Cumbrae Parish Church are continung to hold their services in the DA Hall on Sundays throughout the summer.

The church congregation were forced to leave their place of worship six months ago after it fell into a state of disrepair.

According to the Cunbrae Beacon publication - the church newsletter - attempts are continuing to raise funds for a new church on the island.

Session Clerk John W McCubbin said: “We have successfully relocated for the summer to the DA Hall for our Sunday services.. We are actively marketing the Manse, the funds from which will go toward the cost of our new build and are hopefully of a satisfactory conclusion in the late summer/autumn.” The Beacon newsletter stated: “One of the decisions that has been taken by the Congregational Board in order to safeguard and guarantee community involvement is to take the offer of using The Smilie Centre as our communal base for the foreseeable future of two years.

“With the existing church building needing to be temporarily closed, the new built in process and Sunday rented facilities, we felt that we need some stability and a base from where we can operate.

“The Minister, Reverend Markus Thane, Kirk Session and Congregational Board would like to take this opportunity of thanking Meg and Bill Lindsay who offered us to use their former store without charge and only paying utilities.” The church fundraising committee arrange regular events, and have also appealed for fresh blood on the committee in order to help support the church. If you can help, contact Christine on 530393.

Over two years ago, a proposal was put forward for a new Cumbrae Parish Church - earmarked for what is currently farmland to the east of Cumbrae Primary in Bute Terrace - including a multi-purpose hall, ancillary meeting rooms, creche, offices, utility areas and associated parking. However, significant funding is necessary for the plan to come to fruition.