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