JOURNEY DOWN THE AGES THROUGH THE PARISH

(16) The S.W.R.I. (Scottish Women's Rural Institute) 

The parish sends warmest congratulations to the President, Mrs. Roberts, and all her members of "the Rural" past and present as they celebrate their Jubilee with a dinner on 31st November 1977.

From Central Office records, it appears that the Institute was founded in 1922.  The Roll Book goes back to 1926, but, if the 'lost' War (1939 -1945) years are taken into account, a fine record of fifty years of friendship, fellowship and service for "Home and Country" is unfolded.

President at the inaugural meeting in Monikie School was the National President, Mrs. Whyte, a relative of Mrs. J. M. Fairlie who became first President.  Miss Neish, Affleck, was Vice-president; Miss Calder, Panmure was Secretary; and Miss M. Grieve, West Hillhead was Treasurer.  The first committee included Mrs. Wilson, Schoolhouse (which?), who later became President; Miss Mackie, Downiebank; Miss Cameron, Innervaar; Miss Kidd, Gardenhurst; Mrs. McIntosh, Schoolhouse (which?); Miss Constable, Post Office (which?); and Miss Sutherland, Stotfaulds; while entertainment was left to a group of young women that included Miss Spalding, Bankhead, and Mrs. Nan Fleming ((Mrs. R. Cant).

In the early years, picnics were held at (in the grounds of) Crombie (reservoir).  First of a very long line of demonstrations was given by Mrs. Rachel Fyffe, Laburnum Cottage - making a bedspread.  Hundreds of competitions have been held, both locally and at Federation level, and many concert parties rehearsed and enjoyed.  As for the bigger efforts, members took a full part in the great Angus Historical Pageant held at Panmure House before the (1939-1945) War, while a few years ago, for example, they nobly assisted in providing money, produce and staff for the S.W.R.I. Pavilion at Ingliston (showground, near Edinburgh).

The 'Rural' has been well served by its presidents down the years.  To founder members still happily with us, and to present members, we offer good wishes for the future.

WDC 1977

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(6) THE MEN'S CLUB

On Friday, 18th October 1974, the members of Monikie Men's Club are to be holding a Dinner-Dance in the Memorial Hall to celebrate their Jubilee.  We are especially anxious that as many former members as possible should be there to join our present members, their wives and friends - a notable occasion.  Contact David Martin, Dustydrum, Carmyllie.

On 2nd October l924 a public meeting was held in the School with the idea of forming a Social Club.  The names of the founding office-bearers deserve to be recorded.

• Hon. President – G. W. Neish, Esq., Affleck.
• Presidents: Rev. A. A. Armit, The Manse and Rev. T. S. Crichton, U. F. Manse.
• Secretaries: W. S. Wilson, Schoolhouse (which?) and Thomas Leslie, Police Station (West side of Pitairlie Brae).
• Treasurer A. Grieve, West Hillhead.
• also Messrs. A. Cant, L. Walker, J. Sim, T. Mackie, R. Greenhill, W. Duncan and J. Heggie.

In the first session there was a mixture of games - draughts, dominoes, bagatelle with a table gifted by Mr. McIntyre of Denfind, and whist; also lectures and debates.  “An instructive half-hour" was to be held every week.  In November 1924, the members voted 48-18 after a debate that “we are too fond of sport”.  A lecture by Mr. McCrindle on "Bird Life" was illustrated by “beautiful lantern slides", the lantern being “skilfully manipulated" by Mr. Crichton.  A debate on the Daylight Saving Bill and “Sing, Say or Penny Pay" occupied other evenings.  For Burns Night, Miss Armit brought her School choir.  The highlight was a concert with the S.W.R.I. (Scottish Women’s Rural Institute) as guests when, after hilarious song and entertainment, Miss Neish presented the First Year's prizes including those for melodeon and mouth organ playing.  Messrs. Robertson, Walker and Moonie supplied the music for the dance that followed.  The first happy session of our 5O-year old Club drew to a close with a Sports Meeting at Denfind with cricket, hammer, quoits etc. on 25th July 1925, admission one shilling.

In 1927 the Club moved to the new Monikie Memorial Hall.  Gradually, carpet bowls became the main interest.  When, in 1941, the Army took over the Hall, the Craigton Classroom became the temporary meeting place.  Over the years members have won distinction in bowling, both indoor and outside.  The Angus Federation Cup for rinks has been won about nine times for singles, and doubles four or five times, a record second to none.  The Club has four trophies of its own, played for each year: the Neish trophy for singles, once awarded for outside bowls, the Pairs Shield, the Diddling Cup and the Simpson Cup for Rinks.

With a maximum number of about 30 members, the Club continues to thrive, and moves with confidence into its Jubilee Year, served by –

• President: Rev. W. D. Chisholm (the author of this piece),
• Vice-President: D. Robertson, Ashbank,
• Secretary: D. Martin, Dustydrum,
• Assistant: G. Paton, Waterworks,
• Committee: G. Rendall, A. Noble, H. Smith, W. Keillor, J. Smith of Newbigging, J. Muir, G. Gibb, E. Robertson, R. Leiper, I. Minto and E. Japp.

We send Greetings to all former members.

WDC - 1974

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JOURNEY DOWN THE AGES THROUGH THE PARISH

(21) THE MONIKIE BROWNIES

What a wonderful evening we had at the Scout Hut on the 30th April 1979, as the Monikie Brownies celebrated their Jubilee.  Miss Christina Burns, the early ‘Brown Owl’, cut the cake.  How wonderful it was to see former Brownies back again, leaders and friends, as well as parents of present Brownies: people like 'Brown Owl' Mrs. Dewar; Mrs. Fleming, a former Secretary of the Guide Association; Mrs. Allison; Mrs. Martin; Mrs. Margaret Irving; Ailean Mackay (Smith) and Myra Millar (Steven) and a host of others.  The Pack was started by Mrs. Wilson of the Schoolhouse (which?) in April 1929 – the original Certificate of Founding was on display – and met at first in the Craigton Church Classroom, and Miss Stevenson was the District Commissioner.

The old Minute Book tells us about some of the things the Brownies did: picnics to Bankhead and Carrot Hill, and for 18 years running to Mts. Young’s at the Newton: Christmas outings as in 1941 to Dundee to visit Woolworth’s and the cinema: Easter eggs rolled down Pitairlie Brae: “Salute the Soldier Week” in 1944: the party on the wedding of our present Queen in 1947: operettas in the Hall like Princess Chrysanthemum and Ba-Bet.  There’s a long list of ‘lending a hand’: making toys for the Dundee Royal Infirmary: the 1964 ‘Spotlight on Guiding’: sponsored walks as in 1968 and again in 1976 for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and to buy curtains for the Church: the planting of bulbs round the new Scout Hut: Easter Baskets in 1975 for the Children’s Shelter: flowers and bulbs, etc. for the old folks, to mention only a few: the balloon race at the Hall Jubilee in the storm and so on.  Many times also in Church: Thinking Day Services; Remembrance Day Services in the old days; setting up the Easter Garden; helping with the Harvest Festivals and the Christmas services; taking part in the great Queen’s Silver Jubilee Service in 1977.  What a grand story of happy times and of service it is.

At the Party how fitting and proper it was that tribute should be made to the present Leader, Margaret Buick, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers – a former Monikie Brownie herself, and loved by all.

On the following Sunday, a Jubilee Service was held in Church along with the Guides and the Rangers.  A little candle on a toadstool burned throughout the service, and flowers, arranged by another former leader, Mrs. Lesley Steven, were in the silver bowl given by the Guides when they celebrated their Jubilee.  Generously, the Rangers presented the Brownies with a fine shield to be won by the best Brownie every year.  Despite a snowstorm beforehand, a lovely rhododendron bush and other plants were planted in the Kirkton Well Garden at the end of the Church Road.  The Guide colours were on display, too, placed in position by Olive Brow who began as a Brownie in Monikie, gaining her First Class (award) there, and progressing through our Guides, as a girl and are now a Guider, much respected as such, both locally and throughout the county.

WDC - 1979

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JOURNEY DOWN THE AGES THROUGH THE PARISH

(5) “From a A Diary, 1793, of Jessie Caithness, Ardestie Farm”

In this Newsletter, we interrupt our chronological Series by the Minister and give excerpts 'From a Diary, l793 of Jessie Caithness, Ardestie Farm". Broadly based on fact, it was written as a project for the College of Education by a student, Mrs. Alexander.

Sunday - April 14th 1793.

At Church this morning, it was announced by the Rev. Mr. William Maule that Thursday 18th April was to be a holiday in Scotland because of the "present, just and necessary, war with France".  In the afternoon, I had to recite the Catechism with the other children and we all try very hard to remember because Mr. Neil, the schoolmaster usually asks us questions about the Church service on Mondays in school.

Sunday is a day when nobody does any work.  My mother has to prepare the food for Sunday on Saturday because it is a sin to do any kind of work on Sunday.  It was not Communion to-day and that means we don't have to starve all day yesterday, thank goodness.

My feet felt funny all the time in Church because I had shoes on to-day and I'm not used to them because we go barefoot always, except on Sundays.  I also wear my best clothes on Sunday because all I do is to go to Church or sit still at home, so there's no chance of getting dirty.  Granny had on her new cap and shawl to-day and I think she looks funny, very strict and severe.

Monday April 22nd 1793.

Got up as usual at 5.30 a.m., helped to dress the younger ones, ate my porridge, then helped to prepare the pieces for dinner time.  We get a break between 12 and 2 p.m. but that’s not long enough for me to get home.  The pieces were home-baked bread and hunks of cheese and a container of milk.  The walk to school is about four miles and sometimes it is pretty muddy, so it takes a long time, so I usually leave the house about 6.15 a.m. to be at school for 8 a.m.  We finish at 5 p.m. just now so it's about 7 p.m. when I get home for supper. To-night, we got vegetable broth and bread and my Granny says we are well fed compared with 30 years ago.  People were much poorer then and didn't get vegetables, milk and eggs and bread.  Granny often tells us stories about old days and I like that, but sometimes, I get frightened.  The worst story is about a family who lived at Denfind, who, my Granny says stole children and ate them until eventually this behaviour was not tolerated and the family were executed on Gallows Hill.

(Added notes by WDC – Mr. Maule, Minister at Monikie is buried in the Kirkyard there.  The custom of fasting on the day before Communion explains the present use of the word ‘Fast’ for the Dundee Holiday.  Denfind, or Den of fiends, is said to be named after the cannibals.  Gallows Hill is just beyond Douglaswood in this Parish - Ardestie is in the Parish, too, of course.)

WDC - 1974

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