My Big Surprise

On Tuesday 16th December Rita and I had the great pleasure of attending my own clubs Christmas Party which was only my second visit to the club since taking over as District Governor. It was indeed a very special evening as we were honouring a local lady Margaret Sutherland with our annual Citizen of the Year Award. Margaret runs the local shop in the village of Dunshalt and for many years now she has been a stalwart in community service within the village, a well deserved award. However the evening turned out to be very special for me too as I was honoured by the club with a Paul Harris Fellowship. It is seldom that I am lost for words but this was indeed the exception. I have to say that I was overwhelmed and very emotional at being honoured in such a way. I am extremely proud and humbled to be District Governor of District 1010 with my year in office at the halfway mark, this honour has made 2008 a very special year for both Rita and me. To president Graeme and my fellow members of the Howe of Fife my heartfelt thanks to you all for this wonderful surprise.

(The picture shows Margaret Sutherland, President Graeme Bain, yours truly and Rita)

Picture courtesy David Scott of Link Media

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)