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GAU NO LDRY & BALMERI WINTER 2020 / 2021 Morison Duncan Hall Management Committee (Scottish Charity Number SCO35014) Welcome back to the newsletter ! This Issue It’s been a wee while since the last newsletter back in 2018, but hopefully it can once again keep us in touch with what’s been happening in and around Gauldry. Notice Board 2 And what a time it has been recently. I don’t think anyone can quite believe the change in our lives Community News 2,3,4,5,6 in such a short time. But we’ve all been adapting with new ways of keeping in touch, such as ‘Zoom’, for those lucky enough to have access to such computer platforms. Even without technology, I Arts Club 2 know the community has rallied round. There have been many acts of kindness which we’d love to hear about. Please send details by email or phone call or letter for inclusion in the next newsletter. Christmas will be a little different for most people this year but let us all try to make it a merry one Morison Duncan Hall for everyone in the community. Report 2 Stay safe everyone. Church of Scotland 3 Sheila Lindsay ––––––––––––––––––––S–––c––h–––o–––o––l–– –N–––e–––w––––s ––––––––––––––––––––– Obituaries 3 Gauldry in Bloom 4 Message from Mrs Jess (Headteacher) I am very pleased to have this opportunity to introduce myself to the wider community in and around Morison Duncan Hall Gauldry. I took up post as Headteacher of Balmerino Primary School in August of this year. You can imagine it has been a strange time to join a new staff team and to get to know my new school History 5,6 but I have been warmly welcomed. In both of my previous headships (at Crail and then Leuchars Primary Schools), it has always been my practice to get to know the wider local community and to attend Community Council Meetings so that the school can work in partnership with the village. For obvious reasons this isn’t possible yet but I look forward to the day when it will be. Newsletter Through this Christmas period, we are supporting the foodbank and Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper day. If anyone would like to join our charitable work, you can make a donation here: Contacts https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cjd200016466 - we are encouraging small, anonymous Editor: donations. I am going to end by handing over to two of our P7s who will share some of the work they have been doing in school. Before I do that, I will take this opportunity to thank the whole Sheila Lindsay community for the warm welcome I have been given since coming to Balmerino PS in August and 52 Maryknowe, Gauldry. to thank the whole staff team for their hard work and commitment through these exceptional times. Tel: 330404 Lucy Jess Email: [email protected] [email protected] Advertising Manager: Messages from Primary 7 Jim Whittet One of the things we will be doing is writing to those in the village who are lonely. We got this idea 4 Hays Road, Gauldry. Tel: 330563 from writing letters in class and we all decided this would be a very fine and kind thing to do. Keep Email: [email protected] an eye out for a letter from me and the rest of p6/7 Tori Copy Dates for the One of the best times I have had at school is apple festival. It was so fun. We had to find as many Spring Issue: fruits as possible with the alphabet, like, for B I put banana. When we were at school, we got to Wednesday 3rd March – have a little tub of our own apple crumble, but we had to make it our self. It was so good when I Publication Wednesday 31st March had it at home, so good. We also did science with apples. We had to put vinegar on a slice of apple, lemon juice on an apple, water on an apple and we just left an apple. We had to see which apple Morison Duncan Hall would rot first and last. That was a good experiment. One of my favorite times on apple festival was when we had to draw some apples inspired by Paul Cezanne. It was a competition, and the Management Committee: new amazing head teacher, Mrs. Jess, of Balmerino Primary School was judging. It was the best. Chair: Jeremy Wickens The school would say that was a fun day. Secretary: Sue Gray By Cameron B Treasurer: Bill Anderson 2 Community News Art Club MD Hall Newsletter Report, Nov 2020 We started at the beginning of February with more members than we had, a It is really good to be writing for the newsletter again! Many thanks to Sheila few new members that brought our numbers to ten. We hoped to continue for volunteering to produce what has always been a very useful and to the end of May but events took over and we ended our club in March. We interesting means of keeping in touch with our community. still keep in touch over Zoom and have a blether and show what we have Morison Duncan Hall Management Committee had its AGM at the end of been up to with our art. October, gaining six new members! The new committee is now: When will we start our club again, who knows, this will depend on how safe Jeremy Wickins (Chair) Sue Gray (Secretary) we all feel about going out again. Bill Anderson (Treasurer) Xin Shen (Treasurer Depute) Hope you are all well and keeping safe. Scott Graham (Bookings Secretary) David Cole (Media Officer) Senga Young, Chairperson Zena Ali (Member) Stewart Fyffe (Member) ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– Ewan McKay (Member) Indira Pintak (Member) Maggie Wilkins (Member) Susan Barratt (Representing Gauldry in Bloom) Sheila Lindsay/Vicky Kendrick (Representing Thursday Café) Christine Mulherron (Representing Dancing and Art Clubs) Knut Radmer (Representing Table Tennis and Cinema) It feels really good to have a full committee that represents more of the The 4th season of the Jack Cockin Gauldry & Balmerino Community community we serve. Thank you to everyone for taking time to do this. Cinema was not a good season at all! It was like Murphy’s Law: if there's Rob Gray is still missed by all who worked with him on the committee. The anything that can go wrong, it will..” village does not feel the same without him. Our love and thoughts are still with First of all, in the beginning of the season in September during the screening Sue. of the film ‘A star is Born’ (2018) the projector broke down and we had to You may have noticed that we now have a Media Officer - David Cole. He has send everyone home. Luckily, there was enough money in the kitty to get a taken on the responsibility of increasing our social media presence so that we new projector installed for the next screening. Then in January the have better communications with the community. Over the next few weeks you videoplayer broke down and we were obliged to use a laptop, with no sound! should see the website and Facebook pages having more activity, so please Fortunately, a member of the audience was able to get the laptop connected keep an eye out. to the speakers, so we were able to show the film ‘Toto le Heros’ (1991) a I am delighted to say that Barbara Watson is still our caretaker. She has taken European movie, in the end. advantage of the enforced closure of the Hall to do a lot of sprucing up - when We had rescheduled the screening of ‘A star is Born’ in January with free you finally get back in, you’ll be really impressed. I’m not going to tell you what entree, which was well visited. Also, the February screening ‘Three Billboards she has done - maybe we’ll have a competition to see who can spot the most! Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ (2017) was received well, not knowing that this Due to the restrictions placed on us as a result of Covid precautions imposed would be our last one for the season. The COVID-19 pandemic and the by the government, we have not managed to put on our major events this year. Lockdown subsequently caused the season to end prematurely; we still had The Easter Egg Hunt, Fife Open Studios, the Gala and the firework display two more screenings on our programme. Unfortunately for the annual would all have helped to raise spirits, but it was impossible to plan with any members, they didn’t receive value for their money this season. Hopefully certainty. The same fate has befallen the usual fundraiser for Gauldry in Bloom we can make it up for them next year? at the lighting up of the Christmas tree: there will be a tree (thank you again, Normally, the new season would have started in September 2020 but Barbara!), but no organised lighting-up event. However, donations to Gauldry COVID-19 denies us to gather in Gauldry’s Village Hall. When this will be in Bloom are always gratefully received, especially as their work around the possible again -hopefully soon in the new year- we will start the Community village really helped to make it a beautiful place to walk around throughout the Cinema again, with renewed enthusiasm. last nine months. We are looking for some new committee members, since Susan Barrett, Fran We put the Hall on Fife Council’s emergency preparedness list back in March, Westland and Sue Gray have decided to stop their commitment to the in case it was needed to assist the community. The possibilities back then Community Cinema. We thank them for their help and commitment over the consisted of such things as; triaging; emergency care; distribution of food; and last 4 years. It was fun! so on. Whilst it doesn’t look as if those eventualities are going to be needed in If you would like to become involved: contribute to the selection of films for the near future, it has set me thinking about community resilience planning. I the new programme, help with publicity or help on the evening, please get in will return to this in the future. contact with us for more info. The Post Office continued to run as normal, barring a few days where staff We are looking forward to seeing the Gauldry and Balmerino residents and were unable to open it up, during the Covid restrictions, making it possible for visitors again at the Community Cinema. Watch this space. people to make transactions of various types whilst unable to travel. The Post Office is a valuable addition to the village, so please make use of it as much Keep safe! as you can. The Jack Cockin G&B Community Cinema Sub-Committee On a different note, we are in discussion with Fife Council about putting two For more info, contact: Yvonne Wynia on 07737546945 Electric Vehicle Charging Points in the Hall grounds. This will be a great ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– addition to the village, making it easier for people to own electric cars, Pilates contributing to the aims of reducing petrol and diesel use. The Pilates Project usually meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm at the Our plans for the future involve opening up the Hall for use by our users as hall. We have a strong core of regulars from Gauldry, Wormit, Balmerino and soon as we possibly can. We have bought hand-sanitizer dispensers and beyond. This class started at St Marys church hall in Newport on Tay at least screens to enable safe social-distancing, and I hope user-groups will want to 5 or 6 years ago and then moved to Gauldry. Its proven to be a very popular make use of them for the benefit of the community. I know that the residents class, so much so that nobody seems to leave and the class is currently full. of the village want to be socialising soon. I hope that the Scottish Government We practise classical Pilates which is an original form of Pilates following the will soon settle on a course of action that lasts more than a few weeks so that classical order and moves created by Joseph Pilates. Classical is perhaps a plans can be made with confidence. We have tentative plans for some sort of more strenuous and vigorous style of Pilates enjoyed by men and women event to celebrate the end of restrictions, and sincerely hope that we can run and has many benefits. It can improve balance, coordination, core strength, the fireworks display next year. Our social media channels will give you more flexibility, posture and help to alleviate/correct back issues. information when we know. Due to Covid we have not been able to meet inside the hall since March. We Whilst not strictly part of the Hall’s business, I would like to say a huge thank have had a good few outdoor sessions next to the hall when the weather you to Sylvia Troon and all the painters of stones for making the path at the was better and the lighter nights allowed us to meet in the evenings. east end of the village so wonderful to walk on. I understand that it is now However, this is no longer possible due to dark nights and cold weather! generally referred to as “Sylvia’s Path”, which is a well-deserved tribute to all Some people from the class are doing online Pilates with The Pilates Project. the hard work she dedicated to it. This is accessed using Zoom for live classes or through an on demand pre Lastly, the Hall committee wish you a good Christmas and a better New Year! recorded option. It’s great to be able to keep going with fitness during this 2020 has had such a range of challenges that things surely must get better very uncertain time. (mustn’t they??) Without you, the Hall is pointless. We run the Hall purely in We very much look forward to getting back to some normality where we can the service of the community, and your support is what keeps us going. We start to use the hall again. look forward to welcoming you back just as soon as we can. If you are looking to start Pilates please get in touch with Gina. Classes are Best wishes to you all. in Gauldry but also close by in Luthrie, Newport on Tay and Tayport. You Jeremy Wickins, might want to get started with online classes until Covid restrictions ease. on behalf of the Committee. Please call 07892891029. Email [email protected] ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– Community News 3 Morison Duncan Hall By Nancy Young The hall was a busy place with something “On” most nights of the week. There was the Mens Club on Mondays with carpet bowls, table tennis, draughts, darts etc. Scottish Country dancing on Tuesdays was well attended by all ages – the Misses Wedderspoon were the teachers – two sisters, Agnes and Jean - who put us through our paces. The music was provided with a wind up gramophone. Mrs Henderson and Mrs Moir succeeded them in later years. We did send a team of dancers to Dens Park when the World Pipe Band Championship took place there. There was a Dramatic Club which practised weekly for concerts in the village with sketches, songs and recitations. The W.R.I. had their meetings once a month on a Wednesday – They entered drama and various entertainment competitions, competing against other rurals in Fife and were winners too. There were a few young members then, I became a member as a 13 year old. In winter there were whist drives every Friday and when there was a shortage of players at a particular table I was often sent in to make up the numbers. I was not an experienced whist player – just a 12 year old trying my best – but obviously not good enough! The experience put me off card games for the rest of my life. The whist nights were often followed by a dance, the music being provided by two local bands – Markie Johnstones band and Gordon Ogilivies band – and sometimes Dave Christie would play his pipes. We were too young, my brother, sister and I to go to these events and were often in bed by the time the dancing began. However, there was a cupboard at the top of the stairs, which gave access to the loft above the hall itself and we often crept in there to look through the grills in the ceiling at the dancers below. There was even the occasional wedding reception on a Saturday afternoon – no alcohol allowed however. One summer in particular a group of travelling players took up residence in the Hall anterooms for a whole week and put on nightly shows, culminating in a pantomime on the Saturday – my sister and I were given a small part on that night. The group made their meals on a portable stove and slept on camp beds. Every night after everyone left, my Mum swept the hall clean. In the morning the two fireplaces, one at each end, were emptied of ashes and relaid for the next evening “do”, They were lit at 4:30pm so that the hall was warm and cosy by 7pm. The oil lamps, 8 in all in the hall itself, were taken down, refilled, trimmed, the glasses cleaned and put back again. The hall was then set out with the forms to sit on. These were kept under the stage along with heavy trestle tables and the carpet for the bowls. The front door was always used and the side door locked. In the hall c 1950[8] Nancy Young [rhs] My brother, sister and I often made up our own concerts. Oh! The luxury of being allowed to “play” the piano. I could only play by ear but it was good In November 1944 my parents, Dave and Nan Wilson, my brother Allan, fun. Mum and Dad would sit happily listening to our efforts. sister Margaret and myself moved from Kellie Castle Farm, Arncroach to There was no kitchen then and the kitchen belonging to the house was used Priory Farm at Gallowhill Cottage. My father was a farm grieve and I had for making up sandwiches and washing up. An old black range in the living lived all my childhood until then on farms. room heated the water and cooked the meals. Sticking a slice of bread on a We lived there for a year, then moved to the house at Morison Duncan Hall. long brass toasting fork against the bars of the fire produced delicious toast. My Mum became the hall keeper sometime in 1945 and my Dad then worked My sister and I sat on cushions on the floor to dry our long hair. Although at Balmerino Farm. He used his big red Farmall tractor to get there and back, there was a bath in the bathroom, it was filled from a huge boiler in the corner and every night it was parked behind the hall at the back door. of the kitchen. This had a fire underneath to heat the water so the kitchen The hall itself was much as it is now except it seemed in better condition became very hot. When there were lots of dishes to wash after a party or then. The paint was fresh and clean. Wire grills were on the windows to the wedding reception the boiler was lit so that there was plenty of hot water. I east to prevent footballs breaking the glass. The grass was well kept by my enjoyed the bustle and chat in the kitchen on these occasions. It was taken Dad, using an ordinary push mower, with the sloping banks to the right of for granted that you helped. the pillared gateway a favourite place to sit or sunbathe. I attended Gauldry School and passed the 11 plus exam. Mr. Rodger was The school had a large garden, which reached to the gate in the school wall Headmaster. From there I moved to Newport Junior Secondary in 1946 – and there were swings on the green near the road. this school was downgraded two years later and we had to go to Bell Baxter At the top of the hall garden there was a garden shed, where the youth club or Madras. hut now stands. A little henhouse was along side and Mum kept a dozen In 1947 as some of you will know, there was the great snowstorm. I was hens. The lilac bushes and a large Veronica bush sheltered the bottom right stuck in Newport living with an aunt for six weeks and was very homesick. In hand corner. My Dad cultivated the garden every year with potatoes and that storm Gauldry was completely cut off. No council workmen came to the other vegetables. rescue, men got out shovels and dug a way clear down the Gutchers Brae I loved Gauldry from the start, although it was much smaller than it is now, so that a horse and cart could go to Wormit to pick up stores, papers and and life at the Hall was varied and never boring. This was before Gauldry the mail. Even when I was able to return to Gauldry, deep banks of snow had electricity or running water. lined the sides of the road for weeks. Mr Speed at the Smithy opposite the Most people drew water from a deep well in their garden with a bucket on a school made metal runners for the boys in the village who had made long rope. We thought we were lucky because we had a hand pump in the themselves sledges. There was a great sledge run down the field at the side house which drew water from the well which was situated to the right of the of the Shambleton Wood. kitchen window at the corner of the path which goes around the east end of Many of the children rode bikes. I worked for 6 weeks at the potatoes to buy the building. Whether this well was perhaps not as deep as the others were a brand new Hercules bike at Gordon’s shop in Newport (now Jim Fairlie’s I don’t know, but it did sometimes threaten to dry up in the summer. When shop). It cost £46, a lot of money then. We cycled for miles around the village this happened we used rain water from a big square metal tank at the back area, Balmerino beach was popular in summer as was the Shambleton door for washing and household purposes and the water from the well for Wood. Wild strawberries grew there in abundance and whole families picked drinking only. them for jam which was delicious. We knew where all the gooseberry and I do remember when electricity was put in the hall and the electricians were raspberry bushes were and I still do to this day. there for quite a time and that when the lights were switched on it was a great Tadpoles could be got down the Den at the pond and I have since taken my event. The water arrived after we left sometime after 1952. grandchildren on the same errand. 4 Community News Morison Duncan Hall - continued By Nancy Young We went to Sunday School every week – we were supposed to have a choir made up of the girls in the village but as often as not there would only be 2 or 3 of us on the platform. In those days I had a good singing voice – alas these days I do not. We had a Guide Company. This was held at Balmerino Parish Church Hall on Monday evenings. We walked there with torches down the Stoney Brae, I remember in particular frosty moonlit nights. Miss Jean Wedderspoon was Thursday Cafe our Guider and many useful skills were learnt there. The cafe started up in September 2019 with the usual enthusiastic rush of We went to Guide Camp with Newport Guides to places such as Crieff, people keen to catch up on the summer’s news while enjoying something to Killiecrankie and Cambo. We even won the Rose Bowl for the best patrol eat. There are usually between twenty five to forty attending as well as the one year. primary 7 pupils. Everything is 60P, from tea, coffee, soup, sandwiches, Our family holiday was to Leven every year. We had an aunt who lived in sausage rolls, scones and cakes! (See the sample menu below) Links Road overlooking the esplanade – 1 minute from the beach. The highlight was going to see the Pierrots Show on the Saturdays. Soup + roll Ham and vegetable Because my Dad worked at the Birkhill Estate, we as children were invited Sandwiches Egg mayonnaise along with other tenant’s children to the annual Christmas Party. This was a Sausage Rolls Corned beef and tomato magical affair held at Birkhill House. Tuna mayonnaise The Scrimegour-Wedderburn family (now Lord Dundee – the family did not Cakes Scones have a title in those days, they went to court to fight for it in later years), put Meringues on a pantomime each year which was usually topical of the year and there Apple and Coconut Cake was lots of good food and Santa appeared with a gift for each child. Cappuccino Cake The village had a successful football team with stalwarts such as Sandy Dolly Mixture Cake Rankine, Doug and Jim Stanford and of course George Stewart. Their Clementine Cake changing hut was at the top of the park and is now long gone. There were three shops in the village. Mr. Chalmers at the Post Office, Mrs. During the year a couple of charities benefit from the generosity of those Taylor’s shop in Teapot Row which was demolished later and is now where attending. In September £181.69 was raised for the Macmillan Cancer Pitmossie Place stands. Miss Thoms had a small shop in one of her rooms Charity and on 26th March Maggie’s was to be the second recipient, but in the house opposite the school. She sold fizzy drinks like Cremola Foam lockdown intervened. However I am sure when the cafe resumes, the and biscuits to school children. fundraiser will be rescheduled. The District Nurse, Nurse Thoms, lived in the house where Calum Webster Some of the Thursday cafe team have met in the hall with a view to now lives. I remember going there for ten weeks with a sore knee after I went establishing a way of running the cafe under the new restrictions that the over the handlebars of my bike after they had just resurfaced the main road. virus imposes, although we don’t foresee opening until well into next year. My brother and my Dad delivered the Sunday papers. They were delivered In the meantime, if anyone would like to share some of the recipes they have to the Hall and laid out on the Hall floor and made up into bundles from a been busy perfecting during lockdown, please send them in and they can be list. My brother delivered Gauldry papers on his bike. My Dad delivered those shared with all readers. at Balmerino when he went to pick up our flagon of milk. Sheila Lindsay These are some of the memories I have of life in Gauldry and in particular, ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– of living at Morison Duncan Hall. A happy time and looked back on with affection. Nancy Young Written in Summer 1998 ––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––

Charges for Advertising in the Newsletter 1/8 Page: B/W - £7.50, Colour - £15.00 (100x73mm) 1/4 Page - B/W - £10.00, Colour - £20.00 (100x155mm) 1/2 Page - B/W - £20.00, Colour - £40.00 (205x155mm) Full Page - B/W - £35.00, Colour - £60.00 (205x310mm) Charges are per quarterly issue with invoices being issued after publication. Please contact: Jim Whittet on 330563. Community News 5 resume some of the things we all enjoy. I am keeping up with the government CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GUILD guidelines and find that ballroom dancing would perhaps fall into the category of Wormit and Balmerino of over 18s indoor contact sport! This means that we would need to be in As with other groups we have not met since March of this year. The ‘Team’ Tier 0 for it to be safe again. (Committee ) have met on ‘Zoom‘ (a new skill for some of us !) and we keep Meanwhile, our dancers are pushing back the furniture to dance in their in touch with members by letter. houses, or gardens, or other outdoor spaces they can find! Normally we meet every second Monday at 2pm between September and Thank goodness for Strictly Come Dancing on TV. April in the East Hall of Wormit Church. ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– We enjoy a variety of speakers, and a ‘blether‘ over a cup of tea. We hold monthly Coffee Mornings in Wormit between October and March, In Memory of Rob Gray, 1952 – 2020 and in Balmerino Church Hall in April and May, with the June one in the A huge thank you to everyone in the local community who has given Morison Duncan Hall. Monies raised go towards various charitable projects my family so much support and understanding since Rob's death. He which all Guilds support. died suddenly at the end of June, whilst in hospital, and his death was If anyone would like further details, please contact either Jan Winch 541315, a huge shock not only to us but also to so many people locally who or Ann Johnson 330344. You would be made most welcome. knew him through various community projects. ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– I cannot thank people enough for the many cards, flowers, home cooked Boxing Day Carol Service food, books, poetry and love that came our way. Everything was so appreciated. & Torchlight procession An online memorial is available at: https://robgray.muchloved.com/ The Balmerino History Group met via Zoom and discussed the annual Carol and details of the funeral and the readings and tributes can be seen Service starting in the Church and processing to the Abbey with the bonfire there. and Cistercian monks! The numbers permitted to attend a Church service It has truly been an awful year for so many families locally and in the are limited and at present singing is not permitted – also we cannot hold out wider community. I know we all look forward to next year when we can of door Services, so it was agreed that because of Covid-19 the Carol all meet up together again. Service would be cancelled for this year. After much discussion it was agreed So raise a glass, probably malt in Rob's case, to him and to other absent that if the Covid risk is resolved and gatherings and singing are permitted by friends, both in the village and elsewhere. the summer we would plan a mid-summer event. As the Cistercians had a special devotion to St Mary, Jesus’s mother, we could choose the festivals Sue and Family dedicated to her, this would be 15th August or 9th September. However the Group will be meeting again in the Spring when this will be discussed and dates decided. Torchlight procession in midsummer won’t be very useful but In memory of Andrew Lachlan Robertson we hope to arrange a suitable occasion in place of Boxing Day – we could even sing Carols in August! 1954 - 2019 ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– Most know now of the sad, and totally unexpected passing of Andrew SWI (Scottish Women’s Institute) in August last year. At the beginning of 2020 the SWI were entertained by Dita Wickens who The boys and I were totally overwhelmed with the support offered by spoke about Christmas traditions in the Czech republic. This was followed the village, family and friends elsewhere, and brother and sister curlers. by Ann Johnson describing life in a primary school. In March three ladies Particularly at his funeral, where some 400 people attended (precovid), came from Cameron SWI and kept our brains active with quizzes and crafts. and raised just over £1200 for Andrews favourite charity, the Dumfries Then came lockdown. We now look forward to next year when there will be canine rescue, the biggest donation they have ever received. Andrew meetings including flower arranging, travel etc. Members look forward to was well kent to many as JC, through his being a son of the Wormit meeting again in the hall on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-4pm manse. He continued to be known as JC here in the village, and in his when we hope to see some new faces. Everyone is welcome. For more favourite place, on the ice, throwing a curling stone. Andrew always said information I can be contacted on 01382 330613. that those who died young, were given an early call. He certainly was, and is missed by us every day. Mary Neison (President) ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– Maureen Robertson. XYZ Senior Club The XYZ senior club which is held in the East hall of Wormit Church on alternate Friday’s has been, like all other clubs/meetings victim of the current In Memory of Lawrence Baldie coronavirus pandemic. As most of you will know we lost our much loved husband and dad In real terms we would have already started the next session but it is with Lawrence suddenly and unexpectedly in June. We miss him so much sadness that we have taken the decision to defer it until Sept/October of however; we have been overwhelmed and comforted by the thoughtful 2021. We will of course review the situation into the new year but everyone’s and kind words and gestures that we have received from the safety is very important to us. community. Myself, Victoria and Finlay were especially moved to see XYZ was established to give senior retired people Xtra Years of Zeal. We the turn out on the streets of The Gauldry as his funeral cortege passed have a variety of activities but importantly Fellowship and Fun by. A memory we will never forget. Laur made many friends on his If you would like to know more about XYZ please contact either of the walks around the area and this showed in the days that followed his following; Isobel Jamieson - 01382 330267 0r Ann Johnson - 01382330344 passing. So we would just like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– for their kindness during such a difficult time. We hope you are all well and keeping safe in these unprecedented times. Dancing in Gauldry 2020 Love Mary, Victoria and Finlay. We are a group of people who enjoy getting together every fortnight sharing our love of ballroom dancing. We are helped along by John and Cynthia from Newport who are very good dancers and help us learn everything from Slow Foxtrot, Quick Step, Waltz, Cha Cha Cha, Tango and some Ceilidh dances too. We went from complete beginners to becoming confident enough to take Recipe Corner the floor at functions. Lemon Posset We all enjoy meeting new people and friendships have been formed over 300ml double cream the years, leading to all sorts of other shared activities which, I must say, have given me so much to enjoy looking back on. Some of us are members 100g golden caster sugar of Tayside Dance Club which has monthly formal dinner dances at the Zest of 2 lemons Woodlands Hotel, Broughty Ferry. This gave us a chance to whirl around in 40ml lemon juice all our finery and try out our new skills. 1. Put the cream and sugar in a saucepan. One of our members is a fantastic musician and plays in the East Coast 2. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has melted. Jazzmen, so we were going to the monthly jazz club at Forthill Sports Club to soak up the atmosphere and appreciate the terrific standard of playing. 3. Bring to a simmer and boil for one minute. Dancing in Gauldry were continuing to meet every fortnight on Sundays, 4. Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and rind. alternating between afternoons and evenings. The dates and times were on 5. Divide between 4 ramekin dishes (or other small dishes). the community website and the notice boards. Dancing holidays were being 6. Chill for at least 3 hours. planned, social events too. And then….. 7. Serve with a few raspberries, and short bread (optional). Well, we must all stay safe and look to the day when we can meet again and 6 Community News A Path with Wildflowers and a View Gauldry in Bloom

We can often feel overwhelmed by the realisation that there are so many This year will never be forgotten, and I am sure we will all be glad to see the problems to deal with these days, and that we want our children and back of 2020. Due to Covid-19 a decision was made in the Spring by Fife grandchildren to inherit a better world. The countryside we see is – yes, Council that they would cancel the Beautiful Fife Competition, we get to keep beautiful and green – but where are the wild flowers? There is something we Gold for another year! At this stage we were in Full Lockdown, but I decided can do about this right here in and around our great wee village. We can find that as I was working from home and stuck in the house all day that Gauldry a small patch of land in or out-with our garden where we can dig, sow or plant in Bloom would be my escapism and exercise. We had already purchased wild flowers – and I know that some people are trying this out already. The plug plants which I had potted up and homed them in Dave Russell’s more we do this, the more chance that the numbers of bees, butterflies, birds greenhouse, which he kindly allows us to use every year. There was to be can build up. Just one spot isn’t enough – all these areas have to create no judging but keeping the village tidy is still what we enjoy. “wildlife corridors”. On the path, which I have been slowly developing at the A lot of time was spent in early Spring, weeding, tidying borders, weed killing top of Crawford Avenue toward Brownie Woods, I have had conversations with and grass cutting. A lot of areas were sprayed with weed killer, especially the people who stop to talk, and I show them how to collect seeds from the plants, Morison Duncan Hall grounds, which had to be done about three times this and offer to share excess plants from the path. I am always happy to give year. Les Ball has, as always kept grass verges and walking paths clear advice from what I have learned – and it has definitely been a very big learning with his trusty strimmer, he was assisted this year by Jeff, who both did a curve for me, especially with the weather! I don’t have time to organise major fantastic job keeping all the grass verges cut and tidy. wildflower projects in the village, but I am hoping my efforts will encourage Mike and Karen Peters spent a lot of their time keeping the School Garden others to do it – either like me, on their own – or with others. bushes and trees cut back and borders weed free. The judges were always I want to say a big “thank you” to Senga Young for her beautiful painted impressed with the School Garden, the pupils are so lucky to have such a stones along the path, which led to the contribution of a whole lot more from wonderful area. children and adults. It was an ideal thing to do during the lockdown in March! Maintenance is necessary every year and Barbara was kept busy repainting These stones can still be seen at the entrance and along the dyke. If anyone and lining many of the barrels on the Main Road, we were also assisted by wishes to add more at any time, feel free to do so. All that is needed are Stewart Fyffe who kindly repainted the benches in the Playpark and two pens or paints and varnish. People LOVE these stones and remark on them Memorial benches. Jeff gets talked into loads of jobs throughout the year, a lot, and take photos. but he secretly enjoys being involved! Linda Fyffe has also been remarkably busy researching Grants and Funding and submitting applications, I have got to be honest, I am not a lover of form filling, so we are grateful to have her on board. She has also been looking at areas within the village for Wildflowers and has had several chats with Sylvia Troon. Next year we will all get together to make decisions about this. Sylvia Troon is an amazing lady and those who have not met her yet, then you should, she has created a Wildflower Path from Crawford Avenue towards Sandford Hill and, during Lockdown many people met her for the first time when out walking. Every day she was there, planting, weeding, watering, and chatting to everyone who passed. The painted stones along the path were just lovely, as is the view over the Tay. She started to clear the entrance to the path in the summer and thanks must go to David Blair for assisting and taking away two loads of cut branches. She also enlisted a few of her neighbours in this project. Thank you, Sylvia, for contributing such a lovely walking path in the village. Fife Council are proposing to change the way they manage 10% of the grassland. Please have a look at www.fife.gov.uk/grasslands and have a look at their proposals, the area in Gauldry they propose to leave use as a Re- wilding area is Duncan Park which is the big area of grass at Bridieswell And lastly – the view. We are so lucky that all the paths around Gauldry offer Gardens. This grass would be left to grow and eventually be a natural spreading views aplenty, or the more enclosed magic of woodland, but this Wildflower area. I know we will all have different views on this initiative, but old public footpath (or what’s left of it) is especially lovely. People often there is a feed back form on the website that can be completed. The discussion remark on the vista over the Tay: the fields, trees, the river, the eastern end ends on 31st December 2020. Duncan Park was left to grow during Lockdown of the Sidlaws, Dundee and the bridges – and the ever-changing colours in but with the assistance of Councillor Tim Brett, the Council eventually cut it the sky. I listen to robins, skylarks, wrens - and near the woods - woodpeckers, owls, jays and buzzards and ravens. Flocks of starlings and Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our Christmas Light Switch-on woodpigeons rise with mysterious whirring sounds from the surrounding Afternoon this year but thank you to Jeff, Barbara and Norma who braved fields (very atmospheric in the mist!) the cold weather and installed the Christmas Tree and lights. Hopefully, this will cheer us all up this winter. And lastly – I have become very aware that different groups of insects feed from their chosen wildflower plants. If we don’t provide this food for them – Finally, Fife Council agreed with us that we did not have to hold an AGM, they disappear and the natural food chain will cease to work. due to Coronavirus, but thanks must go to Alan Pearce who audited our accounts as always. Anyone who would like a copy of these accounts please CHRISTMAS ROCKERY let me know and I will drop them through your door. Anyone who would like Senga Young has come up with a great idea to make us all smile this to help or get involved in any way, please get in touch and we will meet up Christmas. She has painted some Santa, Snowflake & Xmas tree designs in the New Year. Looking after an area in the village, weedkilling, grass on stones. We are placing them in the entrance to the path. Please join in, cutting, or a bit of weeding would be an amazing help. and add your stone to The Rockery. We would like these stones not to be I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a much more relaxed and safe taken away till after the Christmas holidays please! New Year. Sylvia Troon, 15 Crawford Avenue Susan Barrett ––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––