Newsletter - 273 - Feb 2016

                                            Rotary Club of Stranraer

Monthly Newsletter No 273

February 2016

Service above self

A few thoughts - feedback requested!

At the start of a new year it is natural to think about the year to come and consider what can be changed to improve life. Three particular items have come up in conversation in the last couple of months and the comments of members are requested.

Club meetings

Several members have commented that the evening meetings in particular are too formal and there has been a suggestion that the start time should be 7.30pm. In particular it has been suggested that these meetings should be along the lines of a pie and a pint (or a coffee and sandwich?). There would be no need for formality other than a short welcome from the President followed by any business including a news update. A speaker could still be included.

A golf group

Neville has suggested that we explore the idea of setting up a weekly game for members and friends – possibly on a weekly basis alternating between Stranraer and Portpatrick.

A walking group

Your editor regularly walks his daughter’s dog and he wonders if anyone would be interested in joining a walking group to walk sections of our coastal trails and/or the 27 Walks of various lengths outlined in Robert Clark’s book. Such walks would be open to members and friends – with or without dogs!

Further suggestions are welcome!

It is important for the future of the Club that we continually review our activities and that we hear the views of our members about these any other ideas!

Imminent Activities

Mon 1^st Feb – Jim Young will be speaking

^{Mon 8th} Feb - Presentation of Stranraer Academy Scholorship Award to two school pupils

Mon 15^th Feb - Fellowship

Mon 22^nd Feb – Bob Fryer will be talking about PUBS

Mon 29^th Feb – Jim Burns will be speaking

Dates for your Diary

Fri 20^th May – Christian Aid Lunch

Sat 11^th June – Mull of Galloway Trail Marathon

Fri 24^th June 2016 – 10^th Annual Golf AmAm

Recent Events

Mon 4^th Jan – No meeting

Mon 11^thJan - Presentation of Community Service Award to Sheelagh Afia – see below.

Fri 15^th Jan – Young Persons Lunch with Richard Arkless, M.P. - see below

Tues 19^th Jan – Burns Supper – see below

Mon 25^th Jan – Hugh Aitken provided an interesting talk about his father's experiences during the First World War. He was a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery and served on the Western Front before going to Italy as part of the 23^rd Division to help the Italians against a German and Austrian offensive. This campaign was very successful ending in the enemy surrendering!

Galloway Talking Newspaper – appeal for help!

We were instrumental in setting up this organisation 22 years ago and several members are involved at present:

Chairman – David Brinton (an original member as was Archie Bell who recently had to retire)

Vice Chairman – Bob Fryer

Treasurer – Tom Mitchell

Alex Cairns and Tom Stevenson are also involved.

Several of the original volunteers are struggling because of health problems and an infusion of new members is urgently required. The vast majority of volunteers are not Rotarians but they need our support.

There are 80+ listeners who I personally know appreciate this service!

Can you help by committing 3 hours or so each month?

Community Service Award

The presentation was made to a very deserving Sheelagh Afia who has made a massive contribution to our community over many years.

Sheelagh has been involved with the Scottish Women’s Institute as a member and Past President of Lochans branch as well as being a Past Federation Chairman for Wigtownshire.

She has been a member of Stranraer Drama Club for 59 years and is a Past President. She continued her drama activities as Chairman of Wigtownshire Division of the Scottish Community Drama Association as well as being a Past President and Area Representative for Stranraer Drama Club. Somehow she also managed in being a reader and editor and committee member for the last 20 years for Galloway Talking Newspaper for the Blind!

A great example to us all!

Mull of Galloway Trail marathon & walk etc

We have had a good response so far to the Marathon Trail events entries and Gordon Baird has requested our help in obtaining more.

Please forward the link to anyone who may be interested https://www.entrycentral.com/mullofgallowaytrail

Rugby

After Glasgow Warrior’s fantastic performance last season 6 of our members and one member from Kirkcudbright bought season tickets for this season as have 2 of our regular guests. Other members are welcome to join in for individual matches if tickets, which are in short supply for most games, can be obtained - just contact Tom Mitchell.

During January we attended Glasgow's home games against Edinburgh, which was switched to Murrayfield, because of pitch problems, and against Racing 92 (Paris) at Kilmarnock, again switched because of pitch problems.

The next home game is on 20^th February against Munster – hopefully Scotstoun is playable by then!

Young Persons Lunch

As usual the Lunch was attended by 2 pupils and a member of staff from each of the 13 feeder primary schools for Stranraer Academy.

Speakers/topics in recent years have included an Olympic gold medal winner, an ex professional footballer/coach, a police drugs squad officer, a senior army officer and a talk about the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

This year the speaker was Richard Arkless, our new M.P., who spoke about his upbringing in Stranraer and subsequent career culminating in his election to Parliament. He achieved his brief of keeping his talk non political, albeit with some difficulty. There was particular interest in his description of life in the House of Commons and the relationships behind the scenes between politicians of different parties.

The talk was followed by questions from the young people which illustrated their preparation prior to the event.

Curling

Hugh Parker is travelling to Canada in March as a guest/player of East Kilbride Club who are representing Scotland as winners of the annual Ramshead competition.

Mull of Galloway Trail marathon & walk etc

We have had a good response so far to the Marathon Trail events entries and Gordon Baird has requested our help in obtaining further entries.

Please forward the link to anyone who may be interested https://www.entrycentral.com/mullofgallowaytrail

Young Chef Competition

John McClintock has advised that we have a representative in this competition for the first time. The candidate from our local college, the John Niven Centre, will have 2 hours and a budget of £15 to prepare a 3 course meal. The outcome will be reported next month!

Burns Supper

This annual event goes from strength to strength with an attendance of over 90 enjoying excellent entertainment. Thanks are due to John Service for his organisation and to President Ronnie, and members Bob, George, Eric and Mike who along with other artistes made it a night to remember.

The evening made a profit of over £200 for Club funds and the raffle raised £537 for Foundation.

Gordon Baird was busy with his camera and it is well worth accessing these at

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z9s2gzxhequgwfn/IMG_8929.JPG?dl=0

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.

Our websites are

http://rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1383

http://www.mullofgallowaytrail.co.uk/