Thank you for your interest. This vacancy is now closed.
Introduction
The Irvine Valley comprises three towns: Galston, Newmilns and Darvel, some seven miles east of Kilmarnock, 25 miles south of Glasgow and 28 miles from Ayr. For much of living memory, ‘the Valley’ as it’s known locally, was dominated by factories producing lace. These have (almost) all gone, as has much local commerce. It’s an area rich in heritage (Darvel is celebrated worldwide as the birthplace of Sir Alexander Fleming), rich in spirit, and human endeavour, but, for our new Minister, facing challenges in many areas.
Firstly, it’s not easy coming into a newly united parish which, due to the illness and tragic early death of the incumbent, hasn’t had a Minister for five years. Consequently, this vacancy offers both challenge and opportunity in equal measure.
Secondly, and on the plus side, God has given us: three worship centres (one in each town); a vibrant Kirk Session, slowly coming together to see the advantages of union; bigger congregations each Sunday in the (rotating each week) church with an in-person service and more people watching online at the other churches; a far greater range and depth of local talent to draw upon to develop our Mission in the Valley; and, finally, the opportunity, for the right person, to make his or her mark in this beautiful part of the world, bringing their ministering skills, their strength of character and the enlightened human touch required to engage deeply and prayerfully with the people of our area, bringing them closer to God and each other.
That’s the introduction: now let us tell you a bit more about us….
Our Church
Worship
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Weekly Sunday Services, rotating from one venue to the next, take place in our Churches in Galston and Darvel, as well as in the Church Hall in Newmilns. Together with the Kirk Session, you'll have the opportunity to discuss and influence how we develop these, ensuring we don't lose sight of our overarching Mission and not leaving anyone behind as we seek to grow our membership throughout the Valley, with an obvious emphasis on younger people as well as our existing parishioners. ​​​​​
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Left to right: Darvel, Newmilns, Galston
​​All our Church buildings have modern audio visual systems to enhance Sunday worship and enable streaming of Services and other events, with people following us via social media in countries as far away as the USA and Chile. We are delighted to note that since the start of our new rota of Services in January 2025, attendances via these online Services have been excellent, while many people are travelling to their neighbouring town(s) and increasing the overall numbers worshipping 'live.'
Activities and Facilities
Each town in the Irvine Valley Parish has a wide range of Christian and church-related activities. These include the Bible Study Groups, the Guild, Scottish Women’s (Rural) Institute, Crossreach Morven Day Services, friendship lunches, coffee mornings and sales, kids' drama group and performances, gardening club meetings, to Girl Guides, Boys Brigade and Ranger meetings, and evening socials such as Scottish dinner nights as well as exercise groups, warm hub, book shop - and other one-off events. Not every town has the same activities, (for example, the BB is only in Galston) but this list will give you a good idea of the commitment of the church to sharing in the life of our community.
Galston, Newmilns and Darvel all have excellent, bright Hall facilities, attracting wide interest from various groups and organisations within the Church and from the local community. Whether it’s Over 50s Ladies Keep-Fit, Craft and Chat or Knit and Natter, there is something for (almost!) everyone.
Christian Education, Organisations and Pastoral Care
As we slowly come together, we are working to ensure that we don't lose any of the great work that is done locally in each of our three towns. Whether it's the Guild National Mission Work, preparation for the World Day of Prayer Service or House Groups for Bible study.
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We seek to engage with our local communities, promoting our Christian work alongside the wider range of activities available within our buildings to cater for all ages and interests. Many of our activities and events are well-established, while new ones are being reviewed constantly to take account of the changing needs in our community. Good examples initiated by the Church include our work with local Food Banks and (in Darvel) the establishment of a “Warm Hub” or “Warm Welcome” within the town. We recognise that we need to make our Mission work more relevant to our communities, particularly for our young people in the Valley and beyond. Your input and fresh thinking will be a vital part of this.
Halls
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We have excellent hall facilities attracting a wide interest from various groups and organisations within the Church and from the local community. All Church buildings and halls are in good repair, offering excellent venues for both traditional events such as weekly Church services, school and seasonal services, weddings, funerals and baptisms, and also for special events such as Aeolian choir performances. Many other, varied activities are regularly held in our halls, ranging from Kirk Session meetings, Guild and Women’s Institute meetings, friendship lunches, coffee mornings, kids drama group (PALS) performances, Alcoholics Anonymous, the local gardening club, Girl Guide and Ranger meetings, and evening socials such as Scottish dinner nights as well as exercise groups, warm hub, book shops and other one-off events, such as (in Darvel) providing a registration hub for the annual Valley Walkfest (see below).
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The Manse
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The manse is in Galston (see below) and comprises a detached, modern building with garage, four bedrooms (one en-suite), two public rooms, kitchen, downstairs shower room, utility room and a bathroom, with a landscaped garden to the rear.
Our Towns
Newmilns
Newmilns (pronounced Newmills) is a small rural town situated between Darvel and Galston and extending for about two miles along the north side of the Irvine Valley. Like its neighbours, the population consists of a varied mix of old and young. There are a number of local shops and a wide array of clubs and organisations, sports and leisure facilities, all catering for different age ranges and interests. These include a dry ski slope, the bowling club, a football club, and the local Loudoun Gowf Club. In 2003, we saw the first of what has become the annual Irvine Valley Walking Festival, which has subsequently grown in strength over the years and is now an extremely popular event for both locals and visitors.
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The town is served by both Newmilns Nursery and Newmilns Primary School and, like Darvel, senior education is provided by Loudoun Academy, which is at nearby Galston. Bus travel is provided for secondary pupils to the Academy.
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The local doctors' surgery is Loudoun Medical Practice, whilst there is also a good, new NHS dental practice in the town.
As you might expect in such a rural area, there are several farms in and around the town of Newmilns and the town participates in the annual Newmilns Show, where there are dairy, beef, sheep, and Clydesdale competitions, along with jumping and showing of ponies and young farmers activities.
The town holds an annual Gala Day which involves both young and old and usually lasts throughout the afternoon, with stalls and amusements, culminating in the crowning of the Gala Queen. Also for children and younger people, Newmilns has Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Rainbows.
Newmilns was once the centre of one of Ayrshire’s most prosperous weaving and lace making industries, boasting, at one time, the world’s largest lacemaking loom. Sadly, this has all largely gone now and there are only two, specialist lace making companies left in the town. To help address these issues, Newmilns Regeneration Association is the local voluntary organisation concerned with preserving the heritage of Newmilns and promoting regeneration within the town.
Darvel
Darvel is a small rural town with a population of 3,930 within the parish, with some 2040 households ranging from those with young families to retired people. Several new private housing developments have been built within the town and on its periphery to cater for local residents and others who commute to Glasgow and other local centres. Darvel has a good range of essential shops and a new community hub called “The Corner,” which is the focal point of many local activities. DART, the local regeneration group, has many local projects which aim to enhance and develop amenities across the town.
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Loudoun Health Centre in Darvel has no less than six GPs and also serves the people in Newmilns. There is no local dentist, but one is available in Newmilns. There is a Kirkcare Sheltered Housing development in the centre of the town.
Darvel Primary and Nursery schools provide education locally, with children then mainly going to Loudoun Academy Secondary school at Galston. Bus transport to and from the Academy is provided.
There is a Scout Group in the town with Scouts and Explorer Scouts. For girls there is a Girl Guide Unit comprising Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers. Various group activities meet in the Town Hall including yoga, ti chi, karate and low impact dance classes for the elderly and less mobile. The youth of the town are also catered for at the Darvel Sports Centre where they can participate in a wide range of games and sports including keep fit exercises, badminton and five a side football. The centre has a gymnasium for adults and karate is taught. There is also an adjoining skateboard park and a multiple use games area facility.
There are a number of football pitches for round ball enthusiasts, including the local Juniors, Darvel Football Club, famed for their 2023 giant-killing victory over Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup. The town also has a thriving bowling club and an angling club.
The Darvel Music Festival is an annual event, going back to 2002, which attracts some very famous names to the town every summer.
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Darvel has a fine amenity in the Morton public park, with a first-class play area beside the river Irvine.
Along the Valley, there are many excellent walks in the surrounding countryside, with a very popular Walking Festival (Walkfest) held every May.​​
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Galston
With a population of 4,710, Galston is the largest of the three Valley towns, situated to the west and nearest to Kilmarnock. Consequently, it has a slightly wider range of shops and services, as well as the area's only major supermarket, which is conveniently situated on the bus route to Newmilns and Darvel.
The development of mining in the 19th century led to the employment of around 1,000 miners and brought much (hard-won) prosperity, but the last pit closed in 1933 and since then Galston has become a commuter town for Kilmarnock and Glasgow, whilst retaining some of its original agricultural links.
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In the same way that Darvel is (rightly) celebrated for its association with Sir Alexander Fleming, Galston's townsfolk are immensely proud of one of our earliest Kirk servants. Robert Stirling, who was the minister here between 1824 and 1878, was the inventor of the eponymous Stirling Engine, an engineering masterpiece that is used today by NASA.
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Galston Community Development Trust works to encourage local community involvement, whilst maintaining and enhancing our local heritage, leisure and arts facilities and the area's natural environment. There are many local organisations (Boys Brigade, Guides, bowling clubs, etc.) for young and old alike. Nursery and Primary schools are first-class, while Secondary pupils mainly go to the nearby Loudoun Academy.
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As well as a local medical practice, Galston also has a local dental surgery.
Finance and Stewardship
The three previous finance teams have worked very closely together to draw together all the strands and outstanding financial issues that, naturally, exist when you create a union like ours.
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The current position is:
Income of £115,714
Expenditure of £128,457
This resulted in a shortfall of £12,743 which was mainly due increased energy costs.
Bank account is circa £80,000 in the black.
Income forecast for 2025 will be circa £144,000
Along with forecast we have a reserve fund of £45,000 plus substantial investments and reserves with Church of Scotland at 121.
There are also funds circa £400,000 in trust: these are still to resolved and allocated for future actions.
In other words, Irvine Valley Parish Church is in a very healthy financial position which, hopefully, will mean funds are available for mission and outreach in the years ahead.
To Apply
To apply, please send your CV with a covering letter to: Laura Lang, Clerk to the Nominating Committee at this address.
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