Summer Club Speaker Online – Ian Carrol

After welcoming everyone to the meeting, President Charles, in his Interesting Rotary Information piece highlighted ‘Rotary Anns’.

In many Rotary Clubs throughout the world, wives of male members are affectionately called “Rotary Anns.” This designation was never one of disparagement, but rather grew out of an interesting historical occasion. In 1914, San Francisco Rotarians boarded a train taking them to the Rotary Convention in Houston. The only woman aboard was Ann, the wife of Rotarian Bru Brunnier.  She was introduced to fellow passengers as the Rotarian’s Ann.  This title soon became “Rotary Ann”.

One of the Rotarians on the train wrote a “Rotary Ann” chant. On the train’s arrival at the Houston depot, a delegation greeted the West Coast Rotarians. One of the greeters was Guy Gundaker, of Philadelphia, whose wife was also named Ann.  Someone started the “Rotary Ann” chant.  The delegates loved the title given to the two women named Ann. Immediately the same term of endearment was used for all of the wives in attendance, and the name “Rotary Ann” was here to stay.

Guy Gundaker and Bru Brunnier became Rotary International Presidents in 1923 and 1952 respectively.  Thus, each of the two original “Rotary Anns” became the “First Lady of Rotary International”.

Charles introduced our Club speaker for the evening, Ian Carrol, who gave a talk and power point presentation on “One of my Special Places”.

Ian took the members on a journey to this place, showing pictures of famous landmarks on route and giving information on their history.  These included: Arria (the Angel of the Nauld) near Cumbernauld, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Broxden Roundabout (near Perth), Loch Fascally (near Pitlochry), Blair Castle and finally the statue of a piper (a memorial to the 51^st Highland Division).

His special place was revealed as the Falls of Bruar.  Ian displayed a map of the walk up the Falls of Bruar gorge, from the car park up to the lower bridge and then the ascent to the upper bridge, returning down the path on the other side of the gorge. Total return distance is 3 miles, taking about 1.5 hours and ascending 500ft.

During his presentation, he showed various slides, illustrating the natural beauty of the Falls and the gorge. He mentioned Robert Burns’ visit and read the resulting poem that Burns wrote imploring the Duke of Atholl to plant trees on the then bare landscape.  Soon after Burns’ death, the Duke planted 100,000 trees and constructed the lower and upper bridges as well as the paths. Ian also mentioned a drowning that had taken place at the falls in 2017.

His presentation was concluded by showing a short video of ‘canyoning’ down the Falls and the gorge.

After questions, President Charles thanked Ian for an interesting presentation.     

Reports and Announcements:

Callan Dick reported that representatives from nine Rotary Clubs in Lanarkshire had attended the Zoom meeting on “Wrap Up Lanarkshire” last Sunday.  All were keen to get arrangements for the project underway. The next meeting would be in three weeks.

President Charles reported that he had spoken to Paul Begley and the first race of the Pigeon Derby season will take place on 31^st July.  The arrangements, as usual, will be £10 for one bird and £20 for three birds. 

Willie Talbot reported that the Bonus Ball had been a rollover, for the third week running.

James Gibbons reported that the collection of money given to him for “End Polio Now” had amounted to £160.  He would pay this sum into the charities account.