Kinnoull Chatters

News from the Rotary Club of Perth Kinnoull

PRESIDENT'S CHAT

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I became president of Perth Kinnoull Rotary Club but I had an idea that the programme would be full and diverse, and yes it is proving to be so, just like the weather, not knowing what’s round the corner. We had a great time with our visitors from America enjoying some traditional Scottish fun, some members took a party from Kincarrathie house to St Andrews, young carers activity day, and some of you enjoyed and evening at the races, just to mention a few events.

I was at a photo call with fellow Rotary President’s for help in providing funding for the sports kit for our own mini Olympics and we wish our team well. Fifty-eight people are in the team travelling to Aschaffenburg and I believe they will remember ‘their games’ for a long time. The Olympics in Beijing will be about winning medals. Did you know that the oldest medal winner was over seventy years of age and the youngest was just ten? But the true essence of the Olympics is about taking part. Some time ago an athlete from my hometown was racing in the final of his event and coming into the last lap he went to the front of the race. At the time the commentator questioned his strategy and as the race finished he wasn’t in the medals. When he was asked after the race why he did what he did he said, “ I knew I wasn’t going to win the race I just wanted my mum to see me on the telly”.

Andy Warhol said that we all have our, “fifteen minutes of fame”, but in our Rotary work, I believe that the work we do will last a lot longer than fifteen minutes. I believe that the work we do will have a lifetime effect for those who we influence and help. You don’t have to train hard to become a Rotarian, be the best at your discipline; you just need to be someone with a heart to serve those around you who need your help. I don’t know who is the oldest or youngest Rotarian or if you have been ‘on the telly’ but the importance of Rotary is doing your part and in doing so I believe that your life is being changed as you provide the service that you do.

Yours in Rotary,
 
Harry

Editorial

Just a note of thanks from me this month. Thanks to all who have commented and contributed to the web pages and to Chatters. Most reports are positive so I'll carry on as planned - unless otherwise instructed !!

Gordon W.

Features

Fife Coastal Walk - Part 10, Boarhills to Guardbridge

Well, it's back! The long march! After a remission of some nine months, a further eight and a half miles were added to the total. This time from Boarhills through St Andrews and on to the start of the Eden estuary at Guardbridge and what a day! Warm, humid but invigorating, the miles passed effortlessly -- well perhaps that's a bit of exaggeration.

At Boarhills the cabbage planting season had begun. Almost completely automated, three girls were sitting behind a driverless tractor, placing young plants onto a conveyor wheel arrangement, which rotated to plant each cabbage in neat, evenly spaced rows. Behind the tractor and the girls was a quality control guy who filled in any gaps in the rows. Very few though! There were three tractors in the field working in parallel, so planting is not the back breaking long hours of work that it used to be!
After the open farmland of Boarhills the going gets rougher; beautiful, unspoilt coastline, which was impassable at high tide. Steep climbs and narrow, rough paths tested us but the effort was worth it. Beautiful rock formations (some of which beggared belief), abundant wild life and a feeling of having seen parts of Fife that only a few venture into. The descent into St Andrews was a dawdle. with time to admire the view of the town and its high towers and church spires, - remnants of its mediaeval past.  Through St Andrews onto Market Street and a much needed ice-cream at Jinetta's. Past the Old Course, the route goes along the cycle track bordering the main road. Not too exciting but still with things to see across the Eden Estuary towards Leuchars where Tornado fighter- bomber pilots were carrying out training - very impressive to see the aircraft take off in formation. We finally arrived at our destination some four hours after starting. A welcome pint in the Guardbrige Inn signalled the end of yet another successful walk. We have now completed 65 miles.

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2008 Rotary Golf Exchange.

from George Delgaty

Frank and George have now said their good-byes to their American visitors. George and Ann hosted Jim and Melinda Meighen from Bradfordwoods, his Rotary Club being Rich-Mar.  Frank and Anne hosted David and Sandy Copper from Volant, his Rotary Club being New Castle.
 
We all had a great time, in good company and also strengthed our relationships with fellow Rotarians in District 1010, who were also hosting. Ann and I were in the Central Group who hosted from Saturday 12th July until the handover on Thursday morning 17th July at Aberdeen.

We met the Americans at Edinburgh Airport, but unfortunately not their luggage which included the ever important golf clubs.  These were still in Paris having come off their flight from Atlanta but not making it onto the Edinburgh flight. All the luggage eventually turned up on the Sunday evening, when we all enjoyed a superb barbeque hosted by Keith and Mary Hopkins from the Kirriemuir Rotary Club.
 
Saturday evening was spent in the company of Pitlochry Rotarians Ian Rattray and his wife Liz and Jim and Margaret Wilson at the Rattray's house at Killiecrankie.
Sunday lunch was arranged for all the group at Murrayshall before "Walking the Old Course" at St. Andrews, which you are allowed to do, as no play is allowed over the Old Course on Sundays.
 
Monday was our first day of golf up at Pitlochry, whilst the ladies visited the Chocolate Experience at Grandtully before heading for the shops at Pitlochry. We all met up in the evening at the Atholl Palace Hotel for a lovely meal.

Tuesday was the Big Day for me and the Rotary Club of Perth Kinnoull.  President Harry and Mike Graham joined Frank and I for the golf over Murrayshall. Before this I managed to take my American visitor, Jim Meighen to the Black Watch museum, where Major Ronnie Proctor, a Kirriemuir Rotarian gave him a quick guided tour, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  The ladies visited Scone Palace where they had a private guided tour before lunch and then on to Branklyn Gardens in the afternoon.
 
The evening, as you will see from the photographs was a great night at the Royal George, a lovely meal - thanks to Eddie and Lorna, was followed by superb entertainment by the Perth Strathspey and Reel Society when the Americans were introduced to many of our Scottish dances. After that the Americans "did their bit" which included a visit from Elvis in a nappy.  This was a first for the Club and all who were there, enjoyed a superb night of fun and fellowship. Thanks to all Perth Kinnoull Rotarians who assisted with the arrangements.
 
Our last full day was spent up at Montrose, golfing over the windy Links. The ladies went to the Montrose nature reserve and then saw the process for the Arbroath Smokies. We all met for a putting competition at Montrose, before heading up to Montrose Rotarian Alan and Mary Cunningham's place at St. Cyrus for a barbeque which saw us all having a game of croquet, which seemed to have no rules.
 
Frank and Anne, I am sure had as equally a good time with the Yanks as ourselves. Frank and I were both selected to play in the final Shield Match at Dunfermline Golf Club, Pitfitfirrane which fiinshed 3-3, therefore the Americans retained the Shield. A super final dinner was held at the Keavil House Hotel in Dunfermline where not one but two Elvis's made their debut. It appears the American Elvis has a Scottish cousin "McElvis".  Anyway they were both a hoot.
 
As you can tell from my short? report, hosting this group was a pleasure and if you host twice then you will be on the plane over the pond to enjoy the best of Western Pennsylvanian Rotary hospitality and oh, of course, the Golf !

News Items

July 17th: Kincarrathie Residents visit to St Andrews

The day trip for the residents of Kincarrathie House was deemed a great success by our guests, most of whom were well into their 80s or even 90s. Starting off at 12-30pm we arrived at St Andrews around 2-00pm. Bob Riddell in good form entertained those who could hear him over the background noise with a range of folk music, Scottish and further afield. Helping our charges off the bus was the main problem, but fortunately the bus had a lift. Once off, the trip along the West Sands went smoothly. Some walking and some in wheelchairs but all in good spirit. After about an hour we returned to the bus for a short ride to the St Michael's Inn for a splendid High Tea during which a birthday cake and candles featured.

July 22nd: Perth postal history - Dr James Grant

Accompagnied by an extensive dispay of letters and postcards dating from the mid-1600s to the present day, Dr Grant gave us a very interesting talk on the history of the Perth postal system with all its intrigues and early rivalries to the present day diversification. His collection was greatly admired with some very rare items on display, including some of the first "penny blacks" to be issued.

July 29th: A Night at the races

From George Delgaty

Prior to the racing starting some of the "Rotary Punters" enjoyed an al fresco picnic in the lovely setting at Scone Racecourse car park next to the main entrance, so much so, that the programme organiser missed the rendez-vous time of 5.30pm, which was going to be where else, but in the main upstairs grandstand bar. However we all met up eventually and proceeded over the next couple of hours to line the bookies' pockets with some of the folding paper or coins of the realm. The exception, however was the Hine team who had just finished their day job, but must have had an "insight" as to what the best winners were going to be. Those that remained after the racing had finished enjoyed a trip down memory lane with "The Drifters" who I think said they were on their "fifty something" year's tour. Maybe they can remember what it was like at "Saturday Night at the Movies" in the days before we had multiplex cinemas! The Rotarians enjoyed a bit of Harmony singing (?) to another Drifters hit " Under the Boardwalk". We are not about to give up the day jobs to become the Scottish Drifters, as just after loosening our vocal chords the heavens opened and that signaled the end of another Rotary night, but one with a difference.

Aug 5th: "Douglas's Other Job"

Douglas Barr gave us a very interesting resumé of his retirement job as a Shooting Instructor. Douglas, who is one of only nine BASC registered instructors in Scotland entertained us with the details of how to shoot and what to expect in the way of licensing for those who decide to take it up as a hobby. 

Convenors Reports

Nothing this month. It's summer I guess !

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Thanks to Tord Elfwendahl of Stockholm Strand Rotary Club in Sweden for his Rotary graphic images used on this web site.