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Find out what's been happening in and around our club... Canals of Central Scotland 24 August 2010 The present day attraction and appeal of appreciating, enjoying and sailing the long established, and now gloriorously restored canal systems of Central Scotland, has an enthusiastic ambassador in Past President Ann Mitchell. Ann gave graphic account of personal journeyings over many years on Scotland's Forth and Clyde, Union, and Crinan Canals. (For its own reasons, British Waterways, designate's Argyll's Crinan Canal as a Central Scotland waterway). Many will have seen and experienced the engineering marvel that is The Falkirk Wheel c.2002, where the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals interchange. Equally impressive is realisation of four years of toil by the original 'navigators' who hand dug the 37 miles of The Forth and Clyde that led to its opening in 1790. With its 39 locks, its earliest pre-steam train age 'commuters' between Edinburgh and Glasgow even had an overnight 'hoolit' (owl) or sleeper craft for what was then a 13 hour journey.
Ann's evident love and enjoyment of sailing these placid waters, as well as walking, and cycling their towpaths, whetted the appetite of several Club members to forsake hours slumped before a television set in preference for some voyages of discovery on the doorstep of millions in Central Scotland.
Past President Tony Payne thanked Ann for a splendid presentation. Young Leaders 17 August 2010 Scottish mountain top experiences, floods in Pakistan, leprosy in Tanzania, and a few thousand crocus bulbs to plant, made for a more than interesting mix at the weekly meeting.
Ascent of Cairngorm, mountain biking, white water rafting, outstanding speakers, team building and leadership skills were unforgettable and life forming experiences for two engaging teenagers. Rotary International's urgent response to floods in Pakistan prompted club members to fund despatch of water survival boxes; whilst Rotarian Alan Suttie's update on Rotary in support of lepers in the Arusha area of Tanzania begs generous response. The purchase and planting of the 'purple' crocus bulb scheme aiding the elimination of polio world wide will need several green fingers to plant several thousand bulbs now on order. In such varied, and at times, unexpected ways, does the good work of Rotary continue. A Tale of 2 Guns 10 August 2010 Former Bell Baxter pupil Donald Dallas is a leading sporting gun historian who lives and writes in Fife. Since boyhood he has had a great interest in sporting guns and the history of their development. Donald’s fascination with the place of sporting guns in the social and economic history of the times is reflected in his extensive and informed writings. His historical research into sporting gun families, technical developments, and contemporary periodicals makes him a leading authority in this field. A fascinating, personal, and exciting account of his 20 year, and ultimately successful search,for a rare and valuable ‘number two’ of a Boss 12 bore hammer gun pair made in 1877 for the then 2nd son of The Earl of Sandwich, held the rapt attention of every Rotary member at the weekly meeting. With Boss & Co the sporting gun’s maker equivalent to Rolls Royce in quality and prestige, gasps were heard when Donald Dallas explained that with a Boss sporting gun nowadays thirty months in the making – upwards of eighty thousand pounds could be the asking price. After a much deserved vote of thanks from Past President Bill Stewart, the nearest any club members will ever get to such gun ownership was brief close up inspection of a ‘right pair’ of Boss 1877’s; the pride and joy of their owner, Fife’s own sporting gun afficionado, Donald Dallas. If you would like further informationa about Donald and his guns please click the following link. Presidential Citation 03 August 2010
Past President Ann Mitchell was honoured to receive a Presidential Citation on behalf of the club. Presidential Citations are awarded by the President of Rotary International to Rotary Clubs who have strengthened Rotary through exemplory action and service. The Citation was presented to PP Ann by Past ADG Sandy Matthews. Blooming Railway Stations 27 July 2010 With no fewer than 347 railways stations in Scotland today, Scotrail is encouraging community groups and individuals to consider 'adopting a station'. Fife's own Aberdour Station has long been the iconic 'gardening' station, complete with two greenhouses; and now sponsored by the Rotary Club of Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay. John Yellowtrees is External Relations Manager with Scotrail, and spoke to the weekly meeting in hope that club members might consider 'adopting' Kirkcaldy Station by way of further railside 'greening'. In the very near future, Dalgety Bay Station will become the 100th Scottish railway station to be 'adopted' by yet another Rotary Club. Floral baskets, floral beds, art studios, community bookstalls, and even Dunblane's own railside 'ironing station' (where morning commuters can hand in garments to be 'de-creased' at the ironing station; ready for collection as they make their homeward evening commute)! Who knows, the man from Scotrail may have sown seeds at this week's Rotary meeting that results in something blooming good at Kirkcaldy Railway Station! Visit from the DG 20 July 2010 Annually, every one of the 88 Rotary Clubs from Shetland to the northern shores of The Firth of Forth will host a visit from its District Governor; and last Tuesday, the Kirkcaldy Club welcomed District Governor George Berstan to its weekly meeting. This year's rallying call for Rotary Clubs worldwide is 'Building Communities - Bridging Continents'.Locally, nationally, and internationally, Rotarians make no apology for engaging in all manner of 'good works' ; countering casual claims by some that too little good is done anywhere these days. One major project, pursued and funded down the years by Rotary International, is the campaign to eliminate polio worldwide which nears completion. George Berstan's kindly urging of Kirkcaldy Rotarians to go on 'doing good' was well received. Space - The Final Frontier 13 July 2010 President John welcomed 28 members to Tuesday's meeting. Rod Scott and Archie Campbell were the winners of the weekly raffle. From the floor David Muncey gave advance notice that, following the same purple theme as last year, the club was supporting the latest initiative to raise funds for End Polio Now by purchasing a large quantity of purple crocuses with a target planting date of 2 October. Archie Campbell requested volunteer drivers for a blind bowlers fixture on 19th August in Stonehaven. Lindsay Stewart announced that his son's fundraising autogyro trip across Africa was now under way and that progress could be tracked live on www. heli2africa.com or via a link from the Kirkcaldy Rotary Club website. Past President Alan Meiklejohn then shared his enthusiasm for astronomy with the club. His talk, entitled "Space - the Final Frontier" covered the history and development of knowledge and belief, and above all measurement, over the centuries. Measurements of shadows in Alexandria when there were none in Aswan led to calculations by Eratosthenes in the 3rd century BC that the earth was 7800 miles in diameter, a remarkably close figure to a modern calculation of 7950. Today's understanding of stellar spectra and brightness and satellite positioning outside the earth's atmosphere have enabled the number of stars whose distance from the earth has been measured to increase from about 60 at the end of the 1960s to about 130,000 today. President John thanked Alan for the clarity and interest of his presentation of a complicated subject. Next week the new District Governor would be attending and a good turnout was requested. Handover Day 06 July 2010 The first Tuesday of July is always significant in the life of the club. It marks the start of a new Rotary Year for the club since its beginnings in 1921.
For the past 55 years, well known former local businessman, Harold Forwell, has been a loyal member. On behalf of all club members, outgoing President Ann Mitchell conferred Harold with deserved Honorary Membership.
The club also welcomed Alex Mackie back into membership.
John warmed to the declared worldwide aim of Rotary International in the coming year to be 'Building Communities, Bridging Continents' A Presidents Year 28 June 2010 With Club President Ann Mitchell's very successful year of office almost at an end, members enjoyed and appreciated Ann's 'final word' on Club events during her year as the Club's very first lady president. A light hearted look back at another year in the Club had Ann illustrating and recalling high points during her year in office. Donations to local and national charities had exceeded fourteen thousand pounds; with a second cheque within a year for five hundred pounds sent just days ago in support of Auchtertool lass Louise McGill and her Eden Mozambique project. Club member Alan Suttie's ongoing and valued work in Tanzania was highlighted; as was the Club's provision of six Rotary shelter boxes sent to Haiti after it suffered a dreadful earthquake.
Kirkcaldy's ties with twin town Ingolstadt had been further strengthened when Club members and partners visited Bavaria; prior to hosting an outstanding June visit to Kirkcaldy by Rotarians and partners from Ingolstadt - and all in glorious sunshine.
Unheralded support continues among disadvantaged folk in the local community; and Ann made plain her view that it took the input of many in the Club to make Rotary so worthwhile.
However, the warm applause and generous comments from members as Ann ended her 'final word' made it quite clear that Ann's leadership, and invaluable support from her husband Harry had been magnificent.
Even with only days to go until Ann stands down as Club President, it was typical of her lively ways that as members took their leave, she was still rallying members to support Rotary's input to the Beveridge Park Festival this coming weekend! Eden Mozambique 22 June 2010 A young Auchtertool woman, Louise McGill, spoke to Club members about a year ago at the outset of her almost single handed venture to provide free of charge English lessons for all ages in a coastal region of Mozambique. A year ago, Louise had her project at the building stage. EDEN Mozambique is a not-for-profit organisation that works between Scotland and Mozambique. The primary aim of the organisation is to provide English lessons free of charge and without any restrictions on age or prior education. The secondary aims are to provide education on health, the environment and road safety.
 One year on, on furlough, this young graduate in zoology and marine conservation, reported on a learning centre now built, equipped, and opened in January of this year . English classes began in February with no fewer than 306 Portuguese speaking Mozambique people enrolled in one week to learn English. Their ages range from 5 years to 53 years, and Louise runs 18 classes weekly. (Acquiring English proves invaluable in that country’s fledgling tourist industry). Louise took rightful and humbling pride in teaching a man of 51 to write his own name for the first time in his life. Another grown adult expressed joy in a letter, in English, that such learning came free, and he praised Louise as a ‘knowledge supplier’.
Auchtertool’s own Robin Lockhart voiced the deep admiration of all present at the outstanding work Louise undertakes without fuss or drama. Further details of her project can be found at Eden Mozambique on Google or by clicking the following link. A Ball Can Change The World 15 June 2010 Louder than World Cup South African vuvuzealas was the ringing appeal to Rotarians to support The Homeless World Cup Foundation. The appeal came at the weekly meeting from from the Rev Iain White who is a retired Church of Scotland minister who trained as a football coach for the foundation - and found himself trainer of the Cameroons Homeless World Cup team! The Homeless World Cup Foundation is a charity set up to support the local grass roots football projects based around the highly successful annual, international football tournament.The Homeless World Cup has triggered grass roots football projects in over 70 nations working with over 40,000 players all year round. The Foundation exists to nurture and grow these projects with the ambition to reach one million players in 75 nations with the benefits of football. Iain Whyte's 'other world cup' involvement also took him to Zimbabwe to promote the game President Ann was pleased to accept a Banner and 10 Billion dollar note from the Rotary Club of Harare.
For further information about the Homeless World Cup click the following link. Kids Out 2010 11 June 2010 The annual Kids Out day at Craigtoun Country Park was a great success once again. Thanks are due to Ken Stahly and his team, The Interact Clubs of Kirkcaldy High School and Viewforth High School and The Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy Raith. Daring Do in Africa 08 June 2010 Club President Ann Mitchell opened the meeting by thanking Iain Gow and his team for organising a very entertaining and enjoyable weekend for our Guests from The Rotary Club of Ingolstadt. The Scottish themed Garden Party on Thursday evening being a particular favourite of the Germans. The club was then enthralled by part 2 of Rotarian Jack Dempsey’s tales of daring do in southern Africa. Jack told us of his canoe trip down the Zambezi river where Crocodiles and Hippos were a constant threat. His nights under canvass, where sleep was impossible, thanks to Zebra being chased through the camp by Hyenas and his eye ball to eye ball encounter with a Lioness. All agreed we were lucky to have Jack back in one piece. Rotarian Lindsay Stewart, a long time resident of Zimbabwe, gave the vote of thanks. Visitors from Ingolstadt 06 June 2010 The Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy were very pleased to host a delegation of Rotarians a The party of 22, led by RC Ingolstadt President Gunter Schweiger and his wife Margarethe, started their visit on Thursday 3 June with a Scottish themed Garden Party complete with Highland Dancers and a Dancing Piper. Our German guests were introduced to the delights of Haggis & Neeps and Cranachan before the evening finished with Highland dancing.
 On Friday Kirkcaldy Rotarians and their guests visited the Falkirk Wheel and Linlithgow Palace before a Gala Dinner at the Dean Park Hotel in the evening. President Ann Mitchell made a speech in English and German before Ingolstadt President Gunter Schweiger explained the strong links between Scotland and Ingolstadt in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.On Saturday the visitors were taken to various sites around Fife before the visit concluded with a Barbecue and Jazz evening.
 A very successful visit resulted in old friendships being renewed, new friendships being forged and an invitation to visit the Rotary Club of Ingolstadt in 2012.
To see further photos from the weekend visit our Gallery. or click the following link. A Life in Accountancy 18 May 2010
President Ann also reported on a very recent and successful visit by some club members and partners wheh they attended anniversary celebrations of twin club Ingolstadt. In early June, the club hosts a three day visit to Kirkcaldy by Ingolstadt Rotarians and their partners.
On the home front, club member Keith O'Donnell, gave his vocational talk. Keith's intruig
 ing resume of a career in accountancy now finds him head of revenue and exchequer services with Fife Council - all a far cry for a Dunbar lad who once had boyhood dreams of starring on many a football pitch. An intention to study chemistry at Edinburgh University led to a course switch after one year into business studies. Work experience in the accountancy field found Keith in London with the Inland Revenue, then time at Berwick upon Tweed before an Aberdeenshire appointment with the former Grampian Council.Arriving in Fife twenty two years ago, Keith now holds down a key office whose remit impacts upon almost every person in Fife. From Council Tax to Benefits Processing and all manner of fiscal matters in between; and overseeing a current intention of six Scottish Councils sharing a common payroll system - all such finds Keith O'Donnell 'up for the job' as made evident by his able handling of his brief.
Club member Ian Birrell proposed a deserved vote of thanks. District 1010 Assembly 08 May 2010 Past President David Muncey and Rotarian Rod Scott attended this year's District 1010 Assembly at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. As well as hearing about future plans from District Gosvenor Elect George Berstan and the progress made in Thanks for Life from Past District Gosvenor John Minhinick delegates enjoyed presentations from Ambassadorial Scholar Lungile Zakwe from South Africa and Elaine Chambers of Childline Scotland. Some of the presentations given at the Assembly can been seem by visiting our District Assembly page in the Gallery section of the site. |
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Young Ryan Adam and Sarah Lee Laughlin gave graphic account of their thrilling and oftime hair- raising experiences as summer attendees at Rotary's Youth Leadership Award adventure weeks at Nethybridge.
Thereafter John Ferris was installed a Club President for the incoming year. In turn, John thanked Ann Mitchell for her outstanding year as President, prior to Iain Taylor's appointment as Senior Vice President. Other changes rung in find Rod Scott as Club Secretary in succession to Ron McGill, whose six years as Club Secretary were of the highest order. Keith O'Donnell now holds the club pursestrings as treasurer; and new President John Ferris mapped out his hopes and intentions for the year ahead.
amongst homeless Harare youngsters. Amazingly, two Rotarians from Zimbabwe's Harare Club were among many welcome guests at the weekly meeting! AIan Whyte's most apt, appealing and colourful promotion of football for many of the world's homeless where idols like Eric Cantona offer free coaching - all such merited a rousing vote of thanks from Past President Rev Bryan Tomlinson.
nd their families from our partner club The Rotary Club of Ingolstadt.
Club President Ann Mitchell took pleasure by inducting Dr Kranti Hiremah into membership of Rotary International at the weekly meeting. Dr Hiremath is Forensic Physician to Fife Constabulary.