Kirkintilloch Herald report
Added at 11:54 on 11 November 2025
This report was published in the Kirkintilloch Herald this week.
There was a good turnout for our meeting in October when the speaker was Dr Stan da Prato. Those of us expecting to hear about natural life and death interactions, confined to our gardens, were in for a surprise. Stan nonetheless entertained us with an eclectic collection of illustrated anecdotes, demonstrating, to quote his opening remarks, ‘ Sex, Violence and Skulduggery’, and encompassing plant and animal life worldwide. Content was wide ranging and delivered with humour as Stan shared his considerable knowledge of nature, including man’s exploitation thereof. Historical topics ranged from caster oil being used as a form of torture by Mussolini to Liz Truss’s short term in office being compared to the lifespan of a cut lettuce. We came away with some increased knowledge and many unforgettable images including a poignant one of a sculpture standing on Custom House Quay, Dublin, featuring life sized figures of starving people - a memorial representing the Great Irish Famine. And who can forget the orange haired Flannel Moth caterpillar, native to Tennessee and nicknamed Trumpillar?
Our next meeting will take place in Enterprise House on Thursday, November 20, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Unfortunately Frank Fraser has had to postpone his proposed talk on dahlias so we are currently arranging for an alternative speaker.
Prospective new members are welcome to turn up on the night or can call Paul Malcolm on 01415781520 for more information.