The evening began with a reception which allowed guests to revive old friendships and begin to forge new ones. Judging by the noise generated this opportunity to meet and mingle cetainly lived up to the Rotary aim of providing fun and fellowship.

 

Almost too soon the company was called to take their places for the banquet ahead. The evening was ably chaired by our President Mike Hedges and after the roll call of clubs from Quentin Tweedie and grace from our first President Robin Imrie, everyone settled down to enjoy  the superb meal and wines provided by the Golf Club. During the meal our 10th Anniversary Charter cake was cut by President Mike and President Elect Mary and this was later served with coffee. The cake was the work of member Lynne Wildigg who also prepared the programmes and it looked so good it almost seemed a waste to cut it - but it tasted wonderful.

 

Then came the formal part of the evening. After the Loyal Toast, Peter Tong spoke about the founding of the Club and asked the company to drink a toast to the Rotary Club of Aberdeen Deeside. Our first Lady President Anne Russell replied on our behalf and after a few word from District Governor George Berstan came perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening - at least for three of our members. Anne Russell, Doug Nisbet and Mike Craig were each awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for their great contributions to the Club over many years.

 

 

After that our principal speaker Doug Duthie entertained us with a very witty speech which had everyone laughing and all too soon it was time for Jim Crawford to give the vote of thanks and for the evening to come to a close. It was an evening to remember and one which, while celebrating the past, will hopefully spur us on to do as well or better in the next ten years. We can no longer call ourselves a new club; now we have to continue to move forward in order to make the next ten years worthy of the past ten.

 Click here for details of the menu