The Rotary Club of Edinburgh

This Month's News

Bulletin 1950 - 29nd May 2003
Bulletin 1949 - 22nd May 2003
Bulletin 1948 - 15th May 2003
Bulletin 1947 - 8th May 2003
Bulletin 1946 - 1st May 2003

Bulletin 1950 - 29th May 2003

LAST WEEK

Vice President Neville deputised for President Peter who had been admitted to the Royal Infirmary with breathing difficulties. (Members attending the meeting signed a "get well card").

Twenty-five members and guests had enjoyed a most interesting visit to the Museum at Surgeons Hall and a subsequent meal at nearby Ciao Roma. V.P. Neville thanked Iain MacLaren who had both organised the visit and conducted the tour.

The death was announced of Mrs Bunty Addie, widow of Jack Addie who had been a member of the Club 1954-75.

Bill Johnston has fallen and fractured his lumbar vertebrae.

The Jubilee Charity Fund had made two donations; £500 to Radio Lollipop for Operation Romania Big Smile and £250 to the Edinburgh Night Line a project for student support by the Edinburgh universities.

A letter of thanks has been received from Age Concern for our contribution to their appeal for coins at the time of the introduction of the Euro. The total sum they raised was £148,000.

A guest at the meeting was Judy Kaye from the Royal College of Surgeons whose 500th Anniversary falls in the same year as the Rotary Centenary. It is hoped that a joint event may be organised as part of the celebrations of both organisations.

Another guest was Maria Siomos who is a potential Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar sponsored by our Club.

The Southern Upland Way Walk in aid of Polio Eradication, the RI Charity, takes place on Saturday 24th May and Richard Field is organising a group including himself, Ronnie Sinclair and Valerie Prentice our Visiting Rotarian from Brisbane.

Members had the opportunity to sign Ronnie's sponsorship form so much per mile or a donation. (Donations this week will still be welcome). All money raised will be doubled by a contribution from Bill Gates of Microsoft.

CLUB DIRECTORY

Forms are available requesting members to check their entry in the current edition of the Club Directory. Members are asked to pay particular attention to Address, telephone number, fax number and post code.( For security reasons Council has decided that email addresses will not be recorded in the directory).

Forms should only be returned when alterations are required.
Forms to either David Thomson or John Havard no later than Thursday 5th June.

Attendance

Members 64
Visitors 2
Guests 3
Total 69

Marshals and walkers are required for the Great Scottish Walk on Sunday 22nd June.
Anyone wishing to take part please see Richard Field or Fergus Gillies.

OUR SPEAKER

The speaker was our member, George Sutherland, Director of Finance the University of Edinburgh. George gave a fascinating talk illustrated by examples of the difficulties faced in his post and also a comparison with his previous post with Shell. He joined the University in 1994 after 23 years with Shell and a period in Pakistan on a World Bank Project. (In 1999 he received the accolade of 'Financial Director of the Year').

His department has a staff of 120 and the university has a staff of 8,500. His job has two main strands, Administration and Strategic. The Department keeps the financial records, prepares the Annual Report, controls the cash flow and deals with VAT tax and insurance. He had changed the system to allow departments to budget one year ahead and capital budgets are set for 3 years with a 10-year perspective. He had abolished the "use it or lose it culture." He explained that in the period 1980-95 student numbers had doubled but the funding per student had been halved. Currently universities are facing a cut of 4% per annum.

He was very sceptical of the suggestion by a Scottish minister that increased funding for universities in England and Wales was designed to let them catch up.

The University has 200 buildings to maintain and insurance is difficult because universities are a bad risk.

He concluded his talk with examples of the difficult tasks and people he had to deal with recently.

Bulletin 1949 - 22th May 2003

LAST WEEK

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

President Peter reported that there had been an excellent 'Old Peoples Outing to Peebles on Tuesday and thanked Bill Barr and his team for organising and running the event.

This year Scotmid had given vouchers to the value of £400 to help with Kids Out.

It had been decided to buy some bottles of whisky and that they would be raffled to raise money for the outing.

The expenditure of £25 provided a sum of £108 and the winner was Ed Lucas.

It was announced that "the Greeting Meeting" at which the incoming Council meet with their predecessors would be held on 9th June.

PROPOSED NEW ROTARY CLUB

President Peter has received been contacted by the District Governor who has been considering the establishment of a second Rotary Club in Central Edinburgh. What is being considered is a Club that would meet in the evenings.

Members are asked to consider the implications of such a move and make their views known at the Club Assembly.

(Under the new RIBI Constitution there are no territorial rights).

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

Two nominations were received for the Nominations Committee, Peter Wilson and Judith Sischy and both are now ordinary members of the Committee. George Holmes and Mel Wilson will continue to serve for another year.

RETIRING MEMBERS

Two members have indicated their intention to resign with effect from 30 June; Dawn Burrows and Elayne Burley.

CLUB DIRECTORY

Forms are available requesting members to check their entry in the current edition of the Club Directory. Members are asked to pay particular attention to Address, telephone number, fax number and post code. (For security reasons Council has decided that email addresses will not be recorded in the directory).

Forms should only be returned when alterations are required.

Forms to either David Thomson or John Havard no later than Thursday 5th June.

LAST WEEK

attendance
Members 64
Visitors 3
Guests 1
Total 68

Marshals and walkers are required for the Great Scottish Walk on Sunday 22nd June.
Anyone wishing to take part please see Richard Field or Fergus Gillies.

OUR SPEAKER

Major General Mark Strudwick, Chief Executive, The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust. Major General Strudwick had a distinguished military career after joining the Royal Scots in 1966 including being Mentioned in Dispatches twice.

The Trust is a unique Scottish Trust and is designed to help 18 to 25 year old start up and succeed in business. Decision making is decentralised and is made by volunteers in 18 regions. Loans up to £5000 over 3 years are made to individuals who are considered too high risk by the banks and other agencies. Grants up to £1000 may be given but this is not usual. 79.5% of all loans made has been repaid. So far£6.6million has been made available to young people. £1.25 million top-up funds are required each year and successful entrepreneurs give six figure sums.

There are strong regional variations, e.g. in the Western Isles the age range is extended to 30. to help young people either stay or return to the Isles after studying on the mainland.
A Business Clubs are being established to allow young people who normally are lacking in confidence to meet with their peers.

Two "graduates" from the Trust are the very successful entrepreneurs Chris Van Der Kuel recently mentioned in the Scotsman and Michelle Mone of Ultima Bra. Michelle recently was the Guest of Honour at a function where she sat with bankers who had refused her a loan.
He concluded with several examples of young entrepreneurs from a scheme that has so far ploughed £20 million into the Scottish Economy

Bulletin 1948 - 15th May 2003

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

In terms of Bye-law IV, Section b, the Annual General Meeting of THE ROTARY CLUB OF EDINBURGH will be held on Thursday, 29 May 2003, immediately after lunch (1230 for 1pm), in the Canongate Room, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 80 High Street, Edinburgh.
Nominations are required for the Nominations Committee, and the Fund Raising Committee for the Rotary Year starting on 1 July 2003. Nominations should be signed by the proposed candidate as well as by the Proposer and Seconder and be in the hands of the Club Secretary by Friday, 9 May.

John Havard
Honorary Secretary.
Copies of the Annual Report have been available for the past two weeks.

LAST WEEK

Attendance
Members 78
Visitors 4
Guests 3
Total 85

Richard Field made an appeal for participants in the Southern Upland Way Walk in aid of Polio Eradication on Saturday 24th May. Our section would be 10 mile section through the Lammermuirs.

(Glasgow R.C. had recently had their annual walk, this year the Rob Roy Trail from Drymen to Pitlochry).

Marshals and walkers are required for the Great Scottish Walk on Sunday 22nd June.

Anyone wishing to take part please see Richard Field or Fergus Gillies.

Bill Barr announced that there was a shortage of three drivers for the Senior Citizens Outing on Tuesday 13th May but there was a full complement for the outing on Saturday 24th May.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

President Peter reported that he and five other members of the Club had attended the 10th Anniversary Dinner of the Edinburgh Breakfast Club. Their hosts had stated their appreciation for all the support they had received from their Parent Club.

He welcomed Herr Loese, German Consul and member of the R.C. of Corstorphine to our meeting. Herr Loese is about to retire and return to his native Germany.

President Peter welcomed Iain McMurdo back after absence due to surgery

OUR SPEAKER

Dr. Charles Swainson, Medical Director, Lothian Univ. Hospitals Trust, spoke about giving "the kiss of life" to the RIE. The magnificent buildings in Lauriston Place are 179 years old and it was becoming increasingly difficult to deliver modern healthcare in them. It was time to move in the 1950's and in the 1960's the two professors involved could not agree on the provision required so the money allocated went to Birmingham. Dr. Swainson thanked Past President John Baynham, who was the Trust Chairman for getting the politicians to agree to building the new hospital. The new hospital had been built to budget and was delivered on time unlike a neighbouring building.

In planning the new hospital both patients and staff were consulted and as a result the old fashioned Victorian wards were replaced with a mixture of 2/3 4 bedded rooms and 1/3 single rooms all with modern facilities and more room for visitors.

In the planning process in 1995/6 it was anticipated that the time spent in hospital would be reduced with a greater emphasis on day care. Unfortunately there had been a collapse in the social care market but this was now being rectified.

There were now over 5000 people employed at Little France.

One major difficulty is car parking. 3000 places had been requested and originally only 300 agreed by the Local Authority. It was hoped that this would increase to 1745.

Dr Swainson commented on the divergence of the provision of health care between England and Scotland. He stated that the level of satisfaction expressed by the first 1000 patients was high and he concluded by encouraging us to visit our hospital.

ACRONYM

From the R.C. of Honolulu: Don't be a RINO (Rotarian in name only)

INNER WHEEL CONCERT

The Inner Wheel Club of Edinburgh are having a Charity Concert in aid of DEBRA in Cramond Kirk on Friday 16th May at 7.30. Tickets £5 at the door.

Bulletin 1947 - 8th May 2003

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

In terms of Bye-law IV, Section b, the Annual General Meeting of THE ROTARY CLUB OF EDINBURGH will be held on Thursday, 29 May 2003, immediately after lunch (1230 for 1pm), in the St Giles Suite, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 80 High Street, Edinburgh.

Nominations are required for the Nominations Committee, and the Fund Raising Committee for the Rotary Year starting on 1 July 2003. Nominations should be signed by the proposed candidate as well as by the Proposer and Seconder and be in the hands of the Club Secretary by Friday, 9 May.

John Havard
Honorary Secretary.

LAST WEEK

Attendance

Members 79
Visitors 2
Guests 5
Total 86

Bob Hislop reported on "Ready Steady Cook" at QMUC.

139 members and friends plus 4 guests had attended and it was hoped that a figure of about £2500 would be available towards the purchase of the Crisis Fare Share van.

President Peter thanked Bob and all his team for making the event such an outstanding success.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP

President Peter said he was completely confident that his decision to award a Paul Harris Fellowship to Past President Bill Johnston would be welcomed by all members of the Club.
Bill combined a distinguished career within the Kirk with an equally distinguished career in The Rotary Club of Edinburgh where he was President in 1977-78.

In 1980 Bill was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the following year he became Chaplain to Her Majesty, The Queen, a post he occupied with distinction for ten years.

Bill was a kindly, sincere and approachable minister and shepherd of his flock as well as being a theologian of eminence recognised by the award of many academic honours including Honorary Doctorates from Aberdeen and Heriot-Watt Universities.

(His official designation is The Very Rev. William B. Johnston, MA, BD, DD, DLit, PHF)

President Peter concluded by presenting the Certificate and Medallion and saying that it was a fitting tribute for all that you have done in your Rotary as well as your Ecclesiastical Career.

GOLF CLUB

The first outing of the year was held over Gullane No.3 course. 19 members and 2 visitors took part in blustery conditions and the results were as follows.

1st George Reid 35pts
2nd Carol Duffus 34pts (BIH)
3rd Alex Wilkie 34pts.

A successful golf clinic was held prior to the start of the season at the National Golf Academy at Drumoig when seven members attended.

ANGLING CLUB

A meeting has been arranged for Coldingham Loch on Friday 30th May. Anyone wishing to take part please contact Alex. Wilkie.

OUR SPEAKER

John Stalker, Chief Exec. Festival City Theatre Trust, addressed the meeting on his job of running the Festival and Kings Theatre.

The Kings Theatre will be 100 years old in 2006 and needs a complete refurbishment.

Mr Stalker who spoke most enthusiastically described the theatre as an architectural gem and stated that it had a unique role in providing a stage for Touring Drama, Amateur Companies, Pantomime and also it was lynch pin of the Festival.

He believed that the Arts are essential to our very existence.

He outlined a six-point plan to make the Kings a World Class Theatre.

• Attract new audiences
• Bring the audience and players closer
• Attract International plays and audiences
• Put on new works
• Foster new talent
• Make much greater use of the theatre.

Refurbishment of the theatre would cost £14 million and the case for refurbishment was already being made to City of Edinburgh Council, The Scottish Exec. and the various Lotteries. The Theatre would have to close from 2005 to 2006.

Bulletin 1946 - 1st May 2003

LAST WEEK

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

In terms of Bye-law IV, Section b, the Annual General Meeting of THE ROTARY CLUB OF EDINBURGH will be held on Thursday, 29 May 2003, immediately after lunch (1230 for 1pm), in the St Giles Suite, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 80 High Street, Edinburgh.

Nominations are required for the Nominations Committee, and the Fund Raising Committee for the Rotary Year starting on 1 July 2003. Nominations should be signed by the proposed candidate as well as by the Proposer and Seconder and be in the hands of the Club Secretary by Friday, 9 May.

John Havard
Honorary Secretary.

LAST WEEK

Attendance
Members 73
Visitors 2
Guests 2
Total 77

Secretary's Announcements

An appeal was made for any outstanding "smartie tubes to be returned".
Members were reminded of the visit to Surgeons Hall organised by Iain MacLaren
On Tuesday 20th May, 6.45 for 7.00pm.

Anyone wishing to attend please give their name to John Hull.

Cindy Rosenhauser a visiting Rotarian from New Hampshire caused some amusement when she told us that she was "extremely privileged to be visiting such an incredibly old club as ours".

It was announced that due to it taking place during the Easter Holiday period only two members had attended the annual visit to the Rotary Club of Glasgow.

President Peter said that it had been a real privilege to have the company of John Wheeldon with him at the "High Table". John is in his 93rd year and until recently has been very regular in his attendance at our meetings.

Our speaker last week was Ms. Vicki Hobson of the Workers Educational Association (WEA). Ms. Hobson is assisting with the organisation of 'Clan Edinburgh' (city literacy and numeracy) a partnership funded by the Scottish Executive to increase the number of people confident about using English and Maths in their everyday lives. The partnership is led by the District Council and includes the three F.E. Colleges, Community Education Groups, Ethnic Minority Learners, the Voluntary Sector, WEA and the Health Service.

A recent international survey had suggested that in considering five levels of competency in literacy and numeracy that Scotland was amongst the lowest in Western Europe. Although some aspects of the research were questionable it seems that approx. 20% of the population had literacy difficulties and a similar number had difficulty in using numbers. However 93% were satisfied with their level of numeracy and literacy.

These levels were obviously reducing the competiveness of Scottish industry and Ministers had decided to spend £40 million until 2006 to improve levels of competence and give people confidence.

800,000 people could benefit from the initiative and of those 530,000 are in the workforce.
Priority was being given to the following groups:-

• People with limited initial education.
• Unemployed people and those facing redundancy.
• People living in disadvantaged areas
• Workers in low skilled jobs.
• People on low incomes.
• People with a health problem or those with certain disabilities.

Ms Hobson emphasised that the changing environment in the workplace made it essential that workers were equipped to deal with these changes.

CURLING CLUB

Last Friday 29 members of The Rotary Club of Edinburgh Curling Club held their 55th AGM in the Royal British Hotel, Princes Street.

Arthur Barlow of the Corstorphine Rotary Club was appointed Captain. (Arthur is former member of our Club). Mel Wilson was appointed Secretary/Treasurer to succeed George Reid.

After the AGM members were joined for dinner and the award of prizes which were presented by President Peter.

Gordon McInally, RIBI President elect, proposed the Toast to the Curling Club.

Other News:

- October  '03
- September '03
- August '03
- July '03
- June '03
- May '03
- April '03
- March '03
- February '03
- January '03
- December '02
- November '02
- October '02
- September '02