Speaker Elspeth King

Rotary Club of Stirling Meeting Friday 18th May 2018.

Friday’s speaker was Rotarian Elspeth King, Curator of Stirling’s Smith Museum.     This would be Elspeth’s final visit to the club as a member, for, as many will know, she is due to retire from her position at the museum in the near future and will move back permanently to her home in Glasgow.
The theme of her talk was essentially an impassioned plea for the secure future of the museum in the face, in some quarters, of indifference and even opposition.   Indeed, Stirling Council, in the midst of savage Government cuts to spending, had voted in 2017 to close the Smith and only the production of a petition with over 20,000 signatures stayed the execution.
Elspeth described, in her inimitable, amusing way, how valuable an asset the existence of a flourishing museum, is to a town, now a city which has 21st century aspirations and how easy it would be to lose one of the finest collections in the country forever.
She proudly flourished a new book illustrating the treasures of the museum which it is hoped will make its glories more generally known.  It is highly recommended and widely available.
Elspeth’s talks are always eagerly anticipated by members and have never failed to delight, astonish, and even shock!  She has been a much loved and admired member of the club and an unique character.  She will be sorely missed by Stirling Rotary Club and, one would suggest, by Stirling itself.

The Club Assembly takes place within the Golden Lion Hotel on Thursday 24th at 6.30 for 7.00pm.   The club’s AM/AM golf tournament is at Stirling Golf Club on Friday 25th.


Crawford Gordon