My year started with the Past District Governors Lunch at Cults on July 1st. IPDG George chaired the meeting and I was asked to give my plan for the year ahead. After giving my thoughts I was amazed that I was given a round of applause by the 'old boys' and perhaps a little bit of good natured ribbing as well. The meeting then decided to discuss the various plans that had eminated from RIBI. Poor President Elect John had to face a barrage of severe questioning by the IPDG gang, who would be an RIBI President?
I had to leave the meeting early to travel down to Dumfries to see my friend, and fellow DG, Keith Best of District 1020 installed as DG for the year. It was a great evening and I met a large number of fellow Rotarians from the South of the country.
On Tuesday 5th of July it was up early to go to the RYLA camp at Nethy Bridge to give a talk to the girls. What a fantastic day it was, to see the events that the girls had to go through made my limbs ache at the thought of it. They all looked as if they were having a great time. I had the opportunity to have a chat with Sarah Perry who was also taking part in the activities. After a lunch with Hilary and some of the mentors Winnie and I made our way home after a day I will long remember.
Some of the 'sheep' being penned.
On Wednesday the 6th I visited my first Club, and indeed it was my 'first club' because that was where I joined Rotary, at the Rotary Club of St. Fittick. Winnie and I watched President John Mennie take office for the year and enjoyed a splendid meal with the Rotarians. It was a double pleasure for me that day because my sponsor into Rotary,John Farquhar, is still a member and was there that day despite having been fairly ill for a time. It really made my day to see him again.
John and I ask 'Where have all the years gone?'
After booking in at the Travelodge in Bucksburn that same afternoon, we spent a quiet hour or so at Alasdair and Barbara Campbells beautiful home in Ellon prior to visiting the Ellon Club that evening. As always it was a great pleasure to visit such a strong and vibrant club where Winnie and I were made most welcome. Winnie was totally speechless by the huge number of books that the club had collected for 'Winnie's Book Project' and thanked the Rotarians for their generosity.
A rather glowing picture of Bob Black and myself discussing where to sit, I think!
On Thursday the 7th we made our way to the Northern Hotel Aberdeen for the lunchtime meeting of the St Machar Club. We were looking forward to seeing how a Past District Governor was doing as a recycled President, and what a man he is, President Bill Wood. We also were fortunate to meet up with some old friends that we had not seen for some years, Roy and Maggie Colquohoun, Maggie is a member of St Machar. I fell for the old joke when I asked Bill 'how long do you want me to talk', he replied- of course, 'as long as you like Iain but we will be away at 2 o'clock'. I managed not to speak to an empty room. The chat was great as was the meal, a very enjoyable meeting.
Winnie enjoying the day at St Machar after receiving another donation of books.
During the evening of Thursday the 7th Winnie and I attended the Rotary Club of Balgownie and, as usual, we were made very welcome. The Club is a small Club but, as the Assistant Governor Alan says, they are working very hard to improve the awareness of Rotary by establishing the Bridge of Don Gala. They have one of the youngest of Presidents in the District in Stephen Fernie.
Stephen and two 'oldies'
On Monday the 11th of July I visited RYLA again, this time to the boys camp. I spoke to the young men in the auditorium of the Centre at Nethybridge. They all listened to what I had to say and asked some good questions about Rotary and what it had to offer. One lad spoke to me after the talk and said he would like to have information about being a peace scholar. His name has gone forward and I hope we see him studying at one of the Centres in the future. The same day at the Nethybridge Trust meeting I, as Chairman, had the privilege of awarding a Paul Harris Fellowship to Arthur Taylor for his 17 years service to the boys camps at RYLA. It is the first time I have seen Arthur speechless!
On the 12th we visited the Rotary Club of Kirriemuir and had a splendid meeting with Bill Keillor and the Rotarians at the Thrums Hotel. Winnie spoke about her Book Project and was given a large number of books, plus a cheque for CHAS, she was really delighted at their generosity.
President Bill, Winnie and I after the meeting.
That evening we made our way to Montrose and were greeted by President John Paton. Winnie sat in the 'body o' the kirk' with the Rotarians, she always asks to sit with a good looking one!! Once again she was asked to speak about her Book Project. After the meeting we joined President John at his home and had a very pleasant coffee and a piece of wonderful home baked cake from Isabel, Johns wife.
The next day after a free morning we set off for Blairgowrie, firstly to vist President Mike Dagnall at home. Mike and his wife Jacqueline showed us their beautiful house in the country and once again we had coffee and superb home baking (the waistlines will have to be watched!) The meeting in the evening was quite something with five PHF's being awarded and afterwards a celebration at one of the recipients homes. Mike is to be congratulated for his obvious enthusiasm to making his Club successful. Winnie was presented with a lovely vase of flowers and had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Sommerville again, past Chairman of District 1 Inner Wheel.
On Thursday 14th of July we visited the lunchtime meeting of the Dunfermline Rotary Club. During the lunch Winnie sat with the members of the Club and I sat with President David Steele. The Garvock House Hotel was rather nice with lovely gardens and surrounds. After the meal President David presented Winnie with some books for her Books Project.
David and Winnie with some of her books
That evening we moved up the coast to Brechin to visit the Club there and spent a very enjoyable visit with President Dave Howson and the Rotarians. The Club is going through a difficult time trying to establish a 'home' having had to move to several different venues. Once again Winnie was asked to speak about her project and was given some books to take with her.
Early the next morning on Friday the 15th of July we visited the Breakfast Club of Dundee Discovery. The President Peter Kelly made us very welcome and we enjoyed a rather good breakfast. The Club is having membership problems but are hoping to bring in some new members this year. The Club is going to support Winnie's book project and the treasurer Denise is working with the Kirkaldy Club on a project to supply a book to Tanzania on the subject of albino children. The aim is to educate the population that these children are perfectly normal. There have been horrific stories of abuse to these unfortunate children because of their skin and eye colouration.
On Monday 18th we set off for Kinross to visit the Club there during the evening. President Kelvin met us and introduced us to some of the members, one of whom we knew very well, Ken Patterson. Winnie sat with the Rotarians and enjoyed the fellowship of the table. The meal was excellent and the sweet was the biggest sticky toffee pudding you could imagine, I could not manage it all (but my wife did!) There were some good questions after my talk to the Club, which I enjoyed getting.
Next day we were up early again for a breakfast meeting at the Dunfermline Carnegie Club. We were in the company of some 'weel kent' faces there, President Stephen Chorley, Assistant Governor Samantha Miller and District Officer Janet Lowe. It was a very good meeting with a refreshing number of younger Rotarians. I was presented with a Meerkat DG, complete with chain and badge. He goes everywhere with me now to help with my talks to Clubs.
On the evening of the same day we went across to the Rotary Club of Leven to meet with President George Barbour and the members there. As always we enjoyed the fellowship of the Club and once again Winnie was asked to talk about her project. A box full of books was given to her. By this time my car was beginning to creak at the weight of all the generous donations of books from Clubs.
On Wednesday 20th July was the day to visit the Club of St Andrews. The Hotel is adjacent to the Royal and Ancient home of golf and the whole area was looking magnificent. President Kathleen Thain made us very welcome and we enjoyed a very good meeting with the members of the Club. Sylvia Donaldson is a member of the Club and I thanked her for all the service she has given to District and to the Rotary Foundation. Once again the Club gave a very generous donation of books and Winnie spoke about the project and gave them a reading of a little poem she has about 'the Lintie and the Craw'.
This was obviously an interesting conversation at St Andrews, but do you know, for the life of me, I can't recall what we were talking about
On the evening of the 20th we went up to the Cupar Club and since we were early in arriving we had a look round the town. Inevitably Winnie found a shoe shop where there was a sale of 'Fitflops', a purchase was made and they are'fab' apparently. President Dermot Stewart made us very welcome and we enjoyed a warm evening of fellowship with the Cupar Rotarians.
At lunchtime on Thursday the 21st we made our way through the countryside and the miles to Dundee from Glenrothes where we had based ourselves during the week. The meeting at the Invercarse was indeed a busy one. The Dundee Club was hosting the Canadian Exchange Rotarians as well as having the District Governor speak. President Ian Mathers presented banners to the Canadians from the Club and I presented District banners to them as well as a gift for the District Governor of the Nova Scotia District. There were many personal friends among the Club members and we were warmly welcomed. After the meeting Winnie and I joined Gus McDonald and Ann at their home to meet Sheena Leadbitter. She was remarkably bright and cheerful but we both knew that she was heartbroken underneath. However we were so pleased to see her.
A slightly out of focus District Governor and wife of.
On Monday 25th there was a reasonably easy trip from Forres to the Aberdeen St Nicholas Club. We were met by an old friend Jim Couper, President of the Club (again). Once more we were in the company of other friends,PDG Ron McKail and Ann. We enjoyed the meeting very much, Winnie was once again given a large number of books for her CHAS project. I shared the speaker slot with Sarah Perry who had been sponsored by the St Nicholas Club at the recent RYLA girls camp. We were both given a very friendly reception.
I am not the one wearing the shorts!!
The next day we had a long haul down to to visit the Burntisland and Kinghorn Club. I had visited there before as DRFC but not in their present meeting place. It was good to be back by the sea and the drive along the front at Kirkcaldy was superb in the evening sunshine. We had a warm welcome from President Elaine Bowie as well as the RIBI Vice President John. Winnie was again given books for her project. We drove back to our 'digs' in Glenrothes after a very pleasant evening.
President Elaine with some books for Winnie.
On Wednesday the 27th we drove up the coast to Stonehaven to visit President Jennifer MacDonald and the Rotarians of the Stonehaven Club. Winnie sat with the Rotarians and enjoyed their company. Some more books for Winnie were presented by the Club. After I talked to the Club I had some questions from the floor, something I enjoy and feel there should be more of.
Who's got the bigger chain then!
From Stonehaven we made the relatively short journey to Banchory to speak to the Banchory Ternan Club. I have many friends in that Club from the time we lived in Woodlands of Durris and I was Chairman of the 41 Club in Banchory. I was delighted to find that my next door neighbour at that time, Dave Rudge, was now a brand new Rotarian at Banchory. President Ryan Bond welcomed us and we were made to feel very much at home. More books and donations of money were given to Winnie for the Books Project. She spoke to the Club and thanked them for their generosity. After the meeting we went to Stewart and Elizabeth Wilson's home where we were to stay the night before moving on.
Thursday the 28th saw us head over the hills to the coast again to visit the superb Banff coast and the Rotary Club of Banff at the Fife Lodge Hotel. President Debbie Wilson welcomed us to a small but lively group of Banff Rotarians who had deep concerns over the efficiency and cost of RIBI. However as I have said before we all have the right to question Rotary ideas and beliefs. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Paul Harris Certificate and lapel pin to one of the Rotarians there. He had been given the PH medal earlier in the month. Vinay Ruparelia is indeed a remarkable Rotarian and the humanitarian work he has done over the years is staggering. It is rare and a privilege to meet someone who has given such service above self.
Our month ended with a very pleasant visit to Old Meldrum to meet the departing Canadian Rotarians who have been visiting Scotland and are now about to leave for home. President Ray Walker had organised a Tea Party to give the visitors a memorable send off from Old Meldrum. The President had the very pleasant task of awarding a Sapphire pin to an existing PHF award holder Denis Emslie for outstanding service to Rotary and the Old Meldrum Club in raising over £40,000 for charity at one event.
Mick Gordon congratulating Denis on his award.
On Tuesday 2nd of August I left Forres for Inverness Airport to fly to the Hebrides and visit the Rotary Club of Stornoway. It is always an enjoyable visit for me since my Grandparents on my Fathers side came from North Uist and I have always felt the 'pull' of the Isles. It was a splendid day to fly and I arrived in Stornoway to be met by two Rotarians Ian Macleod and President Jackie Mackay. Jackie was kind enough to look after me during the morning leading up to the Club meeting. At the meeting, despite the numbers being depleted by holidays, I was made very welcome. The Club has not the same opportunity to meet with other Rotarians in the District but they have clear plans to try to increase their membership and attempt to develop some projects which are of a wider nature than they may have been in the past. They are also hopeful of supporting RYLA by sending one or more pupils from the Nicholson Institute. After a very enjoyable meal with the Rotarians I was looked after for a couple of hours by Rotarian Ken Maclennan who drove me to the Stones of Callanish and a very interesting tour of the centre of Lewis, parts that the normal tourist does not see with remnants of the old sheilings where local islanders used to spend the summer holidays as a family with their animals.I flew back to Inverness at 5pm after a most enjoyable visit.
Looking across to the Castle Green on the morning I arrived - The Rotarians say the weather is always like this in the Hebrides!!
On Wednesday the 3rd, Winnie and I drove up to visit the Rotary Club of Ullapool, once again the weather was beautiful and the scenery magnificent. The Club is small in number but makes up for that in superb fellowship. President Ian MacMillan and the members made us both feel very much at home. The Club has always suffered from a membership problem but it does not stop the tremendous work done by them at the Pier Day every year. President Ian has some issues with the formality he sees in Rotary in general and some other issues about Conferences and Conventions. I explained the rationale behind the District Conference and the general conditions behind all conferences where delegates are not attending 'free' but have to pay their own costs. After an excellent meal we left Ullapool for Brora, our next stop.
A pre-dinner chat with some of the Ullapool Rotarians
The drive from Ullapool during the afternoon was on the Northern route via Lairg to the Mound and then on up to Brora. The single track road across the centre of Sutherland was quite spectacular in the sunshine and made me feel how lucky I was to be able to see these areas in my DG travels. President Graeme McLaughlin met me at the Sutherland Inn where we had booked in for the night prior to going further North the next day. The East Sutherland Club is a very vibrant and successful Club and the programme of the year ahead is superbly put together. It would be difficult to pick out any particular aspect of their plans since they are all so good, however I did like the environmental project of wild flower meadow planting at Drummuie near Golspie as well as Fiona Risks' Interact Club plans. During the evening I had the pleasant task of making an award of a sapphire pin to an existing PHF holder, IPP Alistair Risk. It was rare to see Alistair speechless, a phenomenon many Club members remarked on!
Alexander, the Meerkat DG, with the Sapphire pin holder Alistair and Fiona
On Thursday 4th of August we leisurely made our way up to Thurso, leisurely because the 'Haar' had come in and visibility was very poor on the road North. However we made it, had a quick look around Thurso to realise the many changes to the town that had happened since we lived in the area in the sixties. The Club meeting was in the familiar setting of the Pentland Hotel, where I had been several times to visit the Club and had several friends among the members. As you would expect the Thurso Club is doing very well, their support for youth especially is superb, with the Interact Club being around 70 in number, and their continuing RYLA support is to be comended. I was delighted that the Club had taken my Strategic Plan and used it as a template for their own activities, moulding it to suit their needs, just as I had intended when I produced it.
A superb meal with great fellowship and witty agenda comments by President Kevin Sutherland. The long drive home was not without problems, the fog had reduced visibility to 20 yards in places at the start so finding the road was always a challenge. However after the Ord we dropped down to sea level and the visibility improved - but then came the rain! We were glad to see our home at about 10.30pm.
A pre-dinner chat with the President.
On Tuesday 10th we made our way up the A9, a road I knew well in former times when I lived in Caithness. The destination was indeed our old hometown of Wick to visit the Rotary Club of Wick. Before doing that we visited some friends that we knew to have lunch with them and drop off our overnight bags since they had offerred us a bed for the night. The town has changed quite a bit since we lived there, some town centre changes were not good but the harbour area has had a bit of regeneration and the marina area was looking very nice. During the evening President Richard Stanley met us and introduced us to some of the Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Wick. Some of the members I had known from previous visits and a couple from my Round Table days in that town. We enjoyed a fine meal in MacKays Hotel. The Club is small in number and has had difficulty in finding members but their activities in the Rotary sense are commendable for a small Club. My normal photographer had forgotten her camera so we had no pictures - you can't get the staff these days.
A QUICK NEWS FLASH!
Alexander the Meerkat DG of District 1010 with some new recruits, including a potential Interact Meerkat. He had been looking for new members and has been successful, so the lesson is keep looking for these new Rotarians - or Meerkats.
On the 11th we sailed across the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay to St Margarets Hope in Orkney. The drive from there to Kirkwall, across the barriers, built by Italian prisoners of war, was as spectacular as always. On arriving in Kirkwall we had enough time to have a quick look round another of our home towns, we lived there for four years in the 70's. The one problem was that the Ocean Princess was in the bay and the 3000 passengers were also in town, so we made our way to the Lynnfield Hotel to visit the Rotary Club of Orkney and District. Once again another nostalgic visit to meet people who had been close friends during the Orkney Round Table days, I was the founder chairman of that Club. President Mairhi Trickett greeted us and introduced us to some old friends and to many new faces. The Club is doing very well and has a very good relationship with the local community, their support for much of what Rotary does is sound with a good awareness of youth as in the Voluntary Action Orkney project and support for a RYLA candidate. The Club has a strong fellowship bond which was obvious during my visit.
President Mairhi with visitors to the Rotary Club of Orkney and District
