Activities 2001 2002

President Sandy Matthew

President Sandy's first duty on assuming the chair was to thank Past President David for his year as President and to compliment him on the excellent way he handled the milestone of the Club's tenth anniversary juggling it alongside being a busy and efficient company executive, taking a degree course at the university of Abertay, joining the ranks of the district executive, keeping his lovely wife Rita content by taking her on at least two holidays during the year and last but not least giving up all of last Thursday and half of Friday to assist him in upgrading his computer so he could catch up with the modern world. It then gave him the greatest of pleasure to hand him his Past President's Jewel

And so it has arrived at last. After two years of coming through as Junior V.P.and Senior V.P. knowing that his year as President was coming he admitted to it being a bit of a shock now that it had happened and thanked the Club for the very particular honour the Club had bestowed on him and hoped that in the next twelve months he could live up to the member's expectations. went on to mention that he recently had had the pleasure of meeting Rick King, the incoming President of Rotary International, who has chosen 'Mankind is our Business' as his theme for 2001/2002. His directive to all was to grow club membership by one new member every month, to develop one new local community service project, and on the international front to find a worthy service project and while he neither had the ability nor the desire to emulate the evangelical style, of the President, he supported him wholeheartedly by naming Rotary Foundation- the same charity as the RI President for his 2001/2002 nominated charity.
He continued that the coming year was going to be a greater challenge than normal as the decline in membership had to be halted.

In the six years that he had been a member of the Club he had seen a drop of seven in the membership. He felt that there were recent signs that we may have turned the corner as he soon hoped to be inaugurating some new members and called on Bill Inglis and his membership committee to continue the good work and for the membership to give Bill and his team their fullest support so that the foundations that had been laid down could be built on. No stone should be left unturned and the only question that should be asked when considering a prospective member is 'Would they make a good Rotarian'
Continuing he then outlined his 'management team' and in particular his senior vice president Robin Rippin. At our 10^th Charter Dinner the Club had been presented with a Vice President's jewel by our mother club Cupar. He had worn it with pride for the past year and he asked Robin to step forward so he could pass on the badge of his office to him.
It would seem that the coming year is not only going to be a challenge but also busy – very busy. Sandy ran through the calendar for the season mentioning that in the past we tended to get caught in a log jam of events at certain times of the year but now he had spread them over the full year and we should find that life should not be so hectic from now on.

New Member, July 24th.
In a year when Rotary International is putting so much emphasis on recruitment it gave President Sandy particular pleasure to introduce a new rotarian to the Club after only four weeks into his Presidency.
Peter Holt, a civil engineer from Manchester, who had the sense to marry a Fife lass, was warmly welcomed at tonight's meeting. Peter works for Kvaerner and is the Vice President (Fabrication) at their construction yard in Methil. A well-travelled man, who has visited many parts of the world, we hope that he enjoys many happy years with us in Rotary.

One in - One out.
It was with great sadness that President Sandy read out a letter of resignation from one our founder members, Andy Thomson. Andy's business commitments are, unfortunately, not leaving him enough time to devote to Rotary. In wishing him well for the future President Sandy told Andy not to loose touch with the Club and that the door was always open for him to visit at any time and to return if his circumstances changed.

RYLA August 2001

The girls group in front of the main house


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		President Sandy with Emma & James

The Rotary Essay, September 2001 As previously mentioned in last year's activities Strathmiglo Primary School won our essay competition when Laura Farrington wrote about 'The Community Mud Lands'.


Once again our selection process for RYLA brought forward two first class candidates. James Hair and Emma Ballantyne, from Bell Baxter school, took part in, and enjoyed, their week so much that they came to one of our meetings to tell us about it. Officially adopted by RI in 1971 RYLA is one of the fastest growing programmes in Rotary service and, each year, thousands of young people, like James and Emma, with leadership potential take part in an intensive programme of leadership, communication, problem solving, building self confidence and community and global citizenship. Both excelled on the course and comments from their course appraisals mentioned that James was 'a first class team member - overall the best in his group' and that Emma was 'one of the strongest members who played a leading role in completing the challenge'.



Since then we have been presented with a trophy for the competition by Jack Anderson, a previous member of the

Club. President Sandy and a few of us attended, and were entertained, at the school's morning assembly when the trophy was presented.

Birnie & Gaddon Lochs, September 2001

The view of Birnie Loch nature reserve from the car park

Once again the club is very heavily involved in a project to help improve the facilities and walkways round this very attractive and popular nature reserve. The details are still in the planning stage and will be reported later in this page as soon as they are available



		*CHAS, Rachael House, Kinross, September 2001* Readers of our charities page will note that the Children's Hospice in Kinross is frequently mentioned as one of the many worthy causes we support.


	(l)The house and gardens at Rachael House and (r) President Sandy during the tour


It seemed only fitting, therefore, when they held their open day during the annual refurbishment week that President Sandy was among the visitors who were invited to attended and some very knowledgeable guides who would normally have been attending the children showed the patrons around the grounds and buildings. At the end of his visit Sandy admitted to it being 'a very humbling experience' and was obviously moved by what he had seen on the day.

'Oh the wander lust is on us' September 2001
The Howe of Fife Rotary Club walk from Blairgowrie to Spittal of Glenshee, (approx 25 miles, 40km), was held on 21st - 23rd September. This is part of the Cateran trail, a trail used by cattle reivers, (robbers), in olden times, which is 60 miles, (100km.), long which starts and can finish at Blairgowrie
Peta Rennie who acted as chauffeuse for the walkers transporting them, and their luggage, to and from their daily starting and finishing points and their overnight accommodation wrote this ode to mark the occasion and report on the outing for us.

The Cateran Trail

Four hearty Rotarians set off on a walk,
The trail of the Caterans from Blairgowrie and back.
Their wives went along to keep everything right,
With Peta to transport their goods for the night.

Friday was misty and wet underfoot,
As they tramped seven miles to the Cally Bridge meet.
Sandy G, Sandy R with Oliver and John,
Caroline, Sheila as well as 'Our' Jane.

Friday evening was cosy at Log Cabin Hotel,
Where a fine meal was provided - enjoyed by us all.
The 'Articulate' board brought laughter and cheer,
And the two Sandy's at pool moved up to top gear.

Saturday dawned with the day bright and dried,
And the miles from the Cally to Kirkmichael were tried.
Tea and scones at the 'Cabin' were enjoyed with the rugby,
And the evening was spent at 'Cargills Bistro in Gowrie.

(l-r) Caroline, Jane,Sandy, Sheila and Oliver fresh at the start of the trail


			The group was enlarged by the presence of four, The Ewans and Matthews travelled up to the door. The Bistro was crowded and the food it was splendid. Midnight struck, for the walkers, the day it had ended. Sunday was bright and the walkers were joined, By President Sandy all fresh and loose limbed. Headed for Spittal and the distance of miles, The people were happy with no blisters or cares. Meanwhile Peta was travelling the road to the Spittal, When her car was backed over by a straw laden vehicle. The bonnet was crushed and the windscreen was cracked, But she drove to Glenshee in spite of the flak.
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A welcome rest at the bothy



She climbed up the hill to survey the walking, The sun it was shining and encouraged the laughing. President Sandy, greatly troubled by knees, Found that by the end he couldn't walk with ease. The Spittal Hotel, the final location, For refreshments and agreements about a future occasion. So get your names down for a walk in the Spring, To go to the Spittal and finish the ring Peta Rennie

President Sandy strides out

(l-r) President Sandy, Jane Kerr, Treas. Oliver Will, Sheila Will, Rtn Sandy Rennie,Caroline, Jun. V.P. Sandy Green

A Treasurer's Lot, October 2001
It is rumoured that dedicated club treasurers will do anything for money and our treasurer, Oliver Will, (left), proves he is no exception.
Here he is caught on his knees, with his sleeves rolled back, and up to his armpits in freezing water 'guddlin for bawbees' (fishing for pennies) at the bottom of one of our charity wishing wells in the Garden Centre in Freuchie on a cold, damp, October morn.
We have two wishing wells situated in busy garden centres in the area. One is in the Garden Centre at Freuchie and the other in the Garden Centre in Cupar and we are indebted to both of them for their support.

District 1010 51st Annual Conference, St. Andrews.

President Sandy( middle) with some of his guests



		Rotarians Bill Inglis and Bob Simson with some of the guests


	The 51st conference saw a good attendance from the Club with President Sandy with wife Dianne, Sen.V.P. Robin Rippin and Margaret and Past Presidents Bob Simson, Sandy Rennie, Bill Inglis, John Kerr and Oliver Will and partners all attending. President Sandy and Dianne hosted a small reception when members of our mother club, Cupar, and our own club enjoyed their hospitality before attending the Saturday evening's dinner and dance Sandy's final comment was, 'The conference was superbly organised by the Kirkcaldy club and President John Boyd and his members are to be congratulated for all they have done'.

The Saturday evening function with the Howe of Fife table in the foreground

(l-r) Dianne Matthew,Marlene Inglis, Bill Inglis,Peta Rennie & Sandy Rennie

Children Helping Children, Shoebox Appeal, Nov. 2001
The pupils of Strathmiglo school have again taken the time to think of others less fortunate than themselves in the run up to Christmas by supporting the Rotary Shoebox Appeal. This year they gathering 68 boxes, (one box for every pupil at the school), of toys, food and toiletries which will be now sent to children in eastern Europe They presented them to President Sandy Matthew and Rotarian Ronnie Black who organised the collection.
The photograph on the attachment shows President Sandy and Ronnie receiving the boxes from the children and packing them into the back of their car for onward transportation to their final destination.




	*2001 Christmas Appeal*

'Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more'
Christmas Charity Appeal, November 2001.
This years charities appeal started a week earlier than usual when S.V.P. Robin Rippin met up with Gus Farmer to take delivery of 10 tons, (400 bags), of potatoes donated by Cavaghan and Grey.
The club are sticking to the successful format of the last few years by selling the spuds, by the bag, over the next three weeks.
This year, as well as setting up at the Deer Farm, Rankeillour, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons we have two new sites, one at The Bridgend Garage, Freuchie, and the other at Garden Centre, Cupar. Our thanks go to them all for their help. There will also be the

usual door to door sales round the villages and towns in the Howe during midweek.
President Sandy Matthew and the Club are again indebted to Sandy Galbraith of Cavaghan and Grey who donates the potatoes to get the Club's to appeal started.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of the people in the Howe of Fife area, we were so successful that every bag of potatoes was sold within

two weeks and over £2000 was raised for local groups and charities. We hope to do even better this year
Some of the charities and groups which benefited last year were:-

	The Children's Hospice, Kinross, The Perth Royal Infirmary Heart Scanner Appeal, Aberlour Child Care Trust Keepers of the Green Auchtermuchty Community Centre. Falkland Cricket Club Cupar District Scouts Birnie & Gaddon Lochs School CD's on Bullying Kinloch Day Care Centre

	(right)S.V.P. Robin and Rtn. John Ewan at one of the new sites - The Garden Centre, Cupar

This year, after broadening our sales base at the weekends, we smashed last year's record and raised over £3000 - all from the humble tattie and a simple idea thought up by past president Oliver Will five years ago.
But none of this would have been possible without the hard work of the members and help from others. Our thanks go to the Courier and Fife Herald newspapers for helping to advertise our schedule and letting everyone in the area know where we were going to be and when, Cavaghan and Gray, Markinch for their donation of 10 tons of potatoes, David Jack, Easter Nether Urquhart Farm, for donating 1 ton of potatoes, Taypack potatoes, Inchture, for supplying the potato bags, W. Russell of Pilmuir Farm, Leven, for grading and bagging them, W. Glendinning Haulage, Kennoway, for delivering them, Tom Ford of Strathmiglo for the use of his truck at the weekends, the principals at The Deer Centre, Letham, Bridgend Garage, Freuchie, and the Garden Centre, Cupar.
But last, and not least, our thanks must go to the people in the Howe of Fife and Cupar area. Their generosity, once again, has proved to be without parallel and we would be unable to carry out much of the work we achieve without them.

Revenge is a Dish Better Tasted Cold, December 2001
The only annoyance about this journal amongst our members is that the photograph of every one of them appears somewhere, (with appropriate comment), except that of the camera shy webmaster.
So with this thought in mind, and armed with his trusty Brownie box camera, Club treasurer Oliver Will visited yours truly after I had been rushed to Perth Royal Infirmary for an emergency operation - but life is not all downs and he was just in time to catch me being treated by one of the hospital's pretty physiotherapists - a treat in itself and almost worth the visit to hospital for that alone.
My thanks goes to the staff at PRI and all the members who visited, sent cards and telephoned their best wishes and I am pleased to say that I am now well down the road to recovery.



*District Governor Bill's visit, December 2001*




	(l-r) Secy., David Pollard; President Sandy; D.G. Bill Moodie;S.V.P. Robin Rippin: Photograph courtesy of Bill Hill Photographs

President Sandy President welcomed District Governor Bill on behalf of the Club and then outlined our activities for the coming months
On the Club Service side we are in the midst of our annual Christmas charity appeal and to date we have banked over £2,500 with a week still to go, the Charity Ceilidh on 9th February in Strathmiglo Village Hall is in the planning stages and the arrangements for our fourth annual public lecture, to be held at Elmwood College on 6th March, are well under way. There will be another fund raising Golf Day at St Michaels Golf Club Leuchars on 17th May and on the social side next Saturday there is a Club visit to the Byre Theatre in St Andrews for a meal and Christmas show and our Annual Christmas Party for the senior citizens in our area is next Tuesday.
The Community and Vocational Service is again having a busy year. The Primary School Essay Competition is already up and running, the Primary School Quiz will be held in February, a candidate has been selected for the Rotary Euroscola visit to Strasbourg and we shall again send two senior pupils from Bell Baxter school to the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp at Aviemore next July, Also after last years success will send two candidates to attend Challenge Enterprise. Finally, along with Scottish Heritage, Fife Development Trust, and with the guidance of Fife Ranger Service we will be repairing the footpaths and constructing a bird hide around Birnie and Gadden Lochs.
On the International Front we have collected 68 Shoe Boxes through Strathmiglo Primary School and, next week we will visit Kettle Primary School to collect a further 70.
Our Membership Committee has been active and we hope to have three new members to add to the one already recruited this year
In reply D.G. Bill told us about visiting Anaheim the centre of Rotary International and of meeting Rotary International President Rick King known as "The Singing Suer" as he is an Attorney in California during the day and a singer at night. He does however know where he is going and his campaign, this year, is to raise public awareness of the work of Rotary and to increase membership of Rotary so, that as the worlds biggest independent charity, Rotary Foundation can do its work effectively. Although Rick is asking each Club to gain

12 new members during the year a net increase of 5 is regarded as acceptable. D.G.Bill pointed out to us that work in Gujarat following an earthquake was one example of what Rotary does and plans are already well advanced to go in to Afghanistan with Aquaboxes to provide clean water for the refugees once the military activity subsides.
Turning to local matters he praised the smaller Clubs in the North of Scotland for showing the true Rotary spirit of 'Service before Self' and with all members participating in all the clubs activities.
He concluded by wishing the Club well.


Shoebox Appeal, December 2001. Our Shoebox appeal received a double boost this month when Kettle Primary School and Letham Primary School telephoned to let us know that they each had collected about 70 shoeboxes and were ready to hand them over to the Club for onward transportation to their final destinations.


President Sandy and Rtn. SandyDavis receiving the shoeboxes from the children



	If the appeal keeps its momentum President Sandy is going to have to get a bigger car

While 70 might appear to be a small number of boxes to some larger urban clubs for these two small rural schools it represents nearly one box per child and shows a tremendous effort and commitment by the children and their communities. Thanks for all your help - we are looking forward to receiving your next telephone call.

Paul Harris Award, December 2001.
In an informal but moving ceremony before Christmas dinner on our last meeting of the year President Sandy asked Rotarian Sandy Rennie and his wife Peta to join him and presented him with the Paul Harris Award for his services to Rotary

(l-r) President Sandy, Peta Rennie and Rtn. Sandy Rennie

Sandy is one of the founder members of the Club and was President in 1995/96. He was instrumental in the formation of The Howe of Fife Probus Club and became its President in the same year as he occupied the Presidential seat in Rotary. He currently serves as treasurer. Always a keen Rotarian to whom no task was either too great or too menial he has carried out an outstanding job as Chairman of our Community and Vocational Services Committee and has always lived his life by the Rotary motto 'Service before Self'.
During his working life he served the communities of Strathmiglo and Auchtermuchty as their local grocer for many years and has continued to serve Strathmiglo as an Elder of the Kirk and on the village hall committee. It is a known fact that if anything needs to be done in Strath Sandy will be involved in some way.
On a final note the President gave Sandy a personal thank you for being instrumental in inviting him to become a member of the Club, and therefore Rotary, an experience he is glad he has not missed out on for all the pleasure and friendship it has given him.


		Our last meeting of the year is traditionally the meeting we invite our wives and guests from the lunch clubs and senior citizens clubs in the Howe area to. This year we welcomed representatives from Newburgh, Strathmiglo, Kettle, Freuchie, Falkland and Auchtermuchty.
*Senior Citizens Christmas Party, December 2001*







	We were entertained this year by Rebecca Rippin, the pretty and extremely talented young daughter of our Senior Vice President Robin Rippin, who was accompanied on piano by Michael Ellacott, an accomplished pianist and friend of the family. Rebecca treated us to a selection of songs from Porgy and

Bess, Cabaret, Les Miserables, and an American Tale before leading the company in a medley of Christmas Carols. Bookmark the name - I have a feeling that we will be hearing a lot more from this young lady in the near future.

Theatre Visit to the Byre Theatre, St. Andrews, December 2001.
One of our final activities of the year was a visit to the reconstructed Byre Theatre in St. Andrews to enjoy an early dinner, in the restaurant, and then take in the play being performed on the night - 'A Christmas Carol'. The evening was arranged by our SVP Robin Rippin and a group of 10 members and wives took the opportunity to enjoy an excellent night.

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President Sandy and The Members of the Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife
Would like to take the Opportunity to Wish All Rotarians Over The World
A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

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2002

A Lot of Bull, January 2002.
They say that persistence has its rewards and if that is the case PP Bill Inglis will become a rich man. Over 4 years ago, (before I joined the Club), we were approached by the Rotary Club of Arusha in Tanzania to help provide a bull for stud use, 12 cows to produce milk for the Upendo Leprosy Centre and a home for street children in Arusha.

A speaker, who was closely involved with the centre, came and made a presentation, the appeal caught the imagination of the members, money was allocated from the charity account and matching grants were applied to from Rotary Foundation – and all seemed fairly straightforward.
But there is many a slip 'twixt cup and lip and little did Bill know how much work the project was going to involve, how big a headache it was going to prove or how many hours of fun it was going to provide us with when he, over the course of the next few years, stood again and again to give yet another, (lack of), progress report to the assembled company about the bull that, to some members, was beginning to seem as mythical as the Minotar of Greek legend.

However, Bill was not for turning, and after 4 years of endless correspondence, dogged determination, and good humoured ribbing he appeared to take a perverse delight in standing up at our first meeting of the year and read, (a trifle smugly I felt), a letter, from Rotary International, informing us that, at last, our application had been approved by the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation.
Congratulations Bill - many would have given up half way through the proceedings and, (honestly), we never doubted you for one minute!!!!!!!


New Member, January 2002 The first meeting of the year also saw President Sandy welcome Gray to the Club as a new member. Malcolm was born in Lank, but had the great fortune to live and work in several countries throughout the world including Dubai, Nigeria, Canada, Sweden and England. Educated, mostly in Scotland, he graduated in the mid eighties with an honours degree in business studies. Since graduating he spent several years in the manufacturing and service industry and has spent the last nine years building his own IT consultancy business based in Glenrothes. Malcolm admits to being a passionate golfer, (though not particularly talented), and is keen on all types of music. Later in the month he is marrying his partner Lesley. The Club wishes them every happiness for the future.




*The Lengths to Which Some Men Will Go,* *January 2002.* After seeing the advantages that a hospital stay in Perth Royal Infirmary can bring Senior Vice President Robin Rippin, (after one or two false starts), eventually managed to secure a bed in that august establishment to have some spare part surgery done, namely a hip replacement. We are glad to report that all is now well,. the operation was a complete success, Robin enjoyed the rest, the nurses eventually waved him a cheery goodbye and he is now at home tormenting the life out of his ever suffering wife, Margaret, and family. As you can see from the photograph Robin was in a great deal of pain for much of the time and needed three nurses to help him about the ward - so much pain that he was oblivious to their constant presence.

We are all glad that you are back on your feet again Robin and look forward to seeing back at the Club and could you please let us know how many tickets you want for the Club ceilidh on the 9th February.
(Please note my considerable restraint at making no capital out of, or mention of, the zimmer)

'Howe Now' - Newsletter, February 2002.
President Sandy has printed the first edition, of what he hopes will be a quarterly publication , of 'Howe Now' a Club newsletter.
The purpose of the newsletter is to keep members past and present abreast with the Club's activities and let them know of events that are about to happen in the future.
Keeping the membership informed never poses any problem - they are in touch at our weekly meetings but in an effort to keep contact with our past members and others who help us throughout the year he has introduced a 'Friends of the Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife Association'.
If there is any one interested in having their name added to the list please contact us

Heart of Fife Riding for the Disabled Group. February 2002
We recently received a letter from the secretary of the above group asking for some assistance.
Riding for the Disabled has about 600 member groups nationally - all of who very much rely on volunteer helpers, volunteer staff and donations. Their aim is to offer opportunities to people, from 4 years of age to adulthood, who suffer from varying forms of physical and mental difficulties that range from cerebral palsy to autism. The sport is very popular as riding helps them to improve their mental and physical agility, mobility, general muscle tone and strength.
The Heart of Fife Group have been based at DABB's Equestrian Centre, near Ladybank, since September 2001 although it has been in existance for considerably longer operating from different centres.
They have the use of six horses and ponies, two of which they own, and all of which are stabled at the Centre. This lets them offer riding opportunities to approximately 30 clients per week who come from as far away as Leuchars and Kirkcaldy. Groups from Kilmaron School in Cupar and Real Life Options are also regular attenders.
Any one who would like to become a volunteer helper or who would like information on the group should contact the secretary, Moira Suttie on 01592 745381



This is the exactly the type of local cause we have been braving the past few cold wet winters to support and the Club took great pleasure in lending a hand to help them achieve their goals. The pictures (top right) show chairman Jim Paton and two other volunteers with one of the youngsters while (middle) another cheekily poses during her lesson. (bottom left) President Sandy presenting a cheque to chairman Jim Paton (l-r) Moira Suttie, secretary of Heart of Fife RDA; Pat Laidlaw; Craig Davidson on horse; Ron Davidson; Soli Graves; Fiona Cormie; Matthew Peachie on ˜Reilly'; Jim Paton, Chairman of the Heart of Fife RDA, President Sandy and Leslie Bain, the instructor.

	The group are now trying to build on their present facilities and have embarked on an ambitious project to Purchase more horses and equipment for solo riding. Purchase horses and equipment for carriage driving for those who are unable ride solo Purchase a hoist to assist riders to mount and dismount Install a elevator to allow access to an upstairs lounge/quiet area where related activities can take place

Charity Ceilidh, February 2002
Christmas and New Year are now but distant memories but the party spirit lives on - so with this in mind we held our annual fund raising ceilidh buffet dance and raffle
Over one hundred Rotarians and friends found their way to the village hall in Strathmiglo where, with a buffet and bar organised to replenish any flagging fervour, they danced the night away to the Herculean Ceilidh Band.
The raffle, always one of the highlights of the evening, produced some even more unusual prizes this year. S.V.P. Robin Rippin donated a week's holiday at his time share apartment in Kilconquhar and Rtn. Sandy Davis produced the prize which caught the imagination of all the latter day Biggles' in the hall - a trip in a vintage Tiger Moth with

	some gentle aerobatics thrown up, (sorry I meant to say in). We wish the winner well and advise an extremely light breakfast that morning. .



	President Sandy summing up at the end of the evening was delighted to announce that £805 was raised from the raffle alone.

and when the final receipts were totted up the evening raised £1500 - all in all a successful and full of fun evening made all the more memorable as, for the first time in four years, our intrepid photographer managed to remember to take his camera to record the event, (those Rotarians susceptible to blackmail please make your cheques payable to the charity account).


	*Birnie & Gaddon Lochs Project, February 2002*

A wintry scene at sunset looking out over Birnie Loch towards the car park

		This picturesque nature reserve in the Howe of Fife, rated as one of the area's most popular visitor attractions, is currently undergoing a major environmental improvement programme. The £18,000 project at Birnie Loch and the nearby Gaddon Loch is the result of a partnership initiative involving the Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife, the Ranger Service of Fife Council, Fife Environment Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage. President Sandy explains, "The project will help open up this beauty spot and bird sanctuary not only to the thousands of visitors and twitchers who come every year, but also to many less fortunate and disabled people who until now have been unable to enjoy the full benefit of the wildlife and the views around the lochs."

	During - laying the drains

		table and Birnie Loch was formed. When quarrying finished the area was landscaped and 3,000 native trees were planted, (some donated and planted by the Club 10 years ago along with a bird hide and a bench), to attract wildlife. Below the water are sticklebacks, eels and pike, while above are heron, mute swans, coots, moorhen, mallard and tufted duck. The current project has seen the resurfacing of the path to wheelchair standard and new drainage introduced as required, while all the bridges are being refitted with timber. Sandy added, "A brand new bird hide which is twice the size of the old one is to be constructed and will seat 15 people. It will also be accessible for wheelchair users." Three new interpretative panels are being installed giving a general history of the area, wildlife details and the geology of the Howe of Fife, its glaciers and volcanoes. The present information shelter is also being upgraded, while a new viewpoint is to be introduced overlooking Gaddon Loch.



Before - slippy, muddy,(and sometimes) impassable

The local nature reserve is located to the south of the A91 and just off the B937 Ladybank Road and near to the village of Collessie. Clearly visible to thousands of commuters using the nearby railway line on a daily basis, it was created in 1991 from the restored workings of Kinloch Quarry and donated to the people of North East Fife by the family of J.S.Baird and Sons, in association with Pioneer Aggregates (UK) Ltd. Comprising a wetland made up of open water and a large marsh with easy flat walks, Birnie Loch is renowned for its many species of duck, while nearby Gaddon Loch is more open, quieter and excels in wading birds. More than 500,000 tons of sand and gravel were extracted from Kinloch Quarry during the 1980's. In some places the quarrying penetrated 15 feet below the water


After - dry and wheelchair friendly

(Top Left) (r-l) Tony Wilson of the Fife Ranger Service, President Sandy, Rtn. Norrie Bennett & one of the contractors inspecting the work in progress.
(Top Right) The viewpoint where the Rotary Club's bench will be re-sited - once it has been cleared of scrub
(Below Left) President Sandy and Tony Wilson survey the scene from one of the refurbished bridges.
(Below Right) The 'pathway' leading to the site of the new hide
(Bottom Left) 'As stately as a galleon'
(Bottom Right) The view to the north looking towards Collessie Church

Other improvements will include a new recycled plastic picnic unit for the car park area, while updated publicity leaflets are to be published.
Fife Environment Trust, sponsored by the Club, and Scottish Natural Heritage are sharing the funding for the project, which has the full backing and advice of Fife Council and its Ranger Service.
It is expected that the programme will be completed in time to open to the public for Easter.

Primary School Quiz, 19th February 2002.
Six schools and their supporters made their way to the function suite in Fernie Castle to take part in this year's knockout stage of Primary School Quiz. Teams from Dunbog, Strathmiglo, Freuchie, Newburgh, Kettle and Falkland primary schools constantly surprised the audience, and sometimes their teachers, with their depth knowledge when answering the tricky questions researched and compiled by Rotarian Wilf Cameron and posed by Junior Vice President Sandy Green who was ably assisted by his invigilator, Treasurer Oliver Will.

The Dunbog team show off their trophy with President Sandy and the rest of the teams looking on
(Photograph courtesy of Bill Hill Photographs)



	The winning team with their head teacher Faith Ross

Dunbog took a one point lead in the round one and, though they were under immediate pressure from Newburgh and Strath, held off their challenge until round six when they started to stretch away from the rest of the pack.
Falkland, who had a slow start, then showed their mettle and gamely tried to closed the gap but Dunbog, eager to repeat their success of 2001, would have none of it and sprinted through to the finish.
The standard, this year, was as high as ever and the teams, and their teachers, are to be congratulated on their preparation and knowledge. The team with the lowest score answered an excellent 76% of the questions correctly but all the teams were forced into submission by Dunbog's magnificent hit rate of 89%. Dunbog now go forward join the rest of the finalists in

the Zone 6 final.
This year the final is being held in the Strathmiglo Village Hall on Thursday 18th April 2002. and is being organised by the Club.


	A section of the audience of supporters who turned out to cheer their teams on

Joint meeting with The Inner Wheel and Rotary Club of Cupar, February.
Every year we hold a joint meeting with our mother Club, the Rotary Club of Cupar, and the ladies of the Cupar Inner Wheel. As in the original days in Rotary, each club takes its turn in hosting the event and tonight it gave President Sandy great pleasure to welcome our wives, our fellow Rotarians and our guests to Fernie Castle.
The speaker for the evening was Jim Douglas who is well known in Rotary and Probus circles. In his time Jim has been a man of many parts and talents. He was sports champion at both Kelty and Beath High schools, won many trophies for sprinting in the Highland games, is a time served joiner, spent two years abroad on National Service with the RAF, trained as a remedial gymnast, worked at the famous Bridge of Earn Hospital for eight years where he was often asked to illustrate medical publications, went to Glasgow School of Art and after graduating taught at Perth Academy and Kinross High School, in 1988 left teaching to concentrate on his own work and has held many exhibitions which have mining as a common theme since he was brought up in a Fife mining village. Jim also writes poetry, winning competitions with such work as 'The Last Bus Tae Kelty', 'Ode to the Pie' and 'Ma Mither Milked the Turra Coo', a political satire against Lloyd George's introduction of the first National Health Act, and illustrates them with his own cartoons.

Ma Mither Milked the Turra Coo
(by kind permission of Jim Douglas)

Ma mither knew a thing or two
When first she met the Turra Coo
It greeted her wi friendly moos
For Nellie had a wey wi coos
And ever after she would miss
Those balmy days o' bovine bliss
Her een wid sparkle like the dew
When she spoke o' the Turra Coo

It started wi Lloyd George's Act
When awbody said he should be sacked
For layin' oan the fermers' backs
what they thocht wis an unfair tax
Her owner widnae pey his due
And so they took the Turra Coo
Tae be selt at Aberdeen
In nineteen hundred and thirteen

Chorus
Oh Turra Coo, oh Turra Coo
We will aye remember you
Oh what ah wid gee for a coo
Like the braw wee Turra Coo




		But Robbies freends aw rallied round And bocht the coo for fourteen pounds Before it came to ony herm They took it back to Lendrum Ferm And so the wee white coo came hame, No quite sae fleet, a wee bit lame, But mony herts were brimin fu' Tae see again the Turra Coo Then toorists flocked tae Turra toon Yid think the coo'd jumped err the moon And they replaced their cheenie dugs Wi Turra Coos oan jars and jugs Tho' lang since gone where guid coos go A land where milk and honey flow And Jined the Bull in pasters new We'll no forget the Turra Coo

Footnote - when Jim first had his poem published the last surviving relative of Robert Paterson of Lendrun Farm, Turiff, the owner of the cow, a woman now in her nineties living in Canada, got in contact to congratulate him.


	Jim, a couthie chiel, whose ability to amuse any audience with his stories and observations on life is well known in the area kept us in stitches for much longer than the normal half an hour allocated to speakers and we left the meeting later than usual but much happier for the experience.

The 4th Annual Rotary Lecture, March 2002.
Due to its increasing popularity we were forced to look for a larger theatre to hold what is becoming a must in many people's diaries. This year over 200 rotarians and friends, whose ages ranged from 15 to 85, arrived at the assembly hall of Elmwood College, in Cupar, to listen to Sir Timothy Garden present an outstanding revue on 'Global Troubles from A - Z'.

This year we were fortunate to secure Sir Tim's services away from a busy schedule thanks to his friendship with Rtn. Sandy Davis.
Born in 1944 he was educated at Kings School, Worcester, joined the RAF as a cadet while at Oxford reading physics and completed his staff training with the Army. After various postings with the RAF he then took a post grad. course in International Relations at Cambridge. He spent 3 years as Director of Defence Studies for the RAF, was station commander at RAF Odiham flying Puma and Chinook helicopters, spent six years at the MOD and became Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies before retiring from the RAF as an Air Marshal in 1996. He was then appointed to the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is joint editor in chief for 'The Source', an


	(l-r) Sir Timothy, President Sandy, Rtn. Sandy Davis

internet magazine, a visiting professor at Kings College, London, provided advice to the Palestinian Authority on negotiations with the Israel under the auspice of the Adam Smith Institute, is a Scholar in Residence to Indiana University and advises the Liberal/Democratic party on defence.

After a welcoming glass of wine on arrival President Sandy opened the proceedings by explaining to the assembly what Rotary represented and its ideals and in particular the activities of our Club. Senior Vice President Robin Rippin then introduced the speaker, gave a short résumé of his

(r) Senior Vice Pres.Robin introduces Sir Tim

(l) Sir Tim takes comand of the audience

career and welcomed him to the Club.
Sir Tim then took the stage and proved why he is in such demand as a speaker and political commentator by speaking, with a deep knowledge and understanding, for an hour without notes about trouble spots throughout the world, (past, present and future), changes in the execution and method of modern warfare and then explained to us the intricate defence policies and costing of NATO, the European Union and the United States. After that he fielded questions from the floor for twenty minutes.



	Question time



	President Sandy Presents a bottle of the Rotary malt

Sadly the evening had to draw to a close all too soon and President Sandy, in his vote of thanks remarked that, as someone who has to make copious notes before speaking in public, was always amazed when listening to anyone with the confidence and ability to speak without them and to listen to the ease, logic and eloquence of tonight's speaker astounded him and was a privilege as well as a pleasure.
He then presented Sir Timothy with a bottle of the Rotary malt whisky on behalf of the Club before inviting the assembly to join him in the refectory for a finger buffet prepared by the catering staff and pupils from the college.


	Euroscola, March 2002. This year we sponsored Karen Burt, a sixth year student at Bell Baxter High, on a four-day visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg for the Euroscola day of debate. She joined over 400 young people, from 10 other countries in the European Community, and in traditional rousing fashion the Scottish contingent was piped into

the debating chamber by Aissa Watson from Inverness for the start of the proceedings.
There they contributed throughout the day's multilingual debate in German, French and English, which also had simultaneous translation. The students attending had to be able to speak, and use, at least one other language, (the Scots have all passed higher French), They also sat in the MEP's chairs and using their electronic voting system.
Karen said, 'It was such an imposing building and the officials made us so welcome

The pictures show, (top), the Scottish contingent in the VIP's entrance hall; (above left), Karen with president Sandy (left) and Rotarian Sandy Rennie who organised the trip on the night she came to speak to us while, (above right), the certificate that Karen received.

Meeting and discussing with so many others from the rest of Europe really made an impression on me and we felt that our views were listened to as the results of the debate were presented to the chamber of the parliament and later passed on to the relevant parliamentary bodies. It was also interesting to see how the parliament works'.
One of the main goals of the now annual programme is to explain to younger people that politics is a useful tool in helping others and co-operating with their neighbours. One of its most valuable assets is that it creates a common forum in which young people can openly discuss various issues and exchange their experiences and compare the problems faced by other countries.
Sandy Rennie the convenor of the community and vocational committee who organised the trip said, 'this is the third year of our involvement with this project and we were delighted to sponsor Karen. We are looking forward to her coming to one of our meetings to tell us about her experiences'.


	*Primary School Essay, March 2002*


		Andrew receiving the trophy from President Sandy

Our annual Primary School Essay Competition brought a lukewarm response from the schools this year and Rtn. Andrew Kennedy who organises the event has already made enquiries to find the reason. His conclusion is that the term leading up to Christmas is a busy time in the schools curriculum and that perhaps invitations sent out in January with a March closing date will prove to be more successful and should not interfere too much with the heats for the Primary School Quiz.
The subject for this year's Rotary Essay was, 'How does helping others make the world a better place?' and was won by Andrew Clark of Falkland school with a neat, hand written, thought provoking entry about the homeless, street children, the elderly, and refugees who, less fortunate than ourselves, are very much in

need of our help. Andrew was invited to the Club to read his essay to the members and, as well as being presented with the Rotary Shield by President Sandy, to display in his school trophy cabinet for the next year, he also received the winners certificate and a book token for himself.
While the volume of entries was disappointing the quality was not and, this year, five Certificates of Commendation were also awarded to Daniel Sim (Falkland), Isy Reed, Emma Prati (Kettle) and Paul Johnston and Grant Thomas (Strathmiglo).