11 of us, including a possible new member – Julia Roberts aka Norma – met at Sartis on 9 August and had a lovely lunch and a good catch up. There was a slight confusion about the table layout but it was all resolved amicably! The new session starts on 18 October and details will be sent out to everyone late September.
18 members and guests gathered on 15 March to listen to Rear Admiral Mike Gregory talk to us about "From the army to submarines". What an interesting talk he gave. We listened, mesmerised, to his memories of the early part of his career and a brief insight into submarine command.He happily answered various questions – without, of course, revealing any state secrets!
Our AGM took place at the start of the meeting. Dennis has decided to stand down from the committee and we are very grateful to him for all the work he has put in over the years. The committee will meet, in the next couple of weeks, to discuss next session. One suggestion was that we abandon January and February, thereby avoiding the bad weather (maybe!!). No decisions were taken but all will be discussed, in depth!
Thank you as always to all those who brought raffle prizes and congratulations to the lucky winners.
It was great to have such a good turn out for our final meeting of the session.
2018 started with a flurry – of snow! So much so that the January meeting had to be cancelled as conditions underfoot were decidedly dangerous. This meant that the much anticipated "Antiques Road Show" didn't happen.
Fortunately, by February, the weather was much improved and nine of us gathered on 15th February to hear Christine's continuation of her research into her family history. As always her talk and the accompanying slides were fascinating. This time she also included some Glasgow history. Using archives from The Mitchell in Glasgow Christine was able to show us photographs of times long past, including the Duke Street prison, records from the Poor House and old maps. You can watch a short film clip of Duke Street prison being demolished by clicking here.
I think we hit a record for the number of raffle prizes and most of those present went home with something.
16 November 2017
Our November meeting was also very well attended. It is great to see so many members coming along. Thank you to those who brought along raffle prizes – we hope the lucky winners enjoy their wine/biscuits/chocolates!
Our speaker – Kathleen Cartwright – gave an extremely interesting presentation, with amazing photographs. Her topic was North Greenland. Kathleen and her husband used to run a travel company that specialised in trekking type holidays in the North Arctic areas. Imagine being dropped off, in a very remote area, by small plane and then walking or going by small boat to see the geology, flora and fauna of the area including the occasional sightings of polar bears (fortunately well fed and not therefore interested in the trekkers!). We all collectively “aahed” at the photographs of the Arctic Fox cubs and various other similarly cute animals and birds. The trekkers lived in their tents for the duration of the holiday, one speciality on the menu was freshly caught Arctic Char. Apparently it is very like salmon.
Our new venue proved even better on the second visit as this time we knew where everything was!
Our November meeting was also very well attended. It is great to see so many members coming along. Thank you to those who brought along raffle prizes – we hope the lucky winners enjoy their wine/biscuits/chocolates!
Our speaker – Kathleen Cartwright – gave an extremely interesting presentation, with amazing photographs. Her topic was North Greenland. Kathleen and her husband used to run a travel company that specialised in trekking type holidays in the North Arctic areas. Imagine being dropped off, in a very remote area, by small plane and then walking or going by small boat to see the geology, flora and fauna of the area including the occasional sightings of polar bears (fortunately well fed and not therefore interested in the trekkers!). We all collectively “aahed” at the photographs of the Arctic Fox cubs and various other similarly cute animals and birds. The trekkers lived in their tents for the duration of the holiday, one speciality on the menu was freshly caught Arctic Char. Apparently it is very like salmon.
Our new venue proved even better on the second visit as this time we knew where everything was!
19 October 2017
Our first meeting of the new session was on Thursday 19 October. It was great to see so many there – 15 – and our new venue is brilliant!
Self service coffee/tea worked very well and the biscuit tin was well stocked. Suitably replenished we all listened, with great interest, to Emma Martinelli. Emma works for RSPB Loch Lomond and updated us on the progress made over the last two years as this reserve develops. There is now a direct entrance to the top part of the reserve with a short trail through the woodland. From here you can see Loch Lomond and, during the summer, see and hear the ospreys wheeling around overhead. Of course there is something to see all year round and there are beautifully carved benches around the trail where you can sit and just listen and watch.
We were reliably informed that the rare Spotted Crake has been seen and heard on the reserve - its call resembles a dripping tap! So, should you visit the reserve in early Spring do listen carefully!
The in-house photographer, who isn't necessarily reliable – completely forgot about taking photographs until the very end. By then most people were on their way home but a few faithfuls were still catching up on the chat as seen below!
Our next meeting is on Thursday 16 November, we hope everyone will be there.