NEWS AND EVENTS

GREAT MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF BURNS

East Sutherland Rotary Club decided, in partnership with Brora Golf Club, a couple of years ago, to move from the traditional haggis and poetry supper to a fun filled White Heather Club style tribute to our national bard.  This has once again proven to be a winner with the public.  The 2012 evening concert and dance was a sell out, and raised over £1,000 towards deserving local causes. Once again the club was extremely grateful to the host of talent who gave their services without a fee to enable this to happen  - Picture - Kim Grant’s Standfast Dancers

The evening was “topped and tailed” by 2 superb pipers Iain Stewart and Alex Hermiston.  Then the audience was enchanted by the fantastic Struidh, a group of Gaelic speaking entertainers who sing like angels but also have huge talent on the Fiddle, the harp, on guitar and even on the Bongos!! 

Kim Grant’s Standfast Dancers were a joyful fusion of traditional and modern demonstration dancing that would give anything on “Strictly” a run for its money. 

Elaine Shearer—our own Kathryn Jenkins and Paul Griffiths, the next best thing to Aled Jones performed Burns Songs and rousing Scots Ballads to perfection.  While the Strathair Ceilidh Band and Frankie Fraser from Inverness made sure that the floor was always full of dancers between the many acts performing.

As the bewitching hour approached, and determined to be home before Tam’s witches and warlocks were out and about compere Alistair Risk thanked everyone for their support and the audience called for “The same again next year” !!!    

Pic - the Struidh, here supporting a recent very successful east Sutherland fundraising BBQ 

RIBI CHIEF EXEC JOINS EAST SUTHERLAND

Annemarie Harte, the secretary /chief executive of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland was so impressed by the enthusiasm of our members and by the support that East Sutherland continues to provide to so many local charities and organisations as well as to Shelterbox, Wateraid and Polio that she wanted to find out more about our wee club.  She was excited to hear how our club has grown and especially the roll that the ladies play in club life at every level within East Sutherland Rotary and she commented " I wish I could find and could join a club just like yours down in the Birmingham area".

Annemarie had just stepped down from the conference lectern at Aberdeen where she had delivered a passionate speech on the future of Rotary and the need for every club to encourage women to join and to encourage potential members of ages to enjoy Rotary through action and Fellowship--and perhaps in too many cases to move away from too much formality and from being a club where the supper is more important than the help for those in need and Service Above Self.

President Graeme and our team at the conference were so impressed with Annemarie's words which they felt reflected what this club is trying successfully to do that in an inspired moment Graeme discussed the possibility of Annemarie joining us as an Honorary Member, and RIBI President Ray Burman also supported the idea.

Having spoken to the East Sutherland club as a whole Graeme was encouraged to invite Annemarie formally to join our club and the good news is that the lady  "says YES!"   In accepting our offer Annemarie wrote "Please let the club know how delighted and honoured I am to be a member".

Past President Alistair Risk echoed the club members view that "Annemarie is an ideal Rotary member thanks to her enthusiasm, her focus and determination to provide service to others and to revitalise Rotary across RIBI--her membership is a coup for East Sutherland"

Ray comes North to meet our Graeme

The 2011 District conference was a happy informative and well run event that was designed to encourage all the clubs in our district to look within and then act upon the many areas we need to improve.  Be that the recruitment of Ladies, the setting up of Interact clubs, giving succour to the needy or working to save the planet and all the creatures that live on this tiny globe.  The speakers were superb--many regularly seen on TV like Dr Bentley the head of BBC Weather, QC Donald Findlay and Professor Sue Black, they were great.   BUT perhaps the most inspiring was RIBI President Ray Burmam and he was especially pleased to meet up with our own President Graeme McLaughlin and the East Sutherland team of Fiona, Alistair and Paddy.  As well as the serious side of the conference it was possible to escape and do the Tourist stuff and Fiona managed to visit the Botanic Gardens, the country's busiest harbour and watched the surfers on the famous Aberdeen beach.  In fact so much was crammed into the weekend that everyone from this club missed out on the Band concert and the fantastic dinner dance--they were just too tired--perhaps next year!!

Pic shows RIBI President Ray Burmam with the East sutherland team

Club Scoops Top Award

At its successful “Horn of Africa Appeal Barbecue” at Inverbrora Farm last week, East Sutherland Rotary Club received a very special award from outgoing Rotary District Governor George Berstan on behalf of world Rotary President Ray Klinginsmith - the.Rotary Presidential Award.

The Club had earned this accolade through its efforts over the past year - in supporting local community organisations, championing and encouraging youth, and helping international projects such as Water-aid, Shelter box, and Polio Eradication.  And East Sutherland Rotary is keeping up the pressure this year: this week’s barbecue raised £840 for those affected by the current famine in East Africa.

Mr Berstan also praised the recent growth of Rotary in East Sutherland, with club membership now being higher than in many years.

In accepting the award, outgoing club president William Sutherland thanked all the club members and those in local communities who had supported the club during his Presidential year.

William commented, “East Sutherland Rotarians have had a very successful year, through fundraising and community engagement.  But we never forget that it is the people of East Sutherland, who have supported our efforts and our fundraising so generously, who have enabled our club to do so much good.”

Pics show George Berstan on left and William in the twilight of the Inverbrora Africa BBQ and the youngstruidh musicians perfoming an eclectic range of material to the 100 + attendees.

Alistair Receives Highest Honour

At the recent meeting of the Rotary Club of East Sutherland the club welcomed District Governor Iain Macdonald,  who oversees all of the 88 Rotary Clubs north of the Firth of Forth to the Shetlands.  Iain expressed his admiration for the work that the local club has been doing and insisted that it was an example to all of his clubs--be it for local charity work, for fundraising for overseas causes or for the  excellent fun and fellowship that the members and their partners enjoy.
 
However there was a surprise for one member---Alistair Risk when it was announced that he had been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Sapphire award which is the highest recognition a member can receive for Service Above Self.

Photo shows Alistair with DG Iain's Mascot Rotary Meercat and his wife Fiona
 

Cystic Fibrosis;

Rotary now has a much better understanding!

Guest speaker at a recent meeting was Alexander Darlington who splits his life between Brora and Cambridge University.  Alexander who frequently can be seen in summer months helping with the falconry demonstrations at Dunrobin Castle originates from Stratford Upon Avon but was diagnosed as having CF when a baby.  By the time he went to school it was apparent that other pupils were perhaps not understanding of his position nor his condition and he and his teachers set about educating others about CF--how it is genetic, how it is not infectious,  what the frequency is within the population and what the treatment is and the life expectancy.  This he did for some 5 years talking to classes and to organisations but as he was leaving school he decided to make a DVD on CF and how it affected him and how treatment was evolving--this DVD starts in Dunrobin Castle and moves to include interviews with the world’s leading authorities in treatment and research and is now an important tool in helping the layman understand CF better. Alexander has just completed his first year at Cambridge University and hopes to be able to qualify in research biology and then to be part of the discovery of a future treatment that will make life for those who suffer much better.  His talk was inspiring and touching and everyone was impressed by his determination and his charm when faced with such challenge.

Pic shows Alexander with President Graeme McLaughlin

Graeme is the New President!

At this weeks meeting of the Rotary Club of East Sutherland William Sutherland handed over the chain of office to new President Graeme McLaughlin.

Graeme missed being a founder member of the club by 3 months when it was first set up 22 years ago and work had until now meant that he was concerned that he could not devote sufficient time to the role,  he is now determined to continue the good work of past presidents in supporting local charities and organisations as well as being part of the World Wide Rotary Family that provides life saving assistance on every continent.  And he is especially excited about the potential formation of an Interact Club in Golspie High School where the principles of Rotary are adopted by the students in developing their life skills.  A busy and a challenging year is ahead and will shortly see the club taking part in all the local Agriculture Shows and Highland Games where members will be on hand to answer questions on membership and local support.
 

Rotary Duck Race Success

The 5^th Annual Duck Race took place on the River Brora with over 1000 Ducks competing in an event that was every bit as colourful as Saturday's Derby Ducks had travelled from all over the UK and beyond to carry their owners sporting colours over the traditional course from The Brora A9 Bridge to the Harbour.  It was soon evident that some had trained harder than others with many a duck from the local stables carrying a pound or two over the recommended weight and letting their generous owners down in the sprint. 

The Winner was a Glasgow Duck owned by Heather Gordon who has local connections, and was chased all the way by the locally trained duck of Katherine Maclennan from Brora who in recent months had had her duck train with the Brora Rangers FC team at Dudgeon Park and this unusual strategy almost paid off, while in a close 3^rd came Helen Pringle with her Aylesbury trained duck from England but carrying her father Beau Beaton’s colours, and in 4^th place was the duck of Brora’s B. Sutherland.

On a lovely day the crowds fashions were on display Ascot like and everyone was attracted to the finishing line BBQ where as always the club was giving away “banger Rolls” to everyone who was there to cheer on their ducks in what was the closest race ever staged.

Many of the watching crowd took advantage of the chance to visit the Shelterbox which had been put on display –tent, bedding, stove, cutlery Tools water purification etc an example of those the club has sent 12 of to disasters around the world and which Rotary has sent over 40.000 to the needy between 2009 and 2011.

The Club was delighted with the sponsorship provided by local and away supporters which helped them reach a total of around £1200 which will be dispersed to local charities over the next few weeks.

 

Pictures show Hugo Tanner (2) helping out with the retrieval and a training session at Dudgeon Park with Katherine MacLennan's prize winning duck.

ROTARY HONOURS OUR CHRISTINE

Over 60 Rotarians from all over Scotland attended a superb supper event at Royal Dornoch Golf Club.  They were delighted when District Governor George Berstan rose to address the company for what was expected to be a vote of thanks to the Host East Sutherland Club BUT what turned out to be a speech about Christine Henderson from Littleferry who was the first Lady Rotarian in East Sutherland and the First Lady to rise to become a club President.   George went on to announce that Christine had been made a Paul Harris Fellow which is the highest award that any British Club can give to anyone for Service above Self - something that everyone agreed Christine had deserved.

Picture show DG George Berstan handing over the certificate and medals to a flabbergasted Christine Henderson
 

East Sutherland Club Supports John‘O’Groats to Lands End walker

Members of the Rotary Club of East Sutherland actively supported a walk being undertaken in aid of the charity Help for Heroes.  The walker attempting this challenge was Doug Hamilton-Cox who, assisted by his wife Sue, left John‘O’Groats on the 11th April hoping to reach Lands End by Mid June.  Doug, an ex-Sapper who enlisted as a boy soldier when he was 15, served his apprenticeship in the Royal Engineers, followed by nine years of service including Malaya and Thailand.  On his return in 1971 he settled in Devon and started his own digger company, which he runs from Bridford, a small rural village on the outskirts of Dartmoor.

 

Having a service background Doug took a keen interest in the repatriation of our fallen servicemen and women to RAF Lyneham and the nearby town of Wootton Bassett.  With his wife and family, he started to attend the ceremonies and pay tribute to the men and women who had fallen.  He was particularly struck by the dignified grief of the families and began to wonder what he could do to help.  On one particular occasion a fellow bystander remarked that Doug’s journey from Devon must have taken some time and showed real commitment.  Doug replied “But I only drove here, real commitment would have been to walk here!”

And so began Doug’s quest to raise money to help returning troops and their families.  His first walk, as suggested to that bystander, was in 2009 from his home in Devon to Wotton Bassett.  In 2010 he followed that up with a walk from Devon to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham which is now part of the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital and contains the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, which cares for injured service men and women from conflict zones.  During these two walks, Doug raised over £25,000.

During Doug's walk through Sutherland he took a small detour to Dunrobin Castle where Lord Strathnaver gave him a special permission to walk the battlements of this "fairy Castle" which overlooks the Dornoch Firth and Golspie Bay With him are his wife Sue and local Rotarian and Castle Guide Fiona Risk with who they had spent the previous evening.

You can follow Doug’s progress on his website www.dougwalking.co.uk  where if you you can also make a donation.

 

Summer Start Asian Style

To mark the start of British Summer time the club members decided to have a Hot Night Out and booked the Indian Ocean Restaurant in Brora for a curry night banquet.   Around 30 members and guests enjoyed a superb evening of fellowship and fun built around the sensational flavours of the Indian sub continent The lucky party sampled and enjoyed over 25 different dishes from sweet and mild to hot and spicy but whatever the palate the sensation was a delight. Several members had enjoyed Indian cuisine in its country of origin. There were also a number of experienced curry enthusiasts present who gave the meals high praise.  It is clear that the Indian Ocean's quality of the food and flavours were appreciated by all - it really is a gem comparing favourably to asian restautants normally only found in the central belt in Scotland.

Standfast Dancers Award

Following their success at the White Heather evening the members of the Rotary Club of East Sutherland were delighted to welcome Kim Powrie to the club and to be able to present her with a cheque for £100 as sponsorship of the Standfast Dancers.

These funds are particularly needed to help with the cost of new costumes as the group is continually increasing their repertoire to include many interesting and exciting new routines which are performed for charity events all over the county and beyond.

Picture showsYouth Convenor Pat May presenting Kim with her cheque.

 

First Shoots in Brora....

As part of the "Focus on Crocus" Polio Campaign last autumn, the Rotary Club of East Sutherland planted 5,000 crocus with the help of the Wee Wonders at Brora Golf Club.  Similar numbers were planted at primary schools right across Sutherland.  Despite the northerly location (60 miles north of Inverness) these crocuses were among the first in Scotland to be reported as being in bloom - thanks to Brora's micro climate!

Our picture shows local Rotary Club President William Sutherland with Rotarian Fiona Risk and junior golfers Campbell Ross, Robert Paylor and Grant Ross beside just 1 of the 4 heart-shaped beds of the emerging and blossoming 1200 crocus

This is just a small part of the £50M Challenge that worldwide Rotary has taken on, to rid the world of Polio in the next five years -with Bill Gates of Microsoft offering to double that sum.

And the generous people of Sutherland have helped in a very generous way

Got to Focus on the Crocus Campaign Page

Scatter Week Update

East goes West !

An intrepid and sizable party of East Sutherland Rotarians made it all the way over to the wild west for the scatter week! (well Ullapool anyway) Christine, Isobel, John and Hugh visited Ullapool Club at lunch-time Wednesday 23rd Feb were warmly welcomed conveyed the good wishes of President William and members had a good Lunch presented our Club Banner and were  photographed with Ullapool members. They have been invited to our Fellowship Weekend in May.

Scatter Week Underway

During late February, Club Members were given a night off from their regular meetings on condition that they went out and about to visit as many other Clubs as possible.

Hopefully, this will result in over 40 Club visits with other Clubs such as Dingwall,
Tain, Inverness, Ullapool, Nairn as well as Wick and Thurso on the hit list.
Past President and now Assistant District Governor, Alistair Risk got off to a flyer
visiting Portree and our picture shows him with the Skye Club President Jan Nicholson as he began a marathon trip that will include--Orkney, Thurso, Wick, Tain, Loch Ness, Stornoway, Nairn and Ullapool and believe it or not he kept bumping into other East Sutherland intrepid travellers almost where ever he went.

Members are encouraged to send their Scatter Week news to the web editor Tony Tracey.

Walkers 'right to roam' Visit by Bruce Field

At its recent meeting in the Sutherland Inn, Brora, the Rotary Club of East Sutherland welcomed Mr Bruce Field of Golspie, who for many years has been a keen walker and a leading member of Sutherland Walkers’ Group.  Mr Field’s talk to the Rotary Club was on the subject of the “right to roam” Scotland’s countryside, and the impact of The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. 
 
This Act of the Scottish parliament created a framework for responsible access to land and inland water, formalising the time-honoured Scottiah tradition of unhindered access to open countryside.  Mr Field’s talk provoked a lively question-and-answer session, after which he was thanked, on behalf of club members, by founder member David Whyte.

Rotary Club of East Sutherland is now in its twenty-second year, with several of the founder members still part of the Club.  This spring, the Club plans to recruit still more members, with the aim of promoting charitable causes in Sutherland and beyond.
 
Pic shows Bruce with President William Sutherland 

 

Visit to Stirling Castle Palace

Historic Scotland is reviving the Renaissance look and feel of the six major apartments on the principle level of James V's Royal Palace at Stirling Castle. The rooms or ‘lodgings’ were divided between the king and queen – each had an outer hall, inner hall and a bed chamber, set symmetrically round an inner courtyard.

Last weekend a number of local Rotarians accompanied President William Sutherland on a very exciting and informative visit to Stirling Castle, thanks to Robin Johnston (formerly of Golspie) who is now a senior manager with Historic Scotland and who was able to arrange a guided tour for his father's Rotary Club of the ongoing work being carried out on the Stirling Castle Palace project.

Teaming up with fellow Rotarians from Loanhead and Roslin, a privileged behind the scenes tour took place away from the crowds, through dungeon-like vaults and into the Royal Kings and Queens bedchambers. The group was treated to an insight into the history of the Palace, why it was built and for whom, and how and where the fabulous décor and furnishings were created and resourced back in the early 16th Century when the Palace was built.

The group were lucky enough to have Peter Buchanan as project manager with Historic Scotland to lead them through the Palace where construction work is ongoing prior to opening to the public for Easter 2011. Robin then took the group through the adjacent Chapel and Great Hall which had been subject to conservation and restoration work in earlier Phases of the ongoing 20 year Stirling Castle project, of which the Palace is the final element.

Work to the Palace is the largest programme Historic Scotland has ever undertaken to conserve a building and upgrade its appeal as a visitor attraction, and extensive research has been carried out to ensure authenticity of everything from wall hangings, to painted decoration, to the window glass. While unable to reproduce exactly what existed in the mid-16th century, it is hoped that any member of the Renaissance court would feel very much at home. From what East Sutherland Rotary saw it will be not only fabulous, it will be a must see for every history-minded Scot and for every tourist visiting our shores. Well done Historic Scotland!

The Stirling Heads

The Stirling Heads are 37 intricately carved timber roundels which were originally on the ceiling of the King's Inner Hall within the Palace at Stirling (example on left).  Reproduction Heads - as shown in the photograph - are being fixed to the ceiling as part of the works, and painted as the originals would have been.  The original heads will be on display elsewhere within the Palace

 

President's Year gets Back off the Ground!!

With his return to fitness following surgery President William Sutherland welcomed a full compliment of members to Wednesday's meeting at the Sutherland Inn, Brora

This week's speaker is an enthusiast for World War II aircraft - appropriately enough on the 70th anniversary of the Blitz!

Paul Lager, a British-born American businessman, is a member of the "Commemorative Air Force" (CAF), a voluntary body whose aim is to rescue, restore (to flying condition) and maintain vintage warplanes - especially of World War II. CAF searches out old war planes from all over the world (including Spitfire) and restores them so that they can be flown and exhibited They now have over 160 war planes based across the USA, which put on airshows all over the USA and beyond to satisfy the publics demand for history and for nostalgia (pic shows President William Sutherland with CAF Colonel Paul Lager)

President William was also delighted to confirm that the club had sent 2 Shelterboxes and 1000 Water filtration straws to Pakistan.

Past President Pat May announced that the club would be visiting 10 local primary schools in early October to show a DVD about Polio Inoculation and to provide 500 purple crocus bulbs to each school for the pupils to plant in recognition of the Purple Pinkie system which is used to control the issue of the vacinations in India and Pakistan

Secretary Alisdair Miller will shortly fly off to Nepal to oversee the work which the club is sponsoring in providing clean water and sanitation as well as school facilities high in the Himalayas

The club is also exploring the posibility of entering into a partnership to develop a " wild flower garden " in Golspie and members hope shortly to be out there with hoes and tilling the soil and scattering seeds.

On the fund-raising front the club sends their thanks to all the generous people of Sutherland and beyond who supported our efforts at all the Highland Games and Agricultural Shows across East Sutherland.

A special " Disaster Fund" winter fund-raising effort will be launched on 1st October when 3000 tickets will go on sale for a New Year Draw with great prizes and this will culminate with a wonderful show featuring the very best of East Sutherlands local talent "A white Heather Club Concert wi' a touch of Burns" will be held at Brora Golf Club on Wednesday 26th January 2011

The club is ready for a busy winter and looks forward to welcoming new members who would like to be part of helping others while having great fun.
 

President on the Mend!

Our poor wee President, William, has been in the wars or to be exact has been having old wounds from his Navy days operated upon as part of corrective surgery which will ensure that he is fit to walk his daughter down the aisle in october.

When the editor visited to deliver the club's good wishes and the ubiquitous card he found the poor soul housebound and requiring lots of TLC from Judi who was forever delivering cups of tea, glasses of wine and other nourishment along with the daily newspaper and regular meals.

By jove can William ham it up to get sympathy and service !!! (an old Navy talent??)

Seriously though, the patient is doing well although not as well as he would like, after a neat bit of surgery on his foot and it will take some time for the pain to subside and the swelling to reduce and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Or as SVP Graham suggested--"Hurry up and get back in the Chair---pleeeeaase!!!!"
 

Picture - President William Sutherland at home recovering from surgery

 

DG George Berstan visits East Sutherland

 

 While heading for his Viking homeland of Orkney (actually Westray Island in Orkney) DG George Berstan called in for supper at the Sutherland Inn in Brora and addressed the East Sutherland Club.  He congratulated everyone on such a successful 2009/10 and felt that President William had planned a very balanced and effective programme for the year ahead which he felt was off to a flying start.  His final plea was for as many of our members as possible to attend the October 1010 Conference in Inverness as we will never have such a close conference centre location for years to come and the programme is quite exceptional.

 

East Sutherland Rotary Past President Passes

Rita Finlayson slept away peacefully around 4pm Sunday 25th July 2010. 

Rita was president of East Sutherland Rotary in 2004-2005.  She was also a Highland Councillor and a Director of Sutherland Partnership.  Rita was always hardworking and supportive of Rotary.

Several messages of sympathy have already been posted digitally and further information will be published here soon.

Rita's funeral will be a humanist service in the garden of Anvil House at her home in Helmsdale at 11am on Saturday morning.  Everyone welcome.

Feel free to use the guestbook on this website to leave a message or send any direct submissions if you wish to secretary@eastsutherlandrotary.org

 

William Sutherland is the New President

 Before the first July meeting of the Rotary Club of East Sutherland in 2010 out-going President Alistair Risk took great pleasure in handing over the chain of power to new president William Sutherland from Dornoch.  William has been a member of the Sutherland Club for 5 years serving as secretary and in a number of convenors roles until his election to take up the position as the 22nd President of the local Club.  In taking up the position William said that he was very honoured to be elected and to take on the leadership of such a vibrant and successful club and that it is his ambition to steer the Club to even greater success in the year to come.  More members, more community projects and perhaps an environmental influence. The whole Club congratulated William on his appointment and assured him of their continuing support.

New President Welcomes Manchester Rotarian Tony Crossley (a new President elect)

 No sooner had William Sutherland taken on the reigns as the 2010/11 President of the Club, than he had the pleasure of welcoming visiting Rotarian Tony Crossley from the Rotary Club of Worsley in Manchester to the Club. Tony is on a caravan holiday, based in Brora, while he and his wife tour the Northern Highlands and is thoroughly enjoying his time here--even the Club meeting to which he brought his banner to exchange with our new President.

 

 Tain President gets his own Chain

 

 

At the June 'away meeting' a fun putting and music evening, President Alistair took time out from his golfing efforts to present Tain President Kenn Mcmorran with the Club's official chain of office.  This would have been handed over at the Tain Inaugrual but the manufacturer ran a couple of weeks late; better late than never!

 

 

East Sutherland Does it Again!!

Assistant District Governor John Sutherland from Inverness visited the Club this week with a surprise package.  He delivered a Citation from World President John Kenny to recognise the outstanding work done by the Club throughout the 2009/10 Rotary Year, John went on to say that The East Sutherland Club was now recognised as probably one of the most successful and vibrant clubs in district 1010 and it was the envy of even the big clubs in Dundee and Aberdeen.  He felt that our 21st year had all the elements that all clubs aspire

to-- increased membership not just to our own club but in Mothering the new Tain club, fantastic fundraising contributions to Haiti, to Wateraid and to Polio yet even more to local organisations and the club also seems to have such fun and fellowship.  A very proud President Alistair Risk thanked John and pointed out that this was a huge team effort and that every member had played their part in the success of the Club and would continue to do so in the years to come.

 

The 2010 Away Day to Orkney Picture Postcard!

10 members and partners represented the East Sutherland Club on a Fellowship Orkney taster trip to meet up with members from  Shetland, Thurso and Orkney and all had a great time.  

President Alistair and Fiona having made a 3 day trip of it had enjoyed visiting the Kirkwall/Orkney Club meeting on the Thursday and had spent a couple of days sampling the local sea food, playing golf and doing all the tourist things before joining in the Friday evening supper & get together.

Waiting on the pier were the Orkney Club President Keith and our new District Governor George along with Fiona, Alistair and many other local and Shetland members.

Then it was off round the Island in a coach trip to the hot spots with the Royal Oak (a sunken Battleship not the pub) and to St Magnus Cathedral before heading for the Harray Community Hall for an excellent lunch.

 

The afternoon was spent visiting the fantastic and very old Skara Brae village site--probably the oldest settlement known to man in Britain if not Europe before Shopping in Stromness, a quick visit to the Art Centre and Museum and a rush to get back on board the luxurious ferry for the homeward journey.

 

A day to remember and what is certain is that most if not all of us will be going back again and again - East Sutherland are organising the trip next year!!

 

New Tain Rotary Club Receives its Charter

At a special dinner in the Morangie House Hotel, District Governor Bill MacFarlane-Smith presented President Kenn McMorran with the club Charter from Rotary International.  This completes a wonderful year for the East Sutherland Club who are the "mother club" to Tain and whose members have worked hard to set up the new club and to bring the benefits of Rotary Service Above Self to Easter Ross and it will allow both clubs to work together to help all sorts of local charities and organisations between Bonar Bridge and Invergordon.  "We are delighted  and proud to have the new Tain Club set up and ready to do good work and bring fun and fellowship to the area and I invite all local businessmen and women to join the club, enhance their lives and help others" said East Sutherland President Alistair Risk.  The dinner was   enlivened by and excellent speech by MSP Jamie Stone (a founder member) who entertained everyone with his reminicences of life in the Scottish Parliament.

Picture shows DG Bill MacFarlane-Smith, President Kenn McMorran and some of the founder
members including Jamie & Flora Stone

Colin Ploughman's 70 Years Service for Golspie

At the recent meeting of the Club we were delighted to welcome Colin Ploughman and his friends as we wanted to recognise the 70 years of service that Colin had provided to Golpsie since he arrived from Newfoundland during the war to help with the development of forests in the Golspie area.  During his time here Colin has helped or founded all things Golspie from the Gala Week to the Big Burn Walk and much much more and he is a deserving awardee of our East Sutherland Rotary Community Award for 2010
 

Tain Lectern Presentation

At the recent meeting of the new Tain and District club East Sutherland President Alistair presented Tain President Kenn Mcmorran with a superb lectern as part of the Charter gift from the Mother Club.  The lectern was much admired and no wonder as it had been expertly crafted by Adam MacKenzie of Highland Bespoke Furniture in Brora from the finest hard woods.

Pic shows the presentation with guest speakers Dr Iain MacInnes and Dr David Worthington  while Tain SVP June McAuliffe looks on
 

Visitor from Eyemouth

 On the 12th of May the club was visited by Jo Pawley from the Rotary Club of Eyemouth.  We exchanged banners and banter.

Eyemouth is a wee club in a superb fishing town close to the Berwick Upon Tweed border with England and President Alistair remembers it well from his days in 1020 as having the best fish and chips at any club in
the south BUT Jo declared her Sutherland Inn fish every bit as good --so well done
Leon and his staff at the Sutherland Inn.
 

 

The New Baby has Arrived!

The Rotary Club of Tain and District took its first official steps recently when DG Bill hosted our daughter club's Inaugrual Dinner at the Morrangie hotel and 60 plus members from clubs across Scotland met to wet the baby's head.  

 

 

 

ROTARY HONOURS

'THE HEIDIES'

 

At a Special Award Ceremony in the Kings Mills Hotel in Inverness, members of the Rotary Club of East Sutherland joined Assistant District Governor John Sutherland(the senior Rotarian in the Highlands)to present Paul Harris Fellowships to founder members of the club.:--- John Macdonald and David Whyte who by co-incidence are the retired headmasters of Brora Primary School and Golspie High School

Paul Harris Fellowships are only presnted to members who have demonstrated Service Above Self, not just by their work with the local club but in their lifestyle and daily deeds which epitomise the ethos of Rotary life - helping others at home, in your own community and further afield. "Both John and David have fulfilled these laudable aims for over 21 years and are worthy of this recognition as they continue to be an example to others" said ADG John as he placed their medals around their proud necks.

After the club members had spent a very pleasant and rewarding afternoon eating their cream teas and chatting with John and David, a party of 30 made a day of it and headed off to Eden Court for a brilliant evening at Hot Flush.  A fast moving outrageous musical comedy starring Lesley Joseph, which had us laughing from start to finish and as the club were also entertaining staff and residents from the Oversteps Eventide Home in Dornoch, it really was the tonic everyone was looking for.  

Pic Shows

President Alistair Risk, John Macdonald, David Whyte, John Sutherland (front row) Hugh Johnston, Robert Beaton, Fiona Risk and Alex Herniston (back row)

 

Schedule for Away Meetings (last Wed. of each month) and other Activities

 

 

 

 

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