DG's Visits Week 18

Week 18 saw a somewhat weary DG, after far too many hours on a train the previous afternoon and evening, heading south and east to,the links of Kingsbarns, to participate in the wonderful National Golf Competition run by the Rotary Club of St. Andrews Kilrymont. As the North of Scotland(aka District 1010) were the current holders of the trophy, which is so like the Claret Jug of the Open Championship that you would be hard pushed to tell them apart, I was in no doubt that I had to be there to help to defend the trophy against the combined assault of the South of Scotland and England. To say that the previous day was the worst possible preparation to play the game of golf, would be the understatement of the year, with the first two holes seeing no contribution from me to the points tally, but our pairing ably held together by the superb golf of past AG Jim Young. Thereafter, things did improve, with a wonderfully competitive match developing against our opponent pairing of Geordies, both of whom were superb golfers. The pendulum swung both ways, with our pairing triumphing on the final hole. The round was hard fought but absolutely enlivened by the superb company and repartee. My jaded spirits were totally restored by the time we returned to the Clubhouse. It was my pleasure to present the prizes which I thoroughly enjoyed, including one where my initial bemusement over Brain Gray's statement that I could not present this particular prize, turned to enlightenment when he said I could not present a prize to myself. The prize in question was the use of a Honda sports car for a week end, for the drive closest to the flag on the fearsome 15th hole. After looking at one stage as if it might cost me a fortune by the ball going into the hole, it remained close enough to the pin to defy any attempts at getting closer. The day was quite superb, with chief organiser Brain Gray yet again waving his magic wand to ensure perfect weather, in total contrast to the days before and after. The event is superbly organised, from the bacon rolls first thing, to the black bun and whisky to restore momentum half way round and the excellent high tea. The competition is enlivened by various tests of one's golfing mettle for accuracy and distance, all set against the magnificent background of one of the finest but hardest links courses in Britain. In addition to what was an excellent day of fun and first class fellowship, the day raised an impressive amount of money for various charities, including one of my own favourites, WaterAid, for which I took away a greatly appreciated cheque for £1000. For this, and indeed for another first class occasion, my thanks and congratulations go to President Grace, organiser Brian and all his team, and indeed all the St. Andrews Kilrymont Rotarians. As to the result of the contest, various individuals returned staggeringly high Stableford points scores which will surely have them closely scrutinised by the Handicaps Committee next year but saw them collect various trophies, and the team trophy returned again to the north of Scotland, so ably captained by Jim Young who led by example from start to finish. Here's to next year.

DG's Visits Week 18

Tuesday afternoon, and it is raining heavily. Surprise, surprise. Our now familiar road north on the A90, takes us on this occasion to the Rotary Club of Portlethen and District and the warm welcome of President John and his Rotarians. This was visit no. 80 out of the 87 planned so far for the current Rotay year. We enjoyed an excellent evening in the convivial surroundings of the Newton Arms, where I heard much about the Club's many activities. They are really on board with all the targets set for the current Rotary year, and I particularly appreciate their support over a range of activities for young people both at home, including RYLA, and abroad, in helping the Ugandan orphans of the Bubaare and Muko schools. Their awareness of the need for good PR to extol the activities of Rotary and attract always needed funds for various good causes, is absolutely on the ball, as is their awareness that 1 + 1 can often make 3 in terms of the success of some activities such as the Thanks for Life project where it can be of value for several Clubs to combine resources. The Club is a very important part of its local community which I rate as very important, notwithstanding the many deserving causes internationally. Yet another Club to provide help for the much needed and highly valued Shelterboxes, I commend their successes, admire their energy for one of our smaller Clubs and wish them continuing success in the future.

DG's Visits Week 17

The Friday morning saw an early start to travel south to York for the District 1020 Conference.All three Scottish Governors work closely together and it has been a great pleasure to support each other's Conferences. The week-end began with a superb evening's music from a group called Scocha which I had not heard previously. I wish I had even a tenth of the performers' energy, as they went through a wonderful repertoire of both very upbeat songs which stirred the spirits and certainly had everyone's feet tapping, and sad songs which tugged the emotional heart strings. The Conference programme was a similar mixture of very upbeat activities going on round the world, and those where you could not be anything other than sad and hope that better times and help would come to those whose lives are so impoverished. The Saturday evening dance was held in the York Railway museum where happy revellers sat in close proximity to the austere magnificence of the carriages of various Royal Trains over the years. Sunday started with a service which was multi-denominational in everything but name, went on to the pearls of wisdom of Sir Tom Farmer and ended with the droll, laid back humour of Robbie Glenn, retired prison governor. The week-end had an excellent blend, well chaired by Governor Alastair Davies, ably supported by his wife Kirsteen. Where would Governors be without their partners..

DG's Visits Week 17

Thursday evening(23 October) took Daphne and I to Forfar to the very pleasant occasion of the induction of Rotarian David Logan, now the Rev David Logan, as minister of St. Margaret's Church on the High Street. A former police officer, there is no doubt that David will bring the same dedication to his new profession, and I count the congregation as fortunate in having such a hard working and committed incumbent. The occasion was amazingly well supported, not just by the church's own congregation, but by many others from local churches and from other walks of life. The singing was quite superb and I hope that David felt that it was a very fitting beginning to his new ministry.

DG's Visits Week 17

After Stonehaven, it was time to head north to visit the Banchory-Ternan Club on Deeside. My thoughts that the rain could not get any worse were totally misplaced. Windscreen wipers struggled to cope and a more appropriate form of transport might have been a WW2 amphibious landing craft, as large volumes of water swept down the roads. The sanctuary of the Burnett Arms was welcome indeed, as was the warm welcome in every sense of the Banchory Rotarians. This is another Club with a wide range of projects which they support, and a special interest in young people, both overseas and at home. Their support for Shelterbox is so welcome at this time when all existing resources have already been used. The Club has embraced the concept of 'forward planning' with a vengeance, taking a long hard look at what might follow on, once polio has been consigned to the footnotes of history. Top of their list is malaria, another appalling affliction of Mankind which can and does kill millions. It has no respect for health or wealth, as many have found to their cost in the past. However, protection can be provided at relatively low costs. As always, this, allied with education, will be essential to success. There is a prospective world-wide Rotary project here. Certainly, within District 1010, I believe that a number of Clubs working together will achieve far greater success and leverage, than any Club working on its own. I wish President Jim and his fellow Rotarians every success in taking their proposals forward to a much wider audience. The return drive home was an experience, but not one to be readily sought out or repeated. The possibility of the short route over Cairn o' Mount was rapidly dismissed on reports of roads washed away by flooding, and even the well tried Slug Road had assumed all the characteristics of a water slalom course. The tendency to aquaplane under these condition was happily easily overcome by the excellent elctronic control systems built into the car. However, our own front door was a very welcome sight.

DG's Visits Week 17

Could I be forgiven about getting paranoid over the state of the weather this year? Yet again, another week of visits, etc has been accompanied by exceedingly heavy falls of rain. Conditions while driving up to Stonehaven were not memorable and it was a relief to get ourselves and equipment safely into the hotel. However, this had not deterred the Stonehaven Rotarians who were present in large numbers. As always, it was a pleasure to be meeting with Rotarians and to hear their views on a wide range of topics. This was added to by two special occasions. The first was to present certificates to their two RYLA candidates, who had had a wonderful week at Nethybridge and had been a great credit to themselves and the sponsoring Club. The second was to charter the new Stonehaven-sponsored Interact Club based on Mackie Academy. They are a fine bunch of youngsters who will be ably supported by both school staff and some of the Stonehaven Rotarians. The icing on the cake was the presentation by President Wilma of an exceedingly large cheque for PolioPlus-far larger vthan I had any reason to anticipate - £3000 to be precise. A very big well done to Stonehaven for a tremendous effort.

Sunday 18 was spent in the excellent company of Stephen Chorley, District Foundation chair, Jim Mulreany, GSE Co-ordinator, AG Samantha Miler, a past GSE Team Leader, and Barry Davies, Team Leader for the outgoing team to District 5510 Arizone in the late spring of 2010, to select the team. We were totally spoiled for choice with a wonderful group of candidates. It is a pity that RI limits the numbers, as it would have been nice to send everyone. In the end, decisions had to be made to produce a team of varied interests, as we are required to do, and the successful candidates will be notified in the next few days. However, everyone should be delighted at how well they presented their own cases and I am enormously proud that this District can bring forward such superb young people. There are opportunities every year to apply for this really excellent scheme, so I hope that those not selected to go this year will consider a future application. I also hope that all District 1010 Clubs will strive to bring the scheme to the notice of as wide a group of young people as possible.. I can also say that I would be absolutely delighted to see everyone of the candidates joining a Rotary Club in this District. We really do have to find the means to get such fine young people involved in the Rotary movement, even if this means a change to long held traditions and procedures.

DG's Visits Week 16

The evening of 14 October tool me back to a location with which I am very familiar, my paternal ancestral home of Monifieth. Their Rotary Club is one which I have visited, and spoken at, on many an occasion, and there was a genuine sense of homecoming. Now well established in their new home at Grange Golf Club, it would be a surprise if golf did not figure somewhere in both their social and fun raising activities. The Club is one of the most committed in the District, having picked up the trophy for attendance on several occasions. President David is another Club leader who has really embraced the need to bring in new members, with three younger Rotarians recently inducted and more on the way. They are great supporters of PolioPlus and Foundation while also finding the financial resources and time to support young people through RYLA, the PSQ, Euroscola and their own Interact Club. They have a range of activities in their local community, but have also found the means to purchase water purifiers for District 3180 in India, a ShelterBox, AquaBoxes and Shoeboxes, as well as providing help for the Jaipur Limb Centre, Spectacles for Jerusalem, Schools 4 All and other activities. Rotary friendships are promoted and encouraged by their 'Fireside Chats' which everyone enjoys. As a biologist and one concerned with positive aspects of the environment, I particularly applaud their objective to create a Sensory Garden at Ashludie Hospital. President David must be rightfully pleased with his Club's many achievements.

DG's Visits Week 15

The following day(14 October) saw us visiting the Rotary Club of Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, in their wonderful new venue at the Queensferry Hotel on St. Margaret's Head, where the view is, to say the very least, a major distraction. One would have to find very good reasons to forego this outlook by missing one of their meetings. This comes over as an exceptionally happy Club and perhaps the view has something to do with this. President John has really embraced the Club's wish to bring in new members, with an influx of enthusiastic young Rotarians and more on the way. All have brought, or will bring, with them a dynamism which augurs well for the Club's future activities, and just as importantly are already looking to bring in further Rotarians of their own age group. This is not to say that the Club is unproductive. Quite the reverse, with their support for PolioPlus, Foundation, help for the elderly and high profile PR activities. With a broad programme of social activities, including curling, golf and bowling, the Club clearly has an excellent balance. The Club is very receptive to a number of my ideas/ objectives for the current year, and will be looking to see how they can help.

DG's Visits Week 16

Monday having been spent on Rotary and real work administration, it was a genuine pleasure to get out on the road again to vist the Perth Kinnoull Club. President Janet was the perfect hostess and has the unenviable task of keeping a very vibrant group of Rotarians under control.She did this superbly well.It was also a great pleasure to see Rotarian Brian Raine, District Youth Opportunities Chairman, much restored in health and looking incredibly well despite everything he has been through recently. Kinnoull is another Club which has responded very quickly to my appeal for Shelterboxes, with at least one being funded in the very near future.They are also strong supporters of youth activities, PolioPlus and Foundation. Internationally, they support a Rotary Club in Swaziland and are maintaining their wonderful project to provide succour for the Chernobyl children . Time so often leads to forgetfulness or even invisibility, and I am so pleased that the Kinnoull Club has managed to maintain the latter link over such a long number of years now. The Club is also involved greatly with their local community and with other Perth Clubs in supporting the Perth 800 celebrations. On membership, like more and more Clubs, they are pursuing new members even though their existing membership base is quite satisfactory. As always, I totally commend such foresight.

DG's Visits Week 15

The next Club visit was not until Thursday 8 October, when Daphne and I had the pleasure of going to Inverness, the only other Club formed in the same year as my own in 1921. There are a number of other links, with sons of present and past Dundee Rotarians, now members of the Inverness Club. President Jim undertook his training in Dundee and a number of other members have Dundee connections or have worked in Dundee in the past. Here again, I was delighted with the tremendous turn out of their members, with President Jim even having come back off holiday to be there for my visit. Now, that really is Service Above Self. The Club ticks all the boxes, with activities for and on behalf of young people, strong support for PolioPlus and Foundation, help for Senior Citizens and support for all sorts of overseas projects. All of this matched by an excellent programme of social events. However, what really blew me away was their reaction to my appeal over Shelterboxes. This had emanated from the situation made known in the previous three days that there was a very great need for Shelterboxes as a result of a further tsunami and various earthquakes and landslips. All of this at a time when even the initial needs left the Shelterbox cupboard bare. I had asked Clubs to help if they possibly could and, if the had already planned to donate a Shelterbox during the year, to see if this could be brought forward. To my astonishment but obvious delight, Inverness said that they would be sending money immediately to purchase four! In my subsequent letter of thanks to the Club, I said that we may never know the precise identities of the recipients, but we can be sure that everyone will give thanks for our efforts and hold the generosity of Rotary deep in their hearts.

DG's Visits

Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October saw Daphne and I attending the District 1230 Conference of Governor Andy Slater and his wife Eileen in Glasgow. Their format is different but no less succesful to our own, and we had a very enjoyable few days. As always, sleep is never a commodity in great supply but this was more than offset by the entertainment and some really excellent speakers. These included Sir Tom Farmer talking about how to grow a business and Mel Young on the Homeless World Cup Foundation. I hope that Mel or one of his colleagues will be able to speak at one of our District Council meetings. It was also a great pleasure to meet up with some of their very enthusiastic Rotaractors from Glasgow and Renfrew. I am sure that the Clubs in our two Districts could get together to their mutual advantage.

DG's Visits Week 14

Wednesday 30 almost seemed like a day off, with only one Club visit, in comparison to the previous day. It was a pleasure to visit President Robert and his members, who turned out in astonishingly large numbers, as well as attracting a number of outside visitors, both Rotarian and non-Rotarian. Obviously no one had told them about the DG's visit! The weather was also quite different from the previous day, with the sun blazing down, just as it had done when Daphne and I visited the Scottish Bowling Championships in Alloa right at the start of my year in office. The Club recognises the need to advance the recognition and public image of Rotary and have created a new PR/Communication post to do just that. There is also a very strong commitment to young people through RYLA, the PSQ, Young Chef and Euroscola. They are strong supporters of PolioPlus, Foundation, the Nyumbani Project and Shoeboxes, with a wide variety of fund raising activities. They are ambitious growth-wise, both seeking to increase their current membership numbers through a new strategy involving all existing members, and looking to the future through the creation of an Interact Club.

DG's Visits Week 14

The evening of Tuesday 29 took us a bit further afield, accompanied by a return of the exceedingly wet weather which seems to have followed us around during Club visits. President Willie and his members gave us a very warm welcome to compensate for the elements outside and we enjoyed a very friendly and informative evening. Another Club with a very strong commitment to young people through things such as RYLA, the PSQ, RYLA and interviews for young people, they also punch well above their weight on PolioPlus. The Club has a very strong relationship with the local community to the mutual benefit of both. The Club is now well established in their new venue and look to expand their membership in the future.

DG's Visits Week 14

Lunchtime on the 29th took us just along the road to the meeting of the Claverhouse Club which again has a number of old friends and acquaintances amongst their membership. President Nick is another Club leader who has given very high priority to increasing their membership, recognising that this is an ever present need, even for the very succesful Clubs. Contrary to what some might believe, the Club is not anti lady members but looks first and foremost for people who will make the best possible Rotarians, irrespective of their gender. As Dundee's one true city centre Club, their lunchtime meetings must appeal to those who would like to be involved in Rotary but wish to do so at fairly close repair to their businesses.The Club does a great deal for both young people and the various 'Box' schemes, which are very much at the top of my list of priorities. They also run the quite outstanding Cyclothon, which started in a small way and simply keeps on growing and growing, raising a formidable amount of money in the process. Never can there have been a more profitable example of 'get on your bike'. Many charities will benefit as a consequence.

DG's Visits Week 14

The morning of Tuesday 29, saw Daphne and I up at the crack of dawn to attend the breakfast meeting of Dundee Discovery. They have moved their meeting place from the University Tower Block to the West Park Conference Centre where they enjoy excellent surroundings, an equally good breakfast and trouble free parking. With all that and their warm welcome, they are well worth a visit. President Craig and his members have ambitious plans for one of our smaller Clubs, not least a considerable increase in their member numbers. If you know of anyone who might be attracted to Rotary but who would struggle to make lunchtime or evening meetings, please pass their names on to President Craig or Secretary David. The Club has already established its niche in District through their organisation of the Young Chef and I look forward to this growing in scale throughout our 87 Clubs. One special element of the Club is the number of members who have had personal experience of Interact, Youth Exchange and Rotaract, and I hope that this is a pattern of developing future Rotarians which we will see increase in District 1010.

DG's Visits Week 14

The frenzy of the last 3 weeks having subsided somewhat, there is now a chance to update my activities. At the beginning of the week, I visited the nearest Club to my home, Abertay. Not surprisingly, I know and have known many of their members for a great many years. The Club is in vibrant form and showing clearly the benefits which can arise from a change to their meeting time. They have a very happy blend of enjoying themselves and raising lots of money for good causes, with some events such as the Jazz at the Castle event and their presence at the Dundee Flower and Food Festival combining both. They attach great value to the need to publicise Rotary's activities, with their Club Magazine yet again picking up the top prize. It was a pleasure to present this to editor Adrian Stewart. As with a number of Clubs, they have an active involvement with Age Concern, something which I totally commend. We will all get there one day. The Club has ambitious membership growth plans and I wish them every success in this vital activity for all Clubs, and a very happy year under the leadership of President John.