The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
This Week's Bulletin
Bulletin 1,999 - 11th March 2004
LET THERE BY LIGHT
Pres. Neville recited a grace by George Reid for the Electrical Society, supplied by Eddie Lucas. Robin Wilson stood in John Havard's shoes (size 9) and alerted us to James Mason's need for volunteers for KidsOut on 9th June at the Jack Kane Centre. Robin will don a chef's hat on Sat 24th April at Queen Margaret University College. His team mates will be the lovely Jacqueline Easson, the big buck banker Rajiv Naik and Historic Bob. Members are asked to pay, eat and adjudicate. Corstorphine Rotary, under Pro. Alistair Risk, won hands down last year, so even if ours is terrible, come and support. Neville stated that PP Bill Murray had recovered from a chest infection caught in Spain, not food poisoning.
ATTENDANCE, Melinda Wallace 76
Members 72, Guests 2, Visiting Rotarians 2: PP James Bruce of Tranent and Jacky Mackay, Portobello Treas. Fred Edwards sang at the Breakfast Club and Jinty Kerr is boosting her attendance with appearances all over the district. Mon 22nd March will be a club visit to Galashiels. Names to Neville. Alberto Santandreu has visited Madrid, Puerto del Sol, Castilla & Velazquez in Espana.
SINGING ROTARIANS
Did you know that PP George Holmes tried to start a glee club after finding one in Minnesota? Or that Keith Frost and Alec Wilkie organised the CD of Scottish Ballads given to visiting Rotarians? Or that the Breakfast Club sings grace? Los cantantes.
GOOGLE SEARCH
If you're computer literate like George Brodlie, then you will know that a search with Google, using your own name (Google: George Brodlie), will bring up entries in this bulletin off the world wide web. David Brown used to have a client whose main customer was Mr White, his main supplier was Mr Black and his lawyer was Mr Green. He was never in the red, but his language was often blue.
BILL BRYDEN. SHOW BIZZ.
The Royal High School shaped Bill and Edinburgh rewarded him with an LLB. He practised law from 1954 and was getting good at it, when he retired. Involved in litigation for Lloyds, he latterly lectured on Civil Court procedures. He is a co-founder of the Headway Group and originally joined Rotary with the Portobello club.
Bill started his thespian career at RHS in a play written by his class. It related the 1595 riot when the boys barricaded themselves in, shot the Baillie, ended up in the Tolbooth and the Head was sacked. Normal stuff. He was also the leader of the band, playing at the annual dance when Mary Erskine girls adorned the floor.Their only tune was the Anniversary Waltz, played slowly and all night. Pupils fell about from dizziness, as their dancing lessons hadn't covered the reverse turn.
Bill moved on to greater things playing at University hops. One night Noel Coward was kidnapped from the King's Theatre and his ransom was to sing "I'll see you again." Bill was the pianist and it was in E flat. Later, as a solicitor, his firm did the court work for an Aberdeen firm. A group of them came to the Fringe and became the well-known group Scotland The What. They helped at a Charity gig for Rotary in the NB for Headway. One spot included the Pope as a Celtic supporter.
One day Bill got a call from Ronnie Corbett from a coin box on the M1. "Quick, I've not got too much change, but please buy me that nice house in Gullane, I'll leave the price to you." Bill sweated, but luckily got the right house and only paid a ridiculous price for it. (Chicken feed nowadays).
Bill then recounted a tale about reading a will. As each legatee got a share, each left upset. Finally he was left with the residuary legatee who scooped the pool. Next we heard of the Spanish case over custody, when the law was being rewritten and finally of the man burnt in a car, with the widow claiming personal accident insurance. The deceased was spotted in Princes St. later.
George Reid thanked Bill, stating he was glad he had shopped him to Jack Aitken. To much acclamation from the assembled company, he said it had been an excellent 'my job talk' and we should have more. He told us Bill was also the organist at the London Rd Church.
THE BALMORAL'S GOT THE SWANK
John Hull and the House committee met with Marnie Delaney-Humphrey of the Balmoral. Although our plaque was outside on Princes St for 67 years, planning permission is now sought to replace it. Failing that, it will be put up at reception or in Neville's bedroom. Bin bags from Bill Barr's forthcoming request for bedding for homeless through Bethany Trust, will be kept in Sales temporarily. Renato, the banqueting manager has been with the hotel since 1987 and knows Rotary requirements. Ambiance, welcome and service are excellent.
££ HATELY RACES TO A WINNER ££
Alan, you're a star. £3,300 raised & not a dry throat in the
house. Embarrassingly, I scooped the loot. More next week. Get your bulletin.