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.
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Betty Rodger was led by the Rev. Andrew Stevenson in Dairsie Church on Thursday 26th February 2009. Betty and her husband, Craig, made their home in Balmullo, but were members of the church in Dairsie. Their son and two much loved grandchildren were at the service, and their daughter and a granddaughter, who had died in a train smash some years ago, were remembered too. A large congregation were present, reflecting her wide interests and the many friends she had made over the years. Betty and Craig were guides at Earshall Castle and later at Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse. A keen member of Cupar Camera Club, having been secretary for some years, she had many other interests. During the service, Craig paid a moving tribute to his beloved wife with a reading of the Robert Burns Poem, "My Luve is like a red, red rose". An offering was invited for Macmillan Cancer Support, and Internment followed at the Dairsie Cemetery. Warmest sympathy is offered to Craig and the family at their sad loss.
The Dairsie War Memorial Hall Committee held the Annual General Meeting in the hall last week. The following committee was voted in: Chairperson - Carol Owen; Vice Chair - Margaret Roberts; Secretary - Stuart Ferguson; Treasurer - David Cowieson; Trustees - Rev. Sheila Blount, Norma Davis and Margaret Roberts. Committee - Helen Horsburgh, Margaret May, John Eccles, Sharif Sulaiman, Gareth Owen, Marianne Berghuis, Sharah Wiston and John Topliss.
The first fundraising event is to be a Coffee Morning on Saturday 25th April, when they look forward to great support from all the generations!
In the absence of the minister due to ill health, the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was given by her husband, the Rev. Graham Blount. There was a retiring offering for the partner church in Carnwadric.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dairsie Church Guild, there is to be a "Songs of Praise" in Dairsie Church on Monday 16th March at 7.30pm. There will be music and hymns and news of the history of the Guild and its many activities for the church and community over the years. All are welcome to what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable evening.
Offerings were invited for Macmillan Cancer Support at the funeral service for Betty Rodger held recently in Dairsie Church. Craig and the family have been able to give the sum of £600.52 to the charity and they would like to thank warmly all who gave so generously.
We have now had a successful first 6 months and the group continues to expand with new members from the village or outlying areas joining us. One of our first members has also already left us as they graduated up to nursery and we will loose a few more of our older children after the summer as they also take the next 'big step' to the next stage in growing up. It's sad for us but we wish them all the best and will miss the cheery smiles they brought each week. It does leave us with space for some more wee ones however so any other children in the local area, from baby to toddler, are always welcome to join us.
The group has also benefited from a grant from Fife Council and The Fife Charities Trust which has enabled us to update our play equipment and provide a safer environment for the children. The Dairsie War Memorial Hall committee have also recently paid for a new baby change unit which has made life much easier and more hygienic for those essential nappy changing moments. The baby unit is for all to use so is also available when the hall is hired for private functions or village events. We are grateful to everyone who has supported us during our starting up process and hope that the Dairsie Tots Group is now here to stay for the forseeable future. We run every Wednesday morning from 10 -12 and as always new members are most welcome Please note that we will be running as usual during the Easter holidays (Wed 8th and Wed 15th April) for all the under Fives.
Volunteer Opportunity: As our numbers grow we are currently seeking a volunteer or two who can spare 1-2 hours a week to help with the snack time for the children, making tea / coffee etc. So if you think you would enjoy helping out and live locally please feel free to contact us for more information or arrange a time to come and meet with us for an informal chat and see the group in action!!
Dairsie Guild held an evening of "Songs of Praise" to celebrate their 50th Anniversary and members all played their part with a programme of hymns interspersed with readings, prayers and a meditation. There were memories of the history of Guild, memories of events which brought in the whole community, projects and fund-raising for charities and friendly interesting meetings - all these and much more. There were the banners, now proudly displayed in the church, lovingly created at many happy afternoons working together. Looking to the future included thoughts on the recent union with Cupar St. Johns. The organist, Lewis Thomson, entertained with songs from the 60’s, generating spontaneous singing and ending appropriately with "Celebrations", and later he played another medley of more recent music. Offerings were invited for the Bethany Christian Trust, for which the sum of around £150 was raised. Refreshments were served in the church hall, and the talk was of a delightful evening. Special thanks must go to the Dairsie Guild President, Willa Ferguson, who planned and worked tirelessly for an evening which combined the past, present and future of Dairsie Guild.
Winners of the March draw of the Dairsie War Memorial 200 Club were: Jan Scott - £20; Mr and Mrs Purves - £10; Isobel Taylor - £5. All are Dairsie folk.
"Outreach" is a new publication which gives information to the congregations on the activities of the recently United Churches of Cupar St John’s and Dairsie. "Outreach Plus" is the renamed "Dairsie Parish Church and Community Newsletter" and will continue to be distributed as usual to all in Dairsie and district, and will give the same information on local events and activities as before. The Rev. Andrew Stevenson has kindly agreed to continue with the leaflet as before and looks forward to hearing local news for each issue as usual. So, there are dates for your diary - events and clubs etc for you to support - so please note them down now - the life of the village depends on your support!
The coffee mornings, run by the Church Guild for all in the community, are mentioned in "Outreach Plus". However, they are only held on the 2nd Thursday of each month, not every week. The ladies look forward to welcoming any who would enjoy coffee/tea and home baking in cheery company.
At the March meeting, Jason Devlin explained and demonstrated different movements in Tai Chi. The ladies all joined in with, it must be admitted, varying degrees of success!
Competition winners were: Oatcakes - 1st M. Booth, 2nd J. Armes; Flower of the month - 1st J. Armes, 2nd N. Napier.