The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2,029 - 7th October 2004
REVIEW
ATTENDANCE
We had a small meeting last week with just 58 members and the prospect of Hadrian's Restaurant this week and on 28th October.
DOUGLAS MACKENZIE
We were sad to hear that Douglas Mackenzie died recently in Exeter. He was a consultant engineer, founding his own firm after a start in the family business. As a City of Edinburgh Councillor, he gave great assistance to our Club and he became our president in 1984. After he left Edinburgh he joined the Okehampton Rotary Club.
There is to be memorial service for Douglas on Friday 15th October at 12noon at Canon Gate Kirk.
EXPECTATIONS IN LYON
You too could be a cleaner of wine vats with all its fringe benefits. However, you require to invest some energy, into international diplomacy, and travel to wonderful European destinations. A pretty good prospect.
Lyon, Stuttgart, Lausanne and Torino Dora are in a grand plan of twinned
Rotary Clubs lead by the organisation and drive of Robert Giraud. He presides
over the Lyon Club, which is wealthy, energetic and tightly cohesive,
with strong, long-standing links with the other Clubs.
Our president BC enjoyed dinner and later a rotary lunch with all these
clubs in Lyon at the end of September. He has raised expectations that
we too shall become a strong component of these international Rotary allies
and was awarded the dubious honour of "Confrerie des Grappilleurs
du Beaujolais". This is not lightly offered and he is hoping for
some enthusiastic support from the Edinburgh members for his International
overtures. A good start would be for as large a party as possible to sign
up for a visit to Stuttgart on 23-25 September next year.
Bill hopes to hear from you to allow his excellent work in Lyons to bear fruit.
FOCUS
THE CURRIE BALERNO ROTARY CLUB
I spotted the car park on the way into the Riccarton Campus of the Herriot Watt where Currie Balerno hold their meetings on Wednesday evenings. I still have not found the entrance, but there are some good staff spaces, close at hand. From here you walk towards a glass brick tower which is a landmark in front of the main reception. You are now in a student time, which flows through the corridors leading to the various facilities of the University. The Rotary Club are on an upper floor, in The College Lounge, but you require directions.
I was unwise enough to go on a fifth Wednesday of the month. This is guest night. The meeting then starts at seven instead of 6.30 and most people are in a bar elsewhere. After this slow start, everyone appears; in fact too many and so the business had to proceed whilst the kitchen coped. However the food was good and at £8 there are no complaints.
On arrival, their President took me in hand, providing a drink and introducing me to some members. Their bulletin editor kept me amused. His six weekly sheet is due out in early October, written by club convenors. Where did I go wrong?
The Club had an excellent speaker and active membership. At the meeting they were putting together their quiz team, arranging a ceileigh, awarding one member with a golf trophy and one of the districts' former governors was trying to promote a Christmas card depicting a savage dog on the cover.
Dr Gordon McInlay gave us a very moving talk relating to his son's gap year in Southern India at two care homes. The first looked after people with Leprosy, still an Indian problem. The other was a boy's home for Polio sufferers. He had some poignant illustrations.
Although mildly haphazard, last week, Currie Balerno, is a thriving friendly Rotary, which is a gentle contrast to our own city club.
PRATTLE
HEARTS FOOTBALL
When none of the Hearts Football Club players were available to support Kids Out, they donated a ball signed by their players. Archie Bell has sold the football for £25 given to the Jubilee Charity Fund to help with future events.
HAIKU
Last week Bill Gatherer gave us selections from his book of poems. The proceeds are to be given to Oxfam. The book is in memory of his wife Maimie. For him words are important. He looks to inner meanings. His poetry is about mood and feelings. Rhyme is of lesser importance to Bill. It is occasionally contrived as he uses some more complicated systems of rhyme and rhythm. However it is the explanation of Haiku, in its 5:7:5 syllable form, encapsulating a single succinct thought, which reveals most about Bill to me.
STUTTGART
Stuttgart is in South West Germany, it is the capital of Baden-Wurtemberg. Adjoining towns include, Karlsruhe (Baroque palace), Ulm, the Roman town of Rottweil and Heidelberg with its castle; all of which are worth a holiday visit.
Stuttgart is "Beautifully situated among picturesque hills, the town is a major industrial centre"-"It is also a well known publishing and cultural centre, with a world famous ballet company, chamber orchestra and splendid art collections." The central square is Schlossplatz,. The Staatsgalerie has an extension by the architect, James Stirling, and Venetian, Dutch and French painting. There are gardens in front of the Baroque palace, a stud farm, magnificent town hall and the Hegelhaus museum. There is much more.
Source - Eyewitness Travel Guides
FOURTH BRIDGE 40 YEARS OLD
Derek Pape still has the first day cover from 40 years ago, but reassures me that there is no stamp to celebrate this time.
THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER
Thursday 7 October 2004: David Buchanan - District governor's address.
Vote of Thanks: President Bill Cantley.
NEXT WEEK'S MEETING
Thursday 14 October 2004: Business meeting
Forbes Ridland - Hope and Homes for Children.
Melinda Wallace -attendance arrangements.
Fred Edwards - international service.
Vote of Thanks: President Bill
PREVIEW
There is an exciting portfolio of international projects which you are
currently undertaking. Fred will keep you abreast of your progress. Forbes
is telling us about the chosen RIBI charity and Melinda will be speaking
about new (more liberal) attendance arrangements. I am sure this issue
will be of interest to all.