Speaker Martin Ross

Rotary club of Stirling meeting of 16th June 2018.

Past president Alan Rankin welcomed one visitor Lilian McGeoch to the meeting.  Last week we had an excellent day at Kippen street fair, raising £200 for charity. Our trip to Inchmurrin, in splendid weather, was very successful, both the boat trip and an excellent meal.

Our speaker Rotarian Martin Ross, always a great traveller, has three brothers living in the USA which has led to many trips to various parts of America. His talk was something of an Alistair Cook's "Letter from America ,"personal reflections on his feelings about it's people and society as he has experienced it. When he first went he enjoyed the fast food, easy and always available, unlike Scotland at that time. A keen driver, the large engined and powerful cars and the cheap fuel appealed to him, although he never achieved his desire to get astride a Harley Davidson and roar off into the distance. He finds the TV programmes poor, particularly the lack of balanced news, and views on religion or politics are much more aggressively polarized than at home. He admires their high regard for the military, and their optimistic and go get attitude to life. Being Scottish is a plus as Americans hold us in high regard, many claiming Scottish ancestors. Martin still loves the burgers and wonderful steaks. This he told us has led to an urgent need for dieting following his recent visit. The vote of thanks was given by Ranald Ross Watt.     Our next meeting is on 22nd June Speaker's host Alan Skilling, Visitor's host Jim Kerr

Ian Richardson