The Rotary Club of Edinburgh

Bulletin 2127 - 21st September 2006

REVIEW

President Fred two weeks ago began the proceedings with the Oregon Trail Grace, last week continuing with his American theme we had a grace from the Sioux.
Members await with interest the source of today’s thanks prior to our meal. (Serves me right for commenting on Fred’s grace asking for mince and tatties a few weeks ago).

Attendance last week was a disappointing total of 57, 56 members plus the speaker.

While the appalling weather on Thursday no doubt affected the attendance it is hoped that as many members as possible will attend in the next few weeks.
News from our Almoner, George Holmes, is that Jinty Kerr has had her operation and is now recuperating at the Police Convalescent Home, Castle Brae, Castleton Road, Auchterarder,
PH3 1AG. George had dropped a line of good wishes to Jinty as had members of the Golf Club.

George Brodlie, who regularly visits his sister in Strachan House informed members that Gerald Cowie was also there and although physically very frail was still very interested in Rotary affairs. Another resident of Strachan House is
Dr John Barclay, who was President of our Club 1967-68.
Members were informed that Wendy Goldstraw who has been a member of the “Scottish Standards Commission” for a number of years had been appointed Chair of this auspicious body.

The Commission has the oversight of the standards of councillors in Scotland. Our congratulations go to Wendy and best wishes for the future.
Before introducing the speaker, President Fred announced that it was his and Susan’s 38th Wedding Anniversary and that Susan would be sitting in a taxi at the front door at 2pm in a taxi to take them on the first leg of their journey to Guernsey.

The appeal by President Fred for miniatures of whisky to give to visiting Rotarians who present a banner has so far raised a total of 3 to be added to our original 12. If you do not have one in your wine cabinet please consider buying one next time you are in *****’s

The Royal Mile Walk led by Jack Aitken on Saturday for GSE students was a great success. The four GSE students were led by Justus Van der Merwe from District 9300. They were joined by Assistant Secretary David Thomson and David Hay accompanied by his wife Sheila. The walk started at the Castle Esplanade and finished two and a half hours later at Holyrood.

During the walk they were joined by two visitors who had been very impressed by listening to Jack and asked if they could join.

The event was enjoyed by all and the leader of the visitors remarked on the much easier relationship they had developed with their Scottish hosts than those south of the border and on their next visit they would stay only in Scotland.
(David Thomson remarked on how much he had learned about this historic part of the City during the tour and how Jack had not once referred to any notes)
Jack presented each of the South Africans with an enamel badge bearing the flags of Scotland and South Africa as a memento of the occasion.
Last week we had as our speaker an old friend of the Club, now District Governor, Bob Christie , a member of the Dalkeith Club.

Bob joined Rotary 16 years ago. He was Conference Convenor at Dundee and toured Canada with the Scottish Rotary Curling team in 1998. Bob holds the record in Scotland as a blood donor, having donated 800 pints of blood.
A true example of “Service above Self”.

Bob had recently attended the mandatory RI Assembly for all incoming District Governors in San Diego He had been much impressed by the international nature of the gathering where over 1500 were present and were working together. Bill Boyd RI President stressed the need to provide people world-wide with access to clean water.

Bob also described the good work being done in S America by the mercy ships provided by David Buchanan and the Rev Willie MacPherson which provide clean water in the Amazon region..
Bob told us that there was a fund of $600,000,000 available for suitable projects.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Robin Wilson who emphasised the thankless task of DGs which was not an ego trip but to get Rotarians world-wide to make a difference.
With the approach in October of the great Hindu Festival of Dusshera it is appropriate that we have as our speaker today Mohindra Dahll, who is the President of the Indian Arts Festival in Edinburgh, with Kailash Varma giving the Vote of Thanks.
This year Mohindra has had to get prisoners from Saughton to construct the massive effigies of King Rama, his wife Sita and the evil Ravana who kidnaps Sita.
Following a torchlight procession the effigies will be burned on Calton Hill. An event to which we are all invited.