District 1240 News - Rotary RIBI
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District 1240 News
JANUARY 2020 DISTRICT GOVERNOR Pauline Dean
THE MAGAZINE SHOWCASING ROTARY’S ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA –
ARE YOU A ROTARIAN YET?
For further information on how to join Rotary visit www.rotary1240.org
The District Team out in force at the Hylands Park Country Fair
highlighting what Rotary does and engaging with the public
– every event is an opportunity to promote Rotary
Stan Keller
(Editor)
Tel: 01245 260349 (B)
E: stan@graphic-impressions.co.uk
PAULINE DEAN
standpoint Comment by Stan Keller, Editor
(District Governor) Disaster Response prepared to offer physical support to those
Tel: 01206 395168 affected. This could be by providing temporary
From Cornwall to Yorkshire and Manchester to
E: pauline.dean99@gmail.com housing, food, blankets, even toys for children
Ashford in Kent and even in Essex - there have
been over 300 flood warnings and alerts in the UK who have lost everything. In England we could
RICHARD WILSON offer to help clean up, fill sandbags, make tea for
in recent months. We heard the tale at District
(Advertising) Conference from Lydia Slack how Whaley Bridge, the emergency services - anything that just
Tel: 01245 602303 her home town, was put on the map because of makes life a little easier for the poor people
E: richardwilson1@virginmedia.co.uk the flooding there. whose lives have been turned upside down. This
would have an immediate impact and then we
The Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Disaster
can use the Rotary Disaster Recovery Trust to
Recovery Trust (formerly known as the Donations
make longer-term refurbishments. Of course,
Trust) is a registered charity, established in 2007,
Next copy date which collates donations and makes grants to
clubs throughout the District work closely with
ShelterBox which is a Rotary International project
18th March 2020 Rotary projects working to rebuild communities in
partner that delivers emergency temporary
the medium to long-term, following natural
shelter and other aid following disasters so this
disasters.
is one way of assisting with emergency needs.
Since then the charity has continued its work with
I was struck the other day by a photograph I
the purpose of responding to major disasters at
received from Sawbridgeworth Rotary Club.
home and abroad in the reconstruction phase
Our Advertisers play an important There had been severe flooding in the area and
following a disaster.
part in keeping the 1240 magazine many vehicles got stuck including the local post
Typical projects include constructing and office van which had attempted to drive through
a viable publication. Could we ask equipping school and community centres, the ford making
that where possible you give them rebuilding infrastructure and providing rescue his deliveries.
your support. In this issue they are: vehicles. However, the Trust is not a first or Fortunately,
emergency responder. Rotarians were
CORRILAN IT In 2014, the Trust’s UK Flood Appeal raised over on hand
£100,000. No current figure available. collecting a tree
GEPP SOLICITORS Earlier this year, the Trust launched an appeal for their Carols
following Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, which on the Green
GRAPHIC IMPRESSIONS has so far collected over £44,000. But, of course, and towed the
as we try to get to grips with one disaster then van out of the
KB COACHES another occurs and who cannot be moved by the water thereby
absolute devastation that is unfolding in Australia ensuring that
QUADRANT STORES with the unprecedented fires raging there. Santa Claus did
not let down
I don’t think it is the role of Rotarians to simply
READER OFFERS donate money following these disasters, at least
the children
awaiting
not directly to charities asking for money. Being
STEPHEN MORIATY blunt about it, even if we raised £1 million what
presents and cards. One example of practical
help averting a disaster and Service Above Self.
effect would that have in Australia? We should be
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when you deal with a Rotarian you know you will get
good service. What about price?
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2 Printed by Graphic Impressions, Telephone 01245 260349. www.graphic-impressions.co.uk
DG Pauline Writes....
We are more than halfway into our
Rotary year 2019-20 when ‘Rotary
Connects the World’. As I have gone
around the District taking this
theme and the message of Rotary’s
International President Mark
Maloney I have been astonished
and impressed with the number of
projects and actions taking place in
all of our clubs. So far I have visited
55 of our clubs with the remaining
4 to be completed in 2020. It has Later in the day I was in Colchester at a joint ‘Rotary in Colchester’ Big Band
been a great pleasure to visit our Dinner & Dance to raise funds for the ‘End Polio Now’ Campaign. Once again
Rotary clubs and without exception Anne Wafula Strike was present giving a brief presentation on the need to rid
I have been graciously received. the world of polio and a grand total of over £3,000 was raised on the evening
which in turn will be matched 2- to-1by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Inner Wheel theme for 2019-20
is ‘Together we can’ and I was pleased to attend District 24 Inner Wheel Rally On Sunday 10th November I had the honour of representing Rotary
on the 11th October 2019. It was a great pleasure to bring greetings from International District 1240 at the Colchester Remembrance Day Parade. I was
Rotary District 1240 and having been both a Rotarian and a member of Inner able to lay our Rotary wreath alongside other military and non military
Wheel in the past I was happy to see some familiar faces and old friends! organisations in the town. For me personally and my own Rotary Club it was
So it was pleasing to see Rotary and Inner Wheel working together once again especially poignant for our visiting twinned Rotary club of Tours Val de Loire
on our 5th Seasonal Concert in Chelmsford Cathedral on the 26th November were also able to lay a wreath too. This was a new experience for President
2019. We were entertained by The Music Man Project, The Novem Consort and Gizelle.
this year another choir – The Allegro Singers joined them. Our readings were I have enjoyed several Charter events with notably a 50th celebration with
given by three students of Bishop’s Stortford High School and we enjoyed pieces Ongar Rotary and a 60th celebration with Billericay Rotary. As Christmas
from the Hammond twins, Jane and Elizabeth on the clarinet and flute. In approached I was pleased to be able attend the Celebration of Christmas
addition our youngest performer aged 9 years old was vocalist Soupartnika concert at Clacton on sea, two Christmas Breakfasts at Chelmsford Rivermead
Nair who we learnt’ the following week was about to be on BBC TV on the and my own club
Michael Mcintyre’s Big Show as the ‘Unexpected Star of the Show’. A young – Colchester
lady who could go far! It is looking like more than £2,000 was raised on the Centurion and a
evening. This will be divided between Inner Wheel for their charity Dementia Winter lunch at
Cares and Rotary’s charity ‘End Polio Now’ Campaign. Chelmsford
Rivermead and a
Christmas lunch
at Chelmsford
Mildmay. Thank
you for these
invitations and
your warm
reception
especially when I
was alone as my
husband was undergoing his radiotherapy – now complete. Yippee!! Your
kindness and thoughts are much appreciated.
In conclusion I will refer to Rotary’s International President Mark Maloney’s
emphasis on ‘Growing Rotary’. This is never going to be an easy task in this
changing world. However we in District 1240 are doing our best with a keen
Rotary in our District organised many events around World Polio Day on 24th supportive District Membership team. Starting with the youngest members of
October 2019. Well done to all those clubs who managed to light up buildings our organisation – Rotakids – we currently have 12 Rotakids clubs with at least
in their communities in purple, sold purple crocus pins or planted crocus corms 2 more in the pipeline for 2020. We do need to catch them young; for don’t
to raise awareness of this campaign. forget they have parents and grandparents who may also be great Rotarians.
On the 24th I was pleased to be able to attend a ’Rotary in Billericay’ evening On my visit to our newest Rotary club – Billericay Town I was pleased to see 4
arranged by Billericay Mayflower Rotary. We heard from Anne Wafula Strike new members joining then and following the Pre-loved Sale of the Satellite
of her life in Kenya where she contracted polio at the age of 2 years old and club of Chelmsford City I hear that they may gain young parents who were stall
how she went on to become a Paralympian with a distinguished career in holders at this event. This was an event where the parents and their children
wheelchair racing. Anne continues to push boundaries and is now a Rotary sold their toys. As it turned out a lot of the stall holders went home with more
Polio Ambassador. toys than they started with!
Once again more purple crocus corms were planted in our District and I had Whatever you do to gain new members please keep on trying and ensure that
the privilege of joining Chelmsford Mildmay and Rivermead at the Central Park, you and they enjoy Rotary! As you plan events in the second half of the year
Chelmsford to plant crocus corms with the Mayor of Chelmsford Bob Massey remember as District Governor with my husband Past District Governor Terry
and the Deputy Mayor Councillor Janette Potter. The rain did not put us off Dean I am always pleased to support events you invite us to.
that morning!
3
Council on Resolutions
DATES 2020
Report by Stan Keller
As the District 1240 representative I voted
Wed 15 Jan District Forum – Writtle College
online on the latest round of proposed
6.30pm
Resolutions which had to be done between
Tues 11 Feb AG’s Pre-meet – Writtle College Sports Centre
the 15th October and 15th November
7.00pm
2029. There were only 33 Resolutions put
Thur 20 Feb Support Team Meeting Writtle College Sports Centre
7.00pm
forward as opposed to 55 last time round.
Sun 23 Feb PHF Lunch – Channels Estate
The Council adopted seven of these, of
12.30pm
which five were recommendations by the
Tue 17 Mar District Forum – Writtle College, Main Hall
Rotary International Board and two were
6.30pm
recommendations by The Rotary
Sat 28 Mar District Leadership – Writtle College Sports Centre
Foundation Trustees. Although passed by a majority this does not
10.00am (follows breakfast)
mean they will be fully adopted as they are only recommendations
Fri 3 Apr District Quiz – Anglo European School
to the RI Board. You will remember that the Enactments voted for in
7.00pm
Chicago last April which did secure the required majority are now
Sat 18 Apr Foundation Seminar – Writtle College, Main Hall
incorporated in the relevant by-laws or Constitution.
9.00am
Before casting my vote I did request comments from all clubs and a
Sat 25 Apr PETS – Writtle College, Main Hall
few did respond. Once again, our views were in accord but out of
9.00am
kilter with the rest of the world. Of the seven adopted I only agreed
1-3 May Volunteer Expo – Birmingham
with two and disagreed with the other five and of the two other
Wed 13 May Support Team Meeting Writtle College Sports Centre
7.00pm
Resolutions that I voted in favour of both were rejected so I guess
Sat 16 May District Assembly – Writtle College, Main Hall
the RI Board will make a note that I am hardly a company man. To
9.00am
be fair, few of the votes were overwhelming one way or the other.
6- 10 Jun RI Convention – Honolulu
I voted in favour of two other Resolutions, neither of which were
Sun 28 Jun District Handover – Colne Valley Golf Course
adopted: that Rotakids should be recognised by the RI Board and
12.00 noon
that the Elderly and Ageing should be added as a 7th Area of Focus.
Mon 1 July Support Team Meeting Writtle College Sports Centre
Some of my votes for Resolutions with which I disagreed were on
7.00pm
the basis that they were simply impractical such as asking every club
Mon 15 July District Forum – Writtle College, Main Hall
to set up a strategy committee. Although the idea may have some
6.30pm
merit we have enough committees on already over-stretched club
2 - 4 Oct District Conference – Five Lakes, Essex
resources. Another case in point was that the Board should publicise
Wed 28 Oct Support Team Meeting Writtle College Sports Centre
all Rotary’s achievements and activities. As the Public Image
7.00pm
Chairman you would think I would agree with that but it would be
Thur 19 Nov Presidents’ Meeting – Writtle College, Main Hall
impossible and what does all activities mean? It is the role of Public
7.00pm
Sat 21 Nov Special District Forum – Writtle College, Main Hall
Image to emphasise the need to raise awareness of Rotary’s
9.00am
activities by encouraging clubs and setting a good example.
Some Resolutions were marginal in my decision-making whilst
YOUTH COMPETITION DATES 2020 others such as making a legal services committee mandatory for all
Districts were less challenging.
The two I did agree with were a request that the Board consider
Sat 22 Feb Young Chef (District Final) – Chelmsford College
issuing guidelines for Rotaract clubs. I think Rotary has got itself in
9.00am - 1.00pm
a real mess regarding Rotaract but that’s another story. The second
Sat 29 Feb Young Musician (District Final)
one is that the Board consider informing Rotarians about the
– Chelmsford Cathedral
progress of the RI’s tax status change. This was another important
7.00pm
issue changed by Enactment in Chicago so at least we should all be
Wed 4. Mar Youth Debate (Intermediate & Senior District Finals)
aware of how the proposals are going and whether they willl go
– Essex County Council Chambers in Chelmsford
ahead.
6.30pm
So we move on to the next opportunity of proposing a Resolution.
Sat 21 Mar All Regional Finals – Cambridge
Any club or District may put forward a proposal and these must be
1-3 May All National finals at Birmingham V Expo
with RI before the 30th June 2020. How to go about this together
with other useful information can be found on the RI website but I
Submissions for Young Writer and Young Photographer to Jenny Versey
(Dunmow) by MONDAY 2nd MARCH 2020
will give a link to anyone interested if you have a problem.
District Young Environmentalist Final submissions to Gloria Nichols
The next round of Enactments which will be discussed at the Council
(Brentwood Breakfast Club) – by Saturday 29th FEBRUARY 2020.
on Legislation in April 2022 must be submitted by 31st December
Young Artist – Coordinator Alan CLARK (Rayleigh Mill Club) winners
2020.
from each section to Alan by MONDAY 2nd MARCH 2020.
We still need a District Coordinator for Young Technician. Full training
will be given by the RIBI Coordinator. ALSO, coordinators for YOUNG
FILMMAKER. Please let Peter Dowse know if you are able to coordinate
these competitions.
4
BENFLEET – Correspondent Jim Dove KELVEDON & DISTRICT – Correspondent Brian Davenport
A small club but very active club Recognition for Local Head
We welcomed District The Club presented Mike Walsh, head teacher at St. Mary’s CoE
Governor Pauline Dean to our Primary Academy with a Paul Harris Fellowship award at a
Club in October and kept her meeting in October. Mike gave an insightful and entertaining talk
up to date with our activities on his visit to Nepal and the arduous but exciting journey up to
and Pauline updated us with Base Camp on Mount Everest.
District and Rotary general The award was made in recognition of Mike Walsh’s work in the
news. A very pleasant wider schools community and his support for and promotion of
evening. Photo shows Pauline Rotakids both in his own school and other local schools.
with President Susan Dixon. The association between the Rotary Club and the school has
Our immediate Past President been successful in raising funds for a number of good causes
Roger Gilbert heard that a charity in Southend desperately especially ShelterBox and End Polio Now.
needed a new washing machine and we arranged for a new one
to be installed and then visited them to see it in action.
Once again our Annual event of an Arts & Crafts Competition was
held at the Hadleigh Old Fire Station and was well supported by
the community as usual with over a hundred entries. Entries were
BOO
also received from the local Art Ministry. In fact this was our FREE K YOUR
TIC
biggest crowd yet who came to see the presentation of prizes NO KETS
W!
and enjoy the tea and cakes which we provide. The winners, as
usual, were chosen by our two excellent judges, Paula Knock
and David Taylor and the prizes presented by Castle Point
CHANGE LIVES
TAKE ACTION
Volunteer Expo is brought to you by Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland.
This national event will connect volunteers, organisations and the
charity sector to harness the power of volunteering.
Deputy Mayor Pat Haunt. Photo shows the Deputy Mayor with
the winners. Another successful Community event. 1-3 MAY 2O2O NEC BIRMINGHAM
We are well under way with our Christmas Store and Float
collections which are looking good so far. Here’s to a good volunteerexpo.co.uk
Christmas!
Finished reading this issue? Take it to your local surgery – www.rotary1240.org 5
BISHOP’S STORTFORD – Correspondent Rick Waterhouse
Technology Skills Challenged in
Club Tournament
The winning team in the Advanced Task category was from Hockerill European
College. They are shown here with Bishop’s Stortford Rotary Club President
Elect Allan Moyes and Chief Judge John Barfoot.
Five schools and 60 students in teams of four recently accepted the challenge
of building a crane from materials supplied at Birchwood High School. The
students tackled the task with great enthusiasm and seemed to enjoy the
experience!
There were three levels of task: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. The
judges, John Barfoot (Chief Judge), Richard Roscoe and Ian Hudson, assessed
the students’ efforts and tested the cranes against the performance criteria President Margaret Webb with the winning team of the Intermediate Youth
in each task. Speak Competition from Bishop’s Stortford High School (L to R: Dannie
The teams were marked on their design and technological abilities as well as Connor; Tom Gee; Oliver Worthy)
team building, oral, written and communication skills.
The level of difficulty varied for the three classes. The Foundation Task Outstanding Public Speaking
champions were the team from Herts & Essex High School, while the team
from the Bishop’s Stortford High School won the Intermediate Task. The
Hockerill European College team of Benjamin Hofman, Kate Williams, Josie
Hofer, and Allan Lester took the Advanced Task award.
All participants received certificates and the members of the three winning
teams each received an iTunes voucher, presented by Rotary Club of Bishop’s
Stortford First Vice-President Allan Moyes.
The Rotary Club wishes to thank Birchwood High School for once gain hosting
the event and especially the staff of the Technology Department for making
us feel so welcome. We would also like to thank all the schools and staff
members for participating. We appreciate that it is not always easy to arrange
staff cover for such events off-site. We look forward to the new task in 2020.
Winning team of the Senior competition from Bishop’s Stortford College.
(L to R: Casper Slee; Freddie Cooke; Elizabeth Kesterton)
The Youth Speaks Competition 2019 comprising an Intermediate event for
11-13 years and a Senior event for 14-17 years was held at Bishop’s Stortford
College on Monday November 25th.
The Intermediate Competition was won by the Bishop’s Stortford High School
team A with their topic “Should we stop teenagers being
teenagers”. The winning team was one of the two Bishop’s
NEW MEMBERS CLUB PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIPS
Stortford High School entries. In addition, Bishop’s Stortford
Chelmer Bridge Brentwood Breakfast College entered a team as well as St Nicholas School in Old
Peter Francis Val Davis Harlow.
Colchester Peter Dowse (sapphire) The Bishop’s Stortford College team were the winners of
John Hawkins Andy Jones the Senior Competition with their topic “A step too far for
extinction rebellion”. They argued their case about the
Dunmow Gillian Poulter-Jones
global environment movement which has the stated aim of
Neil Whiting Colchester using nonviolent civil disobedience.
Ingatestone Ann Reeves The Stortford High School entered a team, as did The Herts
Marel Elliston Ingatestone & Essex High School.
Leigh on Sea Helder Lewis Each team had a Chairperson, a Speaker, and a proposer
of a Vote of Thanks.
Lesley Butcher
The Judges who were chosen for their impartiality and
Rayleigh Mill
experience of drama and public speaking were Rosie
Heather Jennings Howatson, Tish Storey, and Rosemary Thomson.
6
INGATESTONE – Correspondent Barry Turner
More Golfing Success
The recipient of our latest PH award was Helder Lemos. This was presented to
him in late August by President Neil Macalister. Helder has been unstinting in
his enthusiasm and work load in all Rotary matters since his induction some
eleven years ago.
We also welcomed new member, Marel Elliston, to our club and satellite club,
Kelvedon Hatch and Villages, who received her badge from DG Pauline Dean.
Another award was presented to Barry Turner for this year’s Members Golf Day.
This was held at the Burstead Golf Club. President Neil also presented numerous
beer tankards for our achievements in last Winter’s District Sports, and was
busy again presenting trophies at the Ingatestone Boys Club annual
Ingatestone Five Mile Road Race. The club partially sponsor this event, and
provide Marshals.
Other fund raising events, such as a comedy performed at the Zinc Arts Centre
in Ongar, a ‘Whose Wine Is It?!” evening’ in November, our annual Christmas
collections within our villages, and at Sainsbury’s, and finally, our second
Christmas Market on Sunday December 8th wil be reported on next time. All
were very successful, I can tell you that much.
WITHAM – Correspondent Brian Olley
Christmas Comes Early
Karen of the lunch club who meet at The Town Hall in Newland Street Witham
was presented by Roy Pipe President of The Rotary Club of Witham with a
cheque for two hundred pounds and five Christmas puddings, the lunch club
that meets three times a week and many Christmas meals will be prepared and
served to members of the older community.
In the photograph is Rodney Cullum Rotary Community Chairman with Karen
and Roy Pipe the Puddings are from the Rotary Prostate Charity appeal.
Santa and his sleigh have been busy with his helpers on the streets of Witham
and also Santa has met many at super markets when again the generosity for
Rotary and local charities has been excellent.
Seniors annual party at the United Reformed Church was again very well
received as was the Christmas tree in the Witham Town centre donated by
Rotary each year.
ROMFORD – Correspondent Brian Evans
A New Plan for the Club
We have started President Trevor’s year with some important decisions and
donations. It is a good plan, we decided, to balance our giving between
International and our own community. Following IPP Dianne’s decision to use
some of our funds , we donated a sum to a local Riding for the Disabled Group,
which we may follow up later. The Club is also set to support our Queens and
King George Hospitals with a donation to the purchase of Robot equipment to
train doctors in keyhole surgery, and we have funds to donate in the near future. Club with which our Romford club was very much involved post World War 2.
From the International point of view, we are supporting the BuildAid projects, On this visit we were pleased to see that tiered seating has now been added,
following a visit from Ashley Russell, who filled in the background to these improving the view of the stage and the actors greatly.
ventures. A cheque has been dispatched to aid the Kenya Belgrove Primary Continuing our sporting activities during the year, we played Leigh on Sea
School in Rombo, which is in need of bunk beds for children. Many of the pupils Rotary club in a darts match. They were a very professional team and rather
there face difficult and dangerous journeys to school, threatened by wild overwhelmed us. Surprisingly, your correspondent, playing the first game,
animals. Boarding at the school will also enable the children to eat three meals gained inspiration from the challenge and succeeded in wrapping up his game
a day. Later, we received a shopping list from the Ranch Shelter in the with a lightning finish – a change from his usual erratic performance. None of
Philippines, to furnish a cottage housing 12 children, with aftercare, which we the players knew that they would end the evening by trying to coax Dianne
hope to proceed with. and Tom’s dog back to their car after she had escaped from the pavilion!
On a more lighthearted note, we have visited two local theatres recently. At Recently, we welcomed our Honorary Member Reverend Canon Mike Power to
our Queens Theatre in Hornchurch, we saw “One man two guv’nors”. This play a meeting. Mike will be leaving Romford soon, having been appointed to a
received rave reviews when it was in the West End, with James Corden in the post assisting the Bishop of Bradwell, covering an area from Mid-Essex to the
lead role. It was also referring to Essex ways. At our Brookside Theatre in sea. We hope to keep in touch with Mike.
Romford, we saw the company’s version of “Oliver!” this was a splendid Supporting our local Havering Museum, two members attended their Christmas
production. The theatre building had its origin as a War Memorial Old Folks Market, where a sum was raised for the museum and also for our Robot fund.
Use this magazine as a marketing tool. www.rotary1240.org 7
BILLERICAY – Correspondent Trevor Bond
Celebrating Sixty Glorious Years
1959 - 2019
Rotary Club Charter lunches are always memorable occasions, often joyous.
Seldom sentimental.
For our Club's 60th anniversary Charter Lunch attended by 70 plus members
and guests at the Magic Mushroom, Basildon on October 26, we managed to
endorse all three. One always suspected that Ben Clarke would opt to be
president for a third time in our 60th year.
Why not? After all, as he happily points out: “I am the only founder member
left.” Which is not surprising since Ben made ninety this year and as he told
everyone in paying tribute to Secretary Ed Harrison: “Ed has been an enormous
help to me. He was secretary in my Golden Year, secretary for my Diamond Year
and I hope will be robust enough for my Platinum Year.”
Other Highlights
• In the presence of many
In reviewing the present and future, Ben cited our successes in the field of
members, President Ben laid
charity and good causes: water aid with the current borehole project by
our wreath at the
Malcolm and Margaret in Ciamanda ,Kenya, our four years of spectacular
Remembrance Sunday
success with the soapbox derby, now to be continued by our daughter
service on at the Billericay
Mayflower Club, Mike Sinclair's work with the RotaKids of Quilters and
War Memorial on November
Buttsbury schools and the service clubs, Round Table, Lions and other Rotary
10.
who have aided us.
• Rev. Paul Carr, Team Rector
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be President on this our 60th
of Billericay Churches and a
anniversary and I thank all of you for being here to celebrate such an occasion.”
former Billericay Rotary Club
District Governor, Pauline Dean extended greetings from District 1247 and
member led the moving
replied on behalf of the guests. Past District Governor, John Banks, a former
ceremony with initial
Club president, struck chords with everyone with a humorous talk: “September
prayers after which the Last Post was sounded followed by two minutes silence,
1959 – A Date To Remember”
followed by hymns, and a bible reading. Representatives of the armed forces,
“Where were you? “The famous question. “I had just bought a BSA motor-bike.
the British Legion and other town organisations then laid wreaths with the
Young lad, drove it too fast to what I though was a bend. In fact, cross-roads.
wreath laying by each group interspersed with the reading out of the names
I hit the road, passed out and woke up to see a vicar staring down at me – the
and regiments of all the fallen from the two world wars.
driver of the car with which I had collided.
• We shared fellowship with our Rotary friends of the Basildon club in
Beausoleil, France in September So it was a great delight to meet them again
Car Park – Once a Coal Yard on their special occasion – their 59th anniversary Charter Night.
•. We again assisted our daughter club, Mayflower with their annual Christmas
“Ended up in hospital, operation, metal rods in my legs and with the pop songs Market, raising almost £1700 from our Raffle for Rotary charities and promoting
of the time bursting my ears; 'Here Comes Summer’, 'Living Doll', “Young their Soapbox Derby which they have kindly agree to take over for 2020. More
Love”.... remember them? Russia launched the Sputnik; Eisenhower became of that from both clubs later.
US President. Locally, St Andrews Hospital was set up and the station car park • We are in the process of progressing our major project for 2020 in
was a coal-yard” conjunction with the Rotary clubs of Beausoleil, Ovada, Alba and Karlshamn
Of the present, he said: “What a marvellous contribution the Rotary clubs in as raised at the Twinning Reunion with Beausoleil Club, France – boreholes for
Billericay have made. Friendships forged in the US and Europe through Rotary the Ciamanda area of Kenya.
Foundation of which you are great supporters. And End Polio – wonderful It now awaits Grant approval.
support since you began it in 1981. Your own soapbox derby has raised about Member, Rev, Margaret Fowler
£130,000 while the Mayflower Club's Christmas Market continues to flourish. has fronted this operation for
Billericay is a very lucky town to have so many service clubs working for the us in Kenya and personally
community.” delivered an Aquabox
John presented community water filter to the
President Ben with parish of Gatama. This has
two citations been received with relief as
marking the club's they realised with shock and
60th anniversary; horror how close they have
one for Ben come to death though dirty
personally and one water.
for the club. Ben •. We have had some fun too.
said: “On behalf of An excellent Christmas
myself and the club, I Partners lunch when wives
thank you and am joined us boring old members
most honoured.” and added some lovely
In a collection for End Polio Now, guests and members raised over £464 on glamour to the occasion. What
which another £140 in Gift Aid will be added, to a total of over £600 from one would we do without them!
collection.
8 Join Rotary www.rotary1240.org
THORPE BAY– Correspondent Catrina Lambert Yak and Yeti Buffet Transfers Members to Nepal
The members of Thorpe Bay Rotary Club
Mercy Ships: Eradicating Diseases traditionally transfer their weekly
breakfast meeting to a dinner on the
of Poverty fifth Wednesday of a month. October
Eleven years ago, peter saw them meet at the Yak and Yeti
Montgomery listened to restaurant for a buffet of blended
a talk about Mercy Ships. Nepalese, Indian and Tibetan dishes.
Since then he has worked The tastes of the authentic, aromatic
hard to raise money for dishes are subtle and offer an
and awareness of this interesting combination of flavours.
charity and his wife has But it wasn’t just the food which
done four periods of on attracted members to this restaurant. It
board service. was an opportunity to meet the founder
Founded in 1978 by Don of the Dolma Foundation, Tim Gocher,
and to raise funds for this charity. The Tim Gocher and Roy Rutter
and Deyon Stephens
Mercy Ships bring hope Foundation was founded in 2003 when
and healing to the Tim, travelling on business, met Pooja, now his wife and 9 year old Dolma
forgotten poor. Peter who had never managed to walk the two miles over the mountain to the
Montgomery told the members of the Thorpe Bay Rotary how 32.9 % of those nearest Government school and her family could not afford for her to travel
who die, do so due to the lack of access to safe, affordable and timely surgery. to a private school and hence she had received no formal education. During
Of those, 93% live in Sub Saharan Africa where 69% of the population live on its 16 years, the Dolma Foundation has sponsored hundreds of children and
less than £2 a day. 150 scholarships have enabled many to achieve much needed education. Even
The good news is that 50% of the world’s population live within 100 miles of in normal times, families struggle in what is the poorest country in Asia but
a port. The Africa Mercy has 5 operating rooms and qualified staff carry out natural disasters such as the 2015 earthquake which caused the death of
numerous procedures including orthopaedic; plastic reconstruction; ophthalmic 9000 and destroyed 22000 homes aggravate the problems.
and dental procedures (in 2018 in new Guinea 28,000 alone). The removal of Rtn Roy Rutter, Chairman of the International committee said: Where better
cataracts allows some patients to see for the first time for many years and the than to spend an evening raising funds for the Dolma Foundation than at Yak
removal of dental abscesses can help to prevent tumours from developing. and Yeti and sampling traditional Nepalese food. I am pleased to report that
Members of the club were shown a series of photos of former patients including we have raised £180.
Sambany from Madagascar who carried on his face a 7kg tumour which had
developed from an abscess. Christmas Puds for Charity
The Governments assist twelve months in advance by advertising the future President-elect of Thorpe Bay Rotary, Eddie Edwards, assisted by Nigel Gayner,
arrival of a Mercy Ship and by assisting to identify and select patients. Once seen here beginning his annual distribution of Christmas puddings to 24
selected thousands will then walk, sometimes for 6 days to be assessed for other Rotary Clubs, this year travelling 210 miles in 11 hours. These puddings,
treatment. Many have never left their village before, never seen a city, never produced by the Rotary Club of Cwmbran Vale are sold in the aid of the club’s
seen a ship so may be feeling nervous and staff are keen to help them feel at chosen charity which this year is Prostate Cancer UK. During the past four
ease, giving them a welcome pack including tooth brush and paste and hand years Cwmbran Vale has raised over £45,000 for charity. Thorpe Bay Rotary
sanitizer and the younger ones a handmade teddy bear. members have themselves sold 4,542 puddings and raised £45,420 for
Since 1978, three ships have served 56 developing countries, volunteers have charities since 2007. Congratulations and thanks are due to Nigel and Eddie
helped 2.7 m patients and staff have carried out 100,000 surgeries. These for this amazing contribution to charity.
volunteers have to pay for their travel to board the ship and $35 a day for their
board and lodging! Fortunately many charities, and especially Rotary will fund
these costs for any of the 1300 crew, doctors, nurses and others doing any of
the 200 jobs needed.
The lasting legacy of Mercy Ships is the trained local medical staff who are left
behind, often in renovated hospitals, who reduce the surgical backlog and thus
ease the suffering of millions.
The charity is excited about the launching of a new ship Global Mercy later this
year. This ship will have 6 operating rooms and 102 acute medical wards
allowing an increase from 8,500 operations per year to 20,000 a year.
The President of Thorpe Bay Rotary was pleased to be able to present a cheque
to Peter Montgomery for the Mercy Ships charity, especially after such an
inspiring talk given by someone who had volunteered to work in the galley
from 7am until 10pm and to pay his $35 dollars a day for the privilege. But
said Peter, a privilege it was.
It’s Not The Winning That Matters ....
President Svetlana reported that she and Jane Ladner had represented the Thorpe Bay Club in the recent badminton tournament. They were drawn against
Chelmsford. Their opponents were two men aged 74 but looking like 50 and 80 but looking like 60!! Svetlana and Jane did not mind at all that they were beaten
by Chelmsford 15-2 and 15-6. They just found the whole experience so inspirational.
At the same meeting Svetlana reported that the Thorpe Bay darts team really enjoyed the three hour neck and neck match against Brentwood which she, Amanda
and david eventually lost.
So no, it’s not the winning that matters, just the taking part.
Share this magazine with non Rotarians – www.rotary1240.org 9
COLCHESTER CENTURION – Correspondent Judith Barclay
Visit of Twinned Club ‘Tours’
President Amanda’s first fundraiser was a brilliant Murder Mystery evening,
with the plot revolving around the War Cabinet Rooms in 1942, with Mike
Hogg’s table being the only one to correctly guess the murderer. Jackie Bowis
and Helen Chuah provided a very tasty supper and with the raffle and
donations, £1,000 was raised for Mercy Ships. It was good to have visiting
Rotarians at the event as Chelmer Bridge entered a team.
We reciprocated by attending a fun evening at the Chelmer Bridge quiz where
our team were pleased to come third.
Our next fundraiser was an austerity breakfast at The Bungalow in Marks Tey
where a tasty, (although a bit on the cold side) porridge was served.We asked Life at three schools and members have been driving/escorting Pauline to her
if it could be heated in the microwave but was surprised to hear they didn’t various DG visits since July. It is certainly good to see how other clubs operate.
own one - good to know that the food is cooked from scratch, but it would We will be bag packing in Waitrose in December and enjoying festivities at our
have been handy! £100 was raised for Mary’s Meals. Christmas Breakfast. It is fair to say that for quite a small club, we all get
We had been looking forward to the visit of three couples from our twinned involved!
club of nine years, the Rotary Club of Tours Val de Loire and in early November
they arrived including their President Giselle Pichavant. A full weekend had
been meticulously planned, starting with a fish and chip supper at the Green
Rooms on North Hill on the Friday evening. Saturday saw several members with
partners meeting early at the Marks Tey Hotel, where our visitors were staying,
for a coach trip to London to see the Lord Mayor’s Show. Having parked at
Southwark Bridge, a quick walk over the ‘wobbly bridge’ saw us in a prime
location opposite St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was a fabulous parade with over 140
floats/marching bands culminating in the gold coach and the Mayor, which
took over one hour and a quarter to pass. Small groups of us went different
ways for a quick lunch before retracing our route back to the coach. The parade
by this time was returning on a different road, which we had to cross and
perilously managed to dodge the floats safely. Next on the agenda was a
somewhat cold river trip from Westminster Bridge to Greenwich which would
have given our visitors plenty of our historical sights to enjoy including The
BASILDON CONCORD – Correspondent Danny Lovey
Tower of London, going under the iconic Tower Bridge, plus all the new builds
in the City and Docklands area. The coach was waiting for us and on arrival
Roll out the Barrel
back at the hotel, several of us enjoyed dinner at The Bungalow. The Club welcomed Adrian
The following day was Brewer and his charity 'Roll
Remembrance Sunday and out the Barrel' to their
all of our visitors, and a few meeting. It was fantastic to
members including welcome to our club meeting
President Amanda, on Wednesday 20th
marched in the parade November at the Holiday
down Colchester High Inn. Adrian is a Rotarian and
Street to the War Memorial the founder of this charity.
where DG Pauline laid a He has developed and grown
wreath on behalf of the 'Roll out the Barrel' over the
District, and Giselle laid a last 8 years and it is all about
wreath on behalf of the helping women and children
visitors. A visit to the Town carry water over distances
Hall for refreshments from the water source to
followed and a guided tour their villages and homes.
of the Council Chambers As Adrian says - One simple
and Mayors Parlour was enjoyed by all. Lunch was at the Siege House followed economic solution to the
by a trip to the Oak Tree Centre where Presidents Amanda and Giselle planted stress and exhaustion
a ‘Friendship’ Rose in honour of the visit, plus a plaque. Monday morning at suffered by the woman and children in these less developed countries is to
our usual venue, we had a farewell breakfast and a talk by Tom Bowden who send a 30 litre Rotary Roll-Along Water Barrel, which prevents problems with
gave us an update on Building Malawi and the Global Grant. A lot of planning water collection including physical deformity and compressed organs, faced by
had gone into the weekend and it is fair to say that our members really did people, more often than not young children, in developing countries. These
step up to the plate in all ways over the weekend. barrels improve lives,
Only two days later it was November 5th and the annual fireworks display in Club President Michael Goldsmith expressed his own personal, and the club's
Castle Park, ably run by Jackie Bowis. Once again with several members and gratitude to Adrian for taking the time, and travelling the distance to speak to
friends manning the gates, (we are given £50 per person) we raised £1,000 to the club about his charity, experiences, and how the charity continued to move
be allocated to local charities. forward to satisfy the need for the water barrels.
Amanda, Anne Hicks and Tony Willson have been distributing Dictionaries for Picture shows Adrian with President Michael Goldsmith
10 Use this magazine as a marketing tool. www.rotary1240.orgWESTCLIFF – Correspondent Chris Barnwell
Westcliff Rotary Club Hosts Young
Chef and Gala Dinner Fundraiser
Westcliff Rotary Club recently began hosting and financially supporting the first
round of the Rotary Yong Chef Competition featuring young chefs from
Southend schools St Thomas More and Chase High. Chase High School had
such a high level of interest from young chefs that they ran their own internal
sifting competition before submitting their nominees. Westcliff Rotarians Barry
Smoothy, Mike Hayward and Jonathan Garston first attended St Thomas More
School to judge three young chefs. They reported the standard of cooking and
preparation was outstanding and all three completed the task within the two
hours set; but their can only be one winner to go forward from this heat and MALDON – Correspondent James Howard
that was judged to be Euan Tucker. The judging at Chase High has yet to take
place. The winners of this heat will go through to the District level competition Sophie Explains Hearing Help
if his score beats the winners of the others taking part in early January.
Since the club gave up its annual music festival fund raiser it has looked to
Essex
Sophie Ede paid a visit to Maldon Rotary Club to explain the work of Hearing
smaller events to raise money to support good causes. Westcliff Rotarian Aline
Help Essex where she is CEO.
Clayson hosted at her home a coffee and cakes morning to raise money for
Sophie told us that there is very little follow up and explanation once hearing
cancer charity MacMillan. There was a wide variety of cakes on offer and the
loss has been diagnosed and hearing aids are fitted by the NHS. As a result
event was well supported raising £155. The club once again hosted a very
many devices are discarded resulting in wasted resources, as well as social
successful Preposterous Stories evening facilitated by Westcliff Honorary
isolation for the patient.
member Roger Stevenson and his team and raised £830 for Southend Hospital
Hearing Help Essex has a team of over 60 volunteers to cover Essex and
to support child patients. Westcliff
surrounding areas. Monthly clinics in most major towns provide help,
Rotarian Howard Ife and his wife
maintenance and advice to hearing aids users. The organisation also provides
Hilary hosted at their home a fund
home visits for those unable to attend in person.
raising five course Gala Dinner
with drinks and raffle. Twenty
three Rotarians and wives
attended and enjoyed a
wonderful social evening raising a
staggering £462. The year is
ending on a good fund raising
note with the Westcliff Rotary
sleigh and snowmen door to door
collection raising £1000 on its first
two nights of collection. This is
always a family affair and the
enthusiasm of the children to see
Santa on his sleigh is always very
encouraging and this year past
President Chris Barnwell was joined by his wife Jill and grandson Jenson who
helped in collecting.
This time of year, when others are celebrating, is always very challenging for
the homeless and Westcliff Rotary Club has therefore donated £1000 to the
local charities HARP, YMCA and Salvation Army and £800 to the Storehouse to
buy much needed equipment.
We were able to support this amazing charity with a donation and a promise
to spread the word about the vital work that they perform.
Other activities this quarter have included our annual firework display and
roasted chestnuts stall at the Maldon Vintage Fayre in late November. Our
involvement with the local Plume Academy has included the Rotary Young
Musician competition where, from a line up of twenty entrants, two were
selected to go forward to the finals in Chelmsford cathedral in February. In
November a mock interview session for yr. 11 students was conducted by five
members of our Club.
Our Santa Sleigh is currently whirling around the streets of Maldon followed
by Santa and a team of Collectors. Our Christmas street collections will begin
on Dec 13th.
A very Happy New Year from Maldon Rotary Club!
Find out about Rotary – www.rotary1240.org 11CHELMSFORD MILDMAY – Correspondent Brenda Stroud
Marking World Polio Day
Two events in the Chelmsford area helped mark World Polio Day and the
continuing campaign to End Polio Now.
Purple Crocus Planting in Central Park
On 24 October, Chelmsford Mildmay and Chelmsford Rivermead Rotary Clubs
observed World Polio Day with the planting of 12,000 purple crocus corms in
Viaduct Meadows, Central Park, Chelmsford.
This event was a way of highlighting the Purple4Polio initiative, which was
launched by Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland to raise awareness and to
promote the work of the global campaign, End Polio Now.
The Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Bob Massey, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor
Janette Potter, together with our District Governor, Pauline Dean, joined
Rotarians from the two clubs.
Richard Oscroft, President of Chelmsford Mildmay Club, thanked Chelmsford
City Council for donating 4,000 of the corms - a greatly appreciated addition
to the 4,000 each donated by Mildmay and Rivermead - and for making the
space available in Central Park. He thanked also the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
for assisting with the planting.
In his address, Richard gave
tribute and expressed gratitude to Phoenix, Ingatestone, Brentwood Breakfast and Inner Wheel, together with
the late Ken Buck, a partners, family and friends.
greatly-missed member of A total of £430 was raised, which included a donation from the owners of the
Mildmay Club: Beauvoir Arms. It is worth remembering that the Gates Foundation matches
‘In addition to it being World Polio 2-to-1 every donation to polio eradication (up to $35 million per year). This
Day, Mildmay’s efforts are largely means that Mildmay’s fundraising evening will have added approximately
in memory of Ken Buck, who died £1278 to the campaign to end polio.
earlier this year. He was a past
District Governor and member of
our club, who did so much CLACTON JUBILEE – Correspondent Martin Sell
towards promoting the work of
the Rotary Foundation generally and the campaign to end polio in particular’. Students help Mary’s Meals
On a rainy day in October it was good not only to think of the ongoing success
of the End Polio Now campaign but to look forward to seeing the crocuses in project
bloom. Last academic year, Clacton County High School and the Rotary Club of Clacton
As Richard reminded us: ‘We look forward to spring when we hope to see a Jubilee jointly raised £3905 for " Mary Meals ": a project that is sponsoring an
carpet of purple to remind all who pass of the importance of ridding the world early learning foundation school in Liberia in order to supply each of the 281
of polio’. students with their only meal of the day. Many of the students spend hours
travelling to the school daily and the prospect of have their only meal of the day
Fundraising Dinner in Aid of End Polio Now provided is a massive relief to them and their families. The money was raised
As a follow-on to World Polio Day, Chelmsford Mildmay organised a social, jointly with the school, at the productions of " Les Miserables" and " School of
fundraising evening on 8 November at the Beauvoir Arms, Downham. Rock".
Everyone enjoyed a happy and convivial evening, which was organised with
super-efficiency by Rtn. Roger Spall, whom we thank very much indeed.
Eighty-two people enjoyed the excellent food and cheerful company, which
included Rotarians from Chelmsford, Chelmsford Rivermead, Chelmsford
Past President Colin Parsons and President David Davies with
three Members of the cast at a recent presentation.
12CLACTON – Correspondent Tony Burnside
91st Charter Night
What a great event to celebrate the Clubs 91st Charter Night! Our thanks to
President Elect John Brett for organising such a splendid evening for the 85
members and guests that attended. All went to plan and I am sure all
thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
President Steve welcomed all to the 90th plus one Charter Night of the Rotary
Club of Clacton on Sea. He especially welcomed the Rotarians from other Clubs
whose attendance demonstrated the strong bonds in our Rotary family.
Both of the Rotary Clubs in Clacton
CHAPS – Prostate Cancer Screening
laid wreaths at the Remembrance Day
Service on Sunday 10th November, as UK’s prostate cancer mortality
they have done for many years. The is far higher than any other
picture shows club presidents David western developed country. As
Davies and Steve Grimwood after the a direct consequence, of our
service which was attended by a huge lack of awareness and lack of
crowd estimated at over 3000 people. effective screening, over half of
the new cases still present in
the UK with advanced cancer.
Lunch for Visually
Thus men live shorter lives than women, and men in socially deprived areas,
Impaired
live shorter lives than the better off.
The Club was delighted to
Aware of this, Clacton Rotary Club’s, Past President Dick Farrow coordinated,
welcome 31 members and
its third CHAPS prostrate cancer screening with Chris Booth, Clinical Director
helpers of the Visually
of CHAPS Men's Health Charity. The Club raised £3,500 to fund the event and
Impaired Club on their
was supported by Masonic Lodges of Clacton and by Thompson Smith and
annual visit to lunch.
Puxon Solicitors.
The Clacton Rotary Club
Past President Dick Farrow stated: “The Men’s Health Day for Prostatic Cancer
has a long association
last Friday 25th October had been successful, attracting 99 men for testing. The
with “Essex Sight” and
results show: 6 – positive, 9 slightly abnormal and 34 showing benign (not
many of our members help support recreational reading for the blind
cancer) changes. Chris Booth thought the day had been very successful and
Jonathon Dixon, Manager of Essex Sight, gave thanks to the Club for the
expressed his grateful thanks to the Club.
excellent hospitality to his members and their helpers.
Dick also thanked his excellent team for their hard work: Mark and Tony for
A Celebration of Christmas marketing and publicity, Brian H for the rota and hot drinks and Graham as
Keeper of the Temple Keys – Indiana Jones eat your heart out!”
The Celebration of Christmas at the West Cliff Theatre was a great success and
very well supported by in excess of 500 Clactonians, raising in excess of £900 SailShip
towards the Christmas Day meal for the elderly and disadvantaged in Clacton.
The Reverend Sharon Miles lead the service which was ably supported by the Rtn David Smith introduced Liz Barritt, the CEO and Trustee of the locally based
Tendering Brass Band, Conducted by David Roland, and Colchester Military active charity, SailShip; Training and Learning for Life. The CEO post is funded
Wives Choir, led by Sally Leung. All were literally outstanding and encouraged by Tudor Trust. SailShip supports adults 18+ and young people living with
the audience to join in and sing along in a hearty fashion. mental ill health, learning disability, or those who have additional needs,
A short christmas story read by the duo, Lesley Grimwood and William Stevens, through wellbeing and emotional therapy, training and skills works and holistic
amused all, with the audience braking into spontaneous applause, something learning for independence in life.
one doesn't normally get after a Lesson reading! She explained that as a former teacher at Shorefields school in Clacton, she
Past President Clive Gowers and the Sports and Social team organised the event
was frustrated by the lack of aftercare and opportunity for pupils when they
and most Club members supported it on the Day. A great success for the Club,
bring Rotary into the public eye! had to leave aged 18, and so in 2014, with the help of a loan and the Rush
Also, a big thank you to the West Cliff Theatre and their staff for supporting Green Allotment Trust, obtained a piece of land and an old caravan as a base
the concert and allowing the Club to use Theatre at no cost, and to Saint James' for her newly formed charity. The charity has been immensely successful, has
Church, for allowing the Club to use their hall after the event. obtained a far larger plot of land, and now employs 10 staff to guide and train
attendees, who are involved in therapeutic gardening, commercial horticulture,
kitchen and cottage crafts which are sold to boost funds. Liz, the unpaid
member of staff, concentrates on fundraising. Yet another local charity doing
amazing things, of which few of us were aware. Visit their web site
www.sailship.org.uk
Captain Brian Henesy, chosen because of his maritime skills (oh Rotary!) was
invited to give the vote of thanks. Fortunately he didn’t find himself too far out
of his depth.
Liz clearly raised the interest of Club members. This recently founded local
charity, no more than a par 5 away from where we were sitting in the Golf
Club, is clearly worth visiting over the next 6 months. After her excellent talk
President Steve Grimwood presented her with a cheque for £250.
An excellent charity that other Clubs in District 1240 might wish to invite to
speak and consider supporting.
www.rotary1240.org 13CHELMER BRIDGE – Correspondent Graham Marsh
Autumn Almanac ... Chelmer Bridge lyrics rather than those of Ray
Davies of the Kinks 1967
As summer gave way to Autumn the club had an evening with a
difference when a large party of Rotarians, wives, partners and
friends descended on Chelmsford City Racecourse at Great Leighs
for an excellent meal and an evening of watching the beautiful race
horses streak past and enjoying a flutter on the seven races on the
card. Probably very few of our amateur punters made a profit on
the evening but to your correspondent’s knowledge no-one
bankrupted themselves and everyone left with a smile on their
faces after an excellent evening.
Our next ‘away day’ or evening to be precise was a visit to the
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance base at Earls Colne where we were
greeted by PDG Lesley Sulley who as many will know is a volunteer,
and a very enthusiastic one too for the Service. Lesley gave us an
introductory talk with facts and figures until the air ambulance flew
Immediate Past District Governor Lesley Sulley presenting Essex & Herts
in from its last operational flight of the day. Once the pilot, doctor
Air Ambulance with a cheque for £56,197 which was her charity for the
and paramedics had disembarked and carried out their post flight
year. A magnificent effort from all the clubs in the District and a good reason
routine we met them for an informal and very interesting chat about
for clubs to visit their air bases in North Weald and Earls Colne
their activities and experiences. The Essex and Herts Service
operate from two bases at Earls Colne and North Weald using state provoking and highly entertaining presentation entitled ‘Living with
of the art McDonnel Douglas helicopters but the one based at Risk’. Mark runs his own consultancy and much of his work is for
North Weald is the larger of the two and can carry two patients. clients in the City of London, both insurance and non insurance
Our evening concluded with a very enjoyable meal at ‘The Lion’ in related. He posed several questions during his talk which effectively
Earls Colne. invited us individually to assess our own attitudes to risk in a
At the club meeting on 24th October we welcomed guest speaker general way. Fascinating stuff and some very impressive slides of
Peter Simpsons from ‘TWAM’ – Tools with a Mission. TWAM is a major disasters which left us wondering about the effectiveness of
Christian charity sending tools across the world. The Charity some of the risk assessments but there will always be situations
collects all types of hand and electric tools for use by carpenters, where no matter how good the planning and assessments
mechanics, builders, electricians and plumbers together with something will go wrong.
sewing machines, knitting machines, computers and educational To conclude this Autumn Almanac a brief comment on our major
textbooks which are refurbished where necessary and then sent fund raising activity – the RI/Royal British Legion poppy pins. It may
to developing countries in Africa to help communities and or may not be recalled that our re-designed pin for 2018 to
organisations to self sustainability and the desire to help commemorate the end of the Great War in 2018 raised over
themselves. Peter gave an excellent illustrated talk since which £22,500 for the RBL in England and Scotland after the pins were
several members of the club have dug out their unwanted tools purchased by Rotary clubs all over the UK. For 2019 the pin had
ready for donating to TWAM. to be re-designed and there was some concern as to how well it
Next up was a Quiz night at Boreham village hall organised by would sell. We needn’t have worried. Although it was always
Denis Anderson with the proceeds destined for MENCAP and unlikely that sales would match 2018 the proceeds to date for the
Rotary Foundation. The evening was well supported and raised RBL have reached approximately £15,500, another magnificent
£750.for MENCAP and £250 for Rotary Foundation Well done achievement for Chelmer Bridge. Interestingly, after Remembrance
Denis and our almost professional Quizzer Steve Lester who acted Sunday had been and gone a small order was received from a
a s quiz master. couple of Rotary clubs in the USA...!!
And so into November where after a DIY fireworks evening As this report goes to press Chelmer Bridge is looking forward to
complete with huge bonfire at Richard Marriages farm those Christmas and our traditional New Year concert in Chelmsford
attending moved on to a local hostelry for a much needed drink Cathedral and the second half of President David’s year which we
and dinner. Funny how ageing men still need to see some are sure will be just as enjoyable as the first half with an abundance
pyrotechnics and enjoy very loud bangs...perhaps it is the desire of fellowship and fun.
to relive their long lost childhoods.....
A week later it was back to Channels Bar and Brasserie when Looking for Entertainment for your
Helena Nussey, Events organiser from MENCAP Chelmsford was next club event or function
our guest and gave a very informative and enjoyable presentation Stephen Moriaty
about the workings of MENCAP and the facilities and support they
sings standards and songs from the shows
provide for children and young adults with learning difficulties. After
‘singing for her supper’ Helena was presented with a cheque for “Our entertainer of choice”- Maldon Rotary
£750 (proceeds from the Quiz night) by President David Brunning. “Excellent entertainment”- Chelmsford Rotary
The following week’s meeting was also a ‘Speaker evening’ when Special rates for Rotary clubs
Mark Butterworth, a Risk Management consultant gave a thought Call 07771 780213
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