Ms Donna Martin

Rowing was the theme at the Rotary Club of South Queensferry on Thursday 28th April. Donna Martin, Captain of Queensferry Rowing Club, gave an interesting and well-illustrated talk on the club's activities since its first skiff, Ferry Lass, was launched five years ago.  Affiliated to the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, founded to re-establish the sport of Coastal Rowing across Scotland, the club has now built two skiffs and regularly takes part in competitions and regattas all over the country. The club has around 150 members with a nucleus of 50 competitive rowers though membership covers all ages. A skiff's crew consists of four rowers and a cox. Races are usually one and two-kilometre sprints and the club has participated in events all round the coast including the Skiffyworld Championship at Ullapool. The social aspect of rowing is also vitally important. As well as offering an opportunity to take to the water to people who might not normally become involved with the sea, club skiffs have taken part in many local  festivals and events and even ferried a bride from the Hawes Pier to the harbour. The Rotary Club of South Queensferry provided funding to establish the club and in concluding her presentation, Donna thanked the members for continuing to support a most successful community project. Any member of the public was welcome to visit the club at Port Edgar. Donna Martin was accompanied by founder member Peter Locke who was about to retire. Fellow rowing club member and Rotarian Stuart Ridge marked the occasion with a presentation. 

In other business, Secretary Alan Brown announced that there were now only seven places left for the Rotary Forth Bridge Abseil on Sunday 26th June and that it was expected to sell out within a few days. The meeting was chaired by President Elect Graham Leith. Liz Mackenzie introduced the speaker and Enrico Prentice proposed the vote of thanks.