The Rotary Club of Edinburgh

Bulletin 2199 - 6th March 2008

Last Meeting Thur 28th February

President Robin Wilson and VP Sandra Watson greeted members most sociably as they waited for the Lord Provost in the Hotel Lobby. After welcoming our new member, the Lord Provost, Robin chose these words from a unknown Edinburgh bard to start the meeting.

Amang Auld Reekie’s merry ploys
There’s never seen such daffin
Sic heezin, hamely, heart joys
Sic lots o’ lightsome laughin.
Wives with their men
Weans wi’ their toys
A’ loupin, rompin, quaffin,
While squeakin’, speakin’ souls rejoice
Right busy giffin’, gaffin.

Robin followed this with a grace for the City of Edinburgh and its citizens. The chefs had been too long at the butchers and our chickens were late in arriving. After chickens President Robin called for the loyal toast and then congratulated our Quiz Team on their recent early morning victory over the Edinburgh Breakfast Club by 21-19.

Secretary’s Business.

Bill Barr announced there were present 66 Rotarians and 1 guest. Bill reminded members of the 1020 Musician of the Year Competition which would cost £5 and of the District 1020 Conference - Contact David Thomson. Our speaker next week will be our own member Hugh Young on “The humorous side of merchant banking” with the vote of thanks by Melinda Wallace. Next Bill again promoted the Club’s Fund Raising Ceilidh in the Edinburgh Academy Dining Room on Saturday 10th May being organised by Rajiv Naik and Fergus Gillies, whose committee was meeting after today’s lunch - so more news next week. Bill explained the attendance statistics were in named envelopes in the Sutherland Room.

New Business.

We have received a request from a District in Louisiana, USA for an exchange position for a 15 / 16 year old girl during the month of July. Any member in the club willing to participate in arranging this exchange should contact Martin Hainey (address removed) as soon as possible. We have also received a request to help during September 2008 with the hosting of an incoming Group Study Exchange team of four women from Colombia, ages between 24-36, all with fluent English. Candidates for the outgoing team to Colombia in spring 2009 are also being sought. Further details from Bill or Archie Bell. President Robin dispensed with some business in order to do justice to our speaker. He then went on to introduce our

Guest Speaker, The Rt. Hon George Grubb, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh.

Robin gave a brief introduction mentioning George’s school years at James Gillespies and the Royal High School, where he still retained the quarter mile record, although going metric prevented anyone else matching his time. After being minister in Stoke-on-Trent and for many years in Craigsbank, he became a Councillor and finally Lord Provost on 17 May 2007. George explained he had already been installed as a Rotarian in South Queensferry, but thanked our club for the honour we did him and for the great welcome he had been given. He praised Rotary for their international and local vision which was enviable. As Edinburgh’s first citizen he recalled his first tattoo, where there were no stands and he watched from the top of the Outlook Tower, and his first Festival peforming in St. Giles with Tom Fleming. After eight years on the Council, he would reject the common plea that the Council never listened. Rather he spoke proudly of the vibrant and cosmopolitan city that sought partnership, with the university, with business and with voluntary organisations. He spoke of the changes he had seen in South Queensferry where main street shops had been all but empty but now there was only one shop to let. Edinburgh was the greatest financial city in the UK after London. Edinburgh had changed but remains changeless. It was a privilege to be its Lord Provost and to represent a city rich in cultural diversity and with its own quiet confidence that was worthily entitled the Athens of the North with its seven hills, its Castle and Princes Street. Edinburgh had its own character and many great characters among its people and now with its hosting of the Scottish Parliament. He laughingly recalled being greeted by an MSP at its opening, who mystifyingly claimed he had worked with him so often in the past, only to confess he had officated as an undertaker, at many of his church funerals. He was pleased to appreciate all that Rotary International did for the world and to express his pleasure at our allowing him to talk passionately about Auld Reekie.

Graeme Forbes:- Vote of thanks.

Graeme praised George Grubb for all that he was doing for the City and for his remarks to his fellow-Rotarians. His travel through his times as a citizen, a councillor and now Lord Provost had been most interesting and he was indeed a great and worthy ambassador for our City. Our Club members enthusiastically assented to these comments with a fitting round of applause. President Robin thanked Graeme, and in recognition of the Corstorphine, South Queensferry and Edinburgh Breakfast Rotary Clubs that had been mentioned gave a final toast to all the Rotary Clubs of Edinburgh. Alas President Robin failed in his target finishing time as we concluded four minutes early!

Arts Committee - Theatre Outing - The 39 Steps.

Visit to the Kings Theatre Thursday 20th March. £16. Contact John Havard or Alex Currie. But beware. Today’s local Newspaper threatens theatre goers in the Gods of the Kings with falling asleep.

Conference Booking. New booking arrangements for the Inverness Conference.

Contact David Thomson. Bill says some bookings have already been made to our hotel.

Fund Raising Ceilidh.

Academy Hall with dancing, singing, recitations and a country dance band. Volunteers for programme to Rajiv Naik and Fergus Gillies.

Membership attendance statistics.

Forbes Ridland reported at Council on lunchtime attendances and makeups. Completed performance figures have been circulated to all members at lunch. Please collect this week to save postages. Thanks Forbes for your researches and encouragements. We shall study the results with interest.

Annual Report.

Contributions are required to be with the Secretary by the 4th of April so that the Report can be completed and printed in good time - Contact Bill Barr.

Young Musician of the Year Grand Final 2008

Bulletin Plea.

Your editor continually seeks contributions to the Bulletin from our members, particularly about our Golf, Curling, Bridge and Quiz Sections. Enjoy your fellowship in these contests!