Monday 7th March and Anstruther Rotary club was very pleased to welcome Mr Peter Aitken as speaker. Peter is chairman of the East Neuk Preservation Society and his illustrated talk provided a most interesting insight to the aims and work of the Society.
ENPS is concerned with the built environment and it works to identify buildings in need of support. We heard too that the Society sees its scope as extending beyond buildings alone, to also include the landscape. The aim is to work as supporters and guardians of this superb and often unique built environment. Peter spoke of a particular interest in the many different designs of doocots around the East Neuk; although having the same basic function, design and construction vary widely.
Reflecting the East Neuk’s unique landscape and architectural gems, many of the pictures explored the requirements for good practice in preservation and it was interesting to hear that the Society runs an awards scheme to promote this.
Of particular interest were a series of very fine photographs of both exterior and interiors of Charleton and Balcaskie houses. Balcaskie dates from the early 17th century and lies about 2 km north of St Monans; whilst Charleton was built in the mid 18th century and is around 1.5 kilometres west of Colinsburgh.
The following day, 8th March, there was much excitement and anticipation when the Rotary annual Primary School quiz was held. Five local schools took part. As is traditional, this year’s event was hosted by last year’s winners, Pittenweem Primary who, as well as again entering a team themselves, welcomed competitors from Anstruther, Crail, Lundin Mill, and St Monans.
The quiz consisted of 10 rounds of 6 questions on a variety of topics including geography, the natural world, literature, maths - and a picture round.
The quiz started with all teams in great form and, after four rounds, three teams were neck and neck and sharing the lead. But by round six the team from Crail had moved ahead. They steadily increased their lead and eventually emerged as winners by a clear margin. The team from Crail will now be invited to take part in the Area Final on a date to be decided, from where the two top teams will qualify for the Rotary District final in Aberdeen on 18th June.
We would like to congratulate everyone who took part and wish Crail every success as they move forwards.
The picture below shows the winning team, along with their teacher and head teacher.
They are (left to right): Sara Noble (teacher), Tilly Newey, Julia Haehner, Rotary club President John P O'Neill, Katy Tweedie, Rosy Singleton, Libby Fisher (reserve), and Louise Donaldson (head teacher).
