.
Every good wish is given for their happiness to Bill Sinclair, Dairsie and Irene Hutchison, Balmullo on the occasion of their marriage. The service was conducted in Kemback Church on Sunday 18th May, by the Rev. Eric McKimmon assisted by the Rev. Alex. Strickland. A delightful reception followed at the Craigsanquar Country House Hotel.