6 February
This was the only regular meeting of the month held in the Dumfries Arms Hotel. We had an attendance of 11, including our Assistant District Governor, Hazel McCully, who kept us up to date on local developments. We were reminded that we should plan some fund raising activity during the “End Polio Now” week in October.
Agnes Cowan, our treasurer announced to the club that she had just learned that Dave Perriman, our secretary, has been selected as Cumnock’s citizen of the year 2023 and will be honoured by a presentation at Dumfries House at the end of April.
The main part of the meeting was a visual presentation by Secretary Dave of the benefits and potential of internet access to the Rotary websites. In a mixture of demonstration and explanation, he covered access to the websites, how to manoeuvre around options, and making contributions to the websites. He said that there had been some hitches in the early stages and covered the aspects of online security. As in any group, some members are enthusiastic users of the sites, which include social media platforms – others are less so. The frequency and sophistication of hacking attempts should be kept in mind. Dave was thanked for his efforts.
The club raffle was won by Jim Liddell.
20 February
Our normal meeting in the Dumfries Arms was replaced by a joint meeting with Loudoun Rotary to celebrate the anniversary of Robert Burns. This was held in the Newmilns Bowling Club pavilion, and was joined by a group of 12 (members and others) from our club. The programme was a mixture of formality and informality, starting with Piping in the Haggis, the Selkirk Grace and Address to the Haggis.
The meal was then served, followed by music from a young accordionist, and the Immortal Memory by a guest speaker, Stuart Lyon. It was an enjoyable evening and a chance to meet up again with fellow Rotarians from our daughter club.
28 February
This was the club’s annual visit to the Ayr Amateur Opera musical production in the Gaiety Theatre. This year the production was the “Sound of Music”, and those who attended (22 in all) thoroughly enjoyed the music and singing, particularly by the younger members of the cast. Members were also impressed by the novelty and efficiency of the scene changing procedures.
Members were less impressed with a ticket mix-up by the management, which was only resolved by being moved to different areas of the theatre, including the Royal Box! The lucky few were not required to give a “Royal Wave” – or sign autographs!
Rambling Group
The weekly rambles have continued into the New Year. Choices of routes have been determined by weather conditions and more accessible locations. There is a steady core of 7 or 8, plus 2 or 3 others from time to time. Monday is the usual day for the rambles.
January 15
Muirkirk Park at former Kaimes Institute, walk along part of the dismantled railway line to Eastern end of Muirkirk, up Crossflat Road and back along Main Street and then up Furnace Road to the car park.
January 22
Boswell Estate Park in Coach house car park, walk down paths at edge of fields, walk along (above) side of river, and past the Auchinleck House, and back to car park and drop into cafe.
February 5
Sorn From New Bridge walk up rough hilly path to top of hill and join road leading to Peel Craig waterfalls, walk along part of the road to get an idea of the landscape,
turn round and retrace steps, and then return to New Bridge down the Old Avenue (formerly part of Gilminscroft Estate.
February 12
Catrine From car park next to former bank, walk up hill to road leading to War Memorial, continue past it and down Chapel Brae, and then along Mill Street to car park.
February 19
Kilmarnock Dean Park car park, walk around grounds past ponds and Rural Life Centre, back to Castle and visit inside to see refurbished display, then to Cafe.
February 26
Lugar From Pollock’s car park, walk up Peasweep Brae, and then up track to the “swan” loch, along a rough muddy and wet path (dismantled railway) towards Cronberry, and then retrace steps (carefully) to car park.