Our club meeting of 15th September met as usual at Anstruther Golf Club, with a meal in The Rockies restaurant. Business covered the upcoming golf competition on 25th September and the ‘Casino Night’ planned for 14th November in the Community Hall, Crail.

Speaker for the evening was Claire, based in Kirkcaldy and representing the SSPCA. We learned much about this leading Scottish animal welfare charity. Now protecting, treating and caring for any kind of animal, the charity was founded in 1839, when its major work was with horses and donkeys - very much the essential for travel and for work in those times.

Now costing £63,000 per day to run it operates 7 days a week and 365 days a year. We learned of the work of Animal Rescue Officers, Inspectors, Animal Care Assistants and Special Investigation teams. These latter currently involved with puppy farms and puppy smuggling.

It was particularly interesting to hear of the range of work undertaken, with community vets and vet nurses and a wild life hospital mentioned. On the more saddening side was the campaign work undertaken to highlight and abolish malpractice in animal welfare.

This was altogether an interesting and enlightening illustrated talk, admirably presented by Claire. Following many questions a vote of thanks was proposed by Ian Brunton.   

After a Summer break, the club restarted regular meetings on 1st September. Meetings are fortnightly on Monday evenings at Anstruther Golf Club, with a meal and a programme of talks in The Rockies Restaurant. 

We were not able to hold our final 23rd June meeting at ‘The Rockies’ as usual; so we had a day out. This took us to ’The Himalayas’ putting course in St Andrews - and then a barbecue by the West Sands. Putting was, shall we say, variable - and hastened on by a brisk and not very warm breeze. But it was good fun and The Himalayas provided one or two challenges for even the most dedicated golfer. The BBQ however was excellent.

Later in the summer we enjoyed an outing to see the remarkable locomotives owned by Mr John Cameron, CBE at Balbuthie farm - and then, still enjoying the great weather, fish and chips at the harbour in Pittenweem during the festival.

After much debate the club decided for a number of reasons not to organise the Coastal Path Charity Walk this year. We were pleased that our new venture of an ‘Alphabet Hunt’ attracted interest, with 30 groups taking on the challenge and prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. 

We were also at the Anstruther Harbour Festival, St Monans Sea Queen and Pittenweem Arts Festival and would like to thank everyone who came along to our stalls there. We were delighted to meet people for a chat and would like to give a special mention to Rotarians from Sydney, Australia and from North Carolina, USA - truly a world-wide fellowship.

At each of the events raspberries, blueberries and strawberries generously donated by Barnsmuir and Grangemuir farms were hugely popular and rapidly sold out. At Anstruther we also had geranium plants donated by Ian McBain. The  50/50, 1 - 100 number square there also sold out - twice - each day, with four winners each getting £50.

As always money so generously donated will go to charities and good causes; particularly in mind this year is CHAS. 

The choir was out and about too, with a concert in Pittenweem church during the Arts Festival and then to Lower Largo, with visits to St Monans and Arncroach in the diary for later in the year. 

Looking ahead, our plans are progressing to offer two Waid Academy students the opportunity to go to RYLA - the Rotary Young Leadership Award programme at the Abernethy Outdoor Centre in Nethy Bridge. An outstanding course designed to help and encourage young people to develop their leadership skills before going on to higher education, or to the world of work. We also intend to again organise the Schools Quiz for our local primary schools.

Looking further ahead planning continues for a ‘Casino Night’, Friday 14th November, at the Community Hall in Crail and provided, very professionally, by fellow Rotarians from the Angus Glens club. Please keep an eye open for more publicity.

And a final word from club president, Ian Brunton, to say thank you once again for your help, encouragement and support

We were not able to hold our 23rd June meeting at ‘The Rockies’ restaurant as usual; so we had a day out. This took us to ’The Himalayas’ putting course in St Andrews - and then a barbecue by the West Sands. Putting was, shall we say, variable - and hastened on by a brisk and not very warm breeze. But it was good fun and The Himalayas provided one or two challenges for even the most dedicated golfer. The BBQ however was excellent.

This was arranged by club president Ian (pictured in the 'kitchen') - or more accurately his wife Carole. The food, coffee and tea was greatly enjoyed and the shelter provided by Ian’s farm trailer was enjoyed too!

A fine day out!