All four retiring office-bearers were replaced and only four members of the previous committee remained.
Now, leading the Society into its next 50 years, and following their first meeting, the new committee has announced a number of interesting cha
nges to the schedule of the Flower Show, the most exciting of those being the creation of a new section. A few years ago, in order to provide a boost to the Industrial Section, a photographic class was introduced and now, because the number and variety of entries has grown to such an extent that the class has become very difficult to judge, a Photography Section will replace the original Section E (Floral Art) and will comprise four classes – Portrait (single person or group), Nature (landscape, flora, animal), Abstract (composition, still life) and Computer generated illustration (any application of computer graphics). As in all other sections there will be a trophy for the winner – the Pixel Cup.
However, it should be noted that the Forster Trophy for Floral Art will still be presented - to the winner of class 54 in the Flower Section – the creation of a decorative floral art centrepiece.
Significant alterations have also been made to the Industrial Section and, as always, for the benefit of those who like to keep their fingers busy during the long dark nights the details are provided below:
Placemat – any craft: Decorated flower pot: Hand made scarf – any medium: Corsage – any craft: Something new from something old: Paper gift bag – hand made: Gift for baby – any medium: Article in cross stitch: Peg doll: Christmas tree decoration – any medium: Any sketch or drawing: Any painting: Greetings card: Book mark: Hand made jewellery: Favourite craft not mentioned above.
The committee hope, too, to take steps to encourage more entries in the Children's Section by promoting the creative talents of the young people in the community.
Those are not the end of the innovations, however. To mark the beginning of the Society's next 50 years it is planned to hold a spring garden competition which will recognize the beauty of the gardens within the Show area early in the year and will be open to all residents whether members of the Society or not and it is hoped also to bring forward the judging of the Society's summer gardens competition to a slightly and perhaps more advantageous date.
The annual plant sale will be held on Saturday, May 22 but the committee also intend to re-introduce some of the special activities which used to be popular in the Society's calendar of events such as visits to places of horticultural or general interest, inviting guest speakers and holding workshops.
Almost at full strength, the committee is looking forward enthusiastically to the challenge of their first managerial year, the highlight of which is, of course, the Flower Show which will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday, August 28 from 1.30 until 4.15 p.m.
Community Council
This month's meeting of the Community Council must have been one of the shortest on record. Called purely to approve the minutes of the December meeting, this was achieved, although not without some debate it must be said.
The Community Council will not meet again until the Annual General Meeting in the Village Hall on Wednesday, March 31. There will be four vacancies to be filled this year. Ms Sue Calder has already resigned and Secretary, Mrs Gerry McGuiness, will also be standing down. Mr Michael Doidge and Mr Geoffrey Lawrence retire by rotation but are both eligible for re-election.
Up until now the Community Council's agendas and minutes have been available for public perusal pinned on the notice board, not always easy an easy read, especially when the weather is cold or wet. However, in line with the Community Council's commitment to improve communications with the local community, as of this week they will be available for the public to read indoors at the Johnshaven Stores.
Mearns Coastal Parish
Once again basing his service in Johnshaven Church on Sunday morning on Jesus' youth, locum minister, Gordon Anderson, emphasised in his sermon that "He must grow greater as I must grow less."
Earlier Mr Anderson intimated that the Bible study led by Tom and Marje Daziel at 38 Invergarry Park, St Cyrus have recommenced on Monday nights at 7 p.m. and all are welcome to attend.
The organist was Robin Beattie.
This week's services will be held at the usual times of 10 a.m. in St Cyrus Church and 11.30 a.m. in Johnshaven Church.
Mearns Coastal Guild
The next meeting of the Guild will be the leisure hour in the Church Hall on Monday, January 25 at 2.30 p.m. when members will be entertained at a Scottish afternoon.
Wairds Park
The contractors have returned to the bowling green to continue with the restorative work to the concrete base. It had been thought initially that a new carpet might be laid before the end of the year but this soon proved impossible to achieve. Although to some extent it may have been fortuitous that the severe weather largely coincided with the Christmas and New Year break, progress has, nevertheless, been delayed and the projected completion date is now forecast for the middle of February, subject always to the vagaries of the weather, of course.
Kirk Ceilidh
In 2008 and 2009 very successful February ceilidhs were held in the Village Hall in aid of Mearns Coastal Parish Church renovation fund. Tickets are now available for a third ceilidh, which will take place a bit later this year, on Friday, March 19, the proceeds going this time to the general funds of Mearns Coastal. Priced £7 and £4 for 16 year olds and under, the tickets are available either from the organiser of the event, Mrs Jean Cook or the Johnshaven Stores. Music will be provided by the Scottish Accordion Group, there will also be a raffle and the ceilidh, on a "bring your own bottle" basis, runs from 7.30 until 10 p.m.
Memories
Twenty five years ago the members of the O.A.P. Association enjoyed a stovie night in the Village Hall. The main course, served in the traditional way with oatcakes, was followed by clootie dumpling and home baking made by lady members of the committee. Entertainment was plentiful and varied with John Cook and Dod Davidson setting the feet tapping to their accordion music and Bill Wilkie, as versatile as ever on the "moothie." One local youngster, Susan Rennie, stirred the blood with her piping and another, Donna Craig, delighted with her dancing. Roddy Clark and Peg Hall gave recitations and songs came from Gracie Clark, Peg Hall and Fred Adam. Pianist was Jean Cook.
At the other end of the age scale 60 youngsters from and around the village had a great time the following night at a disco organised by the Youth Club, also in the Village Hall. This was the first disco there had been for some time and such was the enthusiasm for the event that there was an immediate demand for many more.
