Have you always lived in Falkirk?

My first introduction to the church was at the East Saltoun Parish Church, near Pencaitland, for my baptism, having been born at Haddington, home of the Lamp of the Lothians Church, more years ago than I care to remember. My journey to Falkirk started here, I suppose, via the Derwent Valley in the Peak District, where the family lived at the construction of the Ladybower Dam of Dambusters fame, built to quench the needs of the Sheffield steel works. On returning here a few years ago it was quite touching to see that due to low water levels in the valley, the village church, which had been submerged when the dam had been breached, was again exposed, with its steeple taking its place as a landmark after all these years. Surely a reminder that the Church survives change throughout the years. In 1940 direction of labour was exercised under the war effort. My father was directed to the Dockyard at Grangemouth, where I lived until enlisting in the Merchant Navy after an apprenticeship as a Marine Engineer.

When and how did you become involved in the Church?

I started in Sunday School, graduating to Sunday school teaching and was a member at Kerse Parish

Church. During the war years the churches were at the centre of the community, with many branches,

and I am sure many readers will remember names such as Railway Mission and the Christian Endeavour. They also had great soirées and Sunday School trips to exotic destinations such as Maddiston and Callendar Park.

Tell me a little about yourself and your family

While travelling the world as a mariner I was fortunate to marry Wilma, despite the machinations of Colonel Nasser at Suez, and after a few close encounters left the navy and ‘swallowed the anchor’. Marriage led us to reside in Falkirk and joining Falkirk Old, as it was then, ministered by Rev. Leslie, seemed a natural move as church involvement had always played an important part in both our lives .

In what ways have you been involved with activities in the Church?

Gradually Wilma and I were drawn into Church work, while I worked in Vending, which was developing rapidly. This seemed to draw us in to catering for the Christian Caring Group, and fund raising for the group, and the rest as they say is history. The high point was working with the great team who carried out the Centenary dinner. Just recently I helped organise the catering for the Burns Evening in January to raise money for the building refurbishment. I served as Fabric Convener as we tried to recover from the work and involvement of the North wall falling into Upper Newmarket Street. This was a time of tight budgets in the Church, and a great deal of D.I.Y in maintaining the fabric. This post in the Church must be, along with that of Treasurer, the most demanding. A low point and time to panic as Convener was when I drove a nail through the main gas pipe in the manse while fitting new cupboards in the kitchen. I’ve also served as an elder for 36 years.

What are your interests?

Salmon fishing - High point: hooking a 30lb fish.

Low point: finding it was only 23lb, indicating that fishermen exaggerate to themselves as well.

Growing old style tomatoes, and seeking to grow giant varieties (largest so far 1lb 14oz ).

What does the Church mean to you? How has it influenced your life?

Living within the church over the years has been a way of life. It has probably affected how I have lived my life, yet it seems as normal as any facet of life.