Aul Kirk

From Easter 2009 Magazine

Reflections

 So here we are into the year of 2009.  A time for reflections on the “year that’s awa”.  I’m just reflecting on how nice it is to be old and useless. 

I am saddened when I see and read the gloomy news of strife and recession.  It breaks my heart to see the sufferings of bairns and unfortunate people, caught up in the madness of the Israeli action against the people of Palestine in the Gaza strip.

Then I reflect, most selfishly, “ach well, I’m old and useless and can’t even take part in the protest marches so why should I worry my old head”.   I reflect then that I have no money worries because I have no money to worry about anyway.  My insurance policies are all paid up, I have no mortgage and I only pay a reduced Council charge.  No worries there.

My family are all well established and keep an eye on me.  If I need help or advice, all I need to do is phone Help the Aged and get advice on all things.  Dare I say that I pay little attention to any of their well-meant advice? 

I don’t even have to pay my T.V. Licence.  Ach it’s great to be old and useless.

There are many benefits to being ancient. There is an army of ladies who keep me supplied with home made soup and tit-bits from their kitchens.  Led by my sister-in-law, I call them my “Angels of Mercy”.  They have no wings, just anoraks and jeans and they consist mainly of friends of my late wife.  My next-door neighbour looks in every morning and checks that I’m alright, and another neighbour transports me down to church of a Sunday.

And then of course there are the visits of our Church visitors.  Very much appreciated and looked forward to by this old, useless mannie.

Being useless, I spend a lot of time just sitting reading.  Nothing too heavy, just rubbish really.  So I am reading rubbish and enjoying it.  I seem to be writing rubbish too, and getting away with it!  A’ well, you get away with a lot when you’re old and useless.

And what about our Kirk?  Good old steadfast ongoing Muckle Kirk, steadily marching on due to the well led activities of our Minister and many hard-working enthusiasts, she is doing fine too.

For myself, may God forgive me for these rather selfish reflections, for I am just a poor useless aul’ mannie, and happy with it!

Now may I wish all our readers, All the Best for 2009.               Aul Kirk.

From June 2008 Magazine

The Kitchen Parliament

When my neighbour of long standing decided to move into sheltered house, I was left somewhat apprehensive about having a new neighbour.   As it happened my fears were quite unfounded, for my new neighbour has proved an ideal replacement.

A far travelled man of many talents, he came to my door on his first day, introduced himself and so started a custom which has lasted for all of the three years since his arrival.

Every day except Sunday, around 9.30am, he appears at my back door, calls out, and is welcomed into my kitchen.  We discuss every subject under the sun, from politics to pipe bands, and so our Kitchen Parliament was born.  With only two self styled M.K.P.s, we send happy hours setting the world to rights, and on any subject on which we fail to agree, we just agree to differ.  Fine!

Anyway!  Just a few facts about this new neighbour of mine.  He was born in the south west corner of Scotland and as a young man, he worked on many jobs, including a spell as a junior newspaper reporter, before deciding to go to college in Ayr and graduating as a teacher.  He worked in various schools in the Central Belt before doing two, five year tours of duty at schools in Zimbabwe.  On return from there, he became Headmaster of schools in the Shetland Isles before retiring from teaching.

A very active man in his retirement, he started a taxi hiring business, while still finding the time, and the inspiration, to write a book of poems, which were read at meetings of the Schiltron Poetry Group, which held regular meetings in the Deacon BrodieBar on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

These then are only a few facts about this multi-talented, interesting and caring new friend and neighbour.   In closing may I mention that, in his retirement, he still finds time to work, as he began, as a part-time reporter for the Fraserburgh Herald.

I regard it as a great blessing and privilege to have met this gentleman and thank God for his goodness.

 Aul Kirk (June 2008)

Contact Information

Peterhead Old Parish Church, Kirk Square, Peterhead AB42 1RQ

Our Minister  is Rev Pauline Thomson MA BD, The Manse, 1 Hawthorn Road, Peterhead AB42 2DW Tel: 01779 472618

Our Session Clerk is Mrs Hazel Ross 22 Linksfield Terrace, Peterhead, 01779 471383

Electronic mail can be sent via the message page or to john@mucklekirk.co.uk
 

                                                                                                       Last modified: 16-11-08                                                                                                    Scottish Charity Number SCO11147