Lunch Time meeting - Tribute to founder member Ian Chalmers

On Thursday 11^th January 2018 President Lindsay Roy chaired the meeting as he wished everybody a happy and healthy New Year as he welcomed back 21 Rotarians and 2 very special guests Vicki and Joi, daughters of Ian Chalmers to this our first lunch time meeting after the Christmas and New Year break which was held at the Gilvenbank Hotel.

On reception was Peter May with Jack Dempsey saying grace.

The following items of business were raised, Ian Haywood mentioned the Sportsman’s dinner, Murray Grubb mentioned that in view of their being so many new members he would take orders for club jerseys and mentioned the mock Interviews. Brian Johnson mentioned that in two weeks’ time he would be travelling to Delhi in India for the National Immunisation Day. Anne Sampson mentioned that the club would be off on the 25^th as they would be attending the Burns night at the Rotary Club of Leven. At the end of February a Quiz night would hopefully go ahead with clubs from Rotary area 8 attending. Lindsay Roy mentioned the mentoring programme.

President Lindsay said that we had heard last Thursday 4^thJanuary that our remaining Founder member and regular attender at our weekly lunch time meetings Ian Chalmers died at the age of 93. Only last month he was amusing us all when we visited the Lindores Abbey distillery in Lindsay’s thought for the day said about Ian that he was “Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways To Start The Rest of Your Life” a book written by Marika Stone.

Hamish Rothnie paid a tribute to Ian, with his two daughters Vicki and Joi attending. In his memory recalled that Ian was born in Inverkeithing, his father was a teacher and eventually a headmaster in St. Andrews. They moved home to Coaltown of Wemyss and Ian eventually went on to University where he studied Dentistry at Dundee University, He joined the Royal Army Dental Corps. His first practise was in Kennoway before moving to Glenrothes North Street. He moved house to Leslie where he was able to enjoy one of his many hobbies as a horseman in the Lomond Hills before going off to work. In 1957 Ian was one of the founder members of the newly formed Rotary Club of Glenrothes and was their fourth President in 1960 and was eventually awarded with a Paul Harris for his services too Rotary. Hamish played golf with Ian at Ladybank most Saturdays and after retiring Ian at the age of 60 he got involved in Sub Aqua diving and dove for treasure at Fife Ness. He also loved birds and joined the society for the Protection of birds and spent a lot of his time at the Bass rock. This was a fitting tribute to a man who had lived his life to the full and gave service before self.

President Lindsay gave the Rotary vote of thanks and finished off with a moments silence.

The funeral of Ian Chalmers will be Tuesday 23^rdJanuary at 10.15am at the Kirkcaldy Crem and then back to the Balgeddie House Hotel.

The next meeting will be on the 18^th January 2018 to be held at the Gilvenbank Hotel. There will be no speaker at this meeting as this will be for Council reports where members will receive updates from Council Chair on their ongoing projects

Please meet 12.45pm for starting at 12.55pm. On reception will be May Ford and Peter May

If you were interested in joining or supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome