You don’t come from Falkirk, do you? What is your church background?

I am originally from Perth where I attended Sunday School, Bible Class and became a Sunday School teacher at St Leonard’s in the Fields.  I was married in this church in 1974.

I moved to Edinburgh to study maths at Edinburgh University and attended Duncan Street Baptist Church in Edinburgh. At the end of my studies, I helped in a soup kitchen on the Royal Mile and this is where I met Andy, my husband. After we were married I taught in Leith and attended St Ninian’s Church in Leith.

So how did you end up in Falkirk and in this Church?

Andy was working in Falkirk, so in December 1983 we moved to Falkirk. We were recommended to visit St Andrew’s, but decided on Falkirk Old  -  I had got to know Nonie Fisher as both of us were very involved with the Scottish Preschool Playgroup Association and Nonie made me feel very welcome at Falkirk Old.

In what ways have you served the Church over the years and what have you particularly enjoyed?

I started helping in the nursery part of Sunday School and then helped with Sunday School itself and ended up as Coordinator for 10 or 11 years. I helped with the Holiday Clubs at Hallglen and Princes Park and also with weekends at Carberry Towers with the teenagers. I really enjoyed the visits to Carberry, seeing the young people sharing ideas and mixing with others and also taking part in different kinds of worship.

I have particularly enjoyed working with the people from Hallglen and have happy memories of the family games nights which we used to have in the upstairs hall for youngsters from both down the road and Hallglen and  involving different organisations like BBs.

I also loved being involved in the last pantomime eight or nine years ago. I got to know people better, it brought lots of different age groups together and I met people like David and Elizabeth Brotchie who have become close friends. Also because Andy became involved in the pantomime and as he doesn’t attend church, it was good to share that with him.

I helped quite regularly with Snack Lunches 7 or 8 years ago and still help occasionally.

I served on the Education group and on Pastoral Care and I am an elder with a district.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your family?

I am a lecturer in childcare and education, initially at Falkirk College and then over the last 6 or 7 years at Anniesland College in Glasgow. I work with students from mid teens to their 50’s.

My husband Andy came up from England to work at an adventure playground in Leith for a year and saw the error of his ways and stayed in Scotland! He worked for Falkirk Council and then as policy manager for the Health service in the Scottish Executive. He took early retirement three years ago and is studying for a degree in history at Glasgow University and really enjoying this.

I have two “children” – Andrew is 33 and Catherine 25. Both are living and working in London with their partners. Both love London and I love visiting them but I don’t like the bustle of London.

Is attending the services important to you?

Yes – not only for the fellowship, but it is also challenging to hear different views and interpretations of God’s word and  alternative reflections;  just the way things can come over differently from passages or hymns. There is always something uplifting or that makes you think.  It is invigorating to see the young folk and their involvement and inspiring to see the dedication of the older members.  It is amazing how often Robert hits the spot and says something which gives a wee boost at the right time!

Do you have favourite hymns?

“Turning the world upside down” always seems relevant and a hopeful hymn. I also like “Here I am Lord” and “Oh love that wilt not let me go”  -  it is a hymn of such strength and I  can remember Ron Smith talking about how it originated and that has given it more meaning.

We often talk about the “Church family” – what does this mean to you and how has it helped you in difficult times?

Individuals have helped me in difficult times but I have also felt lonely in the Church. I guess I felt a bit like a single mum as Andy isn’t a church goer and others had family and friends.

What kind of future do you think we might have as a Church?

I think the Church is a “warmer” place now partly due to the seating – there is more mixing and informality.   The outside of the Church now looks much more welcoming to visitors.   There is much more involvement of the parents of young children and they are naturally introducing new ways of being together like the Book Group. I think that bodes well for the future.