New moderator for Melrose and Peebles Presbytery

Fraser, Treasurer of St Mary of Wedale Church in Stow and nearby Heriot, says that it will be a daunting task, but is relishing the challenge after he takes over from the Rev. Bob Milne, of Upper Tweeddale, next week (June 23).

It is only eight years since he joined the Presbytery, and was immediately plunged into the role of Treasurer, taking over from Grahame Henderson, of St Andrew’s Leckie in Peebles – and who will resume his former role for one year during Fraser’s term of office.

“It has been a pleasure to be Treasurer and I have got to know people quite well,” Fraser said. “I admire the work that treasurers do; they put in a lot of effort and I appreciate their huge contribution.” In a year when the railway returns to Stow, Fraser is hoping that he will generate enough steam to ensure that the signals are at green for the year ahead at Presbytery meetings.

He would be happy to see more members taking part in debates and putting forward their views – and not be afraid or embarrassed to do so.

Fraser will be the fourth non-minister to occupy the role of Moderator following in the footsteps of Mr Henderson, the late Mrs Rosemary Hall and Tom Fairbairn.

Fraser, who is was brought up in Beirut and Edinburgh and has lived in Stow for more than 30 years. Married, with one son, he is also Finance Convener of the Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council and last year he visited Israel to review the three institutions run by the Church in that country.

Away from the Church, Fraser founded the Scottish Borders Link of Chernobyl Children Lifeline in 2001 and is chairman of the Link.

A Chartered Accountant, he spent 14 years working in the textile industry in Innerleithen and Galashiels, is currently archivist of George Heriot’s Trust and has been chairman of the Cricket Society of Scotland since 1994.

But in the year ahead, Fraser will be at the forefront of the issues at the meetings of the Presbytery.