Speaker Evening

The Reverend Terry Harkin was the speaker at the Rotary Club of South Queensferry on Thursday 7th March. Resident in Queensferry for twenty-four years, terry is minister of The Priory Church in Queensferry. Dating from 1440, the church was established under the auspices of the Dundas family as a Carmelite friary. Unlike many other orders, who favoured seclusion, the Carmelites lived in towns where the friars served society. They provided the needy with food, medical care, hospitality and a burial ground, providing the basis of the western culture of social care. Queensferry was a perfect location for their work as it had a constant stream of travellers, traders and pilgrims using the crossing to and from Fife as well as a growing population in the growing mediaeval burgh.

Now a Grade A listed building under the control of the Episcopal Church,the Priory is still active in serving the Queensferry community, providing space for groups ranging from Brownies and WI to Pilates and line dancing classes.

Importantly, The Priory Church serves as the local food bank. This currently operates from the main building but is unsatisfactory because of lack of privacy and secure storage. To solve this problem, The Garden Room Project aims to provide a permanent structure, in keeping with the surroundings, in the grounds of the Priory. The building, which has received planning permission, will not only provide ample accommodation for the food bank and its attendant services such as housing and mental health support workers, but also many of the local groups like the W.I.. It would also be available for small parties, wedding receptions and other functions. With full disabled access, it would be a boon to the community which is lacking such a well-positioned facility.

A fundraising drive is now underway to ensure that tendering and construction can begin as soon as possible. For more information, contact tjharkin@priorychurch.com

Terry's fascinating talk prompted many questions from the floor. He was introduced by Alan Brown. David Buchanan proposed the vote of thanks. In other business, President Sandy Mackenzie thanked club members who had helped with stewarding at the recent Scottish Schools Cross Country Championships at Hopetoun House. Rotarian Graham Clarkson announced that all places in this year's Rotary Forth Bridge Abseil had already been taken ...a remarkable achievement so early in the year.