Tommy Mulvee: Wendy Oliver - The Hizzy Run

Hawick Rotary's programme has been rather disrupted recently. There have been few meetings at our normal venue but members have taken part in their annual golf tournament at Minto and have been visiting neighbouring Rotary Clubs at Langholm and Jedburgh to take part in their meetings. However last week it was back to normal as a good turnout of Rotarians enjoyed their meal at Mansfield House Hotel before hearing from Wendy Oliver about the history and logistics of The Hizzy Run.

The first motor-cycle run had taken place in October 2003 shortly after Steve Hislop's death. At that time it was organised by Steve's friend Alan Duffus of Kirkcaldy and took the form of a ride from Kirkcaldy to Denholm, Southdean and Teviothead. Riders had left cash donations and this grown and within two years had led to the erection of two statues of Steve, one at Wilton Lodge Park and one on the Isle of Man, where he had been so closely identified with the TT Races and which had become his home. The Hizzy Run had become established by then as an annual event, up until 2012 still from Kirkcaldy but from that point beginning and ending in Denholm. Funds raised now go to a variety of charities and this year are destined to support the recovery of local man Les Jarvis following his serious fall.

Wendy also spoke of the logistics of organising marshals on motor bikes for each of the road junctions. Our own Rotarian Tommy Mulvee is one of those.

Sandy Bannerman gave a well-deserved vote of thanks after a most interesting talk.

A bowling tournament is next on our agenda, but the Club is also preparing for an Open Evening on Thursday 29^th September at The Queen's Head Function Room. More details later but anyone interested in finding out more about Rotary will be most welcome.