Fun and Games

The Rotary Club of East Sutherland is not the world's most competitive sports club, nor the most sporting in District 1010- despite boasting a Rugby Internationalist and some very talented golfers and country pursuit sporting types—but we do know how to have a good time!!!

Through Fellowship, through away days, through the Gavel, through the odd quiz, through BBQs and nights out and through the odd excursion onto the golf course or the trout loch.So, no Sports Page on our Web Site---but a pictorial demonstration of Rotary Fellowship (or Fun & Games) at work in Sutherland and beyond.

We hope that you enjoy looking at this page as much as we enjoyed taking part—why not join us?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

(or how the young ones out smarted us!!!)

This years Rotary Christmas Party was a very happy event held at Royal Dornoch Golf Club where chef/manager Michael provided us with superb food and excellent service.

Just under 50 Rotarians and their guests turned up to don silly hats, share stories and enjoy seasonal fellowship but as is tradition it was also the night of the Rotary Quiz for the John Metcalf Trophy.

Quiz master Alistair Risk recognising that the Rotarians were not up to a Mastermind style event chose the theme of Christmas for all the questions but that did not seem to make things any easier for the befuddled members-

--the wine perhaps ????--- however amongst our guests were Gabriella Delfour and Ellen Whealing from the Interact Club of Golspie High School who knew all the answers !!

Don't you just hate smart kids who seem determined to prove that a modern education is superior to what we had with the 3 Rs or did we just prove that we have forgotten more than they ever learned??

Anyway they were justifyable winners by 7 points from the Murrays of Balloan table (or Pat Murray to be exact since Paddy says she has all the answers).

Our golfers do it again!!

Following our club golf team’s victory at Golspie over the teams from Dingwall, Thurso and Wick, it was the turn of North Berwick Rotary club under Gordon Symon to play our well honed machine (well our confident & determined golfers).  The match took place over the superb Brora links. Our confidence was slightly dented when our most experienced and perhaps most skilful and reliable player Beau Beaton withdrew due to "man flu" but with Byron, Colin, Paddy, William and Tony in peak condition (ish), under the leadership of Alistair who doubles as the Brora GC President our team took to the course and set about the opposition. It has to be said that North Berwick were not perhaps at their best, there was talk of a late night and large quantities of port the previous night spent in Fellowship at Nethy Bridge and this was evidenced by members of their team rushing into the sand dunes on occasions.  We had not previously understood the keen interest their membership had in the nesting site of the Artic Tern !!! However despite such problems and a "snell" wind and dreich weather both teams put in good scores David Lancaster of North Berwick achieving his life time ambition and the bragging rights as he eclipsed Alistair's score by shooting a level par round to take the top score from him by one point. Overall the East Sutherland team had 12 points more than North Berwick and retain the trophy. It is proposed that next years match will be held at Hopeman on the Moray Firth at around the same date and we look forward to another fun day in excellent company.

 

Mamma Mia! Rotary Goes Italian

The East Sutherland Rotary Club celebrated the end of a wonderful year under the Presidentship of William Sutherland by enjoying an evening with an Italian theme.  Around 40 members and friends gathered at the Dornoch Community Centre for a social film night---The Italian Job but instead of Hot Dogs they enjoyed Italian wines, pasta galore and sumptuous puddings fruits and cheeses expertly prepared and served by Judi Sutherland and her butler.  This was a wonderful way to enjoy the fellowship of Rotary and to thank William for a job well done over the last 12 months----Quite a year as not only did he squeeze in he Rotary duties --his daughter got married---he toured South America--he had an operation on his injured leg-- and he retired from the Sutherland Partnership.   Goodness knows what he will do unhampered by work ???
 

Fantastic Fun & Fellowship a great example..

A total of over 80 Rotarians and their partners from clubs all over 1010 attended the East Sutherland Zone 1 Fellowship Weekend including the District Governor George Berstan and boy did they have fun and they really broke down the barriers and killed off any feeling of isolation that the country's most northerly and most remote clubs may have felt in the past.

Rotarians form Skye, Orkney, Dingwall, Tain, Pitlochry, Turrif, Montrose, Thurso, Wick and elsewhere joined the host club for an event packed weekend which included a welcome supper at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, a mornings falconry then a visit to Dunrobin Castle before taking a trip round Sutherland with lunch at the Falls of Shin.
Saturday evening was a superb Scotttish Music Concert featuring lots of local talent which the club have nurtured over the years including the Struie Singers, a youth Gaelic Choir, The Standfast Display Dancers and Singer Amy Cameron along with the Strathair Dance Band with Terry Keating our superb fiddle player.  Then there was haggis neeps n tatties before we hit the floor for Ceilidh Dancing into the wee sma' hours.

Sunday a walk on the many wonderful beaches and a farewell Sunday lunch with all the trimmings at Golspie Golf Club.  DG George was overcome by the hostmanship and the friendship and declared the weekend an example to all other Zones and clubs of good practice and how Rotary should move forward in Friendship and mutual appreciation while delivering Service Above Self.

“ this is exactly what Rotary should be all about—fun, friendship and getting to know each other as we strive to help good causes” said George and a very proud East Sutherland club President William was seen to beam in agreement.

For a BUNCH OF GREAT PICTURES, CLICK ON THE NORTHERN FELLOWSHIP BOX TO THE LEFT OF THESE PAGES!

THE 2010/11 FUNDRAISER - A 'Reel' SCOTTISH CELEBRATION!

 

The Club forwent their usual Burns night and instead held a “White Heather Club Tribute Night” (wi’ a touch o Burns) as a fundraiser for the urgent help required for the victims of recent floods in Brazil and Pakistan.

And what a success it was as around £3,500 was raised through the generosity of the people of Sutherland by the sale of tickets for the show and through theassociated raffle.

 

The White Heather Tribute was a triumph thanks to the fabulous local talent all of whom donated their service free of charge to help the cause:
Elaine Shearer’s singing was breath-taking
Paul Griffiths brought Burns songs to life
Versatile Jimmy Macdonald was superb with his instrumentation and his singing voice.

 

 

 

 

John Duncan’s singing was magnificent, while Piper Neil Cameron blew us away

But giving our adult stars hot competition were the youthful performers!  The vivacious and extraordinary Standfast Dancers knocked the Dixie Ingram Dancers into the proverbial cocked hat!  Then there were the Struie Gaelic Singers and musicians from Tain Royal Academy who stole everyone’s hearts with their haunting melodies and precocious talent.

 

This was a night that every one of the 150 people attending the sell out show will remember for a long time. The next big Rotary fundraiser will be the annual Duck Race on the River Brora in early June which will raise money exclusively for local charities and groups.

 

MORE PICTURES...

 

 

 

 

Tain Royal Academy Gaelic Singers and Musicians at Christmas Party 

At the annual East Sutherland Rotary Christmas dinner the entertainment was once again provided by the talented Tain Royal Academy Gaelic Singers and Musicians.  They provided a full programme of carols and traditional music which enthralled the 70 plus diners at the Morangie House Hotel.   In fact the members were so delighted with the progress this group has made over the last 3 years and by the support they have given to many Rotary events including the up coming White Heather Club night in January and past Burns Nights and St Andrews Night concerts that a cheque for £250 was presented to them to sponsor their travel to the Orkney festival next summer.

Pic show SVP Graeme Maclaughlin presenting the group with their cheque. 

From RIGHT to LEFT: Gordie Bryce, Breagha Hayes, Chloe Bryce, Eoghann Beaton, Catriona Gordon, Elspeth Hayes, Helen Gordon, Kaitlin Ross, Marion Gordon. 

Carol Accepts Quiz Trophy from Graeme 

The annual quiz for the Metcalfe memorial bowl was held once again at the christmas bash.  In keeping with his devious sadistic nature President William set the questions then disappeared off to the Med for a holiday leaving SVP Graeme to do his Bamber Gascoigne impersonation.  To say that the questions were a tad too easy would be a breach of the Rotary 4 Way Test but the 70 assembled Rotarians and guests put up a good show--some even managed to get the odd correct answer !!

Graeme had also been responsible for allocating the table plan which defined the teams and of course put like minded people together so it came as no surprise that a team which included a retired head master and rugby international, a retired Government wizz kid, more  teachers , a scientist and a some globe trotters all quiz fanatics swept the board under their captain Carol Gillot and left the rest in their trail.

(Are we bad losers--you bet your life we are !!! Merry Christmas Carol, Liz, David, Graham, Geoff and Judy) 

The Gavel - President’s Tactics Triumph!

In the history of the Rotary Gavel Fellowship, and sporting Challenge Competition, there can seldom have been recorded an example of a team following their captain’s instructions so expertly!!  Firstly President William picked his strongest team Paddy--Malcolm--Robert--Alisdair--Hugh--Pat--David-- and Isobel.  They immediately did as suggested and made themselves unavailable Paddy went to Japan, Malcolm went to Sri Lanka, Robert to Portugal, Alisdair to Nepal, Hugh to Edinburgh, Pat found a problem horse, David went to Stirling and Isobel had to work.

First class work on avoidance--well done!!

However rather than letting the teams of Ullapool, Dingwall, Wick and Thurso claim a walkover we fielded our second string team of William, Judi, Fiona, Christine, Alex, Colin, Terry, Sheina and scorer/referee Alistair.

With President William's encouraging words "We don't want to visit Skye, Stornoway or Shetland for the next round!!" ringing in our ears, the brave team showed all the skills and little of the guile of Ann Widdicombe (sic) in Strictly as they capitulated in the face of adversity--just as their President had advised.

With such serious games to play as Jenga, Dominos, Draughts, Connect 4 , Putting,and Ball throwing on offer the teams from Dingwall, Thurso and East Sutherland took to the field ( Ullapool and Wick having called off due to the superior reputation of the Sutherland team !!)

East Sutherland and Dingwall flattered to deceive in their match and it was only the timely intervention of Past President Christine that allowed the Dingwall team to win 25 to 23.

Our match with Thurso was an even greater triumph when every member of the team played to their potential to lose 36 to 12, thus ensuring that the home team could not progress to the next round.

The Dingwall club was so impressed with the East Sutherland tactics and play that they copied our plan to the letter and they too lost to the Thurso "Masters" by 36 to 12

The final Score - Thurso 72   Dingwall 37    East Sutherland 35.  Thus Thurso go forward to the next round and their team was last seen visiting the local chemist to buy sea sick pills ready for their next
match away across the choppy Minch - Our thoughts go with them!!!

Seriously this was a super day of Fellowship and Fun and a format which we hope to repeat again next year.  Our thanks to Brora Golf Club and to their catering team for the use of excellent facilities and good food well served.

Ghosts and Ghoulies Gather in Golspie

With a full moon shining on the bay, the members of the East Sutherland Rotary Club made their way with trepidation to Golspie Golf Club for their weekly meeting which was to have a seasonal theme.  The Clubhouse had been decorated ready for a gathering of ghosts and ghoulies, bats were flying and spiders had joined the creepy crawlies to intimidate the members and there was a hint of magic and illusion in the air.  Seriously President William Sutherland hosted an evening with excellent party food, a ghastly (or was it a ghostly?) quiz and Clive Grewcock performed magic arround the tables while everyone joined in the fun.  Clive's lovely daughters dressed up as witches but we are not sure if others came as themselves or had used make up and costume to look their best or most frightening !

 

Bowling in Brora

The East Sutherland Rotary Club madfe their annual visit to the superb Brora Bowling Club on a warm sunny evening.

Fundraising can be fun too - well mostly!

Erecting the Gazebos required to support the fundraising at the shows is not always an easy task but at the Hemsdale show the weather was challenging with gales threatening to pull down all the good work before the paying customers arrived!

A team assembled on the show field early Saturday morning.  This advance party, Paddy Murray, the two Alistairs, Risk and Miller & Tony Tracey who arrived armed with Duct Tape, extra rope and tools set to work.  Even Paddy's 4 wheel drive vehicle ended up acting as the wind break side and eventually got the job done.  So who is the Clown? well BO BO the clown, of course (any similarity with members of the East Sutherland Rotary club is understandable!).

The Luckiest Dog in Sutherland?

Chessy (or Chesford to give him his proper name) is a popular Beagle in Brora where he can be seen in his honorary post as the welcoming committee at the golf club car park most days and sometime he is lucky and someone gives him a biscuit. But Chessy's luck has really taken a turn for the better as on Saturday the Rotary Club held its BIG HOLIDAY DRAW and he won two prizes Something to bark about when there were 7000 tickets to choose from!! He really was excited when his first ticket won a £40 voucher for as much fish and chips and haggis and chips as he could eat donated by La Mirage in Helmsdale BUT he nearly wagged his tail off with excitement when he won the star prize of a 2 night luxury holiday in the Royal Marine Hotel Brora complete with a round of golf on the Brora Links (his favourite walk) AND a days trout fishing on Loch Brora where he loves to accompany his Dad (Club President Alistair Risk) when he and the family regulary picnic on the shore Chessy plans to learn how to cast and how to row very soon so that he can take Alistair out on the loch this summer. It really is a dogs life !!! 

 

Golf at Brora

Once again the East Sutherland club golfers were hosts to the North Berwick club team who this year came to play us over the Brora course on a perfect autumn day of sunshire and a light breeze While the result is as always imaterial the trophy was retained (again) by the Sutherland club led by Beau Beaton and William Sutherland who were supported by incoming members Tony Tracey and Gerry Fitzpatrick, Bernard Ledwith and Alistair Risk who has now been President of both clubs (NB in 1989) The North Berwick team of Gordon Symon, Ian Donald, Willie Hunter, David Lancaster and Alan Jenkins played well and enjoyed what was a great day of fellowship over the Brora Links Next year the match is at Granton on Spey and we also hope to have a team play at Whitekirk in late august in the North Berwick Charity day there.

Pictures - Above - both teams ready to play.

Right - leading foresome

Gordon and Ian with Beau & William
 

 

Check out our Gallery Below......

BBQ Fun	Ranger talk at Lairg
What a Blow	Burns Supper
Carry on Eating Cruise	Dancing on Deck
Distillery Visit	Fundraising Party Night
Golf day	Golspie Golf
Party Time at Conference	Former President Rita Finlayson
Lairg Ferrycroft C entre Visit	Pasta party!

 

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