Index

Press release 24/06/16

Following a talk by Olive Cowan from PALS Plus to East Kilbride Rotary lunch two of the Rotarian members donated £500 each towards the purchase of a defibrillator with the balance required being topped up by the Rotary club. Positive Attitude to Life after Stroke Plus (PALS Plus) is a small club based in East Kilbride whose aims are to aid in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors and to improve and maintain their progress thereby increasing the quality of their daily life. Stroke is the single greatest cause of severe disability in Scotland, has no conception of age, and in fact the club have members in their late thirties and early forties who are survivors of a stroke.Survivors of a stroke can become isolated and house bound and the club offers a life line to meet up with other like-minded people for support and to share experiences. It is a totally self-funding club with members, families and friends raising funds for away days travelling out of their normal comfort zone and enjoy eating out in different places, something an able bodied person takes for granted. A current fund raising project by PALS Plus is to have a defibrillator for their members as it increases the chance of survival from 10% to 40%. The Rotray Club had great pleasure in presenting PALS Plus with a new defibrillator at one of their weekly Tuesday meeting in the Westwood Community Centre, East Kilbride. A surprising statistic is every day in Scotland 34 people will have a stroke for the first time.

Press release 05/06/16

Emma Hill, a Calderglen High School pupil, accompanied by one of her language teachers Mr Boisson, gave a presentation of her time in Strasbourg as the Euroscola representative for Kittoch Rotary Club and East Kilbride Rotary Club. The Euroscola spends 4 days in Strasbourg, integrating and socialising with pupils of similar ages and skills from other countries in Europe. On the Wednesday they spend time in the morning with preparation and a culture visit and in the afternoon they are grouped into pairs and given a street questionnaire, all to be carried out in French. Thursday is a challenge activity with feedback and then preparation for the Fridays European debate. This takes place in the Strasbourg Parliament with the participants being treated as MEP's, allowed to sit in the main chamber and use the electronic voting system. The day in Parliament commences with presentations, questions and discussions culminating in votes on the issues discussed. It is multi-lingual day with the expectation that all participants can communicate in French and English.

Emma immersed herself in the project from day helping her group to prepare questions in French and then heading out into streets of Strasbourg to meet the public, a daunting experience. However the highlight of the week was the visit to the Parliament on Friday and taking part in the presentations, discussions and voting, all in French. All the pupils were divided into groups of mixed nationalities with each group selecting a chairperson and a reporter. Emma put herself forward for the post of reporter and was successfully elected. She presented the group's proposal to a panel and was overawed with panel chairperson's observation that her presentation was superb. The UK contingent was house in a hostel with a number of other international students and they decided to host a ceilidh in the hostel on the Friday night teaching some of the traditional Scottish dances. She concluded her talk saying it was an exceptional experience which developed her confidence, improved her French and that perhaps she would one day work in the Strasbourg Parliament. Her teacher, Mr Boisson, commented on how proud and privileged he is to have

Emma as a student watching her progress and mature from when he first started teaching her in form S2. Rotarian Charlie Devennie congratulated on a first class talk in his vote of thanks

Press release16/05/16

Peru here I come was the topic from 16 year old Calum Wilding at last Friday's Rotary lunch at the Stewartfield Farm. Calum's mother is a member of the Rotary Club of Leyland and his grandfather Roddy Shanks is a member of East Kilbride Rotary Club. While at school Calum learned about Camps International, an organisation which works with volunteers to help communities in Africa, Asia and South America. One of their principals is: a positive impact on the lives of people in our host communities, as well as our volunteers and to never abandon our projects and always finish what they start. This appealed to Calum, who is currently studying graphic design at college, and he volunteered to take 4 weeks out during July as a volunteer to help communities in Peru. His initial task was to raise £4170 to finance his travel costs and sustenance whilst in Peru and getting his fund raising hat on he organised party nights, race nights and bake nights managing to raise £3370 and now hoping to raise the last £800 within the next six weeks. While up here in East Kilbride he has arranged a race night in the Bruce Hotel on Saturday 5th June. Calum does not yet know what his project he will be which could be helping to build homes or villages, build a school or classroom, tree planting or digging a well for fresh water however he is ready to apply his skills to whatever project is chosen. He is hopeful to have some free time to visit the world heritage site of Machu Picchu and visit the 15th century Incan Citadel built in the Andes Mountains. Rotarian Tom Wilson gave the vote of thanks commenting on how caring and considerate Calum is to venture so far on his own at such a tender age to help less fortunate people in the world community and sacrificing the use of his mobile phone which will be left back in Leyland.

Press release08/05/16

At Kirkham Grammer School in Preston on Saturday 7 May, R I B I (Rotary International of Britain and Ireland) held the national finals of its Youth Speaks competition for 2016.

Having successfully won Club, District and Regional finals, St Andrews and St Brides High School and Duncanrig Secondary School represented the town of East Kilbride and the Rotary Club of East Kilbride in this very popular national competition.

St Andrews and St Brides High took part in the Intermediate competition and Duncanrig Secondary in the Senior event. With seven schools taking part in each category representing all parts of the United Kingdom, competition was very stiff with really interesting topics being presented by all the teams.

Although Duncanrig Secondary did not manage to be placed in their event, St Andrews and St Brides were placed second in the Intermediate event.

St Andrews and St Brides High School was represented by Aoife Houghton, Adam Khanna and Aaron Gilbride with Duncanrig Secondary School being represented by Greg Hughes, Megan Sutherland and Alison Balmer.

Press release02/05/16

Following months of planning the East Kilbride Rotary Club's 50th Charter dinner took place last Friday at the Holiday Inn in East Kilbride. A number of local business men got together in 1964 with the object of starting a Rotary Club in the new town of East Kilbride and held their inaugural meeting on 11th November 1964. On 28th April 1965 East Kilbride Rotary Club were presented with their charter number 999, being 999th rotary club in Great Britain and Ireland, by a Rotary International representative and thus the first President of the Norman Tait, Principal Head of Duncanrig Secondary School, was installed. In those early heady days there was an eclectic mix of members, blacksmith, surgeon, radio receiver retailer, accountancy, law and dairy farming and today the club still retains some of these classifications. Club President Ian Macpherson chaired the charter dinner. He was president in 1984-1985 and, being one of the most senior and experienced members of the club, he volunteered to be president during its 50th year. The prestigious top table invited along to celebrate the occasion was John Waddell, Pam Clearie, Depute Provost South Lanarkshire, Dianne Ashwood, President, Kittoch Rotary Club, Ian Macpherson, Lord Bonomy, Joyce Waddell, President Strathaven Rotary Club and well known comedian Andy Cameron, a top table. Ian opened the meeting introducing the top table and keeping rotary business to a minimum. The evening proceeded with a delicious dinner served by the Holiday Inn's professional and friendly staff. Rotarians, wives and friends all received a small memento of a Glencairn crystal glass to mark the occasion. Before introducing the speakers there was the traditional roll call of guest rotary clubs, Bothwell and Uddingston, Cambuslang, East Kilbride Kittoch, our daughter club, Glasgow, Renfrew and our mother club Strathaven.our mother club. A very special guest was Jimmy Taylor, now 100 years old, retired East Kilbride Golf club professional and one of the founder members of East Kilbride rotary Club.

John Waddell, acting governor for Rotary district 1230, presented Ian Macpherson with a certificate commemorating our 50 years as a club. Retired Supreme Court judge, Lord Bonomy, delivered an extremely humorous speech which was followed by Andy Cameron who still has the talent and skill to entertain with extremely funny jokes and stories. Throughout the evening a powerpoint history of the club, supported with photographs, was shown in a background screen, prepared by Bruce Gun using the club history provided Eddie Robertson. The evening was brought to a close by President Elect Bruce Gunn with a vote of thanks to the organisers, hotel and staff and to all who came along to celebrate with the club

Press release02/05/16

On Saturday 23rd April '16 Depute Head , June Watters and Head of Music, Mike Dunn and a merry bunch of pupils

from Calderglen High School's 1st and 2nd Years met outside the High Common Road entrance at 10am with EK

Rotarians, Tom Wilson, George McGraw, Archie King and Iain Bonomy to clean -up sections of the Calderglen walkway

as part of their bi-annual Spring clean-up.

Tom, George and Mike lead Group 1 with gusto and took responsiblity for the area from behind CHS all the way to the back road to Hamilton beside the restricted Bridge and ended up with almost 40 red bags full of bottles ,cans, papers

and sundry objects. The continuous intellectual humour provided to the adults and other members of the group by

Alex McColl and Innes Reilly made the time pass quickly and fruitfully as well as keeping them all warm.

Group 2 avoided the landslip areas behind Inch Marnoch by cleaning the woods between the School and Benbecula, before entering the Calderglen proper via Inch Keith where major work was done. Dylan McIntyre, Zack Taylor and Alex (Zander)Gibson, the "bright sparks" kept Messers Bonomy ,King and Watters on their toes, as they were prepared to tackle 70 to 80 degree slopes to "really clean it up". Their enthusiam was infectious and had us all going for perfection. Possible rewards may follow - watch this space!

All in all this was a very successful and productive 2hours and more and was appreciated by the residents who came out to see the piles of red bags collected and who provided some of the photographs shown.

For the pupils it was good healthy exercise , they had fun with their pals as well as making new friends and producing positive material for inclusion in their CVs.

Thanks to the Calderglen Rangers staff who provided the pickers, red bags and plastic gloves and collecting the rubbish so promptly from the two locations. If any parents, or members of the public are interested in helping or observing the type of positive work and skills shown today, or know of any areas that would benefit from a tidy up please contact Roddy Shanks or Archie King at East Kilbride Rotary Club, email info@ekrotary.co.uk . We are hopeful that we can extend this opportunity to other Secondary Schools in the future and help their community to stay clean and tidy. We look forward to another clean up in the Autumn.

Well done kids, you should be proud of yourselves.

Press release18/03/16

It was a surprise for the most of the Rotarians at last Friday's lunch when Donny Graham stood at the lectern to deliver his talk on poetry and instead of the expected "lesson" he proceeded to amuse the members with numerous short ditties. Donny, from Milngavie, is a member of the Glasgow Haggis Club instituted in 1872 and number 33 on the roll of Robert Burns World Federation. He is also a regular visitor to the Tarbet Musical Fair. In conclusion Donny

recited his Milngavie poetic pub crawl, starting at the Cross Keys with a funny ditty about barmaid Rashin, then on to the Black Bull and ending up at the Talbot Arms with a poem about Nadia, the bar maid.

The vote of thanks was given by Frank McLuskey.

Press release13/03/16

A very successful but much smaller competition took place on Monday 7th March 2016 in the Ballerup Hall. Under the guidance of JVP John Murphy, Messers Brown McLuskey and King abley assisted by Kath Shanks and Enid& Lauren and finished well ahead of time, namely 9.10 pm.

Judges Audrey & Stewart Hermiston gave the participants helpful hints and encouragement on their performances.

Three new Trophies from the Rotary along with the Primary 6/7 Recitation Salver presented by the Kilbryde Burns Club were on display for the first time. Photographs as JM stated.

Press release 6/03/16

4th March 2014 The waffler at Friday's lunch was the clubs own retired dentist, Charlie Devennie. Charlie has a love of cars, as do many of our members, so it was no surprise his theme was on one particular classic car. His opening remark was had he experienced something that would make our classic car supremo Barry Wood envious.

He reminisced on his days as a lad in the 50's and 60,s recalling his time with his young pals. However he kept the members in suspense as to what was hidden in the small brown carton until he arrived to the knub of his waffle when with a great flourish he produced a beautiful scale model of a 1939 Jaguar SS 100. There was a neighbour whose son worked throughout the year in South Africa and came home for 4 weeks each year on holiday bringing with him his car, a 1939 Jaguar SS 100. Charlies was always admiring the car and this was noticed by the mother and one day while she was talking to Charlie's mother she commented on his fixation and asked would he like a ride in the car. Eyes shining in anticipation Charlie was told to come along next Thursday at 6.30 when her son would take him out in the Jag. Thursday comes along and being the 5th November Charlie realises he has a dilemma, either attend the bonfire and watch the fireworks which he and his pals had been planning for weeks or claim the ride in the car. Being a very logical person Charlie opted for the wonderful experience of a tour round the town in this fabulous jaguar and there was always next year's bonfire and fireworks. In his vote of thanks Barry remarked that Charlie had indeed achieved the two aims of his waffle, a super entertaining talk with a degree of envy such that he would possibly now add a pre-1940's model to his car collection.

Press release 26/02/16

Last Friday Cumnock set out in force on the trail to the Stewartfield Farm in East Kilbride, the meeting place for East Kilbride Rotary. David Brown, the EK organiser for the challenge, had arranged three games for the evening to test the mettle of Cumnock. Jim Wilson, Agnes Cowan, Jim Kyle and Roger Clark disembarked after their long journey from Cumnock eager to bring back a win to their club. The draw was made for the 1st challenge, table top curling after a toss of the coin we were underway. The result for each of the 4 games was not relevant as the rationale was to determine the best 2 Cumnock and best 2 EK players.

The semi-final was Roger Clark v Bruce Gunn and Jim Kyle v Archie King. The two best players from the semi-final, Jim Kyle and Bruce Gunn went forward to a best of five ends final. Unfortunately for Jim, Bruce Gunn romped home winning the first 3 ends. EK tactics shone through as we were continually plying the opposition with alcohol. The second game, electronic Connect, was trying the minds of the alcohol fuelled players, many who had trouble with deciding which button did what however East Kilbride must have the more sober, winning this event! In need of a break before the final challenge of trivial pursuit, the Stewartfield Farm supplied a delicious buffet of sausage rolls and chili chicken on skewers. Having now been fed and watered we progressed to the final game of trivial pursuit. As Cumnock could not win the challenge we selected four mixed teams of three for a fun finally. The night was closing in and we elected to play for 3 triangles which was a wise decision as with our weary minds we struggled to eventually get a winner - not long before the sun came up! The entire evening was great fun with wonderful fellowship and hopefully Cumnock returned home before sunrise. The EK team of Bruce Gunn, Archie King, John Cardno,

Jim Moretti, Ray Porrelli and organiser David Brown now proceed to the next challenge.

Press release 12/02/16

An important role in Rotary is raising funds for local and international causes however East Kilbride members could learn much on the art of fund raising from Jenny Cook , the speaker at last Friday's lunch. A supremely confident and lively young lady stood in front of a room full of local businessmen and delivered a well prepared passionate talk on her journey of coping with illness and raising funds to find causes for IBD and develop cures. Diagnosed at a very young age with inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, Jenny, at 4 years old, spent much of her time receiving treatment in Yorkhill Hospital. In her first year at primary school she organised a cheese and wine function, raising £5000. This was her first venture on the fund raising trail and now, as a first year at high school, the reward for all her efforts is in providing £111,000 to Yorkhill Children's Charity and the Catherine McEwan Foundation. Jenny and her high school friend have organised "Tea Jennies" with 300 ladies attending and raised £15,000. The Old Parish Church is lit purple on IVD day and Long Calderwood Primary School has named a house after Jennie. Attending our lunch was Jennie's mum, Kirsten Cook, and Derek McEwan our second speaker. Derek founded the Catherine McEwan Foundation in memory of his mother. She was diagnosed with a severe symptom of CROHN'Ss disease at the age of sixteen and died at the age of 38. It took Derek a long time to come to terms with his mother's death and 13 years ago he organised a fund raising event in memory of his mother. The Foundation grew and flourished on discovering, like Jennie, that he had a talent for fund raising. All monies go to Crohn's & Colitis UK and eighteen months ago Derek was invited onto their board. Much of the research is carried out at Glasgow University. The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Archie King who unusually could not find the appropriate words or superlatives to describe these two special ambassadors.

Press release 22/1/16

The Rotarians of East Kilbride Rotary Club always look forward in anticipation to our January Burns Lunch and last Friday they were not disappointed with either the food or the speakers. Making a grand entrance to a rousing accompaniment on the bagpipes by member Roddy Shanks, was President Ian Macpherson followed by Rotarian Frank McLuskey wearing a chef's hat and carrying the haggis on a silver salver. Steeped in the history of Robert Burns, a connoisseur and expert authority, Ian Macpherson gave a powerful Address to the haggis and while brandishing the ceremonial knife almost beheaded Frank when he came to lines "an legs an arms, an heads will sned". After enjoying a starter of broth and a delicious plate of haggis, neeps and tatties to the usual standard we come to expect from the Stewartfield Farm our club secretary Iain Wiseman stood to offer the Immortal Memory. Rather than talk about the life and times of the bard Iain chose to discuss the 710 letters written by Robert Burns, the first on 29th July 1780 to a William Niven and the last on 18th July 1796 to Mr James Armour of Mauchline asking Mr Armour to send his daughter Jean and Burns wife to him. During these 16 years the letters ranged from old acquaintance such as William Niven to local newspapers, excise men, Duke of Queensberry, the Earl of Glencairn and many other dignitaries and women of the day. During Iain's research he discovered that between 6th December 1787 and 9th March 1789 Burns penned 20 letters of correspondence to Mrs Agnes McLehose, known later in his letters as Dear Clarinda.

Iain's conclusion was you could discover Burns the genius in his poems and songs but Burns the man in a working day world is to found in his letters. President Ian MacPherson thanked Iain for a very interesting insight into Burns

Press release 16/1/16

The members of East Kilbride Rotary Club, 4 members of EK Speakers Club and guests were treated at last Friday's lunch to a feast of entertainment from the winners of our recent Schools Youth Speaks competition. Intermediate team winners Aofe Houghton, Adam Khanna and Aaron Gilbride from St Andrews and St Bride's high school, accompanied with teachers Jacqueline Nelson and Michael Wilkie, led with their topic on The Marvel of Mums. Aofe introduced the team referring to both Adam and Aaron as mummy's boys. Adam explained how he was happy to be known as a mummy's boy and talked about his all-knowing, all-seeing mum with the death stare and despite these super powers he still loved his mum. Aaron thanked Adam for his amusing and enlightening talk admitting that he too had suffered from the death stare. Senior winners from Duncanrig High School, coached by teacher Jo Whiteford, followed with their talk on "are you my type". Greg Hughes, the chairperson, introduced the team of Megan Sutherland, main speaker and Alison Balmer giving the vote of thanks. Megan opened talk by stating that first impressions were not made in the 30 seconds, 1 second but in one tenth of a second. Discussing her long blond hair she asked would she be judged as the dumb blond whilst indicating her dark eyelashes pointing to her having dyed her hair. Alison thanked Megan for a very thought provoking and well researched talk. The Rotarians and guests thoroughly enjoyed the talks from both schools and were markedly impressed by both speakers little use of notes. It was a surprise and pleasure to learn Michael Wilkie had represented his school in the same competition and was now back 6 years later as a teacher

Press release 20/12/15

December was a particularly busy and a sad month for the members of East Kilbride Rotary Club. We started the month with our regular team reading and recording the East Kilbride news for the Newstape for the visually impaired. On Thursday the 11th December, East Kilbride Dementia Carers Group held a get together of carers, service users, friends and supporters In St. Vincent's Hall, Greenhills, to celebrate their 25th anniversary and our club President was there to present a Cheque for £3000 to Archie Buchanan, Chairperson of the carer's management committee. Next on the list of things to do was the Christmas decorating of Dementia Carers house at Pine Crescent..

Meanwhile some of us headed to a toy trade shop in Glasgow to buy 298 toys and gifts for children in East Kilbride and surrounding area who will not receive a gift or at Christmas. This is an event Rotary have been involved in for many years in partnership with local company, Multi Packaging Solutions and social services. Jim Moretti from the Rotary club, Carol McLellan from Multi Packaging and Moira Bell from social services came along with other Rotarians and staff employees to help select the toys and gifts. Moira and her staff wrap each toy or gift and personally deliver them to the children before Christmas. Our last lunch meeting of the year was last Friday at The Stewartfield Farm where we were served a delicious turkey lunch. Our speaker Rev Ann Paton, minister of the Old Paris Church, told of how she had just finished her 8th Nativity play of the week then went on to interpret the Nativity Play finishing her talk with a message that Christmas is a time for love. Traditionally we have our Christmas tie competition with Ann Paton judging George McGraw as this year's winner, perhaps because somehow he had attached a miniature nativity scene to his tie. However during our meeting we held a minute's silence for Russell Gill, one of newer members who had died on the Wednesday after an operation earlier on in the week. Since joining Rotary Russell had immersed himself in club activities with great enthusiasm, was a very sociable and friendly member and will be terribly missed by his family and friends

Press release 05/12/15

The guests at the East Kilbride Rotary Club lunch last Friday were the crème de la crème from the town's three high schools. Ingrid Boyd, Deputy Head of Duncanrig Secondary, Elaine Innes teacher from Calderglen High and Deputy Head of St Andrews & St Brides School, Moira Agnew, presented to the members three sixth year pupils from each school. An annual event where the pupils interact with business men of various professions hopefully getting some mentoring in their career choices. First pupil to speak, representing Duncanrig secondary, was Sarah Mulholland who will be studying Law followed by Lewis Milligan studying Geography/Earth Science, Land Management and City Planning and finally Emma Clark studying Medicine. Linzi White, a pupil at Calderglen High, is intending to study Medicine, Emma Hill studying Law and French and Eilidh Sword, who already had a summer placement at St Andrews in Aberdeen, will be following her chosen career with studies in English and History. St Andrews and St Brides pupils were Erin Brown studying Law, Daniel Everett also studying Law and lastly Luke Laneres who has chosen Economics and Politics. In addition to expanding their academic knowledge by taking three advanced Highers in sixth year all the pupils spoke of the work they carry out in the school and community, volunteering to help the East Kilbride Hospice and St Andrews Hospice, working in soup kitchens, assisting teachers in the school - the list was quite long. They all fulfilled the essence of Duncanrig Secondary School motto "give all you can give". Rotarian John Murphy gave the vote of thanks commenting on the high academic achievements combined with the social contribution to society supported by an extremely high standard of teaching

and ethics from all three Schools

Press release 22/11/15

In the tradition of previous East Kilbride Rotary Club annual dances guests were piped in to the Bruce Hotel and treated to a convivial glass of champagne. Rotarian members and their guests were welcomed by President Ian Macpherson including President Joyce Waddell from our mother club, Strathaven Rotary Club and Dianne Ashwood President of our daughter club, Kittoch Rotary Club. Throughout the year the club have been celebrating 50 years in Rotary and in recognition Past District Rotary Governor John Waddell presented Ian Macpherson with a certificate on behalf of Rotary international. The dance was organised by incoming president Bruce Gunn who had themed the night as East meets west and after a delicious meal and comfort we were entertained by 2 dancers, Karen and Siva, members of Dance Ihayami. The two dancers performed a Bharatanatyam classical dance from the south of India and is a story telling dance using intricate footwork and hand gestures. They captivated and enthralled the guests with the beauty and gracefulness of the dance to Indian music and then did their own interpretation to highland music. The fun raffle with prizes such as Olaf, Mickey Mouse and booby prize of a helicopter ride raises money which goes to the President's choice of charity, East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group. Local band Moonshine kept the dancers on the floor until carriages arrived at 1.00am, when it was time to trudge home in the snow.

Press release 21/10/15

Press release14/11/15

On the 13th November 2015 our Speaker for lunch was Rev. Lindsey Sanderson minister of the united reform Church at Carnegie Hill, East Kilbride, Murray, South who's subject for discussion came under the heading of Duncanrig Chaplaincy. Lindsey commenced her talk with a thank you to the club for a donation of £150 that had been made previously to enable the Duncanrig Chaplaincy to kick start a programe for pupils at the school at the school. Explaining that she was part of a 9 minister team at the school who were formed and to work with the school to provide a facility of a non denominational nature, whereby pupils could meet in a less formal way than attending a school class and speak to other people other than their teacher in the more relaxed atmosphere of their weekly Coffee Shop that has several relaxing points about theaccommadation. There are regular attendees and it is hoped to encourage these pupils to get out into the community to help others for instance one project they hope to start will be for some pupils to go out and support lunch clubs that are held within the town.

Presss release 08/10/15

Our speaker last Friday was David Craig from Lifesavers Scotland, a non-profit charity organisation started 20 months ago. David is one of the volunteers involved in the start and he recalled at the time they only had an old second hand Galaxy car and a BMW motor bike, both of which stretched their limited resources with various repairs. The hospitals were spending more than £200,000 a year on taxis for transportation between hospitals and David realised with a voluntary organisation they could assist the hospitals in making savings. Lifesavers Scotland operates between 6pm and 7am, Monday to Friday, all weekend and public holidays. They convey such items as bloods, medical instruments, spinal fluids, case notes between Hairmyres, Monkland and Wishaw however they also on many occasions deliver or collect from hospitals around Scotland and in fact had to deliver case notes on an extremely urgent basis to Newcastle. The charity has grown from 3 to 80 volunteers and sponsor Motorpoint has assisted with supplying nearly new second hand vehicles. They do not get any public funding and rely on sponsors, bucket rattling and volunteers digging deep into their own pockets. George McGraw thanked David for a very enlightening and passionate talk about the service they give freely and the problems with funding.

Presss release 01/10/15

When the opportunity to help with this year's Poppy Appeal arose at Sainsbury in the East Kilbride Retail Park, Roddy Shanks took on the task of organising the club for can and bucket rattling from 10.00am to 5.00pm last Saturday.

A rota was arranged with Frank McLuskey and Ray Porrelli starting the first shift, then relieved at 11.00 by Eddie Robertson and Bruce Gunn. Throughout the morning and afternoon Rotarians Ian Macpherson, George McGraw, Ian Craig, Leslie Irvine, Iain Wiseman, Jack Blackwood and Roddy Shanks all came along taking their turn to help with the poppy fundraising. The friendly Sainsbury staff were very supportive although some did not look so friendly, dressed for Halloween in scary costumes. We do not know how much monies were raised but what we do know is the kindness and generosity of the stores customers, some of them having already donated but they still keep giving knowing that it goes to support ex-servicemen and women with vital service such as respite, employment, housing and mental support.

Three East Kilbride Rotarians thought they had finished with digging at Hunter Primary School when last March 300 holes were dug by the Rotarians and 300 trees planted by the pupils. However project leader Roddy Shanks had different views and on reflection considered the trees looked a little lonely on the hillside and decided 500 daffodils would brighten up the hillside. Last Friday lunchtime with shovels at the ready, three rotarians, Roddy Shanks, Archie King and Ray Porrelli ventured onto the hillside to dig 160 holes for the planting of the 500 bulbs. After the school lunch break Ms McKee lead the first lot of pupils onto the hillside and following a horticultural question and answer between the children and Roddy, planting began. William Wordsworth would have been overjoyed if he could have seen the pupils planting the bulbs and stamping the soil and then visualise the sight in Spring. Mrs Hodge brought on the next group of classes who planted the remaining daffodil bulbs. A very enjoyable afternoon for the Rotarians, despite the blisters, great fun for the children, and if you are passing Hunter High School in Spring try to remember to look at the hillside to view the host of daffodils planted by the pupils.

Press release25/10/15

It was a highly entertaining evening last Thursday at the East Kilbride Group Training Association, the venue for Schools Youth Speaks competition, organised and run by the Rotary Club of East Kilbride. The auditorium In EKGTA is an ideal venue with Tom McBrearty, the general manager and his assistant Lesley Keenan ardent supporters of school projects. Nine teams entered for this year's competition, two from St Andrews and St Brides, two from Calderglen High and 5 from Duncanrig Secondary School. Each team comprised 3 members, a chairperson, speaker and the proposer of vote of thanks. The competition is run under strict speaker rules where the chairperson and proposer are allocated 2 minutes each with 6 minutes for the speaker. Penalty points are deducted from their scores for being time short or an overrun on their allocated time. Topics selected by the teams were Is School fit for purpose, Life through a lens, Are we playing fair - drugs in sport, The faceless monster, The line of Beauty: ideas of perfection, Are you my type, Disney matter, The Marvel of mums and Is being young all it's cracked up to be. Adjudicating the competitors were 4 members of East Kilbride Speakers Club, Ross Hammond, Chief adjudicator, Alastair Fraser and Petr Kerr with Paul Munday operating the timing lights. Rotarian John Murphy organised the event with Leslie Irvine chairing the evening and calling up the teams. With little trace of nerves each team stepped onto the stage for eleven minutes on their chosen topic with the speaker requiring answering a question from one of the audience.

Each year there is an obvious increase in the standards of speakers however this year it was an exponential increase in the standard, recognition of the skills and application by both teachers and pupils.

Ross Hammond summed up the evening with experienced and valuable advice to the teams and teachers commenting on the difficulty with selecting the winning teams.

The intermediate winning team was St Andrews and St Brides comprising Aoife Houghton , Adam Khanna and Aaron Gilbride on the topic of The Marvel of Mums. This was a very humorous talk from what who Aoife called a "mummy's boy", Adam Khanna. He talked, with deep affection, about his all-knowing, all seeing mum with the Death stare.

Senior winners Duncanrig Secondary team of Greg Hughes, Megan Sutherland and Alison Balmer and there topic was "Are you my type". Like many of the other topics it was not what you expected. This was about stereotyping with Megan opening her six minute talk discussing her long blond her and the instant judgement made on her appearance. As with the other speakers she marched through her talk with little use of notes and handled with ease the question from the audience.

The winner's trophies and certificates were presented by MSP Linda Fabiani who was extremely impressed and proud of the school pupils and their teachers. Teachers Jo Whiteford from Duncanrig, Elaine Innes from Calderglen and Jacqueline Nelson from St Andrews and St Brides were congratulated on the hard work, devotion and time in training all the teams to such a high standard.

The two winning teams now go forward to the Rotary District Final competition being held at the Pollokshaws Burgh Hall on 31st January and 21st February 2016

Press release14/09/15

The decision to move this year's East Kilbride Rotary golf AMAM from July to early September was confirmed as the correct choice when early last Friday there was a clear sky and the prospect of dry weather throughout the day although the wind did pick up later on. At 10.30am last Friday the first team to tee off at East Kilbride Golf Club was DiversyCare with another 21 teams of four golfers following on with the last team, Caledonian Plywood Company, teeing off at 2.26pm.

As teams arrived they were welcomed by Agnes Wilson, Jean Harvey and Rotarian Jim Anderson who were checking in the teams, handing out score cards and selling raffle tickets. All the golfers had a short break at the 8th hole for a feast of hamburger or hamburger with cheese barbecued and served with light refreshment by Rotarians George McGraw and Tom Wilson.

After handing in their team scores and picking up a team photograph, courtesy of John Murphy, each team adjourned to the dining room where golf club chef, Brian, had prepared a delicious two course meal for all the wearied and hungry participants.

Many of the teams stayed on after the meal for the prize giving, raffle, auction and a beer or two. David Brown from East Kilbride Rotary Club compered the evening revealing his skills not only as a compere but a frustrated auctioneer.

The Ladies longest drive was won by East Kilbride member Gail Campbell, men's longest drive by Matthew McCulloch from Portpatrick, nearest the pin at the 8th hole was won by Ronnie Faill from Portpatrick and nearest to the pin at the 17th John Murray from team Shiller Ltd

The winning team was Clyde Fasteners comprising Stephen Morrison, Alastair Renny, Kenneth Soutar and Douglas Woodhouse with a score of 126. Runner up in second place with a score of 127 was team Shiller Ltd with William Donnelly and Co. in 3rd place with a score of 131.

A special raffle of a weekend use of an MX5 donated by Phoenix and an overnight stay at the luxury Barony Castle Hotel donated by Antelsys Ltd was won by Jimmy Paterson from Stranraer.

Among the auction items were a Partick Thistle signed ball plus tickets, Balblair 2nd release malt whiskey and a Galloway Golf weekend. The generosity of the golfers was quite staggering raising a total auction sum of £1,500 with one item bid going for £550.

The evening was concluded by East Kilbride Golf Club Captain, Alastair Renny, thanking the staff, all the helpers and in particular Gail and David Brown for organising and the running the AMAM. However the principal winners were the East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group and the Christmas Toys for Kids who will share in the £4000 raised by the AMAM. East Kilbride Rotary Club in partnership with Chesapeake in East Kilbride purchase toys each year for those children who due to whatever circumstances will not receive a gift at Christmas

Press release 06/09/15

Last Friday's Rotary lunch waffle from member John Murphy was more than a waffle; it was an extremely well researched insight into the Battle of Berlin. John's interest in planes and in particular RAF aircraft during World War 2 was piqued when flying out of Heathrow in the 1970's and reading Bomber, a fictionalised account by Len Deighton of an event in which an RAF bombing raid in the Ruhr area goes wrong.

The Battle of Berlin was a campaign launched by Arthur "Bomber" Harris of RAF Bomber command in November 1943. John's interest was on the raid on Nuremberg on March 30th/31st 1944, the culmination of the Battle of Berlin. The raid on Nuremberg, a major engine manufacturer, was launched from bases all along the British east coast and was made up with 527 Lancaster's, 214 Halifax and 9 Mosquito Pathfinders. Lancaster and Halifax aircraft had inherent disadvantages of restriction on load, fuel and bombs, low maximum altitude of 18000 feet however the major weakness was the limited gun placements on the planes. They had no cover from underside of the aircraft and because of this lost many planes. The Mosquito had no firepower but could climb to 37,000 feet and had the advantage of speed. This was in contrast to the American B17 which had complete coverage and higher altitude.

A pathfinder had flown over Nuremberg prior to the raid and on return forecast reasonably clear view with little wind. By midnight on 30th March the RAF had lost 86 bombers and due to their flight formation the other aircraft witnessed these tragedies. Unfortunately the wind speed was much higher than predicted and many of the aircraft were off target, in fact 120 aircraft bombed Schweinfurt. In this raid 94 bombers were lost and 71 damaged out of a total of 795 aircraft, 570 airmen were lost and the target hit rate was 5%. The RAF lost 1047 bombers and a further 1082 were damaged in the air Battle of Berlin.

In his vote of thanks Rotarian David Brown remarked on the passion and depth of knowledge in John's waffle.

Press release 14/08/15

It required the skills of speaker secretary Frank McLuskey to encourage member Iain Henshaw to give a job talk and on the 14th of August 2015 at East Kilbride Rotary lunch ian addressed theclub . Iain joined the club on October 2014. He opened his talk with telling us a little about the members of his family, wife Michelle and their 3 children. A keen sportsman with a love of cycling, running, hill and mountain climbing, a passion his family also enjoy. Iain has bagged many Munro's, conquered a few mountains and completed a number of marathons. He was educated at Claremont High School, East Kilbride and had a variety of different jobs whilst trying to tame his "wild streak" which included crashing his dad's company car. However owing to Michelle's influence and her encouragement Iain attended Glasgow Caledonian University, graduated as a Surveyor and gained his first job with GVA Grimley/GVA James Barr as a Valuator. This entailed carrying out valuations for Banks and Administrators and property disposals. His current employment is with Whyte and Barrie. To the members surprise he related there were some dangers in his profession - falling down a lift shaft but also some interesting assignments, one involving a men's saunas which he did not elaborate. As with past members job talks it gave the Rotarians an insight into their family, hobbies and profession. The vote of thanks was given by John Murphy.

Press release 07/08/215

It was the return of an old friend at the East Kilbride Rotary Club lunch on Friday the in the Stewartfield Farm. Dr Amit Datta had come along on a number of occasions both as a guest and speaker. He arrived in the UK in the early 60's, joined Hairmyres Hospital in 1968 and retired in 1997. Although he looks upon himself as Scottish, Dr Datta spends 3 months every year in India helping rural communities with medical assistance however he wanted to talk about the importance of water not just in India but throughout the world, water being a fundamental ingredient in all things of life and is now becoming scarce all over the world. He then informed the members that nothing can survive without water, listing an interesting number of facts. 65% of our bodies is water, 85% of our brain is water and 50% of our heart is water. Studies at a university indicated that 14% of a class of students who attended lectures and were dehydrated did not do as well in exams as the rest of their classmates. It is forecasted there will be a 40% reduction in water sources by 2030 which will affect the growth of 500 global companies, even though it is known that there is an ocean of water under the Sahara Desert. Being more specific, Dr Datta revealed that 200 to 600 litres of water is needed for the typical family every day for drinking, washing and preparing food stuffs and 2000 litres each day for agriculture. The world population of 6.5 billion is predicted to grow to 8.5 billion by the year 2050 highlighting the need to address the problem now. Having illustrated the seriousness of the problem he offered some solutions such as securing the supply of water for below the sea and deserts and using the fresh water from the ice packs in Greenland which are 2 to 3 miles thick. One of the members suggested building more desalination plants but Dr Datta did not think this was a solution as it takes 3.5kW of power to produce 1kg of water.

Rotarian Dr Henry Doig gave the vote of thanks commenting on the extent and quality of research carried out by Dr Datta.

Press release 10/07/15

Rotarians of East Kilbride Rotary Club were transported back to the summer of 1956 when member Ian Wiseman gave a nostalgic and eloquent account of the start of the school holidays in Springburn. It was a warm Saturday morning in Vulcan Street when Ian met up with his 2 pals, Gilbert McIntyre and Alex Kerr, to kick off the weekend by raking the midgies, didgies and super didgies for "beeries". Ian explained the midgies were down market, full of messy rubbish and gunk making it difficult to find any beeries, the didgies were not so clatty, however the super didgies were found in the back yards of the red tenements where the empty beeries were left out in their original boxes. The three friends then headed to the local pub, The Vulcan Bar, to redeem the beeries for money. There was enough to buy a poke of broken biscuits, a bag of broken chocolate with some change left to get them all into the ABC Minors at the Princes in Gourlay Street . With the best seats in the stalls, the boys watched cartoons, the Bowery Boys and cowboy movies then a short break to buy an orange Kia-Ora before the big film, Ian's Favourite, Flash Gordon and the Tin Man. Exiting the picture hall, firing imaginary ray guns, the pals then shaped some marble or filled empty Cherry Blossom shoe polish tins with stones making them into peevers for their "burds" and chalked squares onto the pavement to play at beds or hopscotch. Next up was a visit to granny at 64 Dykemuir Street where aunts, uncles and relatives gathered to listen to the final football scores on the radio at 5.00pm. At 7.00pm it was time to head back home to Vulcan Street passing Santis on the way for two single fish supper which in fact contained 4 fish nestled in a big portion of vinegar soaked chips. Sunday morning started with a breakfast of orange juice, cod liver oil and a delicious breakfast of homemade potato scones and 2 slices of Ulster Fry followed with a good scrub in the tin bath before heading off to Sunday school at the Railway Mission just across the street where he sang his favourite hymn " My Cup's Full & Running Over . On that particular Sunday bunting decorated the length of Vulcan Street, a signal that local company N B Loco were transporting a new train engine. Always up to high jinks, the three boys got a hudgie clinging onto the rear of the transporter and dropping off at the corner of Vulcan Street.

The next chapter of Ian's early youth starts in the same summer but not in Springburn. This was to be his last midgie raking as his family moved to a 2 bedroom house with an indoor bathroom and a veranda in Castlemilk. A sequel to follow.