Lunch time meeting - Gilvenbank Hotel - with local piper Conner Pratt our speaker

On Thursday 20th January 2022 President Brian Johnson. welcomed 15 Club Rotarians and Conner Pratt and Cameron McGuire to this a lunch time meeting held at the Gilvenbank Hotel.

There were two apologies for nonattendance.

Wilna Roger spoke about the arrangements for next week’s Burns Night.

Scott Galloway spoke about his involvement with Auchmuty High School regarding CV writing, interview skills and his involvement and support with CR Smith and their programme with local schools.

Our speakers this week were Pipe Major Conner Pratt and Drum Major Cameron McGuire from the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch Battalion, Army Cadet Force (The Royal Regiment of Scotland) - The Army Cadet Force’s Pipes and Drums

in Perth and Kinross and the Kingdom of Fife. As a detachment they get opportunities to support our local community which is part of the cadet syllabus and great for engaging and showing members of the public what they are all about. The speakers spoke about the formation of The ACF which can be traced back to its beginnings to 1859 when there was a threat of invasion by the French. As the 1859 invasion did not materialise. The cadet movement continued, however, because many social workers and teachers saw in it great value as an organisation for the benefit of boys, particularly bearing in mind the appalling conditions in which so many of them then lived. Among these pioneer workers was Miss Octavia Hill who had done a great deal to establish the National Trust. She realised that cadet training was important for character training and although she was certainly not a militarist, she formed the Southwark Cadet Company in order to introduce the boys of the slums of that area to the virtues of order, cleanliness, teamwork and self-reliance. The Pipes and Drums are always looking for new cadets, at any level no experience is required. They provide free tuition and get to perform all over the UK Now is an exciting time to join the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch ACF! You don’t need to have your own instrument as they can provide that. If you are 12-17 years old, but also prepared to work with adults and want to learn the pipes or drums, then get in touch with your local branch who meet at Baltimore Road in Glenrothes on a Tuesday and Thursday. The Black Watch Pipes and Drums are looking for funding in order to kit out these youngsters to make them look at their best,

President Brian Johnson gave the Rotary vote of thanks.

This coming week Thursday 27th January 2022 is an evening meeting with a meal at Gilvenbank Hotel commencing at 6.30pm with this meeting taking the form of a Burns supper, with entertainment by the Local Black Watch Pipes and Drums, Aimee Beaton, dancing and Lily Mentiplay singing along with the usual Burns supper theme with speakers. Rotary vote of thanks will be given by President Brian Johnson.

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.