Cumnock & District Rotary Club

Club Report – July 2024

Tuesday 9 July

There were 11 members at this first meeting of the Rotary new year with 2 absences.   We were informed that Peter Shipton had unfortunately decided to cease his membership due to his ill health.   We wish him well for the future.

It was agreed that the club membership fee would remain at £150 per annum and members were asked to pay their fees promptly, whether by a lump sum or by monthly instalments.   Agnes our treasurer also informed us that Troon Rotary had contributed £2000 to the Honeypot Charity Appeal.

These business items were followed by a Job Talk by one of our new members, John Mould.   John’s time at school had been limited.   He left at the age of 14 from a school which had no exams and therefore no qualifications.   He had a period in military uniform before shifting to a life on the sea in the Merchant Navy, which he thoroughly enjoyed travelling the world.

He then took advantage of an increased expansion of services for young people which was promoted by a government report (Albemarle).   In England Leicester was the hub of activity in promoting this expansion and approach, and after a period of training John developed a real and lasting commitment to Outdoor Education.

He had a variety of jobs in different settings starting in Stranraer, then Aberdeen, Dyce, Moray and Dumfries before taking early retirement.   He had a spell on a part-time basis with Community Education in Glasgow before becoming a group leader in Switzerland as a Ski Instructor.

Now in retirement he continues to lead a walking group on Tuesdays, in addition to participating in our own walking group on Mondays, where his experience and knowledge has been much appreciated

The club raffle was won by Dave Perriman.

Tuesday 23 July

Neither Secretary Dave nor Treasurer Agnes was available for this meeting.   Their duties were shared.   President Jim Kyle informed members that he had been asked by local community activists if the Rotary Club would take an active part in an outdoor community event proposed for Woodroad Park in Cumnock this summer.   Doubts were raised about the organisation of the event, and members generally felt that with holiday commitments and lack of time to prepare for the event would make it difficult to support this year.

Arrangements for our Croquet event were further discussed.   Jim Wilson reported that so far 41 people had shown interest in attending, and replies from some others were awaited.

New member Martin Pond gave some information about a local project which the club might want to hear more about.   This is the Fossilfield Training Centre at Auchinleck which allows young people to care for and work with ex Racing Horses and ponies, which also contributes to the health and well-being of the young carers.   We could arrange a visit or invite a speaker to the club.

Su Dutta stated that she is going through the process of identifying and contacting potential speakers.   The club raffle was won by Jim Kyle.

Rambles

July 1 – Cumnock – Dumfries House
July 8 – Cumnock – Dumfries House
July 15 -New Cumnock – Corsencon
July 22 – No walk
July 29 -  Auchinleck – down to and along Lugar Water

Tuesday 11 June

We had 12 members present for our Annual General Meeting and Club Assembly.   Fuller details of business reports had been provided in advance by office bearers and convenors, and were presented with additional comments where necessary by the members responsible.
As a small club it was generally agreed that all our members had been actively involved in decision making, fundraising activities, service and social events, in the promotion of the ideals and practices of Rotary.   Iain Christie took the opportunity to encourage members to support the work of Foundation Service by making regular contributions.   Details and forms are available from him.
The club raffle was won by John Mould.

Tuesday 25 June

We had invited members’ partners to our final meeting of the 2023/24 year, and there was an attendance of 15 in all.   We had also invited Hazel McCully, Area District Governor, and Carol Anne McMahon, Fund Raising Manager at the Honeypot Dalleagles Centre, making a total of 17.
President Jim Kyle presented a “display” cheque for £6500+ to Carol Anne which will be the total money raised and already given to the Honeypot Charity or about to be contributed.   
President Jim also presented the Inner Wheel Quaich to member Su Dutta to show our appreciation of her donations of furniture and other items to Honeypot – and for the provision of home baking treats to members at our meetings!   President Jim also announced that the Loudoun Trophy would be awarded to absent member Gerald Alexander, in recognition of his commitment of service as President for an extended period of 3 years during the upheaval caused by COVID.
The club raffle was won by Hazel – who donated it to the charity pot.

Rambles

With varying numbers, a handful of members carried on with the Monday rambles:
June 3    Alloway – Dunure (old railway line), sensory garden
June 10  Muirkirk – Smallburn plantation, Wellwood
June 17  Mauchline – Barskimming road circuit
June 24  Netherthird – Craigens Farm circuit

Tuesday 14 May

Our meeting in the Dumfries Arms had an attendance of 13 to share in the induction of our newest member, Martin Pond, by President Jim Kyle.   Warmest wishes to Martin for his future in Rotary

Attention then turned to making the arrangements for upcoming events.   Mauchline Holy Fair was first on the agenda.   We have been allocated a stall in the main arena, and members were asked to sign up for a rota of attendance (2 hour slots) between 11.00 am and 5 pm.   We will be running a bottle stall with a lottery element, as well as a “Name That Teddy” contest.   Donations of bottles were required.   

Our revived Quiz Night was next on the agenda.   Scheduled for Friday 31 May, we already have 6 teams registered with more expected.   

The revival of a Croquet event was further explored and suitable dates proposed.   Sunday 11 August was the favourite.   This was later changed to 4 August.   

The Honeypot Respite Centre at Dalleagles is having an Open Day on Thursday 30 May and members who have not yet visited the centre were encouraged to attend.

The club raffle was won by Agnes Cowan.

Saturday 25 May

This was the day of the Mauchline Holy Fair.   Our stall in the main arena had a regular supply of visitors, and the volume of the sound system from the main stage was just about tolerable.   

Our bottle stall was well organised and well staffed but early on the electronic system for picking random numbers for the raffle suffered from accidental human intervention, and there had to be a change made.   Raffle ticket numbers attached to  the prizes had to be removed, the bottles etc. had to be grouped in 5 crates numbered 1 to 5 and winners were able to choose their prize from the appropriate box.   Customers seemed to be happy enough with the outcome – some very happy with more than one prize.   Not every winner looked for a high priced item.

The members staffing the stall at that time are to be commended for their ingenuity and adaptability in trying circumstances, and prevented a financial and reputational disaster.   The end result was a success – almost £350 raised after costs.

Tuesday 28 May

There was an attendance of 13, although 2 members were unable to stay for the full meeting.   This gave us the opportunity to discuss the lessons learned at the Mauchline Holy Fair for future involvement.

We then moved on to our next project – the Quiz Night scheduled for Friday of that week.   Quiz Organiser Dave Perriman explained the arrangements made and asked members to be there early to prepare for the incoming teams.   Members were also asked to bring a bottle for the raffle prizes.

Our next formal meeting will be a combined Annual General Meeting and Club Assembly on Tuesday 11 June.   Members were reminded that a report will be needed from the convenor or organiser of activities over the last year.

The club raffle was won by John Mould.

Friday 31 May

This was the night of our Team Quiz for Rotary members and friends across Ayrshire, held in Netherthird Community Centre.   There were 15 teams with 3 or 4 members each, 6 rounds of general knowledge questions shown on a screen, and 45 seconds allowed per question for an answer, all under the supervision of Quiz Master, Dave Perriman.

There was a break after the first 3 rounds and the chance to sample the sausage rolls, sandwiches and cakes, plus tea or coffee prepared by the centre staff.   There was more than enough for everyone, and participants had been able to buy soft drinks from the cafe.

The winners were Prestwick A Team and they were awarded the Trophy, plaques and  personal gifts by Assistant Govenor Hazel McCully.  There then followed the raffle to which participants had donated prizes.   There were more than 30 lucky winners.   Past President Gerald Alexander thanked everyone for their participation and support, all in aid of the Honeypot Childrens’ Charity.

Monday Rambles

Smaller numbers due to holidays and other commitments, and some gloomy weather prospects, resulted in a decision to stick to local familiar venues.

May 6   Cumnock – Aldi car park, river walk

May 13 Netherthird – Glaisnock House grounds

May 20 New Cumnock – Afton Glen

May 27 Dumfries House – gardens walk