Mearns Kirk

The Guild is still surviving due to faithful members with an abiding optimistic view.  Things are vastly different due to the depletion of our numbers, but we retain our Christian values at our meetings with hymns, bible readings and prayers.

Sadly we are no longer in a position to generate funds, as we did in the past with ‘open’ meetings, coffee mornings and Christmas Fairs, but we do what we can, when we can.

Last Autumn we had an indoor car boot sale.  We didn’t make a lot of money, but every little helps for our charities, so we hope to repeat this.

Last year, we had a very special occasion, when three of us were invited to the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood.  Janne Farnham, Betty Cruickshank, myself and my daughter, Nikki, had an amazing day.

The weather was unexpectedly beautiful, so we sat in the grounds enjoying the music of the Scottish Regiment.  Nikki and Janne were everywhere taking photographs while Betty and I were entertained by a lengthy chat with one of the Royal Archers who told us the Queen was in the Palace watching, so we gave her a wave!

In attendance were Prince Charles and Camilla, Princess Ann and her husband, Prince Edward and Sophie, Prince William and Kate, but they were kept well back from the throng.

The outfits were amazing—gentlemen in morning suits, tartan trews and kilts, ladies in every imaginable colour and style, and yes, even trainers

It was a day to remember, especially since our Queen passed away later in the year.  We all felt very privileged to have been invited.

Our speakers have been limited recently, but we were fortunate to have a visit from Rev. Liz Johnson Blythe who took us along on her journey to the ministry.  She was most interesting and we thoroughly enjoyed her visit.

Stewart took us on another leg of his Scottish tour, which was as ever, so enjoyable.  We even went off to Russia, via Nancy’s slides and memories—which made us appreciate our lack of snow.

We had a visit from the Raeside Family and Stewart to celebrate our Scottish afternoon on February 1st.  We have visits arranged from Peter Watson (gardening), Joe and a team of highland dancers.

We hope to arrange a summer outing, destination undecided as yet.

From 1st February our meetings are every alternate Wednesday at 2pm, so please do come along and join us.

Finally, I would like to thank the Guild for their kindness and understanding when I had my accident.  Janne especially offered to stay overnight since she was sure I had concussion.  She was right but I eventually made it with the help of my neighbour, Shona—but it was a long three and a half months.  ‘Thank you’ could never be adequate, but you are all very, very special friends.