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 CLUB NEWS: Quarter 2 - 2007 27th June 2007 - Following last year’s very successful outing, another mystery tour of Perthshire was organised and again proved a great success, finishing with supper in a local hostelry. 
21st June 2007 - On this most appropriate day, the 25th Anniversary of the end of the Falkland War our own Willie Coupar veteran of that campaign gave us a humorous and evocative flavour of life during the Falklands War. Willie as an Army Educator was coerced into the role of Social Convenor for the Task Force during the long trip to South Georgia, onboard the salubrious Queen Elizabeth II, with its haute cuisine of the finest order, to the insalubrious HMS Dumbarton Castle where he is still keen to strangle the chef for the worst food he has ever eaten! As usual Willie excelled in his story-telling and wonderful recollection of this most historic event, rather modestly undervaluing his most important role. The morale of the men, is the backbone to the success of any fighting force, a task our Willie undertook with great energy, effort and humour; he even ended up as Chief Education Officer in Port Stanley for a brief spell, reopening the school. A wonderful personal insight into this incredible Historic Event. 
14th June 2007 - The annual Club Assembly, gave our President elect - David Anderson the opportunity to introduce his new team of convenors for season 2007/2008 to members, with their plans for the forthcoming Rotary year. David thanked President Bill for the hard work he had put into his year as President, and highlighted a few of his achievements, including a memorable trip by members to Belgium, the introduction of the club website, not forgetting his memorable musical contribution on the triangle at our Christmas Lunch!
Vice-Governor - David Rankin represented District1010 and gave an update on the District's activities and forthcoming Conference at Aviemore. David wished our David and the Club well for the forthcoming Rotary Year.
13th June 2007 - Students from Perthshire Schools participated in the Perth Rotary Club's Young Chef of the Year Competition at Perth College - Catering Department. Chef Willie Deans a renowned Master Chef from Perth's 'Let's Eat' Restaurant adjudicated and was suitably impressed with the entrants very high standard of cuisine, Willie chose Blairgowrie High School girl, Claire Houstoun as the overall winner. Willie kindly offered Claire a day’s professional training in his restaurant kitchen. Convenor Alison Milne with President Bill presenting the Trophy and Prizes. 
7th June 2007 - Students from Perth Academy, Perth High and St.Columba's High School entered the Neil McCorkindale Schools Writing Award organised by the Rotary Club of Perth. Winner Stephen Jarvie from Perth's - St.Columba's is pictured receiving the McCorkindale Salver for his essay entitled 'The Night' from Club President Bill Millar, in 2nd place Wilf Wilson of Perth Academy for his essay entitled 'Don’t Get Me Started' and 3rd Jennifer Gunn also from St Columba`s for her 'Untitled Essay' won prizes. Two further entrants received Highly Commended Awards, adjudicator Alison Lowson, Editor of the Perthshire Advertiser advised that the standard was very high this year and found fit to invite, both Chris Barrett, Perth High School for his Essay - Women on the Front Lines? and Morven Tomison from Perth Academy for his essay 'Beauty, to the lunch. Peter Bing presented the Trophys and Prizes.
31st May 2007 - Tony Strachan Scottish Agent of the Bank of England, gave a very enlightening talk on the banks roll in setting the interest rates for the current Labour Government. In May 1997 the Government gave the Bank independence to set monetary policy by deciding the level of interest rates to meet the Government's inflation target – currently 2%. A principal objective of any central bank is to safeguard the value of the currency in terms of what it will purchase. Rising prices – inflation – reduces the value of money. Monetary policy is directed to achieving this objective and providing a framework for non-inflationary economic growth. As in most other developed countries, monetary policy operates in the UK mainly through influencing the price of money – the interest rate. 
24th May 2007 - Mr Walter Paul, gave an excellent talk on the Anglo - Zulu War - 1879 In early 1879, with Britain at the peak of her Imperial Power, Lord Chelmsford's three columns invaded Zululand to teach the Zulu king Cetwayo a lesson. Two professional armies with proven traditions met and fought with startling results. At Isandlwana the Zulus inflicted upon the British the greatest defeat of the Victorian era; yet hours later the small number of defenders at Rorke's Drift drove off repeated Zulu attacks. In the end technical superiority triumphed over bare courage. It is a story of arrogance, determination, traditions and innovations but above all, amazing individual bravery. The old Zulu nation was destroyed and British prestige badly dented. 
10th May 2007 - By way of a change we had Lunch, held our Club AGM and regular business meeting in the old kitchens at Scone Palace, most enjoyable. Our own Willie Coupar gave us a very enlightening guided tour and brief history of the Palace. Poised above the River Tay, the Palace overlooks the routes north to the Highlands and east through Strathmore to the coast. The Grampian mountains form a distant backdrop, and across the river stands the city of Perth. Two thousand years ago, the Romans camped here, at the very limit of their empire. They never defeated the warlike Picts, who later came to rule Scone, but the followers of St Columba had more success. By the early 7th century, a group of early Christians, the Culdees or servants of God, had established themselves here. tn_.jpg)
7th May 2007 - Perth Rotary Club members were the guests of the residents of Perth Bowerswell Memorial Home, invited to experience and enjoy the new Snooker Table and Carpet Bowls that we had recently gifted them. The residents used their extra practice on the new eqipment to great benefit, defeating the Rotary Team by the narrowest of margins, 1 point. Their organiser and Team Captain - Ian Gray said who cares about the score as long as you enjoy yourself's, "We Do" he said, we thoughly enjoyed beating you young guys! Only in this company could you accept that he really did mean, young guys! It was a most enjoyable evening, the hospitality was great, the supper superb and the competition great fun, even if the team did get beat. Members were even asked, if they would like to put their names down for future residency! - John McEwan replied to Ian Gray on the members behalf
3rd May 2007 - David Robb gave a graphic and moving account off Ernest Shackleton's 1914-16 South Pole expedition, on the ship Endurance which was crushed in pack ice. Shackleton vowed to bring every member of his crew home alive, and subsequently makes an epic journey of 700 miles in an open boat and crosses a mountain range to a whaling station on South Georgia Island where he arranges their rescue. This must be one of the greatest survival stories of all time, a human story of supreme leadership and valour; one mans determination, courage and belief to win against all the elements, well told by David.
19th April 2007 - Scottish & Southern, Senior Wayleave Officer, Colin Hood - Gave a very informative and evocative talk on the proposed Beauly-Denny 400kV pylon line which extends approximately 220 kilometres and has proved controversial from the outset with a number of protest groups springing up along the route of the proposed line. The new pylon line will not only allow SSE to distribute the electricity from the new wind farms but will also possibly be used as a telecommunications highway, as SSE stand to generate income from letting this cable to third party companies.  The final route of the controversial new Beauly-Denny 400kV pylon line is due to be published at the end of this month, after the public enquiry, then Scottish & Southern Energy will make their application to the Scottish Executive for permission to construct the new pylon line.
Alistair Ritchie proposed the vote of thanks
12th April 2007 - Mrs Pat Beatson of the Fairtrade & British Co-op gave a very interesting talk on the development of this worldwide organisation. The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects.The Fairtrade Foundation licenses the FAIRTRADE Mark to products in the UK which meet FLO standards. The supplier must sign the Foundation’s Licence Agreement which provides a licence to use the Mark.  
11th April 2007 - This year’s Theatre Outing proved to be a popular attraction with 25 members and friends attending. The evening started off with an enjoyable pre-theatre meal at the Café Tabou before going on to see an excellent production of The Merry Widow performed by the Perth Amateur Operatic Society at Perth Theatre. |
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