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Meeting Reports compiled by Ron Smith

Session 2008 - 2009

29 June
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was mainly the 'Club Assembly', chaired by President-Elect Jim Rae, which outlined the Club's programme and aims for membership, fund-raising and social events over the coming year, suitably preceding next week's handover from current President Ken MacKenzie. There were several visitors, including Rotary District Governor, Alasdair Seale, while Rotarian Kate Keter, herself an Assistant Governor, conveyed the best wishes of the District for Jim's year as Club President. Mention was made of water and literacy projects to be supported in Africa over the next year, as well as the forthcoming Am-Am Golf Tournament on 24 August in aid of polio eradication. Opportunities still remain for local business to sponsor tees and greens at this prestigious event, and all interested should contact Rotarian Ian Adams on 01506 670607

22 June
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This week's Monday evening meeting was chaired by President-Elect Jim Rae. Sincere thanks were expressed to all who had been involved in the organisation of the recent Fiddlers' Rally and Musical Festival. Rotarian Gordon Young drew special attention to the Club's informative display in the showcase at the entrance to Linlithgow public library until 18 July. The evening's speaker was Rotarian Tom Brown who delivered a fascinating talk on the relationship between creativity and mental illness, with special reference to the artist Vincent van Gogh, poet and hymn-writer William Cowper, and Hector Berlioz, the French composer. After a lively question-and-answer session, Rotarian Rory Cameron gave the vote of thanks.

15 June
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The club's Marches week meeting on Monday evening was especially notable for the induction by President Ken MacKenzie of new member Archie McCall, proposed by Rotarian Jim Gillespie. Archie grew up in East Wemyss in Fife, attended Heriot-Watt University, and spent the greater part of his career with Rolls Royce (aero engines). After the brief ceremony, Archie was warmly welcomed by the assembled membership. Rotarian Ian Adams reported that Mark Mills and Joe Wright had won first prizes at the Club's junior golf championship - both had also qualified for the Rotary South-East Scotland Young Golfer of the Year competition. Sponsors for tees and greens are still required for the Club's prestigious charity Am-Am Golf Championship on Monday 24 August - interested local businesses should contact Ian Adams on 01506 670607.

8 June
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The usual Monday evening meeting, chaired by President Ken MacKenzie, had as its speaker Richard Morrison, Project Manager of Reality Adventure Works in Scotland. Richard described the work of the charity in helping disadvantaged young people find themselves a fulfilling place in society, mainly through participation in residential activity events at outdoor centres. Following a number of questions and answers, Rotarian Jim Chapman conveyed members' appreciation for Richard's at times unconventional talk in his vote of thanks. Tickets for the Youth Musical Festival (18 June) are still available from Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and Stewart's Electrical.

1 June
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This Monday's meeting was chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie. The speaker for the evening was Tony Godden, whose subject was fellow Welshman and poet Dylan Thomas, "the most commonly quoted writer in the world after Shakespeare". The talk was interspersed with readings from Thomas' work, most notably 'Under Milk Wood' which was famously read by Richard Burton on its first broadcast in 1954. Following a number of interesting comments by members, Rotarian Stephen Blake gave the vote of thanks for Tony's presentation which clearly reflected his admiration for the poet's genius. Tickets for the Fiddlers' Rally (10 June) and the Youth Musical Festival (18 June) are available from Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and Stewart's Electrical.

25 May
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This Monday's meeting at the West Port Hotel was a Business Meeting at which a wide range of club activities and events was discussed. President Ken MacKenzie announced that, as the culmination of three years' hard fund-raising in the community, a cheque for over £12,000 had been sent to the Playpumps Campaign Malawi Fund - this would provide a clean water supply for a whole village - thanks are extended to all who contributed. Other disbursements had been agreed for the Scottish Child Law Centre, the Violet Trust (cancer research), Linlithgow Kayak Racing and Combat Stress. A letter of thanks for the funds raised at the recent 'Line of Coins' event had been received from Leonard Cheshire campaign which assists disabled children in Africa. Mention was made of the visit of three members to the Rotary Club of Zadar in Croatia. Two candidates had been selected for sports bursaries. Tickets for the Fiddlers' Rally (10 June) and the Youth Musical Festival (18 June) are available from Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and Stewart's Electrical.

18 May
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting, chaired by President Ken MacKenzie, started with reports on visits to other clubs, most notably that of three members to the Rotary Club of Zadar in Croatia. 10 members had attended the District Assembly, and preparations were under way for the Fiddlers' Rally on 10 June and environmental works in The Peel in early July. The evening's speaker was Malcolm Fraser, the leader of the architectural firm responsible for the current refurbishment of Linlithgow's Burgh Halls. Malcolm outlined various examples of work already carried out by his firm in Edinburgh, before illustrating in some detail the impressive proposals for, and good progress with, the Burgh Halls, completion being expected in March 2010. Following several questions and answers, Rotarian Rory Cameron gave the vote of thanks for Malcolm's very well presented and interesting talk.

11 May
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday evening's meeting, chaired by President-Elect Jim Rae, reports were received on visits to other clubs during the annual Scatter Week. Members had made a wide range of visits to clubs including Livingston, Stirling, Melrose, Peebles, Glasgow and Lancashire. Rotarian Tom Chadwick reported that the 'Line of Coins' event at the Regent Centre had raised £445.15, in aid of the Leonard Cheshire 'School for All' campaign to assist disabled children in Africa. Thanks were expressed to all involved.

28 April
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday evening's meeting, chaired by President Ken MacKenzie, reports were received on visits to other clubs, notably a group visit to Burntisland & Kinghorn Rotary Club and one to a meeting at South Queensferry, also attended by D K Lee, President of Rotary International, whose personal message to Linlithgow Grange was read out by Rotarian Heather McInally. Congratulations were extended to Sandy and Barbara Stewart and to Ed and Beth Morton on their golden wedding anniversaries. The evening's speaker was Rotarian Peter Marsden of Newton Stewart who described the purposes of Rotarian Group Friendship Exchange, his happy experience of this in Australia, and the planned visit to Scotland by a group of Canadians. The vote of thanks was given by Jim Gillespie. Rotarian Tom Chadwick reminded the meeting of the 'Line of Coins' event at the Regent Centre on 9 May, in aid of the Leonard Cheshire 'School for All' campaign to assist disabled children in Africa.

7 April
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday evening's meeting, President Ken MacKenzie reported on his visit to Linlithgow Bridge Primary School the previous Friday to present the Jim Clark Memorial Trophy to Yasmin Wan, the winner of the Club's inter-school writing competition. At the Annual General Meeting which followed, reports were received from the various Club committees on past and future events this Rotary year. Highlights included last November's 'Scotch Hop' in aid of Polio Plus and the recent charity auction. There was continuing progress on a number of youth activities and exchange visits, as well as on the implementation of the 'Play Pumps' African water supply project for which the Club has raised considerable sums of money. Forthcoming events include the Fiddlers' Rally and Music Festival in June, plus the 'Line of Coins' at the Regent Centre on 9 May, in aid of the Leonard Cheshire 'School for All' campaign which assists disabled children in Africa.

30 March
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting, chaired by President-Elect Jim Rae, had as its speaker Rotarian Tom Chadwick. His topic was Crossreach, one of Scotland's largest voluntary providers of social care, and of which he is a Council member and trustee. He explained that the organisation provides 84 different care services, including 25 homes for the elderly, schools for children disaffected from mainstream education, and mental health services. After a good number of questions and answers, the vote of thanks for a very interesting and comprehensive presentation was given by Rotarian Ron Smith.

23 March
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting this week was a Business Meeting at which a wide variety of Club initiatives and events were the subject of reports and discussion under the able chairmanship of President Ken MacKenzie. It was reported that financial disbursements to four local recipients were being made, including grants to the 4th West Lothian Scouts and the Elinor playgroup. The 'Line of Coins' event at the Regent Centre on 9 May will be in aid of the Leonard Cheshire 'School for All' campaign which assists disabled children in Africa. Thanks were conveyed to Rotarian Iain Morrison for his sterling efforts in revamping the Club's website and progress was reported on a number of youth activities including the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, sports bursaries, the photographic competition, junior golf and the forthcoming musical event. Drug Awareness courses for parents were under way, and plans were well advanced for the Fiddlers' Rally in June.

16 March
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired by President Ken MacKenzie who welcomed guests from the Rotary Club of Currie-Balerno. The speaker was Rotarian Jack Archibald who gave an entertaining yet nevertheless authoritive talk on the sources renewable energy in the foreseeable future and the challenges that confront each option. Examples of these ranged from hydrogen-powered motor vehicles to the harnessing of tidal power on the Severn estuary; from wind farms to wave power. Like it or not, the human race is still carbon dependent and, as such, is doomed, he said. On that bright and cheery note, the vote of thanks was proposed by Rotarian John Lawson.

09 March
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This week's Monday evening meeting was chaired by President Ken MacKenzie. The speaker was Anita Duffy, Environmental Education Officer, Waste Services at West Lothian Council, who described the waste recycling processes currently in use, and the challenges in meeting future waste minimization and recycling targets. West Lothian is well on course to meet the target of 40% waste recycling by 2008/9, but there will need to be a step change in waste reduction to meet the EU and Scottish Government target of 50% by 2013. Following questions and answers, the vote of thanks was given by Rotarian David Timperley. The Club's Musical Evening & Charity Auction, held at Linlithgow Rugby Club on Friday, raised £1475 for international aid and disaster relief. Thanks were expressed to all who supported the event.

02 March
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This week's Monday evening meeting chaired by President-Elect Jim Rae. The speaker was Rotarian Ian Adams who gave a fascinating and well-researched account of the life of his great-great-great-great-great-grandmother - Annie McLeod - born on Skye, travelled to Glasgow in 1805 in search of greater prosperity, returned to Skye, studied and practised as a midwife in Edinburgh for 14 years and returned once again to Skye. Then, at the age of 62, she was responsible for overcoming severe baby mortality problems in St Kilda after which she returned to Edinburgh where she died at the ripe old age of 86. Following questions and answers, the vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Alex Robertson. The Club's Musical Evening & Charity Auction, featuring the Faucheldean Fun Players, will be held at Linlithgow Rugby Club tonight (Friday). It will raise funds for international aid such as disaster relief and tickets (£4) are available from Stewart's Electrical, Linlithgow Bookshop and Blast-Off Books.

23 February 2009
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie, was a Business Meeting at which many Club activities and events were discussed. It was announced that Yasmin Wan of Linlithgow Bridge Primary School had won the Club's inter-school writing competition in the shape of the Jim Clark Memorial Trophy, also that two of the local primary school headteachers had written expressing their appreciation of the competition. The Club had funded the training of a new presenter for the course 'How to Drug-Proof Your Kids', aimed at assisting parents to steer their children away from drug abuse. Also mentioned were progress on Challenge Enterprise (candidates shortly to be interviewed); this year's Fiddlers' Rally; and the photographic competition for young people. Finally, a reminder that the Club's Musical Evening & Charity Auction, featuring the Faucheldean Fun Players, will be held at Linlithgow Rugby Club on Friday, 6 March. It will raise funds for international aid such as disaster relief and tickets (£4) are now available from Stewart's Electrical, Linlithgow Bookshop and Blast-Off Books.

16 February 2009
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's Rotary meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie, was a special Open Membership Evening at which around ten potential new members were made welcome. President Ken explained his own enthusiasm for Rotary and how much he has enjoyed membership. Following the formal meeting, prospective members were encouraged to discuss Rotary aims and activities with existing members, and this was supplemented by a range of leaflets, posters and audio-visual displays. Tickets (£4) are now available from Stewart's Electrical, Linlithgow Bookshop and Blast-Off Books for the Club's Musical Evening & Charity Auction at Linlithgow Rugby Club on Friday, 6 March, It will feature the Faucheldean Fun Players and will raise funds for international aid such as disaster relief.

2 February 2009
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting, chaired by President Ken MacKenzie, was somewhat curtailed on account of the inclement weather, and the quiz planned by Rotarian Roy Snedden was unfortunately postponed for the time being. However, the thanks of the Club for the previous week's extremely successful Burns Supper at Linlithgow Golf Club were conveyed to the organiser, Rotarian Ian Adams, and to all who assisted, performed and participated. Mention was also made of the planned Open Membership Evening on 16 February at which potential new members will be made welcome.

26 January 2009
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This week’s normal meeting was replaced by an extremely enjoyable Burns Supper at the Linlithgow Golf Club where Chef Kenny Craig and assistants were warmly congratulated on the excellent food and catering. Members and guests were entertained by all the usual ingredients of such an occasion - piping in the haggis (Alex Taylor); Address to the Haggis (Douglas Robertson); Selkirk Grace (Thom Riddell); Immortal Memory (Jim Rae); To a Louse (Tom Brown and others); a suitably cheeky Address to the Lasses (Jim Gillespie - and an able reply from his wife, Joan); and an outstanding rendition of Tam o' Shanter by Mike Smith. President Ken MacKenzie chaired the event, peppering it with numerous appropriate Burns quotations. The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Rory Cameron, and the evening ended with a rousing chorus of 'Auld Lang Syne'.

19 January 2009
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This week’s meeting, held on Monday evening as usual with President Ken MacKenzie in the chair, was the Club’s monthly Business Meeting. A wide range of charitable and social activities was discussed, including progress on a drug awareness project, the forthcoming Fiddlers Rally (10 June), the schools' photography competition and the Musical Festival planned for 18 June. President Ken reported on his visit the previous Thursday to Low Port Primary School where, on behalf of the Club, he gratefully received a £200 cheque for water aid, and Rotarian Derek Henderson was thanked for his organisation of the previous week's successful Club vocational visit to Edinburgh's Royal Observatory. Advance notice was also given of an Open Membership Evening on 16 February at which potential new members will be made welcome.

12 January 2009
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening’s meeting, attended by seven visitors including the Rotary District Governor Allan MacLaughlan, was chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie. Mention was made of a forthcoming fund-raising Auction Evening on Friday, 6 March. The evening’s speaker was Rotarian Ron Smith who, with the aid of a photographic presentation, described the many historical and landscape features seen on sections of the Fife Coastal Walk from Kincardine to St Andrews – Royal Burghs, old harbours, lovely beaches, industrial remains, coastal erosion, restored buildings and attractive views. The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Tom Chadwick who congratulated Ron on his interesting talk.

5 January 2009
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The first Monday evening meeting of 2009 was chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie. Particular mention was made of the excellent Christmas meal enjoyed by members and their guests at Linlithgow Golf Club on 22 December. The evening's speaker was local optician Robert Callander who described developments in optical measurement, analysis and production with specific regard to the transition from analogue methods to the latest in digital technology. The role of digital retinal imaging in the detection of health problems was explained, as was the trend towards the production of bespoke spectacle lenses which could theoretically be made in 20.5 billion permutations. Rotarian Mike Smith gave the vote of thanks for Robert's very interesting presentation.

15 December 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie who reported on the previous Friday's visit to Linlithgow Bridge Primary School. Pupils and staff had been updated on progress with the installation of 'Play Pumps' in Malawi, financed by the incredible and much-appreciated sum of £11,800, raised by the school and by Rotary from the community generally. Headteacher Anne Corr's important role in the fund-raising was recognised through the award of a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship. The evening's speaker was Sara MacAulay, a Falkirk social worker, who gave a lively description of her participation in a challenging Rotary study exchange visit to New Zealand earlier in the year. She had experienced different cultures, spectacular scenery, local prisons, rotary milking machines and the harvesting of kiwi fruit, not to mention investigation of social work practice in New Zealand. Following questions and answers, the vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Thom Riddell. There followed a quiz, part of the second round of the Rotary District tournament, where the home side was defeated fairly narrowly by the visiting Polmont team.

8 December 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday evening's meeting, President Ken MacKenzie thanked Rotarian Rory Cameron and all who attended, supplied or helped with the Club's Coffee Morning last Saturday. The event raised around £400 for local youth activities. At the subsequent Special General Meeting, the following were elected as office bearers for 2009-2010: President-Elect - Jim Gillespie; Vice-President - Rory Cameron; Secretary - Eddie Crawley; and Treasurer - Roy Redwood, next year's President being Jim Rae. Also approved were the Club's financial accounts for 2007-08, prepared by ex-Treasurer Alex Robertson.

1 December 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired by President-Elect Jim Rae. The special guest was Lindsay Terrell of Shreveport, Louisiana, a Rotary ambassadorial scholar being hosted by the Club. Currently studying English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, she confidently described her interest in the written word, her home state, its social problems and her family background. After Lindsay had ably answered some questions, the vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Thom Riddell. Tickets for the Club's Coffee Morning on Saturday, 6 December, in aid of local youth activities, are still on sale from Stewart's Electrical and Blast-Off Books.

24 November 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's event was a business meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie. Thanks were conveyed to all who supported the Rotary Scotch Hop held on 1 November, which raised around £900 in aid of Polio Eradication. Particular thanks are due to John Carswell for demonstrating and calling the dances. Reports were received on numerous activities and events planned for the coming year. Tickets for the Club's Coffee Morning being held in St. Michael’s Kirk Hall on Saturday 6 December, in aid of local youth activities, are on sale from Stewart Electrical and Blast-Off Books.

17 November 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday evening's meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie, the speaker was Colin McNeill, Manager of the Lothians and Borders Safety Camera Partnership. The partnership of local authorities, health and emergency services, grant funded by the Scottish Government, has been successful in significantly reducing speeding and road casualties through the judicious deployment of various types of safety cameras, both mobile and fixed. After a lively question and answer session, Rotarian Douglas Robertson gave the vote of thanks, supporting the view that safety cameras helped to save lives on the roads. Tickets for the Club's Coffee Morning on 6 December, in aid of local youth activities, are on sale from Stewart's Electrical and Blast-Off Books.

10 November 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - President Ken MacKenzie chaired Monday evening's meeting as usual. The Club was privileged to have as its speaker Clive Fairweather CBE, formerly Chief Inspector of Prisons and previously an SAS commander. In his present role as Appeal Director for Combat Stress, he described the work of that charity in helping ex-service people cope with post traumatic stress disorder. Combat Stress provides respite care and activities for 28 at Hollybush House, its Scottish base near Ayr - funding comes 50% from the Government and 50% from public donations. Clive's interesting talk provoked numerous questions and answers, followed by the vote of thanks from Rotarian Alex Robertson. Tickets for the Club's Coffee Morning on 6 December, in aid of local youth activities, are now on sale from Stewart's Electrical and Blast-Off Books.

3 November 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At this week's meeting, the Club welcomed four guests from Kirkintilloch Rotary Club. President Ken MacKenzie congratulated all concerned with the 'superb' Scotch Hop event the previous Saturday which raised over £700 in aid of Polio Eradication. There followed an enjoyable quiz prepared by Rotarian Alan Faulds. The winner, after a tie-break, was Rotarian Iain Morrison who collected various prizes. Members were informed that tickets would shortly be going on sale for the Club's Coffee Morning, to be held on 6 December in aid of local youth activities.

20 October 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This week's meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie, had as its speaker Ken Thomson, Director of Operations, Crossroads Caring Scotland (CCS). First started in 1972 in connection with the 'Crossroads' soap opera, CCS provides respite breaks for carers. Ken explained that, for West Lothian, 16 staff are employed, based at an office in Whitburn. Following questions and answers, Rotarian Thom Riddell gave the vote of thanks for Ken's interesting talk. It was reported that the club's quiz team had narrowly beaten that of Livingston Rotary Club, and thus passed on to the next round of the South-East Scotland tournament. Tickets are still available from Stewart Electrical and Blast-Off Books for the Rotary Scotch Hop ceilidh in Linlithgow Academy on 1 November in aid of Polio Eradication.

13 October 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie. Rotarian Tom Brown gave an amusing account of a Rotary visit to Dublin. The evening's speaker was Paul Oliver who informed members about the Bethany Trust and described his work as the manager of the Trust's emergency homeless hostel in Leith. He also has responsibility for its Night Shelter Project which now involves 77 Edinburgh churches making their halls available for the overnight accommodation of homeless people. Funding comes from the local authority, housing benefit, churches and other charitable donations. After a good question and answer session, the vote of thanks was given by Paul's father, Rotarian Alan Oliver. Tickets are still available from Stewart Electrical and Blast-Off Books for the Rotary Scotch Hop ceilidh in Linlithgow Academy on 1 November in aid of Polio Eradication.

6 October 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting saw the presentation by President Ken MacKenzie of a cheque for £6,000 to Tony Riddick of the anti-cancer charity Prostate Scotland, the money being the proceeds of the Club's Am-Am Golf Tournament in August. The evening's other special guest was Alasdair Seale, Rotary's District Governor for South-East Scotland, who gave an interesting speech underlining current Rotary priorities to combat infant mortality caused by disease, poverty, crime and lack of clean drinking water - it is a sobering fact that 30,000 children under five die every day. Tickets are still available from Stewart Electrical and Blast-Off Books for the Rotary Scotch Hop ceilidh in Linlithgow Academy on 1 November in aid of Polio Eradication.

22 September 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's event was a business meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie. Thanks were conveyed to all who organised the club's Charter Dinner, held last Friday, and reports were received on numerous activities and events planned for the coming year. The charitable events will include the Rotary Scotch Hop ceilidh in Linlithgow Academy on 1 November in aid of Polio Eradication (tickets already available from Stewart Electrical and Blast-Off Books), a coffee morning on 6 December, and an auction evening with entertainment on 6 March 2009.

8 September 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, chaired by President-Elect Jim Rae, had as its speaker Rotarian Iain Morrison who gave a fascinating talk about his family home at Melness in Sutherland, based on information gleaned from Register House, Census, Church and other historical records. The connection with the Highland Clearances was further explored in the question and answer session which followed. Rotarian Gordon Young gave the vote of thanks for a memorable talk, also enjoyed by a large visiting contingent of members and partners from Biggar Rotary Club which had earlier been shown round St Michael's Parish Church by Rotarian Tom Chadwick.

15 September 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, chaired by President Ken MacKenzie, had as its speaker Laura Bathgate, one of the students sponsored by the Club for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Laura enthusiastically described the leadership opportunities afforded by activities at the recent course held at Ardeonaig, Perthshire, including rock climbing, rafting, etc. She announced that some of the RYLA students would be abseiling down the Eden Court Theatre at Inverness during the District 1020 Conference in October, in aid of Mercy Ships. The challenge has been made to all Club Presidents to take part, and President Ken has accepted. Rotarian Phil Ratcliffe gave the vote of thanks for Laura’s interesting talk, and President Ken presented her with a RYLA certificate. Tickets are now available for the Rotary Scotch Hop ceilidh, being held in Linlithgow Academy on Saturday 1 November, in aid of Polio Eradication. They can be obtained from Stewart Electrical, Blast-Off Books, or any member of the Rotary Club.

1 September 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday's meeting, attended by Japanese ambassadorial scholar Satoko Sugaya, the evening's speaker was Rotarian Norman Middleton whose subject was 'Life Straws' - handy-sized personal filters which can make up to 700 litres of water from streams and ponds drinkable. Such devices are invaluable to save lives in flood-prone areas such as Bangladesh and, over the past year, the Club (and members' partners) had raised considerable sums for their purchase. Norman also showed a film portraying the benefits that Life Straws had bestowed on needy communities in Africa, following which President Ken MacKenzie gave a well-deserved vote of thanks.

25 August 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This Monday's Business Meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie, was preceded by a presentation by Mark Richmond, one of the students sponsored by the Club for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Mark enthusiastically described the leadership opportunities afforded by activities at the recent course held at Ardeonaig, Perthshire, including ridge walking, rafting, etc. Rotarian Phil Ratcliffe gave the vote of thanks for Mark's well-crafted talk, and President Ken presented him with his RYLA certificate. The Business Meeting itself covered a wide range of topics including forthcoming international Group Study Exchange visits and Ambassadorial Scholars, the Rotary 'Scotch Hop' planned for 1 November in aid of polio eradication, proposed Rotary information boards for the community, and other fund raising events including coffee morning, 'line of coins' and a charity auction.

18 August 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday was the day of the club's 6th Charity Am/Am Golf Tournament, held at Linlithgow Golf Club. Taking into account the proceeds of a raffle and silent auction, around £6,000 was raised for Prostate Scotland. 50 teams took part and the winning team was '4-Gone Conclusions', with H & S Construction second and 'Carpet Butcher' third. President Ken MacKenzie was the master or ceremonies at the evening social - and Alan McNeill, a founding trustee of Prostate Scotland, explained the charity's work in creating awareness about prostate health and thanked the club raising so much money. In his vote of thanks, President-Elect Jim Rae gave special mention of the considerable efforts of Rotarian Ian Adams in the organisation of the event, conveyed the club's appreciation to the Golf Club for acting as host, and thanked all, including the sponsors, who had made the day such a success.

11 August 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired by President Ken MacKenzie. A report was received from the District Rotary Foundation Seminar held at Peebles, and members were reminded of the Rotary Scotch Hop to be held in Linlithgow Academy on 1st November in aid of PolioPlus, Rotary’s Global Eradication Programme. President Ken gave a presentation on the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival, to be held in Edinburgh from 1-8 September.

4 August 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting, chaired as usual by President Ken MacKenzie, had as its speaker Stuart Duncan, Programme Manager for the new West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston. Stuart explained that this £50 million project, due to open in June 2009, was one of the largest public-sector partnerships in the United Kingdom, the main partners being West Lothian Council, the Scottish Courts Centre and Lothian & Borders Police. The Centre will centralise 1,000 employees from 14 locations, including the County Buildings, the Sheriff Courthouse and the Procurator Fiscal's Office in Linlithgow. The level of interest in this subject was high, as demonstrated by the number and range of questions asked by members. Finally, Rotarian Alex Linkston gave the vote of thanks for Stuart's interesting and informative talk.

21 July 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Guest Rotarians from Kirkintilloch, Inverurie and Largs were welcomed to Monday evening's meeting by President Ken MacKenzie. The speaker was Rotarian John Lawson whose subject was Rotary's pivotal involvement in the world eradication of polio. Since the establishment of the Polio Plus campaign in 1985, Rotary has worked with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contributing over £350 million raised from donations. John explained that, over the past twenty years, two billion people have been vaccinated against polio and that, globally, the annual number of cases has fallen from 350,000 to 1,300. However, four countries are still polio-endemic - India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria - and, over the next three years, Rotary has been challenged, through public fund-raising events, to double up a £50 million donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to finance complete eradication. The Linlithgow Grange Rotary Club's first such event will be a 'Scotch Hop' dance on 1 November. Past President David Robertson gave the vote of thanks for John's well-delivered talk.

14 July 2008
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired by President Ken MacKenzie. The speaker was Past President Jim Kelly who gave an entertaining account of some of his experiences travelling to exotic places. In 2001, Jim was in Australia to see the British Lions rugby tour. Overall he felt the rugby was disappointing, probably owing to the dominance of Welsh players and only one Scottish player, Tom Smith, in the Lions selection. However, Jim was greatly impressed by the Australian people and the places he visited. In 2003, Jim was in New Zealand touring around both North and South Islands. He recalls that during his visit, the defeat of the All Blacks by the Australians in the Rugby World Cup created a great sense of depression in the local population. On the positive side, he was able to purchase tee shirts with the ‘New Zealand World Champions’ motif very cheaply. Jim recounted other trips to Tahiti and the French Polynesian Islands, South Africa, and India. The experience of travelling on the roads of India has made him more tolerant of the traffic congestion on Linlithgow High Street – at least we don’t have elephants carrying huge logs – yet!!!! The vote of thanks was proposed by Vice-President Jim Gillespie.