Donald Thomas
My name is Donald Thomas, I retired in 2007 after 42 years of service in local government in the west of Scotland. I held various senior financial management posts during that period with various local authorities. I am happy to see the experience gained in my working life being used to the benefit of my local church.
I have been a member of Merrylea since 1976, playing an active part in the life of the Church as Treasurer for almost 30 years and as a leader in the Focus youth group for 13 years.
I have worked with 3 ministers and 5 session clerks during my time at Merrylea. November 2019 was my 50th anniversary as an Elder of the Kirk. I have been a member of 3 Kirk Sessions but most of the service has been spent at Merrylea.
My aim is to ensure Merrylea continues to be a source of Christian witness in the local community.
I have been married to Heather for almost 49 years. She has also played an active part in Merrylea’s life serving for many years in the Sunday School, as Fabric Convenor for 8 years until 2006, and is currently Halls Convener.
We both enjoy walking and in the past have completed the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Walk and the Fife Coastal Path, a combined distance of almost 300 miles.
We also enjoy gardening and spend many enjoyable hours in our allotment just across the road from the Church.
Over many years world travel has also featured very much in both our lives. We have now visited every continent, Antarctica being the last in 2019.
I enjoy mountain trail biking which I took up after a long break from road cycling. Since retiring I have completed many day and extended trips, mainly in the west of Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park.