The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2,035 - 18th November 2004
REVIEW
ATTENDANCE
We had 4 visitors last Thursday including Steven Henderson, whom I had met at Braids only the day before, David Almond and David Mair of Lockerbie. Neil Mackereth came from the Haddington Club to speak at our charity lunch including our own 66 members in attendance.
RAFFLE
The Lockerbie Club raffled a bottle of Glenmorange, which raised £85 in aid of CHAS. The winner was Robin Wilson who is offering up the bottle to be re-raffled.
CHRISTMAS PARCELS
The list of Rotarians to distribute Christmas parcels is on the club notice board. If there are any questions, Andrew Anderson is the organiser. It is too early for delivery details, but not too late for more volunteers or suggestions for recipients.
INTERNATIONAL PRIORITIES
The International Committee is working to make a difference on a small budget. They have defined three policy aims which are:
- Direct money where modest sums will make a difference.
- Where possible use personal knowledge of need.
- Normally help will be directed to capacity building.
They propose to continue to help with all the projects in their ongoing portfolio. These include the hospice in Xinavane; the Tanzanian Water Project; Hope & Homes for Children; a small Cambodian Children's Home; and a small free hospital in Cambodia.
There is also a large new international Rotary project for water purification in Cambodia with associated family hygiene education. We are "in on the ground floor of this project". Fred Edwards would like everyone to appreciate that the whole club are a part of these international projects.
FOCUS
BRAIDS ROTARY CLUB
Braids is a popular club, which is well attended and in fact that is its one drawback, people have been known to be unable to find a seat, far less a place in the restaurant car park. Access from the by-pass or the South is easy. Coming from the centre of town is a little harder. The advertised time of 1pm is for arrival and you do not miss anything when just a few minutes late.
The Tusitala Pavilion at Buckstone is well patronised on a Wednesday lunchtime. The meeting is beyond the busy dining room in the function room to the rear. This is bright and pleasant with tables set out for five or six people. Lunch included some choice with good presentation and imagination in the two courses.
The President, Christine Skinner, is at the rostrum, and eager to shake hands with visitors. Many of you will know a number of people there. Including Brian Sefter, Bill Rutherford and some curlers who play with our club. I sat with John Cameron, for whom I built a church Hall. Our table enjoyed an animated conversation on a variety of topics from Burns to Chile in South America.
The Club had the induction of a new member, poached from Galashields. She was handed her "pack" and immediately appointed to join the Foundation Committee. I was impressed by their democratic approach. Steven Henderson, also a guest and also from Gala, spelt out the principles of Rotary, and Braids showed itself off as an active and attractive club.
The speaker was David Goldberg on his life starting out as Jewish child in Nazi Germany to his escape to this country, service in the Pioneer Corps, to starting his own business in Edinburgh, Continental Cleaners. He kept us all thoroughly entertained despite the more distressing early part of his life. In conclusion he reminded us of the positive aspects of British citizenship.
PRATTLE
MILITARY HUMOUR
Our speaker last week showed that soldiers need an enemy. In camp the sergeant major, becomes the butt of any humour. Despite the recruit's best endeavour, the sergeant always wins.
CHOCOLATE ORANGE CAKE
Luxury cake, even from that domestic goddess Nigella Lawson, does not
work if you miss out the butter. Nigella made this mistake in her recent
book and has been widely criticised.
This is not as irrelevant as it might at first appear. Jacqueline Easson
is looking for sponsorship from various sources to fund the printing of
a Rotary cookbook. The sale of the books will help to swell the Fund Raising
Committees purse.
I am told that the recipes are the easy bit.
FILLIAL FINANCE
Son at university, writing that rarity, a letter home to his dad. - "No
mun, no fun, your son"
Father's reply - "Too bad, that's sad, your dad"
CONTRASTING PROGRAMMES
To be a regular at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre requires catholic tastes. The Gang Show ends this weekend to be followed next week by Rain - "Comme une pluie dans tes yeux", which follows a circus show rehearsal where theatre and reality blend into one another. Cirque Eloize is an innovative company, bringing circus acrobatics, juggling, contortionism and dance to the theatre.
Should that not be to your taste, you could support Scottish Opera who present Tosca at the Festival Theatre in the first week of December.
THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER
Thursday 18 November 2004: Ian McCrorie
The History of Calmac
Vote of Thanks: Bob Hislop.
NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER
Thursday 25 November 2004: Russell Dickson Vetaid in Africa
Vote of Thanks: Richard Phillip.
PREVIEW
The aim of the Vets involved in Vetaid is to improve the livestock, agricultural
production and market access for subsistence farmers. The food security
of these farmers is improved through a scheme of community education supported
by Richard's charity work.