Letter from President John
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
I am pleased to undertake the role of Club President for the year 2007/2008. It is a privilege to be able to serve the Club and I will do this to the best of my ability.
At the Club Assembly I thanked Amanda on behalf of the Club for undertaking the role of President for over the past fourteen months. Amanda took over as President at a difficult time and did the job well. Thank you again Amanda.
In my presentation at the Club Assembly I referred to this year’s Rotary slogan “ Rotary Shares”. We collectively have a lot to share. We have a wealth of talent and skills to share for the benefit of others. We can enjoy fellowship as we share our time and talents through participation in service and fund raising projects and social events.
I look forward to meeting the challenges and opportunities that a new Rotary Year brings serving with the new Council, Office Bearers and Club Members. My aim as President is to maintain our successful Rotary Club as a Club which is responsive to need in the communities we serve, considerate to the wider family of Rotary and enjoyable to be a member of.
Kind Regards,
John
President
Editorial
The June edition of Chatters is a little later than normal as a number of events took place late in June. You might be relieved to know that there was no Fife Walk...but just wait, next month it will be back!!
Also the format has changed to accommodate a wide range of screen sizes and browsers, depending on the age of your computer. Please report any problems by clicking here...
Chernobyl Children Lifeline:
Outing to Blair Drummond Safari Park
The Pride of Blair Drummond.
The weather was kind until just before we left Blair Drummond so even this Scottish summer didn't spoil it for the childen. The excitement in their faces was our reward. Most of them hadn't seen any of the animals on show before. Rhinocerous, giraffe, zebra and lion, they knew the names but this was their first sighting. The lions even obliged with the famous Blair Drummond roar.
The attractions proved popular, the long slide in particular. The kids loved it. Under pressure from the children, Jana, their chaperon and interpreter, gave it a try but with less obvious enthousiasm. But it did work up an appetite for the barbecue.
The long slide.
WOW!!!
Jana, the childrens' leader and interpreter is not so sure!
Sea-lions
The sea-lion show was also a hit. The children were mesmerised as were the adults by the responsiveness of the sea-lions. They obeyed every command! How do they get them to do what they do?
Iain dodging the smoke.
The barbecue, under a lean-to shelter, was buffeted by the wind sending the smoke in all directions. Iain, with masterly expertise, danced around the smoke and produced enough hamburgers and sausages to more than satisfy our, by now, hungry guests. Irene and Janet had the burger buns prepared; Graham supervised the distribution and the kids tucked in.
....more smoke...
Graham inundated...
Can't beat a burger ... !!!
After the barbecue, the children presented President John with a traditional Matryoshka doll as a token of appreciation. They had a great day out and will no doubt take back home good memories of their time in Scotland, including the Blair Drummond Safari experience.
For us too it was an enjoyable day. The kids were a pleasure to entertain. Bright, questioning and very well behaved, they were great ambassadors for their country, Belarus
A fine Matryoshka Doll!
Click here to zoom in
The Group Photo
The Royal Highland Show
One and a half hours gone ... and still only 200 metres from the entrance!
Douglas and John seemed to know everyone! Still there were big advantages. A coffee here; a dram there; something to eat and lots of friendy chat. We even managed to complete a whisky tasting competition within the first hour!
The first of the many conversations was with Louise; still working with the Scottish Youth Hostel Association. Louise tells us that she will be moving back to the Perth area soon. Who knows, she may rejoin Rotary. Certainly if Douglas can persuade her!
I hear what you're saying Douglas...but...
The Show seemed bigger this year with more of the general public attending. Could it be that the value of farming is being recognised again? --- Are people realising that it doesn't all just come from T**co. Do they want to know more and to find out that there's a whole, hi-tech, industry out there, which needs home support? Let's hope so!
THIS is a tractor, Harry!!
The size of the tractors was a good illustration of the hi-tech, all with standard features and all compatible with a wide range of equipment from different suppliers. Colin couldn't resist a photo-call on one of the smaller ones.
However, the animals were the highlight; no sophisticated engineering here; just plain old fashioned husbandry. Fussing owners brushed, polished and coiffed their charges to perfection; and it showed. The result, gleaming coats and spotlessly clean animals, you could still smell them though!!
An immaculate Mum and Calf...
Last year Ian B. admired the Belgian Blues ...
... this year it was Colin's turn. He prefers blondes!
Douglas wasn't too sure about the horse ...
... or the message!!!
On to the German Pub! Good Munich beer and a "Bradwürst" were on order, although the "Weissbier", ordered by mistake, was not appreciated by all ! (Ed: It is an acquired taste, but well worth a try! Weissbier has a spicy, musty, but refreshing flavour. If you don't believe me readthis....}
Called to the Bar ...
The pub was next to the Forestry Commission demonstration area....all sorts of displays on show, from pole climbing at high speed to wood carving using chain saws. There was even an axe throwing competitions.... but after a few pints it didn't seem advisable!
And so the day went on. We left finally at around 10pm, after many more encounters with friends of Douglas and John, having thoroughly enjoyed another good show and another good day out.
News Items
July 1st, Stop Press: The Race for Life
Janice and Eva, looking confident!
In pouring rain , Eva and Janice bravely ran the 5km course around the North Inch. Our Club also participated by providing some of the Race Marshalls, who ensured a smooth run in spite of the wet and slippery conditions. The expectation was that some £150,000 would be raised for Cancer Research UK.
...after 1 km.
Mind the dog, Eva!
Close to the Finish!
The Marshalls.
June 26th: The Presidential handover.
The pictures say it all. It was a light-hearted occasion with the right note of solemnity. Ex-President Amanda said all the right things as did our new President John. The presence of many visitors, notably the group of Rotarians from the Perth Club added to the occcasion.
Hello-Goodbye!
"Ode to Past-President Amanda"
Harry's inauguration as SVP
June 19th: Presentation of cheques
Lending a hand...
Presentation of cheques and featuring Harry with the Tractor.
At a brief photo-call, cheques were presented to The Scottish Motor Neuron Disease Association, the Scottish Association for Mental Health, and Sport's Aid for Karina Whitaker in support of her table tennis aspirations. The tractor, which was purchased at the auction during the President's Dinner was also donated to the Salvation Army.
The Tenacious
It also was the occasion for us to learn something about the Jubilee Sailing Trust. Garry Beck gave a very interesting presentation about the Trust and the opportunities that it offered to disabled and able bodied sailors. The Trust sails two classic square riggers, the Tenacious and the Lord Nelson. Long and short distances passages can be booked on either for a reasonable fee, but it does require some hard work and a good pair of sea legs! For more details click here
June 12th: Business meeting:
For Convenors reports - click here
June 5th: Dementia
It's tempting to make a joke of it but it's a real problem as the population gets older on average. Dot discussed the risk factors, the early symptoms and the steps that can be taken to alleviate these. Not too much unfortunately, except maintain a healthy lifestyle!
More information can be found by clicking here.
Convenors Reports
Only one report this month due to the holiday season and the changing of Convenorships....??
Community Service
Some keys points from Colin.
In the past year the Community Service Committee has donated:
- £500 to the Young Carers in support of their Fun Day and Super Star Challenge
- £500 to "Hopscotch", a local group associated with Barnardo's, to assist wih their Volunteer Befrienders Programme.
- £500 to "Mums in Mind", which will be augmented by a further £1000 from P-K Rotary.
- £250 to sponsor the Chernobyl children's trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park.
- £200 to Eva Smart as sponsorship for her "Run for Life" in aid of Cancer Research.
In total this year, £2,950 has been donated to local charities.