The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2,060 - 26th May 2005
REVIEW
Attendance
We had 69 at lunch last week, 5 guests and rotary visits from Gordon Harper and his wife Kate from Charlotte Town, Prince Edward Island, Canada, Keith McKenny, Clive Wilson, Terry Spice, Chris Fairman all from the Medway Club in Kent and finally Eileen Davis of Edinburgh Breakfast.
The Great Scottish Walk
Our club has provided marshals to direct and supervise the participants in The Great Scottish Walk over the past few years to help to make this event run smoothly. With in excess of 7,000 entries our assistance has never been in greater demand. Keith Frost and Fergus Gillies would like to hear from as many people as possible who can lend a hand on Sunday 19th June.
Finals of the Rotary Quiz
Sadly this year our own quiz team were knocked out in the third round, too good to compete for the shield and not in the running for the plate. Bellshill won this in their match against Corstorphine. The other competition was between Innerlethen and Bathgate who were the winners.
Children's Hospice Association Scotland
The new Robin House Children's Hospice is opening shortly and tours of the facility are being arranged during June and July. If this is of interest to you, you should contact Neville Belton.
Fifty Rotary Years
Last week, Dennis Townhill, who was one of the founder members of the Louth Rotary Club in Lincolnshire fifty years ago, was awarded a Rotary International 50 years of membership Certificate. He was also congratulated on reaching 80 next week.
Civic Reception
Tickets are still available for Saturday 4th. June. You should apply today to John Havard.
FOCUS
Gossip, Sights and Wine
Our two correspondents at the visit to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday night both had a good time. It was a very well attended with nearly a hundred Rotarians including a good representation from South Queensferry.
Our party gathered in the foyer to chat. This inevitably revolved around the surroundings and some felt overwhelmed or even claustrophobic in the initial space. The group with Lord James was delighted by his friendly erudite conversational manner. He enthused about the electronic novelties for voting, communications, amplification and translation. The party were impressed by the imaginative interior of the council chamber with its innovative design, light and airy with clever use of laminated woods.
The tour proceeded to a committee room, which had a fine view of Salisbury Crags. The garden at the centre, however received less attention more of a shrug. That cannot be said of the wine, which seems to have ensured the success of the evening.
Our guides were of a fairly blue complexion and apart from Lord James included David McLetchie, Jamie McGregor and some official Parliament Tour Guides. There was a speech of welcome from our President Bill and a speech from Lord James Douglas Hamilton, which Fred Lawson claims to be entirely his own work. The speech set out to show that Holyrood serves the people of Scotland with an emphasis on cooperation and dialogue, particularly in the committee stages of MSPs work. Lord James gave us kind words on the good works undertaken by Rotary, and congratulations on the achievements of Rotary through the last one hundred years.
The speech from the Edinburgh Wine Importers was well received along with three bottles of red three of white and one rosé. In essence they were the facts found in this highly enjoyable mission.
PRATTLE
A Pen Pal for Andres
Just 13, lives in Lyon, and President Bill learns that he has dined with Andres Dad. Can anyone come forward with a swap for son/ grandson or daughter as a pen pal and exchange for a French boy of good family?
Flavour of Cambodia on 27 June
The International Committee has three highly worthwhile Cambodian projects, which they would like us all to support in body and wallet. The body is an evening at Britannia Spice on 27 June where you will be entertained, offered an introductory drink and enjoy South East Asian food all for just £15.
Your wallet is the minimum donation of £10 (by gift aid to swell the donation) towards the projects, which are: -
- Pure Water & Literacy for Cambodia
- Chey Santeak Ry Rural Children's Home
- Kieng Klang Rehabilitative Surgery Hospital
Fred and Mary Edwards together with an after Dinner speaker will give you some reflections on Cambodia in what should prove to be a most enjoyable way of making a real contribution to a worthy international initiative organised by Linda Gilmore. Tickets are from John Havard.
Golf - Invitation Events
The third of the invitation events, which are organised by other Rotary Clubs, occurs on Tuesday 5th July. This is a team event in aid of charity at Duddingston Golf Club. Playing in teams of three (not necessarily Rotarians) the rules are stableford. The outing includes a meal and is organised through Alan Hately.
THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER
Thursday 26 May 2005: Club AGM
NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER
Thursday 2 June 2005: Gordon McInally President of RIBI.
Vote of Thanks: to be announced
PREVIEW
Gordon McInally President of RIBI is of particular interest because as a local son he has reached the peak of Rotary in this country, and lives just down the river at South Queensferry.