The First Year

The formation of a new Rotary club used to be the prerogative of an existing club and the formation of a new club was proposed by the Rotary Club of Cupar as they felt that the existing club was so large it could not absorb additional members. Also it was felt that there was a case to form an evening club to cater for those potential members who, because of work commitments and location, could not attend a lunchtime meeting.
Over several years a number of unsuccessful attempts had been made to form a new club, however, Rotarians persevered and in 1990 the embryo began to hatch.
The initial meeting of the Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife took place in the Lomond Hills Hotel, Freuchie, at the instigation of the then President of the Rotary Club of Cupar, Gavin Reekie Junior, Immediate Past President Leslie McAndrew, and District Extension Officer of District 101 of R.I/B.I, Doug Westland.
Those invited as potential members were Bob Simson, James Storrar, Robin Rippin and Oliver Will. They formed the nucleus of the Club and were introduced to the concepts of Rotary. All four still take an active roll within the Club.
Over the next few weeks other prospective members were introduced and the Interim Rotary Club of The Howe of Fife was formed.

The inaugural meeting of the Club took place on the 2nd May 1990. A company of 120 Rotarians representing 22 clubs within District 101 attended the meeting with District Governor George Brown, Laurencekirk, presiding.
The area boundaries are shared with the Rotary Club of Cupar, viz : New Inn to Dairsie, Newburgh to Gateside, including the town of Cupar, The Royal Burgh of Auchtermuchty and the villages of Strathmiglo, Kingskettle, Falkland, Freuchie and Ceres.
Weekly meetings, every Tuesday, were held when the interim members were exposed to regular sessions of Rotary philosophy and protocol from regular and visiting Rotarians as well as the new members giving their vocational talks to introduce themselves formally to their fellow Rotarians.
The first function was a cheese and wine evening with wives and friends on the 4th July 1990 followed by the Club's Charter dinner in the Corn Exchange, Cupar, on the 21st August 1990. The presentation of the Club's Charter was made by District Governor Colin Risk and of the original 28 founder members 12 are still active with the club.

Presentations of Rotary regalia were made by local clubs. Cupar presented the President's Jewel, Rotary Wheel by North Fife, Brass Bell by Kirkcaldy, Gavel and Block by St Andrews, Name Plate by Leven, Lectern by Glenrothes and the Visitors book by Anstruther. Club banners were handed over by visiting members.

The Club's Family Tree

(The Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife would like to thank the Rotary Club of Edinburgh for their help and research  into the history of our family tree.)

A busy varied programme of activities was convened for the year.

Kinloch House , a Church of Scotland Eventide home was visited and supported.

Shoe Boxes were filled and dispatched to allied troops in the Gulf.

Rotary Emergency Boxes were dispatched to areas of the world struck by disaster.

The District Conference was attended, for the first time by four members and there wives.

A St. Andrew's Night Ceilidh was held in the Lomond Hills hotel with 130 members and guests.

At Birnie Loch, a community programme the Club became involved in, an exhausted sand quarry was developed into a wild life reserve. A development which went on to receive a Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Natural Heritage Award in 1994 for environmental regeneration.

10 members held their first Foundation Dinners a tradition which continues to this day.

A Barn Dance was held at Rossie Farm by Rotarian James Storrar and his wife Janette. The proceeds were donated to Sport for the Disabled

10 members held their first Foundation Dinners a tradition which continues to this day.

The Club Pennant showing the Thane of Fife, (see above), was designed by Rotarian Bert Dalrimple.

A Barn Dance was held at Rossie Farm by Rotarian James Storrar and his wife Janette. The proceeds were donated to Sport for the Disabled

Since then the Club has grown from strength to strength. As with many clubs old members leave, for various reasons, but they are replaced by new ones who bring with them more ideas and visions to continue the objectives of Rotary.

Today we now meet at the Fernie Castle Hotel, on a Tuesday night. If you are visiting the area please come and join us.