The Union Flag and Brownie pennant were received by Mr Anderson who, in a personal way, brought home to the young people present the significance of Remembrance Day. To illustrate how important it was to remember he had brought with him one half of a ten shilling note which had been torn by two friends before one had gone off to fight in the Second World War. Their intention was to go out and celebrate after the war was over with the complete note. Sadly the soldier was killed and never returned but the other man kept his half as a reminder of the sacrifice his friend had made.
The two minutes silence was observed and then, in his sermon, Mr Anderson explained how just as Jesus had put his short life on hold to preach his message of peace and reconciliation, service men in similar fashion had followed his example by putting their lives on hold in two great wars to ensure that others could live in freedom and security.
A poignant service was brought to an end by the singing of the National Anthem and the wreath layers leading the congregation from the church.
The organist was Robin Beattie.
After the service the congregation was led in procession by a young piper from Lathallan School to the War Memorial where, on an unusually bright, warm and sunny November morning, in stark contrast to the appalling conditions endured by the fallen in the First World War, wreaths were laid with due reverence on behalf of the congregation, the Community Council, the Guides and Brownies and Lathallan School. A lament was played by the piper and the short ceremony was concluded with Mr Anderson pronouncing the benediction.
Although public reaction at the end of the First World War to a proposal to recognize in some tangible form the loss of twenty four men from the parish who "by land and sea had made the supreme sacrifice" was immediate, it was not until five years later that this prospect was realised.
A War Memorial Committee had been formed early in 1919 and, although it seems that sufficient funds had been raised fairly quickly, because of committee resignations, differences of opinion over an appropriate design and a suitable site, the project stalled for three years.
However, in January 1923 a new committee was formed, agreement was reached on an appropriate design and it was finally agreed to demolish May Cottage which had been bought three years previously, and erect a memorial in its place.
So it was that on Sunday, 19 March 1923 the War Memorial, built by James Robertson and Son of Aberdeen, and in the presence of a large crowd, was unveiled by Mrs Ann Melville from Montrose, but a native of the village, and the Last Post sounded by Robert Clark from Inverbervie.
Remembrance Day Services have been held annually since then and, although it is 91 years since the guns fell silent in the "war to end all wars" and 64 years since the end of the Second World War, sadly conflicts still take place globally and men are still putting their lives on hold and so the need to remember remains.

Christmas Fayre

The 23rd annual community Christmas Fayre will be held this year in the Village Hall on Saturday, November 21 between 2 and 4 p.m.
Inaugurated in 1987 by a group of young mums who were raising money to help the Wairds Park committee renew fast deteriorating children's play equipment at the park the concept was to book the Village Hall and invite local organisations to hire tables. Fourteen did so raising a grand total of £1,050 with the Wairds Park Family Park Appeal committee, as the group was now officially called, benefiting to the tune of £130.
Successful initiatives are not always followed up but the Arts and Crafts group picked up the baton and took on the responsibility the following year. They were equally successful, deciding to donate their share of the "profit" of £65 to the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council for Research. Now that clearly a winning formula had been found the Village Hall committee decided to draw up a list of all local organisations and give each in turn the opportunity of running the fayre.
The Christmas Fayre has become one of the most popular events on Johnshaven's social calendar and so far has raised over £30,000. The hall committee is currently working its way through the list for the second time and this year the organisers are the Wairds Park Bowling Carpet Fund committee who will have the hall filled with its full complement of 11 tables offering an enticing mix of home baking, Christmas cards, gifts and decorations, jewellery, hampers, tombola and raffles: and for animal lovers, pet treats. In the small hall tea/coffee, mince meat pies and shortbread will be available throughout the afternoon.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Mearns Coastal Guild

At the leisure hour of the Guild in the Church Hall on Monday afternoon Convener, Mrs Jean Cook welcomed Mr John McPherson from Montrose who gave a fascinating slide presentation of Montrose's buildings, past and present. He was thanked by Miss Nan Mills.
The next meeting of the Guild will be held in the Church Hall on Monday, November 23 when the speaker will be the Rev Ronnie Gall from Laurencekirk.

RNLI

The coffee morning held in the Village Hall on Saturday morning raised £573 for the RNLI and the local committee wish to thank all who supported the event so generously.

Green Bag Garden Collection

Just in case anyone who has been taking part in the fortnightly green bag collection did not receive the most recent leaflet, has mislaid it or not paid much attention to it, the last collection for 2009 takes place tomorrow, Saturday.

Cabaret

A reminder of "A Funny Valentine", the story and music of Chet Baker, once voted the best trumpet player in the world, in the Village Hall tomorrow night, Saturday, at 7.30 p.m. Directed by Patrick Sandford with live music on stage arranged and performed by Colin Steele on trumpet and Dave Mulligan on piano with narration by Mike Maran.
Tickets priced £8 and concessions £6 from either the Johnshaven Stores or Karelia Wright on 01561 361956. No bar but refreshments on a "bring your own" bottle of wine or soft drink basis. Glasses and corkscrew provided.

Memories

When the Johnshaven Bowling Club was founded in 1984 their indoor counterparts, the carpet bowlers, who had already been flourishing for nine years, decided that it would be a good idea to have an annual challenge match in the Village Hall. The suggestion went down well and twenty years ago the third of those challenges took place. It always took the outdoor bowlers a few ends to get used to the smaller bowls and shorter lengths but on that occasion it would appear that they never did because they were soundly beaten over the three carpets by 72 shots to 43.
However, the two captains, George Grant and Walter Adam, agreed that the occasion was as much social as competitive and that being the case all sat down to enjoy the excellent hospitality provided by the ladies of the Games Club.
Interestingly, a photo of the match shows that 26 players participated and, although it took place relatively recently, only two are still active in either version of the sport.