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foo d ban k r un by ste warto n chur che s to g e the r 2 0 1 4
During the recent visit to Stewarton the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church
of Scotland was joined by Foodbank volunteers for the official opening of the Stewarton
Branch of Ayrshire (East) Foodbank at Lainshaw Loft.
time and resources to the
Chairman, Rev. Gavin
project but to give of their love
Niven opened proceedings
and concern to all those whom
detailing what had led to
they would encounter in the
this ecumenical community
course of their work with the
project, having first given
Foodbank. Mr. Chalmers then
the company a thorough
offered a Prayer of Dedication,
background on all that
asking God's blessing on all
we routinely do together
who will find their way to
throughout the year. He
Foodbank opening at Stewarton
this branch of Ayrshire East
then invited our guest the
Foodbank. There followed a
Moderator, to open the
time of general conversation
Foodbank formally and
over refreshments. In one
to dedicate this project
photo, Mr. Chalmers (left) is
by prayer. In his kind and
seen with Rev. George Lind,
gracious preamble, Mr.
Mrs. Ruth Nicol (Stewarton
Chalmers spoke of his
Foodbank Co-coordinator)
concern at the poverty and
Mrs. Chalmers with some foodbank volunteers
and Rev. Gavin Niven. In
lack of hope facing many
the other, Mrs. Chalmers (centre) is seen chatting
throughout the country. He included the comment
with a few volunteers. The Foodbank is now open
that it gave him no pleasure to have to open such
and Lainshaw Loft can be accessed on the side of
a facility and trusted that the need for it, and all
St. Columba's Church adjacent to Belltree Avenue.
others like it, would be temporary. He thanked the
Opening hours are Tuesdays and Fridays 4-6 pm.
volunteers and invited them to give not only of their
s t e wa r d shi p
cam pa i gn
(y e a r 3 : t i m e)
tog e th e r
in
m is sion a n d
e n c our agem en t
This year, we should like to
involve all members of the
congregation in thinking about
how we devote our time to God
and to the church family. We’re
setting aside Sunday November
30th, St Andrew’s Day, as a
unique day in our congregation’s
life, holding special events in the
Church and in the hall (2.0 - 4
p.m.) It will end with a Songs
of Praise Celebration at 7 p.m.
in Church led by Newmilns
& Galston Brass Band. All are
most welcome.
s te wa rto n r es i d en t s pay t r i b u t e to lo ca l artist
Rev George Lind with Councillor John McGhee and Robert Conning at the graveside
A fundraising effort by three local brothers has
enabled a headstone to be put on the grave of a
local artist, James Taylor Brown.
Taylor Brown as he was known professionally
was born 1868 and died in 1923 at the age of
57.
At an early age it became evident that he would
be an accomplished artist .He was fortunate to
be tutored by the ‘Glasgow Boys’ who were a
group of distinguished artists.
At the age of 28 he opened a shop next to
where Boots Chemist is now in Stewarton
at which time he was able to devote his life
fully to his painting. Subsequently he had
exhibitions in the Royal Scottish Academy, the
Glasgow Institute of fine arts and The Society
of Scottish Artists. A number of cities down
south also invited him to exhibit. Posthumously
there have been exhibitions, the last of which
was in Kilmarnock in 1996.
members of his family, in an unmarked grave.
The three brothers Robert, Duncan and John
Conning who are from Stewarton strongly felt
that it was wrong that James Taylor Brown
was buried in the town’s cemetery, with other
On Friday 3rd October 2014 the headstone
was officially unveiled at Stewarton Cemetery.
Now the final resting place of a very talented
‘local lad’ is marked for posterity.
The Co-op Funeral Service donated the
headstone and the local council waived their
cemetery costs. This left the engraving to be
done on the headstone. One way in which the
brothers raised the £500 costs was by making
and selling at a cost of £5 each a DVD on
which one song is called Taylor Brown.