Speaker Hilary Rawlinson

Rotary club of Stirling meeting of 2nd February 2018.

President Stewart Wilson welcomed three visitors, Marcel Mariafolay guest of Sandy Leven, Peter Hayward guest of Frank Kelly, and our speaker Hilary Rawlinson.

Hilary is secretary and treasurer of of the West Plean and Auchenbowie Ladies Club, which was founded in 1923 by the Bolton’s of West Plean House and the Munro’s of Auchenbowie House. Meeting regularly, as part of a largely agricultural community, it helped the members to provide services from their own resources and receive useful information on health and domestic issues. They reached out into their own community and beyond with outings and the helping hands project which looked after their poorer or infirm neighbours. Before the second world war they raised funds towards the cost of the new Stirling Royal infirmary, continuing to supply sheets, and for many years eggs from their own hens. They met initially in a very basic building moving, in time, to better premises, at present Larbert Old Hall. With the diminution of the number of agricultural workers the makeup of the local population and their membership has changed, but the club remains active with 48 members at present, and clearly continues to meet a need. The vote of thanks, was given by Frank Kelly. 

Next week 9th February Speaker's host Jim Kerr, Visitor's host Malcolm Cordwell Smith

Ian Richardson