The Rotary Club of Westhill 25th Charter Dinner

(PDG Bill Leslie and Me)

( Me in full flow)

Saturday evening and we have once again arrived in Aberdeen, this time for the 25th Charter Celebrations of Westhill & District in the Holiday Inn Westhill. We were greeted at the door by the ever smiling PDG Bill Leslie and Mary along with President Alan Archibald and Moira. The room was magnificent with a wonderful atmosphere and ambiance which welcomed the 200 or so guests from many clubs throughout the Aberdeen area and further afield. The clubs twin club from Jutland in Denmark the Rotary Club of Ikast was well represented by a large contingent of Rotarian's and partners. Once again were subjected to the sheer torture!! of yet another magnificent meal with endless supply of good wine. With President Alan doing a great job in the chair for the evening, we were in for a memorable night. My role this time was the reply to Ikast President Karsten Rasmussen's toast to Rotary International. The keynote speaker was non other than Steve Robertson MBE who was part of the incomparable Scotland The What Team with Buff Hardy and George Donald. He entertained all with his wonderful stories and sketches from his long career in stage and television. To all of you in the Rotary Club of Westhill please accept a sincere thank you from Rita and myself for a very memorable evening.

The Rotary Club of Leven 70th Charter Dinner

Friday 17th April sees us in Lundin Links Old Manor Hotel to help Celebrate the 70th birthday of the Rotary Club of Leven. We were given our usual friendly welcome from the team as we arrived. President Al Fleming and Val welcomed us to the club for what was to be a superb evening. After another magnificent meal (I have managed to keep my weight under control much to the amazement of she that must be obeyed) the festivities began. Lord Lieutenant Margaret Dean proposed the Toast to Leven with the reply being given by PDG John Clark. My toast to Rotary International was followed by John Anderson's reply. The keynote speaker for the evening was non other than Jim McColl of Beechgrove Garden fame who entertained us as only he can do. I had the great privilege to present three Paul Harris Fellowships to three stunned gentlemen who have a total of over sixty years service to Rotary between them. My dear friend PP Rai Valente was the first recipient along with PP Rev Jaimie Templeton and IPP John Anderson. After all three had been given time to catch their breath the vote of thanks was given by PE Harry Keddie. A great evening, Rita and I thank all of you once again for having us there to help celebrate this milestone.

The Rotary Club of Stornoway 50th Charter Dinner

Saturday 11th of April and we are in the lovely Isle of Lewis for the 50th Charter Celebrations of The Rotary Club of Stornoway. After a nice short flight from Edinburgh we arrived on Lewis to be met at the airport by club secretary Kenneth, who took us to our hotel. As the rest of the day was ours Kenneth kindly gave us the use of his car, which allowed Rita and I to tour around part of the island. The evenings proceedings were superb with a drinks reception followed by a magnificent dinner. President Jane and Allan kept us well entertained for the whole of the evening. I was very privileged to present three worthy recipients with Paul Harris Fellowships, all three were non Rotarian's and were members of RNLI in Stornoway. They have played a very important part in making the seas around the Western Isles a safer place. Sunday saw us attend a very uplifting church service in St Columbus Church with Sunday lunch provided by Jane's mother and father at their home, a very pleasant afternoon. A further trip around another part of the island followed courtesy of Jane and Allan culminating with us arriving back at the airport for our return flight to Edinburgh. A huge thank you to all of the members and friends for making this weekend a very special one for Rita and me.

District 1100 Conference Hotel De France Jersey

(The picture shows Me, Anne Corrigan wife of PDG Ken, our host and Rita)

Another week in the hectic life of the DG, its a hard life especially when you have to travel to Jersey in the middle of spring!! Rita and I were delighted to have been invited as guests of District Governor David Fenwick and his wife Sheila from District 1100 down there in the South West corner of England. David being a fellow Scot invited all three of the Scottish District Governors and their partners, a Celtic take over. District 1100 have a few exiled Scots in their midst so needless to say a great weekend was had by all. The keynote speakers for the conference were none other than General Sir Mike Jackson and the noted corespondent and broadcaster Martin Bell who, I have to say are two of the most amazing speakers I have had the privilege to have listened to. A truly memorable weekend indeed with great fun and friendship that will be difficult to surpass.

Outgoing GSE Team Presentation

Today saw Rita and I travel north to Pitlochry to Fishers Hotel to meet our outgoing GSE Team lead by Rotarian Jim Slater from Dunfermline Carnegie Club. The many guests assembled were treated to a rather splendid presentation from the all male team of Chris Wiles, Roger Bond, Eric Davidson and Callum Ramsay. They gave a very good account of their planned trip and I am sure will be a team of which the District can be proud, they will indeed be worthy ambassadors. Rita and I wish them well and look forward to hearing the account of their very special time in Pennsylvania District 7280 USA.

(The picture shows L-R Roger Bond, Jim Slater, yours truly, Callum Ramsay, Chris Wiles and Eric Davidson.)

Rotary Club of Dunfermline 87th Anniversary Dinner

Thursday 5th March saw me attending the 87th Charter Dinner of the Rotary Club of Dunfermline. With an attendance of over 50 Rotarians the evening was indeed a great celebration of achievement for the club. President Tom Arnott was our host for this rather auspicious night with three of the Presidents from the local surrounding clubs. The evening began with a very nice meal and some friendly chat before I was asked to propose a toast to the club. The main speaker of the evening was Sandy Morris a well know businessman in Dunfermline and a great friend of the club, Sandy was as usual extremely entertaining and very funny; an excellent night was had by all.

(The picture shows the top table guests L to R Secretary David Steel, President of West Fife Neil Spriddle, Sandy Morris, Lesley Botten, President of Dunfermline Tom Arnott, yours truly, AG Sandy Matthew, President of Dunfermline Carnegie Janet Lowe, President of Cowdenbeath Dennis Brooks and Dunfermline President Elect Noel McKenna

Rotary Club of Central Buchan

Wednesday evening the 4th March saw me travel up to the North East corner of the District to Central Buchan for the Inaugural Meeting of the first new Rotary Club of this year. It is every District Governors dream to get a new club up and running in his or her year in office. The hard work of Past District Governors Bill Leslie, Bill Wood and Ron McKail came to fruition when the club finally was brought into the family of Rotary. Twenty four members were presented with their membership packs led by their first president Donald Taylor. The night was attended by over ninety Rotarians from all over the District with RIBI New Club Formation Officer PDG Tony Cotton travelling all the way from Birkenhead in Merseyside to be with us. As we were celebrating our new achievements so too was my counterpart District Governor Alan Jones was doing the same with the formation of his first new club in Cornwall. After an exchange of phone calls of congratulations we both received a call from RI Director Gordon McInally bringing congratulations from RI President DK Lee and Rotary International. A superb night of fun and fellowship was had by all, a night to remember.

(The picture shows yours truly PDG Bill Leslie and the members of Centreal Buchan)