A Perthshire farmer and Church elder was today named as the incoming national convener of the Church of Scotland Guild.

Helen-May Bayne, an active partner in the family farming business with her husband and son, will take up her post following May’s General Assembly in Edinburgh.

An elder at Muthill Parish Church in Perth Presbytery, Ms Bayne is a former convener of Perth Presbyterial Council and also a former convener of the Guild’s Projects and Topics Committee. She currently serves on the Guild National Executive as national vice-convener.

She trained as a primary school teacher, is a member of the WRVS, a volunteer-based organisation which supports older people, and assists with the local Books on Wheels scheme.

Ms Bayne said: “I feel deeply honoured and privileged to be asked to serve the Guild as national convener.

”This year I have enjoyed assisting the current convener, Betty Dunn, and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges this year will bring.”

At the same meeting Alison Angus from Lochcarron was elected as national vice convener.

Ms Angus was born and educated in Glasgow and trained as a teacher at Jordanhill College. She lived for many years in Aberdeen, and was ordained as an elder in Cults.

Ms Angus represents her Guild Presbyterial Council, Lochcarron and Skye, nationally and is currently convener of the Guild Marketing and Publicity Committee. She is also heavily involved in her local church, and will also take up her new post in May.