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 984
Pathhead Church 7th April 2026
President Bill Brown opened the meeting at 10:30hrs.
Introduction to Speaker:
Speakers: Robin & Anne McAlpine
Topic: “Bus in the Sky, Planes on the Ground”
Vote of Thanks: Bill Brown
Previous minutes, matters arising – None
REPORTS
Membership: Bob Taylor
Reported the attendance numbers of 37 members present, 8 apologies and 0 guests.
IT: Jim Neilson
Nothing to report.
Press: Malcolm Walker, John Hamilton (both not present)
Nothing to report. This weeks report will be prepared by the Secretary.
Recorder: Bob Terras (not present)
Nothing to report.
Probus Website: Bob Terras (not present), read by Bill Brown
A wee thank you for feedback from Raith Probus members for accessing our web site.
Our secretary reminded me that a helpful link to access the Raith Probus web site appears on
the bottom left hand corner of our e-mailed minutes.
Please advise on your success viewing the Raith Probus Web Site.
Treasurer: Charlie Low
Balance in bank account at Financial Year, End viz 31st March, 2026, is £3,697. Finance records
being made ready for audit.
Welfare: Tom Reilly
I had hoped to welcome the return of Douglas Hamill at today’s meeting. Douglas had
undergone shoulder reconstructive surgery in February. Although Douglas is still in the
process of making a full recovery from this serious surgical procedure. He had planned to
make a return at today’s meeting but unfortunately a dental problem has delayed his
return.
Secretary: Allan Morton
Nothing to report.
Vice-President: Alistair Hugh
Nothing to report.
STANDING ORDER REPORTS
Speakers: Charlie Low
Attempting to secure speakers from August, 2026.
Social: Ragnar Ingebrigtsen, Alistair Hugh
Calendar of Events:
Wednesday 15th April Coffee morning Weavers 10am
Tuesday 21st April Curry Lunch after Probus meeting 12.30pm at Annapurna
Restaurant in Kirkcaldy
Tuesday 9th June Club Summer lunch – This will be at the Strathearn Hotel, menus
are now available from Ragnar. Please return by the second meeting in May
Wednesday 17th June Coffee morning Weavers 10am
Friday 25th Sep –
Monday 28th Sep
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
Friday 9th Oct Annual Dinner
In Planning Visit to a garden centre with meal
CONVENERS REPORTS
Cycling: John Chalmers
Nothing to report.
Further information: John Chalmers.
Gardening: Ron Steedman
Our first meeting of the year last month was attended by 8 members with 3 apologies.
Next Probus Gardening meeting is Thursday 16th April, 10.00 am at Kirkcaldy Golf Club. All
welcome.
Further information: Ron Steedman.
Golf: Robin McAlpine
2026 dates and venues have now been circulated. New members appreciated.
Our first outing will be on Thursday 30th April at Thornton Golf Club for a Texas Scramble,
please let Robin know if you are coming along. He will also be collecting the yearly fee of £12
shortly.
Further information: Robin McAlpine.
Lottery: Charlie Low
Collecting for May and June, 2026.
Photography: Allister Todd
The last meeting was cancelled due to lack of numbers.
Next meeting – Thursday 23rd April. 10.00. Kirkcaldy GC.
Further information: Allister Todd.
Snooker: Malcolm Walker (not present), read by Allister Todd
Eight members met on the 20th March 2026. An Easter Egg competition was held with the
winner being John Johnston with a break of 18. An easter egg was presented as the prize.
Styx Snooker Club.
Every Friday: 11.00 to 13.00.
Further information: Malcolm Walker.
Walkers: Ken Campbell
Last Tuesday, on a lovely sunny morning, nine of our ‘Probus’ members went on our monthly
‘Walk’, this time to St. Andrews and it’s West Sands. Seven of our Group, met up at Kirkcaldy
Railway Station at 9.30 to board the 9.39 Train to Leuchars. Our chief – Phil and John Johnston,
joined our train at Markinch. On reaching Leuchars at around 10.10, we then continued our
journey by bus to St. Andrews, arriving at 10.30, where we commenced our walk along the
West Sands, since the tide was out. A pleasant amble then proceeded for approx. 1 hour and
2 miles, and when, due to time restraints, it was decided to return towards the town, by part
beach and part roadway, for some well-earned and deserved refreshments.
We then reached the refreshment stop ‘the Dook’, ( see photographs on our Web Site ),
where despite its limited space, we all enjoyed a light and slightly expensive snack and drinks.
( Not alcoholic, I might add. ). Given that our sojourn had covered approx. 4 miles.
After our lunch break, it was time to return to the bus station, via the ancient Clubhouse and
views across the ‘Old Course’, watching some golfers attempt to put their putting skills to the
test on the way. We then boarded the bus to Leuchars and the train back to Markinch /
Kirkcaldy, arriving back at approx. 2.30.
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 at our next meeting. You never know, you may learn some interesting
facts about the locations along with that of your fellow members.
SPEAKER
The speakers were introduced by Jack Lowther and were Robin & Anne McAlpine on the topic
of “Bus in the Sky, Planes on the Ground”.
The Story of the Bus:
Robin introduced the talk by referring to the obscure title. No clues were leaked before the
meeting adding to the mystery!
Robin & Anne then presented a pre-war personal story set in 1938 and 1939. On reading her
father’s diaries Anne came across a quote from an entry in March 1938 which said “Went to
the Great Exhibition in 1938 and boarded a bus”. She was intrigued with the mention of a bus
so endeavoured to find out more.
Anne’s father, Jimmie Beck, was born in March 1913 in Glasgow. He left school at 14 and went
to work as an apprentice for an engineering firm, Kelvin Construction, becoming a qualified
structural engineer after many years of night school. He eventually worked there for 51 years
and retired in 1979.
He wrote a letter to Sir Arnold Hall, the chair of Hawker Siddeley at that time. It said “I well
remember our offices, they were then formed of an old 1914 -18 army hut with an open fire
and me, a wee boy wearing shorts stoking up the fire to dry the blueprints which I had taken
on a very large frame held up to the sun (if there was any).”
From an apprentice at 14 he worked his way through the company and eventually became
the managing director. The company constructed large functional buildings for industry,
typically as turnkey projects. They expanded across the UK then overseas.
As part of his work, Anne’s father worked on Kirkcaldy’s Ice Rink which opened in 1938, a
picture of its construction being shown. The Ice Rink is one of the few remaining Art Deco
buildings in the town which include the Fire Station, several Lady Nairn Avenue houses,
Burtons old shop, the Town Hall, a white house in Bennochy Avenue, the old Nairn’s offices,
the old Raith Cinema in Links Street, Marks and Spencer’s on the High Street, and the
Babyland shop on the Esplanade.
The company had contracts with Alexander Busses in Falkirk. They were asked to build a
pavilion at the Glasgow Empire Exhibition (one of only a few privately funded buildings). This
was to be held at Bellahouston Park between May and October 1938.
The exhibition aimed to showcase the industrial, cultural, and economic achievements of the
British Empire while promoting international trade, Scottish industry, and tourism. It aimed
to strengthen imperial bonds and demonstrate the peaceful aspirations of the
Commonwealth during a time of high international tension after the depression of the early
1930’s.
Robin & Anne travelled to the park in Glasgow and showed a photograph of the memorial
stone unveiled by George VI in 1937 in the park to mark the start of construction. The
exhibition was built in just 10 months over 187 acres. A new railway station was built at Ibrox
along with a 10,000 space car park. Within the site there were 108 buildings constructed.
The SMT (Scottish Motor Traction) pavilion was a showcase for Scottish busses and was built
by Kelvin Construction. Workmen worked all night on the many pavilions.
The exhibition was opened by the King at Ibrox stadium on 3rd May 1938 and included
buildings from all over the British Empire.
A newsreel film from the opening day was shown with a typically enthusiastic soundtrack.
The speech by the King referred to the fast 10 month build of the exhibition and to the many
members of the Commonwealth and Empire who supported the event. He then toured the
exhibition for four hours along with the Queen. Veterans of the previous exhibition from 1888
were also met by the King.
Inside the British Government pavilion were four exhibition halls devoted to the Fitter Britain
Campaign and the three national basic industries of coal mining, iron & steel and shipbuilding.
Along Dominions Avenue were the many exhibits from the dominions and colonies such as
Canada, Australia and South Africa. In the words of the commentator “So the great exhibition
received its Royal send off, a show that glorifies the British character, the British spirit and
determination and the British will to win!” It was the job of the exhibition to tell the world
about all these British characteristics.
Question: How many people attended the exhibition (including staff & employees) = 12.8
million attending from six nations and 34 colonies.
A bus was placed on the roof of the SMT pavilion by Anne’s father’s firm as shown by a
photograph showing the bus being taken up a ramp. The picture below shows the completed
building. Visitors were able to climb to the roof of the pavilion and sit in the bus, offering
views of the nearby amusement park run by Billy Butlin.
exhibition for four hours along with the Queen. Veterans of the previous exhibition from 1888
were also met by the King.
Inside the British Government pavilion were four exhibition halls devoted to the Fitter Britain
Campaign and the three national basic industries of coal mining, iron & steel and shipbuilding.
Along Dominions Avenue were the many exhibits from the dominions and colonies such as
Canada, Australia and South Africa. In the words of the commentator “So the great exhibition
received its Royal send off, a show that glorifies the British character, the British spirit and
determination and the British will to win!” It was the job of the exhibition to tell the world
about all these British characteristics.
Question: How many people attended the exhibition (including staff & employees) = 12.8
million attending from six nations and 34 colonies.
A bus was placed on the roof of the SMT pavilion by Anne’s father’s firm as shown by a
photograph showing the bus being taken up a ramp. The picture below shows the completed
building. Visitors were able to climb to the roof of the pavilion and sit in the bus, offering
views of the nearby amusement park run by Billy Butlin.
1
Thomas Tate was the overall organiser. He stated it was the kind of job architects dream
about, building a whole city in one go rather than just a few houses. A 300ft high skyscraper
(Scotland’s first) was built on a small hill giving a fine view of the pavilions along with views
all around for 80 miles. It was very popular and on the opening day over 35,000 people
climbed the tower. Sadly it was demolished due to being regarded as a war target
2
Only one building now survives, the Palace of Arts which is now a sports pavilion. The largest
building was the Palace of Engineering, the size of Buckingham Palace, but was moved to
Prestwick Airport where It can still be seen.
3
A second film was shown from the exhibition, “Presenting the empire to the empire and to
the world”. This highlighted the various palaces, colonial buildings and even a Highland Village
with traditional houses, a piper and stream. Many engineering marvels of the age were shown
such as an automated bread making production line. Finally there was an exciting ride on the
amusements including the scenic railway. Whoopee!
Question: How much was the daily adult entrance cost = 1 shilling, children were 6p
Question: What was the cost of putting on the exhibition in 1938 = £11.5 million (which is
£675 million in today’s money and was paid by the government).
A commemorative scarf was shown from a friends grandmother who attended the exhibition.
The Story of the Planes:
The diaries continued into the early days of the war and describe sleeper train journeys to
Manchester (even an eight hour drive with his boss) to construct massive hidden factory
buildings and aircraft hangers.
One underground factory had internal roads and even a camouflaged roof of imitation farm
buildings, stone walls, hedges (painted according to the season), Papier Mache cows (which
were manually moved around every day) and an authentic duck pond – all designed by people
from the film industry to confuse German bombers. It survived the war untouched while all
the time building Lancaster Bombers. There was an extended taxiway for the planes to be
moved to a nearby airport. At that time 17,500 people worked at the factory. The building
still exists as a private bonded warehouse.
Robin & Anne visited Manchester to see the buildings but could not gain access.
No more diary entries were made in the diary until the 1950s probably due to the official
secrets act.
In summary, 1938 was the year a bus went on a roof, the Kirkcaldy Ice Rink was opened and
aircraft were constructed underground.
The diaries were a great read and full of little details such as the weather for the day, even
ratings for cinema films in amongst the many mentions of working long days and nights.
Questions
Ronnie’s grandmother had a metal cannister tea caddy from the exhibition. He went to the
Festival of Britian after the war.
The success of the exhibition skyscraper can be compared today with the failing Glasgow
Science Centre Tower showing the decline of our engineering skills.
Do you know how much preparation work was undertaken before the start of construction?
No, could have been years of work for all the hundred buildings.
Is there anything left in the park? – Just the memorial stone as all the buildings were designed
to be taken down after the exhibition.
The 10 month construction time for the whole exhibition was unfavourably compared to the
imminent 1 year closure of Bennochy Bridge for re-construction.
How long did it take to prepare this talk? – It started with a box of diaries, then followed by
investigations over a year including a trip to Manchester. The diaries were a real insight into
the past.
What happened to the bus? – Probably just taken down and put into normal service.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Bill Brown who said the talk was fascinating and
entertaining. Made particularly interesting by the family connection.
NEXT MEETING
Date: 21st April 2026
Speaker: Mark Gardiner
Topic: Diageo / Cameron Bridge Distillery
Vote of Thanks: George Legge
AOCB:
There will be a Committee Meeting at 10am on 14th April 2026 at the West End
Congregational Church on the High Street.
The meeting closed at 11:38hrs.
Allan Morton
Secretary
Probus Website: www.probusonline.org/raith-of-kirkcaldy/
Secretary Email: RaithProbusSec@gmail.com
Walking Group
Next ‘Walk’ from Balerno to Slateford.
The details for our next “Walk’ are shown below for inclusion on the Screen at this Tuesday’s meeting.
Date of next Walk Tuesday 28th April.
Destination Waters of Leith – Balerno to Slateford
Travel details 9.25am Train – Kirkcaldy to Haymarket, then the No 44 Bus from Haymarket to Balerno. – 35 to 40 mins.
Terrain Good Walking Paths, apart from 2 rows of steps 1 up & 1 down and a slight incline.
Duration 4½ > 5 miles
Start of walk Kirkcaldy Train Station @ 9.15am approx., to catch the above train.
Return Bus back to Haymarket to catch the 14.03pm or 14.45pm train to Kirkcaldy.
Refreshments ‘The Haymarket’. ( across from the Bus Stop ).
Could I please ask that those intending to join this ‘Walk’ give me their names to avoid any unwarranted delays at the Station or missing anyone out on the trip.
And remember your Travel Pass.
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
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………… ……………………