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 987
Pathhead Church 19th May 2026
President Bill Brown opened the meeting at 10:29hrs.
Introduction to Speaker:
Speaker: Robin Ozog
Topic: “From Ruff to Rough”
Vote of Thanks: Bob Taylor
Jim Gillespie, our newest member, gave a brief background to himself. He left school at 15
and became an engineer eventually working at the coal board. In 1960 he became his own
boss by setting up a Cowdenbeath company working in electrical and mechanical engineering.
He worked there for 30 years and bought further factories. He was unable to expand anymore
as Hyundai planned to build a factory at Halbeath (which became a white elephant) and he
was under political pressure not to get in its way. As he needed more space for his subcontract
work he moved to the Kirkcaldy Mitchelston Estate in 1990 on the advice of one of his
customers, moving his large laser cutting machine over a weekend. In 2015 he installed the
first automatic laser cutter (the first in the country) which picked up the loaded sheets, cut
them and then put them back without any labour – increasing the factories capacity. The
company continues to this day in Kirkcaldy, including with a new laser welder which the best
welder he has ever seen for sheet metal work. In this industry it no longer depends on how
good your machine is, it depends on how good your programmers are.
Previous minutes, matters arising – 1,000th meeting committee. Alistair Hugh provided a
summary of their first meeting which also involved Robin McAlpine, Charlie Low, Peter Shields
and Bob Terras who all met to brainstorm ideas. A lot of work is being done in the background
and there will be further updates when plans are further developed. We hope as many as
possible will attend this important meeting on 15th December. Please let anyone in the
committee know if you have any ideas for this event.
REPORTS
Membership: Ray Griffiths
Reported the attendance numbers of 41 members present, 8 apologies and 0 guests.
IT: Jim Neilson
Nothing to report.
Press: John Hamilton
John will write the press report for this week.
Last chance for volunteers to come forward before the AGM.
Recorder: Bob Terras
Nothing to report.
Probus Website: Bob Terras
The website is doing well and I am still learning its features. The Water of Leith photographs
are now available and are of an excellent quality.
Treasurer: Charlie Low
Setting up the new financial records for 2026/27.
We have agreed to go half way with the Church on the new blinds in the hall at a cost of
£345.
Welfare: Tom Reilly
Nothing to report.
Secretary: Allan Morton
Nothing to report.
Vice-President: Alistair Hugh
The last coffee morning only charged us £4 so we have some spare funds for future prizes
(better lollipops!). The price is unclear for future dates as we are still negotiating with the
Weavers.
STANDING ORDER REPORTS
Speakers: Charlie Low
Working on future speakers for Oct – Dec with three unfilled dates at the moment
Social: Ragnar Ingebrigtsen
We would very much like to have more members in our group. Please contact Ragnar to find
out what might be involved.
Calendar of Events:
Tuesday 9th June Club Summer lunch – This will be at the Strathearn Hotel
£26 per head. 12.30 for 13.00pm
Menus available now. Be aware of local road closures.
Contact Ragnar Ingebrigtsen
Wednesday 17th June Coffee morning Weavers 10am, price is £4.50
Payment due at 2nd June meeting.
Contact is Alistair Hugh
Friday 25th Sep –
Monday 28th Sep
Coach holiday based in Strathpeffer (One day to Skye, one day to
Inverness)
Contact Peter Shields
Friday 9th Oct Annual Dinner
Contact Ragnar Ingebrigtsen
In Planning Visit to a garden centre with meal
CONVENERS REPORTS
Cycling: John Chalmers
We were out yesterday for a circuit of Loch Leven, a lovely 12.3 mile route. The paths have
been improved making it a nice ride.
Further information: John Chalmers.
Gardening: Ron Steedman
Next Probus Gardening visit is Thursday 21st May, 10.00 am at Michael Loveday’s house in
Crossgates until 1pm. Please contact Ron for car sharing details. This visit is weather
dependant and we will revert to the golf club if raining.
Further information: Ron Steedman.
Golf: Robin McAlpine
Results from Dunnikier outing – 14th May
1 – John Fairfull. (37)
2 – B. Taylor. (30)
3 – M. Paton. (30)
Longest drive – Ray Griffiths.
Nearest pin – NR.
Next outing – 25th June, Scoonie GC. 10.00 am tee off.
Names to Robin.
Further information: Robin McAlpine.
Lottery: Charlie Low
No returns on our investment in May so far.
Photography: Allister Todd
Had a good meeting at the end of April with special attendance by the President.
Next meeting – Thursday 28th May. 10.00. Kirkcaldy GC.
Further information: Allister Todd.
Snooker: Malcolm Walker (not present)
Hoping for more members to attend.
Styx Snooker Club.
Every Friday: 11.00 to 13.00.
Further information: Malcolm Walker.
Walkers: Ken Campbell
The details for our next ‘ Walk ’ are shown below:
Date of next Walk Tuesday 26th May.
Destination Coastal Path at Balmerino, with a visit to the Abbey.
Travel details By Car share.
Terrain Flat along the Shore Path.
Duration 2 miles approx.
Meeting Point Bamerino Car Park, ( Sat. Nav. DD6 8SB ).
Meeting time 10.15am. at the Car Park. ( Approx. 40 mins from Kirkcaldy ).
Refreshments Bridgend Garden Centre.
Could I please ask that those intending to join this ‘Walk’ give me their names to avoid any
unwarranted delays or missing anyone out on the trip also to arrange the car share details
and timings for pick-ups, etc.
SPEAKER
The speaker was introduced by Jack Lowther and was Robin Ozog on the topic of “From Ruff
to Rough”. He is a hospitality events manager and has also worked in the theatre since an
early age.
Robin started by saying he has done some interesting things and met some interesting people
– “Now to the banquet we press” (a quote from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Sorcerer).
In the amateur theatre he acts and directs and in his professional life he runs restaurants and
trains people in the hospitality business.
Plug: On June 5th the Kirkcaldy Gilbert and Sullivan Society have their Spring Concert in the
Old Kirk.
His life in hospitality has been combined with an amateur life on stage … a sort of singing
waiter!
Born in 1953 he is actually named Robert. This has caused many issues at school, with bank
accounts and when flying – he has been denied boarding several times. His father was Polish
whilst his mother was the daughter of a gardener at the Logie estate in Crossford. His great,
great, great grandfather was a gardener for the Count Zamoyski (one of the most prominent
aristocratic dynasties in Polish history). So he has some blue blood!
A chorister at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh he has loved singing since the age of 8. In the
1960s he moved on to amateur theatre, performing in Pirates of Penzance.
Is there a difference between theatre and hospitality? I say there is not as the staff must
assume they are being observed all the time. When his staff work at Perth or Musselburgh
Racecourses he needs the staff to perform with their uniform as their costume. In theatre and
in hospitality the atmosphere enables an escape from reality.
One learns lessons in life. Once I was singing in the Caird Hall in Dundee at a Church music
festival. During a break, the bishop caught him playing a slot machine so he was fined three
months wages for playing the machine in a choristers costume. The lesson is if you are going
to do something dodgy don’t look so conspicuous.
His principle theatre debut was in Orpheus in the Underworld after he became hooked by the
profession after seeing his sister in the Pirates of Penzance at school. He recently found a
recording of his performance, but hated his adopted accent.
He started work as an evening paper boy whilst also spending time at Dunfermline AFC. After
the paper round on match days he manned the turnstiles and tidied the pitch.
He also worked at the Crusoe Hotel as a waiter which was a real theatre experience featuring
Roman Orgies to Wild West shows.
His first banquet was at Glamis Castle. He got into trouble for moving the large silver sailing
boat on the table at the request of Japanese visitors
He then became a lecturer in hospitality at Lauder College, an easy decision as he was
currently the catering manager for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh on low
wages and with little promotion chances. Due to all the extra days holiday at the college he
went into outside catering where his first event was at the Golf Open in St. Andrews in 1984
when Seve Ballesteros won and danced his jig. He has been at every Open since, latterly as a
consultant. At Lytham St. Annes he was hit by balls from Seve Ballesteros during his practice
rounds as the catering facility was located next door. He has also played most of the courses,
even though the rounds started at 4am!
He has worked at the Dunhill and Ryder Cups and the Toyota World Match Play tournament.
Being threatened by the chairman of Toyota who wanted an unavailable table at the Match
Play event was a terrifying experience. Needless to say, the chairman got his table!
He has met many people at charity golf events such as Ronnie Corbett, Bruce Forsyth, Jimmy
Tarbuck and Terry Wogan. His favourite Two Ronnies sketch is Mastermind where Ronnie
Corbet answers the question before last. We watched a video of this sketch.
He attended Henley Royal Regatta, one of the earliest sporting hospitality events in the world
where a marquee was erected in 1969. It was at Henley where he found he was losing stock
so he visited early one morning. He found the cleaners were taking bottles of whisky and
putting them into the Hoover bags.
At Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, the biggest in the world, he typically had 80 diners
every 15 minutes. At one event he had a major disaster. Albert Roux wanted a whisk so the
meals were delayed as it was too busy to go out and get one. £21,000 had to be refunded on
Credit Cards.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a great event featuring vehicles from “Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang” to modern F1 cars racing against the clock. It can be a disaster though if the ground is
wet.
His favourite racecourse is at Glorious Goodwood. On driving a van containing the supplies
up a hill he opened the doors and all the stock fell out! The lesson is to always turn the van
around first!
Sometimes there can be difficult diners. One pain in the neck customer got drunk and was
rude to the staff. She tripped on leaving the pavilion and rolled all the way down the hill as
the staff applauded.
The Aga Khan once gave a waiter a betting slip for £100 as a tip. It came in at 16-1! She was
never seen again.
At a Goodwood Revival meeting he fell out with Rowan Atkinson, who refused to sign a
signature for Damon Hill’s son. He was spoken to by Lady March who assured he signed.
He has provided hospitality at Rugby matches, Golf, Blair Castle (a favourite), Wimbledon,
Motor Racing, Museums, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay (horrible), Football, Racing, Hampden, the
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Castles and other historic house venues.
He worked at DAFC as events and catering manager until they were relegated from the
Premier League. He shared some wonderful stories about Jim Leishman.
At the theatre he has performed approx. 130 shows. He loves losing himself in the
atmosphere of the show and it is great for relieving stress. The applause at the end of a
performance is wonderful.
He has looked after many Royal persons, his favourite being Princess Anne who is great with
the staff.
He has worked for 100s of Celebrities, the best being Billy Connolly who was always
courteous, always coming backstage to thank the staff. He was sitting next to Clint Eastwood
who he asked if he wanted his autograph just to start a conversation! He once spilled soup on
Arthur Montford during a rare distraction caused by a pretty girl. Most celebs are fine,
including Sean Connery who was excellent with the staff. His only issue was with Martin
Compston at Blair Castle who was found trying to take booze away at the end of the evening.
He hires all the bar and wating staff, who must adopt the illusion of the role they are playing,
just as in the theatre. If his staff don’t enjoy themselves then the guests will not enjoy their
meals. You have to build a rapport with the guests or audience and care about the
performance or dining experience. Everything about a restaurant is a theatre performance in
some way.
He then played a video clip of Only Boys Aloud (a Welsh choir on Britain’s Got Talent) showing
the amazing attitude of the performers, a standard which many should aspire to.
Scotland is in the top 10 for hospitality in the world.
His epitaph is “He was a good waiter but he lost his bottle …”. This is because he was doing a
banquet for Princess Anne at St. Andrews and she arrived early. As he didn’t have the drinks
ready, he asked someone to get a bottle of champagne. He then tried to open the bottle. The
rule is you should never lose the cork or let it pop, but the bottle shot off spinning around and
soaking Princess Anne. The noise even alerted her security!
Questions
Are all your events arranged annually? Mostly yes due to licencing regulations, although
weddings can be ad-hoc. Any last minute event needs five weeks to get the licence and at
least a week to 10 days to get all the products.
In Fance, the status of a waiter is high compared to here. Is there a college in Scotland which
trains waiters? Yes, most colleges in Scotland train waiters. I have always advocated for
hospitality to be a profession.
Who is your favourite celebrity? Raymond Blanc (favourite chef), Sean Connery and Billy
Connolly.
Where do you get the staff? For the Open the staff come from all over the country. Typically
up to 700 people are needed and are acquired from agencies. We use staff from different
locations to avoid traffic issues.
I have also had problems with flights due to the wrong name, can you say more? Yes, my
brother was named after the ship my father was serving on in the Merchant Navy. Robin was
actually named Robert but would rather have been named after ship his father was on at the
time which was Stylehurst (built 1952).
Would you sing something for us? Yes, here goes….. “On a tree by a river a little tom-tit” from
Gilbert and Sullivan.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Bob Taylor who said the talk was excellent especially when
describing all the places he’s worked in and the people he’s met.
NEXT MEETING
Date: 2nd June 2026
Speaker: Alan Crombie
Topic: “The Beveridge Park”
Vote of Thanks: Bob Terras
AOCB:
The AGM will be on 16th June, please provide any motions to the secretary with proposer and
seconder names.
The meeting closed at 11:55hrs.
Allan Morton
Secretary
Probus Website: www.probusonline.org/raith-of-kirkcaldy/
Probus Calendar: calendar.google.com/calendar …
Secretary Email: RaithProbusSec@gmail.com
Walking Group Balmerino Abbey 26th May 2026
Last Tuesday, on a lovely sunny morning, 10 of our ‘Probus’ members went on our monthly ‘Walk’, this time to Balmerino. Eight of our Group, car shared to Balmerino Car Park, where we met up with Phil and John Johnston at 10.15am. and then commenced our walk along the banks of the River Tay, until we reached a fairly steep staircase leading on to Wormit. It was felt that ascending the staircase may cause difficulties to one or two of our Group, therefore it was decided to retrace our steps and return to the Car Park, via a slight detour to view other aspects of the area,
We then visited the ruins of Balmerino Abbey, which was started in 1229 by twelve Cistercian Monks who had travelled by foot from Melrose. Originally set up as a private dwelling with a Dormitory ; Refectory and Church which was perfectly designed for communal living, where they ate, slept and worshiped together, sharing everything and owning nothing. Over the years, it was slowly added to resulting in the full Abbey. However in 1559, the Abbey was overthrown by Protestant reformers and the community dispersed.
At this stage it was nearing our lunch break at mid-day, so left the Abbey and returning to our cars and headed to the Bridgend Garden Centre and Restaurant at Freuchie for some well-earned and excellent food and drinks.
After our lunch break, it was time to return home, arriving back after our 2 mile ramble at approx. 1.30pm.
Hopefully, the photographs, which were shown on the screen and also on the Web Site, will provide some of the views, which we appreciated during our ‘Walk’.
Again I would invite you to Join us and get some exercise on our future ‘ Walks ’. details of which will be provided in the future. You never know, you may learn some interesting facts about the locations along with that of your fellow youthful members and it would be lovely if you could increase our numbers and get to know you a little better.
Probus Website: Bob Terras
Michael Lovedays Garden visit 2026
Visit to Branklyn Gardens Perth
On a most glorious day our President and good lady were out and about.
These gardens look their best when the azeleas and Rhododendrons are in Bloom.
Well worth a visit.
2026 Craigtoun Park
Our Web Site is slowly developing.
At the bottom of our Website report for meetings we now have three Google Links for the
Website, Probus Calendar and Secretary Email.
I have suggested that we all should forward any matter of interest found on our travels.
Last week on returning from Newcastle found a resting coffee place in Moffat. Have you seen
the Spitfire we were asked?
Not five minutes’ walk from Moffat centre along Well Street we came upon Dowding House.
Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding was born in Moffat. Pictures show resplendent in the Spring
Sunshine presented on the front grass a magnificent Spitfire.
Spitfire Moffat April 2026
Craigtoun Park May 2026
Walking Group
‘Walk’ from Balerno to Slateford. 28th April 2026
Walking Group,
Last Tuesday, 8 members of our Walking Group, took part in a lovely walk again, along the corridor of the ‘Water of Leith’ from Balerno, to Slateford, accommodating again pleasant warm “Walking’ weather.
Starting at Kirkcaldy Train Station at 9.25am, we travelled to Edinburgh, using our invaluable ‘Fife Travel Pass’, reaching Haymarket Station at approx. 10.15am. We then walked across the road to board our favourite No.44 Bus to Balerno. Reaching there at approx. 11.30am. Where we commenced our ‘Walk’ along the ‘Water of Leith’, viewing some spectacular vistas and expensive houses along the way, including the historic ‘Colinton Tunnel’, ( Which was completed in 1874 and is now the home to a 140 meter mural depicting a Child’s first train journey taken from Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem “ From a Railway Carriage ), arriving after a 5.2 mile ramble, at the ‘Water of Leith Visitors Centre’ in Slateford, to connect with our No 44 Bus back to Haymarket for approx. 1.50,pm where we had some expensive and limited snack meals & drinks at ‘The Haymarket’ ( a place to be avoided ). After which, we crossed over to Haymarket Station to catch the 2.45 train and return to Kirkcaldy around 3.30.pm
In conclusion, a pleasurable time out was had by all and I would add that all of the ‘Group’ expressed the reaction that it had been one of the most scenic and enjoyable Walks ( and longest ) that we have been on. Due in a large part to the weather, plus most of us had not been there before. Could I add that Allan and myself have taken many photographs, including that of the mural in the tunnel and the No 44 Bus !!. All of which can be seen on our Web Site.
Finally, as I state at the end of my reports, should anyone be interested in joining us in the future, please give me your details and like the rest of our Group, further information on our next Walk will be forthcoming in due course, weather dependant.
Date of Walk Tuesday 28th April.
Destination Waters of Leith – Balerno to Slateford
15th April 2026 Coffee at the Weavers
Winners
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
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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………… ……………………