Rotary Club of West Fife (Visit No 85)

Tuesday evening took me out to Crossford to the Pitfirrane Arms Hotel home of the Rotary Club of West Fife. It was indeed great to visit the club once again and to meet many old friends. My address was preceded by a cheque presentation to a representative from CHAS in Kinross for £2000 raised earlier in the year from the clubs annual AM AM Golf Competition. I was given a surprise gift from PP Ian Boreland of the official tie and badge from the Canada Curling Tour, thank you Ian. Once again the members are very active both locally and internationally with their regular donations to local organizations such as CHAS and international projects such as Nyambani Village Project when they raised enough money to provide a house within the village. A superb club with committed Rotarian's constantly serving others. I will certainly enjoy working with the club during this Rotary year. Thank you all for a great evening. My thanks to Douglas Scott for providing the picture.

(The picture shows yours truly and President Neil Spriddle)

Howe of Fife Conference Team Get Together

It was a very special day for Rita and I on Sunday as we were able to personally thank the members of my own Rotary Club for their amazing contribution to making our 58th District Conference the great success that it was. We were privileged to have Andrew and Aileen Kennedy allowing us to meet in their lovely home, not only that but provide us with a delicious meal as well, my sincere thanks to you both. The team worked tirelessly over a period of nearly two years to ensure that all went well when the time came. Thank you all for making my year in office an unforgettable experience. Of course we did have the guidance of our District Conference Chairman Stewart Wilson without who's help we would never have managed. Rita and I are very lucky to have had your support, once again thank you all.

(Yours truly with Aileen and Andrew, President Graeme Bain and Ann & Peta Rennie)

Rotary Club of Dundee Camperdown International Day

Saturday saw Rita and I head for Invergowrie to officially open the Rotary Club of Dundee Camperdown's International Day. The day began with a Coffee Morning in the church hall which attracted a full house of Rotarian's and local participants. On arrival we were met by Rev Robert Ramsay and non other than a great friend Rotarian Ron McCabe. President Ron MacWalter said a few words informing all present of the clubs intentions for the day which was the Coffee Morning followed by a Sponsored Walk and culminating in a Silent Auction with all of the money raised going towards deserving international causes including Shelter Box. If the Coffee Morning was anything to go by they will indeed have a very successful day. Rita and I enjoyed the experience, thank you all for a great morning.

(The picture shows yours truly and President Ron)

Rotary Club of Blairgowrie 61st Charter Dinner

It was a great pleasure to be invited as principle speaker on this evening of celebration. The club have been in existence for 61 years and have certainly shown true Service Above Self throughout their existence. Last year was an example of what can be achieved when the club raised and distributed over £21,000 to local and international deserving causes. Rita and I were privileged to have been part of this great evening and enjoyed the experience. May you continue to do what Rotarian's do best, please accept my best wishes for the future. Once again thank you all for a superb evening.

(The picture shows Audrey Croft, President Dennis Croft, yours truly and Rita)

Rotary Club of Montrose (Visit No 84)

It is still Tuesday and I have made my way up to Montrose for my final club visit of the week. Before attending the club meeting I visited the new premises of Rotarian Robert Ritchie the shop is magnificent to say the least, so if you are looking for Hi-Fi or TV this is the place to go. (there you go Robert a free plug) Once again on my arrival at the George Hotel the welcome was superb president John Fraser and many of the members were there to greet me. After the meal it was back on my feet for my address, which was followed by some questions from some of the members. The club are certainly very busy with much preparation for their local Christmas community event which is a Christmas Tree Competition which has proven to be very popular in the past with many amazing trees being entered. Of course the club are justly proud of the Nyambani Village Project run by Alison Stedman who has just returned from Kenya after seeing some of the families housed in their new houses in the village. Once again a superb club that District 1010 can be proud of.

(The picture shows SVP Alison Stedman, yours truly and President John Fraser)

Rotary Club of Claverhouse (Visit No 83)

My first visit of this week was back to Dundee to the Queens Hotel for the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Claverhouse. A rather special welcome awaited me on my arrival, President Stewart Davidson presented me with two cheques. The first one was for the Rotary Foundation with the second one for Polio Plus a big thank you to the club for their generous gesture. Once again I was very privileged to address another club with a huge commitment to all things Rotary. Gentlemen thank you all for your hospitality and your generosity. I look forward to working with you all during 2008-9

(The picture shows yours truly with President Stewart during the cheque presentation)

Alloa Grand Ball

Rita and I had the great pleasure of attending the Rotary Club of Alloa Grand Ball on Friday 7th November. The venue was the rather captivating Alloa Town Hall a superb venue with many of the original features still intact. President Jim Keenan and Neina welcomed everyone to this annual occasion which has now become one of the clubs main events and fundraiser. The evening was indeed a great success with a large number of Rotarian's partners and guests from all around the Alloa area. A great night of fun and friendship was enjoyed by all, I extend a very warm thank you to Jim, Neina and the members for inviting us to be with them.

(The picture shows the top table guests with President Jim Keenan and yours truly)
Picture courtesy of Jan van der Merwe of Dollar.

Rotary Club of Dunfermline (Visit No 82)

My final visit this week took me to the Garvock House Hotel home of the Rotary Club of Dunfermline one of our oldest and larger clubs. With a great turn out from members plus a few visitors the evening proved to be very enjoyable indeed. I felt very at home amongst many familiar faces and friends made over the years. After my address it was great to hear the clubs newest member give her Vocational Talk which proved to be one of the best I have had the pleasure to hear. Jillian McKay will be I am sure a credit to the club, a young lady with a very definite passion for her chosen career. The club are once again in good spirit with much going on both locally and most certainly Internationally. President Tom Arnott is extremely enthusiastic about the clubs aspirations and projects and I am sure the club will have another superb year. Thank you all for a very enjoyable evening.

(The picture shows yours truly and President Tom)

Rotary Club of Carnoustie (Visit No 81)

My third visit of the week took me to a rather wind swept Tay coast to Carnoustie and the wonderful welcoming surroundings of the Station Hotel. The club have met there since they were formed back in 1956 I could understand why. The venue is one of the most welcoming I have had the pleasure to visit, the members were indeed very pleased to see me with President Hamish Leslie in the chair. The club have indeed got a new lease of life and are proud to boast four new members with a further four on the horizon, great news. After one of the best meals I have sampled (yes I have had a few and the waistline is still not expanding) my address was very warmly received. The club are committed to all things Rotary and is a shining example this year of "flying in the face of adversity" so to speak, keep up the good work guys. It will be my pleasure to work with you all.

(The picture shows President Hamish & yours truly)

Rotary Club of Fraserburgh (Visit No 80)

The second visit of the week took us to the Rotary Club of Fraserburgh right across on the North East Coast. The club meet in Findlay's Hotel in Fraserburgh and enjoy very comfortable surroundings for their meeting. As president Margaret-Jane was unable to attend due to work commitments the meeting was in the capable hands of Past President Dennis Duthie. Once again a long established very nice little club who are very busy in their local community and also Internationally. Rita and I most certainly enjoyed the warm welcome we received and wish the club continued success for the year ahead.

(The picture shows Rita, yours truly and Past President Dennis)

Rotary Club of Buckie (Visit No 79)

The first visit of the week took Rita & I up to Buckie, after a very picturesque drive we arrived just in time to visit the club who meet in the Marine Hotel. President Jeanette Brown and many of the members were there to greet us. After a nice meal I gave my address to the club who have already agreed to be involved with most of the emphasis this Rotary year. A nice little club who once again are doing what Rotary clubs do best continual Service Above Self. I would also like to congratulate the club on their recent very successful Charter Evening of which Rita and I were unable to attend due to a prior engagement.

(The picture shows President Jeanette, yours truly and Rita)