July 2009
Jul 31, 2009 10:30 AM
Sometimes things work in your favour. Paul and I found ourselves hosting for a few days Riccardo from Italy who had been on the RYLA trip. Unfortunately, his expected hosts could not host him due to an emergency family situation. Their loss was definitely our gain. Whilst helping Amanda to pack to go back home on the Thursday evening I was already putting the new sheets on the bed and towels in the room ready for Riccardo's arrival the next day (I could never run a bed and breakfast!)
I...
Jul 31, 2009 7:15 AM
A lovely sunny morning to travel into the centre of Coventry equalled by the sunny atmosphere in the meeting of Coventry Breakfast Rotary Club. It was good to be amongst friends and I am very grateful for the reception I received. This was especially nice as having just seen Amanda off at the airport the night before and knowing that she was still on the plane home to Brazil I needed something cheerful to pick me up. The club certainly did that!
The speech got more laughs than ever before...
Jul 29, 2009 7:00 PM
An evening that exceeded my expectations. Nearly 40 people came to the Arden Hotel to hear about the District organisation and opportunities that are available for people to get more involved in Rotary at a District level.
I am grateful to Steve Cartwright, Bryan Carpenter, Roger Coopey and Carol Knight for sharing their experiences of holding positions within the District team and to Malcolm Overend for hosting the event.
It was great to see so many people interested in giving...
Jul 29, 2009 12:45 PM
The lovely garden house at the venue was a most welcome sight after the horrendous weather I had to drive through from Nottingham. The ambience of the room added to the warmth of the fellowship. It was great to see Debbie Le Quesne again who I haven't seen for a couple of years and to have the Inner Wheel members there as well.
It was lovely to be back with old friends and it was very touching that Neill Hill had passed a message on to me through Barry, the President, as he couldn't be...
Jul 28, 2009 8:00 PM
A lovely welcome awaited Brian (my 'chauffeur') and me at the Bridge Inn at Halford. They had obviously forgotten to warn people that it was me speaking as nearly everyone was there - mind you I think they were there to see their newest member inducted which was a great event to be at.
There was a break before my speech so the members did have the chance to escape but amazingly none of them took it (they might next time having heard me now!). It was also lovely to receive a cheque...
Jul 28, 2009 12:45 PM
It was great to see Dave the intrepid blind marathon man (7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents) be made an honorary member. A lot of light hearted conversation. It was lovely to have 2 young children and their mum at the meeting as well as the guide dog! It gave it a real family feel - would be lovely to see more of this at Rotary meetings.
A well established club still looking to make a difference and already has a few events planned which sound fun and should help fund their...
Jul 27, 2009 8:00 PM
A lovely welcome met both me and David (my chauffeur for the evening) when we arrived at Kinver Rotary Club. Neither of us was left on our own and were kept company for the whole evening which was really great.
For me the evening began with photographs outside for an article for the Birmingham Post and an interview with Mike Deathridge so that he could write the article.
It was lovely to be back with one of the first clubs I supported as Assistant Governor. It was summed up when...
Jul 27, 2009 12:40 PM
The first club meeting at the Copthorne Hotel for the Rotary Club (apart from Leverton Lunch previously). Samuel was his usual bright self at the helm and the tables were full by the time we sat down for lunch. It was lovely to hear the chatter around the tables and the obvious enjoyment members have in each others company. It was even more lovely to sit with Penny Sunderland and see that she is gradually gaining her strength.
Had some lovely conversations after the meeting with...
Jul 27, 2009 11:30 AM
Met the students from the UK RYLA at the Copthorne Hotel to present them with their certificates. A group of 4 girls and 2 lads and one acting as leader from the International RYLA of the week before. They seemed to be enjoying themselves and it was great to be able to give them their certificates before they headed off for more locks and hopefully slightly less rain.
Jul 24, 2009 10:00 AM
Members couldn't have known I was coming as it was a full house near enough! Actually they were there for the induction of a new member which was great to be part of. Even Sandy was there who had already endured my speech the day before.
It was great to meet with everyone and to see people so keen to participate in Rotary service. A very relaxed atmosphere in which all visitors felt very welcome. Just have to warn those who suffer from vertigo not to look down from ...
Jul 23, 2009 5:00 PM
A really lovely lunchtime spent with Erdington Club. The whole time was spent in good humour and a lot of laughter and quips were shared across the table. It certainly helped to stop the nerves getting too much before I spoke.
Is the first meeting I've spoken at where someone chose to throw their hot drink over themselves whilst I was speaking (there are easier and less painful ways of getting out of hearing me!).
I really enjoyed my time with the club members and it might have been raining...
Jul 22, 2009 5:00 PM
A club where the President is at the door to welcome all club members and guests to the meeting (a nice little touch). A great venue and stirling staff who despite the electric and gas being cut off by workmen managed to put a lovely meal in front of us including coffee (I think they used camper stoves) - well done to them.
A lovely relaxed atmosphere and great conversation around the tables. Both I and PDG Peter Isherwood felt really welcome. I was glad to also help out the obvious...
Jul 21, 2009 11:00 PM
A lovely evening with Meriden Club. A good humoured evening where David, my ' chauffeur' for the evening and myself were made very welcome. It looks like links are already being made for next year between the two senior vice presidents.
Several questions and interesting conversations after the speech covering women in rotary, should there be an upper age limit?, how to attract those who are in their 40s and 50s and creche facilities at conference to name a few. It was...
Jul 20, 2009 11:00 PM
An enjoyable evening was had with the members of Tamworth Anker at their club meeting. Both I and David my 'chauffeur' for the evening were made very welcome by members and the staff at Drayton Manor. There was a lot of good hearted banter around the tables. Even when more serious items were discussed the warmth of the club was noticeable.
Several questions followed my talk which were thoughtful and certainly made me think about what Rotary means to me. The overall light...
Jul 19, 2009 11:15 PM
Was great to be at another event put on by Paul and the students. Yet again they were so professional and put my presentations to shame. Despite dreadful weather many people turned up to listen to them and to wish them well for their future. I am sure they were not disappointed.
Paul had spent Saturday evening and much of Sunday preparing the main course food and Hannah and Jan Denning had prepared desserts which were lovely. Courses were interspersed with presentations from the students...
Jul 18, 2009 7:30 PM
A long day was spent at the Arden Hotel interviewing 6 Rotarian candidates for the position of GSE Team Leader to take our team to New Zealand in April 2010. Although the panel spent nearly 8 hours there the time went very quickly and the candidates made sure we were focussed all the time.
Candidates were asked to make a presentation to the panel followed by an interview and a written activity. We were impressed by everyone's commitment and keeness to take on the role and their...
Jul 17, 2009 10:30 PM
Although the weather was wet there was a lot of warmth on the Dreamcatcher boat in Stratford. 5 students from across the world relaxing after working a lot of locks over the past few days. It is great to see the simple ways in which Rotary helps youngsters to learn about the world and others.
A lovely meal, prepared by one of the students, was enjoyed by 10 of us.Then a group exercise which the 3 of us who were visitors found ourselves participating in with the students - the equivalent...
Jul 16, 2009 11:45 PM
Chauffeur driven again - this time in a Jag! Arrived early to help with the presentation of certificates to a young lady who won the District intermediate Young Photographer competiiton and got a commended from the national competition. She has done really well and it was nice to see her and her parents made so welcome by everyone and people showing a genuine interest in them.
Just about survived the waiter trying to throw the soup into my lap rather than into the soup bowl - thank...
Jul 14, 2009 11:30 PM
After a work meeting that went on much later than I needed it to I managed to get across from Nottingham to Kingswinford to just get to the Rotary Club meeting on time. It was helped by the fact that as I arrived someone managed to knock a jug of water over the table. The changing of the tablecloths etc gave me time to compose myself and catch up with people.
I was made as welcome as I always have been at this club and the humour around the table was great. A really relaxed meeting where I...
Jul 13, 2009 11:00 PM
A very wet evening made driving to Bromsgrove a bit of a challenge from Nottingham but fortunately I got there in plenty of time. It was lovely to be with everyone even though it was a surprise at first to find members of North Worcestershire (who I had visited last week) going into the room next door. I knew they couldn't be that desperate to hear me again and I was right as it was the Club Council meeting.
2 people visited who were not Rotarians - I just hope the speech did not put them...
Jul 12, 2009 6:30 PM
A lovely drive in the sunshine to Ross on Wye was experienced on Sunday afternoon. A beautiful town where the Merton House Hotel is situated. As we got out of the car we could hear the country and western singing from the music festival down the road. If you have never been to Merton House you have missed a treat. The hotel leaflets that I have seen in the past don't do justice to the views you get from the garden. They are amazing and the inside of the hotel is...
Jul 11, 2009 12:15 PM
A lovely morning spent at Brownsover Hall with a group of Rotarians who are always looking for new ways to show Rotary in their community. They were very welcoming and keen to participate in highlighted charities from me. A club that also shows real community service by its very regular commitment to its local soup kitchen.
It was also nice to meet a rotarian from Florida who has been in the area visiting family and to meet their newest member who I am sure will thoroughly enjoy her time in...
Jul 9, 2009 10:45 PM
Paul and I had a really lovely evening with Arbury Rotary Club. We were made so welcome and people actually listened to my speech! No closing eyes or snoring as far as I could see or hear.
The questions were good and the club were very kind in their comments. It was lovely to be there as they made the Principal of Warwickshire and Hinckley College an honorary member.
A really lovely evening with good humour and fun.
Jul 8, 2009 10:30 PM
Visiting my own club did not lessen the nerves before speaking to them. At least the nerves mean I am not eating too much so hopefully I shan't put on too much weight this year.
It was great to be with people who have already done so much for me and who will continue to support me. It was great to be able to thank them for the money they have already given to the Young Carers boat trip and to hear of the donation they plan to make to the polio campaign. It is very reassuring to know that...
Jul 7, 2009 10:30 PM
A full house of members for this meeting (they obviously didn't know I was coming). It was lovely to see an honorary Rotarian made into a full member and to see him return to the District in which he had previously been a member until work elsewhere forced him to leave. I hope Mike enjoys his Rotary in this club.
My first 'chauffeur assisted' visit. Not sure how my club members are going to take to hearing me on more than one occassion especially when they will hear it at my...
Jul 7, 2009 4:00 PM
My first official club visit of the year. I couldn't have asked for a friendlier place to be. Six rotarians present because others were on holidays (I reckon they heard I was coming) and unwell. I was made very welcome and the whole meeting was very relaxed and enjoyable. At least noone dropped off to sleep during my speech (don\'t suppose that will last).
Unfortunately, after the meeting they all had to rush off for the funeral of their oldest member aged 97! I hope they all found...
Jul 6, 2009 10:30 PM
A very pleasant evening was had at Bishop Vesey School in Sutton Coldfield where the Rotary Club of Sutton Coldfield made its community award presentations (to be repeated on the 7th and 8th as well). The Deputy Lord Provost came to help with the presentation. Over the 3 days more than 230 children will receive their awards.
Members of the Rotary Club have spent time with Year 6 pupils of local schools helping pupils prepare and undertake a mixture of community, social and physical...
Jul 5, 2009 4:30 PM
Paul and I were invited to join Henley-in-Arden for their handover lunch on the Countess of Evesham, a restaurant boat based at Stratford on the River Avon on Sunday 5th July. Although the clouds looked a little threatening as we gathered the sun came out to give a very pleasant afternoon.
The meal was lovely, made all the better by the beautiful scenery we passed and the really pleasant ambience of the conversations and humour within the boat. There were hundreds of beautiful dragonflies...
Jul 4, 2009 6:00 PM
An annual event for Lichfield St. Chad held at Beacon Park in Lichfield. Overlooked by the towers of the Cathedral (where Paul and I got engaged) the sun shone down on the park and the attendees and stall holders. The Rotary Roadshow was very visible and the members of the Rotary Club (as well as those from Lichfield and Burntwood clubs) worked very hard to ensure that the event was a success. The Saturday was quieter than Sunday would be but there were still plenty of classic cars to see and...
