Newsletter - 266 - July 2015

Monthly Newsletter


Rotary Club of Stranraer

Monthly Newsletter No 266

July 2015

 

Service above self

 

Welcome to our new President, Ronnie Irving, who has taken over from Mike Sheppard who had a very busy and successful year. The Club has just been awarded a Presidential Citation from our District Governor because of its various successes!

Ronnie has been succeeded as Senior Vice President by Bob Fryer.

 

 

LET’S HAVE ANOTHER YEAR OF FUN!

 

Imminent Activities

Sun July 5th – BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - Alex and Dorothy Cairns are having an Open Day at their home in Sandhead in aid of a school in Uganda. Just pop in any time during the day!

Mon July 6thvisit by new District Governor Andy Lees

Mon July 13thOur usual evening meeting followed by a visit to Genoch Farm, where an anaerobic digester has recently been installed. Remember wellies or boots!

Mon July 20thFellowship

Mon July 27thJohn Munro will be telling us aboutmy 50 years of enjoying rugby'

  

Recent Events   

May 30th – Mull of Galloway Trail run/walk – see below

June 1st – Pre – Assembly Meeting which included a discussion about the consultation about our weekly meetings. It was decided that we should continue with our weekly Monday lunch time meetings but that on the second Monday of the month the meeting will take place in the evening.

June 2nd – Kidz Out visit to Heads of Ayr – see below.

June 9th – Club Assembly

Mon 15th June – Ian McIntyre provided an interesting update on renewable energy projects.

Mon 22nd June – Ian McIlroy provided an informative talk about the life and background of Beatrix Potter with an emphasis on her Scottish connection.

Fri 26th June – Golf – Annual AmAm - see below

Mon 29th June – Club Presidential Handover – see below

Mon 29th June – New Tattie Night – see below

 

Dates for your Diary

Fri 7th August – Portpatrick Raft Race

Sat 19th Dec – Christmas Street Collection

Sun 20th Dec – Christmas Collection at Morrison

 
 

Donation Received

The Club has received a very generous donation of £2,000 from Hammy Macmillan. Club Council will discuss how the funds will be used. Members will be kept advised.

  

Mull of Galloway Trail run/walk (thanks to Gordon Baird for this report)

The Mull of Galloway Trail is one of the few routes that occur at marathon length, making it an ultimate challenge for many trail runners. We have run the event for the last 3 years, with increasing popularity. 27 participants were delivered by bus to start from the Mull of Galloway with a further 15 starting a shorter 10-mile course from Sandhead.

The Trail was showcased by fine but cool weather, and presented in first class condition, due to the efforts of Community workers of the criminal justice service, APEX volunteers, and Ian Duffy.

Lucy Colquhoun, legendary holder of the record for the 95 miles West Highland Way race in 17 hours 16 minutes has become a regular competitor in the event and soon took the lead over local Gareth Steel, now a vet in Cardiff. Despite a challenge around Sandhead, Lucy’s experience showed and by Barnultoch she had a good lead, arriving at the marina office at Stranraer to finish in a record time of 3h46minutes, Gareth arrived 4 minutes later, also breaking previous times. Rotarians and their friends manned water stops, with banana and jelly baby supplements at New England Bay, Sandhead and Barnultoch wood. Rebeka Goupillot, Laura McClymont and Rachel Melville brought up the rear finishing in under the magic 8 hours.

The “short” 10 mile course was won by Martin Smith in a creditable 1h34, with Ailsa Taggart soon after in 1h42. Youngest competitor at 8 weeks was Jess Naylor, who just pipped her dad, an ex-commonwealth games and Scottish Island Peaks Race legend to the finish in a creditable 3h28. Donald plans a different race strategy in future; using a backpack rather than a front facing harness should just give him the edge!

The subsequent barbecue at the Marina office gave shelter from the chilly wind, and was well attended with many tales and tips for quicker times next year swapped. Visitors from Edinburgh, Girvan and throughout Dumfries and Galloway all gave thumbs up to the event as a most friendly event and future classic.

The efforts of all, Frances and Piers Butler, Trevor Harrison, John Parker and Keith Jakeman and many Rotarians, in particular David Kirkwood and Gordon Davidson, resulted in a sum in excess of £350 that will go to charity.

Thanks are due to all those who helped, particularly Gordon Baird for continuing to run this event!

 

Golf AmAm (see slide at top)

This, the 9th year, saw a huge increase in entries as 50 teams (last year 32, previous record 40) participated in our annual major charity fund raiser which this year raised a record of £5,475 for good causes.

Once again this was a very well organised affair with our thanks due to Peter Baird, John Munro and Neil Fraser. It is always great to see such a large proportion of our members helping with preparations and on the day as well as a good number participating. Indeed the winning team included 2 of our members – Neville Wright and Ian McIntyre with the other team members being Brian Paxton and Robert McColm.

Thanks are also due to our many sponsors especially loyal main sponsor Ken Binnie Financial Services for their continued support. 

Rotary member John McClintock provided his usual excellent on course catering, this time overlooking the par 3 12th hole where there was a prize of an Audi worth £20,000 for a hole in one, courtesy of Audi Ayr. It was not won this year but who knows what will happen next year! 

We are all looking forward to the 10th Anniversary event next year!

 

Exemplary Service Award

The 2015 Exemplary Service Award was presented by President Mike Sheppard to Stranraer Academy Science teacher, Mr Mark Cameron who, in addition to his regular teaching role, runs the Science Club every week in his own time. There, Mark creates great opportunities for girls and boys to learn more about science while also participating in experiments they would not get to do in class. He makes Science fun. Indeed, as one nominating pupil stated: ‘Mr Cameron’s love for his subject is what drives him forward. He takes every opportunity to try and impart his knowledge and enthusiasm to youngsters. This year he was the driving force in ensuring that pupils got the chance to witness the eclipse at first hand in school.’

Mark was delighted to accept this award, and the £250 cheque for his chosen charity 'Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes’

 

Shelter Box

Our recent donation of £590, following the Nepal earthquake was matched by a similar amount from a Government scheme, to enable the purchase of 2 boxes. Our funds were sourced from book sales for the Mull of Galloway Trail. We are topping up the donation of £470 from our Canadian golfer friends towards the purchase of a further Box which should also be matched!

 Primary Schools Quiz

Our local winners, Portpatrick Primary, enjoyed their day out and acquitted themselves well in the final at Pollockshaws. An excellent performance being a small village school up against large city schools! Thanks to Barry Holmes and the others who helped with the competition.

 

Community Service Award

Please advise our Secretary if you know of any suitable candidates.

 

 Kidz Out

13 kids and 7 staff from Stranraer Academy Special Needs/Learning Centre were treated by our Club to a day at Heads of Ayr Farm Park.  Transport was provided by McCulloch’s coach. There should have been a further 4 kids in wheelchairs and their carers in their own mini bus but they could not go due to illness.  The sun failed to show itself that day but at least it did not rain so the kids were able to enjoy all the outside attractions.  This is a very worthwhile event in our calendar which is much appreciated by the kids, staff and parents.

 

New Tattie Night 

Our annual game of bowls at Kirkcolm was followed by the traditional get together excellently hosted as always by Ian and Kate McIntyre. This evening is regarded by many members as the highlight of the year and once again lived up to expectations. It was good to see 30 or so members and a couple of guests enjoy themselves so much! The evening raised £450 for community use in Kirkcolm and Leswalt.

  

Rugby     

After Glasgow Warrior’s fantastic season 6 of our members and one member from Kirkcudbright have bought season tickets for next season as have 2 of our regular guests. Other members are welcome to join in for individual matches if tickets can be obtained.         

On the International scene 8 members and guests will be attending the Ireland v Scotland game in Dublin on 15th August.

 

Press Officer

Members should get in touch with Tom Mitchell, in his role as Press Officer, if they have anything they wish included in the Newsletter or reported in the press.

He particularly wishes photographs for publication and/or Club archives.

 

Some thoughts –

·       You are never too old to learn something stupid.

·       To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

·       Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

 

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