Speaker George Donaldson - 'Court to Court'

“Court to Court” was the title of Club founder member George Donaldson’s talk to the club – and contained an interesting mixture of memories from both criminal courts and a Royal court.

George was installed as Justice of the Peace in Fife 13 years ago and recalled a number of the curious and often thought-provoking cases over which he had presided in Cupar, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline courts.

Of particular interest was case of the steamroller driver charged with taking his vehicle over a bridge too narrow to accommodate it, and thus causing untold damage….

In addition to his service as a JP, George has a long and distinguished history of service to his community, including administration and fundraising for the Boys’ Brigade, the Order of St John, St Andrews’ Holy Trinity Church and Rotary.

Which is why, much to his own surprise, he discovered he had been nominated in the most recent New Year’s Honours list for an MBE. In July of this year, George was ushered into court at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to receive his honour from the Queen.

This followed a one-hour briefing for George and the other recipients on how to – amongst other items - turn their heads and shake hands with the Sovereign.

As well as the shock of receiving the honour, a further shock was in store when George learned the official photograph of the occasion would cost him £29 – and if he wished to have a DVD of the occasion, he would then have to fork out £199.

Possibly this was mindful of the fines he had handed out during his time in the criminal courts!

Rather than passing sentence on George’s very revealing presentation, Iain MacKinnon proposed a vote of thanks.