IRVINE’S Seagate Rotary has been named the West of Scotland Rotary Club of the Year.

At the recent Rotary District meeting, Seagate was recognised for its significant contribution to the local and wider community out of 50 clubs in the area.

The speaker at Seagate’s own meeting last Monday was Heath Thomson, a Rotary Global Scholar from Alabama studying for a Masters in Education Policy at Glasgow University.

Rotary sponsors a small number of exceptional students to study abroad and widen their horizons.

Heath talked about his background in rural Alabama, and his thesis studying the disproportionately adverse effect of the student loan system on students from poorer economic groups.

He answered questions on various different aspects of the American and UK education policies, and a vote of thanks was proposed by Fiona Lee.

This week Seagate are running a barbecue and crepes for the Chernobyl children over here from Ukraine, and they are also being treated to a pampering session at Pam & Co Hair and Beauty.