meeting reports

Chris Long - Photo and © Portrait House

Meeting Reports compiled by Chris Long. Previous reports in 2009 by Gordon Young - thanks Gordon!

Session 2009 - 2010

Click here for the reports from 2008 / 2009

28 June 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - President Jim Rae handed over to President-elect Jim Gillespie at a well attended meeting of Rotarians and partners. Jim Rae thanked the Club Council profusely for their assistance over the last year. He was pleased that the Club had raised over £9,500 towards polio eradication. Jim Rae paid thanks to the convenors as well as all members of the Club for their unstinting support. President Jim Gillespie said he was pleased to award Jim Rae a citation for the 2009/10 year. He went on to outline ambitious plans for the future year consolidating on the achievements of the past year.

21 June 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was chaired for the last time by President Jim Rae prior to handing over this role to President-Elect Jim Gillespie next week. Having thanked the Youth Opportunities for their hard work holding the Youth Music Concert last Thursday in the Marches Marquee - a highly successful event that showcased the excellence of the West Lothian Schools Brass Band (currently European Champions for the second year), the West Lothian Schools Folk Group and the children of the joint choirs from Linlithgow Primary School and Linlithgow Bridge Primary School (who will ever forget their brilliant "Herrin's Heid"?) - he passed the meeting over to the incoming President and his committee convenors to announce the forthcoming programme which promises both established and proven public events as well as exciting innovations more of which will be publicised in this column in the near future. President-Elect Jim Gillespie commended the plans outlined and visiting Assistant District Governor Alistair Marquis summed up by saying that from what he had heard he looked forward to the Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange having a very successful year.

14 June 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - President Jim Rae reported a well attended Fiddlers' Rally entitled ‘Red Hot Fiddles’ in the Marches marquee on Wednesday 9th June. The evening was compered by the erudite and entertaining Bruce Jamieson. The audience was treated to an excellent concert of Scottish fiddlers music interspersed with dynamic displays by members of the Kathryn O’Connor School of Irish Dancing. The large band comprised fiddlers from a wide area, including members of Linlithgow’s own Quern as well as from the Dunfermline Strathspey and Reel Society, ably led by conductor Ron Smith. The vote of thanks was given by President-elect Jim Gillespie. President Jim also reported that earlier on Wednesday 9th June, club members had participated in the successful kids out – a fun day for children with special needs. This had been attended by over two hundred children including some from Donaldson’s School in Linlithgow.

7 June 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was chaired by President Jim Rae. He was pleased to announce that five club members will assist in Kids Out Day – a fun day out for children with special needs on June 9th. Heather McInally introduced Gordon Findlater, the Curator of the Anatomy Museum and Director of Anatomy at Edinburgh University, who gave an informative and amusing talk. He related how William Burke and his accomplice William Hare were responsible for a reign of terror in the streets around Edinburgh's West Port and Grassmarket, murdering sixteen people. Burke and Hare, both Irish immigrants, sold the corpses of their victims to provide dissection material for Dr Robert Knox, an anatomy lecturer at Edinburgh Medical College. The club's two forthcoming fund-raising concerts are the annual Fiddlers' Rally, named Red Hot Fiddlers to be held on Wednesday 9th June, which this year also features a "Riverdancing" act and a Youth Music Concert on Thursday 17th June showcasing the West Lothian Schools Brass Band, the West Lothian Schools Folk Group and a joint choir from Linlithgow Bridge and Linlithgow Primary School. Both concerts are being held in the Marches' Marquee. Tickets for these events are available from any club member or from Stewart Electrical, The Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and The Line Gallery at £6 each (concessions for children at £3 available for the Youth Concert). Tickets for the Youth Music Concert are also on sale at the Howden Park Centre Box Office, telephone 01506 777666.

31 May 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was a business meeting chaired by President Jim Rae. He announced that twelve Rotarians and spouses participated in a successful day planting bluebell bulbs around the north side of Linlithgow Loch on Saturday 29th May, Environment Day. Trees had been cleared away and sixty saplings planted. This is the third project undertaken by our Club as part of its commitment to our community. Special mention should be made of a member from the newly chartered Rotary Club of Edinburgh Park who came along to assist. The Club hopes to start shortly on renewing the Rotary flower bed on the Blackness Road. The club's two forthcoming fund-raising concerts are the annual Fiddlers' Rally, named Red Hot Fiddlers to be held on Wednesday 9th June, which this year also features a "Riverdancing" act and a Youth Music Concert on Thursday 17th June showcasing the West Lothian Schools Brass Band, the West Lothian Schools Folk Group and a joint choir from Linlithgow Bridge and Linlithgow Primary School. Both concerts are being held in the Marches' Marquee. Tickets for these events are available from any club member or from Stewart Electrical, The Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and The Line Gallery at £6 each (concessions for children at £3 available for the Youth Concert). Tickets for the Youth Music Concert are also on sale at the Howden Park Centre Box Office, telephone 01506 777666.

24 May 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was chaired as usual by President Jim Rae. He announced that club members will be participating in planting bluebell bulbs around the north side of Linlithgow Loch on Saturday 29th May, Environment Day. Congratulations were sent to Linlithgow & Bo’ness for winning the 2010 District Quiz. Tom Brown introduced tonight’s speaker who was Colin Galloway, founder member/ treasurer. He gave an atmospheric account of a week’s trip on board ‘VIC 32’ a steam driven puffer in June last year on a round trip from Crinan which explored the coastline in and around the islands of Islay and Jura. The club's two forthcoming fund-raising concerts are the annual Fiddlers' Rally, named Red Hot Fiddlers to be held on Wednesday 9th June, which this year also features a "riverdancing" act and a Youth Music Concert on Thursday 17th June showcasing the West Lothian Schools Brass Band, the West Lothian Schools Folk Group and a joint choir from Linlithgow Bridge and Linlithgow Primary School. Both concerts are being held in the Marches' Marquee. Tickets for these events are available from any club member or from Stewart Electrical, The Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and The Line Gallery at £6 each (concessions for children at £3 available for the Youth Concert). Tickets for the Youth Music Concert are also on sale at the Howden Park Centre Box Office, telephone 01506 777666.

17 May 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was chaired as usual by President Jim Rae. Following the club's Scatter Week, he received further reports from members who visited other clubs during the event. These included visits to Whitburn, the Rotary Club of Carse of Stirling, Edinburgh Breakfast and Biggar Rotary clubs. Gordon Young introduced Jackie Mitchell who gave a fascinating insight into the working of local journalism in general and into the Linlithgow Gazette in particular. Members were interested in seeing back copies of the Gazette. Letters from fifty years ago complained about the traffic problems of Linlithgow High Street. Twenty five years ago concerns were being aired about cutting down trees in the High Street. Some things never change! It should be noted that the club's two forthcoming fund-raising concerts are the annual Fiddlers' Rally, named Red Hot Fiddlers on Wednesday 9th June, which this year also features a "Riverdancing" act by the award-winning Kathryn O'Connor's School of Irish Dancing and a Youth Music Concert on Thursday 17th June showcasing the talents of the West Lothian Schools Brass Band, the West Lothian Schools Folk Group and a joint choir from Linlithgow Bridge and Linlithgow Primary School, both concerts being held in the Marches' Marquee. Tickets for these events are available from any club member or from Stewart Electrical, The Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and The Line Gallery at a cost of £6 each (concessions for children at £3 available for the Youth Concert). Tickets for the Youth Music Concert are also on sale at the Howden Park Centre Box Office, tel: 01506 777666.

10 May 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was chaired as usual by President Jim Rae. Following the club's Scatter Week the previous week, he received reports from members who visited other clubs during the event. These included visits to Callander, Lauderdale, Kinross, Cumbernauld, Whitburn, Leith and Bothwell and Uddingston. Updates were given on the club's two forthcoming fund-raising concerts, the annual Fiddlers' Rally, named Red Hot Fiddles on Wednesday 9th June, which this year also features a "Riverdancing" act by the award-winning Kathryn O'Connor's School of Irish Dancing, and a Youth Music Concert on Thursday 17th June showcasing the talents of the the West Lothian Schools Brass Band, the West Lothian Schools Folk Group and a joint choir from Linlithgow Bridge and Linlithgow Primary School, both concerts being held in the Marches' Marquee. Tickets for these events are available from any club member or from Stewart Electrical, The Linlithgow Bookshop, Blast-Off Books and The Line Gallery at a cost of £6 each (concessions for children at £3 available for the Youth Concert). Tickets for the Youth Music Concert are also on sale at the Howden Park Centre Box Office, tel: 01506 777666.

26 April 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday evening's business meeting, President Jim Rae reported that the Club had been actively involved in Saturday’s annual clean-up and litter pick organised by Burgh Beautiful/ Cittaslow. He announced that disbursements had been made to the Lochside Nursery as well as the Linlithgow Primary School chess club. At the Annual General Meeting which followed, the Club Council was approved by the membership; reports were received from the various Club committees on past and future events. Honorary memberships were renewed. Forthcoming events reviewed included the Street Fair to be held on Saturday 8th May. A wide variety of jeely jam jars will be for sale at £1 each and the money raised will be donated to local charities. The fiddlers rally will be held in the marquee at the Rugby Club on Wednesday 9th June. Kathryn O’Connor will be entertaining on a ‘River Dance’ theme. Local schools will be participating in a musical event at the marquee on Thursday 17th June. Tickets will be for sale at Stewarts Electrics, Blastoff Books, the Linlithgow Bookshop as well as the Line Gallery.

12th April 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - President Jim Rae had the pleasurable duty of installing a new member, John MacFarlane, into the Club. John is an architect in the private sector and is currently working on a major project at Waverley Station. In introducing him, President Jim mentioned that, amongst other claims to fame, John had been a drummer in a Ceilidh band. No doubt he will help our club drum up support for our future fund-raising events. Rotarian Phill Ratcliffe reported on his visit to the Rotary Club of Grangemouth to hear their member John Kenny, who resides in Linlithgow, speak about his year so far as President of Rotary International. RI President John's talk gave a good account of the work of Rotary mentioning in particular his keen interest in improving both literacy and clean water supply, the sterling work of Rotary in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, and visits to many of the developing nations. Our speaker for the evening was one of our Past Presidents, David Robertson, who after giving a small presentation reflecting his presidential year, stressed that the effectiveness of Rotary gained as much from the social interaction that we enjoy as a club as from the hard work the club puts in fund raising. He encouraged all members, but in particular the newer members such as John MacFarlane, to attend when possible the Rotary Conferences at District and National level.

29th March 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, chaired by president-elect Jim Gillespie, was a Business Meeting at which the many Club activities and events were discussed. It was announced that following the junior competition that had taken place on 19th February, the winner was Springfield Primary School and the runner up was Linlithgow Primary School. Both of these teams went on to the next round at Leapark Hotel Grangemouth, on the 23rd March. Linlithgow Primary School as runner up and goes through to the district final. The winner of our competition received the President’s Cup. Following a recent Council meeting, Rotarians were pleased to learn that funds had been approved to the following: 1) the Elinor Playgroup in Linlithgow, 2) to St Joseph’s Primary School, Linlithgow and 3) to Carolyn McKeown to help her forthcoming visit to Ghana.

22nd March 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting was chaired by President-Elect Jim Gillespie, who announced that the President’s Cup would be presented on Friday 26th March. Thom Riddell introduced John Balloch as the evening’s speaker. John told of the exciting work carried out by Enable Scotland, Scotland’s leading charity for tackling the learning disabilities of children and young people. Rotarians learned that Enable Scotland encourage independent living through supported accommodation, giving support in people’s houses while attempting to meet each person’s individual needs. The charity approach employers to achieve real jobs with real pay for its members. Enable Scotland also provides an information service as well as legal services and deals with over 2000 enquiries in these fields a year.

15th March 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, was chaired as usual by President Jim Rae, who thanked all involved in the organising of the recent, most successful, social weekend at Kenmore. Eighty people had enjoyed their stay at the Kenmore Hotel by the side of Loch Tay including members, partners as well as guests. Alex Robertson introduced the guest speaker, Tony Riddick, consultant urologist at St John’s Hospital in Livingston who outlined the symptoms and the range of treatments for the common and serious question of prostate disease. He thanked members for their financial support following his last visit two and a half years ago. The funds donated had been of great benefit to the charity Prostate Scotland. Tony gave members a tour of the excellent interactive website: Prostate Scotland

8th March 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, was chaired as usual by President Jim Rae. He welcomed visiting Rotarians from Currie Balerno and Polmont Clubs as well as several visitors. Out of the numerous ‘out of place’ objects displayed in shop fronts along the High Street, six children had identified them all! The winners drawn during the evening were Ciara Foley and Alison Stewart. The prize winner of the Colourful Songs competition was David Rae of Linlithgow, who had generously agreed to donate his prize to Mary’s Meals. The Club were pleased to hear the report by Sarah Bayes, a Rotary GSE Programme candidate. Sarah, a social worker, told warmly of her experiences in South Africa. She told of the welcoming and enthusiastic people she had met during her time last year in that country and it was evident to all club members that she had gained a lot from working in a very different culture.

1st March 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, chaired as usual by President Jim Rae. He welcomed two visiting Rotarians as well as several visitors to the Club. President Jim Rae reported that the Jim Clark Memorial Trophy Cup had been presented to Aisling Gray on Tuesday 23rd February at Springfield Primary School, Linlithgow. The President reported that Springfield Primary School had also won the Rotary quiz held on Friday. Their team had beaten Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow, St Joseph’s, Holy Family and Winchburgh Primary Schools. Members and visitors were enthralled to hear Kate Keter give an illustrated talk about her recent trip to India where she had personally helped with the anti-polio programme, delivering polio drops to needy children. Kate, along with her daughter, had taken part in the National Immunisation Day on 1st February in Delhi. In that week alone 170 million children in India were immunised by the local health authorities, backed by groups like Rotary.

22nd February 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday's meeting, chaired as usual, by President Jim Rae, was a Business Meeting at which the many Club activities and events were discussed. Jim thanked everyone who had been involved in the very successful Rotary coffee morning held at Cross House on Saturday 20th February. The coffee morning had raised £705 and the street collection on behalf of the Haiti earthquake appeal and eradication of polio raised the grand total of £709. The ‘odd item out’ in twenty six of the High Street shops continues. President Jim Rae announced that Aisling Gray would be receiving the Jim Clark memorial Trophy Cup on Rotary Day, Tuesday 23rd February 2010 at Springfield Primary School which included a book token for Aisling and a cheque for £200 for Springfield Primary School.

15th February 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired by President Jim Rae who wecomed Rotarian Tom Kerr, past president of the Rotary Club of Linlithgow and Boness and this evening's speaker, Pierre Harcourt from Melbourne Australia. Past president Kate Keter, recently returned from the End Polio Now national immunisation day in India, gave a brief report regarding her experiences. There is a more detailed presentation scheduled for 1st March. Pierre, a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, was sponsored by the club some seven years ago. On completion of his training as a solicitor in Criminal and Family Law, he went home to Australia and has now returned to Scotland in order to undertake a Phd in International Environmental Law and the Arctic Treaty at Edinburgh University. Pierre had interesting comments to make on the possible future development of Ambassadorial Scholarships. Norman Middelton proposed the vote of thanks to what was a very interesting presentation. Final arrangements were confirmed for the coffee morning which will take place on Saturday 20th February from 10am at St. Michael's Kirk Hall, Cross House and for the street collection in aid of the Haiti Earthquake and Rotary's End Polio Now Campaign. The "Odd Item Out" competition, supported by around twenty eight High Street businesses, will be run from 20th to 27th February. Participating shops will display event posters and have entry forms available.

8th February 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired by President Jim Rae. Members were pleased to hear of Kate’s personal involvement in the National Immunisation Polio Programme in Delhi and surrounding areas. Plans were discussed for the coffee morning which will take place on Saturday 20th February from 10am at the Kirk Hall, Cross House. Ed Morton welcomed Louise Stirton who outlined the excellent work carried out by the Teenage Cancer Trust. Louise explained that each day in the United Kingdom six teenagers are diagnosed with cancer. The Trust sets out to raise funds to establish specialised units to cater for teenagers who have been diagnosed with this life-threatening disease.

1st February 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was chaired by President Jim Rae. The thanks of the Club for the previous week's extremely successful Burns Supper at Linlithgow Golf Club were conveyed to all those who organised, assisted, performed or participated. Plans were outlined of the presentation of the Jim Clark Trophy on Tuesday 23rd February (Rotary Day), the schools quiz, as well as the future members evening. The Club plans for the coffee morning were at an advanced stage and have been formulated to achieve participation in raising funds for polio eradication, to maximise public awareness of the Rotary Polio Campaign, the Gates Challenge to increase membership as well as public awareness of Rotary in general. The coffee morning will take place for Saturday 20th February between 10am and 12noon at the Kirk Hall, Cross House. A wide range of activities are planned for all the family. A public collection in aid of Rotary Foundation will be held at the same time on Linlithgow High Street to raise funds for polio eradication as well as the Haiti earthquake appeal.

25th January 10
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 - Alex Taylor piped in the haggis; the Selkirk Grace was given by Stuart Gillan; Address to the Haggis by Tom Brown; the Immortal Memory by Jim Gillespie; a selection of Burns’ songs were sung by Sarah Gillan; a suitably cheeky Address to the Lasses was given by Rory Cameron - and a witty reply from his wife, Anthea and Holy Willie’s Prayer was dramatically rendered by Mike Smith. President Jim Rae chaired the event, peppering it with humorous anecdotes. The vote of thanks in true Burns’ style was given by Rotarian Heather McInally and the evening ended with a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne.

18th January 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This week’s meeting, held on Monday evening as usual with President Jim Rae in the chair, was the Club’s monthly Business Meeting. Members enjoyed a DVD which featured interviews with a range of members and ended with the challenge ‘join Rotary and make a world of difference’. The decision to contribute to the shelter box scheme for the Haiti relief was ratified by all in attendance. A wide range of charitable and social activities was discussed, including progress with the organisation of the coffee morning to be held on Saturday 20th February as well as the annual Burns Supper. Other future activities discussed included the challenge enterprise, a quiz night, the Linlithgow clean-up campaign, the 2010 fiddlers’ rally, Rotary Day to be held on 23rd February, an auction, the pro am golf tournament as well as the development of numerous activities with the local schools. Ken McKenzie outlined the importance of peace and ambassadorial Rotary scholarships throughout the world aimed at developing leadership skills in conflict resolution.

11th January 10
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening’s meeting was chaired by President Jim Rae who welcomed guests from the Rotary Club of Linlithgow and Bo’ness. A supper of soup and a roll was served raising £304 for Mary’s Meals. This worthwhile charity feeds over 379,000 children a year in fifteen countries. A sum of just over six pounds feeds a child in Malawi for a year. New member John Reid OBE outlined, with great enthusiasm, the challenge of his career as a civil servant with the Pension Service and the transformation of the service he spearheaded. It was apparent that he thoroughly enjoyed his job and his pride in being a public servant was evident. He told the stories of how he had made a difference to real people previously unaware of their pension entitlement. The meeting was followed by a quiz. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Linlithgow and Bo’ness, led by Alan Young, who won on a tie break!

14th December 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The Monday meeting was chaired as usual by President Jim Rae who thanked club members for their generous sponsorship of his "Walls of York" Walk which raised £490 to the benefit of local projects. The speaker for the evening was Rotarian Peter Russell who gave his job talk as is traditional for new members. Peter, a civil servant working within the Scottish Government, is one of two senior officers looking after Rural Development. Formerly working with the Justice Department for many years, he admits his learning curve was steep but throughout his interesting and informative talk, he showed a complete grasp of the facts, figures and strategies of his remit which is both to nurture and to ensure the health and vibrancy of Scotland's rural communities and environment. After a lively questions and answers session which reflected the memberships interest in the subject, Rotarian Norman Middleton gave the vote of thanks. The next Club Meeting at the West Port Hotel will be on Monday 4 January 2010. No virus found in this incoming message.

7th December 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - President Jim Rae had the pleasurable task at Monday evening's club meeting of presenting a cheque for £7586 to Calum Thomson, District Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Committee who received it on behalf of Rotary's "End Polio Now" campaign. The money, he informed the club, will not only go towards the final push to eradicate poliomyletis from the world, a task which is now 99% complete, but will also be used towards research and surveillance to prevent its re-occurence. The money raised was the proceeds from the Club's recent Charity Golf Tournament and the Rotary Scotch Hop. Following the meeting, a Special General Meeting was held to elect the officers for the year 2010/2011 when Jim Gillespie will be President. These were confirmed as Rory Cameron as President-Elect 2010/11, Eddie Crawley as Secretary and Roy Redwood as Treasurer. Heather McInally was elected as Vice-President for 2010/11.

30th November 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - One of the major guiding principles of Rotary is promoting International Understanding and one of the ways that Rotary does this is through providing young people with Ambassadorial Scholarships. Two Ambassadorial Scholars, Alice Molino from Cagliari, Sardinia and William Cody from Georgia, USA attended Monday’s club meeting presided over as usual by President Jim Rae. Alice, who is being hosted by club member Kate Keter and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cagliari, is taking a year out with the permission and encouragement of her professor from the University of Maastricht where she is studying European Law to widen her perceptions by attending a similar course at Edinburgh University. During her excellent presentation – spoken in impeccable English – she outlined an overview of Sardinia’s history, topography and culture as well as a personal account of her family, interests and ambitions. Her intention to fully integrate with Scottish society whilst here has given her a love for “Ceilidh” dancing. Alice sees herself having a career with the European Union and wants to be part of the European ideal. She also wanted to represent her country and region to the best of her ability, something that was obvious judging from the warm applause she received at the end of her talk. Rotarian Kate Keter gave the vote of thanks.

23rd November 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting this week was a Business Meeting presided over under the able chairmanship of President Jim Rae. Reports were received from the convenors of the club's committees including the Rotary Foundation, Youth Activities and International. A variety of Club initiatives and events are planned for, and around, Rotary Day on February 23rd 2010.

1st November 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - President Jim Rae hosted a full house at Monday's evening meeting when the President of Whitburn Rotary Club and a number of his members visited our club. The speaker was Abeer McIntyre, the former BBC anchor on many news and current affairs programs on TV and radio. She explained how she met the founder of Mary's Meals, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, and was moved by his vision of providing school feeding in communities around the world where poverty and hunger block children from gaining an education. So much so, she told us, she left her well-paid job with the BBC, downsized her family home, and now works for Mary's Meals to publicise and fundraise for the charity. Only six years from conception, Magnus has a very small team working from Dalmally in Argyllshire, determined to use 93p in every £ by using volunteers and local communities. From a standing start, Mary's Meals now feed 375,000 children every school day in 15 countries worldwide - in Malawi, for example, £6.15 can feed a child with local produce for a year. After this thought-provoking presentation and subsequent questions and answer session, Abeer suggested visiting their website, www.marysmeals.org for more information. Rotarian Douglas Robertson gave the well-deserved vote of thanks. Rotarian John Lawson reminded members that some tickets were still available for the popular Rotary Scotch Hop to be held this Saturday (7 November) at the Academy and John Carswell will host this fun event. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, price £8, which includes tea and shortbread.

21st September 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange held it’s Charter Dinner in the Dalyell Suite, County Buildings, Linlithgow last Friday evening. The well-attended event, presided over by club president Jim Rae, was an enjoyable evening of fellowship. Guests included Allan McLaughlan , District Governor Elect for 2010 - 2011, and his wife Mary, Andrew Kean, Vice President of the Rotary Club of Linlithgow and Boness and his wife Margaret, and the president of the Rotary Club of Polmont, Graham Smith and his partner Caroline Foulis. Best wishes and greetings were exchanged between clubs to celebrate the Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange’s 18th anniversary of receiving it’s Charter.

Monday's evening meeting was a very full event with a number of visitors being welcomed by President Jim Rae. Those from Livingston Rotary Club were attending as team members or supporters of their quiz team to battle our club in the District Quiz. The speaker for the evening was Rev Donald Scott who is the chaplain co-ordinator for the Young Offenders Institution in Polmont. He informed the listeners of the history of the site and the routine for the currently 715 inmates who are between 16 and 21. Presently the re-offending rate within 2 years is between 70% and 85% largely due to the fact that these young people return to the same situation that brought them to the YOI in the first place. However, Rev Scott was able to offer some hope when he described the Jacob Project in which he is involved and is supported by the Iona Community. This endeavours to break the cycle by providing mentors for those ex-offenders that enter the program, provide, if at all possible, alternative accommodation and find gainful employment or purpose to their lives in conjunction with "Project Scotland", a national charity that helps young people realise their potential through volunteering. Of the 15 young men that have been involved in the pilot project since its inception in 2004, only two have re-offended. After a thoughtful questions and answers session, club member Rev Dr Stewart Gillan gave the vote of thanks for the excellent presentation. Linliithgow Grange went on to win convincingly in the ensuing quiz with Livingston Rotary Club.

14th September 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The speaker at Monday's meeting, chaired by President Jim Rae, was Mark Richmond. He had previously addressed the club as one of our sponsored young people at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards where, he ruefully told the club, he had learned the motto "Just Say Yes". Accordingly he became involved with Project Trust, a gap year organisation. He was placed along with another gap year student to help with children's schooling in Southern Uganda, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from, he said. He taught a class of 220 seven year olds in an established Primary School, helped to set up a basic satelite school for children that lived in the local jungle area, and also assisted with the formation of "Utopia", a charity formed to help AIDS orphans with creating income generating activities and with schooling. His involvement by fundraising with Utopia continues. Just beginning medicine at St Andrew's University, it is Mark's firm intention to return to Uganda in six year's time. His enthusiastic address was warmly received and Phill Ratcliffe gave the vote of thanks.

7th September 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was an auspicious one with the induction of a new Rotarian, Peter Russell, in the presence of visiting District Governor, Alistair Davies. DG Alistair Davies took the opportunity to review the goals of Rotary - Health, Water and Sanitation, and Literacy - and particularly mentioned the PolioPlus campaign, Rotary's global eradication program which is so successful that less than 2000 cases are now diagnosed world-wide. The promised funding of $350 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation conditional on Rotary matching this with $200 million will ensure that every child in the world receives the polio vaccine. Rotary is 98% along this road. The district governor presented a banner to President Jim Rae inscribed with a motto from Linlithgow's own citizen, John Kenny, who is the global President of Rotary International. An audio-visual presentation was given to the DG outlining the club's plans and projects in 2009. Rory Cameron gave the vote of thanks.

21st August 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB
Charter Dinner Top Table 2009 © Linlithgow Grange RotaryThe Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange held it’s Charter Dinner in the Dalyell Suite, County Buildings, Linlithgow last Friday evening. The well-attended event, presided over by club president Jim Rae, was an enjoyable evening of fellowship. Guests included Allan McLaughlan , District Governor Elect for 2010 - 2011, and his wife Mary, Andrew Kean, Vice President of the Rotary Club of Linlithgow and Boness and his wife Margaret, and the president of the Rotary Club of Polmont, Graham Smith and his partner Caroline Foulis. Best wishes and greetings were exchanged between clubs to celebrate the Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange’s 18th anniversary of receiving it’s Charter.

Monday's evening meeting was a very full event with a number of visitors being welcomed by President Jim Rae. Those from Livingston Rotary Club were attending as team members or supporters of their quiz team to battle our club in the District Quiz. The speaker for the evening was Rev Donald Scott who is the chaplain co-ordinator for the Young Offenders Institution in Polmont. He informed the listeners of the history of the site and the routine for the currently 715 inmates who are between 16 and 21. Presently the re-offending rate within 2 years is between 70% and 85% largely due to the fact that these young people return to the same situation that brought them to the YOI in the first place. However, Rev Scott was able to offer some hope when he described the Jacob Project in which he is involved and is supported by the Iona Community. This endeavours to break the cycle by providing mentors for those ex-offenders that enter the program, provide, if at all possible, alternative accommodation and find gainful employment or purpose to their lives in conjunction with "Project Scotland", a national charity that helps young people realise their potential through volunteering. Of the 15 young men that have been involved in the pilot project since its inception in 2004, only two have re-offended. After a thoughtful questions and answers session, club member Rev Dr Stewart Gillan gave the vote of thanks for the excellent presentation. Linliithgow Grange went on to win convincingly in the ensuing quiz with Livingston Rotary Club.

14th August 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The speaker at Monday's meeting, chaired by President Jim Rae, was Mark Richmond. He had previously addressed the club as one of our sponsored young people at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards where, he ruefully told the club, he had learned the motto "Just Say Yes". Accordingly he became involved with Project Trust, a gap year organisation. He was placed along with another gap year student to help with children's schooling in Southern Uganda, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from, he said. He taught a class of 220 seven year olds in an established Primary School, helped to set up a basic satelite school for children that lived in the local jungle area, and also assisted with the formation of "Utopia", a charity formed to help AIDS orphans with creating income generating activities and with schooling. His involvement by fundraising with Utopia continues. Just beginning medicine at St Andrew's University, it is Mark's firm intention to return to Uganda in six year's time. His enthusiastic address was warmly received and Phill Ratcliffe gave the vote of thanks.

7th August 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting was an auspicious one with the induction of a new Rotarian, Peter Russell, in the presence of visiting District Governor, Alistair Davies. DG Alistair Davies took the opportunity to review the goals of Rotary - Health, Water and Sanitation, and Literacy - and particularly mentioned the PolioPlus campaign, Rotary's global eradication program which is so successful that less than 2000 cases are now diagnosed world-wide. The promised funding of $350 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation conditional on Rotary matching this with $200 million will ensure that every child in the world receives the polio vaccine. Rotary is 98% along this road. The district governor presented a banner to President Jim Rae inscribed with a motto from Linlithgow's own citizen, John Kenny, who is the global President of Rotary International. An audio-visual presentation was given to the DG outlining the club's plans and projects in 2009. Rory Cameron gave the vote of thanks.

31st August 09
Business Meeting

24th August 09
AM AM - No Report

17th August 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This Monday's evening meeting, chaired as usual by President Jim Rae, was visited by the outgoing GSE team who are visiting South Africa in October this year. The Group Study Exchange Program was introduced by Rotary to encourage a better understanding across the international divide. Four non-Rotarians, led by a Rotarian, visit a country for six weeks, to study the host country’s institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. The team comprises of James Chiles, Business Development; Sarah Bayes (sponsored by our Club), a Social Worker; Sarah Drummond, a Primary School Teacher; and Dawn Jardine, a NHS Physiotherapist. The team is led by Rotarian Mike Chad from Biggar Rotary Club. They gave a very interesting and thoughtfully constructed presentation, their first to an audience. Rotarian Thom Riddell gave the well-deserved vote of thanks.

10th August 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday's meeting, President Jim Rae welcomed a Rotarian from Caernarfon and three non-Rotarian visitors, two of whom are prospective club members. The speaker was Archie McCall, our newest member, who gave the club an insight into his working life. Born in East Wemyss, Fife it was natural for him to join the National Coal Board which put him through university to become a mining engineer. Later he joined Rolls-Royce and, with progress through the firm, eventually worked with Sales and Marketing. This took him to a number of different countries including Russia, which, due to mis-reporting in the British press caused a minor diplomatic crisis resulting in an interview with MI6, and a tense visit to Iran at the time of the Red Guards. His amusing and informative talk was well received by the Club and Jim Gillespie gave the vote of thanks. President Jim gave members an update on the forthcoming Charity Golf Tournament on 24th August. Offers of prizes for the Silent Auction and the Prize Draw are still welcome by contacting Ian Adams on 01506 842585 during normal business hours.

3rd August 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - The usual Monday evening meeting, chaired by President Jim Rae, had as its speaker Evelyn Kidd, Chairperson of Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Gala Day Committee. Evelyn described the work of the committee throughout the year in fundraising and organising the Gala Day. She outlined the busy schedule of events leading up to the big day and the challenges of working with 150 children during rehearsals. The Committee are always looking for new members, and welcome new ideas for keeping the Gala Day as an important part of Linlithgow’s civic life. Rotarian Gerry Keating conveyed members' appreciation for all the hard work done by Evelyn and the Gala Day Committee in his vote of thanks.

27th July 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - This Monday's meeting at the West Port Hotel was a Business Meeting chaired by President Jim Rae with reports being received from all committee convenors. Charity fundraising activities such as a Rotary Scotch Hop on 7 November, the ever-popular Marches Fiddlers Rally and other musical concerts were intimated. Ian Adams updated club members on the progress of the forthcoming AM/AM golf tournament to be held on 24 August at Linlithgow Golf Club. The card of 46 team tee-offs is all but complete although any business or anyone wishing to sponsor a tee or a green or donate a prize for raffle or auction should contact Ian on 01506 842585 during normal business hours.

20th July 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - At Monday's meeting, President Jim Rae welcomed members of District's Foundation Committee who were visiting the Club and had the pleasure of installing Rotarian Rory Cameron as Vice President. The speaker for the evening was one of our own members, Doug McEwan, who gave a talk entitled “A Confession”in which he revealed his enthusiasm for the Scottish Railway Preservation Society in Bo'ness. Doug is one of a team of volunteer archivists at the SRPS and has just been appointed Photographic Curator, responsible for cataloguing, preserving and eventually digitising tens of thousands images that have been donated or bequeathed to them. What is on show at the Exhibition is a tiny proportion of the archives and now that the SPRS have been officially recognised as a museum, it is hoped that access to grants and other funding will allow their role telling the story of Scotland's Railways to be expanded. After questions and answers, Rotarian Jim Chapman gave the vote of thanks.

13th July 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Monday evening's meeting this week was the first meeting to be taken by Rotarian Jim Rae in his capacity as the new Club President. The speaker for the evening was Becca McInally, daughter of one of our members, who gave an authoritative and comprehensive insight into the Kenya Children's Home in Nairobi run by the Balcraig Foundation, an iniative of Stagecoach founder, Anne Gloag, which provides a place of safety for orphaned and destitute children. Consisting of nine family units of 12 - 16 children and each unit overseen by a dedicated house mother and "auntie", the KCH aims to improve access to education, offers a social work department and, by outreach, improve hygiene facilities in the slum dwellings of Nairobi. It is one of ten local iniatives instigated by the Balcraig Foundation. Becca first went to Kenya for her gap year to help in the Children's Home but stayed for two years and now works with the Balcraig Foundation as a volunteer raising awareness of their good work. Her talk was warmly received and the vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Jim Cowie.

6th July 09
LINLITHGOW GRANGE ROTARY CLUB - Last Saturday, a band of enthusiastic Rotarians assisted the Linlithgow Peel's ranger service in clearing vegetation to restore the course of the Hatchery Burn at the far side of the loch. The community service activity was greatly enjoyed by all who participated. Monday's social meeting celebrated the handover of Club presidency from Ken MacKenzie to Jim Rae. Preceding the transfer of the chain of office, Rotarian Ken spoke of the past year's highlights, including abseiling down the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness in aid of Mercy Ships, and attendance at the Rotary International Conference in Birmingham. Newly-installed President Jim Rae then proposed a vote of thanks for Ken's year in office, especially notable for the fact that over £24,800 raised from local people had been disbursed for charitable purposes, followed by an outline of the programme for the coming year. Also receiving his chain of office as President-Elect was Rotarian Jim Gillespie.