Some 120 Dumfries Rotarians, family, friends and guests celebrated 100 years of service to the local community in grand style on Friday evening.
The Dumfries Rotary Club’s centenary dinner was held in the Cairndale Hotel’s Park House Suite with the atmosphere for the evening set by the 302 club banners from all over the world given by Rotary visitors over the years from 1921 onwards.
Each banner told a story about the origins of the presenting club and the collection is an important element of Dumfries Rotary’s heritage.
Equally important was the new Centenary Quilt exquisitely created by Mouswald quilter and Rotarian Ann Hill which is now adding to that heritage.
Centenary president John Glover acted as a master of ceremonies for the evening which, he said, had all the ingredients required for a special evening of celebration with “a great venue, terrific atmosphere, fabulous food, entertainers par excellence and two speakers with contrasting styles enthralling the company with their hilarious stories matched by sincere commentary on Rotary Club of Dumfries’ achievements of the past 100 years”.
Stuart Martin, past president of Rotary Club of Lockerbie and District, turned his natural Irish humour to great effect but transporting the company also in poignant fashion with his reference to a poem written by a nine-year-old Annan primary pupil some years back which had relevance to the tragic scenario being played out in the Ukraine.
Ian Landles, famed throughout the Borders for his inimitable speaking style, had Rotarians and guests rolling in the aisle with his rapid fire delivery and kenspeckle humour – laced with serious appreciation of Dumfries Rotary’s role within its community.
Mr Glover said that like Stuart Martin’s toast this was also tour deforce and both speakers were given the standing ovation their contribution deserved.
Also during the evening there were brief contributions from Councillor Malcolm Johnstone – himself a past president of the Club – Ken Robertson district governor for Rotary District 1020 and president Carole Hughes of the Rotary Club of Glasgow.
Mr Johnstone spoke warmly on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Council acknowledging the contribution made by the club to young people’s activities over many years which is ongoing.
He was also pleased that the council had been able to provide support towards the dinner arrangements.
Mr Robertson presented the club’s 100 years Charter, letter of congratulation from the Worldwide President Shektar Mehta and his personal banner to president John Glover, accompanied by Tom Marchbank, the assistant district governor and also club secretary.
President Hughes, representing the Glasgow Club – regarded as the Mother Club responsible for overseeing the setting up of the Dumfries Club in 1921 – spoke movingly of the Dumfries Club’s long association with its “mother” and presented a magnificent quaich to commemorate that long “family” relationship.
William Williamson, accompanied by David McCullough, hit the right notes both figuratively and in reality to provide superb musical entertainment throughout the evening.
During the evening the club held a raffle and raised more than £1,500 which will be donated to the current disaster fund appeal for Ukraine.
Following the final toast – which encompassed Rotary International coupled with “Peace the World Over” – the evening finished, appropriately after such an evening of unrivalled fellowship, with Auld Lang Syne.
