Tonight we held the last District Executive meeting of the Rotary year at The Novotel, Long Eaton. As well as the executive team for this year we also welcomed the 2013/14 team many of who were the same, but with just one or two changes.
Various matters were raised and discussed and they will go forward for inclusion on the agenda for the District Council Meeting on 13th June.
Thursday, 23 May 2013
West Bridgford supporting Diveable 22nd May
The weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of West Bridgford tonight had been allocated by President George as a special evening. I accepted his invitation to attend and in fact acted as chauffeur to the main speaker for the evening, Miles Hilton-Barber. Miles is a blind adventurer who devotes his life to raising awareness of blindness.
His philosophy in life is that the only thing stopping anyone from doing anything is the boundaries they set for themselves. Miles gave a most inspirational speech highlighting how he wasted the first thirty years of his life thinking that because he was blind he could not do the things he might like to do. It was only when he realised that being blind should not stop you experiencing the things that you want to experience that his life opened up for him.
Since that time he has climbed mountains, he has run marathons in the heat of the desert, he has walked across the Antarctic, he has set numerous world records for flying various types of aeroplane including flying a microlight plane from England to Australia.
I have heard Miles speak on a couple of previous occasions and this event matched my expectations and exceeded them.
The evening was organised to raise awareness of the charity Diveable, which is run by West Bridgford Rotarian Darren Brookes. Darren was presented with cheques from the club and from the Round Table (sadly representing the monies it had left when the club closed down recently). Diveable gives facilities to people with disabilities to experience Scuba Diving. In accepting the donations Darren spoke about a young woman who suffers badly with rheumatism, but when she is under water and the weight of her body is taken away - the pain goes away as well.
Miles also accepted an invitation from Darren to become a Patron of the charity.
I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and wish Miles and Diveable every success for the future.
His philosophy in life is that the only thing stopping anyone from doing anything is the boundaries they set for themselves. Miles gave a most inspirational speech highlighting how he wasted the first thirty years of his life thinking that because he was blind he could not do the things he might like to do. It was only when he realised that being blind should not stop you experiencing the things that you want to experience that his life opened up for him.
Since that time he has climbed mountains, he has run marathons in the heat of the desert, he has walked across the Antarctic, he has set numerous world records for flying various types of aeroplane including flying a microlight plane from England to Australia.
I have heard Miles speak on a couple of previous occasions and this event matched my expectations and exceeded them.
The evening was organised to raise awareness of the charity Diveable, which is run by West Bridgford Rotarian Darren Brookes. Darren was presented with cheques from the club and from the Round Table (sadly representing the monies it had left when the club closed down recently). Diveable gives facilities to people with disabilities to experience Scuba Diving. In accepting the donations Darren spoke about a young woman who suffers badly with rheumatism, but when she is under water and the weight of her body is taken away - the pain goes away as well.
Miles also accepted an invitation from Darren to become a Patron of the charity.
I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and wish Miles and Diveable every success for the future.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Early morning visit to Sherwood Sunrisers 21st may 2013.
I wanted to make a further visit to Sherwood Sunrisers Club before the end of my term as the District Governor, particularly to say a public thank you to their President, Kevin Brown. Kevin managed to walk all the four days of the Hospice to Hospice Walk, 70 miles in total, despite having an injury to his knee, from which he is still suffering. The fact that I had a business appointment in Nottingham at 9am made this the ideal day.
I arrived at the venue just in time for the 7am start and was immediately shown where the coffee pot was. Just what the doctor ordered. It was great to meet up with some old friends (old in the sense that I have known them a long time!) again and see what the club was up to. Judging by the amount of activities discussed in the next hour and a half it seems they are a very busy club.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and will do my best to keep in touch when my year as DG ends in 40 days time.
I arrived at the venue just in time for the 7am start and was immediately shown where the coffee pot was. Just what the doctor ordered. It was great to meet up with some old friends (old in the sense that I have known them a long time!) again and see what the club was up to. Judging by the amount of activities discussed in the next hour and a half it seems they are a very busy club.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and will do my best to keep in touch when my year as DG ends in 40 days time.
A visit to my own club 20th May
Monday 20th May saw me and Gail both able to attend a meeting of our own club, Belper and Duffield. In the absence of the President and the President Elect, the Immediate Past President, martin Drake chaired the evening.
The atmosphere in the room was its usual jovial self, with lots of friendly banter. It was our normal meeting and Noel Harrison, the District Membership officer was the speaker for the evening. His talk reminded us that we do need to keep regenerating ourselves as a club if Rotary is to survive and flourish. He explained to the club the various options now available to us to enhance our membership and grow the club.
Although I was well aware of all that Noel had to say, I found his talk interesting and a useful new members to be regularly introduced to the club. As the Membership officer for 2013/14 I hope to make best use of the information Noel put before us.
The atmosphere in the room was its usual jovial self, with lots of friendly banter. It was our normal meeting and Noel Harrison, the District Membership officer was the speaker for the evening. His talk reminded us that we do need to keep regenerating ourselves as a club if Rotary is to survive and flourish. He explained to the club the various options now available to us to enhance our membership and grow the club.
Although I was well aware of all that Noel had to say, I found his talk interesting and a useful new members to be regularly introduced to the club. As the Membership officer for 2013/14 I hope to make best use of the information Noel put before us.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Bakewell's Charter celebrations at Hassop Hall.
In the spendour of Hassop Hall, the Rotray Club of Bakewell held their 36th Charter celebrations. Unfortunately the weather was quite cold so the opportunity for canapes on the lawns did not arise. Graham Wright and his wife Elizabeth acted as our chauffeur this evening and we arrived in plenty of time.
On arrival we were greeted by President Richard Carter who was an absolutely splendid host, looking after our every need. His wife Sue was equally gracious and Gail and I thoroughly enjoyed the company of the top table guests throughout the evening. As he opened the meeting President Richard explained that all the cloth napkins had been folded into the shape of an origami crane to remind everyone present of the theme for this year, "Peace through Service".
The speaker for the evening was a solicitor called Dave Daycock, who was witty and gritty, relating many funny stories, mainly about his time in charge of the legal department at Cardiff local authority. Dave has written a book of his exploits, entitled, "Gone for a Burton."
At the end of the evening Richard presented Gail and Sue with beautiful bouquets before closing proceedings just before 11pm.
It was also great this evening to have a strong contingent from my own club in attendance. As well as Graham and Elizabeth there was also Rtn David Henson and his wife, also Elizabeth, Rtn Paul Taylor and his wife Hazel. (Paul has arranged all my transport to Charters and official Club visits throughout my year as DG for which I am really grateful.)
Many thanks to President Richard and to all at Bakewell for a memorable Charter.
On arrival we were greeted by President Richard Carter who was an absolutely splendid host, looking after our every need. His wife Sue was equally gracious and Gail and I thoroughly enjoyed the company of the top table guests throughout the evening. As he opened the meeting President Richard explained that all the cloth napkins had been folded into the shape of an origami crane to remind everyone present of the theme for this year, "Peace through Service".
The speaker for the evening was a solicitor called Dave Daycock, who was witty and gritty, relating many funny stories, mainly about his time in charge of the legal department at Cardiff local authority. Dave has written a book of his exploits, entitled, "Gone for a Burton."
At the end of the evening Richard presented Gail and Sue with beautiful bouquets before closing proceedings just before 11pm.
It was also great this evening to have a strong contingent from my own club in attendance. As well as Graham and Elizabeth there was also Rtn David Henson and his wife, also Elizabeth, Rtn Paul Taylor and his wife Hazel. (Paul has arranged all my transport to Charters and official Club visits throughout my year as DG for which I am really grateful.)
Many thanks to President Richard and to all at Bakewell for a memorable Charter.
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| Napkin folded into shape as an origami crane |
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| President Richard |
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| Assistant Governor John Shipman explaining all the mundane details to IPDG Gordon !! |
Monday, 13 May 2013
Friendship Exchange Team from Canada 12th May
The District has been hosting a Friendship Exchange Team from Canada for the last week or so. They have been staying with members of Drone Valley / Hope Valley and Retford. This evening they were having a barbecue at the home of Jane and Keith Jones. Unfortunately the weather was pretty English with very cold temperatures and rain. However, that did not stop the barbecue from taking place and in true English style, wrapped up against the elements it went ahead.
Gail and I joined them for the evening and enjoyed the friendship of the whole group. It was interesting to hear how the Canadians, who normally withstand -40 degree temperatures in their winters were really feeling the cold.
At the end of the evening banners and gifts were presented. I presented a District 1220 banner for handing on to The District Governor, Kevin Hilgers. I received a banner and small gift in return.
Gail and I joined them for the evening and enjoyed the friendship of the whole group. It was interesting to hear how the Canadians, who normally withstand -40 degree temperatures in their winters were really feeling the cold.
At the end of the evening banners and gifts were presented. I presented a District 1220 banner for handing on to The District Governor, Kevin Hilgers. I received a banner and small gift in return.
Big Breakfast with Dawnbreakers 11th May
Long Eaton Dawnbreakers had organised their Big Breakfast this morning at The Methodist Chapel, Dale Abbey and I took the family along to join in. With Gail and I we had our two daughters Sarah and Nicola, Nicola's husband Chris and their two daughters Maddie and Francesca, Unfortunately Sarah's husband was working so couldn't join us.
The Big Breakfast is a great idea, bringing everyone together in a very informal manner and enjoying a home cooked meal. We had all the trimmings, with croissants, toast and jam and of course a full English.
I understand the club served meals to about 130 people - Lets do it again next year.
The Big Breakfast is a great idea, bringing everyone together in a very informal manner and enjoying a home cooked meal. We had all the trimmings, with croissants, toast and jam and of course a full English.
I understand the club served meals to about 130 people - Lets do it again next year.
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| Chef's at work |
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| Family enjoying breakfast |
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