Diary Dates for Summer

June 4th and 5th June Church Office closed for Jubilee Holiday 6th June (Wed) Kirk Session meets at 7.30pm in the Session Room 7th June (Thurs) Office Hour in the Church Office (7-8pm) 9th June (Sat) Beetle Drive in the Kirk Loan Hall at 5pm 10th June (Sun) Service at 10.30am 13th June (Wed) Fabric Committee meets at 7.30pm in the Session Room 17th June (Sun) Service at 10.30am 24th June (Sun) Anniversary Sunday (including the Sacrament of Baptism) and Presentation of Awards to Sunday Club at 10.30am 25th June (Mon) Seedling Coffee Morning at the Kirk Loan Hall at 10am 26th June (Tues) Tea Dance in the Kirk Loan Hall 1.30pm — 4.30pm 27th June (Wed) Congregational Board meets in the Session Room at 7.30pm 29th June (Fri) Church Office closed for the summer break

July 1st July (Sun) Service at 10.30am followed by a short service of Holy Communion 8th July (Sun) Sea Sunday - Service at 10.30am with the Rev. Alistair Ridland 15th July (Sun) Service at 10.30am with the Rev. Mary Morrison 22nd July (Sun) Service at 10.30am 29th July (Sun) Service at 10.30am with the Rev. James Stewart 31st July (Tues) Tea Dance in the Kirk Loan Hall 1.30pm — 4.30pm

August 5th Aug (Sun) Service at 10.30am with the Rev. James Stewart 12th Aug (Sun) Service at 10.30am including the Sacrament of Baptism 15th Aug (Wed) Church Office re-opens after the summer break 19th Aug (Sun) Service at 10.30am 20th Aug (Mon) Last date for September magazine material 26th Aug (Sun) Service at 10.30am 28th August (Tues) Tea Dance in the Kirk Loan Hall 1.30pm — 4.30pm

September 2nd (Sun) Service at 10.30am followed by a short service of Holy Communion 5th Sept (Wed) Kirk Session meets at 7.30pm in the Session Room 9th Sept. (Sun) Service at 10.30am followed by Wedding

N.B. Due to alteration work in the High Street Hall there will be no tea and coffee after the service in July or 5th and 12th August. No Office Hour during July and August Wednesday Lunchtime Services continue throughout the summer “Wee Services” as normal during the summer

Corstorphine Old Parish Church, KIRK LOAN, EH12 8HD SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER: SC016009 Sunday Worship at 10.30am - On the first Sunday of every month there is a short service of Commun- ion at 11.30am except March, June, October and December when there are services of Holy Communion at 8.30am and 10.30am Church Office - 2A High Street EH12 7ST. Open during school term time: Monday – Thursday 8.45am – 1.15pm and Friday: 8.45am – 12.45pm 334 7864 [email protected] The Thursday Office Hour - In the Church Office, High Street Hall, on the first two Thursdays of every month 7.00-8.00pm. No appointment necessary.

Letter from our Minister

Dear Friends,

This summer is being billed as a summer of sport – football tournaments, tennis and of course the Olympics. Being held in London the Olympics are a chance to celebrate not just the prowess and tal- ent of the athletes and competitors, but also show the talents of the many people working together to bring the Olympics to fruition – the organising committee, the transport advisors, the construc- tion workers, even the immigration officers at our airports who expect many, many more visitors than normally come in the summer.

Catering for the events – for both the public and the competitors, is also setting new standards, with more fairtrade goods than ever before being used as a matter of course, as well as organic and locally sourced foodstuffs. So whether you have an interest in sport or not, we can celebrate that the games and the world wide focus it will bring are also encouraging better standards in many as- pects of our public and private lives.

Britain’s hopes for gold medals in many events seem high – in both the Olympic and Paralympic games. But whatever team you choose to support – if any – you cannot help but be amazed and in- spired by the dedication and talent of swimmers, rowers, runners, shot-putters, cyclists, badminton and tennis players, archers and many more, who have spent years of their young lives working to- ward this moment. Regardless of who wins, we will see sporting talent at its very best – from those who stand on the podium having come first, second or third, to those who come last in the qualifying heat – what dedication has brought them that far, to even make it to the games at all.

Isaiah in his prophecy wrote: they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like ea- gles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

However you spend these summer months – watching sport, playing sport, or trying to avoid either watching or playing sport, I hope you feel the inspiring, rejuvenating power of God, renewing your strength, and refreshing your soul.

With best wishes,

Line Dance News Friends of Corstorphine Hill We have had a very successful year at the Corstorphine Tower will be open every Line Dance Class with lots of new members Sunday from 2pm—4pm until Sunday (particularly to the beginners class) and eve- 30th September. ryone seems to really enjoy themselves at the classes! Summer Events Over this last session we have been supporting Sunday 10th June the Fishermen’s Mission and all the dancers Wild Plants Walk and their friends have been busy knitting ‘Natives, naturalized and Nasties’ with woollen hats for the fishermen. Thank you to Brian Moffat everyone who has handed in a hat! Meet at 2pm in the Walled Garden We plan to finish off the session with a spe- Sunday 22nd July cial Jubilee Line Dance Party on Tuesday 2pm in the Walled Garden 5th June which will be held partly outside if it Storytelling for Children stays fine! The classes themselves will then Local children’s author Alette Willis will lead a recommence on Tuesday 11th September. storytelling session for children aged 4-8 on themes related to the Hill. Children must be Finally a big thank you to Esther for all her accompanied by a parent or carer. enthusiasm and encouragement!

Sunday 12th August Butterflies, Bees and other Beasties Summer Tea Dances

Gordon Swann and David Adamson will lead a As in previous years, we are planning to hold hunt, with nets etc for the smaller inhabitants three Tea Dances in the Kirk Loan Hall of the Hill. Nets and Bug Bottles provided. (1.30pm—4.30pm) on the following dates: Meet at the Walled Garden at 2pm

The Walled Garden is open every day Tuesday 26th June during the summer to visitors. Tuesday 31st July Tuesday 28th August

At the Tea Dances there will be a bit of eve- Service of Quiet Reflection rything, some line dancing, sequence, ceilidh Every Wednesday and rock and roll! No experience necessary— during the Summer just enthusiasm for dancing - so come along and and join in! The cost is £5 which includes tea/ Church Open to Visitors coffee and a cake.

Every Wednesday For more information contact Esther on 334 during the Summer 3134 (email) [email protected].

COPC Walking Group

Our second walk on 19th May was enjoyed by all and we were pleased to welcome another two re- cruits. Details for the next three walks which all commence at 10am are :

23rd June - Almondell country park and on to the canal to Ratho. Those wishing to join us should meet at the bus stop at Drum Brae (Glasgow Road) heading East, i.e. opposite Abida Restaurant.

21st July - Coastal walk – part of the John Muir Way. Please meet at Drum Brae bus stop heading East as above.

18th August - Canal walk – Broxburn to Linlithgow. Please meet at Drum Brae bus stop heading West.

Please ring Marion and Bert Clarke 334 0805 or Marion and Terry Watt 334 8541 for further details.

The Graveyard Records of the Old Parish are now on-line!

By 2011 it had become very apparent that the 1995 edition of the graveyard listing was becoming out of date. There was a variety of reasons for this - The City of Edinburgh Council carried out a survey of the graveyard and laid down all stones which had become unsafe or unstable – ‘vandal damage’ – additional inscriptions to the existing headstones – additional weather erosion and damage etc. There was even a new headstone(s) which had not been recorded as yet.

Additionally the current record of the graveyard (The Little Red Book) appeared to be the only copy available to Corstorphine Old Parish Church and as such it was felt to be vulnerable to loss or dam- age. Currently this book has been copied to a computer hard drive to ensure that the content of the Little Red Book will not be lost. (On the contents index page there is a reference made to colours, this is found in the hard copy versions only).

In due course all the headstones will be checked for correct details of the inscriptions and the text content. All changes and corrections found will be updated, and as this update proceeds the records will be reprinted, regularly, to keep it accurate and up to date.

We wish to continue the interest in the Corstorphine Old Parish Church Graveyard and bring up to date the locally held records, and eventually make them searchable online.

But in the meantime if you would like to see what we have done so far, please visit the Old Parish website: www.corstorphineoldparish.org.uk and go to the Webpage entitled ‘Graveyard Records’.

Thanks to Kevin Aitchison, Donald Baird and Grant Donaldson for their hard work during this venture.

Duties for July

Welcome, Uplift and Count C McKay G Stewart J Walker M Bowerbank R Bowerbank Sunday Beadles 1st D Salton 8th D Pearson 15th A Thom 22nd R Allan 29th K Harrower Bell Ringers 1st H Edwards 8th K Harrower 15th A Hay 22nd A Sinclair 29th P Carnie N.B. No Sunday Coffee in July Wednesday Church Opening 4th R Erskine 11th J Smith 18th D Cameron 25th B Clarke

Duties for August

Welcome, Uplift and Count H Edwards D Crichton * L Watson A Edwards Sunday Beadles 5th D Salton 12th D Pearson 19th A Thom 26th R Allan Bell Ringers 5th R Ingle 12th I Laing 19th D Cameron 26th H Edwards Sunday Coffee Rota

19th M Turner & J Walker 26th B & M Clarke Wednesday Church Opening 1st D Baird 8th S MacFeeters 15th D Davidson 22nd D Stewart 29th W Williamson

Duties for September

Welcome, Uplift and Count M Harrower R Ingle J Hartil D Stewart E Stewart Sunday Beadles 2nd K Harrower 9th D Salton 16th D Pearson 23rd A Thom 30th R Allan Bell Ringers 2nd K Harrower 9th A Hay 16th A Sinclair 23rd P Carnie 30th R Ingle Sunday Coffee Rota 2nd Guild 9th Williamson & I Chalmers 16th J & A Thom 23rd D & E Stewart 30th K Hutchon & E Sinclair Thursday Office Hour 6th S Bryson 13th M Harrower Wednesday Church Opening 5th G Stewart 12th I Chalmers 19th A Broom (Cor Trust) 26th C McKay

Guild News Distributor Required for

The Guild had a most enjoyable and interesting District ED50B outing to Abbot House, Dunfermline which included an excellent Afternoon Tea. This involves posting 9 magazines, 9 times a year. They are normally uplifted from the church on the first Sunday of the month. Should this not be convenient alternative arrangements can be made. The area covers:

1 South Gyle Loan, 4 Gogarloch Bank, We wish all our members a good Summer and will 1 Gogarloch Muir and 3 Gogarloch Syke. welcome everyone back on the 25th September at our Opening Social, please bring along a friend! Please contact me at 334 9467 or Christine in the office 334 7864. Thank you. From Everyone in the Leadership Team Rena Ingle

Flowers for the Summer

June

3rd From the Ingle family in memory of Karen 10th In loving memory of Stuart Henderson from Mum, Dad, Graeme, Keran, Kerri and Jamie In memory of Jean Paterson from her friends. 17th Porch - Mr and Mrs Higgins 24th Kirk Session July

1st Margaret Borthwick and family in memory of Tom 8th Georgie Findlay in memory of her husband Alfred 15th ------22nd ------29th Porch - Mr and Mrs Higgins In memory of Phil Drummond from David and the girls

August

5th Mrs Moffat 12th Margaret Scott 19th Margaret Nicholson in memory of Leif Eikeset 26th Carol and Alastair McKay for Liz

Margaret Scott, Flower Convener - 334 3319 - [email protected]

The Forrester Flags and Founder’s Day

Last summer a visitor asked me about the four Forrester banners we display from the balcony and I looked into the matter when erecting them for the recent Royal Visit. Some of the following was found in Colin Forrester’s book, “The Forresters, a Lowland Clan and its Lands” published in 1988. He was Secretary and Historian of the Clan Forrester Society. Notes on Anniversary Services prepared by Rev. Ian Brady have been most useful too.

Church members will know that Sir Adam Forrester of Corstorphine built a chapel dedicated to St John the Baptist around 1400. His son, Sir John Forrester added to it in 1429 creating a Collegiate Church. Our annual Founder’s Day appropriately falls on ‘Johnsmas’, 24th June and an Anniversary Service is held on the nearest Sunday. The banner of the later Lords Forrester (see Sketch 1) was made and carried in procession at Corstorphine Church in 1975 after a lapse of at least two hundred years. This and the other Forrester flags were made by Mrs Mary Wood, an Honorary Clanswoman, and presented by Clan Forrester. The Kirk Session decided they should be displayed for the Anni- versary Service and taken down in September at the end of the Edinburgh Festival. Mrs Wood also made a tapestry image of St John the Baptist which normally hangs in the Session Room and is dis- played in the baptistry at the Anniversary Service.

Today’s Lord Forrester (the Earl of Verulam in England) is considered Chief of the name and there- fore his banner is placed at the south end nearest to the medieval tomb of his ancestor Sir Adam Forrester in the baptistry. Next in precedence is the banner of the Forresters of Garden (Caer- dun) and (see Sketch 2) the former Chieftains. The final two are modern, be- ing the banners of Robert Forrester of Carbeth (see Sketch 3) and posthumously for John Forrest- er (forebear of Colin) in Leuchars (see Sketch 4) from Arms granted by the Lord Lyon respectively in 1874 and 1981. The banners have the same colours and charges as on the armorial shields but are approximately square (unlike rectangular national flags) and have decorative fringing and tassels. Adjacent to each sketch is the correct blazon — a key to the Norman-French terminology is shown in a footnote. (These descriptions do not include the whole heraldic achievements with crests, mottos etc).

1. “Argent, three hunting horns Sable, stringed Gules and garnished Vert.” Clearly the Arms refer to the hunting aspect of being a forester. Sir Adam used the same Arms as Forster of Bamburgh which included a chevron Vert between the three bugles or horns. Sir John 1 abandoned the chev- ron and his hunting horns were completely Sable. Pre- sumably when Sir George (10th Knight) was created Lord Forrester of Corstorphine in 1633 the horns were given the additional colours. It is worth noting that the mouth pieces face dexter. (Interestingly, James, the notorious 2nd Lord Forrester had territorial interests in Coltbridge and his Arms quartered with Ruthven etc, dated 1676, can be seen carved in stone on the east flank of Pape’s Cottages in Roseburn). The banner pole is topped by a miniature coronet.

2. “Argent, three hunting horns Sable, stringed Gules and garnished Or, at fess point a mullet Gules.” The Forresters of Garden also had ‘arms of office’ as Herit- able Foresters of the Torwood for the King of Scots com- prising of the Saltire with a hunting horn in the base. They were a cadet family of the Corstorphine Forresters – and indeed became closer when Sir Alexander (6th Knight of Corstorphine) married Margaret, daughter of Sir Duncan Forrester of Garden, Master of the Household of James IV. Maybe the gold detailing on the horns was to reflect Royal duties.

3. “Argent, on a fess wavy Gules, between three hunting horns Sable, stringed and garnished Vert, two mullets Argent.” Robert Forrester was owner of the Auchinreoch coal mine, Kilsyth and lived in Carbeth House, Stirlingshire. Maybe a descendant was involved with the Clan Society as there does not seem to be an obvious reason for including his banner from other armigerous Forresters. The fess is a significant difference and indicates that any connection with the Corstorphine Forresters is probably remote.

4. “Argent, on a fess Gules, between three hunting horns Sable, stringed and garnished Vert, two antique crowns Or.” The crowns feature on Arms - and the internet found a John Forrester, shoemaker, born 1797 at New- burn, Fife who married Barbara Grant in 1826 at Leuchars. They must be Colin's ancestors pleasingly united in the sur- name symbols. (As Colin has been the prime mover in reviv- ing interest in Forrester traditions I have been hanging his banner third).

The banner of Lord Forrester is highly relevant to our church history and Forrester shields (some conjoined with wives’ Arms) can be seen carved in stone on the tombs and on the church exterior. That of the Forresters of Garden is relevant too being cousins and also because Torwood Castle (north of Larbert) was eventually inherited by the Corstorphine Forresters. In a later article I will report on an excursion to Torwood (with photographs) by the Dovecot Walkers and expand on the Forrester connection. Although Forresters do visit our church from time to time I am una- ware of anyone coming from the Clan Society now. So although I will erect all four flags for the Anniversary Sunday, I am of a mind to take down the two less relevant ones over the Festival as they tend to block views and photography from the balcony for visitors.

At the Anniversary Sunday Service look out for the red rose and silver coin customarily on display on a salver. This stands for the ‘Quit Rent’, an annual rent in money or kind, which represents the feudal service due to the King of Scots by the Forresters for their lands. For the Lairds of Corstorphine and Garden, this rent was a silver ‘penny’ and a red rose respectively. Colin Forrester donated a rose bush ‘Midsummer Fragrance’ so that one of its blooms may be used at this occasion. (This bush was plant- ed in the Manse garden but unfortunately so far has bloomed too late for its stated purpose!!)

Reflecting local heritage Forrester High’s school badge is a hunting horn and Corstorphine Primary’s school colours are Argent, Sable and Gules for ties etc. Also the Bowling Club on North Saughton Road incorporates a hunting horn Sable along with the Corstorphine sycamore in its heraldic flag. Maybe our own church could have its own banner? For more on the Forresters of Corstorphine, a facsimile of their family tree hangs in the baptistry. Hopefully this resume has stimulated interest in our church’s Forrester history and heraldry and I am happy to answer any questions or receive more information. If readers have friends called Forrester please invite them to the Anniversary Service and let them know that the church is open for viewing on Wednesday mornings.

David Cameron

Key to Heraldic Words describing Arms and Banners:

Colours: Argent = silver/white; Or = gold/yellow; Sable = black; Gules = red; Vert = green Terms: fess = broad horizontal bar; chevron = an inverted V; saltire = diagonal cross as in St An- drew’s; mullet = five pointed star (can be the “difference” for a third son); garnished = decorative hoops on the horns; stringed = cords or straps for carrying the horns; dexter = to the right from the shield bearer’s stance ie to the left for the viewer!

Hunger Lunch Solas Festival

An independent arts festival for all with a programme that’s jam-packed with music liter- ature, theatre and debate. Thank you to everyone who came along, helped out or participated in anyway to our Hunger 22nd—24th June Lunch on Sunday 13th May. Wiston, near Biggar

The total raised for Christian Aid was £367.40 which is a fantastic amount. In the September Arts - Music - Theatre magazine we will let you know the total raised Debate - Soul Space from the Christian Aid donation envelopes.

www.solasfestival.co.uk Linda Ingle

Parish Records

Baptism 20th May Luke William Robert Newby, son of Jo and Leigh Newby, 21 Craigmount Hill

Deaths 30th April Aileen Campbell, Pentland Hill Nursing Home (Allermuir), Gylemuir Road (ED19)

Weddings 19th May Gregor McCulloch and Katherine Livingston, c/o 18 Hillview Drive 26th May Alison Greenhowe and Simon Harrison from Leeds

Officebearers, Elders and Magazine Distributors are asked to note these announcements and to adjust their records accordingly.

Changes to Elders’ Districts

For several reasons the time has come for a review of the parish districts and the number of church members in each.

As from the 1st of June some church members will find they have a new elder, resulting in an evening out of the number of visits each district elder has. Moira and I appreciate members have established a rapport with their elder and may find the thought of a change difficult.

These changes also mean that some magazine distributors will have more houses to deliver to.

Thank you very much to all involved in these changes your co operation and understanding is appre- ciated.

Linda Ingle, Session Clark

Scottish Chamber Choir

With Sospiro Baroque (directed by Roderick Bryce)

Handel Vespers

Dixit Dominus Laudate Pueri Nisi Dominus

8pm Saturday 9th June Canongate Kirk, Canongate, Edinburgh

Tickets £10 (students £5, under 18s free)

www.scottishchamberchoir.org.uk

Crèche Rota Enquirers Conference 3rd June Tracey Berry West Park Conference Centre, Dundee 10th Keren Henderson 29th—30th June 17th Norma Thomson 24th Linda Ingle

Spaces are limited (No crèche in July due to kitchen refurbishment)

booking essential. 5th Aug Eilidh Sinclair Closing date Friday 8th June. 12th Liz Allan 19th Aileen Drummond The Church of is looking for gifted 26th Tracey Berry and committed people to serve the local and 2nd Sept Keren Henderson national church. 9th Norma Thomson

16th Linda Ingle For more information 23rd Eilidh Sinclair please visit 30th Liz Allan www.churchofscotland.org.uk Liz Allan: 332 5809

Retirement Party held at Gogar Church

Chris Holmes, the talented artist-cabinetmaker, has leased our church at Gogar as a workshop since 1980 - and has kept the building wind and watertight for over 30 years. He is renowned for his creative woodwork and bespoke furniture. Sadly he has had to retire for health reasons and a splendid 'bash' was held on the afternoon of Sunday 13 May attended by about 80 friends and colleagues. Those who came included former apprentices, customers, members of Drummond Cricket Club (where Chris played) and those who serviced his vintage Saab.

A BBQ with bonfire was held outside, then everyone went into the church where Chris's musician son, Adam, sang and played his guitar. Then a friend gave a humorous speech for Chris. Another two friends did a lively jazz-style vocal presentation to the rhyth- mic clapping of the audience. I had the privilege of attending on behalf of the church. Chris, with his wife Freda, gave me a mes- sage of warm thanks and appreci- ation to take to the Minister and Session Clerks. The Kirk Session has recently agreed to transfer the lease to Chris's longstanding colleague, Chris Scotland, who will run the Gogar Cabinetworks.

David Cameron