Rotarians at tonight’s meeting at the Westlands Hotel played host to our colleagues from the Auchterarder Club, for their annual visit.  Present Robert welcomed the 14 visitors, club members and our speaker for the evening Dr Jane Dunbar.

All the President's men - Presidents Robert and Andrew with the visitors from Auchterarder and District

President Robert also reported the receipt of many letters of appreciation from our guests at last weeks Burns Supper, a tribute to all performers and organisers of this highly successful evening.

Robert then introduced our speaker for the evening local GP Dr Jane Dunbar, and her subject ‘Sports Medicine’ 

In opening, Jane explained that this was the newest discipline in medicine, and had attracted her attention through her own lifelong interest in sport.

 Working closely with physiotherapists and chiropractors, the team strives to avoid the more radical treatment of surgery. Jane has been involved with the treatment of many local sportsmen, some of whom were present this evening.

She has travelled widely throughout the world as part of the team, particularly so with the European Golf Tour, and soon will travel to India in preparation for serving the athletes at the Commonwealth Games.

 This important role not only deals with the direct effects of sports injury, but caters for the general health of participants, many of whom are away from home for prolonged periods on tour with no access to their local medical care. 

The treatment does not, at present, come under the umbrella of NHS, but the experience of treating these sports injuries percolates down to diagnosis and treatment of many industrial and every day physical complaints

Jane talk sparked off a number of questions from the floor after which the Clubs thanks was ably given by Keith Dingley, to the well earned applause of both members and visitors alike.

Robert closed the proceedings by wishing our guests a safe journey back to Auchterarder, and reminding members of next week’s speaker, Sandy Jack talking on the Scouts expedition to Namibia, which the Club supported financially.

Speakers Host Keith Dingley, Jane Dunbar and President Robert

East Stirlingshire 3 – Berwick Rangers 2

President Robert and a group of Members travelled to Larbert on Saturday, for a hospitality visit to Ochilview the home ground for East Stirlingshire football club. 

At the Club meeting on the previous Thursday Alasdair Mackie had noted that the travel arrangements were somewhat out of date as the destination was the old Firs Park ground which East Stirling left some time ago, to share at Ochilview with Stenhousemuir.

The revised travel arrangements saw the group arrive at the ground about half an hour earlier than planned, however some quick Rotary thinking saw the group helping the bar man of the Wee Bar set up for early service.

At 12.30 we were welcomed by Paul Marnie, the hospitality manager with a glass of Cava.  A fine four course lunch was enjoyed by all, with drinks to compliment.  The Rangers match was live on the TV, good for some.

Iain, Bob, Nick and Robert just waiting for the meal.

For kick off at 3.00pm we had seats in the viewing gallery and also in the grand stand, it was quite a mild afternoon so we sat in the stand to soak up the atmosphere with the other 300 supporters.  The game set off at a pace with spurts of skill from both sides, after 10 minutes this calmed down and Berwick appeared just the better side until East Stirling scored going into half time 1-0 up.

A welcome cup of tea and a sandwich were waiting for us in the hospitality room and there was a general view that we could be with the winning team as Berwick seemed to have dropped their heads in the latter part of the first half.

Berwick obviously had a serious team talk and came out the better team in the second half and equalising, then East Stirling pulled ahead by another two and things looked to be settled, then about 20 minutes from the whistle Berwick pulled back another leaving a tense last few minutes of the match.

There were ups and downs on the day but at half time we were all agreeing that No7 Stephen McGuire, was shaping up for our man of the match and this was before he scored the two second half goals for Shire.  The man of the match was not No 2 Ryan Harding.  The loudest player went to the Berwick goalkeeper Mark Peat who hardly stopped for breath and spent most of the match well up the field, in the closing moments he became chief striker and almost forgot to return the full length of the pitch after the corner ball was cleared from the Shire goal.  Without Mark, Shire’s score would have been even better!

A hot pie and a couple of drinks had us prepared for the walk back to the station and a good day was had by all.

Thursday evening saw a capacity crowd of members, partners and guests gather at the Westlands for this year's Burns Supper.

President Robert opened the proceedings by a welcome to all especially the President of Alloa Club, Robert Wilson and his wife, past members and spouses and the partners of Club members.

Top table

The Selkirk Grace was offered by Louisa Jones after which The Haggis entered, to the skirl of Paul Phillips’ pipes, was addressed and duly had its entrails gushed at the hand of John Marsh.

Paul Phillips piping in the haggis....

.....and John Marsh addressing the haggis

The night drove on with much clatter and all were treated to an excellent meal in the traditional style, and Robert introduced the principal speaker, Eddie Campbell, to deliver the ‘Immortal Memory’.

Like the Souter, Eddie told his queerest stories, to the ready response of the audience, and cleverly entwined his tales with the words of the Bard, giving a well polished and balanced address aptly suited to the evening.

Ed Campbell in full flow

The beautiful voice of Kate Paterson entertained with the song John Anderson my Jo, and later with Ye Banks and Braes to the sheer delight of the gathering.

It befell one of our newer members, Peter Farr, an Australian, attending his first Burns’ Supper to give the toast to The Lasses. Peter only became aware last week of what he had volunteered for, but after a crash course on the subject certainly acquitted himself well.

The reciprocal toast, ‘The Laddies’ was in the hands of Gillian Weighton and her sparkling wit and observations soon had the audience rolling in the aisles.

Our honourable member from Wales, Rod Jones insisted that ‘To a Mouse’ was originally written in Welsh, and threatened to recite in that language. He did, however, bend to the will of his audience and proceeded with his very clever recitation in something all could (mostly) understand.

The performers were thanked for a splendid evening by Colin Smith, who commented that once again, with the exception of Kate and Paul Phillips, the talent came from within the Club. He included in his thanks the Westlands Hotel for the efficient service of an excellent meal and to Rod Jones for the organisation of the event.

The 'Billy No Mates' table came in for some comment but took it in good part.

The final toast and the company singing of Auld Lang Syne brought to a conclusion a most memorable evening.

The Presidents Robert (Wilson and Steele) with performers.

More photos below.

President Robert opened the meeting and welcomed Alan Cessford from Stirling Carers.

After the meal, Alan outlined the work of the registered charity, which has a staff of 6 covering the whole Stirling area. Alan stressed that carers are ordinary people, not professionals and include all ages. There is a Young Carers group in the 7-18 year range who are key to the help provided. Stirling Carers provide information and advice, help with form filling, help to ensure contacts with the right people are made. This can be by one to one discussions, via the internet or by information packs. There are 1200  carers in the Stirling area and the charity is funded by grants from Stirling Council and the NHS as well as private donations. Alan thanked the Club for allowing him to explain the workings of Stirling Carers and stressed that help could be provided by personal input as well as financially. Stirling Carers  website is:

//www.carers.org/local/scotland/stirling/

Before the business meeting, Graham Russell reported on the Club's match against Glenrothes in the league at Perth on Sunday. He followed up his 'ode' from last year with a new one as follows:

A Lament for Lars

Last year we gubbed them 16 - 3

Alas this year, ‘twas not to be

We only stuffed them 13 - 2

At this rate they’ll beat us in 2022

Jim Gardner fell and banged his heid

And after we’d checked he wisnae deid

We shoved him aside and finished the game

Before we decided to tak him hame

Wi a poke o’ ice stuck to his napper

He looked so cool but not so dapper

He’d bashed his ribs, his ear was sair

But the following night he was back for mair

So ends this ode, you’ll be glad to hear

But rest assured I’ll be back next year

Graham said that he had sent a copy to the opposins skip and former member, Lars Christiansen, who was going to relay it at his club meeting at lunchtime. Nothing has been heard since!

The Business meeting was fairly brief, the main item was an update from Bill Sharpe on the forthcoming Giant Scalextric Race night. Bill reported that all sponsorship had been sold and ticket sales were going well with over 70 sold out of the 100 capacity. Bill asked that anyone wanting a ticket should let him know as soon as possible.

The business meeting was followed by an update on the Club's response to the disaster in Haiti. Thanks to a wi-fi connection to the Westlands Hotel internet, members saw a couple of videos showing ShelterBox preparing and despatching a plane load of these vital aids to Haiti and a Sky News video which highlighted the immediate benefits of ShelterBoxes. President Robert confirmed the Club had raised well over £4000 and had sent a cheque for £4410 to ShelterBox which would result in 9 more boxes being sent to provide essential shelter and supplies for the victims. Robert praised the response of the Club members in supporting our collection at such short notice and said he had delivered letters to Tesco and M&S in Dunblane, the Co-op in Bridge of Allan and Dobbies in Stirling to thank them for allowing us to collect at their stores.

The meeting closed with a reminder that it was our Burns Night Celebration next week with a 6.30 for 7.00 pm start.

8 members attended Dunblane Cathedral on Wednesday to be greeted by Judith Fry, who is Tower Captain, and other members of the Dunblane Cathedral Society of Change Ringers.

We were taken up to the 2^nd stage to the ringing room where Judith and her colleagues gave us a fascinating insight into the history of the tower in which the bells are housed and the bells themselves.

The tower predates the Cathedral and was built in the 12^th Century , with the spire rebuilt in 1870.

There were originally two bells, a Great bell and a Lesser bell but they were broken by careless use before being taken to London for repair. These bells are still in the Cathedral but were replaced by a new set of 9 bells in 1908, donated by Robert Younger, Lord Blanesborough and cast in Loughborough. They range from 5 to 24cwt. and are cast in bronze (28% tin and 72% brass).

There are actually 3 uses for the bells:

The cathedral clock chimes use 6 of the bells and they are sounded by hammers striking the bells.

There is an apparatus in the Clock Room named after its inventor, H T Ellacombe which can be used by one person to play tunes by pulling on the series of ropes.

The main purpose of our visit was to see and hear the bells being used by the members of the Dunblane Cathedral Society of Change Ringers.

We were taken in groups of four up one level to the Clock Room where the winding mechanism for the Cathedral Clock is housed and the Ellacombe apparatus is situated.

Chris with members inspecting clock mechanisms - Allan Wallace wondering if it's a wind up!

In the Clock Room with the Ellacombe apparatus in the background.

After the visit upstairs, we returned to the Ringing Room where the history and art of Change Ringing was explained and we were treated to a number of examples.

Club members were allowed to practice on the hand bells to show how the tunes are created before being allowed to try their hand on the real thing.

Members having a go on the hand bells - the numbers were not scores!

Rod looks like he's practising his golf swing?

 The two youngest members then showed us how easy it was!

Hannah and Alex ready for lift off!

It was a fascinating visit, enjoyed by all who attended and Rod thanked Judith and her colleagues for taking so much time to show us the ropes!

There is a very good website where you can find loads of information:

 http://www.dunblaneringers.org.uk/index.php