Evening meeting - Our speaker this week will be Joe Fitzpatrick

On Thursday 28th Feb 2019 President Anne Sampson, welcomed 13 Cub Rotarians and 15 Guests including speaker Jo Fitzpatrick to this evening meeting held in the Gilvenbank Hotel, Glenrothes. 

On reception were Geoff Sampson and Tracy Thomson.

Our guest speaker this week was Joe Fitzpatrick who is a Director and Trustee of the Falkland Stewardship Trust which is responsible for many aspects of the Falkland Estate. He is the Trust Board's Archaeology champion and has been actively involved in study and excavation for several years. Since his retirement he devotes much of his time to study, history, archaeology and community involvement. The archaeological dig on the East Lomond Hillfort, Joe focussed on the positive participation of local volunteers and schools in the excavation, he said ” Without exception every volunteer who participated put in a solid shift and showed passion and determination as they gradually exposed some fascinating archaeological structures. Three schools had been involved – Levenmouth Academy, House of Falkland School, and Viewforth High School. Pupils and teachers alike spent time trowelling, recording, sieving and also understanding the landscape, history and archaeological heritage of the Hillfort and its surrounding environment. The core Project team of archaeologists and ambassadors were impressed by the enthusiasm and conduct of the pupils who came along and proved to be such impressive ambassadors for their school. The Falkland Stewardship Trust is very pleased to have established a good and positive rapport with our surrounding secondary schools and the Local Authority.” Appraising progress on the Archaeology front, Dr Oliver O’Grady, Lead Archaeologist for the Project looked back on some initial highlights. The hard-working community volunteers and visiting school pupils have helped uncover a fascinating array of archaeological remains and artefacts on the southern shoulder of East Lomond Hill. It is an amazing thought to think that most of these finds have not been seen by human-eyes for between 1500 to 3000 years ago!  They could clearly see numerous stone ‘post-settings’, metal-working remains and possible stone walls that had been left waiting for our volunteers to explore. Earlier radiocarbon dates indicate that these remains date from between the 3rd-7th centuries AD. We think they represent important survivals of Late-Iron Age settlement and craft activity beside the hilllfort, Exciting new discoveries in the form of sherds of pottery were uncovered. Probably of medieval date, these suggest that the hillside continued to be farmed during the 12th-13th centuries following the abandonment of hillfort. Joe’s passion shone through as he looks forward to future years as they have only uncovered the tip of the iceberg in what is such a vast and historically interesting area.

The Rotary Vote of thanks was given by Ewen Macdonald.

This coming week Thursday 7^th March 2019 will be a lunch time meeting to be held at the Gilvenbank Hotel, meeting at 12.45pm for a prompt start at 12.55pm Our speaker this week will be Liddy Laird speaking about the Uphill Trust, supporting Women and Children in Uganda.

On reception will be Brian Johnson, Ewen Macdonald with Wilna Roger giving the Rotary Vote of thanks.

If you were interested in 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.