Speaker Evening

On Thursday 23rd March members of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry enjoyed a job talk from Pete McHale who joined the club last year. In 1984 Pete, who was a foreman joiner in Dunfermline, moved into a cottage he had renovated in Hillend, near Dalgety Bay, and started his own firm -  P.J. McHale Joiners and Builders.

Chiefly specialising in renovations and extensions, Pete has completed an impressive portfolio of projects in Fife, Queensferry, Edinburgh and the Lothians. Illustrating his talk with some splendid interior and exterior photographs, Pete described the wide range of challenges faced in different properties and locations. He observed that property improvement, like everything else, was affected by fashion. At the moment, sun rooms, which he thought were preferable to conservatories, were in favour. Garage conversions were also popular. Fashions in interior treatment, kitchens and bathrooms also varied widely. A most unusual project he had recently completed was a dogs' shower-room with a specially raised shower. The building trade is rich in amusing anecdotes and Pete didn't disappoint. His wife Lynn was a guest of the club for the presentation.  

In proposing the vote of thanks, Richard Brown said that Pete was clearly a passionate craftsman with great attention to detail. It was refreshing in the club to hear from someone who works with his hands.

In other business it was announced that South Queensferry had lost the semi-final of the Rotary District Quiz to the Coatbridge, Airdrie and Monklands club by two points. David Buchanan said it had been an excellent evening and President Graham Leith thanked everyone involved.