SPEAKERS 2026

Polar Academy. Have you ever woken in the morning hoping that a wee bit of much needed inspiration brings you too and kick starts the day? I did, and then I met Wendy, Chloe, Jessica, Millie and Alex. A truly uplifting combo of ladies representing the Polar Academy. I hear you ask what is that? The four youngsters explained in detail with confidence and humour how they had undergone a rigorous selection and training process to prepare them for this life changing experience. I wondered as they spoke whether the physical demands thrown their way might have put the SAS to shame. These included canoe capsizing, rope tying underwater,breathing control, pulling your own weight in tyres indoors and in the cold St Andrews North Sea. A press up challenge, stamina building, climbing, abseiling, walking up to your neck in the cold North Sea at St Andrews. A process collectively termed the ‘ insanity’ weight training. Allied to this was learning to ski and hike long distance on snow and ice, skills which helped them survive the brutal arctic storm known as the Piteraq which engulfed them while on the expedition in Greenland. In brief an arduous productive example of bonding and synergy. I heard today’s gathering of approx 40 members often gasping in admiration at the sheer devil con do attitude this experience has instilled in these normal but remarkable youngsters. Indeed when asked each speaker evidenced a catharsis of self analysis of how they were pre and post polar experience. Lack of self confidence, direction and purpose or self replaced by growth in many social skills, confidence and drive ‘ to do’ and achieve future goals. Those who’d bullied them were no longer regarded as a threat’ we can achieve anything’ and they had the self belief to know that their expedition proved this. Fear nothing. A common theme was their need to put something back and help those going through the same juvenile uncertainty, school bullying, withdrawal and possible mental health issues they’d experienced. Each felt they are in ‘ the polar academy’ for life. There’s a song that starts’ woke up this morning feeling sad’ I had, but that feeling didn’t last long thanks to these remarkable folk. Thanks. https://www.thepolaracademy.org/

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Andy Strachan spoke to 42 of us about Glenrothes Mens Shed. Its origins were post World War 2 Australia where many returning Anzac veterans faced bleak employment prospects. Incidents of domestic violence, alcoholism, suicides soared. Time to act. Andy detailed how this happened and how the concept spread to our shores. The Shed provides a practical skills workshop where members and visitors can practice new skills or enjoy quiet moments away from home. For example, metal work, carpentry, to simply coming in to read a paper, do a jigsaw, chat, offload’ with no bull’. He outlined the the physical and mental benefits that clearly derive from this venture or should I say life adventure? The positive outcomes were confirmed by several club members who’ve thoroughly enjoyed their experience of the shed. Establishing a legal framework, identifying a suitable building and grounds, along with the financial sourcing required demanded patience and skill as did heating the building, securing it from intruders, installing an effective burglar alarm, and heating, and equipment acquisition including a van to carry equipment and stores. Quite an enterprise managed by enterprising folk clearly with a can do attitude the spirit of which was felt by our gathering this morning. A synergy. Details of practical projects for community groups, for parks and gardens were shared with us along with individual shed participants skills enhancement, that ever so vital psychological boost that enhances a life, were also shared with us. Questions were asked of Andy about community links referral routes, and subsequent programmes included women. A thoroughly enjoyable informative well spent hour was this. Our thanks to The Shed. 

Our guest speaker Roberta Goodall has an impressive CV and her talk on Ancestry was as impressive. Focusing on her own family history she carefully outlined several key hints about family history research which will provide a rich vein for the researcher. The joy of discovery draws many eureka moments, but one should never be surprised by the hidden surprises that ‘ moving the stones’ reveal. For example, you might not know you have another family member- a long lost relative you had no idea about. Imagine the psychological impact that has, let alone a necessary alteration in the family tree and direction of study. Caution at such times is wise as is the routine triangulation of source material at all times, coupled with an abundance of patience. Discipline too, lest the process becomes an obsession. Thus we discovered the fascinating history of some of her family, and we felt the joy, excitement, danger, pathos and grief wrapped up in these individuals lives. These days it is also possible to provide some well known ancestry research sites with your DNA. The results they produce enhance the process. This was a joyous talk and it was keenly appreciated by the forty members present many of whom have traced their own roots. A past President gave the vote of thanks. It would be great if Robert’s could return to the club to present us with more family history.

Following its introduction in Scotland, the Hebert Protocol has been used many times to trace missing people with dementia and return them home. It is another example of how emergency and care services are working together to keep those with dementia safe.

Joe Fitzpatrick gave 36 members of Glenrothes Probus club an update on the excavation of the royal Pictish site in Falkland. He held our attention for an hour of a well informed detailed briefing which made you feel as if you were there unravelling well hidden local history. His audience was riveted and judging by their questions appreciated the eclectic skill base required of archaeology. This superb talk enhanced that appreciation of local history, geomorphology, ancient social structure, and the interplay between Roman invader and indigenous Pict population. The well established ancient local and European trade routes and the cultural melting pot of history, in the unique setting of what is now Fife where the Romans’ treatment of the population stood in contrast to their response to the population further north of what is now Scotland. As my history teacher in upper school used to say ‘ the past is the present flowing into the future.’ Archaeology certainly brings the term ‘ rock on’ into a different dimension.
https://falklandsociety.org.uk/.../JoeFitzPatrick11Dec201...

Dr James More Our Earth in Space. Well what a talk we enjoyed this morning by James More. He took us by the edge of our seats on a one hour trip through our solar system and onward into the universe. Each planet’s environment providing a lesson for us on Earth and particularly a warning that eventually as stars collapse we will need to leave this planet, as well as learning how better meantime to look after it. Acid rain reigns on one planet, and it literally destroyed many probes sent there until a successful Venusian landing was achieved until the conditions destroyed the probe. 600 miles an hour storms affect the atmosphere and geomorphology on Mars. The Sun’s rays take 9 minutes to reach us. A Pioneer space probe, decades after launch soon reaches one light day away from us, and still it signals home. Our imaginations were fired up by this kind of information. Most of us present being an age to have witnessed and be inspired by the birth of space exploration. But our significance as curious intelligent beings capable of superb engineering and exploration dwarfs into insignificance when we consider our immediate planetary neighbours and the ever evolving science measuring star evolution across the millions of galaxies. This was a talk that was mind boggling, as was the imagery taken from earth and beyond that evidenced the science. That of the birth, evolution, and death of planets, suns and the constant birth of galaxies across the skies. The presentation equalled the quality of the many media presentations by well kempt scientists. It was enthrallling. 

Eliza Twaddle spoke to 39 members about the work of the Glenrothes Foodbank. A receptive audience appreciated that this outfit has a professional strategic approach to its voluntary work the beneficiaries of which include individuals and families of all sizes. Referrals come from a variety of sources, as does funding,and support is not limited to provision of much needed food. Work with key stakeholders including process analysis, is essential in providing a multi agency network of on going support with the aim of alleviating some of the pressures that led to the referral in the first instance. The sad reality is that there is a need for food banks and the brutal reality is that they continue to exist because they meet these essential needs, whilst doing so in a dignified manner. While much might appear not to work at a National or macro government level what with copious constant changes in direction but seemingly to limited effect, here in Glenrothes there is an initiative that on a micro level has focus, dedication, respect, trust and evidence of positive outcomes. We hope that Eliza and her colleagues along with Foodbank beneficiaries flourish. Thanks Eliza for a great talk. https://www.facebook.com/Glenrothesfoodbank/?locale=en_GB https://glenrothes.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/.

Steven Beveridge from Glenrothes Baptist Church spoke to forty one members included guests from Cowdenbeath about the Friendship camps in Romania. Steven is also know to many members given the club’s association and socialising at that church’s Bridge cafe. He detailed the history, planning, fund raising and the hard physical graft required to establish this camp in Sistarovat Romania. The work being driven by participants spirituality and values.Faith underpins every aspect of work, volunteering and participation in the camp. An all hands to the deck approach which enhanced ‘ staff’ volunteers’ skills from zero ability to the collective synargy formed in literally building an entity up from the hard ground of a Romanian hilltop. This was evidenced by photos, and participants words to video camera. During the summer months approx 10000 children in Romania have experienced this summer camp. It has made and enhanced friendships, promoted trust, built confidence and transformed many lives through its multi disciplinary activities and shared experiences, be they carried out in the very hot summer weather or the cold windswept nights that one year ripped the roof off of one of the buildings. 
One of the perils to be negotiated in this part of the world are mega wasps. Stevens description of these beasts stunned the audience as if they’d grasped the nettle! This was a particularly uplifting talk which members very much appreciated. Past President John Sinski gave the vote of thanks. 

43 members enjoyed a well researched detailed in house presentation by Ron Campbell.The subject matter was the Flying Witches who were the Soviet Union’s elite all female crew, who attacked and bombed the invading Nazis in a combination of three low flying aircraft at low rev. Listening to this I imagined them to be air warfare’s equivalent of guerrila warfare.The planes including the Polikarpov Po2, flew so deadly quiet and low they evoked the image of flying witches. Ron detailed the political, social, logistic, economic and patriotic factors in the creation of the 588 and 46 squadrons, their specific missions, track record, political oversight, the evolution of Smersh, and the post war casual dismissal of the pilots who were expected to return to the make decided stereotypical female domestic roll. The latter process was similar to the treatment of the all female pilots in the UK’s ATA during WW2 and also to their peers in the USA. Reference was also made to literature on this subject. Members expressed their delight in the quality of Ron’s research, the shared view of members is that he is clearly a master of this subject. An equally detailed vote of thanks was delivered by Chris Simpson.

Club member Alistair McCabe delivered a well received talk on the process of de commissioning a North Sea oilfield.This is an intricate technical and lengthy process which his presentation explored in detail supplemented with photographs of key installations, diagrams of critical exploratory events including oil rig and well construction.He concluded the talk by explaining the equally complex multi organisation termination procedures reflecting on the contrast in the wider environmental factors taken in to account in the 2020’s compared to the 1970’s rush to explore and exploit.

Thanks Alistair.