On Thursday 31st October, South Queensferry Rotarians enjoyed one of the most fascinating and accomplished talks this season. The speaker was Geoffrey Stell. Head of Architecture at the Royal Commission of Ancient Monuments and his topic: Defending the Forth. To compress such an extensive subject into the allotted time was very demanding, but in a well-illustrated presentation, Mr Stell took us from the barrier of boats moored across the Forth by Edward I to restrict shipping which might aid the Scots, to the establishment of castles such as Blackness to protect access to the vital bridging point at Stirling. Napoleonic times saw the erection of a Martello tower at Leith and the building of three forts on Inchkeith. Completed in 1916, Rosyth Naval Base became the focus of vast rings of defences down the Forth. Gun emplacements, minefields, boom defence, and airborne cover from Fife and East Fortune played their part and in the Second World War, anti-aircraft batteries and barrage balloons were added as well as more unusual defences like hydrophones for tracking submarines, twin six-pounder guns capable of firing 72 rounds per minute on Inchkeith and even shore-based torpedo stations at Methil and Burntisland to counter possible E-Boat attacks. Many vestiges of these defences may still be seen and it is certain that club members will be looking at objects on the Forth with renewed interest after this exceptional talk.
President Iain Fairbairn presented a video of scenes from the recent District Conference at Ayr. An excellent time was had by all club members and partners who attended.
On Saturday 2nd November, Rotarians were present at Hopetoun House Fireworks Display. Stewarding duties and provision of children's security wrist bands boosted funds for the End Polio Now.
more Past President Ian Fowler talked about the Youth Safety Initiative he led while working as a Chief Inspector at Drylaw Police Station. The photo shows the Risk Street, a scenario from the Risk Factory in Edinburgh
more Business Meeting 3 October 2013
more Details of Meeting on October 10
more Details of Meeting held on 24 October 2013
more Jim Leishman MBE
more Lesley Fowler, Junior Chamber International (Scotland)
more September Page
more Speaker Ms Amy Telford from CHAS
more Details of Meeting held on 05 September 2013
more Business Meeting
more Speaker: Dr. Stuart Strachan - Emergency Pre-hospital Care
more Details of Meeting held on 15 August 2013
more Community Award - Lynne Dickson
more Jim Boyd - Tibet
more DG Kate Keter
more David Batty - What next?
more Details of meeting on 27 June 2013
more A weekly report on club meetings
back 2 October 2014