28 February 2013 Bob Watson - Face to Face Redux

At last Thursday's meeting of the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club, not so new member, Bob Watson, was the guest speaker. President Iain Smith welcomed 3 visitors from Callander and West Perthshire Club who were on a 'Scatter Week' visit.

Usually it is newly joined members who give an account of their lives and interests to introduce themselves to the Club, however in a departure from this tradition, Bob, who joined the club in 1990, gave a very entertaining talk with tales of his life as an engineer mainly working for the Forestry Commission (FC). Born and bred in Prestwick, Bob started his working life with Ayr County Council Roads Dept. and gained an HNC at Paisley Technical College then an external BSc.from London University in Civil Engineering . Earning £450 per year, he applied for a job with the Forestry Commision which paid a princely £868 per year, however he had to move to Barcaldine, a very small village with a seaweed factory, some 10 miles north of Oban. He met and married Joyce in 1963 and the couple celebrate their golden wedding later this year.

Following the opening of the pulp mill at Corpach in 1964, The FC embarked on a major road building programme to allow access to the timber to feed the new mill and Bob was responsible for constructing over 20 miles of new forest roads annually. When his work location changed to Aberfoyle in the mid 60's Bob was given responsibility for the new business of building log cabins for holiday lets throughout the UK, Bob and Joyce moved to Dunblane where they have resided ever since. He took early retirement in 1994 but kept himself busy with Rotary activities and delivring yachts to various exotic locations.

After a lively set of questions, John Kilby gave the vote of thanks.