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The following is a tribute to Rosemary Hall a much loved Elder of Stobo Kirk, Clerk to the General Kirk Session from 1992 till March this year and Moderator of Melrose and Peebles Presbytery for the 2009/2010 session who died on the 29th of May 2011. It was in Montrose that she grew up, her family involved in the fish processing industry. Rosemary always retained a deep affection for Montrose and read the Montrose Review every week, often contributing her two pe’narth to discussions. Such was her knowledge she probably knew more about what was going on in Montrose than the average Montovian. Educated at Montrose and then Cranley in Edinburgh it was wartime and the school was evacuated to Grantown on Spey where Rosemary absolutely loved it. Rosemary kept in touch with many of her school friends throughout her life and indeed some are here today. On leaving school Rosemary went to Dugdales Secretarial School in Edinburgh. Once en route to a meeting with Rosemary we drove past Edinburgh Zoo and Rosemary told me she had a life membership, a gift from her father when she went to college to keep her out of mischief. I couldn’t help thinking that the words mischief and Rosemary would not very often appear in the same sentence. On leaving College Rosemary went to work for Bruce Walker where she was PA to one of the partners James. Her amazing attention to detail and meticulous preparation made her a brilliant organiser and this talent was put to good use in organising conferences Rosemary even attending a conference for conference organisers where she learned skills that would be put to good use throughout her life. In 1952 she married Eric Hall and Rosemary stopped working for a living but she by no means stopped work for that continued throughout her life. When visiting her in Hay Lodge just the other week she was determined to discuss Church business rather than how she was faring. Rosemary was always a devoted Nationalist and her skills were put to good use for many years when she was Organising Secretary for the SNP. One of her proudest days being when she travelled to London on the Tartan Express, she had of course organised, in 1967 to see Winnie Ewing take her seat in the Commons. It was a great delight to her to hear from her hospital bed that SNP had achieved an overall majority at the last election. When first married Rosemary and Eric set up home at Carlton Hill, Edinburgh before moving to Dunbar until Eric retired in 1982 and they moved to Lyne Station where they enjoyed a very happy retirement if that’s the right word until Eric died in 1999. Rosemary continued her involvement with many organisations her ceaseless energy making her a vital asset to any organisation . Apart from the Church which she served at local, Presbytery and National level and the SNP, Rosemary was also involved with CND, the campaign against Torness and almost anything to do with animals. During her life she owned a succession of top class pointers and at one time had her own horse which she kept in livery at Dunbar. Sadly Rosemary and Eric were not blessed with children but her extended family was very important to Rosemary and she kept track of how each was faring and what they were up to. If anyone needed information Rosemary was always the first port of call. She was phenomenally widely read and that formidable almost photographic memory of hers meant she had a depth of knowledge few could even hope to emulate. Dates, personnel and facts were stored away and could be recalled at a moments notice. Her family had a tradition of supporting the community financially and Rosemary continued this philanthropy always done quietly and anonymously, for to take any credit for doing so would have been complete anathema to her. I count myself very lucky to have known Rosemary and worked with her for these last two years although I am sure my lackadaisical approach to admin must have caused her some anguish at times. We remember now that it was God who shaped so much of Rosemary’s life, who inspired her, and who she worshipped and loved with heart and soul and mind..
Stobo Display of Wedding Dresses A very successful display of wedding dresses with local associations was held in Stobo Kirk on Saturday 12th September. Teas and coffees with home baking were also available and over £800 was raised for charity. Holy Week Services All start at 7pm and will last no longer than half an hour. Monday 29th March: Tweedsmuir 'I am thirsty' John 19:30 led by Nan Burnett and Brian Bushell Tuesday 30th March: Drumelzier 'He is your son...she is your mother' John 19: 26-27 led by Julian Birchall and Pamela Strachan Wednesday 31st March: Broughton 'Forgive them Father' Luke 23:24 led by John Burnett and Jane Gillham Thursday 1st April: Stobo 'My God why have you forsaken me?' Mark 15:34 led by Bob Milne and will include Communion Friday 2nd April: Skirling 'Father in your hands I place my spirit' Luke 23:46 led by Rosemary Hall and Isobel Hunter Easter Sunday 4th April at Glenholm Churchyard at 8am 'Do not be afraid' Matthew 28:10 led by Rev Bob Milne Followed by breakfast in the Glenholm Centre Easter Sunday Services in Broughton and Skirling will be led by Rev Frances Henderson and in Tweedsmuir and Stobo by Rev Bob Milne Singular honour for Mrs Rosemary Hall The 23rd June was a proud day for our Clerk to the General Kirk Session, Mrs Rosemary Hall for on that date she was elected and installed as Moderator of The Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles. This is a singular honour for Rosemary and is well deserved recognition of many years of service to the Presbytery as Presbytery Elder for Stobo and Drumelzier. Rosemary conducted worship at the Presbytery meeting of 1st September which was held in Stobo Church. It was a very well attended service and included a celebration of HolyCommunion. Rosemary's address was well researched excellently delivered and left a lasting impression on those present. Rosemary has made an impressive start to her year as Moderator and we all wish her the very best and God's Blessing during her tenure. Come to Church Sunday The Parishes are planning a "Come to Church Sunday" on the 27th September. Invitations were included with Kirk Matters and it is hoped that those who do not normally attend will pop in to see what goes on, and that regular attenders will bring along a friend or neighbour. Dress is informal, singing optional(but enjoyable) and friendliness guaranteed. 25 years of Kirk Matters The Autumn 2009 edition Kirk Matters celebrates 25 years of publication, there are several articles from early editors and from both Ian Rennie and Rachel Dobie. The early technology used to produce the magazine sounds anything but easy to work with. Links with Malawi Our twinning with Matiti Parish in Malawi as part of the Presbytry twinning with Zomba Presbytery is proceeding slowly. Matati is a rural parish 15 miles from the regional centre of Zomba on tar and dirt roads. The minister retired 4 years ago due to a stroke and they are awaiting a replacement. Matiti is a remote parish with few of the congregation speaking or writing English, but there is a primary school with teachers eager to be involved in some kind of relationship, so we shall persevere despite the communication problems. The Guild Summer Fete took place on Sunday 26th July, happily the sun came out in the afternoon so it took place in Tom Shearer's garden. The sum of £750 was raised and the event was much enjoyed by the many who attended. A team of 6 readers from the Parishes took part in a reading of the entire Bible in Traquair Kirk. Our passages were from Acts and Romans on the afternoon of Thursday June 11th. Those taking part found it a very uplifting experience. Our Christian Aid fundraising week raised £1,816, thankfully there was good weather for the Car Boot Sale. Rev Bob Milne inducted On the evening 27th of March the induction of Rev Bob Milne to the Parishes of Upper Tweeddale took place, with all of the ceremony and speeches and hymn singing that entails. There were a large number of people present from the Presbytery, from Bob's previous Parish of Langholm, Eskdalemuir, Ewes and Westerkirk, as well as from the Parishes of Upper Tweeddale. The social which followed was a great success and it was clear that Rev Bob Milne was held in very high regard by his old Parish as testified to in the speeches and by the large number of people who had made the long journey from Langholm on a miserable night. We are looking for a leader and helpers to revive the Cool Club. This is an afterschool club at Broughton Primary which ran successfully for several years. We are also looking for volunteers to lead and help with this summer's Holiday Club. We have had three very successful clubs and we are very keen to keep them going. A Farewell to Rachel Dobie |
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Skirling and Tweedsmuir. The hall was full of lively chatter as the good food and the plentiful supplies of wine were enjoyed.
Rosemary Hall presented Kirkpatrick with the two volumes of Fairburn’s crests and Mottos, and he also picked up a bouquet of flowers and kisses from at least two ladies. 
Rachel made a fond speech of thanks saying how what a privilege it had been to share the life of the community of Upper Tweeddale for twelve years. (Potential applicants for the Vacancy please note.)
A very successful evening, thoroughly enjoyed by all who were there.
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