Friday, May 15, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Cumnock Historical Society 19 March15
A history of Old Cumnock Old Church - Rev J Paterson
Mr Paterson, the present minister of the church, started by reading a poem ' the auld church in the Square'
Then he told us how it is known that there was a church on that site in the 1200 s.This was the time of the Crusades. Pope Innocent iv wanted to mount a Crusade against the Saracens ( with the help of Henry lll) and so in 1254 a levy was demanded from all churches. In those pre-Reformation days all churches were of course Roman Catholic.
Cumnock didn't pay! This came to the attention of the authorities in Rome - and Cumnock entered the history books! Rome caught up with Cumnock in 1275 when the levy was finally paid - £16. And the result? Cumnock got into the history books.
The last priest and first minister of the church in Cumnock was one and the same person - Rev. John Dunbar. He ministered between 1560 and 1572
Ministers in Cumnock
At this time the 'auld church in the Square ' was dedicated to St Conval - and Irish prince who had come to Scotland. He was obviously an important figure as he was asked to preach at the funeral of Aidan, King of the Scots in 608. Conval was a follower of Kentigern who was associated with Glasgow Cathedral. Cumnock was a prebend of Glasgow Cathedral. Wikipedia says
'A prebend is the form of benefice held by a prebendary, and historically the stipend attached to it was usually drawn from specific sources in the income of the cathedral's estates.'
One of the changes that came about with the Reformation was to do with who chose the minister for the church. Before it was the responsiblity of the central church to select a clergyman for a church. Afterward the congregations who were paying the minister's stipend, assumed the right to choose.
Another change can be seen in the different church buildings in Cumnock today. With the Reformation, the Bible and theology became accessible to the ordinary man and opened the way for differences of opinion. The first cessationists left and started meeting in a barn at Wallacetown Farm and eventually at what became the West Church (now the Box House Cafe) in the Tanyard.There is a story that the Earl of Dumfries refused to pay to provide sand to build this church. The problem was solved when the River Lugar flooded and threw up enough sand exactly where it was needed!
At this point Mr Paterson explained the structure of church government in Scotland and talking about the discipline enforced by the church, he told us a story about a trip he made to Stornoway.
More visual evidence of the changes wrought by the Reformation can be seen on the spire of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. There is a crown on top - signifying the authority of the monarch over the church. Nowadays in Scotland the authority of the church is above that of the monarch.
In 1899 the Crichton Memorial came into being a Free Church, and then in 1929 the United Free Church was formed when the other church came back together and some members of the United Free Church wished to remain outside the Church of Scotland.
The last priest and first minister of the church in Cumnock was one and the same person - Rev. John Dunbar. He ministered between 1560 and 1572
Ministers in Cumnock
At this time the 'auld church in the Square ' was dedicated to St Conval - and Irish prince who had come to Scotland. He was obviously an important figure as he was asked to preach at the funeral of Aidan, King of the Scots in 608. Conval was a follower of Kentigern who was associated with Glasgow Cathedral. Cumnock was a prebend of Glasgow Cathedral. Wikipedia says
'A prebend is the form of benefice held by a prebendary, and historically the stipend attached to it was usually drawn from specific sources in the income of the cathedral's estates.'
One of the changes that came about with the Reformation was to do with who chose the minister for the church. Before it was the responsiblity of the central church to select a clergyman for a church. Afterward the congregations who were paying the minister's stipend, assumed the right to choose.
Another change can be seen in the different church buildings in Cumnock today. With the Reformation, the Bible and theology became accessible to the ordinary man and opened the way for differences of opinion. The first cessationists left and started meeting in a barn at Wallacetown Farm and eventually at what became the West Church (now the Box House Cafe) in the Tanyard.There is a story that the Earl of Dumfries refused to pay to provide sand to build this church. The problem was solved when the River Lugar flooded and threw up enough sand exactly where it was needed!
At this point Mr Paterson explained the structure of church government in Scotland and talking about the discipline enforced by the church, he told us a story about a trip he made to Stornoway.
More visual evidence of the changes wrought by the Reformation can be seen on the spire of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. There is a crown on top - signifying the authority of the monarch over the church. Nowadays in Scotland the authority of the church is above that of the monarch.
In 1899 the Crichton Memorial came into being a Free Church, and then in 1929 the United Free Church was formed when the other church came back together and some members of the United Free Church wished to remain outside the Church of Scotland.
St Andrew's United Free Church. This is a useful link to the website of the Cumnock History Group.
In 1929 there were more ministers than required but nowadays there are not enough. One of Mr Paterson's responsibilites in the Presbytery of Ayr, is to decide which churches are thriving sufficiently well to allow them to continue as they are, and which need to be linked to another church.
St John's Church
Mr Paterson showed us pictures of the stained glass windows in the Old Church and noted how the influence of the Marquis could be seen in their shape - candles!
To celebrate the centenary of the present building in 1966, a ceramic mural was created on the wall behind the pulpit. The Kirk Session thought this was 'not what you'd expect to see in a Protestant church' and so they arranged for a curtain to be hung in front of it. The curtain rail was put up - but the curtain itself never materialised. The picture is of Peter attempting to walk on the water.
Next year the 150th of the present building will be celebrated.
It was very interesting how Mr Paterson used both British and international history, and church history to show where Old Cumnock Old Church fitted into the bigger picture.
St John's Church
Mr Paterson showed us pictures of the stained glass windows in the Old Church and noted how the influence of the Marquis could be seen in their shape - candles!
To celebrate the centenary of the present building in 1966, a ceramic mural was created on the wall behind the pulpit. The Kirk Session thought this was 'not what you'd expect to see in a Protestant church' and so they arranged for a curtain to be hung in front of it. The curtain rail was put up - but the curtain itself never materialised. The picture is of Peter attempting to walk on the water.
Next year the 150th of the present building will be celebrated.
It was very interesting how Mr Paterson used both British and international history, and church history to show where Old Cumnock Old Church fitted into the bigger picture.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
London Branch SNP 13january15 NHS
The following are my rough notes. There was a lot I didn't understand and so I just wrote down a name for me to google later.
I have probably got hold of the wrong end of the stick at some points - let me know.
It might be good if we had an online space where those who were there could add corrections, explanations or comments.
The speaker was Allyson Pollock - Professor of Public Health ??
England is in process of abolishing the NHS. The 2012 Act removed the 'duty' to provide medical care. Now there are insurance based structures. In law, 'eligibility' comes into force - the authorities can pick and choose who gets help - and how much of it.
The 'duty to provide' has changed to a 'duty to promote' - Allyson demonstrated this with a packet of crisps and showed the difference.
Healthcare in England is modelled on US lines. Simon Stevens who is now the NHS chief executive spent years working in the USA and is committed to that model.
Scotland and Wales still have the NHS but England doesn't
People are not aware that the 'stream' system is being dismantled (stream?)
The NHS as a public system of healthcare has been abolished. Jeremy Hunt is no longer in charge of the NHS.
www.nhsbill2015.org
is campaigning for reinstatement of the NHS as we knew it - to include the duty to provide medical care.
Andy Burnam
There is a duty to commission which is a duty to contract . . .
A question about the effect on Scotland of the Trade Agreement between the USA and Europe
Pressure from TtiP is not as great as the pressure from England
Steven is committed to the USA model - big healthcare businesses
Good writers: Polly Toynbee and David Owen
The media don't show him though.
The narrative is that the NHS is failing due to too many obese people, too many sick people and drinkers
Asked for evidence AP mentioned the McKinsey report and plans of hospital trusts
Why did the government return £3 1/2 million to the Treasury?
There has been a misallocation of resources
Specsavers for instance are promoting themselves as the authorised provider of audiology care but when/if anything goes wrong - they wash their hands of patients and send them back to the NHS
Hinchinbrook Hospital?
Geographical boundaries are used in emergency situations only now.
A question about Cronyism - look at http://www.spinwatch.org/
BMJ gave details of MPs' private health care links
Alan Milburn
www.keepournhspublic
http://www.nhsconfed.org/about-us/contact-us
enter your postcode and write to your MP asking for their position on reinstatement
Book :NHS for sale
upcoding ensures more money is received
Scotland has managed the same achievements without recourse to the private purse
Question: why does it all matter? Its about the distribution on money - where is it going and is healthcare going to be free at point of need.
There has been an enormous waste of money - something like £30 billion has been spent on bankers, lawyers, accountants and administrators
Nye Bevan said the NHS will be there as long as people fight for it - but at the moment not enough people are fighting for it.
Question: who can reverse the trend? Its up to each one of us to join campaign groups
38degrees don't do the necessary campaigning but the keep our nhs public people do. The Green party support it.
Go to your CCG meetings.
I have probably got hold of the wrong end of the stick at some points - let me know.
It might be good if we had an online space where those who were there could add corrections, explanations or comments.
The speaker was Allyson Pollock - Professor of Public Health ??
England is in process of abolishing the NHS. The 2012 Act removed the 'duty' to provide medical care. Now there are insurance based structures. In law, 'eligibility' comes into force - the authorities can pick and choose who gets help - and how much of it.
The 'duty to provide' has changed to a 'duty to promote' - Allyson demonstrated this with a packet of crisps and showed the difference.
Healthcare in England is modelled on US lines. Simon Stevens who is now the NHS chief executive spent years working in the USA and is committed to that model.
Scotland and Wales still have the NHS but England doesn't
People are not aware that the 'stream' system is being dismantled (stream?)
The NHS as a public system of healthcare has been abolished. Jeremy Hunt is no longer in charge of the NHS.
www.nhsbill2015.org
is campaigning for reinstatement of the NHS as we knew it - to include the duty to provide medical care.
Andy Burnam
There is a duty to commission which is a duty to contract . . .
A question about the effect on Scotland of the Trade Agreement between the USA and Europe
Pressure from TtiP is not as great as the pressure from England
Steven is committed to the USA model - big healthcare businesses
Good writers: Polly Toynbee and David Owen
The media don't show him though.
The narrative is that the NHS is failing due to too many obese people, too many sick people and drinkers
Asked for evidence AP mentioned the McKinsey report and plans of hospital trusts
Why did the government return £3 1/2 million to the Treasury?
There has been a misallocation of resources
Specsavers for instance are promoting themselves as the authorised provider of audiology care but when/if anything goes wrong - they wash their hands of patients and send them back to the NHS
Hinchinbrook Hospital?
Geographical boundaries are used in emergency situations only now.
A question about Cronyism - look at http://www.spinwatch.org/
BMJ gave details of MPs' private health care links
Alan Milburn
www.keepournhspublic
http://www.nhsconfed.org/about-us/contact-us
enter your postcode and write to your MP asking for their position on reinstatement
Book :NHS for sale
upcoding ensures more money is received
Scotland has managed the same achievements without recourse to the private purse
Question: why does it all matter? Its about the distribution on money - where is it going and is healthcare going to be free at point of need.
There has been an enormous waste of money - something like £30 billion has been spent on bankers, lawyers, accountants and administrators
Nye Bevan said the NHS will be there as long as people fight for it - but at the moment not enough people are fighting for it.
Question: who can reverse the trend? Its up to each one of us to join campaign groups
38degrees don't do the necessary campaigning but the keep our nhs public people do. The Green party support it.
Go to your CCG meetings.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
New Year's Day
As a child in Scotland, Ne'erday was a nightmare! Especially the mornings
The adults were asleep - presumably they had been up till all hours celebrating, or possibly at a Watchnight Service. Us children had been allowed some watered down ginger wine and a shortbread with our next door neighbours, but we were in bed at the usual time, Hogmanay or not.
So the adults were asleep, our Christmas presents were no longer a novelty, outside nobody was stirring.
Although the New Year's Day concert from Vienna was started in 1941 I don't remember watching it before Willi Bovkovsky took over as conductor in 1955.
I have strong and unpleasant memories of being left totally to our own resources and devices.
This morning I had the same dread of the day - especially as I am just recovering from flu.
Then there was a ring at the doorbell - and everything changed!
The adults were asleep - presumably they had been up till all hours celebrating, or possibly at a Watchnight Service. Us children had been allowed some watered down ginger wine and a shortbread with our next door neighbours, but we were in bed at the usual time, Hogmanay or not.
So the adults were asleep, our Christmas presents were no longer a novelty, outside nobody was stirring.
Although the New Year's Day concert from Vienna was started in 1941 I don't remember watching it before Willi Bovkovsky took over as conductor in 1955.
I have strong and unpleasant memories of being left totally to our own resources and devices.
This morning I had the same dread of the day - especially as I am just recovering from flu.
Then there was a ring at the doorbell - and everything changed!
Thanks, Menna, for that totally unexpected and very thoughtful present!
And what joy later on to get on the Overground and go to Westfield! even if all I did was to sit in Costa Coffee while Brian did the shopping
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