Lunch time meeting held on 23rd April 2015

On Thursday 23rd April 2015 President Chris Grist welcomed 18 Club Rotarians and guest speaker Derek Paxton to this lunch time meeting held at the Gilvenbank Hotel. 

Five apologies for absence were received.

On reception this week was Sheila Matthews who said grace and Alan Strath.

President Elect Wilna Roger announced that she was planning 3 summer outings namely a Sunday lunch on the Ratho barge, a Jazz night Cruise on the Maid of the Forth and a day outing at Perth Races. She also mentioned the Area 8 Rotary Day at Cluny Clays on the 31^st May 2015.

Our speaker this week was Community Inspector Derek Paxton, with 29 years’ service in the police in Glenrothes, St Andrews, Cupar, and Cowdenbeath. He gave some background on Police Scotland and spoke about the current set up at the Glenrothes Community Team particularly the role of the new ward officers. He explained about the local policing plan and introduced the chief inspector where she covers the Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy area. After discussion and consultation with local stakeholders and elected members of community groups the priorities and objectives for the role were set. He spoke about antisocial behavior, the greater focus on domestic violence since the inception of Police Scotland and disorder.

Road Safety and Road Crime was mentioned and how speeding and dangerous driving are priorities. Intelligence gathering and regular drug searches on warrant were being carried out and the stop and search policy although deemed controversial has proved to be a good tool and has reaped results. He could not stress enough about the importance of partnership working and in particular the work of the safer community groups, the fire service fife council housing and noise team wardens. He spoke about the role of the neighborhood safety group. He rounded off by recounting a story which has stuck in his mind and always brought a smile to his face.

This coming week on the 30th April 2015 we will again return to our usual meeting place at the Gilvenbank Hotel commencing at 12.55pm with members being given a talk about the Glenrothes Strollers.

The Rotary Vote of thanks will be given by Iain Haywood.

On reception this week 30th April 2015 should be Julie MacDougall, Alan Strath, John Wood, and John Ferris.