In this Issue5 A week at the Church of Scotland General Assembly

6 Crochet for the chicks – Gill gets hooked

8 Dunscore Library – A bit of local history

12 Hungarian visit – Presbytery twinning visit

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The Dunscore DigestDunscore Church and Community Magazine

Summer 2015

Building on 200 YearsLocal Building Firm William Waugh & Sons Celebrates Its Bi-Centenary

Left to Right: Neil Miller, Mark McLaughlan, Karen McGahan, Robert Waugh, Ann Saunders, Craig Wallace and FinlayHamilton (story on page 9) Picture: Alison Boyes

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Minister's Musing Rev Jannie du Plessis

Your Story is His Story

My wife and I love taking a walk in the area surrounding the Manse at Wallaceton. We enjoy the fresh, cool air and thestunning scenery of what must be one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. Last week, as we took pleasure in therolling hills, the frolicking lambs in the fields and the bluebells in the patches of natural forest, it got me thinking aboutPsalm 136. The Psalm talks about how good God is – how He made the heavens and “spread out the earth upon thewaters”. The poet is looking at all of creation and at what God has done for His people throughout history. This“stocktaking” is interspersed with the refrain: “His love endures forever.” God’s love even becomes evident in the factthat he feeds every creature, says verse 25. Out of love he provides the meals on our tables and the food for the squirreland the dove. From the simplest to the most majestic parts of creation – God’s enduring love is holding it all together!

We often go through our days without really thinking about what God has been doing in our lives. As we were planningour move to Scotland, Sunet and I had to take stock of our lives. We paged through photo albums and our musiccollection to see what we wanted to bring along. We made a special effort to spend time with our dearest friends andorganise family gatherings. Then we arrived here, and within days and months we made new friends and found a newhome. All this made me realise how much God has blessed us and how His love really does endure forever.

As the summer holidays draw closer, you may soon find yourselves with a little extra leisure time on hand (even if it’s justmore daytime). So here’s a challenge: How about making time to think about your life and your own history? You mayvery well find, if you look closely, that your history is His story. Open your eyes to God’s fingerprints on your life. He hasbeen there with you since before you can remember. And His story for you is far from over. You have so much to lookforward to, mainly because of what Christ has done for you! Enjoy!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 – NIV

Communion InvitationDunscore Kirk Session invitesyou to the service on Sunday28 June 2015 at 10:00 amwhen we will be celebratingHoly Communion.

"...do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11: 24

Dunscore Digest ContactsEditor: Matthew Aitken Phone: 820448 email: dunscoredigest@gmail.com

Assistant Editor: Alison Boyes Phone: 820263 email: alisonboyes25@gmail.comAssistant Editor: Aly Robertson Phone: 01387 255722 email: alyrobbo@hotmail.com

Church ContactsMinister: Rev Jannie du Plessis Phone: 820245 email: jjhduplessis@gmail.com

Session Clerk: Colin Mitchell Phone: 820455 email: c.mitchell50@btinternet.comWebsite: www.dunscorechurch.co.uk Registered Charity Number: SC016060

Community Council ContactsCommunity Council Chair: Colin Mitchell Phone: 820455

Community Council Secretary: Janet Johnstone Phone: 740335

Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in the Digest are not necessarily those of theeditor, the minister, the Church of Scotland or the Community Council.

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Mac's Memoir A further extract from Alexander C. McFadyen's Reminiscences

Apart from my normal teaching duties I started immediately on school concerts and plays which were later very muchappreciated by the children’s parents at public performances in the Glenriddell Hall. Miss Corrie and Mrs Clark, in turnmy sole assistants at Dunscore School, were fine pianists and, with Mrs Clark accompanying and myself training andconducting, we won the Small Schools’ County Cup on our very first entry at the annual Dumfries Schools’ Festival. Iremember with nostalgic pride, our boisterous performance of Strawberry Fair – our chosen addition to the compulsorypieces.

Outside school I joined the football and badminton clubs, playing at left-half for two years and in the badminton team forall of my eight years at Dunscore. 1949 brought the end of my footballing days, following a second cartilage injury atBurnhead, against Holywood Star, one of our top Junior League Clubs.

The operation, in Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary was never a success and after four or five fruitless attempts to regainmy team-place, not one of which lasted more than ten or fifteen minutes, I reluctantly bowed to the inevitable.

Young Rab McMillan, eighteen or nineteen years my junior, took my place – he was already challenging stoutly forinclusion – and I consoled myself by running the football club, getting new Celtic-striped jerseys for our team, lining thepitch along with willing helpers like Jimmy McBride and young Rab Doyle, our tiny but superbly energetic goalkeeper. Ikept relatively fit by acting as linesman and, on odd occasion, as referee.

Just in case you should choose to decry such lowly duties, let me add that I was carried off, injured, in my role aslinesman and on a later occasion – as referee – had to receive medical attention by Bill Ramsay, our local doctor, after Ihad intervened in a punch-up between a close friend, Jimmy McLelland and his brother-in-law, Jimmy Millar. For me themost embarrassing aspect of this latter incident was appearing in school next day with a cut and swollen eye-brow infront of Jimmy Millar’s sister Nan, one of my dear young pupils.

Earlier, the local Minister, the Rev Tom McVean had enlisted my help with the Boys’ Brigade with whom I ran a class forphysical training and boxing. Young Rab McMillan and an older brother, Jimmy, were junior officers in the Troop but thestar of this group of youngsters was Homer Burgess, a marvellous all-rounder – athlete, footballer and boxer. This pastsummer, 1984, I met up with him again for the first time since I left Dunscore in the winter of 1954 and even after thirtylong years we took great pleasure in reminiscing about those early days, and Homer, now happily married and runninghis own successful engineering business, has made me determined to accept his invitation to visit his home in Dumfriesso I can meet his wife and teenage family. This for me is one of the greatest joys of the profession to which I havedevoted more than forty years of my life, much of that in spare, unpaid time.

Gala News Fiona Thompson

2nd – 8th August

We have been organising events for the gala week since the last gala finished! This year's events are still being finalisedbut you can expect something new.

On the Sunday we will be having a photography competition with a range of age categories as well as the DunscoreBake Off and the drawing competition for the children. This year's gala is being opened by Robert and Mary Waugh. Onthe Thursday we are having a Bingo night in the Glenriddell Hall so eyes down for legs 11 or two little ducks 22! On theSaturday we have displays from Amanda Saville and her Chariots of Fire display team, and Elaine Hill with her sheepdogand ducks display. The dance is, once again, to Huggy Bear as this is their last year.

We have a few hires for the marquee, if anyone would like to hire the marquee, please contact Jimmy Anderson. Youcan find out more about the gala at: www.dunscoregala.ndo.co.uk/

I do hope that everyone comes along to support our gala week.

Bird of the Month Colin Mitchell

Pied FlycatcherWe are fortunate to have this attractive summer visitor in our area. The pied flycatcher is avery attractive small bird with the male having black and white plumage including twoprominent white spots on its forehead.

The pied flycatcher spends the winter in West Africa and breeds here using our long daylighthours to catch insects to feed its young.

It lives in our broad leaved woodlands and takes readily to nest boxes. The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s reserve at StenhouseWood, near Tynron, had at least 12 breeding pairs.

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School Jotter Mrs Moyes

Easter Fun: On the last day of term before the Easter breakall the children went to Dalgonar for an Easter Egg Hunt.Fortunately the weather was kind to them and fun was had byall. A big thank you to Mr and Mrs Crawford for once againallowing us to use Dalgonar.

Stay Strong Jo-Jo: We were delighted to be able to welcomeLes and Angela from the Dream Maker Foundation to theschool recently to collect a cheque for £200 raised by thepupils. Dream Maker is a Scottish charity which helps makedreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.They have helped our own Stevie-Jo and if you visit theirwebsite at www.leshoeymbedreammakerfoundation.org and goto their About Us page you’ll see Stevie-Jo with a very famousperson!

We also wanted to do something special for Stevie-Jo as shehas had such a lot to deal with over the past year. To cheer herup we got her a special bear. Stevie-Jo chose her bear and a couple of outfits for it; a Manchester City football strip plusleather jacket, top and jeans. As a surprise, her friends named it Barney and recorded a message for her. Every time shegives it a squeeze it shouts out: “Stay strong Jo-Jo!”P 1 – 3 News: Pupils have completed their Fairyland topic and are now learning about their ‘Senses.’ So far they havebeen learning about their eyes and ears. They have taken part in experiments to discover what it would be like to be blindand why they need two ears rather than one. They have created a wonderful large collage of a face, arms and hands forthe classroom, as well as individual faces which they have made and decorated during art sessions. As part of their topicthey intend to visit Cream of Galloway on Friday 12th June.

P 4- 5 News: The children have begun a book study on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As chocolate is involved, thewhole class is very excited (including Mrs Wallace!). We will be looking at Roald Dahl and his style of writing, comparingthe books and both films and creating our own Oompa Loompa dances.

P 5 – 7 News: We have started a new topic called Chocolate and the Aztecs. They have been finding out about theAztecs, where the come from and what type of climate surrounded them and have compared their existence to othercivilizations at that time. They have created a topic web, designed a front cover to go with it and have plotted it all outonto a timeline. The next step is for them to produce a fact file about the Aztecs way of life which will include finding outabout: family life, homes, food, clothes, wars and conflicts, gods, human sacrifice, art and crafts, Aztec writing glyphs,festivals, trade and income. As part of their topic they intend to visit the Cocoa Bean Factory at Twynholm on Friday 12thJune.

Handing Over the Cheque

Coffee is Served! Alison BoyesHow many times have I heard someone say these words: "I would buy Fairtrade coffee but I don't like the taste"? Thereare many, many kinds of Fairtrade coffee available, one to suit even the fussiest of taste buds - mild, medium, strong,espresso, instant, ground, decaff...

As we enjoy our social time after worship on a Sunday, we want you to enjoy your tea and coffee as well. We havedecided to try a different instant coffee every month, to see which ones people like best. Of course, no one coffee willsuit everyone, but we may find out which one suits most of us. Coffees tried so far (all Fairtrade and all available fromlocal supermarkets) are: M&S Colombian Single Origin, Co-op Fairtrade Gold, Lidl Highland Organic, Percol SmoothColombia, Cafe Direct Machu Piccu, and Clipper Latin American. This month (June) we will try a Mystery Coffee.

There is a form in the Hall of Fellowship so you can make comments and vote on which coffee you would like to continuedrinking. If you don't vote please don't be surprised if your favourite does not become the coffee of choice.

It's also worth remembering that coffee is a luxury drink. We choose Fairtrade so that others can have the necessities oflife which we take for granted such as clean water, health and education.

Don't let your coffee leave a bitter taste in your mouth - make sure it's Fairtrade and help us to help you find which oneyou like best.

Creation Story... God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the world. Then he made the earthround and laughed and laughed and laughed…

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A Week in the Capital Alison Boyes

General Assembly 2015This year, I have had the privilege of being a Commissioner (voting representative) at theGeneral Assembly. This means attending at least 10 morning, afternoon and evening sessionsduring a week, paying attention, meeting new people and learning a great deal about thewider Church.

What is the General Assembly? it is the highest court of the Church of Scotland, where lawscan be made or amended. It is held once a year, in May, at the Assembly Hall on The Mound,in Edinburgh. The first Assembly was held in 1560, the year of the Scottish Reformation. It ischaired by a Moderator, a minister who is elected to the post for one year, and attended byaround 800 Commissioners who are elders, ministers or deacons from churches aroundScotland. There are also delegates from other denominations and from overseas andmembers of the public can watch from the gallery.

During the week, the various councils and committees of the church give their annual reportand propose actions for the coming year. the proposals take the form of "encouraging", "urging" or "instructing"congregations, kirk sessions or presbyteries. The assent of the assembly is expressed (as at Presbytery meetings) by thestamping of feet. If a Church law is to be changed, there is a vote (but a law can only be changed by Assembly after it hasbeen passed by sessions and presbyteries).

This year's Assembly had the theme "Living Stones" and a big book (the so called "Blue Book") with this title landed onmy doorstep at the beginning of May. The book can also be downloaded electronically, and there is a General assemblyApp which allows anyone to see the programme, read the Blue Book, and watch the Assembly live through a webcast.

On the Friday night before it all began, there was a briefing for first-time Commissioners. We were introduced to the staffand to the building and learned the one way system and protocol for speaking and how to vote and use the microphone. Itwas also a chance to meet other new Commissioners over a glass of wine.

There is no space here to tell you everything about the week, so I will just offer a few highlights:

Singing: Every day began with worship. It was especially wonderful to sing with 1000+ other people!

Communion: This was a moving experience and a master-stroke of logistical planning.

Debate: Debating difficult issues began on Saturday afternoon with discussion of the Overture to permit the appointmentof ministers in civil partnership. On this occasion and on the Thursday when same sex marriage was discussed, it wasapparent that people held strong and opposing views on the subject and yet debate was calm, respectful and prayerful.

The Overture was voted on and passed, but the subject of same sex marriage isto go back to presbyteries and will be reported on in 2016.

Heart and Soul: This is the huge event held in Prince Street Gardens on theSunday afternoon. The sun shone and stalls showcased churches, charities andall aspects of church life. It ended with worship in the open air amphitheatre andmore singing.

Youth Delegates: Young people from the National Youth Assembly were inattendance all week and were not shy about airing their views on all kinds ofsubjects.

Dogs: One of the Commissioners was a minister who had been born deaf. Shewas accompanied by her dog Scott. When we gave the sign of the peace duringcommunion, Scott offered his paw. It was also a wonder to see hymns being

"sung" by signing.

Church and Society Report: This was wide-ranging and covered many issues dear to me. I hadn't known before thisthat the Church of Scotland has a policy of opposition to nuclear weapons.

Guild Report: Delivered very ably by the National Convenor, our very own Kay Keith. Well done, Kay!

Speeches by overseas delegates: You can read about things in the papers or see them on TV, but nothing is morepowerful than hearing a first-hand account of the earthquake in Nepal or a minister from South Africa saying that hesometimes finds it hard to read his Bible because of what he has seen or a minister from Syria expressing fear for theChristians in his country.

Doves: The outgoing Moderator, John Chalmers, had urged congregations to decorate paper doves and send them tohim (Dunscore Church contributed several). He took thousands to 10 Downing Street but hundreds more hung in theAssembly Hall on Saturday night. He had personally presented Pope Francis with a dove made from glass from bombsites in the Middle East.

I could go on...and on... Please ask if you would like to know any more. Even though it was a tiring week, I am so glad tohave had the opportunity to go (and I have applied to be a steward at the Assembly 2016).

The Assembly HallPicture: Alison Boyes

Inside the AssemblyPicture: Alison Boyes

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Charity Choices Gill Allan

South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital

Based at the Barony College, The South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital is a small operation headed by Leigh Ann Brady.Leigh Ann is passionate about wildlife and does everything she possibly can for the animals taken there.

I got involved when she put a request on Facebook (look for South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital) for anybody who couldknit "birds nests". I contacted her and said I thought I could crotchet some as they would be stronger than knitted ones.Over the next 24 hours, I proceeded to make 12 of different sizes and colours.

The next day, with crippled fingers, I took them to her. I was soimpressed with the dedication of Leigh Ann and the others whohelp there and am glad to know this place exists. I worry aboutwhat happens to wildlife when ill or injured as most peoplewould be reluctant to take them to a vet because of high billsthat could be involved.

At the college they willingly take any animal to the vet if theythink it needs medical attention beyond what they can dothemselves and as soon as they are "mended" they arereleased back into the wild.

You should go along and have a word with Leigh Ann and seewhat "patients" she has at that time and find out what theyactually do.

Anyway, must go as I have larger nests to make. What aboutthe crows or owls? And then of course the crotched blankets for the Dog's Home, up to 40 made so far, and beforeanybody compares me to him I shall say before I go: "I'm late, I'm late. For a very important date" with some wool and acrotchet hook!

The Crocheted Nests are Much Appreciated!

From the ArchivesFive Years Ago - Dunscore Digest June 2010Church Paint Removal: The paint removal planning application is still in progress. We need approval from both thelocal authority and Historic Scotland in relation to the long term and environmental effects of the process proposed. Weexpect a response towards the end of June.

Playground Project: A plan for our exciting school garden project has now been drawn up based on all the ideas andsuggestions contributed by pupils, staff, parents and members of the community over the past two months. We are nowmoving from “thinking” phase into “action” phase and the first “zones” to be tackled will be Cultivation and Planting andthe Hard Surface Play Area.

Kay on the Zambia Visit: What fun I had teaching there! The children were somewhat “convoluted” initially, by therather less calm and measured approach of this Scottish teacher. But they loved participating. Education currently gets“done to them” as passive agents! They learned to become involved and were soon chanting the rhymes of the BearHunt and singing the songs of the Billy Goats Gruff.

Editorial Alison Boyes

May has been an eventful month for me. As well as attending a hustings and the count for the General Election, I alsowent to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. What do these have in common? Both Parliament and theAssembly are involved in lawmaking, although one is secular and the other religious. It made me think about how weknow what is right and wrong. For centuries, the morality of most of the Western world was based on the TenCommandments. Most people lived in fear of God, and the punishment they would receive in the afterlife. Now (I hope)that Christians might base their ideas about right and wrong on the question "What would Jesus do?". But on what basisare secular laws made? What morality guides our MPs, for example, if they have no religious beliefs? This is a questionwhich has many and various answers, depending on who you ask.

The philosopher Alfred Schopenhauer said that "Compassion is the basis for morality" and I think that is probably a goodplace for Parliament to start. It sits very nicely from my favourite verse from Micah (ch6,v8, here in The Message).

“Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriouslytake God seriously!"

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The reed beds were alive with the calls of Reed Warblers and we alsogained wonderful views of the rare Marsh Harriers as they flew above us. Aview of a tawny owl made our return walk to the Visitor Centre even better.After picnic lunches we investigated the other bird hides on the reserve andsaw many other birds including Ruff which was a new bird for the group’s list.

We were told that it would start to rain at about 3:00 pm and, indeed, it did!We had a coffee at the visitor centre before taking the minibus to the hidesnear the sea. Here we saw lots of Avocets and other wading birds throughthe heavy rain.

We returned to Dunscore at 7:00 pm after a superb day’s birding havingseen 65 different species of birds.

The bird group has now seen a total of 168 species of birds – an impressivetotal!

If you wish to join the bird group please contact Colin or Pam Mitchell(820455).

10th Tearfund Cycle Challenge Libby McFadzean

You probably don't remember, but Saturday 2nd May was a chilly and breezy day. Alistair, Janet, David Fergusson and Iwere warmly kitted out as we set up the usual food station in the lay-by at Gordieston. Lindsay Fergusson would havejoined us but chose instead to go to a stage performance of The Full Monty. Hmm! We laid out bananas, buttered andjammed loads of scones (thank you June) and cut up cake kindly baked by local people. Then we waited.

Soon the first really keen competitors flashed by in a storm of lycra, merely glancing at our display of goodies. Not longafter we had our first customers who were very relieved to see such an array of goodies. We refilled their water bottleswhile they shoved down a sandwich or two and a scone. Janetdid a sterling job of holding the bikes. Soon the cyclists had to beoff to tackle the 12 or so miles to Drumlanrig.

I can't imagine cycling 62 miles - and that was just the first part ofthe challenge. From Drumlanrig they could pedal a further 38miles by Wanlockhead (think of those hills!) if they were reallykeen.

This annual event raises much needed funds for Tearfund,enabling the charity to provide vital aid and support to thousandsof people in some of the poorest communities of the world.

A very big thank you to all who contributed to Dunscore's foodstation. Be assured, it was really appreciated by the cyclists. Youhave helped in the raising of nearly £100,000 over the 10 yearsthis event has been taking place. P.S. For those of you who like statistics, about 2,000 bananas and three tons of cake have been consumed over theyears.

Here They Come!

“Along with ‘Antimatter’ and ‘DarkMatter’, we’ve recently discovered the

existence of ‘Doesn’t Matter’ whichappears to have no effect on the

universe whatsoever.

Adding to the Bird List Colin Mitchell

Bird Group Visit to Leighton MossEach year the bird group have an outing to a major bird watching site further away than we normally travel. Last year itwas the Farne Islands and this year it was the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, near Carnforth.

A group of nine met in the church car park at 7.30 am, boarded the Community Bus and travelled the 108 miles toLeighton Moss via Dumfries where we picked up a further passenger. On our arrival at the impressive visitor centre,most had a coffee before we ventured onto the reserve trails. The bird feeders near the centre revealed 19 species ofbirds including a sparrowhawk that scattered the smaller birds.

The footpath that led to the causeway across the reed beds was a good site to increase the species seen and includedthe loud call of the Cetti’s Warbler that we also managed to see. We stopped at the public hide on the causeway andmet the retired reserve warden who still visits the reserve every day. He was fascinating to talk to and told us lots aboutthe birds of the reserve and where to see them. He also pointed out otters so we enjoyed superb sightings of them in theopen water.

With thanks to John Drabble forsharing a favourite cartoon.

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Dunscore Library Roy Spence

It is always a delight when something of local interest drops into the email inbox. This came with the comment that thiswas a few notes that might be suitable for the Digest and, indeed, it is!

About 1790 Robert Burns and his friend Captain Robert Riddell were the main instigators in the founding of one of thefirst circulating libraries in rural Scotland.

In the autumn of that year Burns wrote an account for Sir John Sinclair’s “Statistical Account”, in it he describes howCaptain Riddell got a few of his tenants and farming neighbours, to form themselves into a society, to start a libraryamong themselves, they called it the Monkland Friendly Society. They entered into a legal arrangement, initially for threeyears, laying down rules as to the membership fee and monthly payments. Rules were also laid down on how the bookswere to be disposed of if the society was to be wound up. With the entry money, and credit against their future fundsthey were able to begin with a varied selection of books. These included, Blair’s Sermons, Robertson’s History ofScotland, Hume’s History of the Stewarts, The Spectator, Adventurer, Mirror, Lounger Observer, Man of Feeling, Man ofthe World, Don Quixotte. Burns remark that “A peasant who can read and enjoy such books, is certainly much superior tohis neighbour, who, perhaps stalks beside his team, very little removed, except in shape, from the brutes he drives.”(Enlightenment comes to Dunscore!).

There is not many records of the library in the 19 th century remaining but scraps of records of members and of books onloan can be found in the Spence at Ellisland. There, also are some of the books mentioned above, The Spectator,Lounger, Man of Feeling, and Man of the World still survive.

An AGM of the now, Dunscore Library Institute is reported in the “Standard” of the 9 th of November 1901. The secretary,Mr D. Gold, reported that 23 new books had been added to the shelves, 16 were a gift from Mr Hope-Bell of Morringtonand seven from Mr Calder of Dalgoner making a total of 838 volumes in the library, donation of money had been receivedfrom Col. Ewing of Stroquhan.

The office bearers for the next year would be: President, Rev. R. Simpson, Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, Mr D.Gold, Office Bearers, Messrs T. McBurnie, W. Watson, W. Waugh, R. Levie, F. Stott, and Rev. W. Barrowman. Ellislandalso has a minute book of the library’s AGMs from 1889 with a new set of rules from that date. In the late 1920s a MissMcDowall was listed as Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian and Rev. Mr Barrowman, Mr Pagan, Miss Laurie and MissMcKnight are on the committee. Miss McDowall was my mother. At that time I believe the library was in the end room ofthe house now called Abbeylands. In the 1920s the Dumfries County Library started to distribute books through theschools, these had free membership and regular supply of fresh titles, which led to a loss of interest in the Dunscorelibrary.

The “Standard” of 17th January 1931 carries a report of the meeting that decided to close the library. The chairmanreported that they had only had twenty members in the last year bringing an income of only £2 2s. The meeting passed amotion that the affairs of the library be wound up and the books to be offered to the recreation rooms.

Sources - The Burns Encyclopaedia , Ellisland, Dumfries & Galloway Standard.

Traidcraft Stall Update Alison Boyes

For many years we have had a stall after church, every six weeks or so, selling Traidcraft , Hadeel and Eco items. I amfinding it difficult to keep perishable good from going past their use-by date and so I am going to change the way the stalloperates.

It would be good to know from my customers what you would like to buy and then I can order accordingly. I havecatalogues available for anyone who would like one, and your next order should be with me by the end of June, please.The next stall in church will then be in July.

Letter to the EditorAfter the last edition of the Digest was mailed out, I received the following email from Lynley Smith, author of a bookabout Jane Haining: “From Matron to Martyr”:

Dear Matthew,Thanks for sending the Dunscore Digest. I read it with great interest, especially the bit about making a heritage centre toshow-case Jane Haining’s story (along with that of other Dunscore folk).

I hope all is going well for you. I continue to do talks about Jane Haining here in New Zealand. In October andNovember I will do some talks on the east coast of USA so that means that people as far away as USA and NewZealand have heard of a little village called Dunscore. You are quite famous!

Blessings, Lynley Smith

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Pre-School Adventures Lee Mackenzie

We've had a busy term at Dunscore Pre-School and the children have been finding out all about living things and havebeen growing lots of lovely edibles. We've already sampled our cress and look forward to eating our lettuce before theend of term.

We've also been finding out about the Japanese festival of 'Hanami' or 'cherry blossom' and have studied andappreciated these beautiful trees and made some beautiful pictures of them.

We've also been very excited to watch our caterpillars grow and have observed and transferred them to a special homeand hope to release them soon. We've been examining all sorts of wildlife during our weekly woodland sessions and arebecoming very adept at identifying all sorts of mini beasts.

We enjoyed a great trip to Allanton where we found lots of newts in the pond, explored the tree trail and searched thewoods for pieces of mini beast body-parts. Don't worry no animals were harmed as we were looking for jigsaw pieces!Thanks Caroline for allowing us to come.

We're looking forward to visiting the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust at Caerlaverock to see how many birds we can spot.We've designed and built our own bird table so we hope to be able to bird watch at Pre-School too.

The next few weeks will be busy as some of the children visit the Primary School in preparation for the next step in theirlearning. Of course we're looking forward to welcoming the new children who will join us after the summer. We also hopeto hold a thank you party for all those who have helped us over the year.

We will be sad to say goodbye to our Rising 5's who have been a joy to care for over the past two years but we'llcelebrate with a special graduation ceremony and an excursion to a place of their choice. Where will we end up? Whoknows!

Alison Borthwick, our Chair, will be stepping down at our AGM in June. Thanks Alison for all your hard work over theyears.years.200 Not Out Robert Waugh

How long has your business been operating? This is a normal question during the procurement process and invites theresponse of “Up to a year”, “1-5 years” and “Over 5 years”. This month a firm which operates from near Burnhead in theeast side of Dunscore parish celebrates 200 years in business. In an era when companies pop up and fold with aworrying regularity it is unusual to say the least that a firm of builders founded in the year of the battle of Waterloo shouldbe thriving in the digital age.

The firm was founded by Robert Waugh in 1815 in the parish of Dunscore and has operated from the parish continuouslysince then. Six generations of the Waugh family have been involved in the running of the firm which changed its name toWilliam Waugh and Sons around 1930 to reflect the management set-up at that time. It went on to become a limitedcompany, William Waugh and Sons (Builders) Ltd, in 1963.

The founder Robert Waugh was a mason to trade and the firm was responsible for building several large country housesin the 19th century along with other notable buildings including, from that era, Dunscore former East church, its manseand also Merkland house near Kellieston. Then, as now, the firm were general builders, taking on any type of work thatwas available. Many interesting contracts were completed in the 20 th century and perhaps one of the most notable wasthe Whitesands branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland built in the early 1980s. Today the firm has a wide range of clientswith a client-base covering both public and private sectors with many jobs carried out within the local area as well asfurther afield. The firm which started as stone masons continues to carry out this type of work along with all the normalwork associated with a rural builder. In the past 50 years however we have widened our scope and now operate joinery,plastering and roofing divisions from the same site at Broadford.

As the firm enters its 3rd century, it is run by directors Mark McLaughlan and Karen McGahan while I, having retired fromday-to-day involvement in 2014, continue as a non-executive director. The 200th anniversary celebrations will take placeshortly and will be held locally with all the employees being joined by a mix of ex-employees, clients and supporters.

Remembering Jane Haining Pam MitchellI was given an oak sapling recently. Not that surprising you might think but this one was grown from an acorn collectedfrom an oak tree at Auschwitz. It was given to Dunscore in memory of Jane Haining by a couple from Dunkeld. We planto plant it somewhere in the village and mark the tree with a commemorative plaque.

We hope to be welcoming students from Hungary in July. Small groups of Hungarian students have visited Dunscore formany years now as they find out more about Jane Haining's life and background and receive a warm, Scottish welcome.

Where In The World? Aly RobertsonCan you identify Fiji, or Cuba or Ghana on a map? My niece's husband has created a mildly addictive online geographygame. It is just a bit of fun so have a go but be prepared to get hooked. www.travelbag.co.uk/where-in-the-world.

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Enjoyable Excursions Chris Whittle

Cairn Valley Community Transport

This service to the community is now some 15 or more years old and is a very successful enterprise, providing a bi-weekly service on a Thursday to Castle Douglas from Moniaive via Dunscore and Shawhead.

It has a Committee that meets to determine the destinations for the outings organised for the Community’s benefit and atvery reasonable prices, usually an average of £10:00. There is a printed schedule displayed both in Moniaive andDunscore. These destinations vary dependent upon the season of the year with the trips to places for shopping being afirm favourite at almost anytime. The one to Carlisle, the Saturday before Christmas, being booked up very quickly. Forthat we could have a bus with twice as many seats!

The bus is limited to 16 passengers as it is not a Passenger Service Vehicle and, as such, the drivers do not need to bePSV registered. This allows us to use volunteer drivers, without whom CVCT could not operate. The majority of ourdrivers are based in Dunscore and its environs with support of those from Moniaive and all provide a sterling service andensure that when we have eight people wanting to go (to make the trip cost-effective), it invariably runs.

Passengers book their seat by phoning me, Chris Whittle 01387 820401 and I note these as potential travellers. I get totalk to a wide variety of folk who I consider to be friends now, despite not having met most of them! The other side of theservice available is the bus may be hired by village groups, prime among these being the Evergreens of Moniaive, bothduring their meeting season and summer outings. So far we have always managed to find a driver for theserequirements. Other user groups have included the Cairn Chorus, History Group, Gardening Group and of course SWRI.

The Committee always tries to find good places to go for outings that are within the normal range of day trips. It would bevery useful to hear recommendations from potential travellers such that other possible destinations could be considered.Your help in this would be gratefully received.

Another thing that you could consider is that CVCT is always looking for more volunteer drivers to help to spread the loadon the existing “staff”. Should you feel that you might be prepared to join this happy band, call either myself or Archie01387 820236. Without the drivers we would not be the successful organisation that we are! All thanks are due to them!

Excursions planned through the summer (in addition to the fortnightly Castle Douglas trips) include:

3 July to Largs and Cumbrae13 July to Abbotsford17 July to Windermere24 July to Carlisle31 July to Kirkcudbright14 August to Troon22 August to Edinburgh5 September to PenrithJust call Chris (820401 for more information and to book)

Community Council Column Colin Mitchell

The Community Council met on 27 April and the following items were discussed:

The Tom Carrick Fund: Discussions have been taking place with Dunscore Primary School to fund improvements tothe library area. We hope to include a plaque showing that the improvements were paid for by the Tom Carrick Fund

Windfarm Community Benefits Fund: We have now received annual funds from the Dalswinton and Harestaneswindfarms. Monies will be allocated at our June meeting. A large fund for projects is also available for projects from theHarestanes windfarm payments. This is allocated by a Community Benefit Company on which we have representation.

Nithsdale in Bloom: We are considering entering this in 2016. A group has been formed to deal with this. If you wouldlike to be part of the group, you would be most welcome.

Scottish Power Networks Powerline Proposal: Many will have received a leaflet giving information about a majorpower line being proposed which will pass through this area. The Community Council will discuss this at our nextmeeting

Flicks in the Sticks Morag WalkerAfter a successful winter programme, we are having a break from Flicks over the summer. We are starting to thinkabout next season's films so if you have any suggestions, please call me on 820249.

Also, if you might be interested to help with setting up or with advertising then we would love to hear from you.

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Pylons Through Our Area Matthew Aitken

Most local households recently received a large letter from Scottish Power. It had the look of “junk mail” and may haveended up where you usually file such stuff. That might have been a mistake. The letter contained some significantinformation, namely, that Scottish Power is upgrading their pylon network in the South West and part of the proposalwould see a new and very large line of pylonsthrough the Dunscore area.

The map shows their favoured “corridor” for the routeof the power line and this would take it over theCairn somewhere between Wallaceton andDunscore then over by Glenmidge and Burnhead.

There are exhibitions across the region in June withone in the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries on Tuesday16 June from 2:00 – 8:00 pm and in LocharbriggsCommunity Centre the following day at the sametimes.

There is more information on their website:www.spendgsr.co.uk or you can call them on08001577353.

Book Review Peter Robertson

Compassion and CommunityCompassion and Community (published by Piquant Editions) is written by Rev IlltydBarrie Thomas (yes, there is a Welsh connection!), who is my brother-in-law . It tells thestory of the development of community work in the Raffles housing estate in Carlisle,one of the poorest areas of the city. This district is now being substantially redeveloped,but there are still many pockets of need.

Barrie relates his call to the ministry whilst he was the legal and commercial director ofthe Eddie Stobart group (the company with the red and green wagons - my mum has alorry named after her). He subsequently left the group and became a full time ministerand community development worker. Barrie prayed about his vision for the Raffles areaand gathered his team together. The group, originally called Living Well and nowCommunity Reach, found premises in the old Co-Op shop and the former SalvationArmy church on Shady Grove Road.

One of the team's maxims was 'when we meet we feed' - this was both in the spiritualand the physical sense. The book tells the story of the disappearing sausage rolls at oneevent. A little boy was putting sausage rolls up his sleeves. He was told that there wasplenty of food but the boy said that he was taking them to his sister back home.

Work at the centre spans the generations. There is a toddler group with a regular drop in session with health visitors,outreach work with young people who are under-performing at school and groups for senior citizens. A mobile bus wasused for some time, visiting other housing schemes.

I'll end with Barrie's words 'At the heart of our story are three important words that inform the work on Raffles today:loved, accepted and needed, for that is what we are, in Christ - and so that is what we embody to the people we meet'.

Writing Dunscore Libby McFadzean

The Dunscore Writers are still beavering away, scratching our heads in frustration as we try to find just the right phrase,or even to have any idea what to write! There is a monthly task, agreed by those members present at our meeting, andthen we have to make an effort and get down to producing something by the next meeting. We each read out ourcontribution, but that's not nearly as stressful as it sounds, as we are a friendly bunch of people. If you would like to joinus you would be most welcome, just call Jo Abbott for more information on 820367.

The task for next time is to write about a situation where new neighbours move in next door. We have to consider howthe people in each house might feel. As an added challenge, we have to mix in some cooking or baking.

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With the Presbytery in Hungary Sunet du Plessis

Reflections on a Twinning Visit

During the week of 21 to 28 April 2015, Jannie and I paid a visit to Hungary.We were part of a delegation from the Presbytery of Dumfries andKirkcudbright visiting the Presbytery of Debrecen of the Reformed Church inHungary to strengthen the existing twinning relationship. Here is their storyabout this visit...

Apart from spending time with our host families, the group was taken onseveral excursions, each of which contributed to our understanding of thecountry and its culture as well as the history and role of the HungarianReformed Church. We visited:

• Tiszafüred in the Northern Great Plain region on Lake Tisza. Here wevisited the freshwater aquarium and were taken on a guided tour of thelake region to see and hear about the changes to the ecology of the regionin the 40 years since the lake was created.

• The Immanuel Home, a home for severely disabled young people started by, and still run by, the church. The workdone there is remarkable! We attended the confirmation of four young people. It was a moving and uplifting event.

• The Debrecen-Kossuth Utcai church, a fairly large church that is unique due to the wall paintings depicting biblestories, the Lords Prayer, the Ten Commandments, etc.

• Debrecen University Chaplaincy. There is a large chapel on the campus beside the main building of the stateUniversity of Debrecen, pointing to a time when Christian worship was an integral part of university life. Undercommunism, the Church had to hand the chapel over to the state and it was turned into a huge library. After the fallof communism, the building was returned to the church and it is once again a place of worship. But a generationwas lost to the church. A small number (around 150) of the 35,000 students currently attend Christian meetings.However, a team of young, inspired ministers is serving and reaching out to the student community, a daunting task,but they already have a number of success-stories to tell.

• Kokad, a rural church, very similar to our rural churches in Scotland.• The Scottish Mission and the school in Budapest where Jane Haining (from Dunscore) was a loved and respected

member of staff who chose to stay with the Jewish children when she was recalled to Scotland. She died a martyr inAuschwitz. On the day when our group travelled to Romania we could not join them because we have South Africanpassports and did not have the necessary visas. So, instead, we went to Budapest by train. We were met by RevAaron Stevens of the Scottish Mission who entertained us to an extensive tour of the mission and the schooldisplaying the memorable and inspiring story of Miss Haining. This visit to the Scottish Mission in Budapest andexploring the footsteps of Jane Haining was one of the highlights of our trip.

• Sunday worship at “The Small Church” (Kistemplom) in Debrecen along with our host family. We had personalinterpreters translating the Hungarian service. Eleven young adults were confirmed (of which five were baptised)during the service and the Lord’s Supper was celebrated – a very enriching worship experience!

• Great Church of Debrecen: It has become the symbol of the Reformed Church of Hungary, and it is because of thischurch (and the Reformed school and University) that Debrecen is sometimes referred to as " the Calvinist Rome". Itis the largest Protestant church in Hungary and has the largest bell of all Hungarian Protestant churches. The GreatChurch also has historical significance: during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, the Hungarian Declaration ofIndependence was made here and the new governor of the country was inaugurated here. The armchair in which hesat for his inauguration can be viewed in the church.

To us, the conference on confirmation was especially significant. InHungary, under communist rule, it became an act of disloyalty to thestate to attend church, and Christ and Christian values disappearedfrom society and public life. The Christian faith was confined tochurch buildings on Sundays. In Scotland the church has also lost ageneration (or two), but due to the spirit of secularism, whereby Godis also removed from society and public life. In Hungary it wasforced upon the people by a regime and when the regime came to afall, the direct threat to Christianity disappeared although it left thechurch with a “lost” generation. Here, it was (and still is) a subtleprocess (secularism) whereby God is sidelined from societybecause of a mindset and world view we willingly buy into, oftenwithout realizing it.

Within a few days a special friendship and close bond developed between our delegation and the Hungarians. Clearly, our Reformed heritage is a strong uniting factor. There is a lot to learn from one another. As Jannie said: "Icame back an inspired person! Even though our host family could barely speak any English, the love weexperienced overcame the language barrier."

Outside the Scottish Mission in Budapest

Some of the Travellers

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Dunscore Arts and CraftsContinuing our series finding out more about local artists and craftspeople, Aly Robertson, spotted some of JanPatterson's work at a recent exhibition and asked her more about it:

How did you get involved in craftwork? I always wasinterested in the skill of crafts. And started at a young agelearning from my mother. Later, Barney and Katie Easton were agreat inspiration to me and I used to come to Dunscore everyFriday evening before I came here to live. The Bible alsoinspired me as weaving is as old as civilisation itself (it is, forexample, mentioned in Exodus 35 v25).

Can you remember one of the first fabric pieces that youmade? It was a cushion – I wanted something easy to startwith! Do you have a preference for the type of craft work that youdo? When I want to relax I just spin. If I wish a challenge Iattempt whitework, embroidery, hardanger, or drawn thread-work.

Have you ever used local wool and coloured wool using natural dyes? Yes, lots! There are plenty of local goodfleeces about. There are also silks blended with wool and I have just spun and knitted cashmere. I greatly enjoy usingdyes especially natural ones. I use onion skins and plants from the garden and can get a bit carried away with thepleasure of colour and tend not to take notes so no dye is ever quite the same.

Are these hobbies expensive? For me, they are a bit more so now because I have a taste for luxury fleece and fibresincluding camel and silk. I also prefer to sew with linen and use silk threads.

Have any of the projects you have undertaken reflected your faith? I do like Ecclesiastical embroidery. I have donethe Lords Prayer in a very fine crochet and the Church Guild logo in linen.

There is a Guild initiative to promote the power of prayer in the lives of people. The Guilds may knit or crochet an itemthat is given (along with a prayer) to a person in need. It is so that everyone may come to know the power of Jesus intheir lives.

Who should people contact if they want to find out more? Contacts for the Spinners and Weavers is 07759587593and the contacts for Embroiderers Guild is 01387 265486.

In the last edition of the Digest we featured Bill Johnstone of Burnhead Woodturners but did not include his contactdetails. You can call him on 740335.

An Example of Jan's Work

Money Matters Alison Boyes

Are you interested in ethical finance? Would you rather that your savings didn't get invested in arms or oil? Perhaps youwould like instead to be able put your money where it will be used responsibly by an trustworthy organisation which aimsto make life better for people.

The CMCU (Churches' Mutual Credit Union) has just been set up by the Church of England, Church of Scotland, Churchof Wales, The Scottish Episcopal Church and the Methodist Church in Great Britain.

A Credit Union provides for borrowers and savers and is owned by its members in this case, ministers and elders and(soon) all active church members. It provides small loans for individuals and churches. For savers there is a FounderMembers' Bond and a regular savings account. More information can be found on the website www.cmcu.org.uk

Auldgirth Tearoom Sheila Anderson

Have the more eagle-eyed amongst you noticed a nice wee tearoom that has opened up next to Auldgirth shop? Whynot pop in to see Sarah? She will supply you with an excellent cup of coffee or tea and has scones, cakes and tray-bakes to tempt you!

You can also enjoy home-made soup, a choice of filled rolls, paninis or baguettes to eat in or take away. HighTea(remember that?) as well as Afternoon Tea is also on offer. Prices are very reasonable. Why not arrange to meet somefriends there for a social ‘get together’ in a cheery environment? We have… and found it excellent!

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Walking Group Colin Mitchell

The Ascent of Darnaw – Third Time lucky!

On Monday 11 May, five intrepid members of the Dunscore Walking group set off to climb Darnaw in the Galloway Hills.Members of the group had tried to climb this hill on two previousoccasions and had failed on both.

We parked by a forestry road near Clatteringshaws reservoir andstarted up the road to find a wall that led to the upper slopes of the hill.Unfortunately we did not find the wall and decided to set off uphill atright angles to the track. Also unfortunately the forest marked on themap had been felled. This made the going underfoot and route findingvery difficult. However, after about 30 minutes we managed to passthrough the clear felled area and onto the open hillside.

We followed a good ridge upwards and soon came across themonument to four men who died when their aircraft crashed into thehillside on 2 February 1937. They were in a de Havilland Dragonflyaircraft that had been chartered by the Daily Express Newspaper totrack commercial air routes.

The memorial has this inscription:

“Here fell the Daily Express Airplane Dragon Fly

on February 2nd 1937with the loss of four brave men

Harold PembertonLeslie Jackson

Reginald WesleyArchibald Philpott”

Leaving this sombre reminder of one of the many crash sites in thesehills we climbed to the summit to enjoy a limited view of the surrounding hills. Our descent was less eventful and wesoon found our way back to the forestry road where we had lunch whilst sheltering from a heavy rain shower behind alog stack before returning to the car. We enjoyed an excellent coffee and scone at the Clatteringshaws Visitor Centrebefore returning to Dunscore.

The Memorial

Still a Fairtrade Village! John Lowery

Having been Chair of the Fairtrade Village Steering Group for a couple of years, I was pleased to pass this responsibilityinto John's capable hands at the recent AGM.

It is now six years since Dunscore became a Fairtrade Village and, even before then,we have been doing our best to promote Fairtrade (and local businesses too). We wererequired to renew our Fairtrade Village status recently and submitted a very long list ofFairtrade events and activities that had taken place in Dunscore over the past couple ofyears. It was impressive. And it impressed the Fairtrade Foundation sufficiently forthem to award us our renewal certificate very rapidly. As a result we can continue todeclare that Dunscore is a Fairtrade Village!

There has been no let-up in our activities. We had two great Big Brews. The Schooland Pre-School Big Brew featured wonderful cake decoration by the children (usingFairtrade sugar) and the Village Big Brew with, what has become traditional, stalls oflocal produce, crafts and fairly-traded products supplemented by teas and coffees andfantastic baking.

We are thrilled that both the school and the pre-school are working towards their firstFairtrade awards. Hopefully we will soon have a Fairaware School and Pre-School. The children have been learning about where their food comes from and how to ensurethat the producers receive a fair amount.

We are looking forward to the World Peace Festival when, once again, we will be preparing and serving teas and coffeeswith the Dumfries Fairtrade Group.

We are always delighted to welcome new members to the Steering Group. If you might like to get involved, please giveme a call on 820252 for a chat.

Our New Certificate

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Dunscore Parish Memories Sheila Anderson

We are anxiously awaiting news of whether or not we have lottery funding for much needed work required on ourchurch. The decision on our bid will be made on 10 June and, if successful, one of the criteria will be to create a heritagecentre within the building. This will naturally include the story of Jane Haining, her family and her selfless heroism andthe heritage of the church building which is grade A listed.

We would, however, also like to tell tales of Dunscore parish and its families and lifestyle over the past century. What didlocal folk do in the parish? Where did they attend school? Where did they live, work and shop? Where did theyworship? How and where did they socialise?

The wonderful book on Dunscore which the schoolchildren recently helped to create is proving very popular inDunscore’s new Health Centre and encourages us to delve deeper!

This project will give us invaluable information about life in Dunscore parish before it is lost forever. We will, though,need assistance on how best to do this! We would also love to interview some of our older parishioners and to borrowphotos, letters, newspaper cuttings etc. to copy.

The internet and Facebook can now provide lots of information. Did you know there is a group on Facebook called‘Moniaive, Dunscore and the Cairnvalley down to Newbridge’? This has photos and stories on the local area and peopleand I am sure we will get lots of assistance there.

Can you help us? Please contact Sheila Anderson (820236) or Pam Mitchell (820455) if you would like to be involved orhave memorabilia etc. to contribute or know someone who has. Many thanks.

About the Funding... Matthew Aitken

As Sheila says above, we expect to hear soon about the Lottery grant application for over £100,000 for the project.

We cannot, however, rely solely on this grant and, in fact, if we are to be successful in obtaining the funding, they requireus to raise significant amounts of additional funding from our own resources.

You are probably be aware of several fundraising events recently organised by our very active fundraising team. We aimto supplement this by applying to other organisations that award grants for our type of project.

I am really pleased to report that we have, so far, been successful in two applications. The Fergusson Bequest Fundand the Baird Trust have each awarded us £5,000 specifically towards making the church wind and watertight.

This is a great start and we hope to build on these in the months ahead. If you are aware of other sources of finance, wewould be really pleased to hear from you.

Prayer of an Ageing Nun With thanks to Vari Drabble

Lord, you know, better than I know myself, that I am getting older and will some day be old. Keep me from the fatalhabit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straightenout everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody: helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom itseems a pity not to use it all, but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details, give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches andpains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask forgrace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for growing humility and lessening cocksureness when my memory seems toclash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person isone of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents inunexpected people. And give me, Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.

Attributed to a seventeenth-century nun.

Calling Quiz BuffsStarting on Firday 12 June and on the frist Friday of each month after that, come to the Flying Pig for their quiz night.Starts 9:00 pm.

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Guild News Judith Campbell

In the last Digest I wrote about "Heart for Art", the Crossreach Project which supports people with dementia. Aly came upwith a fundraising and awareness-raising idea - we invited people to take part in an art exhibition. We asked them toprovide a picture and write a small piece saying why they had chosen that image.

At first, uptake was slow but in the end we had 41 entries and we were delighted with the diversity of the artworksubmitted. We were particularly heartened by the fact that, for some people, it was the first time they had done anythinglike that since they left school! I hope they found it as liberating an experience as I did!

Now, the exhibition is going on tour! It's first stop is Tinwald Church on Tuesday 3 rd June at 7:00 pm, as part of DumfriesPresbyterial Council's Spring meeting, "Let's Celebrate!"

We are having a get-together beforehand at Aly's house for cheese and wine (non-alcoholic will also be provided andbread, biscuits and fruit salad). If you are planning to join us, please bring along a small piece of your favourite cheeseto share. And please call Aly on 01387 255722 to confirm numbers. We hope to see you there.

We are now working on our next syllabus:

Our first meeting in September will be The Travel Show and we are going to invite some local "celebrities " includingCraig Mushet and Johnny Robertson on to a panel to take us on a "journey of discovery"!

In February, Raymond Nelson will be leading a discussion on "When is enough enough?" about charitable giving and wehope he'll give us an insight into the work he's involved with in Afghanistan and India.

Why not come along to our meetings? Look out for notices nearer the time or ask me or Aly for more information. You'll be made verywelcome.

Thanks from the Guild Judith Campbell

National Convenor Steps Down

Now that Kay Keith's tenure as National Convenor for the Guild has come to an end, I would like to take this opportunity,on behalf of Dunscore Guild, to thank her so much for everything she has done. I have always found Kay to be extremelysupportive and she has always encouraged us, when planning our programme, to try new ideas and "think outside of thebox". During her time as National Convenor, Kay has travelled up and down the country calling on as many Guilds aspossible. As well as this she has also travelled further afield including her trip to Nigeria earlier this year. There she wasrepresenting the Guild by participating in the celebration of the life and work of Mary Slessor. I hope we will have theopportunity to hear more about Kay's experience in Nigeria, during the coming year.

I don't know what Kay's plans are for the future but I'm certain she won't allow the grass to grow under her feet. There'sno such thing as retirement, Kay, when we've got God's Kingdom to build! On behalf of Dunscore Guild, we wish you allthe very best. And God bless!

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Reader's Recipe Elinor Gibson

Strange Rock Cakes

No strange ingredients. It is a Mary Berry recipe from a cook book from 1979 and we all know that Mary isn't strange!

The strange thing happened when I made the rock-cakes after 28 years or so. First though, I go back to my childhoodwhere my mum would have a day dedicated to baking - fruit loaves, pan-scones, apple tarts, rock cakes and the humblefairy cake (before the cup-cake took over the world!). I would help her and make the rock-cakes.After my mum died in April 2009, I took the notion to bake rock-cakes.

A month or two later, a friend persuaded me to visit a medium! I went out of curiosity, nostalgia or scepticism. I waited forhis spooky pre-amble patter and I got a shock! The medium passed on the following 'message' - "you've been bakingsomething that you haven't made for a long time, your mum is here'. Eeeek!

The rock-cake may not be fancy, but it's a special little bakery icon for me.

8oz plain flour½ level teaspoon salt2 level teaspoons baking powder2½ oz butter2½ oz sugar4oz dried fruit¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg1 egg2 tablespoons milk

Prep time 15 minutesCooking time 15 - 20 minutes210 °C, Gas Mark 6, 400 °F

Sieve the flour, salt and baking powder together. Rub butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.Stir in the sugar, fruit and nutmeg. Beat the egg with milk and add to flour mixture. Mix well with a fork, the mixtureshould be stiff but not too sticky.

Divide into 12 and place on a greased tray; rough up with a fork. Bake in a moderately hot oven for 15- 20 minutes.Cool on a wire tray. Sprinkle with Demerara sugar.

Church Services and Village EventsChurch services are held every Sunday at 10:00 am until Sunday 5 July when they will start at 11:45 am

Date and Time Event

Saturday 6 June 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Coffee Morning in aid of Alzheimer's Scotland

Saturday 6 June 2:00 – 6:00 pm World Peace Festival at Allanton

Tuesday 9 June at 7:00 pm Eco, Fairtrade, Smallholder Farmer event in the church

Friday 12 June 9:00 pm Quiz in the Flying Pig

Tuesday 16 June 2:00 – 8:00 pm Scottish Power exhibition on proposed pylons in Cairndale Hotel

Sunday 21 June 2:00 – 5:00 pm Dalgonar Garden Open with teas and home baking for church funds

Sunday 28 June at 10:00 am in Dunscore Church Service with Holy Communion

Sunday 5 July Service time changes to 11:45 am

Sunday 2 August 11:45 am Service in the Gala Tent

Sunday 2 August – Saturday 8 August Dunscore Gala Events

Saturday 8 August Dunscore Gala

There are Cairn Valley Community Transport excursions throughout the summer. Contact Chris Whittle on 820401for dates and information (and see the article in this edition of the Digest)