Cowdenbeath Rotary Club remembered former member with award

A few weeks back, member Malcolm Slora put forward a presentation about information he had come across of the club members who celebrated the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the club, and the daughter of one of them got in touch with current secretary Tom Russell.

And club members saw it as an opportunity to mark the contribution of a person who was an important part of the Cowdenbeath community in the sixties and seventies.

Tom told the meeting: “Following Malcolm's presentation of the club's history, with photos and information regarding several notable past club personalities, including Mr Jim Gibson, who was president in 1971/72, and the last serving Town Clerk of Cowdenbeath Town Council,

“Suzanne McKinnon, the daughter of JCL Gibson, who now lives in Edinburgh, but still has a Cowdenbeath base and connecting interests, contacted me by email, and I met with her subsequently face to face, perchance at church!

“She saw the excellent coverage of Malcolm's talk in the Times and fondly referred to her memories of her dad in Rotary and family professional dealings with Malcolm, and our current president, Craig Bennet.

“I invited Suzanne to attend one of our meetings as our guest and so she chose tonight, and we thought that it would be fitting that we honoured her father's memory and service in some way, with a Posthumous Service Award.”

The award presented to Suzanne was worded: "In honour of Past President, J C L Gibson, Town Clerk, for dedicated service to Rotary and the Cowdenbeath community."

It was presented by Malcolm Slora to Suzanne, who was delighted by the occasion.

Suzanne said: “Dad was someone who really loved living and working in the Cowdenbeath community, and he would have been truly honoured to receive this award.”