CONVENER -- Rev. Alex Forsyth

14 of us travelled to the Poppy Scotland factory last Thursday and were privileged to meet the ex- servicemen who make the poppies in the same way they have been manufactured for a hundred years.

 We were reminded of the history of the British Legion which was formed in 1921. The president until his death was Earl Haig and he and his wife was responsible for the start of poppy production in Scotland.

At the end of the war the promise made by politicians was a " Land fit for Heroes", the reality was mass unemployment

 Around 1.75 million of the men returning from the war were classified as disabled and nearly a million of those had permanent disabilities. There was no welfare state or National Health Service

So when we buy a poppy not only are we remembering those who gave their lives , we are making a contribution to the welfare of those who have sustained injury in the service of this country

 My own grandfather served in the Royal Scots in the Boer war and was in Mons when the first shots were fired. He was a supporter of Earl Haig and a member of the British Legion all his life

 So thank you Derick for organising the day. We had a super lunch at the Elbow Room in Kirkcaldy and the organisation was superb

November 2022

On Wednesday 23rd November 2022 our party of fifteen travelled to Newtongrange to visit Scotland’s National Mining Museum and upon arrival they were provided with pre ordered Tea & Coffees along with Scones with Cream & Jam and Home Baked Cakes in the Restaurant. Having enjoyed the hospitality provided we teamed up with ‘guide and host’ Andrew, for the tour, a retired Deputy of many years’ experience in the mining industry with both the National Coal Board and prior to that with the private owners of the mines in the Lothians areas. The tour, which lasted over 2 hours, was very interesting and informative. It provided us with a personal view of what the conditions were like for miners in the bygone days when the excavation of coal was by a process where the men had to dig out the coal with picks in a very limited area indeed many of the mine shafts were less than a meter high so they had to crawl on all fours from the descent point in the mine to the coal face which were a substantial distance apart. We were then treated to viewing what it was like when automation was introduced with the installation of massive metal coal cutters, and this led to a reduction of the required workforce. This brought about a vast improvement in the amount of the coal which was produced and was brought to the surface out from the bowels of the earth. But more importantly the fact that we were able to experience at first hand what the conditions were like for the brave employees in an industry which has suffered many fatalities universally over many years We were even treated to a personal experience of what was like when Maggie Thatcher took the miners to task which subsequently led to the closure of countless coal mines throughout the length and breadth on the United Kingdom . 

An excellent visit which was enjoyed by all.

Quiet were the waters, mild was the breeze, and great was the anticipation within our group as we boarded the 'Forth Belle' for the short crossing from South Queensferry to Inchcolm. The island historically interesting, partly due to its being used as a gunnery emplacement during wartimes, but more so because of the monastic Abbey established there over several centuries. Most of our wanderings centred on the latter, as we explored the maze of rooms, stairways and sanctuaries that make up this partly ruined, but expertly constructed building. Add in the return cruise under the magnificent Three Bridges, and it's no wonder that it was smiles all round at the end of our three-hour trip. Thanks for your company, and to Alex for putting the arrangements in place for our enjoyment. J.G.

3 cars made their way to East Fortune via the Edinburgh By - Pass, arriving in time to visit the cafe for refreshments. A walk to visit the Comet experience, then the customary photo shoot beside the Vulcan. The first hanger visited had everything from a spitfire to a Jaguar.The next hanger was filled with commercial aircraft.The group finished the tour in the Concorde hanger. for anyone interested in aviation the Museum is well worth a visit. Some of the members finished the day back at the Aviators cafe for a bite to eat before travelling back to Glenrothes in the Friday afternoon traffic.