The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2186 - 22nd November 2007
Last Week’s Meeting Thur 15th November 2007
President Robin Wilson took the chair and spoke about the new Dunedin School for vulnerable children , now moved from the Miller Hall to the Herralds’ old house. He commended this charity to the JCF, as it still had debts over its purchase. He then shared verses from his friend Derek Bolton on using time in our great city.
Secretary’s Announcements.
Bill Barr was able to rectify last week’s omission, when we had 60 Members, 4 Visitors and 5 Guests, a total of 69 and this week when we had 61 members, 2 guests and 5 visitors a total of 68. Next week’s meeting would be in the Highland Suite which was good news as the smaller tables this week took up a great deal of room. There was to be a change in Speaker and our own Alex Wilkie would be standing in for Mike Gibson, the Vote of Thanks by Colin Mackay. Bill announced there was an opportunity to join with District 1010 on a Friendship Exchange to New South Wales in Australia from 27 March to 13 April 2008. Open to Rotarians with or without partners. Contact Bill Barr. Bill reminded members of the arrangements for the Festive Lunch and asked members to see Stewart Kinsman after the meal to purchase tickets and choose tables.
Members’ Business.
Forbes Ridland was, for such a gentleman, mildly cross that he had personally folded seventy-five Eton type master’s chits about the New Members Event to be held on Monday 19th November in the Royal Over-seas League. So far he had no takers and commended the urgency of this event with two other clubs. Alan Hately advised members of the great success of the Golf Club Dinner and made it known that Fergus Gillies had displayed photographs on the table and would take orders for them. Alan also promoted the activities of the New Horizon Club, which, as always, was seeking for drivers. He announced that Fiona Brown was running a Country and Western Evening for the New Horizon Club in the New Trinity Centre on 28th November. This would include line-dancing and members were asked to contact Fiona or Alan if they wish to support this social event.
President’s Business.
Visiting Rotarian. Robin welcomed Ellen Tillotson of the Torlington, Connecticut Club and presented CD and miniature of Scottish Water. Robin continued by thanking George and Maureen Reid for their hospitatality for our special guest Dr Moe Moe from Burma, whom we had hosted at the request of Sydney Rotary Club. She spoke touchingly of her great welcome to Edinburgh and looked both relaxed and beautiful, despite travelling across the world for her plastic surgery examinations.
Vice-President’s Business.
Tim Simpson made appeals for Collectors at our Joint Street Collection on Saturday 15 December [see column 3] and also sought members to join him on a visit to the Currie and Balerno Club on Wednesday 21st November . He suggested those going should meet at his office at 5.15pm and travel together by car.
Speaker: Dr Margie Taylor.
Robin then introduced the former Chief Dental Officer for Scotland. He suggested that rather than queue up after lunch for consultations, members just go private ! Margie had chosen as her subject the Oral Health of Scotland’s Children , for what happens to a child stays for the rest of its life. She illustrated her talk with some gory and dramatic pictures of the inside of children’s mouths, causing her to reach for calming spa water and members to hide the chocolates they were about to enjoy. Dental decay is the most common disease and shows up in every age-group from young children to older people in care homes, such as the lady she saw tearing into her bacon roll with no teeth at all. Sadly it is all too apparent in children in the more deprived areas of Scotland. We smiled at her recounting the child who had two front teeth extracted, and whose mother was delighted that she would look just like she did! Margie went into the details of the stages in the day when children snacked and ate sweet things at every opportunity. Tooth brushing does not stop decay, but regular supervision, fluoride toothpaste and cutting down on sweet things does. She highlighted the good work being done by many Dental Health Support Workers and the efforts of the caring professions to get the diet right, and of dentists to create welcoming surgeries for all children.
Vote of Thanks.
Robin then called on Niall Finlayson to give the vote of thanks. This was done by Niall remembering his abandoning dentists as a child because there were no local anaesthetics, but returning with more knowledge and understanding later in life. What can be done to contain the problem, when so many confess they love sugar as one of God’s gifts? Everything in moderation is the answer. Niall asked for colleagues to join in thanking Margie for her talk.
The 2nd Scottish Rotary National Grayling Fishing Competition.
This event is being hosted by the Jedburgh Rotary Club on the 1st December 2007 on the River Teviot. If you wish to take part, forms along with further details can still be had from George Holmes.
The Arts Committee
Tickets are available for two concerts by St Mary’s Music School on 27th November in Glasgow and on 17th December at Palmerston Place Church. See John or Melinda if you want to know more. Remember of course that we are presenting a gift to the St Mary’s Music School at our Festive Lunch.
Street Collection Sat 15 December.
The Street Collection will be a joint affair with St Columba’s Hospice and we need volunteers in three one and a half hour shifts on Princes Street between 11am and 3.30pm. Names of Rotarians or Helpers’ names to Tim Simpson or Heather Shanks or Forbes Ridland as soon as possible. St Columba’s will also be providing collectors.
Club Policy.
Council wishes to emphasise that Stewart Kinsman, as our Club House and Entertainment Convener should be informed of any complaints about the hotel and that members do not approach staff direct. This will help us to foster positive relations with the hotel.