Hugh McCrea - Face to Face

HUGH McCREA FACE TO FACE

Although Hugh had previously had nineteen years’ involvement in Rotary elsewhere, he is a relatively new member to the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club. As is the practice, he therefore gave the Club his Face to Face -  a brief account of his background and career.

He confided that in his youth academia was not his forte: he was essentially a more practical person. That led to him taking up an apprenticeship in quantity surveying.  During the apprenticeship, he extended what he described as his life education by taking a part-time job in a pub in the East-end of Glasgow, showing him, as he described it, the best and the worst of human behaviour.  Having completed his apprenticeship, and having met, and then married, his wife, Jennifer, and moved to Dunblane, Hugh worked in the construction industry for more than twenty years.  However, having lost his job when Bovis closed down, he decided to add a further string to his bow by taking a professional qualification in health and safety.  At that time the construction industry had a dreadful safety record, so his new expertise was greatly needed. In due course, he added further expertise in fire prevention, where, again, his expertise was in considerable demand.   Given his range of expertise, he worked mainly as a freelance consultant, travelling throughout the UK, a period which he greatly enjoyed.

 Now retired, he is able to pursue his main interests in cars and motoring, and in sports, including curling.  Less actively, his favourite sport to watch is American football, which he described as “chess with violence”.  As alternative relaxation, he enjoys watching history and geographical programmes.

Russell Wheater, Speaker’s Host, thanked Hugh for an interesting and entertaining presentation.  Members were happy to endorse this in the usual fashion.

The next meeting of the Rotary Club, on Thursday 11^th February, will be held at the Westlands Hotel, Doune Road, at 6.00 for 6-30pm. The speaker will be Mark Campbell Roddis,  who will talk about marine engineering. Visitors are very welcome.  Anyone interested in attending should contact the Club Secretary, Iain Fraser at secretary@dunblanerotary.org.  Tel: 01786 822751.  More information can be found on the Club website: www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or the Facebook site: www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary.