THE GARDEN PARTY

20TH JUNE 2009

Although showers threatened to dampen the proceedings in the preparations prior to the event, as the opening hour approached, the sun shone through and the scene was set to enjoy a gloriously warm and sunny afternoon.

The church grounds were looking magnificent as partiers arrived at the gates to be welcomed by our official photographer for the afternoon, Fiona Lowson. Guests were snapped in their colourful and resplendent attire and even Victorian period costumes were on display! A lone piper added to the excitment of this very special occasion as close to 180 guests and friends of Blackford Parish Church mingled and chatted together.

The official welcome was given by Willie McLaren, our Session Clerk who gave us a most informative introduction about the 8 ministers who served the people of Blackford in the present building since it's opening in 1859. Amongst the special guests joining us were family members of past ministers of the Church and also our previous minister, Rev.Hazel Wilson.

Rev. Dr.Stuart Picken then proceeded to open the Garden Party and a Yew tree was ceremoniously planted at the entrance gates to the church by the great grandson of the first minister of the present building, Mr. Moray.

Refreshments were then served by the ladies of the Church including homemade baking and delicious strawberry tarts which tasted every bite as good as they looked ... some folks managed to enjoy more than one or two of these as well !!  See the photo of the cake tray and it's guaranteed to make your mouth water!

The Blackford Historical Society put together a wonderful exhibition of photos showing weddings and events in the church and village over the past ?? years ... the queues and questions were a measure of how successful the exhibition was with many stories recalled and memories being put to the test. "Was it really that long ago!" seemed a common theme! 

Laughter could be heard all afternoon inside and outside the church which really summed up this joyous and very special unique occasion in our Church's history.

So many people were responsible for making the afternoon such a tremendous success to mark our 150th celebrations ... too many to mention individually ... but to one and all from everyone who was there on the 20th June ... THANKYOU.

Hope you enjoy looking at some of the many photos taken!

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