Burntisland & Kinghorn Rotary Club

06/10/2026

30/09/2026

Speakers for the evening from The Polar Academy

The speakers for the evening were Eilidh and Amanda, two girls from Balwearie High School, (year 2025/26) they represented the group chosen by The Polar Academy to take part in an expedition to Finland. Eilidh and a few others visited the Club last year to give a talk about the start of their year- long training for the event, on Tuesday evening they returned to report on its success.

The Polar Academy is a charity – set up in 2012 – which identifies a certain type of young adult in Scottish schools and organizations, those who are often overlooked by the education system. The polar academy team trains them over a year and takes them on a truly unbelievable polar expedition. The idea is to change these kids’ outlook on life, coming back very different people to who they were when they start the programme 12 months earlier. After they return, they travel around other schools to inspire and motivate their peers.

President David commented that the Club has had many amazing and uplifting presentations to the Club over the years, but this presentation was up there as one of the best. Both girls, (now aged 17years) delivered a very articulate, descriptive and at times amusing description of their year long journey, culminating in the 100km trek in the Arctic region of Finland. They also spoke about their future plans and how they had met this year’s intake of the Polar Academy, from Ellon Academy in Aberdeen where they passed on some tips and information. The Club wishes them well for their careers in the future.

Past President Lesley Main delivered a well deserved vote of thanks.

29/09/2026

Club members enjoyed a fantastic trip to the May Isle, although, it was a bit stormy. This was followed by a meal at the Waterfront in Anstruther. Some great pictures by Rotarian Lesley Main.

27/08/2026

What a sad day today.

The world has lost an extraordinary entertainer, philanthropist and genuinely remarkable human being with the passing of Dolly Parton.

Most people will remember Dolly for the music, the rhinestones, the humour and that unmistakable voice. But for millions of children and families around the world, her greatest legacy may well be something much quieter, a book arriving in the mail. 📚❤️

Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995, inspired in part by her father, who never had the opportunity to learn to read and write. The idea was beautifully simple: give children free, age-appropriate books from birth until the age of five and help create a lifelong love of reading.

And that is where Dolly's story became intertwined with Rotary International

Since 2009, Rotary clubs have worked alongside Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to help bring books into the homes and hands of children in communities around the world.

It was a partnership that made perfect sense.

Literacy. Education. Opportunity. Community.

The very things Rotary members have championed for generations.

For me, Dolly's passing also brings back a very special Rotary memory.

I first saw Dolly in person at the Rotary International Convention in Montréal, Canada, in 2010.

I remember sitting there thinking just how impressive she was. Yes, she was a superstar, one of the most recognisable entertainers on the planet, but what struck me was the person behind all of that.

She was warm, authentic and incredibly passionate about giving children opportunities through literacy. She was also incredibly funny! I remember when Past RI President John Germ presented her with a Paul Harris Fellow and was awkwardly struggling to decide if he should put the lapel pin on her dress. She said "Oh just pin it on honey, it might be the 1st thing people notice for a change" 🤣

But Dolly understood something that I think sits right at the heart of Rotary:

You can use whatever platform you have to make somebody else's life a little better.

She certainly did that!

Her songs will continue to be played. Her movies will continue to make us smile. Her unmistakable image will remain part of popular culture.

But somewhere, a child will open a book because of an idea Dolly Parton had more than 30 years ago.

And perhaps that child will discover a love of reading, dream a little bigger and see possibilities they hadn't seen before.

Now THAT is a legacy that is working much longer than 9 to 5!

Thank you for the music, the laughter, the books and, most importantly, for showing the world that kindness and generosity never go out of style.

Rest peacefully, Dolly. 🌸📚🎶

We will always love you. ❤️

26/08/2026

Come and support our Charity Event "Night at the Races". This should be a great night out and is being held in our weekly meeting place The Burntisland Sands Hotel. Our main Charity for this event will be Prostate Scotland , and we will also be supporting other local charities. Tickets are available now, either from the Sands Hotel or the telephone number on the poster. We look forward to seeing you there.

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

The Club held a fellowship evening with a quiz night to follow. A new trophy for the Club was introduced as a gift from Past President Joan Metcalfe to be used for an occasion such as the quiz. The Trophy will be known as the Metcalfe Shield. After an excellent supper, provided by the Sands Hotel the quiz began providing a lot of laughter and fun. President David declared that the winners by quite a bit were Donald and George. President David presented them with the new trophy. (But maybe not for long !! )