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 986
Pathhead Church 5th May 2026
President Bill Brown opened the meeting at 10:28hrs.
The following cards were presented:
Mike & Pam Paton – Diamond Wedding
Roy & Ann Daniels – Golden Wedding
Jack Cook – 80th birthday
Introduction to Speaker:
Speaker: David McNeil
Topic: “Literacy in Scotland”
Vote of Thanks: George Grant
Previous minutes, matters arising – 1000th meeting committee – reminder to members that
we are seeking volunteers to join this committee. Any ideas please to Alistair Hugh.
REPORTS
Membership: Ray Griffiths
Reported the attendance numbers of 45 members present, 6 apologies and 0 guests.
IT: Jim Neilson
Nothing to report.
Press: John Hamilton
John will prepare the press report for this week.
Still looking for volunteers.
Recorder: Bob Terras
A new address for George Legge has been provided.
Probus Website: Bob Terras
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.
Treasurer: Charlie Low
Accounting records audited for 2025/2026 by Colin Fowler and Michael Loveday to whom I
express my most sincere thanks.
A price has been provided for new darker blinds in the hall. The committee members
approved the installation of these blinds at this price.
Welfare: Tom Reilly
We are pleased to welcome back Graeme Burns to our Probus club meeting today after a
recent visit to hospital.
Secretary: Allan Morton
A reminder to members that the Glenrothes Model Railway Exhibition is on this weekend at
the Lomond Centre. See flyer at the end of the minutes.
Vice-President: Alistair Hugh
Nothing to report.
STANDING ORDER REPORTS
Speakers: Charlie Low
Speakers-a few remaining dates to be finalised.
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.
Menus available now, to be returned by the second meeting in
May
Contact Ragnar Ingebrigtsen
Wednesday 17th June Coffee morning Weavers 10am
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
Nothing to report.
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. 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
Thornton outing 30th April – results:
Winner (39pts) Ray Griffiths.
Second (38 pts) Bob Taylor.
Third (32 pts) John Fairfull.
Longest drive John Fairfull.
Nearest pin Ray Griffiths.
A bottle of red wine was presented to Ray Griffiths.
Next outing 14th May – Dunnikier GC 10.00 tee off.
Let Robin know availability to play.
Dues of £12 now being collected.
Further information: Robin McAlpine.
Lottery: Charlie Low
Lottery – collecting stake money for May and June.
Photography: Allister Todd
We held a meeting last week with the president in attendance. Excellent photographs of
insects were admired.
Looking for more members to attend the meetings.
Next meeting – Thursday 28th May. 10.00. Kirkcaldy GC.
Members photographs: These are now all available for presentation on the meeting slides.
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
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. 10.03am. We then walked across
the road to board our favourite No.44 Bus to Balerno. Reaching there at approx. 10.45am.
Here 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 pm 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 Website.
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.
I have just learned that our illustrious leader Phil, has been in touch with ‘The Haymarket’ (
Incidentally, owned by the Miller & Butlers Organisation ), mentioning our criticism of A )
Portion Size, given the price !! B ) Not knowing the difference between Fish & Chicken and
C ) items thrown together. Not to mention the single lump of lettuce in one of the
sandwiches. Etc, Etc.
They replied in a rather lengthy e-mail, which I will not go into, other than to say that they
apologised and have offered the four members of our Group who had the most minimalist
loaded chips, a lunch and a drink each. To which those members have declined to accept.
(Once bitten twice shy).
SPEAKER
The speaker was introduced by Jack Lowther and was David McNeil on the topic of “Literacy
in Scotland”.
David was a marketing manager for Nairn’s, and has worked with Edinburgh colleges. On
retiral he has worked with the SQA and has been delivering Scottish qualifications in China.
He is a Raith Rovers season ticket holder.
Today’s topic is Literacy in Scotland. The freemasons (of which David is a member) were
looking at what they could do to make a positive impact on society. Recently they had been
raising money for Prostate Cancer charities, a total of £1.7 million raised so far. As this work
was in its latter stages they have started to encourage people to assist others with their
literacy. Therefore they launched a joint collaboration between the Grand Lodge of Scotland
and the National Literacy Trust. The basis is that “literacy changes everything”.
This talk will cover:
• What is literacy and what happens around Scotland?
• What is the impact of low literacy levels and what’s being done about it?
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets you communicate and
make sense of the world. Without these skills people will be left behind, unable to even use
the simplest of paper or digital tools to navigate the world throughout their entire life.
Currently:
• 1 in 4 adults have very poor literacy skills.
• 2 in 5 children enjoy reading in their free time.
• 1 in 3 8-18 year olds in Scotland enjoy writing in their free time.
• 1 in 5 Scottish pupils left primary school unable to read well at the expected level.
What is the impact of low literacy? Two thirds of 7-14 year olds with serious behavioural
problems have a language impairment. Many come from families where communication is
not prevalent.
Five year olds with poor vocabulary are 1.5 times more likely to have mental health problems
as adults and twice as likely to be unemployment in adulthood.
Over 60% of young people in young offender institutions have communication difficulties.
This places a strain on society through the Police, NHS etc. Typically such people will have
children who will inherit the same problems as their parents. Breaking this cycle of poor family
literacy needs to be a priority.
It’s a sensitive issue:
• There are many reasons why children and adults may not read.
• Adult role models play a crucial role in helping children develop. Reading a book at
bedtime to a child is really important.
• It’s helpful to remember that literacy is about more than just reading.
• Technology is a part of our lives and can be used as a tool to support reading, writing
and communication.
How are we addressing these issues in Scotland?:
The National Literacy Trust have a hub based in Dundee helping troubled families with a box
of crayons, pens, games, maps, things to draw on and books – One parent reported “After
you gave her the new book, she wanted me to read it again and again and again. We know
every word now.”. Getting the family members talking to each other is a key aim which the
box supports. All through improved communication and literacy.
Libraries throughout Scotland have become community hubs featuring games nights,
newspapers as well as books, many in electronic formats.
Val McDiarmid and Billy Connolly have both stated they would never have become successful
without the support of their local library. Billy says “Libraries are the tunnels through which
the working classes can go to access the greatest minds in the world and its free!”
The Scottish Book Trust are funded by the Scottish Government and run Bookbug events
which transform lives through reading and writing. The “Reading Schools Initiative” has been
joined by 50% of schools in Scotland. Through the initiative you get various membership levels
based on how much the community has been involved with the school. At one school, Drop
Everything And Read (DEAR) is an initiative to make books the core of how the schools works
including with the curriculum.
How can you help?
There is a book swap at Kirkcaldy Railway Station. David supplied some books and they quickly
vanished. He added more and found new ones being provided by others helping the
community. They are being typically picked up by people travelling by train.
Other areas can also benefit from book swaps. There are eight nationalities in Linktown alone
which need literacy help. Similarly at Linton Lane, Leven High Street and via Autism Rocks in
Buckhaven (a charitable organisation which provides help, support and advice to over 3800
autistic families and individuals), book swaps lead the way to literacy.
Other ways to help:
• Join the local Community Library and persuade others to join.
• Set up a community bookshelf. It does need to contain suitable books. Although there
a book shelf at the St. Bryce Centre it is all full of bibles, not quite what is needed.
• Offer to read stories in a local nursery or school or to help keep their library tidy.
• Donate books to organisations and groups.
• Buy a book for a child you know and read it to them.
• Recommend books you have read for others to enjoy too.
• Set up a book group with friends or family.
• Organise a book hunt in your local area, such as in the Beveridge Park.
• Find out about literacy opportunities near where you live and lend your support to
such initiatives as Poetry Clubs etc. At a school in Calendar £5,000 worth of books have
been donated by parents and the schools staff including a donation by the Grand
Lodge of Scotland. In Burntisland and Kinghorn the rotary group supplied pre-loved
books to ensure that every primary school child gets a book, many supplied by the
Grand Lodge.
National Literacy Champions:
• Visit the National Literacy Trust’s website. They can obtain books at a discount due to
special deals with publishers.
• Become a National Literacy Champion Volunteer.
• Pick up a leaflet after this talk.
Every baby in Scotland gets a book in their baby box (supplied by the Scottish Government)
with 375,000 boxes having been sent out. They are sensory books with a mirror to give the
baby a first image of themselves.
Questions
Could you expand in the ability to listen? In China, Scottish literacy is highly regarded.
However, our children fail with their critical thinking, i.e. understanding news and information
on websites etc. In China they are focussed on just one answer to a question. Listening more
allows you to hear what the other person is saying, rather than just shouting. Critical thinking
is a more important skill in today’s world, more than maths and arithmetic, so that the one
truth can be determined. Emotions behind words are being lost to children in our digital
world.
Costa in Kirkcaldy has a book exchange (with books wrapped in brown paper so you don’t
know what book you are picking up). How do you feel about Dolly Parton supplied books in
this area? This is a fabulous initiative (the Imagination Library:
https://imaginationlibrary.com/ ) where books are taken to children’s homes. Some schools
in Fife have also been supported by this organisation.
Many books come in groups, i.e. sci-fi series and I don’t want to split them up via a book swap?
This is a hard question to answer. Some book swaps can order other parts of book series.
Has literacy got worse since Victorian times maybe due to our social media addictions? My
favourite author is Charles Dickens whose writing is excellent, however there does not seem
to have been a significant change in literacy capabilities over the centuries, the scale of the
problem remaining mostly unchanged. There are small improvements being seen in Scotland
with the initiatives discussed today, however slowly.
The Fife Heritage Railway has a book swap at its Kirkland station. It’s very rare to see a child
coming down the station ramp without carrying at least one book? Another excellent
initiative worth supporting but needing a higher profile. There is also a Silverburn book club
which is over-subscribed.
The Vote of Thanks was given by George Grant who said it was the most interesting and
infectious talk given with great enthusiasm. We need to apply these initiatives to numeracy
as well.
NEXT MEETING
Date: 19th May 2026
Speaker: Robin Ozog
Topic: “From Ruff to Rough”
Vote of Thanks: Bob Taylor
AOCB:
The AGM will be on 16th June, please provide any motions to the secretary with proposer and
seconder names.
The meeting closed at 11:50hrs.
Allan Morton
Secretary
Probus Website: www.probusonline.org/raith-of-kirkcaldy/
Probus Calendar: calendar.google.com/calendar …
Secretary Email: RaithProbusSec@gmail.com
Spitfire Moffat April 2026
Walking Group
‘Walk’ from Balerno to Slateford. 28th April 2026
Walking Group,
Walking Group, Mr. President ; Mr. Speaker – David ; Gentlemen.
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………… ……………………