Speaker John Rankin

Stirling Rotary meeting , Golden Lion Hotel, September 30th. 2016

President Alan Rankin welcomed a good turnout of members, as well as visitor Scott Leslie from Abertay club, in Dundee.  We are looking forward to the visit of the District Governor on October 14th., which corresponds within a day to the 90th. anniversary of the club’s receiving its charter on October 15th. 1926.  Our next Council meeting will be on Monday, October 17th, whilst the first match in this year’s Gavel (pub games) competition will be at Callander against Callander and West Perthshire club.

Speaker for the day was our own Dr. John Rankin, who elected to talk on the work of Friends of Bridge of Allan, for which his wife Elizabeth is currently Chair. The Friends is a sub-group of Bridge of Allan Community Council and aims to support environmental improvement within Bridge of Allan.  In particular, the group wish to promote community involvement in maintaining and enhancing the village’s open spaces, in partnership with Stirling Council.

Starting with the Memorial Park, members observed that this had become very run down, with overgrown bushes, collapsed drains and a messy, red blaze surface.  Elizabeth was elected Chair and immediately began gathering information and advice, as well as networking vigorously, to get some momentum behind the project.  Stirling Council, which had initially been hampered by lack of funds, soon began to pitch in.  Land Services, in particular, proved staunch allies. 

Together, amazing things have been achieved.  There are now 115 hanging baskets and automatic watering is a recent labour-saving feature. Local traders provide assistance in the form of both physical and financial aid. Also participating are school children, Scottish parliament employees, Prudential and even community offenders.  In 2012, Elizabeth won a Local Hero award for her work on this project. The work continues, with numerous other areas of the village being addressed and improved.

Vote of Thanks was given by Stewart Wilson and enthusiastically supported.  This week’s Speakers Host is Ian Richardson, with Visitors Host Robin Sutton.  Stirling Rotary welcomes new members, of both genders.   More information can be obtained from the website www.stirling.rotary1010.org.

On Sunday 2nd.  a number of members and partners went on the annual Loch Katrine Jazz Cruise.  This coincides with the Callander Jazz and Blues Festival, occurring between September 30th. and October 2nd. at various venues in the town.  Performing on board the steamship Sir Walter Scott were Winston’s Pennine Jazz band, a 5 piece group, each member of which was a virtuoso in his own right.  During the two hour cruise, the band performed many old favourites, including “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock”.  Weather was bright and sunny throughout.


Ranald Ross-Watt
Junior Vice President