Lunch time meeting - Gilvenbank Hotel -Primary School Ian Chalmers Scots Poetry competition recital

On Thursday 24^th February 2022 President Brian Johnson. welcomed 18 people, 11 Club Rotarians and guests Rosie Daly and Miss Gilfillan, at this lunch time Hybrid meeting at the Gilvenbank Hotel with 5 at home on ZOOM including Vicki Chalmers and prospective new member Jean Haughey.

Five apologies for absence were received.

President Brian advised that he had been approached by District 1010 to assist with the arrangements for the District conference on 18th June 2022 which will be held in the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.

Brian also mentioned that it was our Mother Club Kirkcaldy’s 100 anniversary this year and that a dinner was being held tomorrow (Friday 25^th February) to which he and his wife Kay have been invited. We wish the Kirkcaldy Club well as they celebrate a fantastic achievement supporting their community and internationally for 100 years.

We had the pleasure of presenting the Ian Chalmers Quaich to our Scots Poetry winner Rosie Daly from Markinch Primary School. Rosie joined us at our meeting at Gilvenbank with assistant head teacher Miss Gilfillan. Ian Chalmers' daughter Vicki Chalmers joined us on Zoom from Tenerife to see the presentation. Rosie also recited her winning entry "Kirkcaldy". Well done Rosie brilliant performance. Thanks also to Rotarian Iain Oates for organising the competition where we also had entries from South Parks PS, Pitcoudie PS and Rimbleton PS - thanks and well done to all who entered

In the absence of Wilna Roger, Anne Sampson announced the winners of the High School Young Photographer Competition. Senior winner with the beautiful lavender fields - Justin Shek and intermediate winner Cruz Cairns with the water and trees - well done to you both. The theme this year was 'The Colours of Nature"

Iain Oates mentioned the young saplings and we will have to be thinking about arrangements for their planting.

Chantal Mrimi confirmed that she will be taking on the lead Rotarian Role for Foundation in the club and that Doreen Gray will be assisting her.

Marilyn Robertson who along with many Rotarians have been supporting local Children’s cancer Charity Love Oliver announced that they have opened a new base in Edinburgh in order to support families who are living with childhood cancer by providing them with healthy and nutritious meals. The Howat Hub’s cafe located across the road from the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh’s Little France. The cafe, which is called LoveOliver @ The Howat Hub, offers a safe space for families to access food as this can sometimes be a problem when their children are in hospital. The hub is run by the charity, Children with Cancer & Leukaemia Advice & Support for Parents (CCLASP). Jennifer Gill, co-founder, said: “We feel very privileged to have been offered a partnership in The Howat Hub. "This amazing facility has been formed through a collaboration between The Howat Foundation and Edinburgh-based childhood cancer charity, CCLASP. "At LoveOliver they are passionate about providing food for families as they know how difficult it can be for families to access it when their child is in hospital.” The Fife charity has been providing meals for families at the hospital for the last four years and have a freezer in the oncology ward where parents can access free food.  Families come from all over Scotland, and sometimes must stay for several months in the hospital, they may find it hard to get access to proper food. Families now have a chance to leave the ward, they will have a place close by to sit down, relax, and have a proper meal. “They are supported not only with food but in many other ways- the hub is state of the art and there are many people all working together for oncology families.”

Since Love Oliver began in January 2011, they have raised over a million pounds through many generous donations and lots of fundraising. 

This coming week Thursday 3rd March 2022 is a lunch time Hybrid meeting commencing at 1.00pm. at the Gilvenbank hotel with a meal.

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.