Following business and a meal our guest speaker was local farmer Ian Brown, who gave a most interesting talk about his family business and the way it has changed - and continues to change. 

He divided up his talk to firstly discuss his current crops of strawberries and flax and then to discuss the effects of climate change and to consider a possible future.

It was very interesting to learn just how different strawberry farming now is. Not so Long ago the crop was grown in soil with a variety of fertilisers. Today planting is entirely in raised containers, using coir as growing medium and with water and feed constantly and carefully metered and provided. Only biological fungicides and pest controls are used and, together with improved varieties, the growing season has been extended from 6 to 16 weeks. What was also clear is that the fruits must be of perfect appearance in order to sell to supermarkets and then the public.

Flax production is being driven by environmental pressures, requiring far less water than cotton and being a crop that absorbs a lot of carbon. There is also a move away from traditional ploughing as this actually releases significant amounts of carbon to the atmosphere. Climate change means that we also now see extended periods of dry - or wet weather in the East Neuk.

Speculating about the future in farming Ian said that we already see autonomous tractors - no driver needed. Drones are in use for agronomy and for spraying. Ultraviolet light is replacing chemicals in the control of mildew and the changes based on the power of AI is not far away.

In closing Ian commented on the way that distributor and supermarket pricing practices are impacting on farming. The danger he sees is that this could lead to the loss of farming for our own food security and supply.

This was a talk that led to many questions and following this an enthusiastic vote of thabks was proposed by Tony Lodge. 

At our first meeting of the new year, business covered options for another coastal path walk, 2025’s RYLA (Rotary Young Leadership Award) and plans for the Primary School Quiz. Our meeting of the 3rd February will also be our opportunity to invite the friends who helped with the ‘Christmas postal delivery service’ - ‘The Posties’.

Following business, speaker was  club member John O’Neill, an enthusiastic curler, who took curling stones as his topic.

We heard that, as of 2004, 60 to 70% of all curling stones in use  were made from granite from the island of Arran, off the Ayrshire coast. It is one of only two sources for all stones in the sport, the other being the Trefor Granite Quarry in Wales. Ailsa Craig produced two types of granite for curling, Blue Hone and Ailsa Craig Common Green. It was interesting to learn that the finer ‘Blue Hone’ stone is used for the underside which is in contact with the ice. The remainder is also made from Arran granite - but of  the less expensive ‘common green’ type. Production in Scotland is in Mauchline and by a small family business.

There was history too from the use of very rough rock used in the 1500’s to the gradual development of shaped stones through the 1600’s.

As well as the technology of the stones, John spoke of the history and joy of curling - from the days of the ‘Bon Spiel’ to places like Largs’ Marine and Curlinghall Hotel, where outdoor ice was provided in the winter months. 

A very interesting talk and following questions a warm vote of thanks was proposed by Colin Campbell.

Thanks to everyone who supported our Christmas Postal Delivery Service which this year brought in £2,025 - and as ever that is destined for charitable and good causes.

At 40p a card that's another 5,000 plus cards sorted and delivered. Thanks especially to Crail Pharmacy, The Corner Shop in Cellardyke, G H Barnett, St Monans Mini Market, Colinsburgh Corner Shop and Elie Newsagents as handing-in points. And a HUGE thank you to all the 'posties'.

Our meeting of the 16th December was the last of the year and an excellent social evening with partners and friends. A first class Christmas meal was provided by the Rockies restaurant, giving a seasonal flavour to a pleasent and relaxed gathering.

A much-appreciated address was given by Revd David Gordon, who is Episcopal priest at Pittenweem and carols were sung by the company, ably led by Miss Jessie Lyon on keyboard. This helped offset the stress of a rather demanding quiz set by Carol Brunton, and lifted the spirits after exposure to president Ian Brunton's usual dreadful jokes and stories!

Altogether though a fine evening and a warm vote of thanks was proposed by John O'Neill.   

our club meeting of 11th November opened with President Ian Brunton reflecting on Remembrance and the importance of the day in honouring the many who fell in defence of our freedom.

Following Grace and a meal several items of business were addressed including the sad news of the deaths of past club member Jim Horsfield and past Rotary District officer Cath Chorley. 

We also covered the upcoming events of the 14th November School Debate at Waid Academy and plans for another ‘Christmas post’ - most likely the 10th to 17th December.

Following business, our speaker was Ron Black, who gave an interesting and extremely well researched history of Henry Balfour and Company of Durie Foundry, Leven. This took the form of an illustrated timeline from the firm’s founding in 1810, up to today. It proved to be a remarkable story of continuous adaptation to changing technologies and business opportunities.

From the earliest times of simple iron-foundry production of cast Iron stoves, we were taken through the years of potash kettles, spinning mules, mining, iron ship building, steam engines and pumps, coal-gas production, oil refinery equipment, North Sea gas and oil exploration, chemical plant, brewery equipment and on to modern antibiotic and pharmaceutical process plant.

War times brought the need for armaments and ammunition - and in an unexpected surprise, to the manufacture of wings for the Hurricane fighter aircraft of WW2.

Diversification led to arc welding, to pressed steel manufacture and to development of the production of very specialised glass lining of tanks and other chemical processing equipment.

In concluding his talk Ron provided an insight to the ways companies diversify, restructure and become international players. Most recently the company became part of the international Pfaulder group and known within the the UK as Robbins and Myers UK Ltd.

Following questions, a vote of thanks was proposed by Ian Brunton.