Wollaton Park Charter

Having been off-line for a couple of days due to a line fault, I am now just catching up again.

On Tuesday, 6th November I attended the Thanksgiving Service following the sad death of Honorary Rotarian George Lowe (Rotary Club of Ripley) at Wood Street Chapel, Ripley.      George was a dearly loved member of the Rotary Club and a member of that church.  The service was led by a friend of George, Rotarian The Reverend Mike Redshaw of the Rotary Club of West Ashfield.    Rotarian Bob Smyth from the Rotary Club of Ripley gave the tribute to George.

George celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year with a total of seven parties - all of which I am told he thoroughly enjoyed.     He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

At 5.30pm I attended a Leadership Development Training meeting at The Novotel, chaired by John Barker from Newark Castle.  Also present were Peter Moralee, Steve Lawes and David Pedlar and Gail.  We sorted out a programme and arrangements for next year's District Officer Planning Seminars and also the Presidents' Elect Planning Seminar.  (These things don't happen on their own you know)  We made a few changes from this year, based upon feedback from delegates at this years events.

Following straight on from this (no time for tea.) was the District Team Meeting.   This was very well attended with 24 people sitting round the table.   We just managed to squeeze into the room.      President Ian Young from Hucknall gave a short presentation on the value of using Social Media for promoting District Events,

Various reports were presented to the meeting and in addition I gave a short presenatation on the present Re-Districting proposals.     More about these will be circulated to clubs over the weekend.

The meeting ended at 9.15pm when Gail and I drove back to Belper for a bite to eat before bed.

The following day saw me up quite early getting ready to attend the Volunteering Fair at Derby University where we had a stall to promnote Rotary.    I was joined by a very willing volunteer, Rtn Laura Harmer who worked really hard - bearing in mind she did not finish her night shift till 5am - that's service above self for you.

There was a steady throughflow of people in the Atrium but we were never run off our feet so to speak.

Next to us was The Rotary Club of Derby trying to drum up interest in The Rotaract Club of Derby and doing quite well itseemed.

The Fair finished at 3pm and I was able to get home and changed just in time to be picked up and taken to the Rotary Club of Wollaton Park Charter Celebration at The Village Hotel in Chilwell.  There were over 100 people in attendance and the atmoshere in the room was great.

After a very tasty meal and the usual toasts, excellent entertainment was provided by "Victory Belle" who sang and danced till about 11.30pm when the evening was closed by the Club President Mike Lucas, who had been accompanied by his wife Daphne.   The ladies on the top table were presented with flowers.   Gail was really pleased with the arrangement she was given.

Thanks to Laura for her hard work at the fair, to Peter Shepherd for acting as my driver for the Charter Night and for Gail for accompanying me again.