255 December 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

www.advertizer.co.uk december 2015
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Gryffe Valley Rotary Club
TALKING TO ROTARY
Most of the regular meetings of Gryffe Valley Rotary are illuminated by a talk
given by an invited guest, and it has been estimated that there have been
some 600 such talks since the club was set up 20 years ago, covering almost
as many topics. Occasionally a member will deliver a talk, if for example a
guest has to call off. Over the past few weeks there has been a good mix of
the guest/member genre – a good chance to compare the two!
Gryffe Valley welcomed 4 pupils and 2 teachers to get feedback on their
summer World Challenge trip to Tanzania – the club had made a contribution
to the costs involved. The pupils (Emma, Bethany, Emma and Callum) talked
with enthusiasm about their trip – fundraising and preparation, the 3 weeks
in camp visiting local schools and providing cash for essentials like cutlery
and pens, experiencing first hand the local Maasai culture, and the challenge
of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Overall they described the trip as emotionally
challenging, a real team effort and the best thing they had done in their lives.
The teachers (Jennifer and Gail) confirmed that the pupils themselves had
undertaken all of the planning, budgeting and implementation required.
Member Andrew Macleman spoke about autism, a condition he had
encountered in his voluntary work in support of less able youngsters.
Stressing that he was by no means an expert, nevertheless he gave a useful
insight to a topic we all know of but know little about. It affects some 1% of
the population, with 4 males for every female. It is in fact a spectrum disorder,
and Andrew described the various types and degrees of social impairment
occurring, many of which he had experienced in his work with youngsters.
He also made reference to Albert Einstein and Alan Turin who suffered from
the condition.
Tom Johnston enjoyed a very successful career in commercial real estate
and he spoke about some of the highlights and his ongoing role in the Paisley
Chamber of Commerce. He was involved in the development of Braehead in
1979, though he did not think it caused the inevitable demise of shopping in
Paisley. Tom spoke of the role of the Chamber as a partner in the City Deal
to rejuvenate Glasgow and the wider Clyde area, his hopes for a transport
link to Glasgow Airport, and Paisley’s ambition to become City of Culture in
2021.
Past President Angus Matheson stepped in to talk about the Carrick Centre
in Houston. He described how, after years of lying empty, the Houston
Old School Trust (of which he is a member) saved the listed building from
demolition. Angus told of the fund raising efforts and the difficulties of the
restoration works required to provide a facility to serve the village community.
He described the central role of the café, some of the current uses made
of the hall, and the plans for classical concerts and further works on the
premises.
Tony Fitzpatrick is a well known former St Mirren footballer, and he spoke
about his rough upbringing in the east end of Glasgow before eventual
success in football. He was fortunate to have played under some renowned
managers including Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Hodgson, and he had a raft
of amusing anecdotes to illustrate his long and successful career. After a brief
spell in management, Tony described in moving terms how the death of his
young son inspired him to work to reduce violence among young people. He
has written a book, and he encourages youngsters to challenge themselves
– very much a lesson learned from Sir Alex!
Member Dan Mungin was a last minute substitute, but he was manifestly up
for the task when he spoke about cruising, a subject that he had diligently
studied over many years! With particular reference to his recent trip around
the Western Mediterranean, he reeled off a string of stories about his
experiences and about cruising in general, displaying a breadth of knowledge
which reflected his personal investment of time and monies!
So who came out on top between the guest speakers and the member
speakers? The “Beginners Guide to Diplomacy” suggests that it’s a question
that is best left unanswered! Suffice to say, all the speakers were informative
and entertaining, and did much to enhance the ambiance and fellowship of
Gryffe Valley meetings.
Roads Report - Kilmacolm
Enforcement of the 30 minute waiting limit and irregular parking in the carpark continues to cause
angst in the village. I am putting a motion to Full Council on 3rd December to totally suspend
parking enforcement activities until the 2 hour waiting time is implemented in May 2016. This,
if passed by the councillors, would commence on the 15th December. My colleague, Councillor
McCabe, put a motion to Policy & Resources Committee on the 17th November to suspend
enforcement for the 4 Saturdays in December, this motion I supported. The wardens visited the
village on the September, October and November Farmers Market Saturdays. The move to 2
hours was agreed at a meeting of traders and council officers in February 2015 but the statutory
process takes 15 months.
Major Street Lantern Replacements (high wattage) are taking place in Bridge of Weir, Lochwinnoch and Port
Glasgow Roads. Similarly improvements will happen in 11 roads in Quarriers Village including the Craigbets,
Craigends, Gotter Bank, Torr Avenue, Juniper Avenue and Laurel Way. I am investigating, on the request of
Quarriers, further dog waste bins in the village. I observe that those who walk several dogs mostly collect the
waste and deposit in the bins provided. It has been brought to my notice that a minority do not. Our wardens do
patrol regularly, offending areas that are brought to their attention.
Rudolph the Red-
Nosed Reindeer was the
product of a department
store advert in 1939.