Convener, Mrs Jean Cook, outlined the work carried out by Mearns Coastal Guild in the past year and gave a report on the proceedings of the national Guild's AGM which she recently attended in Dundee's Caird Hall . Project Convener, Mrs Isabel Blease, gave a resume of the Guild's projects and the lessons were read by Secretary, Mrs Maisie Murray and Treasurer, Mrs Wilma Armatage.
Mr Anderson preached on the theme of "What does God want of me?" and the organist was Robin Beattie.
Earlier the congregation was informed that leaflets regarding the annual Blytheswood Shoebox Appeal are now available in the foyer and that the boxes may be handed in at the morning services during the two weeks prior to November 15.
This week's services will be held at the usual times of 10 a.m. in Johnshaven Church and 11.30 a.m. in St Cyrus Church.

Bowling Club

Three more competitions have been completed. In the final of the Colin Remington two bowl singles on Friday Donald Dundas defeated Bryan Duff in straight sets, 7-2, 7-2.
On Saturday morning in conditions which were more akin to mid summer than late autumn Meggie Hann and Bryan Duff met Edith Waddell and Alan Robbie in the final of the Mixed Pairs and, very quickly taking a firm grip on the game, were 8-3 ahead after seven ends. A count of six at the seventh confirmed their superiority and, although Edith and Alan countered with three shots at the ninth and rallied briefly with three consecutive single late on, Meggie and Bryan finished comfortable winners of the title by 17 shots to 9.
It was a family affair on Sunday when husband and wife Bill and Isabell Inglis clashed for the McFarlane Trophy in the final of the over 60s . Bill won by 13 shots to 3 – convincing but not clever?
The Club's representatives did not make the best of starts in the Kincardineshire Indoor League at Stonehaven on Tuesday night. The rink of Ann Aitken, Alan Black, Meggie Hann and Alan Robbie were soundly beaten 24-5 by Portlethen Bowling Club but, as the song says, "Things can only get better."
Although the hat nights officially ended the previous week, ten addicts turned up for a game on Friday night. Unfortunately for the winners, there were no Mars Bars for them, the Juniors having scoffed those that were left at their championship event the previous week!
Tomorrow, Saturday, the Club are holding a Fun Day at Wairds Park which will involve bowls, putting, darts and dominoes. It begins at 11 a.m., entry fee is £1 and 50p for senior citizens and children. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

Macmillan Cancer Support

On a beautiful September's day the coffee morning held in the Community Clubroom at Wairds Park on Saturday raised the excellent sum of £245 for Macmillan Cancer Support and the organiser, Mrs Jean Cook, wishes to thank all who gave their support.

Guild

Convener, Mrs Jean Cook, welcomed an excellent turnout of members and friends to the Guild's opening meeting of 2009 in the Church on Monday afternoon. The speaker was retired minister, the Rev J. Anderson from Montrose who delighted the company both with his talk on the funny side of weddings and funerals and his selections on the accordion.
The Bible reading was given by Mrs Christine Murray and the vote of thanks by Mrs Isabel Blease.
The next meeting of the Guild will be the leisure hour in the Johnshaven Church Hall on Monday, October 12 at 2.30 p.m. when the firm of McGregor, Balfour Textiles, Ltd will provide the speaker.
The Guild's annual silent auction will be held in the Village Hall tonight, Friday, October 2 at 7.30 pm. Admission is £1 which includes tea and biscuits. There will also be a raffle. The hall will be open from 10 a.m. until noon and from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. to receive donations for the auction. All welcome.
Looking further ahead the Guild will be reverting to an old tradition by holding a daffodil tea/coffee morning in the Church Hall on Saturday, October 31.



Bridge Club

It is now some 30 years since the late Fred Woollam iniated the Johnshaven Bridge Club. Fred had retired to the village from business in Portsoy and while he and his wife, Phil, were very happy in their new surroundings Fred, after a lifetime of playing Bridge was disappointed, distressed even, that there was no opportunity to fuel his passion. So for two winters Fred ran Bridge classes in the Primary School and when they had run their course he decided to start a Club in the Village Hall.
Since then the Club has met continuously on a weekly basis and for a number of years could boast five tables although more recently the norm has been three. A trio of original members are still bidding away and the group as a whole is always keen to welcome newcomers although this is proving to be not as easy as it once was.
There was a time, not so long ago, when lots of families would have whiled away the long dark nights over a pack of cards but, with the advent of television and then computers and play stations, younger generations found more exciting activities to take up their attention. A pity in a way because there are few more pleasurable ways of passing a winter's evening than playing cards and Bridge, many would say, is the best game of them all. Unfortunately, perhaps because it has a language of its own, it has gained for itself an unwarranted reputation of being elitist but, really it is only a card game and one which anyone who has a feel for cards would enjoy.
There are no trophies to be won at the Johnshaven Bridge Club which comprises a very friendly group of people who meet in the Village Hall every Monday night at seven o'clock for 10 weeks before Christmas and 10 after the New Year.
Their first meeting of 2009 is on Monday October 5. Why not come along and join them.

Putting.

Just a reminder that the putters will be holding their annual presentation of trophies and seniors versus juniors match this Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m. There is no charge to take part in this event, refreshments will be served, there will also be a raffle and all are welcome.

Games Club

The Annual General Meeting of the Games Club will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday, October 6 at 7 p.m.

Community Council

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday, October 14 at 7 p.m. Items for the agenda should be in the hands of the Chair, Chris Greene, Ceol-na-Mara, Back Road, by Monday, October 12.

Memories

Twenty five years ago this Friday all organisations using the Church Hall combined to provide a sizzling time for local youngsters. The hall grounds were decorated with coloured lights for the occasion, which was a "sausage sizzle" combined with a video showing of the film "Annie." Over 50 children, some accompanied by their parents, had a great time, with two intervals for crisps and lemonade, before tucking into their hot dogs on their way home.
The children had been welcomed by the Rev Tom Wilson who, accompanied by his wife Alison, was attending his first function as minister of the parish.