This month s issue contains news of the AGM; the Tayside Challenge; Members travels; the Rotary World Curling Championships, Purple for Polio and other occasions involving Club Members and other Clubs. Editorial The theme for the past two months would appear to be travel in its many forms. Members have been out and about, far and wide and slow and fast to achieve their goals. The large gathering of cyclists at the beginning of May saw Steve Blackett s organisation of the Rotary Tayside Challenge come to life. Club Members manned the many stations to keep the competitors safe and watered on their dash through the Perthshire countryside. Rotarian Brian Johnston (pictured right) managed to return from Vietnam for the event having completed 505 kilometres in nine days for another charity, CARE INTERNATIONAL. Above: A refreshing pint in Hanoi. Frank Muirden jetted off to South Africa and managed a visit with the Rotary Club of Capetown, bringing back news of their activities (see right). Meanwhile, our intrepid curlers took their place, yet again, at the Rotary World Curling Championships being held down the road in Hamilton and acquitted themselves well. A few members went on a fellowship visit to see Chicago at Pitlochry Theatre. Even I managed a fortnight in Wick at the end of May but it was nice to be able to use a comfortable car for that journey. Below: a message from South Africa. 1000 Calendar Lottery Prize Donald McDonald, on left, pictured here with Ian Stevenson receiving a cheque for 1000 on behalf of his daughter, Saci, who now lives in California. Donald buys a Rotary Charity Lottery Calendar every year for each of his three children and this year daughter, Saci, has won one of the two 1000 prizes on offer each year to purchasers of the Calendar. The Rotary Calendar is unique in giving anyone who enters the lottery draw 26 chances of winning over the year; two of those for the 1000 prize in March and November. The 2019 calendar is now in the process of being produced and will be on sale at the Perth Show on 3rd/4th August. Go4Gold 2018 - Bell s Sport Centre - Tuesday 5th June
Calendar News The monthly draws for 2018 can also be found on our website and our Facebook page. Rotary Club of Perth Kinnoull Charity Tayside Challenge 2018. Mark Beaumont, (front left) our star guest for the event, accompanied by some of the 400 or so cyclists at the start line including Lorna Anderson (front centre) and Brian Johnston (front second from right). Early morning registration for the Tayside Challenge 2018
Speakers 3 Apr Robin Duncan Blairgowrie Vintage Car Festival 10 Apr Bradley Harris Job Talk 24 Apr Syd House Forestry Commission 1 May Jonathan Miller The Sma Glen Murder Mystery 22 May James Surman Financial Fraud 29 May Nicola Schelbert S.H.I.P. Bradley Harris gave his job talk to the Club Members in early April. Brad took us from his early days in South Africa, becoming a lifeguard on his local beach. This was interrupted by his less-relaxed spell of National Service in the Army, serving on the Angolan border. Then he took up skydiving which he considered to be a much safer way of spending his time. Brad worked in various banks and investment companies as a mainframe computer expert, before moving to Perth in 1997 as an employee of General Accident. He was then able to guide the company through the vagaries of the millennium bug. Brad has now retired from company life and breeds highland cattle at his home in Perthshire. Bradley Harris (centre) pictured with Vice President Gillian Marsh and his host for the evening John Steven. Johnathan Miller (left) with his host, Bob Thomson, kept a large number of Rotarians guessing with his a fascinating tale of the death of Alexander Chalmers, a horse-drawn van driver, at the Foulford Inn in the Sma Glen. Following an inquiry into the incident Sheriff Valentine and a jury, sitting in Perth recorded a verdict of accidental death. In response the Dundee Courier ran an editorial which stated that the Sma' Glen mystery could never be considered solved. Sid House (left) with his host, Steve Blackett, told us his story of working for the Forestry Commission from university until his well-earned retirement in 2016. The Forestry Commission provides more than 30,000 jobs across the wood production, forest management, haulage and processing sectors. His work for the Commission included the development of renewable energy schemes, the creation and maintenance of trails and visitor facilities, and the conservation estate habitats, wildlife and archaeological treasures. Go4Gold 2018 - Bell s Sport Centre - Tuesday 5th June
James Surman, the manager of the Trustee Savings Bank in Perth, sounded a wake-up call at the Club on the 22 nd May when he drew our attention to the many and varied ways which people employ in order to part us from our money. James, pictured right with his future father-in-law and evening host Rotarian Ian Stevenson, hails from Leicestershire and is a keen golfer who enjoys mountain biking in his spare time. Nicola Schelbert, manager at the charity Support, Help & Integration in Perth, is pictured below receiving a cheque for 1000 on behalf of SHIP, accompanied by Bill Smith who was her host for the evening. Rotary Grand Tour to End Polio Now and Forever. Brian Johnston and George Delgaty embarked on their Rotary Grand Tour on Monday 21st May to raise funds to finally end Polio now and forever. Donations attract Gift aid and so far they have raised over 900. The other purpose is to raise awareness of Rotary and the Purple for Polio Campaign. Nicola started working with children as a child minder about 12 years ago whilst her own children were still at pre-school age. Her time as a Pupil Support Assistant at Fairview School allowed her to help children with severe and complex needs with their daily challenges. She progressed to become a Senior Social Care Officer running a life skills programme. The aim is to ensure those pupils leaving school have the appropriate skills required for life after school. In January of this year she left Fairview to manage SHIP where she is continuing to give social and life skills support to children and young people with complex needs. Brian purchased the car in London in 2004 and drove it home to Scotland. The car was completely rebuilt over many years and is now fully restored to its former glory. The route from Perth was to their first check point at the Riverside Transport Museum in Glasgow. From there they headed south to Carlisle then followed Hadrian s Wall to the Beamish Museum in County Durham, their second check point before finally spending the night in Brian s brother s hotel in Bellingham. On Tuesday, their first port of call was the Coffee Stop at Paxton House near Duns (the late Jim Clark s Home Town) meeting with the Berwick upon Tweed Rotarians. Checkpoint three was at the Forth Bridges and then onto the last Checkpoint at St. Andrews. Brian, George and the 1980 Triumph Spitfire made good time for the Tuesday Club Meeting. Club Assembly and Handover Tuesday 19th June
Frank Muirden and Ann visited the Rotary Club of Capetown, who met at the Royal Yacht Club of Capetown, whilst on holiday to South Africa. He exchanged banners (pictured) and extended greetings from President Colin and our members. Their banner was later presented to Colin Once again Frank recommends to fellow Rotarians that they sample international relations by visiting a Club when holidaying overseas. Take a banner from the lectern and bring one back for qualification for the annual Gulliver s Boot which is awarded to the Rotarian who travels the furthest. President Colin Moreland (centre) welcoming our newest member Ken Thompson (right) together with Rotarian Bruce Cameron who introduced him to the Club. Ken has transferred from Grange -over-sands Club having recently moved to Scone to be near his family. Tayside Challenge 2018 Mark Beaumont s presence undoubtedly made a huge difference to this year's entry with over 400 riders taking part on either the 46 or the 81 mile sportive routes. In excess of 14,000 was raised to be shared by the Rotary Club of Perth Kinnoull and Malawi Fruits. Kids Out Wednesday 20 th June
Nicola Schelbert, manager at the charity, Support, Help & Integration, in Perth pictured receiving a cheque for 1000 on behalf of SHIP from President Colin Brian Johnston In Vietnam Following a familiarisation ride on Friday 20th April Brian Johnston, wearing his Rotary T-shirt, started his fundraising tour in earnest on Saturday. The ride involved crossing towns and cities through traffic; not for the fainthearted. Brian said, "Going through cities is all about confidence - and who chickens out first". Day 5 - Cuc Phuong to Puluong Hill Tribe. 93 km along an undulating route with stunning scenery. Day 6 - Puluong to Mai Chau 57 km up and down steep mountains. Day 7 - Mai Chau to Hoa Binh. 74km along undulating back roads with astonishing views. Day 8 - Charity day with LEND WITH CARE followed by a superb birthday party for one of our group, Jean Fitzpatrick. Day 9 - Hoa Binh to Hanoi. Last day of riding. Total of 505 km completed. Brian says A big thank you to everyone who has helped me raise 2165.65 so far. I have been blown away by the generosity of my fellow Rotarians so again thank you. I have now put in enough miles training to cover a Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride.