St Ninian’s Women’s Guild and the Choir

Reference has already been made to the Women’s Guild, which actually began under the aegis of Mrs. Alexander, not long after the original meeting. Mrs. Alexander was Chairman and Mrs. Hay Secretary and by 1950 there were 22 members — 21 from Ayrshire and one from Aberdeen. They met weekly and when eventually we became a Preaching Station and there was the prospect of a church building it was the Women’s Guild which was the backbone of efforts to pay of the debts incurred. It was the Women’s Guild that was responsible for the catering at Harvest Suppers, social occasions or any functions requiring refreshments. After Mrs. Hay resigned in 1951 to take over rationing in Birmingham, Mrs. Morley, or as she was at that time Mrs. Gardiner, took over, and with a break of six years when Mrs. Adams, Dr. Craig and Mrs. Rosemary Young acted as secretaries, she was secretary until 1982. Next came Mrs. Greta Stewart and now Mrs. Gill Gibson with Mrs. Maureen Soltau as chairman on the departure of Mrs. Moira Dobie. The Guild continues to provide warm fellowship as well as instructive and amusing talks.

The Choir began under the auspices of Mrs. Guymer, then organist. Foremost amongst them were Mr. & Mrs. Tom Gibson, George Arkieson, the Logies, and many more from the ever changing congregation. At one time they met every Monday evening for Choir practice but this petered out and for a spell there was no choir. We still have in the Gibsons, Dr. Craig, Mrs. Greta Stewart, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Mike Norris and Mr. Kirk the nucleus of a good choir. It is to be hoped that the augmenting of the choir for the 40th Anniversary service will provide a spring—board for further growth.

Women’s Guild & Choir