News archive

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
The door-to-door collection during Christian Aid Week in Denholm, Bedrule and Minto raised the fantastic sum of £809.34.  Grateful thanks to all who contributed, and to the army of volunteers who braved the elements to make it a success.  They were: Michael Braithwaite, Sally Craig, Dorothy Douglas, Maureen King, Pat Leadbetter, Margaret Lindsay, Wendy MacLean, Lorraine Neil, Chris Nicol, Sheena Oswald, Shirley Passmore, Isobel Short, Margaret Torbet.

BOYS BRIGADE EARN THEIR REWARDS!
In recognition of a year of hard work, members of the 1st Denholm Boys Brigade were justly rewarded for their efforts at a prizegiving ceremony on Sunday 11th June at Denholm Church.  After a procession around the Green led by standard bearers Marlynn Kerr (5th Hawick Company) and Warrant Officer Margaret Derham, Boys Brigaders were led into the Church by piper Michael Bruce.  Anchor awards were then presented by Captain Beverley Jones and Warrant Officer Derham for:

BEST ANCHOR BOY: Frazer Towers (for drill, achievement and behaviour)
BEST DRILLED BOY & SPORTS BOY: Ronan Alexander
BEST ALL-ROUND ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH & BB: Samuel Jones
CERTIFICATES FOR BEST ALL-ROUND EFFORT: Jake Brown & Robert Bailey
BORDERS BATTALION ANCHOR BOY PAINTING COMPETITION: Frazer Lothian

SOUTHDEAN ARTS FESTIVAL -  BIG THANKS FOR A SURE WINNER!

"Again next year please!" was just one of the remarks made at this year's celebration of the arts at Southdean. It began as just a rough idea from your minister (in the past I was invited to preach at a similar event and had a definite sermon in mind!) but this developed into something much bigger with the help, encouragement and support of friends at Southdean.

The day began with an Arts Festival Service. The service began with a rendering of "My Borderland" from Henry Douglas. Our resident organ scholar, Scott Thomson (who plays regularly during his college vacation from St. Andrew's) provided a favourite piece, Dvorak's largo from the "New World" Symphony. Favourite poems were shared by Rev Prof Graham Auld, Gillian Wolfenden, Scott Douglas & Timmy Douglas who treated us to one of his own border poems (conjuring up some colourful dramatic images developed from the personality of the land). The sermon was not a little influenced by your minister being engaged in research of the 17th century and a saying of Thomas Hobbes: "[In a state of nature] No arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" (Leviathan, 1651).  The whole service was a wonderful sharing of local gifts and a celebration of the arts.

Following the service, the community of Chesters & the parish of Southdean joined together to celebrate arts and crafts in the community. The response was amazing and as I said, it just goes to show what great talent we have in our country community.  The church was open to visitors all day. The interior was brought to life with colourful paintings that complimented Southdean's beautiful historic stained glass, by amongst others the children of Hobkirk Primary School - examples of their work included eye-catching African masks & pictures of the night sky. Local artist Eric Campbell contributed detailed drawings of birds, and Edward Chapman-Campbell contributed a number of local landscapes; woodcarvings were displayed by Lorraine Douglas who with the ladies of the WRI provided teas & a baking table. The theme of wood work sculptures was also taken-up by Session Clerk David McFayden - David provided examples of his work for display including handmade horned head walking sticks and a replica of a gypsy horse & carriage. The church was crammed with talent by local craftsmen & women who contributed other items of personally made artwork including, decoupage, knitting, embroidery, soft toys, and horses carved from wood. There was also a display of old pictures of Southdean church and local photography of shepherding by Peter Douglas; flower arrangements by Margaret Arres; and a Poet's Corner which included a display of poetry by Stephen Smith, Timmy Douglas & your minister.

This was certainly something that will have to be repeated again and a highlight in the community calendar. A big thanks to everyone who combined talent on this occasion to make the event such a success. A special thanks to Church Treasurer John Curtis and Lorraine Douglas of the Community Council for being so helpful in planning the event and putting it into action.

Reverend Anthony Jones

A NEW ARRIVAL AT THE MANSE!
In the wee sma' hours of Monday, 1st May 2006, Anthony and Beverley welcomed into the world Bartholomew Isaac - "little Barty"! - a new little brother to Samuel and Miles. Many congratulations to Anthony and Beverely.  Bartholomew  has already made his first appearances in church, and we all look forward to seeing him at future family services.

REVIVAL OF A TRADITION
A tradition dating back to the middle ages was revived at Lanton on Sunday 23rd April when Rev Anthony Jones held an open-air lambing service at Gospel Hall Farm. The service - which was blessed with beautiful spring weather - attracted a great many people with both locals and visitors to the area in the congregation. The service attracted a lot of attention - click here to read an article that appeared on the BBC News website, and here to see a gallery of photographs very kindly taken for us by Marco Secchi of Sithean Photography.

NEW COMMUNICANTS
Alison Stamper, Ann Reid, Christine Weigold, Cheryl Logan & Cameron Crozier were all admitted into church membership by public profession of faith on Sunday 16th April 2006.

Thursday 20th October 2005
A special visit was made by Cardinal O-Brien, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Edinburgh & St Andrews, to Bedrule Church. As well as visiting neighbouring churches in the Jedburgh area, and after calling at Knowesouth, the elderly residents home, the Cardinal made a point of including Bedrule on his agenda.

Click here to see a gallery of photographs commemorating the occasion.

Sunday 25th September 2005
United with the linkage, Ruberslaw joined hands with the neighbouring parish of Hobkirk & Southdean in a special service at Denholm. Hobkirk & Southdean parish linked with the union of Ruberslaw - combining Bedrule, Denholm and Minot churches - in 2002. Denholm church was packed with the member of both congregations.  Minister Rev. Anthony Jones hailed it as a "step forward", and emphasised the importance of dialogue and continuing the cross-fertilisation of ideas and resources. "Wherever we worship, we do so as Christians first and foremost."

Tuesday 1st February 2005
The 1st Denholm Company of the Boys Brigade called muster at 5 o'clock in the church hall, Denholm, under the watchfuyl eye of Chaplain, Rev Anthony Jones, Captain, Mrs B A Jones, and Warrant Officer Mrs M Derham.  The Brigade is no stranger to Denholm, there having been a company in the village over twenty years ago when Agnes Crawford ran the junior section, Scott Tait was the Warrant Officer-in-charge, and Ian McKenzie was the Captain.  But time has not dulled the enthusiasm of local children and the company chaplain is delighted with the response, as the number in the company has now increased to ten in two distinct age groups at the Thursday meetings.

Quinquennial visitation: February-May 2005
Our parish was visited by the Rev Valerie Watson, Dr Chris Cameron and Mrs Ruth Ross on behalf of Jedburgh Presbytery.  Meetings were held with the combined Kirk Session and Congregational Board of Ruberslaw, and with the Kirk Session of Hobkirk & Southdean.  A number of meetings also took place with the minister and with both congregational treasurers and fabric convenors.  The visitation team also spoke with the Hobkirk & Southdean Guild President and attended the AGM of the Ruberslaw Guild.  The convenor of the team also met with Beverly Jones as Sunday School teacher and Boys Brigade captain.  More...

Sunday October 10th, 2004
A squadron of the Blues and Royals was recently laid up at Minto Parish Church.  The Blues and Royals (Royal Horseguards and 1st Dragoons) distinguished themselves in operations in the Falkland Islands, the Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq where there are two squadrons currently serving.  Last year the parish lost one of it's own sons, Alexander Tweedie, an officer serving in Iraq.  The special service was conducted by our parish minister, Rev Anthony Jones, with guest preacher the Very Rev Dr. James Harkness, former Moderator and retired Chaplain General.  The Squadron Standard was presented to the Blues and Royals by the Queen in 1993; new standards are presented every ten years because of wear and tear from frequent use.