Church News BalquhiĐĐer Reg. Charity No. SC012316
Sheila displays her OBE, accompanied by stepson Tom, matron-of-honour Elizabeth and Col. Clive Fairweather
Congratulations Professor Sheila Bird, Senior Scientist, Medical Research Council, Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, who lives partly in Auchtubh, was appointed OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to social science and, on June 1st, received her OBE from Her Majesty the Queen. Accompanying Sheila were her stepson, Dr Tom G. Bird, who is clinical lecturer in Hepatology in Edinburgh, her matron of honour Mrs Elizabeth Galashan, the North Region’s head of Skills Development Scotland, and Colonel Clive B. Fairweather, formerly Scotland’s Chief Inspector of Prisons with whom Sheila works currently on 20-weekly analyses of military fatality rates by nationality and cause. Sheila’s OBE relates, inter alia, to her work in prisons, which was begun with her late husband Dr. A. Graham Bird, and on promoting statistical excellence in journalism. It was Sheila’s work in prisons that was discussed with Her Majesty. After photographs, the foursome was joined by Mrs Diane Duke, a friend from when Sheila had worked with the World Health Organisation’s diarrhoeal disease control programme, who is now the only female Private Secretary in the Royal Household, and who had slipped in to watch Sheila’s investiture. The five made their way to St Johns Restaurant in Smithfield where a dozen all told enjoyed a convivial feast of roast suckling pig. The OBE-rig-out’s next outing was on 20 June, when Sheila was invited to return to Elgin Academy to present the prizes and give an address. 8
We are most grateful to everyone involved in the Fundraising Concert held in the Church on Friday 24 June. It raised £380.00 which will go a long way towards the next fuel bill! Most of the artists were local and showed a wide range of ages and talents. We had singers Ian Inglis and Matt Duncan, classical instrumentalists Alan and Joan Clarke with Ilse MacFarlane, as well as Tara Leishman at the piano, plenty of traditional Scottish tunes from Roger Sharp, Revd John Lincoln, Kieran MacNicol and the Drambuskers. Mr McGlynn-Stewart (Magi as most of us know him) entertained us with poetry and played or talked to his huge gong which, we were told, once belonged to the King of Afghanistan. In addition, young pupils of Alice Eastland played their party pieces, with Jamie Sharpe Hunter even managing to coax a tune from the Church’s old and rather difficult organ! It was very good of all the artists to rally round to help the Church in this way and we appreciate their efforts very much indeed. Special thanks go to Charlie Hunter for arranging and compering the show, and to Eleanor Bell and all the ladies who provided the refreshments. Thank you to everyone who took part and to the enthusiastic audience. On 4 June, Killin Church arranged a small, surprise celebration to commemorate the Revd John Lincoln’s 25th anniversary since his ordination. It was held at the House of Cantle (ex- Morenish Lodge hotel) on a lovely evening with members of the Churches from both sides of Glen Ogle. Revd and Mrs Lincoln were presented with a book token and flowers respectively. They thank most sincerely those who arranged the evening and all who attended. Jean Edwards
Birth Announcement
Congratulations to Stuart and Jamie Anderson (Stuart formally of Lochearnhead - now Killin) on the birth of James Struan Anderson on 5 May, weighing in at 10lb 3oz. Well done! Lots of love from all the family.
Congratulations to Joe Howells (right) of Strathyre on his recent achievement in becoming Deputy Head Boy at McLaren High School. We are proud that a former Strathyre Primary School pupil who was taught by Anne Comrie and Bernie McDonald has achieved this success in his final year at McLaren High . Well done Joe.
Congratulations to Scott Welsh and Janette Campbell, married on 4 June in St Angus Church, Lochearnhead. Wishing them all the very best for a long and happy future together.