St Machar Rotary


March 2010
4th March 2010
Our International speaker and visitor today was Julie Ann Kenneally a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from Marshfield Massachusetts. Julie Ann is spending a year in Aberdeen studying for a post graduate degree and is hosted by the St Nicholas Club. Julie Ann talked about her life back home, her background and her experiences here in Aberdeen.
February 2010
25th February 2010
		Today's Rotarian visitor and speaker was Robin Tatler, President of the Rotary Club of Innerleithen, Walkerburn and Traquair. Meg and Robin exchanged Club banners. Robin was in the North East to promote the Homeless World Cup and Football Boxes.
The Homeless World Cup was set up in 2003 by the Scottish social entrepreneur Mel Young. Mel is co-founder of the Big Issue in Scotland. Rotary became involved in 2008 when the Homeless World Cup was held in Melbourne and the local Rotary Clubs provided 900 volunteers to assist and help host the event. Pitches, slightly smaller than a five-a-side pitch can be set up anywhere. With teams of 8 players each playing 4 footballers per game it allows everybody taking part to be involved. With over 70 nations taking part football changes the lives of many. To extend the benefits Rotary has gone one step further and introduced the Football Box. At £500 each the boxes provide the equipment for players to become coaches, trainers and instructors to assist the homeless in getting off the streets. St Machar hope to fund a Football Box with monies raised at a future event.
11th February 2010
Nepal was the subject of today's talk. Meg Forbes and Bruce Anderson provided the Club with the background of Nepal which they visited in October 2009. Bruce illustrated the talk with slides from the visit which included religious sites, hospitals, schools and tourist sites including mountain trekking. Nepal has a population of 30M and the average income is £250 per year. For small sums of money Rotary can assist. For example a house for a disabled person can cost as little as £1,700. Bruce is returning to Nepal in a few weeks and will endeavour to find a Rotary Club with whom we can twin and receive matching grants. We also welcomed Bibha, Pria and Raghana to our lunch. Aberdeen has a population of about 300 Nepalese.

4th February 2010
Ellie Rothnie, Campaign Director for Peacock Visual Arts, gave a very topical illustrated talk on the proposed developments at Union Terrace Gardens. Ranging from the Peacock scheme which already has planning permission and funding, to the Sir Ian Wood supported scheme and many variations in between. There seems to be many solutions available by combining both schemes and Ellie discussed and answered questions on the proposals. Members were encouraged to take part in the present consultation process on the proposals to raise the gardens to Union Terrace level.

January 2010
29th January 2010
Unfortunately due to heavy snow and treacherous road conditions our Burn's Supper had to be cancelled at the last moment. Apologies to all those who had set out before they could be contacted.
21st January 2010
St Machar welcomed pupils and staff from St Machar Academy to the Inaugural Ceremony for the St Machar Academy Interact Club. Initially having 10 members District Governor Bill Macfarlane-Smith presented Interact Club President Rachel Alton with their Club Charter and fellow members with Club certificates and badges. President Rachel than outlined the projects already under way and their future programme of events. We wish the new Club every success and will provide support as and when required.

December 2009
17th December 2009
		Once again Aberdeen St Machar and Aberdeen St Nicholas Rotary Clubs joined forces to hold our annual Christmas Dinner. Presidents Margaret and Ian officiated at what was a very enjoyable and relaxed evening. Thanks to Jim and the hotel staff for the excellent meal and service throughout.
St Machar had a special guest attending the evening. Ewa, Milena's mother was a guest of the club and joined in with the singing and quiz. I hope the proceedings were not too alien to Ewa. Wish you our best wishes, Ewa and Milena over Christmas and we hope to welcome you and Milena to the Club next year.
		The Christmas Dinner would not be complete without the Christmas Quiz. As usual Jenny's questions tested the best brains of both Clubs. Thanks to Jenny for the quiz. Also thanks to St Nicholas Club's special quest Julie Kenneally, this year's Ambassadorial Scholar from Boston USA, who drew the raffle. The proceeds of the raffle are going to the Polio Plus Campaign.
10th December 2009
Chaplain to the University, Easter Smart, provided members with the history of King's College Chapel from the dedication in 1509 to the present day. Originally from Scotland Easter spent time in the States before returning home to be Assistant minister at St Columba's Church of Scotland in London. Easter has been Chaplain to the University for 9 years and was central to the Quincentenary Celebrations of Kings College Chapel.
3rd December 2009
			Today we had an illustrated talk on the new Aberdeen Sports Village from the General Manager, David Beattie. The Joint Venture between the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City which cost £28m has been developed as a community facility. It covers football, athletics, track and field events, studio space and a cafe, all of which are open to the public. The future plans include the construction of the Olympic swimming pool and additional external pitches.
November 2009
26th November 2009
Paul Anderson from The Elphinstone Institute entertained members and guests with an entertaining talk on the Fiddlers of the North East culminating in the rendition of 4 fiddle tunes. Paul provided a taster for next year's North Atlantic Fiddle Convention to be held in Aberdeen 14 - 18 July.
			Maggie brought along Rotaractor Beata from Poland. Beata is in Aberdeen visiting her friend Milena who remains in hospital following the horrific accident at the Bridge of Dee. The Aberdeen Rotaractors have also been making Beata feel at home in Aberdeen. Beata please convey our best wishes to Milena.
Our European roving reporter spotted this Rotary sign while visiting Lisbon. The model on the plinth is a miniature of the Lisbon Belem Tower.
21st November 2009
Thanks from President Margaret for all Rotarians and spouses who contributed to, and assisted at the coffee morning. Both the tea area and the stalls were very busy for most of the morning. The morning was very successful and raised in excess of £600. Well done to everybody.


12th October 2009
David Alton, President of St Fittick Rotary Club gave the background to and the recent developments at the Salvation Army Citadel in The Castlegate. The Citadel can now provide a meeting place, cafe and conference facilities. All are very new and welcoming and brings the Citadel into use as true gathering place. David is photographed along with President margaret and Alan Falconer.
News from the South Atlantic
			Spotted by our roving reporter while visiting the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship "Gold Rover" docked in Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands. It is good to see supplies of Shelter Boxes can be seen being deployed in far away places. Not really sure why it was there but somebody should be able to trace it through the Serial Number P2191. Unfortunately there are no prizes for the answer.
5th November 2009
	Jenny had pleasure in presenting a sponsorship cheque to Joan Thomas of the North East Scotland Music School. St Machar has supported a student at NESMS for a number of years. It is always a pleasure to welcome students to the Club when they display their talents.
4th November 2009
St Machar welcomed a team from Dyce for the next round in the Gavel. After closely fought rounds the result went Dyce's way. The final score was 18 - 14. Congratulations to Dyce who go forward to the knockout rounds. Good Luck.