On behalf of the trustees, chairperson Mary Crawford warmly welcomed all before inviting them to pit their wits against each other with a quiz about the major national and international events which coincided with the opening of Seath House in Dunfermline in 1969.

Seath House was established with funds from a bequest made by the late John Alexander Seath of Gowerfield Culross.

Abbeyfield Dunfermline’s other house, Allister House opened 31 years ago. Abbeyfield has provided independent living, support and companionship for older people from Dunfermline, surrounding villages and further afield over the years.

Lady Elgin, countess of Kincardine, who has been the patron of Abbeyfield Dunfermline Society since its inception, addressed the meeting giving a concise history of the Abbeyfield movement in Fife and her involvement with other houses previously held by Abbeyfield in Dunfermline, dating back to 1966. She concluded by committing herself to supporting the Abbeyfield movement in the future.

The gathering was then addressed by Monsieur Andre Decraene the international chairman of Abbeyfield and chairman of the Abbeyfield Society of Belgium who gave a progress report on the Abbeyfield movement worldwide and their developing project in Malawi prompting questions from the audience.

Monsieur Decraene concluded by thanking the trustees for inviting him to speak at the 50th anniversary celebration and giving a “tongue in cheek” commitment to speaking at the Society’s 100th anniversary in 50 years time.

Mr Bernard Singleton of the UK Abbeyfield Society then addressed the meeting congratulating the Dunfermline Society for being worthy custodians of the Abbeyfield mission in Fife for the last 50 years.

Following the Selkirk Grace, led by Rev Willie McCulloch, the guests enjoyed a traditional afternoon tea and an afternoon of reminiscences and fond re-unions amongst friends, colleagues and residents.