Speaker Sandy Leven

Rotary club of Stirling meeting of 28th April 2017.

President Alan Rankin welcomed one visitor, Mike Kay from the Rotary club of Callander and West Perthshire.  Derek Anderson reported on the recent final of the Primary School Quiz held at Stirling University. From a field of 11 schools, and after a closely fought competition, Newton primary and Morrison's primary emerged as winners. Derek thanked the university for a superb venue and very helpful staff.

Our speaker Sandy Leven, one of our own members, and well known rock gardening expert told us about the Scottish Rock Garden club which has 4000 members, one third abroad. Founded in 1933 in Edinburgh, despite the Scottish title it is very much a club with an international reach, sporting a regular magazine, and 4000 varieties in its seed exchange bank. The club's magazine, The Rock Garden, is now available on line at srgc.net.uk .  The club organizes many regular shows and meetings within Scotland, and has contacts with enthusiasts abroad. sandy pointed out that varieties of plant suitable for rock garden or container growing can be seen in the landscape around us. They are often small but are of many types allowing the gardener a wide choice. Sandy continues to be very active in rock gardening circles. He writes regular reviews of rock garden shows for the club magazine, and is the holder of an RHS gold medal, awarded for a show garden display.  The vote of thanks was given by Frank Kelly.  Next week's meeting 5th May, Speaker's host Colin Bayes, Visitor's host Martin Ross.

Ian Richardson