Speaker Meeting - Alistair Fernie
Wed, Jul 31st 2013 at 12:00 am - 2:00 am
Jim Durward talked about Swiss Railways and how they manage to transport a large circus around the country!.
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This was Jim's second talk to the club, having previously spoken on the comparatively straightforward topic of the Victorian legacy inherited by Network Rail in this country. However his theme this time, on the process of transporting a large circus around Switzerland by rail, was certainly a bit more esoteric!
Jim described how the KNEI circus is a "big thing" in Switzerland and it performs to audiences of around 5000 in each of 42 different towns over an 8 month period. With typical Swiss clockwork efficiency, the circus can end a performance at 11pm in one town, and be ready for the next performance in the next town some 100's of kilometers away by 8pm the next day. Although the animals go by road, the large part of the big top etc is transported by 2 specially adapted trains, and Jim described the precision process by which the transfer is made with complete reliability. All down to major investment in the Swiss railway infrastructure, unlike in this country as his previous talk had highlighted!
'What We Do' Main Pages:
Young Chefs from Gryffe High, St Benedict’s High and St Columba’s School met in Gryffe High on the 29th November to compete in the first stage of this Rotary GB and I competition
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The first round of this national competition was held in St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm on Monday 27th November. Seven teams competed, four in the Intermediate age category and three in the Senior category
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Climate Change series- eminent speakers from around the UK in the months leading up to and following the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November 2021
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Despite Covid the club has maintained its competitions and projects with local schools Hundreds have taken part and enjoyed some success at local, District and National levels!
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Long distance walking route - the length of the Gryffe Valley from the source of the river near Loch Thom to Linwood
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To encourage walking in the local environment, we are promoting local walking groups, publishing local walking routes and creating the Gryffe Valley Way, a walking route the length of the River Gryffe.
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To support disabled sailing for wheelchair users at Castle Semple Loch Gryffe Valley Rotary purchased a special powered Wheelyboat to enabled those in wheelchairs to get out onto the water.
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The club organises outings for groups of Renfrewshire Young Carers, with activities followed by a meal and drink. Some years we visited Xscape at Braehead, Hillington for the electric go-karts, and then Castle Semple Loch
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