The Rotary Club of Edinburgh

Bulletin 2,081 - 20th October 2005

REVIEW

Attendance

We had 72 members, 2 visitors and 2 guests at lunch last week. Our speaker, Jonathan Garrat was one of our visitors. He gave us passes for the horse racing at Musselburgh last weekend and a synopsis of the official race tracks in Scotland with their individual idiosyncrasies and specialities. Our Rotary visitors were our old friend Paul Grace from Murrayfield Crammond and Kristi Pangrazio from Seattle in the USA. Derek Pape brought us greetings from Braids Rotary.

Announcement

In accordance with the By-Laws of the Club, a Special General Meeting of the Club will be held at the Balmoral Hotel on Thursday 8 December 2005, following lunch for the purpose of proposing and electing the incoming Officers viz President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, and Speaker Secretary, to take up office in July 2006. Written proposals, signed by the Proposer, Seconder and the individual proposed, should be in the hands of the, Honorary Secretary by Thursday 27 October 2005 so that they can be considered by the Nominations Committee before the Special General Meeting.

Annual Festive Lunch

Peter Wheeldon is taking names for this year's festive lunch. It is to be held in the Hotel on Thursday 1st December at 12.45 with a seasonal menu and a bottle of white and red wine to each table of ten members, partners friends or guests. The price of the lunch is £28. The speaker that afternoon is Ewan Aitken. This is an occasion to let your hair down, and a jolly time can be anticipated.

FOCUS

Trafalgar Bi-Centenary

The battle of Trafalgar was on the 21st October 1805, two hundred years ago. The British fleet, which was in two formations, lead by Admirals Nelson and Collingwood sighted the French and Spanish fleet in the early morning to their East. The faint breeze was a Westerly with a following substantial Atlantic swell. This favoured the British ships.

The French under Admiral Villeneuve with their Spanish allies under Admiral Gravina were sailing North towards Cape Trafalgar when they spotted the British ships. Admiral Villeneuve ordered the combined fleet to turn back to retreat to Cadiz. Three hours later many of his ships were still trying to make the turn and the French failed to achieve the line of battle required by their French commander. They were sailing at barely one knot whilst the British were approaching at about two knots with the intention of cutting the enemy line into three and defeating the rear ships with a close quarters encounter.

That afternoon Admiral Lord Nelson in the Victory sailed through the French Fleet just astern of their flagship Bucentaure. The Victory swung round to crowd in on the French ship after raking her stern with a broadside. The Redoutable with the Temeraire gave support by attacking the other side. Whilst the British guns made devastating discharges at close range, the French had snipers with muskets and grenades high in their rigging picking off men on the decks of the British ships.
Nelson was pacing the quarter deck with Captain Hardy in a pall of smoke when Nelson was hit by a lucky shot from above.

Whilst Nelson was killed in the action, Collingwood had the tougher battle. The decisive victory in light winds was followed by a storm in which the 15 prizes were mostly scuttled burnt or lost, wrecked on the treacherous rocky coast.

PRATTLE

Greetings from Madrid

Following the article on Trafalgar It is appropriate to hear from Alberto Santandreu. He sends his regards from a Bodega which produces 20 million litres of wine a year. Greetings are seldom more spirited! We look forward to tastes when Alberto is next in Edinburgh.

Canadian Golf Team Visit

Laurence Air of Longniddry 01875 852266 is Captain of the Scottish Rotary Golf Team. They are to host incoming Canadians 17-20 May 2006. He needs hospitality for 12 couples and so far only has 6 hosts; Fred Lawson and Ronnie Sinclair from our club and probably Keith Frost. People who can offer their help have a better chance of travelling to Canada to play golf and be entertained in the return matches in 2007.

Waverley Charter Dinner Dance

Edinburgh is about to have a new daughter Club when Edinburgh Waverley hold their Charter Dinner and Dance. This is at the Carlton Highland Hotel on Friday 11 November, 7 for 7.30pm (black tie). The new Edinburgh Waverley Rotary Club deserves a resounding send off, and it would be nice if we could lend our support on that evening.

The Dundee Conference Report

It seems that our Immediate Past President takes fellowship very seriously. Our secretary must have stayed at the Dundee Conference pretty late himself to report who were the last guests to leave the Quiet Piano Bar at the Dundee Hilton after the District Governor's Ball on the Saturday evening.

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Thursday 20 October 2005:
Club Business meeting.
President Judith on work of Club Council; Fred Edward on bio-sand filters; and Carol Duffus on Public Relations.

NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER

Thursday 27 October 2005: Prof Lorne Crerar
Sport and Law
Vote of Thanks: Alan Hately

Bulletin Editor
Next week the Bulletin will be edited by Eve Crowe. She would appreciate news or articles members may wish to contribute.