Bulletin Apl/May 2010
ROTARY CLUB OF ROCHDALE
President: Elvet Smith - Apr / May 2010
Date Programme Time
1 Apr ‘R.A.Y.N.E.T.’ Evening - John Cannell
8 Apr Business Meeting Lunch
15 Apr ‘California Dreaming’ Evening Neil Helliwell
22 Apr ‘Poetry Day’ - Mike Lucas Lunch
29 Apr David Smithard Evening
6 May Annual General Meeting Evening - ** Broadfield Hotel **
13 May Keith Crossley Lunch
CLUB SERVICE DUTIES
Date President Finance
1 Apr McArdle McKay
8 Apr Madeley Messum
15 Apr Namushi Reid
22 Apr Sarwar Shackleton
29 Apr Sherriff Shahzad
6 May Sharma Tomkinson
President’s Remarks
President’s time has been fully occupied this year what with Liz’s new knee - a big success – the workings of a President’s wife was seen first hand! We were both extremely touched by all the member’s kindness and it was like being part of an extended family-thank you all once again.
Polio campaign at Tesco with Rochdale East was a success and Rotary in action again with over £500 collected. The publicity for Rotary, cleverly engineered by John Kay, was equally valuable. John and I have had a media couple of months with both Rochdale Online and Observer. More reporters from our club are needed please. I think we have put the club on the map and this will encourage new members.
It was the Rotary Mayor’s charity Opera night at the Bella Vista. Liz’s first outing after her op couldn’t have been nicer with Keith Swift bravely trying light opera as well as his more familiar crooning, John Kay a very impressive Master of Ceremonies and Rotary organiser -must ask him where he gets his energy from.
Round table 76th Charter evening at Norton Grange memorable for being all men, good conversation and a Yorkshire stand up comic. I asked him who he was when we all stood in the bar which seemed to bring the house down for some reason - he didn’t look much different to the rest of us except he did suddenly pull off his jacket over his head which I thought must be a new round table ceremonial.
Thank you to Andrew Chadwick and his members; new Round tablers are coming (one via our Visitors evening) as they had got down to single figures at one point. Inner wheel birthday party was a contrast - all women except me who very briefly stood up to present Joan with £300 for their Charity fund as dues from helping at various events, not least bag packing at Morrisons. Thank you Inner wheel and Joan for your support this year and for a good meal and an entertaining evening. Emma was an excellent guest speaker.
Speakers have been performing well. Addi and Barbara Redmond had an incredible four years in Namibia with VSO teaching maths and science with school curriculum, equipment and teacher training thrown in. What energy and commitment!
President gave you a surreal experience of the Wurlitzer Organ museum, music and silent movie music time with Laurel and Hardy. The original Road Rage film, all without anyone going to the real place in Eccles! I was pleased to hear Geoff Foulkes say ‘well that was something different!’
The social evening at Castleton bowling was another new innovation; there was good fun on the night and it warmed up gradually with people trying out new games after a good pie supper.
Karen Wilson as the modern school nurse was an eye-opener on the new attitude to school nursing. Not a ‘lousy’ job anymore. No longer are nits being peered at by medical eyes, vaccinations including human papilloma virus health promotion (that large cigarette was really revolting), listening to children’s anxieties and worries, counselling, sex education, healthy living, good food and exercise. I almost wished I was back in school now but couldn’t face another five years in Med School!
John Cannell gave us a glimpse of his life in the fast lane with speed, technical expertise to keep machinery going, he’s obviously been blessed with marvellous British equipment; it’s back to the starting line though for John next July.
Keith Banks gave us the Lancashire Fusiliers and their extraordinary history of bravery over the centuries. Some discrepant dates were noted by Keith (couldn’t have been in 2 places at once)? Reserve team in the wings. Well researched Keith.
Visitor’s evening with John Holder was the first of hopefully more celebrity evenings to attract new members. Cricket is perhaps an acquired taste but John was good value with his intense lifelong enjoyment of the sport showing through. Good publicity has followed and some membership interest already.
Spring walk was an extraordinary event for the detailed planning and execution by John Cannell and team. It looks a good blueprint for bringing in more walkers next year.
And so to Eastbourne for RIBI Conference. Club has received an RIBI Environment category award for David Acton’s Grow Bag Project and also overall winner of the Rodney Huggins award. Well done David for such energy and commitment to a very worthwhile project. You’ve done the club proud, see you at the Hermitage hotel!
Full time rheumatology means some absence from Thursday meetings in next 2 months. Thanks to Liz’s and the club’s support I’ve been able to manage 2 careers so far but to be a fully fledged specialist I have to get to the Birmingham Rheumatology congress. Looking forward to a busy next 3 months.
President Elvet
Apologies for absence
Please advise Keith Banks so that he can adjust catering numbers accordingly on telephone 01706 376343 or e-mail
keith.banks4@btinternet.com
Also, may we politely request that members who wish to have vegetarian meals please inform Keith Banks if they are attending. This is because all vegetarian meals in future may have to be paid for by the club whether the member attends or not.
AGM Apologies - As the AGM is at the Broadfield, it is even more important that you give your apologies to Keith Banks if you are unable to attend please. Also, please note there will be a special resolution at the AGM with regards to attendance and apologies.
Dates for your Diary
• 12th April – Book group (David Smithard’s).
• 17th April – Stroke Awareness Day.
• 21st April – car treasure hunt (Stan Fielding)
• May 9th Band concert (Gracie Fields).
• May 16th Nidderdale Walk.
www.rotaryrochdale.co.uk
Please visit the new website.
Next Council Meeting
At Elvet’s house on Tuesday 4th May, commencing at 7.30 pm.
Sounding Brass & Voices
The advert below will appear in the Rochdale Observer on 17th April and 1st May. We hope this will assist us in pulling a full house for this event. The Gracie Fields Theatre has a capacity of 680 and we need it full. Each member is expected to play their part in selling 6 tickets. These will be issued to all members in the next couple of weeks. We need to sell at least 300 tickets to break even so please sell your allotment as soon as possible. Chris and Martin will be monitoring sales on a week by week basis with club members and all the retail outlets. We also need sponsors for the programme, so please send any names to John Kay or Ian Madeley. Posters and hand outs will be available soon for members to advertise locally. Rtn Tom Hobson
Advert for Sounding Brass and Voices
Rochdale Rotary Club Presents
Sounding Brass and Voices
A Charity Brass Band Concert
at the Gracie Fields Theatre
Sunday 9th May at 2.00pm
Featuring The Co-operative Milnrow Brass Band, Wardle Anderson Brass Band,
and the Rochdale Girls Choir
Over 100 performers
Tickets £12.50 if booked in advance
£15 on the day. Chidren under 12 free
Available from Touchstones, Sandifords Gallery Drake Street, Molesworths Bright Clegg, Octagon House Yorkshire Street.