The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2,030 - 14th October 2004
REVIEW
ATTENDANCE
Last week 68 of our members came to the club with one visitor and two guests. They included Jenny Ingvarsson from the Jonkoping Oster Club, of Sweden. She is in communications and intends to join our club. We also had the District Governor who apparently actually enjoyed junketing in Melbourne, Florida but then he did have his friend from South Queensferry, the RI President to chum him to America.
THE IDEAL HOMES EXHIBITION
RIBI organise a Rotary stand at the Ideal Homes exhibition to be held in Glasgow on 22 October at the Scottish Exhibition Centre at Clydebank. They are looking for volunteers to help to run the stand which will raise the profile of Rotary, provide information on our activities, and the benefits to the community. It might also help with new members.
CHRISTMAS PARCELS
Andrew Anderson is making the first of two collections at lunch today for the purchase of Christmas Parcels. His organisation last year was immaculate. The parcels were well thought out based on a balance of essential and luxury food items to help pensioners and the needy have some pleasure in the holiday period. With the current pressure on pensions, the elderly are increasingly vulnerable in winter months and this small contribution is very well received.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
The first Christmas lunch at the Balmoral should be a special occasion. It is to be in the Walter Scott Room, a far superior venue to previous years. Bill Cantley has an uplifting speaker in mind. Fred Lawson has organised the programme for 2nd December and is looking for the numbers of members and their guests, which should include partners, as soon as possible. He would like your cheque for £27 each to confirm your booking.
FOCUS
ROTARY CURLING
This year sees a clash between the Rotary Pairs competition and the annual weekend at Pitlochry for our curlers.
The Curling Club continues to be one of the most popular Rotary activities. There are thirty active curlers primarily from our own club. They include two very keen ladies who are very competitive.
Arthur Barlow, a formidable player, from Corstorphine is the present Captain. He succeeds Malcolm Wylie. The hard work is divided between Mel Wilson the secretary and Alistair Beattie, Match Secretary.
The season is split between the League Trophy competition which is currently
being played, between the six rinks, of active players. After New Year,
they compete for the Tyne Trophy in a second league between the rinks,
the skips change from time to time. They are Alastair Beattie, Fergus
Gillies, Hamish Law, Mike Sims, Robin White, and Malcolm Wylie.
The curlers also have a mini league played between three rinks in both
halves of the season.
One of the most attractive competitions is the pairs. It is a knock-out
held over a single day with a supper and prize giving at the end. Unfortunately
the date is Sunday 30th January which is the weekend of the other outstanding
part of the programme. The weekend at Greenpark Pitlochry has attractions
for curlers and non-curlers alike. The play is well worth the travel but
so too is the stay in the Hotel which is excellent and the alternative
attractions of walking, theatre shops and at the scenic heart of Perthshire.
PRATTLE
THE BRIDGE CLUB
The first meeting of The Bridge Club is next week, on Tuesday 19th October. They meet at Mohindra Dhall's house at 7.00 pm.
MEMBER NEWS
Iain MacMurdo declared at the club last week that he has thrown away his stick and is therefore recovered. George Brodlie is also feeling much better and is threatening to be back at the club this week. If you see him make him feel at home.
THE GREAT SCOTTISH RUN
This year's run proved a great success raising £1,000,035 to date. This was a wonderful event and good fun. Fergus Gillies and his team of marshals enjoyed helping in the organisation and plan to be involved, with your support, next year. He also hopes that we might raise a team to take part. The date next summer is 19 June.
FIRST FRUITS
By October you reckon that you have had it in terms of summer vegetables from the garden. We have struggled since Easter to produce some tomatoes from seed. It was only when the temperatures dropped last week that we saw the first ripe fruit. With three dozen on the vine, our perseverance has been rewarded, much to our delight! They taste good too.
A MADMAN SINGS TO THE MOON
A local play acclaimed at the Brunton Halls two years ago as the best fringe production, A Madman Sings to the Moon is on at the Lyceum Theatre at the moment. The set acting and characterisation were all excellent the night we went. You will recognise the Edinburgh types, and the hopelessness of the plot which is drawn out a bit. But then that is modern theatre for you. We were entertained and the play was very well attended.
THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER
Thursday 14 October 2004: Business meeting
Forbes Ridland "Hope and Homes"
Melinda Wallace - attendance
Fred Edwards - international service
Vote of Thanks: President Bill
NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER
Thursday 21 October 2004: Forbes Ridland
"My Job Talk" on inheritance tax
Vote of Thanks: Eva Duyndam
PREVIEW
Forbes is an accomplished speaker. There is a change of subject matter from this week to his professional work which is in the sphere of financial services. The specific area is in making provision for retirement.