Arbroath kirk bids farewell to minister

Rev Martin Fair has been minister at St Andrew’s since 1992. (Wallace Ferrier)

Arbroath minister Rev Martin Fair is to move on to pastures new after more than 30 years at St Andrew’s Church.

A former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Mr Fair was educated at Woodfarm High School and Glasgow University.

He married wife Elaine in 1987, and the couple had three children – Callum, Andrew and Fraser.

Mr Fair served as a minister in Bermuda before relocating to Arbroath in 1992. He was Moderator from 2020-2021. He has also twice preached as a guest Minister at Crathie Kirk, and was invited back to Balmoral Castle for tea with Her Majesty the Queen.

During his time in Arbroath he has been a huge influence in the local community, and was instrumental in broadcasting his sermons on line, allowing those who were unable to attend the church to still be involved. He also introduced regular live music to the church. In Fisheracre he also organised the takeover of an abandoned shop to found The Havilah Project, now called The Community Spirit meeting area, where people are welcome to meet up, keep warm, enjoy a cuppa and meet new friends.

Mr Fair will leave St Andrew’s in March to take up a national role within the Church of Scotland.

One of his favourite charities was the Malawi Project, and he organised various church members to send medicines to children and adolescents in Africa.

In the very limited spare time that he does have, Mr Fair’s passion is football, especially following the fortunes of Glasgow Rangers.