The Rotary Club of Portobello

The following web pages contain the background and history of the Rotary Club of Portobello and were written to commemorate the Club's 50th Anniverary celebrations held in February 2004. The Club's history was documented by Club members Fred Prain and Eric Poole with photography provided by John Sowrey.

IN 1953 THE EDINBURGH ROTARY CLUB decided to sponsor a new Rotary club to serve the district of Portobello so on 11 September, 1953, twenty eight founder members and guests attended an Inaugural Meeting & Dinner in a local hotel. The members elected Robert A Scott as Interim President and Dr. Arthur Wright as Interim Vice President. The Charter was presented by Percy Hopkins, District Governor No 2 District, to President Robert A Scott at the Charter Dinner on Wednesday 10 February, 1954. Among the guests were the President of R.I.B.I. Spencer Holland and also the Lord Provost of Edinburgh The Right Honourable Sir James Millar, and so the Rotary Club of Portobello began.

There have been four distinct phases in the history of the club, the first of which saw membership quickly building up as local businessmen joined. People such as Douglas Menzies, the manager of the Portobello branch of the Bank of Scotland; Frank Bush, manufacturers agent; Lyn Watkins, veterinary surgeon; Bob Fairful, local solicitor; Archie Grandison, headmaster; Bob Nicol, coal merchant; Jim Dunsmore, sports shopkeeper; Eugene Lampard, motor dealership owner; George Smith, builders merchant and Bob Spreng, local butcher joining the club. The Meetings were held at lunchtime at several seafront hotels in the area over the first twenty five years of the clubs existence, on a Tuesday every week at 12.45pm prompt and departed at 2pm equally promptly. In those early years the Club worked well and frequently on many projects and special efforts designed to help the local and wider communities.

The second phase could be said to have developed as a new generation of members was absorbed. Although the total number never exceeded 38, the diversity of commercial experience increased considerably with people such as Peter Melville, chief designer at a leading firm of shopfitters; Peter Weston, doctor; Fred Prain, Director with Wagon Finance; Ivor Roy, Manager with Firestone Tyres; Eugene Lampard's son, George: Bill Swann, local newsagent; Bob Kelly, Director Kellico roofing specialists; Tom Fleming, sales marketing manager for Tarmac; Eric Poole, commercial laundry equipment supplier; Bill Thomson, hardware store owner; Jim Robertson, insurance broker; Drew Kennedy, Portobello Trampoline Centre; Tom Sloan, accountant with Standard Life; Bob Crilly, Chartered Surveyor; Forbes Sinclair, architect; George Wallace, owner of large furniture stores; David Brown, Chief Executive with Peter Moran, builders; lan Fergusson, Police Superintendent; Peter Strachan, joinery business. This was, indeed, Portobello's finest line up. No one, however, could have foreseen the change of fortune that was then to befall it.

Phase three saw the club struggle for viability with a gradual decline in the membership throughout the late eighties and nineties. Despite this, it should be emphasized, the club's charity work still continued with undiminished fervour. Meantime several changes were made in order to reverse the trend of declining membership. The lunchtime meeting was changed to the evening, we moved from the Hamilton Lodge Hotel to the Kings Manor Hotel and the introduction of new members such as Arthur Collie, Estate Agent; Duncan Anderson, Master Plumber; lain Cook, formal dress hirer; Ken Hart, Soft Furnishings supplier; John Sowrey, professional photographer and Jim Raeburn, Secretary of the Employers Print Federation. Despite these efforts, however, the decline in numbers continued before bottoming out at only 15 active members towards the end of the century. Closure was now a distinct possibility.

Action had to be taken if we were to survive. Although it had been Rotary policy for some time to admit ladies not many clubs had done so. Portobello's decision to seek lady members became a turning in the club's fortunes and set in motion the most recent phase - one of growth and resurgence. Since that decision was made there has been a gradual but positive increase with ladies leading the transformation such as Elaine Macnab, chief administrator promoting H.M.S. Explorer; who was quickly followed by Joy Robb, cafe proprietor; Jackie Mackay, Chartered Accountant; Lisa Mackay, Industrial Relations advisor and most recently Edith Innes, musician and bereavement counsellor; Christina Orr, academic administrator and Margaret Munro, historian. Membership was, of course, augmented during this time with Jack Powell, architect; Alistair Dunnett, electrical engineer; Will Farrell, Church of Scotland administrator; lan Graham, Building Contractor; Chris Marshall, manager with PC World; Bob Marshall, IT consultant; Peter Webster, Church of Scotland Minister; Malcolm McMillan, management consultant; George Wight, development training consultant and Bill Abernethy, retired Minister. The club is only as strong as its membership and this will inevitably rise and fall over the years. There are, of course, many more names could be added to those listed but despite problems the club membership, has, in the recent few years, strengthened and is once more approaching 30 and going up. Since the average age is now distinctly lower than it was ten years ago the prospects for the future are bright.

The Club has been involved over the years in many activities in order to make a contribution to the improvement in the lives of many people throughout the world. It was particularly associated with Group Study Exchanges, notably with the United States and raised funds which enabled innumerable young people to travel, to study in another country and to stay with fellow Rotarians in that country. These activities reached a very high level when a group of outstanding young businessmen were selected to make up the 1978 G.S.E. Team from District 1020 to District 692 Georgia, U.S.A. - this team was led by our very own PP Bob Kelly. It also proved to be a lifetime highlight for, not only the young men in the group, but to Portobello Club which organized it from its inception. On another occasion in 1980 PDG Lyn Watkins was GSE Team Leader on a visit to the Rotary Clubs and businesses of Missouri, USA. In 1976 PDG Lyn's daughter, Elizabeth, travelled to Georgia to become one of the first Scottish recipients from the Georgia Rotary Students Fund when she successfully studied for a Masters degree in teaching. This type of involvement is still a feature of the club's activities today.

We regularly sponsor Youth Activities to various countries for study in a new environment and we act as hosts and counsellors to students coming from abroad to study in Edinburgh. The club's influence within the Rotary movement, however, probably reached its height when PP Lyn Watkins was elected to be District Governor in 1977/8. This involved Lyn and his wife Margaret in an extraordinarily hard year to which he devoted much time and effort. The club also had many extra responsibilities in that year culminating in the organization of the District Conference in Aviemore during Bob Kelly's year as President. From Conference and hotel registration through to nametag design and transportation it was very hard work but the club also had great fun. Everyone enjoyed the weekend, particularly the wives whose responsibilities included driving a fleet of mini buses, much to the distress of the locals. Some time later Lyn was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow Award and also made an honorary member in recognition of his achievements. Other Honorary Members have been Mark Oswald, Bob Nicol and Bob Spreng. The Paul Harris Fellow Award has been presented to three other Portobello members, Fred Prain, Duncan Anderson and Arthur Collie for their outstanding work in defining the meaning of "Service Above Self".

On two occasions Portobello has been represented in the bi-annual Rotary Curling Tour, Scotland v Canada, an intensive three week tour of eastern Canada being hosted by and playing against Rotary clubs for the Duddingston Trophy. T his trophy is a model of the Curling Tower made famous by the Rev. John Thomson beside Duddingston Loch. In 1976 the late PP Frank Bush and PP Bob Kelly made the stamina testing tour and then in 1980 by PP Eric Poole.

Portobello Curling Team won the Ramshead Trophy, open to all Scottish Rotary Clubs, in 1980. Also in 1978 and 1983 the Club won the District Quiz, no mean feat.

Another highlight of the Club was the hosting of 6 American Rotarians & their partners from Gwinnett Rotary Club, Georgia & Dayton Rotary Club, Ohio, for two weeks in 1981 and the subsequent reciprocal visit by 5 Portobello Rotarians & partners in 1982. Both American clubs hosted & entertained Portobello royally with visits to Stone Mountain, Big Canoe Resort, the Cyclorama Civil War Memorial, General Motors Assembly Plant, Martin Luther King Jr. grave & Memorial Centre, 57' Bomber Squadron, a game of golf at the Atlanta Athletic Golf & Country Club, a baseball game in Cincinnati & a Pig Roast. The fellowship & enduring friendships made this a highly successful project. The exchanges were organized by PP Fred Prain of Portobello, & PP Jim Wrath of the Dayton Rotary Club, Ohio, who had moved from the Gwinnett Club in Atlanta.

A major project for the whole Rotary movement, to which Portobello made a considerable contribution, was the worldwide eradication of Polio which was set to be achieved by the end of the century. Work, however, still goes on in pockets throughout the world but final eradication is imminent. To raise money for this and many other projects the club organized many events in the city over the years from a display lorry in the Festival Sunday Parade to Raft Races off the beach at Portobello. From stands in Holyrood Park/Meadows on Festival Sunday to shaking cans at Supermarkets around Christmas time. One can always be sure of a carnival atmosphere created by club members on all these occasions.

Another notable event is the club's art exhibition which has not only given local artists a platform for displaying and selling their work, but also raised £3000 every year for thirteen years for a different charity starting with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and continuing with Children's Hospice Association Scotland and, in the last few years, Fighting Against Cancer in Edinburgh. We, as a club, made a considerable impact in the campaign by the Scottish Rotary organization to establish a children's hospice in Kinross. This was successfully achieved and had such an immediate impact that another is planned in the west of Scotland. Eye Camps in India, Bednet Project in Sudan, 3-H Programme, Aqua Boxes, Shoe boxes and Ventilators for South Africa as well as local organizations all benefited from our efforts. These are just a few examples of the many and varied charities and good causes we have supported over the last fifty years.

The Rotary Club of Portobello - January 2004

The Club Members, however, can also relax and enjoy themselves, testimony to which are the many memorable evenings enjoyed since we decided that, where there was a fifth Wednesday in the month, that should be a ladies night - now named 'partners night'. We are not without our sense of occasion either. The celebration of the 25th anniversary took place in Portobello Town Hall with many celebrities in attendance. Our 40th was celebrated at the Kings Manor Hotel with an excellent dinner and speakers. On these occasions it is the social atmosphere created that is most important. Indeed it is in the friendships, the exchange with others in different occupations, the banter and the string of experiences that keep members interests alive. Beyond any other, this is the reason why the members, younger or older, long serving or new recruit, lady or gentleman, find no difficulty in cultivating a fierce loyalty to the club.

Portobello Rotary Club has been existence for fifty years. We wish it, all its members and all those who may benefit from its work in the future, a healthy, happy and prosperous further fifty years.

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Club Members

Left to Right: PP Fred Prain, Guest Speaker Clarissa Dickson Wright and PP Jack Powell.

R.Y.L.A. (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) winner Alistair Mackie (Right) with Club President Will Farrell.

Bill Thomson lends a hand at Edinburgh Fringe Sunday.

Club President (2003) Will Farrell welcomes two new members.

Ambassadorial Scholars from the USA, Japan and India attend 'International Night' hosted by the Rotary Club of Portobello - November 2003

Singer Alastair MacDonald provides another lively evening of entertainment. 'International Night' - November 2003.

Portobello Quiz Team
- November 2003.

Club Presidents

* Denotes second year

1954-55 Robert A. Scott
1955-56 A.J. Houston
1956-57 A. Strang
1957-58 Bob Spreng
1958-59 W.M. McKinlay
1959-60 W. Gray
1960-61 R.D. Brown
1961-62 F.M.M. Scott
1962-63 Jim Benzies
1963-64 Lyn Watkins
1964-65 Bob Fairful
1965-66 Mark Oswald
1966-67 G. Smart
1967-68 Jim Dunsmore
1968-69 Bob Nicol
1969-70 A.J. Warwick
1970-71 Frank Bush
1971-72 George Smith
1972-73 Lyn Watkins *
1973-74 Douglas Menzies
1974-75 A. Grandison
1975-76 Robin Walker
1976-77 Peter Weston
1977-78 Bob Kelly
1978-79 Peter Melville
1979-80 Jim Robertson
1980-81 Bob Crilly
1981-82 George Wallace
1982-83 Eric Poole
1983-84 Forbes Sinclair
1984-85 Tom Sloan
1985-86 Bill Swann
1986-87 Nicol Gray
1987-88 Bill Thomson
1988-89 Fred Prain
1989-90 David Brown
1990-91 Tom Fleming
1991-92 G. Steven OBE
1992-93 P. Strachan
1993-94 D. Anderson
1994-95 Arthur Collie
1995-96 M. Mclntyre
1996-97 lan Fergusson
1997-98 Jim Raeburn
1998-99 Ken Hart
1999-00 lain Cook
2000-01 Fred Prain *
2001-02 Jack Powell
2002-03 Jack Powell *
2003-04 Will Farrell
2004-05 George Wight
2005-06 Joy Robb
2006-07 Bill Thomson*
2007-08 Iain Cook*