Fellowship Evening

Thu, Nov 3rd 2016 at 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm

RYLA.

Raffle - Eric Proven.

Reception - Gordon Wood / David Batty


On Thursday 3rd November, the Rotary Club of South Queensferry welcomed Catriona McRoberts and Erin Boyes to a fellowship meeting in the Hawes Inn. Catriona and Erin (together with Andrew Gillon who could not be present) had recently completed the Rotary Young Leadership Award (RYLA) at Ardtalnaig near Killin. Supported by Rotary and operated by the Abernethy Trust, the courses seek to develop self-reliance, confidence and leadership skills in young people. Under the eye of expert mentors and instructors, the girls spent a week canoeing, raft building and abseiling. They climbed to the summit of Meal nan Tarmachan and had tuition on knot tying, first aid and the Morse code. The course culminated in a challenge, involving canoeing, an overnight stay on an island and a simulated mountain rescue. In an enthusiastic presentation, one of the best the club has seen by young people, Catriona, who intends to go to Dundee College of Art and Erin, who is now taking a music and performance degree course, thanked Rotary for giving them the chance to try new and challenging activities in a wonderful environment. Both agreed they had benefited greatly from the experience. One of the tasks set on the course was to write and perform a song, and Erin closed the presentation with her composition, accompanying herself on the ukulele.

In other business, President Graham Leith thanked club members who had assisted with stewarding at the Hopetoun House firework display. The club then enjoyed a compilation of pictures prepared by Gerald Smith of the recent District Conference in Harrogate. Sixteen members and partners attended the conference and heard inspirational presentations by, among others, Atlantic oarsman Chay Blyth, Malcolm Wells of Canine Partners which trains assistance dogs for disabled people and Maggie Tookie of Edinburgh Direct Aid. An Abba tribute band was a great hit. 


Queensferry Rotary Club found golfing success at the conference when Sandy Mackenzie won the individual competition. Sandy Mackenzie partnered by Jim McCulloch also took the team event for Queensferry.