The Rotary Club of Edinburgh

Bulletin 2,065 - 30th June 2005

REVIEW

Attendance

Past President Douglas Osler conducted lunch last week for 67 members and one guest. We had a visit from our old friend Paul Grace of Murrayfield Crammond, and a Rotary couple, Vincent and Virginia Ryckmans from Villers-la-Ville in Belgium. Vincent was resplendent in full Highland attire including plaid, which he had just purchased.

Our guest was Joan Burnie who entertained us well. She proved to be a true Edinburgh Mum, forced to write for a rag (The Daily Record) which she had probably never heard of, and as an agony Aunt, a column she may never have read, to pay for her son and daughter's school fees. That sounds familiar!

The G8 Conference

The summit meeting next week is expected to produce a demonstration and some disruption. However Rotary Lunch will be in the Hotel as usual, with, who knows, some interesting guests.

Changes of Address

Kath and Ed Lucas now live at [personal details removed]
Mel Wilson now lives at [personal details removed]

The Passing of the Centennial Year

Fortunately from the point of view of the Bulletin Editor, this has been a very active year. The Tsunami in South East Asia, with all the fund raising activity which it inspired along with the special events which have surrounded Rotary at the conclusion of its first century have filled the page. We can only hope for a newsworthy year to come, although perhaps without a world event or natural disaster to divert our attention.

FOCUS

The Great Scottish Walk

Keith Frost reported another splendid turn out of volunteers from the Club to act as marshals at The Great Scottish Walk on Sunday 19th June. 22 members with their wives came to help which is an impressive level of support. It is also an increase in our numbers from last year.

Our involvement was positive. The task of the marshals is essential to the smooth running of such a large crowd of "competitors", many of whom are unfamiliar with the route and what is meant to happen on the day. Apart from questions or directions to ensure people go the right way, there can be minor incidents to contend with. There is of course professional help at hand who can be contacted. However at least one casualty was brought back to Meadowbank. for Keith to deal with. This was in someone's car for some mild medical attention. The St John's Ambulance was on hand to provide prompt attention, whilst our member returned to his post.

As in previous years, there were over 7,000 walkers gathered to support their favourite Scottish charity. For the young and able, there is the main walk, which of course achieves greater sponsorship results. There is also shorter way round. This is known as the golden mile. The people involved in this walk would amaze you.

Last Sunday was all that the organisers could wish for. A fine summer weekend, which is a help to bring in the crowd. The walkers brought with them sponsorship which again exceeded £1 million, although the final count has not yet been finalised.

PRATTLE

The Queen's Gallery Holyrood

The Queen's Gallery is a most attractive setting for an exhibition. A collection of watercolours and drawings from the collection of The Queen Mother sounds interesting enough. However our special reviewer returned disappointed by the exhibits.

A Charitable Oversight

Sadly Judith, our President elect, had to cancel her trip to Chicago. She had arranged to join our delegation at the Centenary celebrations of the founding of Rotary. However her niece graduated last week, which was happy coincidence. Aunty Judy was therefore able to join the celebrations with a lunch in Hadrian's Restaurant last Thursday. Fortunately the Rotary did not spot her.

Is there, we ask, a special silver spoon and huge charitable donation required when our relatives achieve academic success? A proud Aunt would not hold back and there is certainly room for Presidential precedent to put right this oversight.

Exchanges and Hospitality

At this time of year our club receives a large number of requests for hospitality. These come in several forms. Some are from Rotarians looking for accommodation for themselves or their offspring especially in the holiday season. There are also requests for language student exchanges, especially from the Continent to learn English and for your own children / grandchildren return to practice a language.

There are also specific Rotary exchanges. These include Ambassadorial Scholars. We send youngsters abroad, especially to the USA on similar exchanges and we are under some obligation to reciprocate.

Consideration is being given to setting up a register of people who would be willing to help in appropriate cases with home hospitality for limited periods of time. Bill Cantley would be the person to contact in the first instance.

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Thursday 30 June 2005: - Presidential hand over.
Bill Cantley and Judith Sischy

NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER

Thursday 7 July 2005: Des Brogan,
Director of Mercat Tours
Vote of Thanks:

PREVIEW

The speakers over the next few weeks include Professor Lorne Crerar on sport and law, Doug Forsyth, Sally Anne Hunter on Caledonian Challenge, Eileen Davis the past president of the Breakfast Club and John McGourke of The Scotsman.