2013/14 Activities

Provides a copy of the activities displayed on our Website Home Page for 2013/14.


Deanston Distillery Whisky Festival - 7th June 2014

A small group of Callander Rotarians set up and manned a promotional stall at the Deanston Distillery Whisky Festival.  The main purpose of this was to enable us to promote Rotary in general and to encourage local folk to consider joing Callander and West Perthshire Rotary Club.  The stand consisted of a display board, expertly put together by Jen Shearer, showing the many things Callander Rotary and Rotary in general, do to help communities, both locally and internationally.  Also on displayed was a Shelter Box and its contents.  The stand attracted much interest (and not only because it was situated next to a luxury choclatier) and a number of people said that joining Rotary was something they would consider.  See photos.

Ben Ledi Walk - Saturday 31st May 2014

The weather was great, the midgies were biting and around 100 walkers turned out for this year's Ben Ledi Walk.  Approximately 600 was raised this year to be divided equally between our three nominated charities - Killin Mountain rescue Team, Heart to Heart and Young Exploreres Scotland.  A big thank you to all who took part and all who helped out.  Also, thanks to our sponsor, Dickson Middleton & Co.  Congratulations too to Trevor Hipkin, who was presented with a Certificate recording his election as an Honorary Member.  Trevor was instrumental in setting up the original Ben Ledi Walk and even though he has recently moved away, was keen to continue his involvement with the event.

Click here to view a few pictures from the event.

Coffee Morning - 3rd May 2014

Our annual Coffee Morning, which was held in Callander Kirk Hall, is our main vehicle for raising funds for Rotary International's own Foundation charity.  Rotary Foundation funds are used to support worthy causes throughout the world, wherever need arises.  In particular, Rotary Foundation funds the mission to eradicate Polio from the world.  This has been a hugely successful endeavour with only a few small pockets left in countries like Pakistan, where Polio still clings on.  This year we had a few different stalls and in total we raised over 500.

Bottle Stall - 18th April 2014

This year's Easter Bottle Stall was held in glorious sunshine and with it being Good Friday, the town ws full of visitors.  Thanks to their and local people's generosity, we raised a total of 600, 50% of which has been donated to Camphill Blair Drummond, with the other 50% earmarked for local causes.

Whisky Tasting Night - 8th April 2014

Donna Milligan from Deanston Distillery gave a wonderfully interesting talk about the history of Deanston Distillery, from its beginnings as a Cotton Mill to its conversion to a Distillery in the 1960s through to the present day.  Members thoroughly enjoyed the talk and asked many questions, but the highlight of the evening was when we got the chance to sample some of the whiskies and has it to be said (hic) they were worth waiting for.  The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Boyd Scott-Brown who was not at all wobbly in the legs.  A great night!!

Primary School Quiz - 6th February 2014

For the first time we decided to promote Rotary's Primary School Quiz in our area.  Utilisng John Isgrove's experience of the competition (John successfully organised the event in his previous club, Cumbernauld), we attracted entries from five schools in the area.  With Callander entering two teams, a total of six teams took part,

Burns Supper - 24th January 2014

Another successful night organised by John Isgrove with help from a number of other Rotarians.  The format, whilst following the normal programme, wandered a little from traditional content.  The Immortal Memory was given by Fergus Wood who posited an interesting link between the patriotism of Burns and William Wallace.  As ever, Fergus broke into song ensuring we all joined in.  The Toast to the Lassies was proposed by Mike Cantley - Mike incorporated many stories about the female partners of male Rotarians, ensuring that we (the men) had a lot to answer for when we got home.  Leslie Niven responded to Mike's toast in a most humourous way, at one point using a variation of Ken Robert's single joke - except this time we all laughed (kidding Ken).  The Toast to the Haggis and Tam O'Shanter were recited (or enacted) by Liz Mackie and both were performed with passion and humour and in the case of Tam, with little sympathy for Tam's plight (quite rightly too).  The evening was enhanced by the piping of Ross Walker and the fiddling of Katie Allen and even by the singing of Ken Roberts.  The evening was rounded off by a humorous Vote of Thanks given by Junior Vice President Mark wallace

Bag Packing at the Co-op - 30th & 31st December 2013

As ever, the community of Callander were hugely supportive of our bag-packing efforts, even if some paid us not to pack.  We raised over 800 for our Charity fund and this will help us to make donations to appropriate local causes.

Christmas Guest Night - 17th December 2013

A great night was had by all, with the highlight possibly the animations that John Isgrove used to enliven his Christmas Quiz.  John put on a wonderful night that sent us into the festive break in good cheer.

Bottle Stall - 5th October 2013

Coinciding with the Jazz Festival, we ran a Bottle stall and raised nearly 600 for charitable causes.

Guest Night - Tuesday 1st October

We were fortunate to have the well known mountaineer Vicky Jack as our Guest Speaker.  Vicky gave a fasciniating account of her ascents of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.  The audience were spellbound and at the end of the talk bombarded Vicky with questions.  Rotarian Paddy Ryan gave the vote of thanks.  The night also featured the handing-out of cheques to the various causes who benfited from the funds raised at the recent Am-Am Golf Charity Day.  These were - Mary's Meals, Young Explorers Scotland, Callander Hockey Club, Callander Boxing Club and Callander Brass Band Junior Section.  In view of the humanitarian crisis in Syria a raffle was held to raise funds to finance the purchase of an Aquabox - the magnificent sum of 265 was raised.  The prizes - 2 bottles of Glengoyne malt - were donated by the Glengoyne distillery, to whom go our thanks.

Charity Golf Day - Friday 9th August 2013

Despite our worst fears the weather was kind to us.  Not to tempt fate, but this event has always been blessed with decent weather.  This, our fifth year running the event, was hit by the poor economic conditions with fewer teams than normal entering.  Nevertheless, with all of the holes attracting sponsorship, we were able to raise a total of 2,200 to be shared amongst a number of local and national charities.

Thanks go to all Rotarians who helped organise the event, with a special mention for Jim Raeburn who took over running it from Arthur Leask.  Thanks also to all the teams and sponsors who supported the event.

Winners of the team competition were the Teddy Bears' with second place going to the Riverside Inn.  'Nearest the Hole' winners were - Jason Hardacre at the 11th; Donald McLean at the 15th and A. S. McDonald at the 18th.  The prize for the longest drive at the 17th went to our very own Ken Roberts.

Dancing in the Square - 22nd to 26th July 2013

The weather wasn't too ind to us and so Liz Campbell's dancers were only able to perform for three-and-a-half days.  Nevertheless, we managed to raise nearly 400 for our Charity Funds.  We are, as ever, grateful to Liz and her charges for performing in the Square for local residents and visitors alike.  The great entertainment served up by the dancers was thoroughly appreciated by all.

Brian McKayContact Brian McKay about this page:

(ALL fields required)

(If you are a Rotarian, please name your club.)

Related pages...

Callander Nursery Children taking part in 'Purple for Polio'

2016/17 Activities

more Shows all the activities that were described on our website during 2016/17

2015/16 Activities

more Shows all of the activities that were described on our website during 2015/16

Bottle Stall - Easter 2015

2014/15 Activities

more Shows all the activities that were described on our website for 2014/15

2011/12 Activities

more A quick run down of some of the activities of 2011/12

2012/13 Activities

more A summary of activities undertaken in 2012/13 and featured on the website home page during that year.

back to page above this...

Previous Years' Activities

back Access details of activities undertaken in previous years