President: Bill Brown
Vice President: Alistair Hugh
Immediate Past President: Ian Gardner
Raith Probus Secretary: Allan Morton
Contact E Mail : RaithProbusSec@gmail.com
Treasurer: Charlie Low
The Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 10:30am. We meet at Pathhead Parish Church Hall, 33 Harriet Street, Kirkcaldy KY1 2AG.
Secretary
FUTURE TALKS:
If any club member has had a particularly interesting career or has a hobby and wishes to share by giving a talk, please contact any committee member.
Welcome to new President Bill Brown and Vice President Alistair Hugh 2075
Raith Probus Club
Meeting Number 983
Pathhead Church 17th March 2026
President Bill Brown opened the meeting at 10:30hrs.
Introduction to Speaker:
Speaker: Marion Todd
Topic: “Killing People for a Living”
Vote of Thanks: John Fairfull
Previous minutes, matters arising – None
REPORTS
Membership: Ray Griffiths
Reported the attendance numbers of 46 members present, 1 apology and 1 guest, Malcolm
Chisholm via Bill Bogie.
IT: Jim Neilson
All electrical PAT testing on our equipment has been completed as required by our insurance.
Press: Malcolm Walker
It was noted that the report from the last meeting was listed under Pathhead in the Fife Free
Press rather than the Raith Probus Club.
Recorder: Bob Terras
Nothing to report
Probus Website: Bob Terras
Reminded members about how to access the Raith Probus website via Google and who to
contact for listing news and events and adding photographs.
Treasurer: Charlie Low
Working towards Financial Year End which is 31st March, 2026.
Welfare: Tom Reilly
I am delighted to welcome back Roy Daniels today. Roy has been unable to attend our Raith
Probus meetings since last year, due to suffering from acute joint pain known as RA. Roy
feels he is slowly getting back to normal although it will take some time for him to regain full
fitness.
Secretary: Allan Morton
Nothing to report.
Vice-President: Alistair Hugh
Nothing to report.
STANDING ORDER REPORTS
Speakers: Charlie Low
Work in progress.
Social: Ragnar Ingebrigtsen, Alistair Hugh
Current plans:
• April Lunch at Fife College
o Single date on Friday 3rd April
o Cost is £15.50 for 2 courses, tea/coffee and gratuities included
o Time is at 12 noon, meet at the college entrance
o Menus have been supplied. Alistair will call people next week for their choices
• April 15th Coffee morning Weavers 10am
• June 9th Club Summer lunch
• June 17th Coffee morning Weavers 10am
• Sep 25 – 28 Coach holiday based in Strathpeffer (One day to Skye, one day to
Inverness), £299 pp double, £364 single. All names to Peter Shields including £50
deposit per person. He would now also like the balance of £249 to be paid to him as
soon as possible. No travel insurance is included.
• Oct 9th Annual Dinner
• In Planning Visit to a garden centre with meal
CONVENERS REPORTS
Cycling: John Chalmers
A spring cycle ride was undertaken between Ravenscraig Park and Seafield tower. Looking
forward to future rides.
Further information: John Chalmers.
Gardening: Ron Steedman
Next expected gardening meeting is Thursday 19th March – 10am at Kirkcaldy Golf Club.
Further information: Ron Steedman.
Golf: Robin McAlpine
Nothing to report.
Further information: Robin McAlpine.
Lottery: Charlie Low
Awaiting a visit from Lady Luck.
Photography: Allister Todd
Next meeting Thursday 26th March, 10am at Kirkcaldy Golf Club.
Further information: Allister Todd.
Snooker: Malcolm Walker
Styx Snooker Club.
Every Friday: 11.00 to 13.00.
Further information: Malcolm Walker.
Walkers: Ken Campbell
Date of Walk :- Tuesday 31st March
Destination :- West Sands, St. Andrews
Meeting Place. :- Kirkcaldy Railway Station
Travel out :- 9.30am to board the 9.39am train to Leuchars, then bus to St. Andrews.
( 9.48am from Markinch )
Length of Walk :- 4 miles
Terrain :- Slight hill from Bus Station, then all on the flat. If the tide is out during
our walk, we may well walk one way on the beach and the other on the path
Refreshments :- Yet to be determined
Travel back :- 13.55pm train from Leuchars to Kirkcaldy
Please remember to take your ‘Fife Travel Pass’.
SPEAKER
The speaker was introduced by Charlie Low and was Marion Todd on the topic of “Killing
People for a Living”.
A native of Dundee, Marion studied music and worked for many years as a piano teacher and
jobbing accompanist. A spell as a hotel lounge pianist provided rich fodder for her writing and
she began experimenting with a variety of genres. Early success saw her winning first prize in
the Family Circle Magazine Short Story for Children national competition and she followed
this up by writing short stories and articles for her local newspaper.
Marion has also worked as a college lecturer, plantswoman and candle-maker and now is a
full-time writer, penning the DI Clare Mackay series of crime fiction novels set in St Andrews.
The first of these, “See Them Run”, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime
Debut Novel of the Year 2020. Her latest book is out now and she is working on a new series
for early 2027.
Marion lives in North East Fife, overlooking the magnificent River Tay. When she’s not writing
she can be found tussling with her with her jungle-like garden and walking her daughter’s
unruly but lovable dog. You can find out more about Marion at her website:
www.mariontodd.com.
Marion expressed her pleasure at the large happy audience and asked members to let her
know the first ever book they remember reading as a child. Hers is a Ladybird book called
“The Little Red Hen” which she brought along with her. The story is of the little red hen who
lives in the farmyard along with three friends: a cat, a rat and a pig. One day the hen finds
some grains of wheat so she goes to the other animals and asks who would help her plant
them. The other animals were lazy, just replying “Not I”, so she plants them herself. The wheat
grows so she asks the animals again who would help her cut the wheat with the knife she has
brought. Again the replies are “Not I”. Cutting the wheat and then taking it to the miller to be
ground into flour and again when taking the flour to the baker to be made into bread, asking
for assistance is met with “Not I” replies. The hen finally tells the farmyard that the bread is
ready to eat and who will help her to eat it. They all say “I will” indicating that they want to
eat it, but she will not let them and eats it herself. It’s a book about revenge which led Marion
into writing crime fiction. She then turned to reading Enid Blyton, especially enjoying the
mystery stories. When about nine, she wrote a six chapter mystery story at school called “The
Fearless Five” featuring four children and a dog where the girls get kidnapped and have to be
rescued by the boys.
She used to visit her Auntie Jean in Glasgow where she would read her Agatha Christie books
found in the box room, all purchased second hand at The Barras. She inherited all these books,
of various vintages, when her aunt died.
She wrote some short stories for magazines, some short sketches performed at the Traverse
Theatre cafe bar, and some stories for children. She won first prize for one story featured in
the Family Circle Magazine which led her to start longer works. Now ten novels in, she still
feels not worthy to be an author.
She joined a writers group in Dundee, but learned more about human dynamics than actual
writing.
Her next inspiration came from the book “One Good Turn” which is a literary crime novel set
during the Edinburgh Festival written by Kate Atkinson. People queuing for a lunchtime
comedy show witness a road-rage incident – a near-homicidal attack which changes the lives
of everyone involved. As the body count mounts, each member of the teeming Dickensian
cast’s story contains a kernel of the next, like a set of nesting Russian dolls. They are all looking
for love or money or redemption or escape: but what each actually discovers is their own true
self.
Marion then took a weaving course to try out something different and creative and was
fascinated by all the threads coming together to make the pattern on the cloth. It dawned on
her that this was similar to Kate’s book where all the threads come together by the end. This
was very inspiring and set her up for her future crime writing.
Her first crime novel needed a commercial hook so she read many books on how to get
published. She had to decide on what type of crime to write about and how the subject died.
Her job then is to stop the detective finding the solution until the end of the book. Her first
victim was based on the memory of a tutor who once gave her an essay to write – which she
believed was an excellent effort. After handing it in, ten days later she was called to a tutorial
to be told in a humiliating way about all the perceived faults in the story. He made her feel
worthless. This was a turning point for her so he was the ideal first victim – a university tutor.
The book was set in St. Andrews and the killer got away with it. Her love of the Morse TV
series led her to choose St. Andrews as it can be compared to Oxford in the way it is portrayed.
After finishing the book she saw an advert for an Inverness event which allowed her to pitch
her novel to industry experts. After sending three chapters and a synopsis, she was invited to
attend the convention at the Eden Park Theatre amongst around 20 people pitching their
works. Being organised alphabetically Marion was invited to pitch last but she could listen to
all the others on before her. By the time she was called forward she knew from the feedback
that they would not consider her book. She took their advice and spent a few weeks changing
the book as per their comments. After a while she felt the book was becoming not what she
wanted so went back to basics. This time she added a policewoman, DI Clare Mackay as
feedback showed the police elements were the strongest. This became her first published
novel, “See Them Run”, with a picture of Kensaleyre on Skye on the cover despite being told
by the publishers that it was of St. Andrews! However out of 20 publishers only one said they
would consider it with some changes and even then only as a e-book!
The book was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut Novel of the Year 2020
so a print run was made during Covid lockdown! This prevented her undertaking signing
events and other personal activities including a torch light parade from Stirling Castle.
Overall she has learnt that you need to be in it for the long game. Overnight success is not
common in the industry.
The easiest book you will ever write is your first. With a contract from a publisher you soon
learn about deadlines. These are due to the costs and overheads of publishers making it an
expensive business so deadlines help to schedule their activities and be efficient. Therefore it
is important to meet deadlines as edits and proof reading are required. She aims to finish a
book one month before its deadline. She also has to avoid writing a book too similar to others
being written at the same time or being litigious or too political.
As an example, most domestic violence is male to female but she planned to switch this
around for a book but due to the Sarah Everard case she had to abandon it. The plot then had
to be changed as it was not the time for such a storyline. The story was held back for a few
books.
Normally you would take your publishers advice, however once in her second book a baby
was kidnapped with a heart condition and needed lifesaving medication. This needed some
background research so she spoke to people who had recently lost a child. In the book the
police were sent to a woman with a stillborn baby – when they walked in the house there was
a thick silence in the atmosphere, a sadness around the shell of the crying woman. Her editor
said this visit sucked out the life of the book but Marion fought to keep this scene as not all
police work is going in all guns blazing, sometimes quiet sensitivity is what is required.
When writing she takes account of her over used words, a list of 70 odd. Finally she reads out
loud the book which helps to spot mistakes. When it comes back from the first editor the
changes requested can be massive, sometimes requiring structural changes. Again, a read
aloud is performed before the next stage which is the copy editor. This spots things like
sentences starting with the same words. Finally it goes to a proof reader who can spot issues
such as spelling mistakes. She then attends meetings about the cover art and to discuss the
next book being planned.
Writing a book is now a full time job, taking up to 50% of her time. When a book is published
there can be extra things to work on to publicise the books such as writing text on why she
chose St. Andrews or 10 things about Clare nobody knows – all for free. The average author
makes around £7,000 per year.
Despite all this it’s the most wonderful job in the world and a great privilege to be able to
continue writing
Questions
How do you compare to other authors such Val McDermid? – I feel I am a step below, like an
apprentice. I learn from Val, Ian Rankin etc.
How to you plan your story, for example on a whiteboard? – I plan a lot and use PowerPoint
which lets me have one slide per scene with the key facts. Then I can move things around to
fit the story and ensure the participants learn key information in the correct order. Not like
Ian Rankin who does not plan at all and sometimes does not know the killer.
Anyone you want kill here? – Nobody as you are all too genial and also have great coffee.
Is Clare based on anyone? – Being married to a senior policemen I met many people in the
police. She represents a composite of many officers she has encountered who wanted to do
the best for the victims.
Any advice on publishing religious stories? – Maybe the Church of Scotland Life and Work
magazine (note it is no longer published), or other church magazines.
I find long books a challenge, who decides on a book length? – My view is that a book is as
long as needs to be, but you need be consider commercial costs of printing and price.
Publishers will know the length of books their customers prefer and give advice to authors.
There is a website called BookBub for bargain e-books. Libraries are good for authors as they
cap lending fees which means more democratic revenue distribution between authors.
It’s not a job for anyone due to low income? – Correct, booksellers such as The Works pay so
little that the author may receive just 4p a book for their six months of work. They are
however firm sales (no returns) but a low income compared to other outlets. Waterstones
are sale or return so any unsold books will be returned to the publisher.
When books are published do they automatically become e-books? – E-books typically come
first and are always created.
When is a ghost writer used? – There are writers who act as ghost writers for celebrities, some
of whom do not even read books themselves. The problem is that such books push out others
from the shelves in shops. Authors such as Richard Osman also command large shelf space
but at least he writes his own books. The only advantage to celebrity books is that the money
made may enable a publisher to take a chance on lesser known authors further down the tree
or a debut author. An IP project is a collaboration between a publisher and a writer where the
publisher decides the plot and storyline
How many authors ignore deadlines, such as Fredrick Forsyth? – He was writing at a time when
publishing was less rigorous. Nowadays so many books are published that the market is
flooded.
Do you do research with the police and forensics teams? – Yes, I enjoy doing research for the
background information for my novels and even took a university course covering the topics
of medical, science and the justice system. Police procedure manuals are useful as well as
speaking with solicitors etc.
The Vote of Thanks was given by John Fairfull who thanked Marion for her talk. The title of
the talk initially gave him misgivings but he actually found he had read a few of her novels,
being inspired by the small details about the characters – including the Wagon Wheel eating
policeman. The publishing business seems torturous especially with the multiple edit cycles.
He was also impressed with the level of required research. John stated that he regards
Marions books highly and feels they are up there with the best and just as good as those of
the main authors associated with the Tartan Noir scene.
NEXT MEETING
Date: 7th April 2026
Speaker: Robin & Anne McAlpine
Topic: Bus in the Sky, Planes on the Ground
Vote of Thanks: Bill Brown
AOCB:
There will be a Committee Meeting on 14th April 2026.
The meeting closed at 11:55hrs
Allan Morton
Secretary
Probus Website: www.probusonline.org/raith-of-kirkcaldy/
Secretary Email: RaithProbusSec@gmail.com
31st March 2026 Walkers St Andrews
24th February 2026 Mystery Walk Edinburgh
Coffee Day 18th Feb
Raith Probus Golf 15th January 2026
Future Walk West Wemyss 13th January 2026
Walking Group,
Here are the details of our next ‘Walk’ to West Wemyss on the 13th Jan., plus some photos for display on the Screen & Web for next Tuesday’s meeting :-
Date of Walk :- Tuesday 13th January.
Location :- West Wemyss.
Date of Walk :- Tuesday 9th December.
Finally, our next group ‘Walk’ will be advised at our January Meeting.
Walkers
Destination – East Lomond
11th November 2025
Antartica Team Selection- Test
Largo Law view Team Assembly Point Testing Equipment
Passed the Test Largo Law
Top of the Leader board
Hole in One on My Travels
Vliedburg Netherlands
Vliedburg Netherlands
Loch Fitty October 2025
Photographic Competition 2025
Ragnar Ingebrigsten John Chalmers John Chalmers
Ken Millar Allister Todd John Chalmers
Allister Todd Ragner Ingebrigsten Ken Millar
Ragnar Ingebrigsten Allister Todd Ken Millar
Walking Group next outing Tuesday 30th September 2025. Blairadam Forest
Weavers Coffee October 2025
Portmoak Gliding Day
After our talk at the last meeting, 4th Sept has been fixed for a Raith Probus , Gliding Day experience. Near Loch Leven.
3 members interested need at least 4 for the day.
Jack Lowther will fill you in.
“Fly Like a Bird”
Invitation visit to Phil Bate’s home in Glenrothes on Monday
25th of August.
26 August 2025 ‘Walk’ around Letham village and on to Monimail.
Some of our ‘Group’ car shared at various points, to eventually meet up at our final destination in Letham around 10.00. When we commenced our walk along a single track road, avoiding traffic along the way.
The weather was fortunately with us in this outing on a beautiful sunny morning, despite the forecast of rain, etc. We continued our ‘Walk / Stroll’ along the prescribed route eventually coming across the 18th century Monimail Parish Church, which is unbelievably up for sale and hopefully can be seen in the photograph, if any one has a bob or two for ownership !!!! From there, it was a short amble to Monimail and it’s historic cemeteries, where we ventured in to a church yard and cemetery, where nine Fife Council vans were parked and on enquiring into this very expensive rebuild of a building with only two adjacent walls in one of the farthest areas to be visited, was this a priority investment for our ratepayers ? ?, what with potholes, etc, Sorry, but my hackles are on a very extreme high. !!!!
Anyhoo, this apart we then visited Monimail Tower, which was the residence of the Archbishop of St Andrews for many a year. Again hopefully the photograph will show the simple life of a man of his stature and considering the power he held.
By this time, as it was nearing 12.00 and after our two hour sojourn, it was time to head to the ‘Bridgend Cafe / Farm Shop’ for our well-deserved enjoyable lunchtime refreshments. After which we all returned to Kirkcaldy and home around 2.00ish.
Hopefully, the photographs, which are shown on the screen and also on the Web Site, will provide some of the ambience, which we generate during our ‘Walks’ Thanks to Allan for those.
Again I would take this opportunity to thank Phil for his reconnoitring of the route, which is not necessarily the easiest of tasks, given that he advised our ‘Group’ that our ‘Walk’ was on country roads, omitting the fact that there were one or two inclines !!!!!! Again in an apparent futile gesture, we would invite any member to Join us and get some exercise !!!!!!
Finally, details of our September ‘Walk’,
Weavers Coffee Morning
2025 Walking Group Musselburgh
Roman Bridge
2025 Garden Competition
2025 Butterflies
Burnett Moth Cinnebar Moth Comma
Common Blue Common Blue Female Common Blue
Green Veined White Meadow Brown Female Ringlet
Ringlet Underwing Small Tortoishell Small Tortoishell Underwing
Wall Brown Wall Brown Underwing Speckled Wood
Small Heath Underwing Green Lacewing Vespilloides Beetle (Sexton Beetle)
24 June 2025 Formonthills
Garden
27th May Walking Group – St Andrews
25 April 2025 Easter Snooker – Challenge
Raith Probus snooker contestants entered the Arena at Styx in Kirkcaldy on 25th April 2025 for the Easter Egg challenge.
A simple task for the session.
Seven members present with the winner over the whole session to achieve the highest break on the day.
Ken Campbell put the other competitors under immediate pressure in minutes with a commanding score of 11.
The day developed with various descriptive cheers and comments in a foreign language of Bistardo following another miss.
On table one a threesome was in play trying to pot a red sitting within the jaws of a corner pocket.
Yes, three attempts by the players involved who failed miserably to increase their score.
Our Vice President calmly with cue in hand showed the way on the fourth attempt to pot the red ball to great acclaim
We had to wait until almost the end of the session when a resounding cheer echoed through the building.
After almost two hours and within the last 5 minutes we had our worthy winner with a great break score on the day of 17,
Ken Miller.
Bowls
Jack Lowther: showed the trophy he won in the Probus Invitation Indoor Bowls championship which is competed for by clubs from Perth and Fife. The downside is that as he claims he got carried away in the heat of competition and won, so now he has to organise next year’s competition.
Walking group
.Next walk 27th May 2025
Could I please ask that those intending to join this ‘Walk’ give Ken Campbell their names to avoid any unwarranted delays at the Station or missing anyone out on the trip.
Secretary
.Michael Bruce Way
March planned walk , details to follow.
Michael Bruce poem below.
Virtue and Happiness in the Country
How blest the man who, in these peaceful plains,
Ploughs his paternal field; far from the noise,
The care, and bustle of a busy world!
All in the sacred, sweet, sequester’d vale
Of solitude, the secret primrose-path
Of rural life, he dwells; and with him dwell
25 February 2025
Riverside Park
Thanks to K Campbell for the photographs
Special thanks to the photographer for the day Ken Campbell
Bob Terras Raith Probus Club
Walking Group
Future Walk
PHOTOGRAPHS:
Balbirnie Dec 2024
2024 Kinghorn to Kirkcaldy Walk
2024 Burntisland Visit
2024 Photograph Competition
2024 October Tayport
sdr
2024 September Elie
2024 August Pittenweem
2024 July Forth & Clyde Canal Edinburgh
2024 July Forth & Clyde Canal Edinburgh
Silverburn to Lower Largo – 28 May 2024
Dundee Riverside walk 23rd April 2024
Kinghorn Loch March 2024
Murrayfield November 2023
Aberdour to Dalgety Bay – 24th October 2023
“Christmas” Highest Break
Birnie and Gaddon Lochs – 26 Sept. 2023
Loch Ore Meadows 29 August 2023 – Walking Group
Gardening Group Competition 2023.
Blackford July 2023
Burntisland to Aberdour – 27th June 2023
Golf – Scoonie GC – 22nd June 2023
Fountainbridge to Slateford – May 2023
Hampden – May 2023
Bunnet Stane
Winner of ” The Great Easter Break” is Jack Lowther.
Raith Probus cyclists -March 2023
Raith Probus walk -March 2023
Loch Leven 28 February 2023
Loch Leven walk 14 Feb 2023
Scots Night 2023
Annual Quiz Winners 2023
Golf New Year Meal
Snooker Champ 2022 – John Johnson.
Excellent break of 38 (4 Blacks, 1 Blue and 5 Reds).
Formonthills walk 22November 2022
Cramond Walk 29-Nov-2022
Slateford to Dean Bridge Walk, Edinburgh
25th October 2022
Annual Dinner October 2022
Kirkcaldy half-marathon course 21st September – 13.5 miles
Dean Bridge to Murrayfield walk – August 2022
Flower Competition 2022
1- Jim Neilson; 2 – Andy Morrison; 3 – Ron Steedman.
Incoming President Bob Terras and Vice President Colin Johnston
Cycling. A successful outing was held on the West Fife Way.
40th Anniversary of the founding of Raith Probus Club
Ian Gunn – Highest break 27 May 2022
Big Break winner – Ken Campbell. 22 points.
Lundin Links outing 21st April.
Big break winner, Ken Miller 12 points!!
North Queensferry August 2021
Balbirnie and Braes Loan, Markinch 29 Jun 2021 (at last we’ve got a new member!)
Markinch Heritage Rural Walk
Letham Glen walk – 28 July 2020
Lockdown Walking group July 2020
Walkers – 26 November 2019 – Formonthills, Glenrothes.
Amazon visit November 2019
Cyclists.
Visit to Tulliallan.
Crossgates Gardeners
Wullie’s allotment
Doubles Competition July 2019
Cramond Walkers October 2019
Cyclists – Loch Leven
CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF RAITH PROBUS CLUB OF KIRKCALDY
1.
.
Title
The club shall be called Raith Probus Club of Kirkcaldy
2. Aims and Objectives
The purpose of the Club is to provide a regular meeting point for retired business and professional men who appreciate and value in their retirement increased social contacts and opportunities to meet others in similar circumstances. The club shall be non-political and non- sectarian.
3. Membership
(i) The total of active members shall not exceed one hundred.
Membership shall be open to all professional and business men aged sixty years or over, resident in Kirkcaldy and District, who have fully or partially retired from their normal business or profession. The restriction regarding residence or age may be waived at the discretion of the Committee. Applications for membership shall be sponsored by two existing members and shall be subject to approval by the Committee. Admission to the Club shall be determined by interview of the proposed new member by the President and two other Committee members.
(ii) Honorary Life Membership
Any member wishing to make a nomination for election to Honorary Life Membership should do so in writing to the Secretary at the latest by March in any year. This nomination should be kept private and not communicated to any other member (including the nominee)
In April each year the Executive Committee should consider any nominations for election to Honorary Life Membership and decide if such nomination(s) should be recommended.
Such members shall be those who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, have contributed service of an outstanding nature to the Club and who have shown a sustained interest in the Club or the community
iii) If any member conducts himself in a manner which discredits the Club, or acts willfully in contravention of the Constitution of the Club, the Executive Committee shall have the power to suspend that member until the matter can be fully considered at the next meeting of the Executive Committee. A letter shall be written to the member notifying him of the allegations against him and the basis of the allegations, inviting him to a meeting to discuss the matter, and advising him that he has the right to be accompanied by any member of his choice. If, subsequently, a member is called upon to resign and fails to comply within fourteen days after the request is dispatched, he will be expelled from the Club. The member shall have the right to appeal against the disciplinary decision of the full Committee and this must be lodged in writing with the Secretary within fourteen days of the Committee’s decision. In the event of an appeal, this will be heard by an Appeals Committee comprising of three of the most recent available Past Presidents of the Club. At that meeting the member has the right to be accompanied by a member of his choice. The Appeals Committee decision shall be final.
(iv) Honorary Life Membership
Any member wishing to make a nomination for election to Honorary Life Membership should do so in writing to the Secretary at the latest by March in any year. This nomination should be kept private and not communicated to any other member (including the nominee)
In April each year the Executive Committee should consider any nominations for election to Honorary Life Membership and decide if such nomination(s) should be recommended.
Such members shall be those who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, have contributed service of an outstanding nature to the Club and who have shown a sustained interest in the Club or the community
4. Office Bearers
(i) There shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Recorder, Press Correspondent, Social Convener, Speaker’s Convener and Welfare Officer and the general affairs of the Club shall be managed by the Committee of those Officers with the Immediate Past President and the various Conveners, whose names can be found on the current membership list. Within this group the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Welfare Officer, Press Correspondent, Recorder, IT Correspondent and Immediate Past President shall constitute the Executive Committee.
(ii) The President of the Club shall hold office for one year, unless there are extenuating reasons why this period should be extended. Officers and Committee members shall be eligible for re- election each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). If for any reason an AGM cannot be held then these office bearers’ term of office shall be extended until such times as an AGM, or an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) can be constituted.
Six members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the Committee shall have the power to co-opt and appoint one or more Sub-Committees. Committee Conveners shall be able to co-opt members who may have expertise useful for any issues under consideration by that Committee. In the event of it being unlikely that the President can continue to officiate then the Vice President shall assume the role of President with the appointment of a new Vice President. Both these officials will see out that presidential year and assume the posts in the next year i.e. there will be no appointments for these posts at the AGM at the end of the retired President’s year of office.
In the event of there being any reason necessitating a suspension of meetings or in the event of closure of the Club all committee members shall remain in office until an EGM can be called to review the situation.
(ii) An Executive Committee (see 4.1) shall have the power to manage any urgent or unforeseen event or set of circumstances which may arise.
5. Meetings
- The regular meetings shall take place at a suitable venue in the Kirkcaldy area and will be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 10:30am and at such intervals as may be decided by the Committee.
- An Annual General Meeting shall be held in June of each year at such time and place as may be determined by the Committee. At least two weeks’ notice of such meeting must be given in writing to each member.
- The Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting on the written request of not less than fifteen members and shall give to all members, in writing, at least two weeks’ notice of such a meeting.
(iv) Voting at all meetings, including Committee meetings, shall be by a show of hands or by ballot if so desired. In the event of an equal division of votes: the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote,
6. Visitors
Members may introduce male guests at meetings, but the same guest shall not be brought to a meeting more than six times in any Presidential year and may not attend the Annual General Meeting, but would be welcome to participate in Club activities.
7.
Subscriptions
- There shall be an annual subscription, the amount of which shall be determined each year at the Annual General Meeting. The subscription year shall run from September to August each year. Any member joining during the subscription year shall be required to pay the whole or part subscription depending on the date of joining. (see 7 iii). Life members will not be required to pay an annual subscription. Members who are unable to attend regularly but wish to remain in membership can do so by payment of their subscription.
- To confirm membership all subscriptions should be paid by the last day in August in any year unless the Club is unable to meet for an extended period due to unforeseen circumstances.
(iii) Months left in current subscription year:
September – November 100% of current subscription.
December – February 75% of current subscription.
March – May 50% of current subscription.
June – August 25% of current subscription.
8.
Capital Expenditure
Expenditure, other than revenue expenditure, will be brought before the Treasurer and one other Executive Committee member for approval, who would then consider and decide on the proposed purchase. The Treasurer would then inform the Executive Committee at the next scheduled meeting.
If necessary, the request, if not approved by these two Executive Committee members, may be referred to the Committee of the Club for consideration and either approval or rejection of the request.
9.
Accounts
A Receipts and Payments account for the Financial Year to 31st March shall be prepared, and after audit by two members of the Club appointed at the previous Annual General Meeting, be present for approval at the Annual General Meeting.
10.
Constitution Amendments
Any amendment or addition to the constitution can only be made at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting convened for that purpose.
Any proposed amendment or addition to the constitution should be given to The Secretary and President with the names of the proposer and seconder so that members may be informed at least 14 days prior to the meeting that will consider these.
Any proposed amendment or addition to the constitution shall only be enacted if at least two thirds of the members present vote in favour.
The foregoing Constitution and Rules were agreed at the AGM meeting of the Club on 17th June 2025, and as amended at General Meetings.
Signed
Bill Brown Allan Morton
President………… …………………… Secretary………… ……………………