Lunch time ZOOM meeting - 1pm - Alison Mees talking about Cheetahs in the wild

On Thursday 18^thFebruary 2021 President Geoff Sampson welcomed 23 guests including 20 club Rotarians and guest speaker Allison Mees and 2 others Wilma Page wife of Rotarian Ron and Ian Speed a guest of the president to this lunch time meeting held by ZOOM.

One apology for non-attendance was received.

Our speaker this week was Photographer Alison Mees talking about Cheetahs in the wild. Alison was born in the UK, and from an early age had a passion for wildlife and photography.  She had a strong desire to be in Africa from a child. Studying photography for 2 years and the love of the outdoors, Alison then travelled extensively around Africa and other parts of the world. Over 16 years ago she arrived in South Luangwa, Zambia undertaking various jobs including reservations, marketing and hosting and having the opportunity to follow her passion in wildlife photography and working with the local people of Mfuwe with community and conservation projects. Alison's dream came true when she became a qualified driving guide in South Luangwa. Alison set up a community project with some of the people in Mfuwe making elephant dung paper and using the photos she has taken making them into cards. During her time in South Luangwa, she met Tom, where they got married in  Ebony Grove. Alison spent 4 years working in the Serengeti, Tanzania. The passion for wildlife and photography keeps growing, spending time with Serengeti Cheetah Project learning about individual cheetah. In June 2017 she moved to Mara North Conservancy, Kenya to manage a camp with Tom. Alison can continue her own cheetah observations and studies, working with the Local Masai Community with various projects. Still finding time to continue with her passion for photography. Alison followed 2 cheetah brothers for nearly 2 years and watched them from being shy and struggling to hunt, to becoming successful hunters.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by David Cooper.

We as a club are focusing on an Old Tools and Sewing machines project. Lead Rotarian Iain Oates (phone 07423 195333) in conjunction with The Ecology Centre at Kinghorn’s Tool Shed who have been refurbishing old tools donated by the public and, with the help of the charities Tools for Self-Reliance and the Global Concerns Trust, are shipped out to people with physical disabilities in Malawi. Anybody who have Old Tools or Singer Sewing machines would you please be good enough to let us know and we will gladly collect from you. Contact can be made through our Facebook page or if you know a Rotarian please do not hesitate to contact us. We are looking for collection by the end of February.

Iain Haywood advised that we will run an Auction for a week in March with Golf associated prizes including 4 balls and clothing.

This coming week Thursday 25th February 2021 our meeting will be held on ZOOM at 1pm when we will have local man Alistair McCabe on talking about the Victoria Hospital Radio Station. (VHR) Alistair is also well known for his involvement with the Futures Group and Pitteuchar, Stenton and Finglassie Community group.

The Rotary vote of thanks will be given by Ron Page.

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.