Lunch time ZOOM meeting - Alistair McCabe speaking about VHN (Victoria Hospital Radio station)

One apology for non-attendance was received.

Our speaker this week was local man Alistair McCabe talking about the Victoria Hospital Radio Station. (VRN) Alistair is well known for his involvement with the Glenrothes Futures Group and Pitteuchar, Stenton and Finglassie Community group and as we found out much more. Victoria Radio Network has been entertaining and informing patients, staff, and visitors to hospital services in Kirkcaldy since 1971, which makes VRN one of the country's longest-running radio stations. In 1973 Alistair got involved and through these years, many of VRN's presenters have gone on to even greater things one in particular Richard Park, the station picking up numerous national awards for their output. For much of that time, it was only possible to tune in through bedside radios in the hospital itself. In 2002, the station took a huge leap forward when it was awarded a license to broadcast on Medium Wave (AM) to the premises of the Victoria Hospital - allowing people to tune in on their own radio sets for the first time. In 2013, the station began broadcasting its output online for the first time, allowing people to tune in using a whole array of internet connected devices. Today, the station broadcasts 24-hours a day, 7 days a week on bedside radios and online. Having invested heavily in their studios and their broadcasting facilities their equipment is like many commercial stations. In all but a few cases, hospital radio stations are manned entirely by volunteers. There are currently around 2,500 in the UK. This includes everything from programming, visiting wards to technical, marketing and administration. At most stations, the average involvement per week is around 2-3 hours, but some involved in organising can stretch this to almost being a full-time job. In most cases, hospital radio stations are charities, and rely on donations and grants to stay on air. The bulk of this money goes on equipment, music, and transmission licences. VRN is run by volunteers (around 30), and there are no paid staff. Activities range from presenting shows to collecting requests from the wards. The ages of the members range widely, as do their experiences. Some are retired... some are just starting out in a career in radio. The station is independently run, although their facilities and some of their utility costs are provided by NHS Fife. VRN is managed through a committee structure and all positions are elected by the membership of the station and manage the day-to-day running of the station. Alistair was chairperson for 6 years up to 2019.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Ron Page.

The ongoing Old Tools and Sewing machines project lead by Rotarian Iain Oates (phone 07423 195333) in conjunction with The Ecology Centre at Kinghorn’s Tool Shed who are 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. We have to date received 8 sewing machines from members of the public and we are profoundly grateful as these will be refurbished if needs be and used abroad to establish businesses in deprived townships. Anybody who have Old Tools or 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 them. Two trailers loads have been given to the Ecology centre already and the project is ongoing. Many thanks to all who have been involved.

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

This coming week Thursday 4^thMarch 2021 our meeting will be held on ZOOM at 1pm when we will have Auchmuty High School rector Alan Pithie speaking about schooling during the Pandemic and the way forward,

The Rotary vote of thanks will be given by Wilna Roger.

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.