How long have you been a member of this Church and what are your family connections with Falkirk Old and St Modan’s?

I have been a member of this Church since 1981. When Fiona and I married, we were already church members and both of our families had strong connections with other churches in the district  - I attended Erskine and Fiona attended Larbert Old.  We decided that, rather than go to one or the other, we would go to a different church. We attended a Rotaract service in Falkirk Old Parish Church (as it was then) and felt welcome there so we decided to make a new start together at the Old Parish.

In what ways have you been involved with Church life over the years?

In 1985, I was appointed as an Elder and served on the Fellowship Committee for many years, initially under Bill Sutherland’s leadership, before later chairing the Committee myself.

Do you enjoy getting involved?

I do enjoy getting involved in a practical “hands on” way. I have enjoyed the Family Days in the past and also enjoy my involvement in the Book Sale and in giving readings and preparing and presenting prayers at present. I am also now involved in the newly set up Christian Growth team.

Tell us a little about your home life and interests

I am a Physical Education teacher in Alloa Academy. I am married to Fiona and have two sons, one of whom is married, and I have a wee granddaughter, Hannah, who is five months old.

I have been actively involved in the Scout movement since I was a boy and this gives me much interest and enjoyment. Fiona was a Guide leader for many years but with having the boys and a husband who was so involved with Scouts, she “jumped ship” and joined us in the Scouts! I have been Group Scout Leader with the 1^st Falkirk Scouts for around 20 years and was awarded the Scouts’ Silver Acorn in 2008 for service with the Scouts over the years.

You lead the team which organises the Christian Book Sale. Why do you feel this something  in which you want to play an active part?

I think the Book Sale is very worthwhile for a number of reasons. Firstly there is so much involvement and interest from other churches in Falkirk in this annual project and it is good to see everyone working together. Secondly as the contributions have fallen away over the last few years from the door to door collections, the money raised from this event has added greatly to the local contribution to Christian Aid, year on year. And lastly I feel that Christian Aid is a worthwhile charity to support and I am happy to run this event to raise funds.

We start collecting books at the end of January and continue through February and March until the sale in the second week in May. I am very lucky to have the backing of an enthusiastic and hard working team.

How do you think we can reach out to more young people and to the local community in the town?

When parents have their children baptised, they vow to bring them up in the Faith. Responsibility then lies with them to ensure that they bring their children to Church on a regular basis.

I think the newly refurbished Church has a real “buzz” and is opening its doors to many more people in the community for various events and, through this, we as a congregation are now reaching out to people more.

Do you enjoy attending services? What do you say to people who say they haven’t time to attend Church on a Sunday?

I do like attending Church as often as I can. I think all of the congregation take part enthusiastically in the singing, which I enjoy very much even though I do not consider myself a great singer!

When people say they have not time to attend church, I think it is often because they are not committed enough to make the time. We can always make time for things even in the busy lives we all live now.

Where do you see yourself and the Church itself in ten years time?

Retirement will feature for me in the coming years and this will give me more time for involvement in the weekday activities of the Church in which I cannot take part at present. I know I will still be doing “my bit” for the Church when I have more time.

I feel that Church people should be more upbeat about the Church in the future. Positivity pushes thing in the right direction so we all must remain positive about the future of the Church.