Speaker - Ranald Barrie 'Purple 4 Polio Grand Tour, Rotary in Motion'

President John Spittal introduced guest and prospective new member Graham Dalton before asking Ranald Barrie to illuminate the gathering on his recent expedition – The First Rotary Grand Tour.

This had been a UK-wide event to raise money for Rotary International’s ongoing “End Polio Now” campaign.

Rotarians from all over the country had employed all kinds of road transport over a four-day period to reach up to 24 checkpoints before meeting at the historic Halifax Minster in Yorkshire.

Ranald had secured a 17 year-old MGF sports car with which to make the journey, accompanied by his wife Hilde.

The couple – nick-named Team Kilrymont Klassics– left their starting point at the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse in St Andrews to head for the first checkpoint at South Queensferry. Then it was on to Glasgow, then Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriess-shire, before ending the first day’s travel in Beamish, Co. Durham.

Ranald fairly “motored” through his presentation,telling of a breathless trip to the Lake District and on for a meeting with Rotarians from England, Scotland and Wales at Preston Garden Centre. There the travellers were able to meet many members of the public and explain the Grand Tour and what the Rotary organisation is all about.

The third day took Ranald , Hilde and their ageing but reliable MGF to Manchester and area.

The fourth and final day saw them head north to the Yorkshire Moors, to Hebden Bridge, the Rochdale Canal and finally to a meeting point at a DIY store in Halifax. Of the 49 teams who had begun the tour, 37 made it all the way to Halifax. Machines included motorhomes, limousines and even a converted dumper truck.

From there, they were given a motorcycle escort into the grounds of Halifax Minster and met by Rotary’s UK president Dennis Spiller.

In total, Ranald covered 819 miles, all sponsored by Rotarians, family, friends and members of the public which raised £1060 plus. As this sum was matched and supplemented by the Bill Gates Foundation – who are Rotary’s partners in the “End Polio Now” project, Ranald’s cash raised totalled a fantastic £3500.

It is understood the overall Grand Tour has so far raised £50,000, which is still rising and when complete will also have match-funding from the Bill Gates Foundation.

Angus Peters proposed a vote of thanks to a great ambassador for the Kilrymont club. He also noted that it was the best excuse he had ever heard to enable the purchase of a new car…..