Please enjoy some festive adverts placed by local businesses for Christmas 1980, as printed in the East Fife Mail.

The former St David's Church had two different bells during its existence - the one which can still be seen today at the rear of the roof (pictured above) and the original bell which hung in a tall stone bellcote above the front entrance. The original bell was presented by the family of Alexander Hogg  a former Largo blacksmith who had died in 1870, the year before the church building was erected. The original bell and bellcote can be seen in the images below.
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After many decades of service, not to mention exposure to the coastal elements, the bellcote and its rope-operated bell were in need of repair. By the early 1960s, the tall stone bellcote was considered dangerous and so a project was begun to make it safe. The bellcote was taken down and the stone work at the rear of the roof was also reduced in height. The bell was recast, relocated to the rear of the roof and was converted to electric power. 

Mr Ewan Bryden co-ordinated the project and also designed the cross-topped metal structure which would house the new bell. The bell was recast at John Taylor and Company, Bellfounders and Bellhangers. The name 'Taylor' can be seen on the bell in the images further below. Founded in 1859, Taylor have cast more than 25,000 bells which hang in over 100 countries around the world. You can read more about that here and watch a video about the bell founding process here and in the other videos on the firm's YouTube channel.

Funds for the works came from a memorial fund in the name of Miss Nicoll, supplemented by fundraising activities organised by the congregation. As the 4 November 1964 piece above from the Leven Mail explains, there was a show held in the Durham Hall, where the Sunday School, Bible Class, Kirk Session, Woman's Guild, Life Boys and Youth Club presented a programme of entertainment. This included a song written by Mr McGregor, sung to the tune of "The Bells of St Mary's" called "The Bell of St David's".
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On the first Sunday of 1965, a service was held at which the bell was rededicated (see 6 January Leven Mail piece above). The new gates and railings were also dedicated at the same time. A plaque was placed in the church vestibule to mark the occasion and to ensure that the memory of Miss M.M. Nicoll, late Kirk Treasurer was remembered.
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Margaret MacDougall Nicoll (1882-1962), was a daughter of Kirkton of Largo Schoolmaster Thomas Nicoll. She became a school teacher herself and had died on 10 June 1962, at which time she was Honorary President of Largo St David's Women's Guild. Margaret was the second eldest of five children - William (1880), Margaret (1882), Robert (1886), Mary (1888) and Annie (1892). She attended Kirkton of Largo Primary School (where her father was master for 35 years) then Waid Academy in Anstruther, before going to St Andrews University where she gained an M.A.. In May 1900 she was appointed temporary mistress at Kirkton, assisting her father and beginning her career in teaching. More on the life of Miss Nicoll will follow in a future post.

The former Largo St David's Church building has now embarked upon a new chapter - read more here.

David Baldie (pictured above as featured in 22 October 1960 Fife Free Press) was born in Woodside on 15 December 1881 to coal miner William Baldie and his wife Martha Hamilton. David was named after his paternal grandfather, David Baldie (who came to Woodside when it was a newly built settlement and is recorded there in the 1841 census as a 30-year-old coal miner). In 1841 the immediate neighbour of the Baldie family was James Black and family, including a 2-year-old Robert Black, who would go on to be Chair of Largo Parish Council.

Young David attended New Gilston Primary School until 1893, when the family relocated to Kettlebridge for a few months. When they returned to Largo Parish later the same year, he started at Largo Primary School. However by the 1901 census, the Baldie family had moved to the neighbouring Parish of Scoonie, where they lived on Waggon Road, in a cottage they named 'Woodside Cottage'. William was engaged as a coal carter and he placed the notice below in the 5 December 1901 Leven Advertiser to advertise his services. A 19-year-old David was working as a coal miner hewer, following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather before him. This occupation, however, was short-lived and in 1905 David joined the police.
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When David joined Kirkcaldy Burgh Police, the force was only 36 strong. Quickly making his mark, David was promoted to sergeant after six years, becoming the youngest person to hold the rank. In December 1912 he married Wilhelmina McKinnon at his parents home, Woodside Cottage, in Leven. The couple had their first child, William, in Kirkcaldy the following year. During the First World War, David was in charge of the "aliens and suspected persons department" at Kirkcaldy - receiving a commendation from the Home Department for his work. Promotion to the rank of inspector followed in 1925 and a year later was appointed Deputy Chief Constable.

In February 1933 David Baldie became Chief Constable of Kirkcaldy Burgh Police. He continued in that role until his retirement in May 1949, just before the merger of Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Fife Country Police Forces. During the 16 years of his leadership, the force grew to become 64 strong. Notably, he oversaw the development of the fingerprinting and photographic department during his tenure. During those years, Baldie also held the role of President of the Chief Constables (Scotland) Association and represented the Scottish Chief Constables at the coronation of King George VI in 1937. 
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In 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War, David was awarded the O.B.E. for his services - the burgh's first official to receive this award. The photo below from the front page of the 14 July 1939 Dundee Evening Telegraph shows him at the King's investiture at St James's Palace. ​Wartime brought increased responsibilities, with David becoming A.R.P. Controller for Kirkcaldy. The Burgh Police Force was augmented by 200 Special Constables during the Second World War. One of David's own daughters served under her father as a member of the Women's Auxiliary Police Force. In June 1948, David was awarded the King's Police Medal in the Birthday Honours List. A few weeks later he was presented to the King and Queen on their tour of Fife.
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In May 1949, David retired from the police after 44 years service, and on the eve of the merger of Fife's Police Forces. Pictured above in the 11 May Dundee Courier, he described his career as "a wonderful adventure" and that he "would not hesitate to go through it again". Following his retirement David became a member of Kirkcaldy Town Council - serving on many of its committees. For many years he was secretary and treasurer of the local branch of the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He also had a long association with the St Andrew's and Red Cross Scottish Ambulance Service. He served on the Board of Management of the Kirkcaldy Y.M.C.A., was a long-time elder of the Victoria Road Church, a past president of Kirkcaldy Rotary Club and a member of Kirkcaldy Bowling Club.
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