Rotary proposes tribute to ‘extraordinary community’
President reveals plan to award all of Kintyre and Campbeltown
Normally at this time of year, The Rotary Club of Campbeltown asks the people of Kintyre to nominate individuals who have gone above and beyond to enhance the community, with one being selected Citizen of the Year.
In this extraordinary year, however, the club will be making a special award of Community of the Year to all the citizens of Kintyre and Campbeltown.
Rotary President Pat Healey explained how it was unanimously felt that to single out just one person would be an impossible task.
‘When we began discussions about this year’s award, it soon became clear to us how much everyone had contributed, from the youngest members of the community whose lives have been so disrupted, to the eldest, many of whom had to self-isolate and rely so much on others,’ she said.
‘And, of course, all the key workers and volunteers who have worked – and continue to work – so hard to make life safer and easier for all of us.’
Pat went on to explain that the club want to leave a lasting tribute to the resilience and spirit demonstrated throughout the year. She added: ‘We all know what an amazing community we have here but this year everyone has dug deep to keep finding that little bit extra and that deserves to be remembered.’
Club members have been quietly working on various aspects of this project over the past few months and will be sharing more news of these, and further plans, as the route back to normal life becomes clearer.
One of the projects is to collect children’s views and experiences of lockdown and about the resilience they have developed to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some wonderful material from primary schools has already been received and the club is working with the library to have these collated into a book. The hope is many more pupils will participate with writing, artwork and photography welcome.
‘But it’s not just the younger generations,’ continued Pat, ‘we’re also in contact with the Kintyre Writers Circle and The Kintyre Forum and are keen to hear from all individuals and groups who want to get involved or contribute.
‘As a focus for the various activities, we’re hoping to have a permanent marker somewhere in the town to recognise our extraordinary community spirit.’
If anyone has material they would like to submit for consideration, please contact Gail Edwards, Community and International Convenor for Campbeltown Rotary Club, at lindagailedwards@gmail. com or c/o The Argyll Arms, Campbeltown.
‘Everyone has dug deep to keep finding that little bit extra and that deserves to be remembered’