Stopgap Abseil proves bonanza for charities
When the Rotary Club of South Queensferry was forced to cancel the annual Forth Bridge Raft Race in its 25th year owing to vital repair work on the Hawes Pier, the race was on to find a last minute replacement. When Network Rail offered the opportunity to run a charity Abseil on 1st August along with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the club jumped at the chance. Though time was short 92 abseilers were recruited, many from other Rotary Clubs, others keen to support the designated charities – CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) and QCCC (Queensferry Churches’ Care in the Community). Despite gloomy weather forecasts, all but a handful abseilers descended in sunshine and last minute rain didn’t deter the last brave souls.
Immediate Past President Stuart Ridge, was first to descend around 10pm. Supporting QCCC, Lady Provost Elizabeth Grubb(73) with Daughter Mhairi (45) and grandsons Andrew (18) and Grant (16) stepped off the bridge at 1.30. Mrs Grubb is an old abseil hand, having taken part in several similar fundraisers.
President Graham Clarkson said, ‘We are delighted at the turnout at our first venture into running an abseil. With each participant sponsored for at least £100, this will give a great boost to our designated charities. Exact figures will be announced as soon as we have them. It was very gratifying how many Rotarians from all over Scotland took part and we’ll definitely include an abseil in next year’s programme if at all possible.’
Eighty people made their descent on behalf of Duke of Edinburgh awards, and the entire event was considered a great success by both organisations. Thanks are due to Network Rail; City of Edinburgh Council; Lothian & Borders Police; the Hawes Inn and RNLI Queensferry.
Check out the photographs of the event in our gallery.
Hopetoun Summer Fair
The Rotary Club of South Queensferry was out in force at the Hopetoun Summer Fair last Sunday.
The Rotary display was well attended by those enjoying the activities in the impressive parkland behind Hopetoun House. It featured a silent auction, with a selection of great items including visits for two to the top of the Forth Rail Bridge (courtesy of Network Rail); the Rotary Summer Raffle, which raised over £1,000, and the ever-popular Children’s Painting Exhibition, usually on display at the Raft Race.
A hospitality area allowed visitors to find out more about Rotary. An item of great interest was a ShelterBox (shown left), designed to hold a tent, cooking equipment and other vital supplies and used by Rotary to bring relief to people in disaster-stricken regions.
Chick the Clydesdale (pictured right with Drew) did sterling work offering horse and cart rides throughout the afternoon and raising a sizable sum for Rotary charities.
Our thanks go to Rotarian Allan Smith for supplying the cart; Robert Nelson, Blair Mains Farm, Culross for supplying the horse and Chick for supplying the horsepower.
The winners of the Rotary Summer Raffle - prizes donated by BAA Edinburgh – were:
| 1st (£350) | 2nd (£100) | 3rd (£50) |
| Katie Vardy | J. Lyall | Pam Dunn |
Hopetoun Summer Fair - Children's Art Competition - Sponsored by Tesco
Yet again a fantastic support from all the Primary Schools this year over 200 entries with the theme this year being the Emergency Services; all the children have been very creative.
Our thanks go to the Queensferry Art Club for their support and supplying the Judges - no mean task as the standard of work along with their imagination made the task very difficult. The winners were announced on the day.
Without the continued support from Tesco, the competition, which is now in its 11th year, would struggle to go ahead. It is a colourful and well-supported exhibition, which allows our children a public platform to express their artistic talent. The age groups are: 5-7; 8-10; 11-12, there are the 1st 2nd & 3rd in each age group plus Commended and Highly Commended. The judges chose one painting as the overall Winner.
Thanksagain to Queensferry Art Club for judging the competition and Rotarian Gerald Smith for its organisation.
The winners of this year's Children’s Painting Competition were:
| 5-7 year olds | 8-10 year olds | 11-12 year olds | |
| 1st | Sean Grant | Lucy Grant | David Boath |
| 2nd | Emily Dowey | Isaac Riley | Rhys Laird |
| 3rd | Erin Gallaher | Michael Shaw | Megan Porteous |
| Highly Commended | Max De Sallis: Daisy McFarlane | Duncan Lyle | Charlotte Doga |
| Commended | Jodie Griffiths-Hagen, Eilidh Morisetti | Tendai Kalima, Chelsea McPherson, Erin Mitchell | Juliet Bourke |
The Club President Graham Clarkson awarded the prizes.
The Rotary Club of South Queensferry would like to thank all the children and staff of the primary schools for taking part in the competition.
In the past 11 years there have been over three thousand entries and it is nice to see some of the children progressing from P1 to P7 in that time.
Tesco have donated in excess of £5,000 towards the hire of marquees, Trophies and medals.
Scottish Rowing Coastal Project gets off the ground thanks to cash boost
On the 6th of May, Mike McDowell, Vice-Commodore of the Queensferry Boat Club, gave a short presentation on the Scottish Fisheries Museum's Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, which is encouraging communities to build a relatively inexpensive boat to participate in inter-community rowing competitions around the Scottish Coast.
This week, Mike's hopes that a rowing regatta can be staged next summer on the River Forth at Queensferry, have been given a boost after he received funding of £700 from the Rotary Club of South Queensferry and Queensferry Boat Club.
The Queensferry project's chairman Mike McDowall is pictured above receiving cheques from Stuart Ridge from the South Queensferry Rotary Club (£500), and Sheena Mackay, a Queensferry Boat Club member (£200).
Speaker's night - Janette Miller - The Garvald Centre
On the 15th of July, Janette Miller, a volunteer with the Garvald Centre in Gorgie, Edinburgh, provided an inspirational insight into the working of their centre which provides practical help, support and training for adults with learning disabilities.
They have seven workshops at 454/1 Gorgie Road which cover bakery, confectionary, puppetry, joinery, furniture restoration and tools and a further four more workshops at Orwell Arts which include pottery, glass and weaving. Both day service areas incorporate education and therapy services and have their own Canteens.
A college liaison worker is employed, as is a manager for their Mulberry Bush Shop premises at 77 Morningside Road. This outlet provides members with retail and social skills experience.
Janette brought along some examples of the type of products the individuals create from glasswork to bread. She also presented a short DVD which showing the bread making process which highlighted the supportive interaction between staff and individuals.
Rotary clubs have supported the Garvald Centre through the collection of old discarded tools which are refurbished and shipped by the centre to needy projects in Africa.
Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition - 4th July
Borne on the Fourth of July
Allan Smith had a lot to bear for the clay pigeon shoot at Cluny Clays in Fife. He had to battle the weather, a change of date and a major open event taking place at the same time. Daughters Fiona and Leanne, both helped to ensure that the day went without a hitch.
In spite of this twenty-eight intrepid Rotarians and family members set out on a very wet Sunday morning for this year’s shoot. This was the largest turnout since the competition began. All this did not stop fierce competition and led to a very enjoyable day. The ‘Under Instruction’ groups were most grateful to the instructors, whose patience and skill were very evident.
The day was rounded off by a pleasant lunch, followed by prize giving. Thanks go to Beverly Clarkson for presenting all the prizes and to Cluny Clays, for providing an excellent venue for the competition.
All the scores and prizewinners are listed below.
| For the 50 shot | For the 25 shot |
Prizewinners |
Awards to the highest placed |
| Allan Smith 36 (Non competitor) Fiona Willis 34 James Graham 29 Drew Graham 27 Leanne Smith 26 Scott Baird 25 Martin Prentice 23 Angus Kelly 20 Sandy Mackenzie 17 Graham Leith 16 Ed Kelly 15 Craig Mackenzie 14 Stuart Ridge 13 Basil Baird Jnr. 12 Ken Gray 12 Ian Fowler 11 Neil Graham 10 |
Iain Fairbairn 19 Graeme Scott 14 Grainger Falconer 9 Graham Clarkson 7 Karen Johnson 6 Liz Mackenzie 5 Norma Falconer 5 Beverly Clarkson 4 David Baird 4 Carmel Fairbairn 3 Eileen Allen 3 |
Club Trophy - To highest placed Rotarian Drew Graham
Bottle of Red Wine - To highest placed Non Rotarian Fiona Willis Bottle of White Wine - To highest placed in the Under Instruction groups 5 and 6 Iain Fairbairn |
Stand 1 Leanne Smith |
Paul Harris Fellowship Awards
The members of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry make substantial payments yearly to the Rotary Foundations Annual Programme's Fund and in doing so gains credits for the amount donated. One credit is provided for each $1,000 provided.
Rotary Clubs that are so inclined can recognise Club members or members of their local community who have made an extraordinary contribution to the Club, the raising of funds for charitable projects either at home or abroad, or selflessly devoted time to community or international projects. In gaining a Paul Harris Fellowship, the recipient receives a commemorative certificate, a medal and a lapel pin.
At a special meeting held at Craigies Farm Deli and Cafe and attended by fifty five members, partners, family members and guests, President Stuart Ridge presented Paul Harris Fellowships to Richard Brown, Ian Fowler, Stewart Hutchison, Enrico Prentice and Gerald Smith.
President Stuart said, "The Club has previously presented four Paul Harris Fellowships at one meeting but this is a first with five being presented on one night. These Fellowships provide recognition of the very valuable contribution that each member has made in support of the Club, its activities and projects and in support of the individual Rotarian's work in various roles within the community locally and/or internationally. All five members are very worthy recipients and I applaud them for their dedication to the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" which they have followed tirelessly over many years."
Rotary Day
A co-ordinated event between the 20th and 28th of February, saw Rotarians throughout the world raising awareness of the End Polio campaign. At the South Gyle shopping centre and Tesco in South Queensferry, we passed out leaflets, stickers, comics and invited children to participate in the 'purple pinky' activity. Although largely an awareness effort, members of the public were very generous.
Following our activities at Tesco in South Queensferry on the 27th of February, President stuart Ridge added the following words about our efforts:
"Not only did we distribute most of the leaflets and all the comics but we raised £328.00 which, with the Gates Foundation money, is equal to one thousand six hundred and forty immunizations. This is a great total of which we should all be proud." Stuart Ridge.
Queensferry Church Care in the Community, Burns Supper
Tesco Store at Ferrymuir very kindly gifted the ingredients needed for our annual Burns Supper.
It was most generous of Tesco and we are very grateful for this . We also have to thank the Rotary Club of
South Queensferry for approaching Tesco on our behalf.
The Burns Supper took place in Kirkliston Community Centre on Thursday January 28th . The room had been beautifully laid out and the food expertly prepared by David Pomfret and his team of able assistants. The menu consisted of Scotch broth, haggis, neeps and tatties, trifle and homemade shortbread—a veritable feast. Before partaking of this, Rob Brechin (pictured left) from the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, gave the Address to the Haggis once it had been piped in by Philip Walker.
Entertainment was provided by the Ferry Fiddlers and singers; a group from South Queensferry High School who entertained us so well with a selection of Scottish songs and old time music. QCCC
David Batty's Visit to Peru
David Batty provided the commentary and photographs of his recent Peru trip during an excellent evening at the Orocco Pier in South Queensferry.
Sponsored by South Queensferry Rotary club and other sponsors, David spent a fortnight in support of the Vine Trust and Scripture Union Peru's Children's Centre in Kusi. Their Kid's space programme is aimed at taking boys, abused or abandoned by their families, off the streets of Lima and other areas of Peru. During his time there, David helped with the stripping and chopping bamboo to provide a new roof for a building under construction and the movement of rocks in preparation for the construction of foundations. His trip culminated in an unforgettable journey following the Inca trail to Machu Picchu (above left).
David commented that "...it was a wonderful trip both to see the the work being done to help street children and to make a modest contribution to that work. As a mountain lover, the Peruvian scenery and Inca trail were unforgettable."
On the right David is seen presenting a cheque worth £2035 to the charity Kid's Space.
Well done David.
New Members
January 2010 saw our numbers rise as President Stuart Ridge inducted Karen Johnson and Graham Leith to our ranks. Karen, from South Queensferry, joins us from a background in the retail sector whilst Graham, from Kirkliston, is a project manager with Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems in Edinburgh.
In reply to their inductions, both thanked the club for the warmth and welcome provided by all members.
Welcome aboard folks.
Art Exhibition raises over £1200
A memorial art exhibition celebrating some of the paintings by the much-loved local artist and former Rotarian, Robert Cleland MBE, has been toasted a success.
The event, held at the Priory Church, was a moving experience for Bob’s family – and a fundraising gift of almost £1,200 for the Mesothelioma Trust.
Bob died of complications from mesothelioma in January 2009.
The Dalmeny Art Group made a donation of £50 to the total raised of £1,176.14.
Gerald Smith, the man behind the tribute, said: “I would like to thank all those who helped to make the exhibition such a wonderful tribute to Bob. They include the Dalmeny Art Group, the Queensferry Art Club (of which Bob was a member) and the Rotary Club of South Queensferry.”
The event attracted a great crowd, both for the private showing on the Friday evening and the public gathering throughout the Saturday (February 20).
Moira Cleland said she was “immensely grateful” to everyone who attended and to those who loaned their Bob Cleland originals to the event. She added her thanks to “the small group of people who pulled it all together and made it happen”.
Kenya Children's home donations exceed target
The Balcraig Foundation was founded in 1992 by Ann Gloag. The mission of the Foundation is to assist in the relief of human suffering and deprivation, to provide a place of safety for orphaned and destitute children and to improve access to education through adequate building facilities, textbooks and improved hygiene facilities.
The first project to be developed in Nairobi was Kenya Children's Home. It is from within this development that the new community and income generation projects are now being developed and managed. It is essential to the ethos of Balcraig Foundation that these projects are run from Kenya, by Kenyans for Kenyans. Balcraig Foundation seeks to identify the most deserving underprivileged child projects and thereafter supports and guides these children to obtain a safe and healthy living environment, a good education and ultimately successful independent living conditions.
Annually we aim to raise £350 for this worthwhile cause and in closing the appeal for this year, the donation organiser, Gerald Smith, was delighted to note that the target had been exceeded and added the following:
"Thank you so much all who have Donated. We have raised £372 + £80 gift aid. Well done." Gerald Smith