President Jim Speirs welcomed, guest Stephen Bell, visiting Rotarian District Governor Elect Allan McLaughlan and guest speaker the Reverend Jim Martin to this week’s meeting.  Jim, a native of Motherwell, chaplain to and a keen supporter of Motherwell FC, served at Newmills in his early ministry and for 34 years until his retirement, was minister at High Carntyne Church.   A familiar face to viewers of “Songs of Praise” in the 1960’s and 70’s, Jim was a contemporary and good friend of the late Reverend Jim Currie and has written 6 books describing some of the humorous and not so humorous aspects of his long ministry entitled “Tales from the Pulpit.” 

High Carntyne Parish Church

Jim delighted the audience with the funny side of his dealings with his congregations and church officers, which he interspersed with the more serious nature of his role.  During over 60 years involvement in the ministry he witnessed the changing attitudes towards men (and women) of the cloth and gave an insight to the many aspects of the social and spiritual work he had carried out with a fair sprinkling of the unconscious humour of his flocks.  Rotarian Allan Smith offered an equally good-humoured vote of thanks.

In other business President Jim reported the Club had received a letter of thanks from Universal Connections and an invitation to the refurbished premises when work is complete.  The Club are also enquiring into ways they may assist 18 to 19 Carluke High School pupils involved in a “Youth World Challenge" project.  This comes as a result of one of the participants, who has the task of raising £3,500, requesting the Club’s assistance.  The Club still await a reply from High School staff on ways the Community Service and Vocational Committees can better provide assistance in future school projects.

Plans for the International Cabaret and Social Evening fundraiser, to be held on Friday 28 November, are well in hand and the postponed Fiddler’s Rally will take place in March 2009.  The Community Services Committee plan to organise the Annual Santa’s Grotto which unfortunately, due to clashing with the International night, will not coincide with the switching on of the Town’s Christmas lights.  The winner of the Carluke Rotary Club’s “Citizen of the Year” is to be announced shortly and the presentation of the Rose Bowl will take place on 8 December on the occasion of the Club’s Ladies’ Night.

Next week several members of local primary schools’ staff are attending the weekly Rotary meeting to listen to a talk from the Leonard Cheshire Foundation on the “Schools4all” Project and Carluke Camera Club have agreed to act as judges in a coming Rotary Young Photographer of the Year Competition.

Last week we reported that funds had been committed to the purchase of two Shelter boxes to be held in store for a future emergency.  Unhappily that emergency came with the recent earthquake in Pakistan and already those Shelter boxes have had to be despatched to that area.

Carluke Rotary Club meet regularly on Mondays at Cartland Bridge Hotel 6.15 for 6.30pm.  For further information contact any member.