315 JULY 2021 - Gryffe Advertizer

“Goings on at the
Houston Village Hall”
You may have noticed some activity and
colour at the front of the Houston Village
Hall property on Main Street, in recent days
and earlier this year. As a local church,
we wanted to find ways to bless and
contribute positively into our community,
but in a way that respected the current
need for distancing. Thank you to those
who have given us positive feedback - for
your encouragement and appreciation for
our efforts.
As shown in the photo’s, we’ve enjoyed
setting up displays and sometimes giveaways,
as follows ...
Valentine’s Day love hearts for everyone.
Daffodils for Mother’s Day.
Easter banners - a reminder of God’s love
for all people.
92 free ice creams for local residents (for
92 days of summer) on Tues 1st June- the
1st day of summer.
Colourful summer display up for the month
of June.
Feathers for Father’s Day - display yet to
be erected at time of submitting this news.
And our community prayer garden, with
garden bench and jack and Jill seats with
table, is there for anyone who might like to
stop and sit and think and pray and eat and
chat and just be there.
You might like to bring your own seat
cushions for comfort.
Sharing God’s love, colour, joy and flavour
in our community, Houston Church of the
Nazarene.
local community, local life ............... 24
Virtual Houston Agricultural Show
A sunny Friday evening made for a wonderful backdrop to the inaugural Houston
Agricultural Show Tractor Run, held on the eve of show Saturday. The pandemic has
prevented the show taking place for the last two years. The resilient Committees have
triumphed in making sure the villagers do not forget about the show and this year have
kept the spirit alive by hosting a free Virtual Show online.
The streets of Houston were lined with hundreds of people in socially distanced family
groups. Tom Stewart, Show President, encouraged villagers to come out into the streets
of Houston to #WaveInYourWellies. The procession of a dozen tractors led by local
haulage businessman Robert Wilson in his shiny blue lorry was heartily cheered on. A
wonderful selection of tractors, some new and some vintage ones as well. There was a
special appearance from a’ Mini-COO-per car’ that even ‘mooed’!
The villagers of Houston were delighted to see the tractors traverse the local streets,
cheered, and waved them along the route. A poignant moment saw the tractors pause
on Kirk Road as a mark of respect to past President Mr Ian R Simpson who passed away
recently.
Local children and adults have been able to take part in some online competitions
showcasing their talents. The competition categories were sponsored by lots of local
businesses donating generous prizes. With hundreds of entries across all the categories
local judges chose the winners.
Behind the Barn Doors was a series of fun films showing behind the scenes of local
farms, and not to be missed was ‘Ask Aly’, where villagers could ask local farmer Aly
Young all sorts of farming related questions.
Mo Lyle, Show Secretary, “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the Show Field
on Saturday 4th June 2022.”
Virtual Houston Agricultural
Show Winners
• Rachel Jones found the Moovin’ Milk
toy calf hanging out at the entrance of
the show field. (pictured right)
• Leigh Ann Barrett winner of the guess
the age in days of the Cow & Calf.
• Presidents Pick - Super Girl Freya & her
Super Dog Ludo. (our cover shot!)
• Houston’s Got Talent - Maisie Hunter
• TikTok – Aaria Nimmo
• Draw or paint a picture of a farm
animal or tractor - Abigail Turner
• Photo of pet or local animal – Isobel
Straw
• Cook, Shop and Eat Local - Roma
Crichton
• Floral arrangement in a Coffee Cup -
Rachel Hyslop
• Virtual Dog Show winners with their
good boys and girls. Kirsty Steel,
Lesley Campbell, Colette Morin and
Louise Crawford.