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.
At the October meeting, the Guild welcomed Caroline Nurse to speak on Macmillan Cancer Support. With video display, she spoke movingly of the service given to so many who are striving to live with cancer. The charity was started in 1911 by a Douglas Macmillan, who had observed the problems faced, and now they help with Practical, Medical, and Emotional support and Financial advice for people affected by cancer, as well as involvement in Cancer Research. There are currently 26 health professionals in Fife, and one patient summed it all up when she said “The Macmillan Nurse was always there for me” Our speaker is not a nurse but is a vitally needed fundraiser, and we have all heard of the annual big coffee mornings, which have so far raised £35,000 from the coffee and cake events in Fife alone. Thanks were given by Mary Campbell-Brown and the Guild was pleased to give a donation.
The committee of the village hall are pleased to report increased use of the hall, and remind you that they are holding the popular homemade soup event on Saturday, 15th November at midday, and look forward to your support. Hot soup in this chilly weather – great!
At 2pm on Sunday, the SWRI have arranged a short non deminational service of remembrance at the Memorial Hall, at which a wreath will be hung on the plague located outside. All are welcome to this tribute to the fallen and all serving personnel.
Dairsie WRI met in the Memorial Hall, Dairsie on 7th November at 7.00 pm for their AGM. Four members from Kingsbarns WRI came to entertain us and to count the votes. The entertainment consisted of a variety of items including a current affairs quiz, some recipes with end products to taste and poetry. The new committee was elected and Mary Booth was elected as President. Prizes for the most points over the year : 1st Jeanette Armes, 2nd Anne Brown and Rhoda Dewar. Flower of the month, most points over the year : 1st Willa Ferguson, 2nd Jeanette Armes and Helen Horsborough. The competion this month was Lentil soup : 1st Mary Booth, Anne Brown. Flower of the Month : 1st Alice Johnston, 2nd Mary Booth. After a delicious tea, the raffle was drawn, the ladies from Kingsbarns thanked and the meeting was closed.
The service at Dairsie Church was led by the Rev Graham Blount, and he spoke of his early experience of the 1960 era, when young people believed that “Love between all peoples would mean the end of all wars”. He then moved on to the fear that remembering was a way of glorifying war, and finally, from his progress through the ministry and his conversations with so many who had been sadly affected by war, to the understanding that the annual act of remembrance was a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many in so many wars, a time to pay tribute, and a time to pray that mankind would one day learn to respect each other and live together in peace. Silent thoughts and prayers were offered before all stood for the singing of the National Anthem.
Members of the “Rural” were joined by some village folk at the Act of Remembrance at Dairsie War Memorial Hall on Sunday afternoon led by the Rev. Sheila Blount. The wreath was hung on the plaque on behalf of the community by Helen Horsburgh.
Tomorrow, Saturday, from 12 to 1pm, is your chance to enjoy hot soup and bread, followed by tea/coffee and biscuit – all for £2. Tickets for the magnificent Christmas hamper will be available, as well as a cake and candy stall and cheery company – what could be better in this chilly weather?
The Minister, the Rev. Sheila Blount, led the service on Sunday morning at which members of the Church Guild took an active part. Some were at the door to welcome all who came; others took the collection. Two ladies read a short drama in which they chatted together about the hymn “"The Lord is my shepherd"” in which they discussed the meaning of each verse. It is such a familiar hymn that the depth of meaning within it is not often considered. The members stood as the minister led a prayer of dedication of the Guild. In her sermon, she chose the theme “"He restores my soul"” as the Guild theme this year follows on from previous years to cover the three topics “"Body Mind and Soul"”.
Though still to be decorated, the main alterations are now done, so it was possible for the congregation to enjoy refreshments and friendship in the hall after the service on Sunday.
As always, there was a warm welcome in the village hall on Saturday morning, when a pleasing number of local folk enjoyed the super home-made soups (seconds were even offered and enthusiastically accepted!)
After the raffle, the prizes (so many of them and all donated,!) were drawn, and the superb Christmas hamper was won by Dayle of the Post Office. Carol Owen, Chair of the War Memorial Hall Committee, thanked all who helped with making the soups, baking for the sales stall, and helping as needed on the day. And she concluded by thanking all who came to support their village hall, and they are pleased to report that the event raised the very welcome amounts of £219, plus £73 from the raffle for the upkeep of our hall.
There have been sightings of people letting their dogs use the Hall grounds as a toilet. If they are seen again, they will certainly be reported to the Dog Warden. Small children use the hall and grounds – do these folk never think of the danger to health into which they are putting the children?
The convener, Carol Owen, Would like to thank the collectors and all who gave. £325 was raised for this year’s appeal.
At the November meeting, members welcomed Major Pickstone to speak on the work of the Salvation Army. Lesley Casebow came along too, and she assisted the speaker and managed the sales table. Major Pickstone has given a lifetime to the Salvation Army, from Sunday School at 5 yrs of age, to joining the Army at 9, then a Training college, and finally being sent where there was a need – from Singapore, around Malaysia, becoming a Pastor, and completing her overseas service in Kenya. Now retired, she is a volunteer for the Army, and one of her valuable functions is raising, through her talks, the awareness of the wide ranging work of the Army throughout the world. Frequently, they find a need, open a programme of action, including raising the funding for buildings, schools, hospitals, clinics and so on, then train local people to continue the work. They involve Government aid etc. and then move on when the time is right to give other vital support somewhere else. Their major project at present is in trying to raise awareness of the horror of human trafficking throughout the world, and seeking the funding needed to save those who are sold into slavery, prostitution and so on. The Guild was pleased to make a donation to the Salvation Army, which as a charity is dependent on voluntary giving and fundraising.
Members of the Church Guild were so moved by the visit of Major Pickstone that they are organising a Tea, open to all who wish to give their support. Tea will be served in the Church hall from 2 – 3.30pm on Sunday 30th November. Tickets are available at £1.50 from Willa Ferguson Tel. 652256, or just arrive on the day, but obviously it will make sure there will be enough scones and cakes if some idea of numbers! All money raised will go to the great work of the Salvation Army.
Winners of the November draw of the Dairsie War Memorial Hall 200 Club were P. Tomlinson £20; M. Tortalano £10; B. Owen £5. Tickets for next year are now available, and Carol Owen is asking that those who have previously bought tickets and for whom she popped tickets for next year through their door, could you please kindly complete the slip and return to her with payment, or if not wanted return to her, so that they can be sold on.