FOCUSFOCUS
Autumn 2007
Kirk and Community News
For the Parishes of Cairngryffe and Symington
Church of Scotland
Cairngryffe with Symington Parish Churches
Minister: Rev Dr Graham Houston
16 Abington Road, Symington (01899 308838)
Session Clerks: Cairngryffe- Mr Jack Meikle
Glenbow Cottage, Thankerton (01899 308397)
Symington- Mr Ross Russell
Spindrift, Main Street, Symington (01899 308240)
SUNDAY SERVICES
September, October, November, December 2007
9.30am Symington 11.00am Cairngryffe
Sunday October 7th
9.30am Symington 11.00am Cairngryffe
COMMUNION SERVICES
The sacrament will be celebrated on Sunday November 4th,
All members are warmly invited to share in worship then.
9.30am Symington 11.00am Cairngryffe
MEETINGS OF SESSIONS AND BOARD
Joint Office-Bearers Conference
will be held in Tinto Hotel, Symington
on Sunday October 7th at 1.30pm
Joint Office-Bearers� Meeting
The twice-yearly gathering of all Board and Session members is in Symington on Monday October 29h at 7.30pm.
Symington Board and Kirk Session
meet on Monday November 5th at 7.30pm.
Cairngryffe Kirk Session
meets on Monday November 12th at 7.30pm
Joint Finance Committee
Monday December 3rd at 7.30pm in the Manse
Visit our website at www.symingtonkirk.com
From The Manse Autumn 2007
Many thanks to all who sent cards and gifts to the Manse following the birth of our first grandchild, Noah Daniel Fearon, in Carlisle at the end of June. We�re enjoying getting to know our new addition to the family, and it was great to be able to see more of Rhoda and Andy and the baby during our summer holiday in the Lake District. It seems only yesterday that Rhoda was a baby, and she is now 25! The arrival of a new baby is certainly one of the times of upheaval in life, with so many joys as well as new responsibilities especially for parents. We�re enjoying being able to help and then hand baby back at the end of the day! The process of birth is traumatic, but that is soon replaced by the delight of holding baby for the first time. Babies are demanding and know how to make their presence felt, especially before feeding and nappy changing, and tend to become the centre of attention. Parents and grandparents are eager to watch them grow up safely and healthily in mind, body and spirit, and to journey with them from birth to independence. The process of entry and growth into physical life, through birth and nurture, is one of the wonders of the world. Because of that, it�s not surprising that the Bible uses the metaphor of birth to describe the process of coming to spiritual life and that knowing God as Father is central to the life of faith.
Jesus said, �I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again�.unless he is born of water and the Spirit�You should not be surprised at my saying, �You must all be born again.� The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.�(John 3:3-8) To be born of water is the process of physical birth. To be born of the Spirit is second birth, spiritual birth or re-birth. That happens through the direct action of the Holy Spirit at work through God�s word, as Peter says, �Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead��(1 Peter 1:3) �You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God�and this is the word that was preached to you.�(1 Peter 1:23-25) It is the good news of Christ�s death and resurrection which is the channel of new life as God�s word changes our minds and touches the very core of our being. �For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates�it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.� (Hebrews 4:12) That is how people are born again by the Spirit of God so that they are transformed in thinking, conversation, and action. As Paul says, �At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us though the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been put right with God through faith, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.�(Titus 3:3-7) That brings us back to John�s Gospel and Jesus� own words: �For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God�s one and only Son.�(John 3:16-18)
Have you been born again? Look again at the signs of new life: Trusting and obeying God�s Son who died and rose from death that we might have eternal life through faith�. Knowing the forgiveness, kindness and love of God and treating other people as God treats us�. Receptive to the living message of God in the good news of his Kingdom, and willing to be judged by it�.Happy to be adopted into God�s family, the church, and to live under the sound of God�s word, together with other members of the Christian family. Those who have experienced new birth know God as Father and Jesus as elder brother, and are delighted to meet with other members of God�s family week-by-week in worship. They are keen to serve God and others, every day. They know the difference that Jesus makes to their lives and are grateful that they have been saved from sin, death and hell. And the wonderful thing is that you and I can know for sure what it really means to be born again. We can live a new life of friendship with God and his people, and reach out with the love of God to our neighbours and relatives. The best way to be sure of that is to avail ourselves of the ministry of God�s word in church, and not to remain aloof from the congregation of the faithful. I warmly encourage you to seek the renewal that the Lord longs to bring into all our lives, remembering Jesus� challenging words: �You must all be born again.�
Yours in Christ, Graham Houston.
Proposed Improvements to Symington Church and Hall
The Congregational Board is considering proposals for the improvement of seating arrangements in the Kirk to provide more flexible space, and has also set up a group to explore how the provision of facilities in the Hall might afford more comfortable and appropriate accommodation for the groups which are likely to use it in the foreseeable future. There should be further details to report in the next issue of FOCUS.
SYMINGTON WELCOME PACK
Members are reminded of the 'Welcome to Symington' booklet which the church has produced for newcomers to the community. Let us know if there is anyone new near you whom we might have missed, and we will make contact with them. Ross Russell, Session Clerk
LANARK PRESBYTERY VISIT REPORT
The interim visiting team were very positive about their meeting with our minister and office-bearers at the end of March, in reviewing progress since the last Quinquennial (Five-Yearly) Visit in September 2004. Their conclusion was:
�This interim visit has shown, very clearly, that both Congregations and their Minister have worked extremely hard over the past two and a half years, and they have already implemented a good part of the recommendations made in the 2004 QV. These positive steps, and others, have all been noted in this report. Although realistic about the difficulties they face in rural church life, both Symington and Cairngryffe have an optimistic outlook for the future, which includes definite plans for growth and achievement of goals.�
CHRISTIANITY EXPLORED
One of the recommendations of our Presbytery Visit in the spring was that we offer Adult Christian Education courses as in the past. This year we will be using the exciting course, Christianity Explored, in two blocks of five evenings. The first block will take place in the new Session Room, Cairngryffe Kirk, on Sundays at 6pm � October 28th, November 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. The topics will include �Jesus- Who was he?� �Why did Jesus come?� �Why did he die?� and �The meaning of grace�. All who have an enquiring mind and want to explore more of the Christian faith are welcome to join us then.
New Session Room and Improvements at Cairngryffe Kirk
The refurbishment project will start work on Monday September 3rd, and we are hopeful that it will be completed by the end of October. Sunday Services will continue at the usual time, at 11am, with the minimum of inconvenience to worshippers. Thanks are due to our Session Clerk, Jack Meikle, and his son for the removing of redundant pews which have been sold to members, raising over �1500. The renovations include a new lighting system, much brighter than the existing, and new electric heaters. There will be comfortable chairs in the flexible seating area in the church, as well as in the new Room, and carpeting throughout. This will provide much-needed accommodation for church groups and the Sunday School, entirely paid for from funds held centrally on our behalf by the Church of Scotland General Trustees. To celebrate this important and significant development in the life of the church, a number of events are planned. The November 4th Communion will be a special service for the Cairngryffe congregation to give thanks for the provision of the renewed facilities, and we hope that there will be a very good attendance that day. Then on Advent Sunday, December 2nd, there will be a Flower Festival and Open Day, from 2pm, for the Advent Season, followed by a Worship Celebration in the church at 6pm, to which friends from surrounding parishes will also be invited. In the spring of 2008 we also plan to hold a Concert, details of which will be known before the end of the year.
STOP PRESS! VACANCIES FOR KEY JOBS!
In the coming session, three important vacancies will have to be filled to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of our churches� mission in our parishes:
1. FOCUS EDITOR
Rena Mitchell will be retiring next summer after more than five years� service in this key post. Word-processing skills are an advantage. Could you be her successor as Editor?
2. JOINT TREASURER
Nan Mackie retires at the end of the year and we need a replacement in the near future, to deal with those expenses which are shared between the two congregations. No previous experience of book-keeping is necessary.
3. CHRISTIAN AID ORGANISER
Marianna Watson has done this for many years and we need a successor in good time for the next Christian Aid Week in May 2008.
Future editions of FOCUS will contain our expression of appreciation for the work done by these good friends in God�s service. Please pray and think about who might take over from them.
NEWS FROM THE PARISHES
Baptisms
Symington, June 17th Angus, Grant, and Isla Allison
22 Abington Road, Symington.
New Member by Profession of Faith
Symington, June 10th Donna Allison 22 Abington Road.
By Certificate of Transference
Cairngryffe Jean McMahon, Grasmere, 24 Sherrifflatts Road, Thankerton
from Biggar Kirk.
Symington, August 2007 Nancy Overend, Pines Place , Symington,
from Douglas Valley
Wedding
Cairngryffe June 22nd Henry McMahon Grasmere Sherifflats Road,
Thankerton, to Jean Doig 7 Gilbert Rae Court, Biggar.
Funerals
Symington, June 8th Bill Black 26 Carding Street, Symington
Holytown Crematorium, June 28th Ian Paterson 8 Weavers� Wk, Lanark
Symington August 2nd Joyce Mackay 11 Millands Road, Thankerton.
Cairngryffe August 10th Mary McCamon 4 Albion Road, Biggar.
SYMINGTON CHOIR
The weekly choir practices have resumed in Symington Church on Wednesdays at 7.30pm. We are looking forward to singing at the special service in Cairngryffe on Sunday December 2. As always new members would be welcome - especially contraltos, please!
Choir Director Gaynor Russell, phone 01899 308240
PRAYER PAGE
Prayer and Praise Services
The joint Cairngryffe and Symington Churches Prayer and Praise Services re-commence after the summer break and will be held on the first Thursday of every month and we invite everyone to come along and be a part of it. We would like to thank all those who have been attending these services, which only last for about 40 minutes and we look forward to welcoming more of our members joining us for prayer, praise and fellowship during the coming months.
The next service is in Symington Church Thursday 6th September �07 at 7.30pm
Then at Cairngryffe Church Thursday 4th October �07 at 7.30pm
Then at Symington Church Thursday 1st November �07 at 7.30pm
Why pray at all? What is it that motivates us to pray?
To receive the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer is the channel through which we love, seek justice and strive for peace. It is the power behind which lives are changed! (John 15:5) Nothing within the life of the church will be fulfilled in a �prayer vacuum�.
To have fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. As a church we gather in prayer on our own, or as part of a corporate worship, we reaffirm the resurrection power of Easter that says - Jesus is alive. Prayer is central to our journey of faith, with our risen Lord. (Acts 2:44-47) So be among friends at the Prayer and Praise Services.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer Promoters
Cairngryffe � Sandra Stewart Tel: 01555 880655
Symington � George Mathew Tel: 01899 308648
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT CAIRNGRYFFE
This is to keep all our members up to date with what is happening in the Kirk Session at Cairngryffe.
* The website for Cairngryffe Kirk is now almost ready to go live. We had a demonstration from Jim Watt on his laptop, at our last session meeting. Jim Watt and Mary McLellan are the people responsible and they have done an excellent job. They will also be responsible for updating it. This really brings our church into the computer age especially as we agreed at that meeting that future agendas and minutes of session meetings would be sent to Elders via email. I will keep you informed when it goes live.
*The Kirk Session, as reported earlier, had plans drawn up for a meeting room under the gallery and other renovations to the interior of the church. The latest situation is that the pews have been removed and all have been sold to local people. The joiner and the electrician are due to start work on September 3rd Fifty special stacking chairs, coloured medium oak to match the pews with a place for a Bible and a Communion glass, have been ordered. They will be covered with a red material to match our new carpet.
*The 2008 Cairngryffe Church calendars were printed early this year (to allow some to be sold at the Carmichael Clan Gathering) so are available now, Yes I know it is still some time to the end of the year but please order your calendars soon either from your Elder or direct from our Calendar Coordinator, Lily Borthwick. The cost again will be �5 and all profits go to the Church. Jack Meikle, Session Clerk at Cairngryffe
Our
new Autumn Term started on Sunday 2nd of September.
We meet in the church at the start of the service at 11am and join the
congregation for the first part of the morning service, then we go to our own
classes. This term our themes are Moses, some stories about Jesus and towards
the end of term we will be preparing for Christmas. We hope to have a fun filled
and exciting time at Sunday School using prayer, singing, worksheets, arts and
crafts in our interpretation of the Bible.
We meet every Sunday except for the school holidays on 23rd September, 14th and
21st October 2007. We hope to join the congregation for Harvest Thanksgiving on
7th October and for Christmas celebrations on 23rd December. We welcome all
children, both old and new members. If you require any further information
please contact: Rosmairi Galloway Telephone 01555 880779.
SYMINGTON TRAILBLAZERS
Trailblazers have started back after the summer holidays, and we are now on a 9:30 start for the rest of the year. The children are having lots of fun learning about the stories of Moses, (the chocolate crispie cake baskets with jelly baby Moses went down particularly well, yum yum).
We will also be having a UNICEF Jar of Grace Coffee Morning again this year and we hope to be as successful as two years ago when we raised a wonderful �192.05 for this worthy cause. The Coffee Morning will probably take place in October (date to be arranged) we hope to see as many people as possible. New children are always welcome to come and join in the fun, games, singing and stories.
For information, contact Linda Tucker at 01899 308943
THE GUILD
Symington Guild
If you would like to enjoy an evening of fellowship and listen to an interesting talk, do come and join us at our Guild meetings. The Committee has planned a diverse and stimulating programme for the new session. Our opening meeting will be held on Thursday 27 September at 7.30pm in Symington Church Hall. Do come along.
September 27 Breast Cancer Care by Annis Culter
October 10 �To the Poetic Lassies� by Alex Baird, with Caingryffe Guild
November 22 a talk on the Guild Project by Rev Ron Blakey
November 25 Guild Coffee Morning following the Church service
Contact Sheena Carlyle, President at 01899 308269
Cairngryffe Guild
For our Annual Outing our ladies spent a lovely evening at the Leadhills Mining Museum at Wanlockhead on Wednesday August 22nd. We had an excellent time, looking round the museum, shop and old cottages before enjoying a lovely meal. Some intrepid ladies even opted to go down the mine and were most impressed. Our thanks for this successful trip go the �tea ladies�, our guide David Duncan and to our secretary Margaret Watt who organized the whole day.
Our new session begins on Wednesday 12 September in Thankerton Hall at 7.30pm when our speaker, Catherine Whyte, will show us the value of Aromatherapy. We are looking forward to welcoming old and new friends. If you have never been to one of our meetings, on the second Wednesday of every month, give us a try.. We are a friendly bunch!
For more details contact Jessie Duff, President - 01899 308365
COUNT ME IN LORD!
In June 2006, Symington Kirk Session and Board launched the initiative, �Count me in, Lord�. This was successful in identifying opportunities for members to take part in the on-going life and work of our Kirk.
It is recognised that, as people�s circumstances alter as time goes by, you may now be in a position to respond to the, �Count me in, Lord!� programme � or you may wish to vary your previous response. In addition, it is hoped that by inviting children, teenagers and young women to complete the enclosed form, greater numbers can opt into being associated with our Kirk. It will also possible for new members to opt in to the scheme, during the year by using forms available in the Kirk foyer. Indeed, the exercise of seeking your (varied) involvement will now be undertaken annually each September
Each Focus magazine will contain four response forms (two on each side of an A4 page). Please use these forms for all in your household. If you need more forms, these are available in the Kirk foyer.
Finally, I ask that the completed forms be returned to the, �Count me in, Lord!� box located in the Kirk foyer (or handed to any Elder or Board Member) as soon as possible, or by the 1st. October at the latest.
Frank Mitchell, Convener, Development Co-coordinating Group.
CHRISTIAN
AID
The final totals for Christian Aid Week in May were ;
Symington envelopes �785.09
Thankerton envelopes �369.66
Carmichael envelopes �253.28
Pettinain envelopes � 71.97
Lunch at Symington �305.00
This gave a sum of �1,785.00. There should also be about �150 claimed back from the Gift Aid declarations that were filled in. Thanks go to everyone who contributed in any way to this wonderful total.
Marianna Watson, Christian Aid Organiser
FROM OUR KIRK TREASURERS
Cairngryffe Church Treasurer�s Report
For Period 1 January 2007- 31st August 2007
Income Expenditure
Offering �11583 Ministry Alloc. �11949
Guild Donation � 150 Travel Exp � 696
Donations � 263 Joint Congr Acc � 2076
Calendars � 140 Wages � 1775
Other � 135 Insurance � 530
Printing Calendars 2008 � 600
Other � 448
TOTALS �12271 TOTAL �18974
Deficit for this period is �5803. Hopefully this will be recovered over the last 4 months of the financial year as end of year gift aid comes in.
Linzi Struthers, Treasurer
Symington Church Treasurer�s report
The Church�s financial position is much healthier than it has been for several years due, in no small part, to the success of the �Money Matters� campaign. My thanks to all who contributed and continue to contribute to the Church�s finances.
At the 14th August 2007 our income is up by 3.2% to �20,699 and our expenditure is up 9.7% to �21733 compared to the same period last year.
The Church�s finances are in reasonable shape given that the claim for tax relief has still to be made.
Income in 2007 Expenditure in 2007
Offerings �18949 Ministry & Mission �12393
Other Income � 1749 Staff Costs � 3772
Special Income � nil Building Costs � 3681
Tax rebate � nil Joint Cong Account � 1576
Other Costs � 311
TOTAL �20698 TOTAL �21733
Robert Carson, Treasurer
FLOWER LISTS
CAIRNGRYFFE SYMINGTON
September 2 Isobel Brown Annie Gilchrist
September 9 Margaret Cooper Christina Mackenzie
September 16 Mamie Gilmour Betty Morton
September 23 RosemairiGalloway Val Horsfield
September 30 Mary McLellan Irene Maddox
October 7 - Shirley Pratt
October 14 Annie Callan Anne Blacklaw
October 21 Susan McDougall Ella Hodge
October 28 Sheana Rodger Moira Taylor
November 4 John Wilson Nan Raeburn
November 11 Maureen Bannatyne Margot Leadbitter
November 18 Elizabeth Warnock Lynn Carson
November 25 Margaret Clarkson Linda McKay
Lanark Presbytery NEWS
There has only been one meeting of Presbytery, which was held in Symington, since my last report so this report will be brief.
* Rev Alison Meikle of Lanark: St Nicholas� is the Moderator of Lanark Presbytery for the year 2007-08.
* The charges due for a Quinquennial visit in 2007-08 are Glencaple l/w Lowther, Carluke: St John�s and Crossford l/w Kirkfieldbank.
* The Presbytery Plan, which is a ten year plan for congregations but reviewed annually, will in future have to take account of the available buildings, their suitability, their use and their cost. As a consequence congregations will be asked for information concerning costs and usage of buildings by the end of the year.
* The date of this year�s World Mission Rally is Wednesday 14th November. The venue has still to be confirmed.
* Following the success of the Elders� evening held in March, a series of training events for those involved in leadership within congregations has been arranged. The first course will take place in Biggar on five Wednesday nights from 26th September to 31st October (missing out school holiday week.) The �You�re an Angel� courses will be led by Rev. David Currie.
* There is to be a second Elders� Training evening on Tuesday 30th October at a venue still to be determined. The subject on this occasion will be pastoral care and bereavement support. The course leader will be Rev Peter Johnston from Blantyre.
* The next Prayer Promoters meeting will be held on Tuesday 9th October in Glencaple Church Hall at 7:00pm.
Robert Carson, Presbytery Elder
SCOTTISH WOMEN'S RURAL INSTITUTE
Carmichael Institute
Carmichael WRI meets on the second Monday of each month in Carmichael Hall at 7.30pm. Forthcoming meetings are: -
September 10 Old Sweetie Shop talk by Marjorie Romer
October 8 Demonstration of Patchwork with Mary�s Patches
November 12 80th Birthday Party
December 1 Bowling Tournament Mixed Rinks
December 10 Decorated Log with Betty Archibald
Janette Elliot, secretary, at 01555 880614 can provide more details.
Pettinain Institute
Pettinain
WRI meets in Pettinain Village Hall at 7.30pm on a Wednesday, annual
subscription �7. Why not join us?
September 5 Let�s Make Cards
October 17 Soups and Starters � Talk by Joan Orr
November 7 Whist Drive
November 21 200 Pints � Talk by David Fanshawe
December 19 Fun and Games
For further details contact Ann Murray, secretary on
01555 870379
Thankerton Institute
Thankerton SWRI begins its 2007/08 session of meetings on Thursday 6th September at 7.30pm in Thankerton Village Hall. The Committee has once again worked hard to produce a varied and interesting syllabus and all ladies will be made very welcome to the meetings which are held on the 1st Thursday of every month. Over the next few months we have:-
September 6 � Flowers with Graeme Crouch
October 4 � Napkin craft on Candle with June Blanchard
November 1 � Homeopathy with Dr Sommerville
December 6� Ideas for Christmas with Joan Orr
For further information on Rural meetings in Thankerton please contact Secretary Irene Ross on 01899 308738 or President Connie Johnstone on 01899 308764
Symington Institute
New members are always welcome to join us at our meetings in Symington Village Hall on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. The talks and demonstrations for this session began with a quiz night on September 6th. More details of future talks and events this autumn can be obtained by contacting a committee member or by going along to the next meeting on 4th October. See you there.
Contact Janet Hope, President at 01899 308716.
ORGANISATIONS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
Carmichael Playgroup & Toddlers Group
This group for little ones from 0 to 5 years meets in Carmichael Village Hall on Mondays and Thursdays from 9.15 to 11.15am.The children enjoy a good variety of activities and all will be made very welcome. More details can be had from the playleader Catherine Hamilton, on 01555 665239.
Symington Playgroup
Symington Playgroup is open to all little ones from 2 years upwards and is held every Tuesday and Wednesday morning It offers a fun time of art games toys and children always have a piece of work to take home. A drink and healthy snack are provided and each session ends with a story and songs. There are still a few spaces available so for full information please contact Lesli Paterson at 01555 660490
Tinto Toddlers
Tinto Toddlers, for parents and carers with children from newborn to nursery age, meet every Monday and Friday in Symington Village Hall from 9.45 to 11.15am. All will be warmly welcomed. Older school age children can join in during school holidays as we now operate throughout the year. We charge �1 per session for Toddlers and 50p for babies, including a healthy snack, with tea or coffee for mum/dad. For more information please call Alison Rogers on 01899 308069 or Chairperson Rhona Spence at 01899 308432
GUIDES
Girls aged 10-14 meet on Monday evenings in Symington Village. We are currently full with a small waiting list but if you'd like more information phone Anne Galloway on 01555 870 865.
Senior Section: - girls aged 14 - 25 yrs now meet in Symington Village Hall on Tuesday evenings, due to increased numbers. Help is always appreciated as our girls work towards various awards, so if any adult with a particular skill and an hour to spare on a Tuesday would like to help out we'd be delighted to hear from you.
Call Anne Galloway on 01555 870865 for more information
BROWNIES
1st Tinto Brownies (Thankerton)
The pack meets every Monday evening in Thankerton and all 7 to 10 year olds are welcome. The brownies learn lots of new and different things, games, crafts, badge work and even baking on a good night. If you would like further information about the Brownie Pack please contact either
Anne Chappell 01899308293 or Mandy Reilly 01899308387
1st Symington Brownies
Since the summer break, Gillian, Aileen and Alison have been busy catching up with all the brownies� holiday news and adventures. The brownies are now looking forward to lots of activities, crafts, fun and games over the next few months. Any girls aged 7-10 years wishing to join will be made very welcome. Special thanks to Linda for all her help and support with the pack
Contact Gillian Aitchison on 01899 308098 or Aileen Gilbert 01899308350.
RAINBOWS
Rainbows are for girls aged 5-7 years and meet in Symington on a Monday during school term time. Each week we will be having fun working towards badges. At the moment we are full but more information can be had from one of our leaders, or from our sister organizations.
BEAVERS CUBS AND SCOUTS
1st
Biggar Tinto Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meet in Biggar on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
throughout term time. They currently have a waiting list in all sections. If
you are interested in joining, either as a Beaver Cub or Scout or are interested
in helping as part of the leadership team, please contact Alex Clark
at 01899 308330. He can give full details of meeting times and venues and
of the waiting lists involved.
PETTINAIN BADMINTON
Adults meet on Mondays from October from 7pm - 9pm
Juniors meet on Fridays also from October from 7pm -9pm
Both groups meet in Pettinain Village Hall and cost �1 per night to cover the cost of the Hall Let, refreshments and renewing equipment.
Contact Charlie Galloway on 01555 870 865 with any queries.
SYMINGTON BADMINTON
Senior badminton continues in Symington Church Hall on Wednesdays at 1pm and Fridays at 8pm. Come along for some fun and exercise, or phone Marianna Watson 01899 308711 for details.
CAIRNGRYFFE EVERYOUNG CLUB
This club meets fortnightly on Thursdays in Thankerton Village Hall at 2.00pm. The programme for this autumn is as follows: -
October 11 Marion Knox on the Glentress Ambulance Service
October 25 Sandy Gilchrist with films of Scottish and local churches
November 8 David Duncan on the Museum of Lead Mining
November 22 James Warnock on Education in the Countryside
December 13 Christmas Lunch, Cornhill House Hotel, 12.30pm
For more information contact Sadie Campbell at 01899 308328
CARMICHAEL CARPET BOWLING CLUB
The winter session will start again in October. Remember we meet every Tuesday night in Carmichael Hall at 7.30 pm and are always looking for more members. We have some boys and girls and a number of lady members so don�t be afraid to come and join us, the emphasis is on fun.
We have less than three more years to go before we celebrate our first century. The club was started on the 8th of March at a meeting in the school on a very wet night in 1910 when, despite the very heavy rain, there was a good attendance. For more information give me a call at 01899 308397
Jack Meikle, Secretary
Membership is open to men over 50 who are fully or partially retired from work. The club meets on the first and third TUESDAY of each month from October to April, except for January 2008 when the meetings are on 8th and 22nd of the month. Meetings are held in the Municipal Hall Biggar from 100am till around 12 noon. The sessions are quite informal with tea/coffee and biscuits followed by a speaker. Our opening meeting will be on October 2nd when Murdo Morrison will talk on Canals. He will be followed on October 16th by Jack Meikle who will speak on the �History of the Automobile Association�.
If qualified by age and circumstances why not give us a try? You can either turn up on the 2nd October around 10am or contact the President, Mr John Pratt on 01899 308729 or Secretary Mr Robert Ross on 01899 220017.
You never know. You might enjoy our company!
John Pratt
SYMINGTON DECOUPAGE GROUP
The members of Symington Decoupage Group took a stand at the recent Blackwood-Murray Rally at Biggar on Sunday 12 August, selling the results of their work over the earlier part of the year and, despite the weather during the latter part of the day, realised the sum of �469.51, bringing their total so far this year to �758. 26.
The group intend to have a stand at the Biggar Christmas Fair on Saturday November 24th and will be carrying on making cards, crafts etc over the coming months in an effort to reach their target of �1000 which will be donated to the Children�s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who have supported us in the past and helped us to raise this sum of money for such a worthwhile cause. Nan Mackie
LOCAL BUS SERVICES: BIGGAR - EDINBURGH
The community council would like to draw the attention of the village to the recent improvements made by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to the Dumfries � Biggar � Edinburgh bus service which were introduced on July 15 The service now uses Edinburgh Bus Station as its Edinburgh terminal and not Waterloo Place as previously.
Between Biggar and Edinburgh this service now runs at hourly intervals between 0650 and 1950 instead of 2 hourly as previously. With the exception of the 0650 departure on Saturdays, there is a connection from Symington at 34 minutes past each hour.
In the return direction services leave Edinburgh Bus Station at hourly intervals between 0825 and 1125, then at 1255, 1425, 1525, 1625, 1725,1835, 2025 and 2140. There are connections at Biggar to Symington from all services except the 1255 and 1835 departures.
Alan Mackie Symington Community Council
TINTO AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
It was a very busy year for the After School Club in 2006/2007 and we were delighted to have success in both our Badminton and Chess Clubs, with members reaching various final stages in both Scotland and England. We now look forward to the year ahead - our Clubs - Netball, Football, Chanter, Chess, Reading and Badminton - are all now back up and running and we are also looking forward to offering Athletics, Cycling, Art, Basketball, Decoupage and Drama in the term ahead.
We are hoping to restart the garden club and are still looking for local members of the Community to come and help. If you can spare a few hours a month, please contact Jane Stevens 01899 308713.
TINTO VILLAGE DAY - FAMILY CEILIDH
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The Village Day Committee was delighted to welcome so many families to the free, local Community Ceilidh at the Tinto Hotel on Saturday 11th August. We were also pleased to welcome David Dunbar of Symington Tinto Football Club, who received a cheque for �1500 towards the refurbishment of the Football Club and Aileen Simpson of Thankerton Improvement Group, who was given a cheque for �500 towards the upgrading of the play park in Thankerton. Our thanks to the Tinto Hotel, who let us use their Ballroom free of charge and to all the local residents for supporting this event, which we hope to make a regular addition to the Village Day Calendar. If you would be interested in joining the Committee for 2008, please contact either Jane Stevens 01899 308713 or Alison Rogers 01899 308069.
PETTINAIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The next Pettinain Community Council Meeting is on Wednesday 12th September 2007 at 7.15pm in the Village Hall. All are very welcome.
SYMINGTON COFFEE CLUB
The Coffee Club starts again on the 4th September at 10:30 am in the Church Hall. All are welcome. Anyone wishing to become a member of the team who organise the Coffee Club, either on a regular or irregular basis, should speak to Robert Carson.
Editor's Note
Thank you to all contributors who provided the information contained in this newsletter. Some articles had to be edited, rather severely this time, in order to fit them all in.
The Christmas edition of FOCUS will be issued early in December. Contributions from church groups and organisations, covering the period from December 2007 up to the end of February 2008 should be sent to me by
Sunday 18h November 2007 at the latest.
I can be reached at: - Rena Mitchell, Mossgiel, 64 Biggar Road, Symington, ML12 6FT Tel: 01899 308261or by email at [email protected]
NB. Please use email if at all possible