April 2010
Apr 29, 2010 7:00 PM
This made a lovely evening. A slow journey home from work but I just got to the school in time for the concert. As I went in I met up with a couple of old friends I have not seen for 7-8 years so it was great to catch up with them. The Coventry Club had told me about the event as it was to raise money for the Polio campaign. A member of the club told the audience about our polio campaign and then we settled down to hear many students perform in choirs and different bands. The...
Apr 27, 2010 7:30 PM
Over 50 people attended Oldbury Rotary Club's 75th Charter anniversary including RIBI President David Fowler and Daphne. It was well supported by other local clubs which was great to see. I think I counted 8 other clubs represented and some by several members.
The venue was very comfortable and was able to seat the numbers comfortably. The meal was nice and we were entertained afterwards by a band called After Hours (led by one of the club's members). Alan, the Club President, gave...
Apr 26, 2010 3:17 PM
It was great to return and visit these friends again. The club has several new members who have joined this year. The speaker for the evening was a leader from the Warwickshire Young Carers who shared the work of the group and how the donations made by groups help them to provide activities for the Young Carers. He very ably answered the great number of questions put to him and gave us a better knowledge of what Young Carers have to deal with on a day to day basis.
The club then...
Apr 26, 2010 1:45 PM
A rush out of a work meeting meant I only just got to St. Nicholas' Church, Nuneaton on time. It was good to see many of Bob's friends from Rotary there to say goodbye and to support Jean, his widow. Two tributes - one from a long standing friend and another from Walter Jackson about his Rotary life gave a good picture of Bob. He was a generous man who knew what he wanted to do and often got it done. There were a few laughs and some tears at the loss of a friend for those who knew...
Apr 25, 2010 9:30 AM
A very early morning to make sure I could get to Stratford in time for the marathon before the roads were closed. We started in Chapel Street where Ken, Vice President, and I and race organisers started the race - my first experience of using a claxon. A slight panic as the lead runners came round on the second run down the road when others were still on their first run down that road but fortunately they managed to avoid getting in the way.
We then went to the finish line at the...
Apr 24, 2010 7:30 PM
I managed to get back from the RIBI Young Chef final in time to get to Nuneaton Golf Club for the Ladies' Night of the Rotary Club. I have never been to this golf club which was a pleasant surprise and a good number were there for the event including the Presidents of Bedworth and Arbury as well as Paul Jaspal, Assistant Governor. We had a lovely meal and Colin, Club President made a speech responded to by the Inner Wheel President.
After the meal we were entertained by a fantastic...
Apr 24, 2010 10:00 AM
Although Chichester is a long way to go the weather and scenery was lovely. I managed to get there in plenty of time to see the youngsters set up their display tables. Jess was well supported by her family and it was great to see Tony and Marion from Rugby Saturday Breakfast there as well. A marquee had been set up for us in the school grounds and the wonderful weather made it a great place to be. A hog roast was provided and lovely deserts (there was a vegetarian option for me).
It was a...
Apr 23, 2010 1:00 PM
A beautiful day made the journey from Nottingham to Stourbridge even better. It was great to meet up with John Dutton and visit the Interact Club at Old Swinford Hospital. A few members were missing because of a trip but it was encouraging to hear all that the club has been doing and its amazing fundraising efforts. The group seemed very organised and already had its officers ready to take over next year.
After having our photo taken I was shown around the school by Stourbridge Rotarians...
Apr 19, 2010 6:45 PM
This was supposed to be the final evening for the Lithuanian Exchange students but due to volcanic ash in the atmosphere and no planes flying they are not on their way home yet. However, the evening went on and a great time was had by all. The eight frogs were let out of their box and were attached to the string needed for them to be pulled along the ground - I hasten to add no frogs were hurt during the evening (although it is reported that one lost an eye!).
Teams of 7 were created as only...
Apr 16, 2010 2:15 PM
A few hours drive saw us in sunny Bournemouth just in time for the start of the RIBI Conference. It was great to see so many of our own District there to support David Fowler at the conference of his year. The speakers were great and you left each session on a high.
We heard amazing stories especially from Operation Starfish which helps those with prominent stammers to speak - the results are amazing. I don't think there were any dry eyes after hearing one sufferer tell us of the joy of...
Apr 15, 2010 8:00 PM
I had been told by several PDGs to keep my eye out for this event as it is a great one - they were right. Although work issues had made me late home I did just about manage to get to the Worcestershire Rugby Club on time. I don't remember being asked to do the grace but glad I asked if I was expected to do anything when I arrived as I had just enough time to write one before I was paraded into the room with the other top table guests.
The meal was lovely and it was great to be...
Apr 13, 2010 7:15 PM
The George Hotel is a lovely venue and it was great to be greeted so warmly by Simon the Club President and club members. I had been asked by Simon to attend as it was unfortunately his last meeting as he has a new job out of the area. He had invited a representative from the local Young Carers along as well. The atmosphere is very relaxed at this club and the banter over the meal was great.
After dinner we moved to their meeting room where the club made a fantastic donation of £1000...
Apr 12, 2010 7:30 PM
We took 4 of the New Generations Exchange Team from Lithuania to Solihull St. Alphege Rotary Club where as usual we received a great welcome. The team members moved around all the tables and got to know the club members really well. There was a lot of laughter around the tables especially as the Lithuanians joined in the conversations and jokes.
The team did a great talk showing a video of Lithuania which got everyone really keen on going to Lithuania. The team did a great job and finished...
Apr 11, 2010 8:40 AM
It was touch and go but we managed to get back from Scotland on time to get to the GSE Team farewell event that the Rotary Club of Wylde Green hosted. It had taken 8.5 hours to get home from Scotland and so we literally just had time to chuck things out of the car into the front room, have a quick change of clothes and get back out. We bought 3 of the Lithuanian New Generations Exchange Team, 1 Japanese Ambassadorial Scholar and Paul's dad (a member of Sheffield Probus) with us.
John Quinton...
Apr 5, 2010 10:00 AM
A minibus and car full of people (13) and their luggage set off for Glasgow. The team was made up of 6 Lithuanian New Generation Exchange Team members, 1 Japanese Ambassadorial Scholar, 1 ex Japanese Ambassadorial Scholar, 1 Malawian ex Ambassadorial Scholar, 1 Brazilian friend from church, Paul's dad and the two of us.
Beautiful scenery was passed through and we settled into a hotel for the night. The next day it poured with rain as we wandered around Glasgow and then headed off...
Apr 4, 2010 1:00 PM
Although clouds threatened as I travelled out through Nuneaton the journey across to Burton held no rain and in fact the whole afternoon was very pleasant. We all turned up for 1pm at the Canoe Club and were kitted out in kagools, bouyancy aids, kayaks and paddles. The scariest bit was getting into the kayak and then staying upright. Once you got used to the movement of the kayak it became more fun and a really enjoyable experience. The killer was the top of my arms which I am sure I...
Apr 3, 2010 10:30 PM
It was nice to be accompanied by Geoff Green, President of Bedworth Club and Jo Cross of Coventry Breakfast Club as we went down to Stansted to collect our New Generations Team from Lithuania. Geoff very kindly drove us down in a minibus so we could all travel together.
Our Lithuanian team had started their day very early as they travelled into Latvia to leave from Riga airport, some being up at 5am (3am UK time). Their flight landed early but fortunately we were there to great the six of...
Apr 1, 2010 7:00 PM
The weather was not good going over to the Arden Hotel and with it being Easter numbers were slightly down but the majority of next year's team were there. At the last AGs meeting of the year it falls to the DGE to lead the meeting (a practice run really) so I handed the meeting over to David. That left me the opportunity to pour the teas and coffees and to pass the home made rock buns around.
A lot of ground was covered especially as there are key events coming up - District...
