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Meeting 4 August
Speaker Jim Craig - Chairman, Multiple Sclerosis Grampian – Hyperbaric Centre, Dyce
Jim has just taken over as chairman from Colin Webster, who was to have spoken tonight but who regrettably has ended up in Hospital after a heart attack, but is recovering. Jim’s talk was primarily about the hyperbaric centre, Dyce, which is run by MSG mostly for MS sufferers, but also for other people who may benefit from high oxygen treatment, e.g. back pain sufferers including Jim. This is not intended as a cure but an enhancement to the quality of life for sufferers. The medical fraternity, initially sceptical, are now appreciating there can be therapeutic benefits. The centre is run entirely on donations and outside assistance, and Jim sees his role as contributing to running it as efficiently as possible. Bill J, on behalf of the club, thanked Jim for an excellent and informative talk, whilst expressing the wish that the entire Dons team might benefit before a match!!
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Meeting 28 July
Speaker Barney Crocket – Cinemas in Aberdeen
The population of Aberdeen in 1939 was broadly the same as today but much more densely populated in the centre. The city at that time was therefore very crowded and, with a lack of other leisure type activities, Aberdeen had one of the highest cinema attendance figures in the UK, boasting some 20 cinemas. The first purpose built cinema was at the beach, in 1908. At that time there were the east end and west end cinemas (I think we know where the posh ones were!) and they had virtually no regs or H&S. Barney didn’t think any of the ‘posh’ cinemas actually made a profit, indeed some believed that the tea rooms were used for ‘soliciting’ during the 1st World War!! Some interesting stunts and advertising slogans were used to draw in the crowds, like; ‘Don’t be afraid of the fleas, we have the strongest disinfectant!’ and ‘Aberdeen’s own Hawaiian/Japanese Band!’. Jelte, on behalf of the club thanked Barney for a most entertaining account of Aberdeen in the early cinema-going era, referring to the visionary spirit which seems to be somewhat lacking today!
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Meeting 21 July
Arlene Hutchinson, the current president of Junior Chamber International, spoke about the aims and works of JCI and in particular the activities of the Aberdeen Chapter. There are on a worldwide basis over 200,000 members and the organisation is represented in over 100 countries. Its core aim is to empower young people to create positive change in the world.
The local club has around 50 members and they are involved in both local and international projects. In conjunction with UNICEF they will organise an art event for local school children. On an international basis their main projects this year are the supply of malaria nets and beds for a hospital in Ghana. The club also has strong personal professional development programmes for its members.
Mike R, on behalf of the club, thanked Arlene for her interesting and informative talk
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Meeting 7 July 2010
Handover & Birthday Celebrations
It was a double event for outgoing President Mike Craig at the meeting. As well as handing over to incoming President Mike Hedges he also celebrated his 70 th birthday. The picture below shows from the left the new team of Jim Crawford JVP, Mike Craig, Mike Hedges and Mary Lennox SVP.
It was fitting for such a significant birthday for there to be a cake and Mike had enough puff to extinguish the candles although he was a bit unsure of the formation of players on the field.
 
Fiona Banks, Aberdeenshire Council’s Ranger for Garioch spoke about the geography, history and wildlife of the Bennachie area. In an entertaining talk she explained how the Mither Tap and the other peaks had been formed; the evidence for the earliest inhabitants of the area; the agricultural improvements of the 18th century; and the wildlife that can be spotted. Various leaflets were available for members to collect.
Picture to the left above shows an aerial view of the Mither Tap
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Meeting 30 June 2010
Visit to Cruickshank Garden
There was no speaker as it was the Summer outside visit for Club Member's partners to the Cruikshank Botanical Gardens (11 acres). Our guides round the gardens were Head Gardener Richard Walker and Jackie Hatchwell. It was a super evening with an incredible display of rare trees, plants, shrubs and flowers (and the odd nettle!) – a huge upkeep for the ground staff, but all in all a very beautiful and peaceful place. I hope we didn’t disturb the 2 student ‘love birds' too much! The evening was rounded off with an excellent meal at the Stage Door. Thanks to Norman and his committee for another excellent evening enjoyed by all.
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Meeting 23 June 2010
Club Assembly
Picture above shows President Mike Craig, Assistant District Govenor Alan Pirie and President Elect Mike Hedges. Mike Hedges presented the Club’s proposed themes, programmes & budgets for 2010/11, with the assistance of all the Conveners. Details of the presentation can be seen by clicking here.
Assistant District Govenor , Alan Pirie’s comments:
§ Ewen will be a hard act to follow.
§ Will seek to clarify club queries on any rotary matter.
§ RI/RIBI focus is to keeps things simple,
o Increase membership.
o Hopes funding will be forthcoming for Membership Campaign in D 1010.
o Promote RYLA.
§ No problem that we work with St Machar & increase our involvement with Rotaract.
§ With our plans for the year ahead, Presidential Citation (Club Excellence award) should easily be achieved.
§ Pleased to see our continuing involvement in,
o PS Quiz.
o KidsOut.
o Attending Conferences.
o Socialising.
§ Happy to help with organising/promoting Ceilidh with Belgians with possible ‘zone’ involvement.
§ Very impressed with our Uganda project.
Paul Harris Fellowship
President Mike Craig presented Ewen Hatchwell with this special award for his outstanding service not only to this Club but also for his unstinting work as ADG for the last 3 years – Congratulations Ewen, very well deserved! Paul Harris was one of the Founding Members of the Rotary Movement
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Speaker Mike Rogers A Trip to India
Mike gave a thoroughly memorable and amusing illustrated account of his (and Marcia’s!) recent trip to the famous Indian Golden Triangle. Although the Country is crowded, no space, has horrendous traffic, filthy, smelly, it is nonetheless steeped in history (over 500 years), has beautiful and amazing animals, its own developed culture and the people are so friendly. The tour started in Delhi at Ghandi’s funeral pyre, Isa Khan’s tomb, Taj Mahal which Mike found quite inspirational – it took 20 years to build with 1000’s of people – then to Agra Fort and Jaipur (pink city) with enthralling views of the Himalayas. Mike was suitably (!!) impressed with the work ethic there; women are the workers and men skilled workers, which roughly translated means the men sit in the shade drinking while the women get on with the work. Anyway it was clearly a great trip. Anne R, on behalf of the Club, thanked Mike for his super talk but was hoping to get the alternative version from Marcia!!
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Speaker Ian Paterson – Chief Executive Aberdeen City Voluntary Organisation, ACVO.
Lynne introduced fellow Rotarian, Ian, with a brief potted history of his first career in the Police Force in Moray (with the ‘unenviable’ job of looking after some 53 distilleries!!). Ian described his new role as CEO of ACVO as the 3rd sector, looking after some 800 charities in Aberdeen. ACVO started off life about 4 years ago as part of Voluntary Service Aberdeen but later became an independent organisation and is to all intents and purposes now a business. They have a turnover of c. £0.5m and employ about 80 staff and are looking to recruit more. They service more than 80 member organisations providing advice on governance, business planning, fundraising/finance, website development, an e-bulletin to some 2500 people in the City and Shire, health and homelessness bulletin. They work with the City Council and NHS on Community Planning Partnership and also Aberdeen City Alliance. They aim to support the emergence of new groups in response to local issues and needs, strengthening the capacity of existing organisations through training and support. On behalf of the Club, Mike R (much to his surprise!!) accorded the vote of thanks to Ian for his excellent and enthusiastic talk, which has wetted his appetite to get more involved in the community now that he has more time on his hands.
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Gokhan Uzel of Rotaract spoke about their activites in 2008 -2010 and how stronger links could be built with RC Deeside and other Rotary clubs.
Rotaract Aberdeen has 15 members, 12 of them active. 5 are young professionals and 10 are students. Nature of membership means turnover high and new members have to be constantly recruited. Activities have included: Pub Quiz, Project Water Aid, teambuilding activities visiting Scottish cities, the Torcher, Shoebox Appeal plus international projects with Rotaract clubs in Bulgaria and Turkey.
Gokhan suggested that Rotaract could be supported by more frequent visits between clubs, sharing plans, Rotaract involvement in District events and developing new projects together. A nominated Rotary member as mentor would also be appreciated. (Doug Nisbet has already been approached to fulfil this role.)
Gokhan is from Istanbul in Turkey. He has been in Aberdeen since 2007 and is Treasurer of Rotaract. His father is a Rotarian.
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Meeting 5 May 2010
Experiences in Uganda
Speaker Des Crystal
Des, in his inimitable fashion (punctuated by the odd IT disaster!!), gave us a thoroughly entertaining account of his recent travels in Uganda. A few stats: 51% mortality rate, 7.1 children/female, pop 27million, got independence in 1962, and Sylvia excelled in the geography quiz! Des arrived in Jinja (I think!) spent some time in Kampala initially then went to Kamuli (twinned with Tillydrone!) – the charity had intended purchasing a tractor out there with cash raised in UK but because of high cost and poor condition ended up buying in UK and shipping to Uganda. Des went on safari from Fort Portal for 3 or 4 days.  
Des finally went to Kayakatara where he visited the health centre and met Ft George, whom he described as a ‘Mr Fixit’. He was encouraged that the water project will make a significant difference to the people and we hope there is more evidence of a power supply for the pump soon!! Norman, on behalf of the Club, thanked Des for his excellent talk under trying circumstances.
 
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Meeting 28 April 2010
Job Talk
Speaker Anne Guthrie
Ann recounted vivid memories of her early schooling, having attended 5 schools from Llanbryde to Ft Augustus to Drumnadrochit, following her father’s job moves. Like many others at that time, she was at the receiving end of the odd ‘beating’ for nothing more than getting an answer wrong, but she was a conscientious student (her words!) and after school went on to study languages at University. Her first teaching post was at St Margaret’s, Paisley where an IRA bomb scare was treated in a fairly casual manner by having a short pause for prayer!! Not to be outdone by Ian R last week, Ann even brought along her ‘strap’ which was still in pristine condition – I think she said never used in earnest! Ann later worked in Germany for 2 years teaching at 2 schools nr. Dusseldorf and then moved back to Scotland, taking up a post as a Lecturer at Perth College, typically teaching French to Chefs, with not so fond memories of chef ‘Ali’ over a potential stabbing incident!! She then moved to Aberdeen College and following a spell raising the family went on to long term supply teaching at various schools including 2 assignments at Northfield and more recently St Machar Academy. Ann concluded by saying the teaching profession is not quite as it was in the 70’s, but still rewarding. Maggie, on behalf of the Club, thanked Ann for her excellent talk echoing her sentiment re- how rewarding the profession can be together with it’s many frustrations.
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Meeting 21 April 2010
The Domesticated Horse [Equus Ferus Caballus])
Speaker Ian Reid
Ian has developed a passion for ‘all’ equestrian following his young son’s free riding lesson (probably a few years ago!). Ably assisted by his horse (umm...!) Norman and rider (bringing up the rear!) Bill, Ian demonstrated the rudiments of bridle gear and controlling a horse – it was nay joke!! Ian had no previous interest in horses but at one time was the proud owner of 4 but now has a more modest 1. It’s clear horses have much in common with politicians, snouts always in the trough, much noise out of rear end, etc. Ian went on to show some of the more common horse breeds (not the full 300+, phew...!). A few things to beware of; don’t look a sale horse in the mouth, steady horse means won’t move at all, speedy horse means goes like a rocket, always check meaning of acronyms if you don’t want to end up with a striped horse (ZFS can means Zebra Frozen Sperm!!). John M, on behalf of the Club, in thanking Ian for his excellent and amusing talk expressed some disappointment at Ian not speaking on an educational topic, as he had spent a lot of time mugging up on the classics!!
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