Laurencekirk & District

Fun and Friendship

Where do we meet?

Laurencekirk is part of Inner Wheel District 1, and we meet at the Panmure Arms Hotel, 52 High Street, Edzell. DD9 7TA. Meetings are held at 6pm for 6.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month. No formal meetings are held in July & August but coffee mornings, fundraising and social events continue throughout the year.

Our Club

Laurencekirk is one of the younger clubs in our District. We were chartered in 1985. We currently have 26 members. As well as the monthly meetings, members enjoy monthly coffee mornings, walks and outings as well as fundraising for local and international projects. Members of our local community knit squares which we sew together to create blankets for Blytheswood. The club recently produced this excellent poster to attract new members.

Orange the World

Laurencekirk & District Club members took part in Orange the World campaign events. They participated in the joint launch at Strathmore School at the end of November and are holding a coffee morning in support of Women’s Aid. Earlier in the year they promoted the campaign at the local flower festival with an orange based display in the photo below with President Marion.

RNLI lunch January 2025

Laurencekirk & District held a soup and pudding fundraiser for DC Jean’s charity, RNLI. Many thanks to all who contributed. Lots of chat and a chance to reminisce with Olive’s photo record of her time as District Chairman

40th Charter dinner

Kathleen Murray writes on District 1 Facebook page “We had a wonderful evening of food, laughter and friendship to celebrate 40 years of Laurencekirk & District Inner Wheel last night. We welcomed visitors from Perth, Stirling, Forfar and Montrose as well as DC Jean Hale, 1st Vice – Lynda Taylor, ISO Nanette Thomson , District Treasurer Susan Oliphant, Membership and Development Officer Annetta Anderson, Rotary Vice President Morag Mitchell and two former founder members. The speaker was Lyn Smith who provided a fascinating talk about astronomy.

President Gladys and Founder President Marion Robson cut the cake.”

At Harrogate Conference

Blankets for Hamlin Fistula

We held a cofffee morning to celebrate the completion of 27 large blankets for the Hamlin Fistula Hospital. Many thanks to all the members of our communities who knit squares. Our club members sew them all together and our ISO finished them all with blanket stitch. Great effort everyone!

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Club President

Laurencekirk & District Inner Wheel President

2025-26

Marion Robson

Committee Members

President – Marion Robson
Vice President – Kathleen Murray
Secretary – Gladys Johnston
Treasurer – Frances Wallace
International – Sandra Cooles
Club Correspondent – Denise Donald
Membership & Development – Kathleen Murray

New Members

President Marion inducted two new members into the Club in October – welcome Fiona and Jane.

ZOOM January Meeting

As usual our January meeting was held on Zoom to avoid travelling in unpredictable weather and this year we were thankful we did not have to travel in the awful weather we have had since the new year. President Marion welcomed all members and our speaker, Aileen North – who gave an informative presentation on the impact of Rotary’s work along with other agencies, including UNICEF, which is aimed at eradicating Polio worldwide. Currently Polio is still endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This debilitating and life limiting condition is spread by contact with dirty water and, sadly, there is no cure for Polio, but it is preventable.

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the vaccination programme has faltered as women were prevented from carrying out the vaccination clinics. Now men are being trained and educated to dispense oral vaccinations and to use the Pharma jet which delivers a shot of the vaccination through the skin but without a needle – a much less invasive technique for young children. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of vaccinations delivered even in the remotest areas of Afghanistan and work at border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan has helped to vaccinate refugee children.

District Rally in Forfar

Visit to RNLI Station

We all enjoyed a most enjoyable talk at the RNLI Lifeboat Station at Stonehaven where new member Sharon was inducted, followed by a delicious supper at the Ship Inn.

Promoting Inner Wheel

The Laurencekirk & District Club regularly attend community volunteer events at Mearns Community Campus. Members promote their club with an excellent poster – raising awareness through wearing IW t shirts and using banner flags at events.

District Chairman Visit

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DC Lynda visited Laurencekirk & District Club in November and is in the photo above with President Marion. Bunty Cooper who celebrated her 90th birthday is presented with a beautiful floral arrangement and is pictured with Lynda and Marion. Congratulations Bunty.

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Thank you Gladys

At the District AGM in June, Gladys stepped down as District 1 Secretary – a position she has held for the last 5 years! A huge THANK YOU from all members for your service, Gladys.

Laurencekirk members at D1 Assembly

Help at Rotary Coffee Morning

Members of Laurencekirk & District helped our local Rotary club at a coffee morning to raise funds for the community Bonfire night hosted by Laurencekirk Rotary. Working together – fun and service.

Charity Bazaar

This year’s Charity Bazaar will be held in the Masonic Hall, Laurencekirk on Saturday 7 March 10 am – 11.30 am. Come along and enjoy a cup of coffee and homemade cake. We will have a baking stall and fresh produce on sale as well as a raffle. Above – donations to many local charities from the funds raised at last year’s Bazaar Below – a few pictures from previous events

Christmas Party

Laurencekirk & District Rotary Club had a Christmas party on 16th December at the Panmure Arms Hotel. Many of the Inner Wheel Club members attended and the photos show that all had a great time.