The Rotary Club of Edinburgh

This Month's News

Bulletin 1982 - 30th October 2003
Bulletin 1981 - 23th October 2003
Bulletin 1980 - 16th October 2003
Bulletin 1979 - 9th October 2003
Bulletin 1978 - 2nd October 2003

Bulletin 1982 - 30th October 2003

ED BULL, THE ROTARY RAG

The Edinburgh Bulletin circulation continues to soar. Thanks Glasgow for your monthly bulletin. You may have been chartered on 12 March 1912, 6 months before us on 23 Sept 1912, but our enthusiastic readership continues unabated. Seriously, it makes us proud to be with you as founder clubs of RIBI nos 5 and 6.

FROM THE TOP TABLE

Mohindra Dhall chanted a grace for Shanti (peace) in view of the Dusshera Festival, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Secy John asked if everyone had collected their personal confidential letter from the President. Pres. Neville congratulated Rajiv Naik on becoming a father and sympathised with Tom Gray who got food poisoning on a cruise from Bermuda and hoped he would make Carlisle.

SGM TO ELECT OFFICE BEARERS

A Special General Meeting will be held after lunch on Thursday 11 December 2003 to propose and elect the principal incoming officers from July 2004, viz: President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Speaker Secretary. Written proposals, signed by the proposer, seconder and the person proposed should be in the hands of the Secretary by the end of today, 30 October, so that they can be considered by the Nomination Committee before the SGM.

OUR VICE PRESIDENT BILL CANTLEY

Bill is an officer of the Cockburn Association, and an inspector for the Institute of Chartered Surveyors for awards. He is a Francophile, admiring France (and possibly a Francophone who speaks French as a native) and would like a twinning with Lyon. He has an excellent Rotary pedigree; his father-in-law being John MacLaren, a member for 46 years and now aged 96 but sadly unable to attend.

ATTENDANCE (Melinda Wallace) 75

Members 71, Guests 0, Visiting Rotarians 4. From: Stockholm - Anna, a regular and a relative of a Nobel prize winner; Paul Grace PP Murrayfield Cramond; Florida; Cardiff President Elect, a daughter club; & Sebastian.

Maureen Harrison, Sick Kids Foundation

Maureen graduated MA in English from St Andrews, worked in personnel for Scottish & Newcastle, was a full time mum, worked in community education and then fundraised for Imperial Cancer Scotland before taking up her post as Director of the Sick Kids Foundation. Maureen started by thanking Rotary for donating to the new wing at the hospital. (£20,000 raised under PP Philip Harris) and stated this was the 10th anniversary of the Foundation. Her buzz word was additionality. They add value to the NHS. Money raised goes into 4 main areas - equipment, facilities, research & training and comforts. An example of a border line case is the new gamma camera. The NHS did not replace the old one, even though it was always breaking down, so the Foundation bought a new one with a dual lens. Their expense ratio is 20% and help also goes to anxious parents.

Peter Wilson thanked Maureen and asked us to consider them in our private giving to increase the size of the cherry on the cake.

PARCELS The Rev Andrew Anderson

Thank you, thank you. The two muggings have brought in £714 with the surplus from the buffet lunch on 6 November still to come (circa £490). 41 members have volunteered to deliver parcels. Both are up on last year. We also hope the man in the raincoat will arrive, as before, in a chauffeured car with a paper bag containing £500 from the Miller Trust.

JUBILEE CHARITY FUND £105,000

JCF Trustees, Neville Belton, Bill Cantley, John Havard, Alan Young, Eve Crowe, Andrew Anderson, Bill Barr, Robin Wilson, Ian Gourlay, Fred Lawson. Grants were authorised to an Indian Physiotherapy student on request of DG £100; Scottish Seabird Centre £200; Rock Trust for young homeless £100; Salvation Army Christmas Appeal £250; Edinburgh Scouts Bonaly £500. Members donated £2,623 with subscriptions and a gift aid claim for £739 will be lodged. Gilts over par were sold and reinvested at par in 5% 2012 and into Alliance Trust. Although we dipped into capital last year, grants mostly come out of revenue, as if it was an endowment fund.

CRISIS FARE SHARE Archie Bell

Archie Bell asks me to make a wee correction and to point out that the £1,000 was raised and donated by Club members before Archie joined in March 2000. For the benefit of the taxman, he would like it known that he has never been in a position to donate £1,000 to anyone! Nevertheless, we are grateful for the time he put in towards the computer and for our ongoing web site at no cost and many hits.

SPORTS, BRIDGE CLUB Mohindra Dhall

Previously under Alex & Judy Wilkie, it is hoped to revive this section on the 3rd Tuesday monthly in the Press Club or at members' houses. Friendly bridge to include spouses.
Editor:Fred Lawson

Each week Edbull is e-mailed to around 100 people. If you know of anyone who should be added please let me know.

Bulletin 1981 - 24th October 2003

FROM THE TOP TABLE

SGM TO ELECT OFFICE BEARERS

A Special General Meeting will be held after lunch on Thursday 11 December 2003 to propose and elect the principal incoming officers from July 2004, viz: President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Speaker Secretary. Written proposals, signed by the proposer, seconder and the person proposed should be in the hands of the Secretary by Thursday 30 October so that they can be considered by the Nomination Committee before the SGM.

WINE TASTING RAISES £600

International Service, Linda Gilmore
Ed Lucas did a super job as cries of fruity, peppery, sensuous and luscious were heard. Alec Curry was sure a wine was like new mown grass, and Neville was delighted to hear that Papworth Hospital prescribed 2 glasses of Merlot per day to heart patients (he looks pretty fit to me) and that the best way to warm red wine was between your legs. Prizes were donated by Ikea, Edinburgh Crystal, Valvona & Crolla, Royal Scots Club and Irvine Robertson Wines.

Linda explained that friends of Keith Frost's, the Gilfillans, run a sugar factory in Portugese Mozambique at Xinavane. This is up country from Maputo and was devastated by the civil war. The hospital is desperate for help combating AIDs, Malaria, TB etc. Linen is hand washed and in the rainy season is hard to dry. Linda stated that our generosity had been anticipated and that £946 had already been sent to buy an industrial washer and dryer.

ATTENDANCE (Melinda Wallace) 74

Members 72, Guests 0, Visiting Rotarians 2, from Stockholm and Victoria, Australia. Iain MacMurdo visited New York; Peter Wilson chaired a meeting of 10 Rotarians on SS Minerva II in the Black Sea and brought back a banner from Pakistan (where Andrew Anderson had just been); Torvald Colliander had visited Brussels, Sweden, Rome and Naples and Eddie Hepburn was due in Rome for the silver jubilee of the Pope's accession.Christmas parcels, Andrew Anderson

A target of £1,000 is to be raised by a mugging at the door today and next week; and also from a buffet lunch on Nov. 6th. 40 volunteers are required for distributing parcels. The Co-op in Leith is to bag up but a venue is required to keep them safe. Also we require names of worthy recipients who are genuinely needy.

NEW TWILIGHT CLUB, Douglas Osler

Douglas suggested that our club sponsor a new City Club to meet at 6 p.m. on Mondays; the target member to be a worker in their 40's. This will not be a split of this club, as existing and past Rotarians are not eligible until after the Charter Dinner and will be considered by the new committee. George Holmes said that "Twilight" indicated elderly people and it was thought a better name could be Supper Club, Night Club or Edinburgh Waverley Club.

ALAN HATELY, GOLF AND RACING

Alan reminded us that the AGM of the golf club on 14th Nov. was not just for golfers and that the final of the knock out would be decided between Ronnie Sinclair and David Thomson over Ratho at 9.30 am on Tue. 21 Oct. Spectators welcome. The race night on Feb 27 is for fun and funds. Horses are £10 each and the owner chooses the name and will share any winnings. Races can be sponsored at £100. Bring your friends & neighbours to swell the numbers to 200. Tickets £10 to include gourmet buffet. Donations and raffle prizes would be welcome.

District Protection Officer, Jinty Kerr

Jinty had held a training session at the SW zone in Dumfries and would cover all 62 clubs by zone. Colin Mackay was Club Protection Officer to assist vulnerable people, mentally or physically challenged, with whom we might come in contact.

YOUTH, JACQUELINE EASSON

Jacqueline is involved with Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange. Youth camps are being held in Malaysia and Switzerland.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE, CARLISLE

17 attendees so far: Neville & Elisabeth Belton, Bill & Marion Cantley, Peter & Bunny Wilson, Dick & Margaret Allan, Bill & Mae Barr, Tom & Oonagh Gray, Alan Hately & Partner, John & Kathleen Hull, John Havard. The 2004 conference will be 29-31 Oct in Aberdeen, organised by South Queensferry.

CORRECTION

Archie Bell asks me to make a wee correction to last week's Bulletin to point out that the money for the Crisis FareShare PC was raised and donated by Club members before Archie joined in March 2000. For the benefit of the taxman, Archie would also like it to be known that he has never been in a position to donate £1000 to anyone!

Bulletin 1980 - 16th October 2003

PRESIDENT NEVILLE BELTON

Honoured to be at the top table, I hadn't realised that you shouldn't start before the Pres. and that the plebs in the body of the kirk should also wait! Secretary John said the average age of 65 suggested a large degree of loyalty to the club. He announced Mike Berry's cycle ride in New Zealand for British Heart Foundation and distributed the RIBI magazine. Ed Lucas stated that, for the Monday wine tasting at the Royal Scots Club, he had sold 73 tickets, including 32 members.

GREAT SCOTTISH WALK, Keith Frost

On 22nd June 2003, 16 Rotarians marshalled and Fergus Gillies was routemaster. Certificates were presented last Monday and £865,000 was raised. Some Charities had several teams. A 97 year old walked 6 miles for McMillan Homes. Reg Robinson bought a Jam Tarts football for £60.

ATTENDANCE (Melinda Wallace) 79

Members 72, Guests 3, Visiting Rotarian 4: from Stockholm, Namibia, Vancouver Sunrise, Rickmansworth (Richard Field ex member). Liz McSwann attended on board QEII to New York, where Chief Medical Officer was Torquil's niece. Jinty wisened up Lanark and Monklands on Child Protection. Hamish Law attended the 11th reunion of the Scottish Canadian curling team of '92. Neville & Elisabeth went to Leicester.

CRISIS FARESHARE FRIDGE VAN

Complete with its lovely Rotary Crest, our magnificent new £20,000 van was brought to The Crowne Plaza car park by Dave Berry, Manager of Crisis Fareshare and an ex colleague of Jinty Kerr. Soon it was surrounded by admiring Rotarians - Jinty, Fred A, George R, Graeme Forbes, Fred L, Neville, David B, Jack A, Dick Allan, Sandra Campbell, Jacqueline Easson, Philip Harris, to name but a few. Operated by Cyrenians out of Jane St, it collects from M&S, Sainsbury, Greggs, Scotmid, Pret a Manger and Scotmid; and delivers 6 tons of food a week to 37 hostels. Leith Rotary organises the Friday drivers, some of whom are ex-homeless, but carefully vetted. Each trip has a driver and 2 helpers, 30 volunteers in all. They now have 2 vans. The food is past its sell by date, but before its use by date. The Rotary clubs of Edinburgh can be proud as they see the van carrying a message of hope around our city. Our own members previously raised funds to donate a £1,000 computer which carries the database, and Peter Taylor of Town House Hotels runs events.

SIR FRANCIS MCWILLIAMS GBE

Hailing from Portobello and Holy Cross Academy, Sir Francis graduated from Edinburgh as an engineer and worked in Malaysia. In 1978, he was called to the bar, but only took one case. Elected Alderman, then Sheriff, he became Lord Mayor of the City of London in 1992. Pres. Neville told us Sir Francis had numerous knighthoods and 3 Doctorates. Stating that he was as nervous as IDS (Conservative leader), Sir Francis talked of building Petaling Jaya and of being a founder member of their Rotary club; but his talk was on the job of Lord Mayor of the square mile. He realised the dignity of the appointment when he went to a meeting of Mayors and Provosts in Chester and found they all deferred to him. During a State visit, there are 3 banquets. One at Buckingham Palace, one at Guildhall and one hosted by the visitor. When the King of Malaysia came, he was pleased to see his ex-golfing partner was now Lord Mayor. As Lord Mayor he was also Chief Magistrate, Chancellor of the University and Admiral of the Port of London. However, he did not board ships at Tilbury as he was sea-sick in a car wash. He had to see Michael Heseltine about insurance after the IRA bomb in the City. The Guildhall was a vital centre of operations. On trips the Lord Mayor has the status of a Cabinet Minister and has 3 footmen to look after his clothes. Now that he is retired in East Lothian, he cannot understand why his wife doesn't clean his shoes! A vote of thanks was given by Bill Barr, who in 1971 was fresh off a banana boat from Africa to Malaya, when he first met Frank at a St Andrews Society dinner, where he was Chieftain. Copies of his book "Pray silence for Jock Whittington" are available at £17. Sir Francis is speaking to the Strasbourg Rotarians in French next week..

AFRICAN GOLFER ALEX WILKIE

Ronnie & Careen Sinclair and Alex & Judy Wilkie attended the 40th IGFR (International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians) in Sun City. Out of 300 Rotarians, Alex and a Swede won the Fellowship >24 trophy. Pairs chosen at random for the first round stableford. Then the next 3 rounds, each played with different partners, but the stableford score was accumulated with the original partner. The 41st IGFR is to be in Charlotte, NC May 17-21 2004. Gold Coast, Australia 2005, and Turkey 2006. The 30th European is in Stockholm Aug 11-13 2004, where youngsters, aged 18-22, will be encouraged and hosted.

Bulletin 1979 - 9th October 2003

NEV "FLYER" BELTON

El Presidente spoke to me about nicknames. Had he had a complaint? No, he wondered why he had been left out! Neville played rugby on the wing for Nottingham High and later scored 4 tries for Wanderers in one match, and was dropped. He was also a sprinter of note. Flyer seems appropriate. Incidentally he says that his school produced Geoff Hoon, Kenneth Clarke, and Ed Ball, speechwriter for Gordon Brown. An eclectic lot. Last week secretary John stated that new badges at £15 could also be purchased with a brooch fitting. Pres. Neville gave a sad farewell to Paul Watton, saying that we were losing a good Rotarian but wished him well in his new post as Commandant of the RMP at Chichester. Paul said he had enjoyed his time in Edinburgh and had not decided which of 4 clubs in Chichester he would approach.

ATTENDANCE and VISITS 85

Much better! Members 78, guests 2, Visiting Rotarian 5 - from Berlin, Georgia, Melbourne, Adelaide and Kilmacolm. Guest, Daniel Figueroa from Argentina.

CRISIS FARESHARE VAN HANDOVER

President Neville congratulated Bob Hislop and Jacqueline Easson in co-ordinating the Rotary Clubs around Edinburgh on their wonderful achievement of raising over £20,000 to purchase a new refrigerated van. The van will be on display today in the car park. To maintain the van, forms are available from the Secretary for those who wish to become "Friends of Crisis Fareshare". 60 volunteers deliver 6 tons of food each week to 35 day centres and hostels. Des Ryan, Director of Edinburgh Cyrenians thanked Rotarians and said it was wonderful to see that we cared for those on the margins of life and considered them as part of the community.

SCOOP re SANDRA CAMPBELL

Senior civil servant Sandra is photographed in the latest version of Scoop, the Scottish Office paper. All good news.

ANDREW MACMILLAN, GEOLOGIST

Pres. Neville introduced Andrew, who went to Edinburgh Academy and St Andrews University. He is a member of the Geological Society, has completed the Munros and used to open the batting for the Edinburgh Uni. Staff cricket club - Neville also having played.
Andrew told us how Edinburgh has been endowed with so much.

The crag and tail of the Old Town, the marshy Nor' Loch, now Princes St Gardens, and the volcanic edifice of Arthur's Seat with its outcrop of Carlton Hill. In the 15th Century, James I encouraged the use of stone after the conflagrations of buildings made of wood. Robert Louis Stevenson described Edinburgh as a dream in masonry; no doubt marvelling at the New Town of James Craig. Andrew has written a book on the Building Stones of Edinburgh. 50,000 years ago Caithness flagstones were used, the rock being 4,000 million year old.

The 19th Century was the heyday, when Scotland had 670 working quarries, producing Craigleith sandstone, Borders Grey, Galloway & Aberdeen Granites and Ballachulish slate. A journey through Dornoch was as Scottish as the native speech. Also used was Northumberland stone.

Much was ballast for ships to the New World, where it was used in building Boston, Albany and other overseas erections. The Hydro Board used local stone as cladding, not only for presentation but also because it would withstand the weather better than concrete. Then came the 1960's and the demolitions to make way for modern high rise eyesores.

Thankfully, we have realised that buildings are vital for tourism and the edification of the soul; so the new Museum of Scotland has stone cladding and Historic Scotland is heavily involved in restoration. Global markets allow cheap imports, but the Natural Stone Institute is encouraging the use of indigenous materials and the British Geological Society is active in stone matching for colour, texture and planning. Andrew asked us all to look up when walking in Edinburgh as, sadly, most people look down at the pavement or into shop windows.

PP Douglas Osler thanked Andrew for showing us how stone is of interest and relevance to us all.

GOWFF by ALAN HATELY, SPORTS

The HMS Edinburgh pre-season foursomes was won by VP Bill Cantley and Gerald Goodban, who defeated James Mason and Mike Sims in a closely fought final over Baberton. The Canada Cup was played over Broomieknowe; with 36 points, David Thomson won the silver, followed by Peter Wheeldon 35 and Fergus Gillies 34 with a BIH over James Mason and Drew Wightman. If only those putts had dropped! Pres Neville attended and thanked the club for their hospitality.

AGM dinner Friday 14 November at Murrayfield Golf Club. Best of order please.

Bulletin 1978 - 2nd October 2003

Secretary John called a new member. He drew attention to the Fresh Start lunch 1 pm Tue. Oct 7, club contact - Loudon Hamilton. Ed Lucas reported that the wine tasting capacity of 100 was over 50% sold and asked every member to bring a friend to make it a sell out. Wendy Goldstraw wants you to rummage in your cellars for raffle prizes.

CRISIS FARESHARE VAN HANDOVER

Bob Hislop reports that the van has had its lettering and logos added and was handed over at 86 Jane Street, Leith last Saturday. Jacqueline Easson gave the keys to Gillian Kynoch, the Scottish Executive's Health and Homelessness Coordinator. An excellent result for an excellent project, and a joint project of all Rotary Clubs around Edinburgh. (See Crisis FareShare Pictures)

MOST COURTEOUS DRIVERS

Tom Gray was waved into the High St by Graeme Forbes. Both were smiling and proud of their new cars, a Rover and Saab. I discovered that Tom is an advanced motorist, has driven for Scotland in autotests and won a race at Silverstone. He loves the latest new device, a rear parking aid.

ATTENDANCE and VISITORS 64

BETTER! Members 60, guests 3, Visiting Rotarian 1 - Alec Hughes, London; Salvation Army Commissioner UK and Ireland. The visitors included Paul Ambekemo, involved with development in Nigeria. Pres. Neville visited the St Andrews Childrens' Society In Leith; it has dealt with adoptions for 80 years and Eddie Hepburn is a Director.

ROTARY SOFTWARE FROM NZ

Melinda Wallace tells me that Fred Ainslie has provided her with this for attendance, but it is not very user friendly. Her next task is to scan members' photographs onto disc. I hope you have all provided nice ones.

MAJOR BOB MCINTYRE, SAL ARMY

Pres. Neville introduced Bob, reminding us that the founder of the Salvation Army was William Booth, who hailed from his home town of Nottingham.

Bob was born in Glasgow and has been with the Army for 37 years. He is Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, the Scotland Secretary and a UK Trustee. Bob stated how wonderful it was that God had taken him from the back streets of Glasgow into the front line to influence and help the most marginalised in society.

His boss Alex was with him at the top table and they know how to fight for the underdog, as he supports Partick Thistle and Alex supports Paisley St Mirren! Scotland is different as to Politics, Education and Ecumenism. On his East of Scotland advisory board he has a judge, an ex Lord Provost, a Solicitor and a Financial Adviser.

The HQ has moved from East Adam St, in the Pleasance to Bilston Glen, but the exhibition tonight is at E. Adam St. The Bread St. Drop-In is a refuge for 3,000 people per month; safe during the day to shower, have a simple meal, make a 'phone call and talk to someone. The old HQ is to be 8 "move on" flats, with project workers trying to break the cycle of homelessness.

Many clients are from mental institutions and are now in care in the community. Another group are the elderly, suffering from dementia. And, of course, there are the young, where the growth of sexual disease is rampant. Bob ended by thanking Rotary for their help and asked God to bless us in our service to the community.

Dick Allan thanked Bob and congratulated them on collecting £60,000 door to door. Dick said that our motto was service above self, but your action was always and we salute your lifetime commitment. P. Neville said that the Sallie Annie Band was a mark of Christmas and he mentioned Roy Hattersley's Book "Blood and Fire" about William Booth being ordained by God to convert the world to Christianity.

The Army has 1,500 officers, 5,000 employees and gets £30 million from legacies, many from ex servicemen who got a cup of tea in a red shield canteen in the front lines. The International HQ in London is led by General John Larsson. It is more than just selling war cries around the pubs.

STAMPS TO DEREK PAPE PLEASE

For many years members have collected used stamps from across the world and these have been converted into cash for the JCF. Recently the supply has dried up. Please check your attic for that forgotten box or album. Individual and corporate supplies are welcome.

STAMPS MEAN MONEY. No package is too small.

We printed only 500 first covers for our 90th anniversary. 25, signed by the Duke of Edinburgh, were sold at £25 and otherwise at £8 UK and £10 Overseas. The balance are now available at the bargain price of £5.

MAKE UP OPPORTUNITIES

Mon: Musselburgh, Roslin. Tue: Edi Breakfast, Corstorphine, Esk Valley, Penicuik, Murrayfield, Tranent. Wed: Braids, Leith, Dalkeith, Portobello, Currie, Livingston. Thurs: S Queensferry, Longniddry

Past Months :

- 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