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Donations, Community Service and Events in 2008DonationsIn 2008 we sponsored the HB United Roller Hockey Club (including support for the new Youth Squad and their European Championship Campaign), supported England U17's Captain and goalkeeper from Herne Bay Roller Hockey Club, and gave funds to the Herne Bay Youth Girl's U12 Football team for waterproof training tops See the Report of the presentation under Events (below) and click on the link below: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/hernebayyouthfc01/under12s/girls/ In addition, we made donations to the Crypt Club Chistamas Party, Strode Park Fishing for Funds, the 1st Herne Bay Scout Group (new flags), worked with Tescos to donate a new flat-screen TV and DVD player for Age Concern's Hazel Nevill Centre, and supported the annual Try Angle Awards and Fouindation's RYLA and Group Study Exchange Funds. We gave 20 Usbourne Dictionaries to Emmen Rotary Club for their Book Campaign, and our outgoing President presented 50% of the money raised to Epilepsy HERE (Help, Education and REsearch) of Herne Bay. Community ServiceWe ran a fundraising stall for the Queen Victoria Hospital at their Annual Fete, marshalled the Race for Life Breast Cancer event at Hampton and the Herne and Broomfield Funday, operated the entrance stiles at the County Show, helped to raise funds for MacMillan Nurses, the RAFA and Marie Curie, filled Aqua Boxes ready for despatch to International emergencies, and helped Herne Bay Age Concern throughout the year with their weekly shopping runs for Senior Citizens. We also helped and organised the Herne Bay Stroke Awareness Day.
2008 Race for Life- up the hill at Hampton Events in 2008In May this year we enjoyed a Contact Clubs get-together. 24 of us from Herne Bay, together with 27 from Remscheid and 2 from Cambrai visited Emmen Rotary Club in The Netherlands for the International Rotary Conjoint Meeting 2008 (see pics below). Our thanks to the Emmen Rotarians for their kind hospitality, and President Ben Nederhoed and his Committee for all their hard work.
For fellowship events, in the last 12 months we have enjoyed a Formula 1 Race Day, a visit to Folkestone Races, Gadd's Ramsgate Microbrewery, a Sailing day at Hampton Pier Yacht Club, Summer Garden and Christmas parties, a Burns Night, a Games Night, a Brazilian Supper, and a Progressive Supper. Past President Drew Mounter hosted a memorable "end of Presidency" BBQ for us at his home in late June. We have enjoyed several good after-dinner speakers at our First and Last meetings. In April Celidh Higgs, who will join the first ever female crew in the Jubilee Sailing Trust's ship Lord Nelson in the Tall Ships Race in July, visited us and gave her account of her interests and development as a junior leader with 3rd Herne Bay Guides; and in May we were visited by Gautam Lewis, who gave a fascinating description of his life and commitment to the RIBI Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The pictures below show Gautam in India and with us at the First and Last:
At International level, we continue to fill Aqua Boxes, and have agreed to send £500 to the End Polio Now campaign by RIBI. We will soon meet up again with our Contact Clubs at Ghent. The Conjoint Presidents will shortly be discussing the possibility of a future joint project, and at present we are finalising our plans for the next Conjoint to be held at Herne Bay at the end of May 2009. In early June we put on a very successful Charity Golf Day at Belmont Golf Club, Faversham:
There was an excellent entry for this event and we were fortunate with the weather. We played an 18-hole tournament and a putting competition followed. In the evening we sat down to dinner, and then Ian Irvine, the well-known after-dinner speaker, entertained us. Many thanks to Jeff and Nigel and their loyal team who made all the arrangements. The event raised a considerable sum of money for the Charity Fund.
In July 2008 the Club Changeover Ceremony took place, and the Past President congratulating his successor can be seen below:
At the end of the month during our evening meeting, to a packed audience of Rotarians, their guests, and visitors from neighbouring Rotary Clubs, we enjoyed a stimulating lecture and discussion on Humanism from Richard Norman, Emeritus Professor of Moral Philosophy at the Unviersity of Kent. In August and September DG John Wilton and his wife visited us, and John gave a useful talk on the International priorities for Rotary this coming year; and Karen Gambrell from Canterbury Sunrise spoke on the massive fundraising campaign now in progress to save Canterbury Cathedral for future generations. Brendon Barker updated us on the unfolding events in the Herne Bay United Roller Hockey Club, with the formation of a Youth Squad, and with their European Championship Campaign, for both of which we have sponsored their kit. During September we enjoyed a visit from senior students Gemma, Jordan and Hannah, and the head of Outdoor Education Paul Farrant, from Herne Bay High School, the girls (see below) giving us their experiences on the RYLA Youth leadership weekend at The Arethusa Centre, Lower Upnor in April, including a chocolate hunt in the snow! The girls were selected to attend by the School, and we donated £420 toward this weekend through District in Year 2007/8.
At the end of the month we had a talk by Richard Martindale, Cheryl Mumford and Tom Hawkins, three Herne Bay members of the recent District Group Study Exchange, who spent a month in Australia. This is a cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals aged between 25-40. Richard, Cheryl and Tom had a fantastic time, and found the experience really rewarding.
In October we sponsored new strip for the Herne Bay United Under 17's Roller Hockey team and here they are wearing it for the first time showing the Rotary International logo: From left to right: Back Row: Adam McVey (Manager), Hernne Bay Rotary Club Pres. Brian Tutt, Alfie Sheppard, Kelly Fox, Emily Sheppard, Herne Bay Rotary Club Past Pres. Garry Lewis. Front Row: Sam Rowbotham, Robbie Lowe, Becca Lawrence.
Also in October we had a Snooker evening, and a talk by Chris West the Herne Bay Town Co-Ordinator updated us on recent progress and plans for the future of the town. The highlight of the month was a visit of the Howe family (Peter, Kathy and Simon) to our Evening Meeting for members and partners. They gave an account of their epic journey to and from The Gambia on two big motorbikes, the journey taking 9 days each way, averaging over 400 miles per day. Once there they were hosted by the villagers of Bakindik, This family have supported the village over the past 8 years, and have now paid for the construction of a Village Health Centre, which is really a small hospital. On November 8th we held our "Last Night of the Proms" Charity Concert at the Kings Hall in Herne Bay, with performances from the Herne Bay Sea Cadets, young singer Rachel Gillingham, and the Canterbury Orchestra, with radio star Russ Lowe as MC. The evening was a great success, and we are organising a repeat event next year (2009), this time on 3rd October. Here are some shots of the young performers at this year's concert:
On the same weekend, a party of 16 travelled to Ghent to organise and host the Annual Mini-Conjoint with Cambrai, Emmen and Remscheid Rotary Clubs. In total, 82 members attended. A full Report will be found by clicking on the link below, but meanwhile here are some pictures: district/content_files/details_uploads/675/Mini Conjoint Meeting 08(2).doc
At the end of November Past President Roger Westlake, a retired Dentist, was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award at a Club lunch. Roger visited Guatamala on three occasions for one month and did a similar tour to India, in each case in support of Rotary Foundation's Health Programme. Rotary Foundation supported these tours by making all travel and accommodation arrangements and provided a local person to act as assistant and interpreter. In exchange Roger worked on as many patients as possible during his attendance at the many camps which had been set up for him. Here is Roger receiving his Award from President Brian Tutt, flanked by the other HB Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellows David Bowley, David Strutt, Ron Woodward and Dennis Rose:
We have been pleased to supply the Herne Bay Youth Under 12 Girls with waterproof training tops, which have "Herne Bay Rotary Club" printed around the Rotary Wheel on both back and front (organised by Past Pres. Steve Roy). The formal presentation of this kit was made in December by Pres. Brian Tutt to their Manager Andy Anelay, and the pics below show the presentation and the girls modelling the new kit:
At the final Lunch Meeting of 2008 the President announced our donation to the Crypt Club, which will go towards their Fancy Dress Christmas Party and pay for their Pantomime outing in early January. The meeting enjoyed a Christmas Message from the Reverand Lional Bull to provide a fitting conclusion to the year. This completes 2008, a very successful and worthwhile year for HB Rotary. The "Events in 2008" page will be retained on the website throughout 2009.
Donations, Community Service and Events in 2009January 2009 The Rotary Year began with an enjoyable New Year's Day Party at Chez President. Thanks to Pres Brian and Jan for their kind hospitality. Our first lunchtime Speaker for 2009 was Anne Belsey of the District of Canterbury Credit Union, who explained its structure and purpose. She highlighted the serious volunteer shortage at the Herne Bay Branch, without additional support the town's Credit Union facility would be in danger of closure. Anne admitted that she was on a Recruitment Campaign by coming to Rotary! After several interesting questions, PP Ron announced that no fewer than 3 Rotarians had expressed an interest in supporting the Credit Union as volunteers, which was good news indeed, and a furthur Rotarian followed suit after the meeting had closed. Well done those Rotarians! Past President Drew Mounter visited The Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury to present a cheque for £265 (the remainder of last year's Presidents Fund) to the Hospice. The picture below shows Drew (supported by other Rotarians) making the presentation to Richard Warner of the Hospice:
Noel Henry organised an Indoor Bowls sunday afternoon in Whitstable at the end of the month which was well supported by Rotarians. We were instructed about the basics of the sport, and afterwards enjoyed lots of competitive games, which helped our skills to improved with the practice! During the buffet supper which followed we learned a lot more about how to join the Oyster Indoor Bowls Club and the facilities available there. Many thanks to Noel for a great afternoon! At the end of the month (Evening Meeting) we were entertained by Jack Daly with his talk entitled "Around England in a Small Boat", accompanied by a slide show. Jack not only achieved this voyage at the tender age of 16, he also managed to raise £5,000 for Sailability, a charity to enable disabled people to sail. In recognition of this special service, our Rotary Club was pleased to award Jack with the Rotary International Service Recognition Award, which was presented to him at the end of the meeting by President Brian Tutt:
His website, which gives a full account of the voyage via his weblog, is well worth reading. Click on the link below to enter this website: February 2009At the end of the month we were pleased to welcome Sue Jennings who spoke to us about Amnesty International. She explained that AI concentrate on seeking human rights for people, eg the right to a fair trial. The people are either Prisoners of Conscience or Individuals at Risk. Each possible case is thoroughly researched before it is published in their Newsletter. The members then decide which causes to adopt and write letters to the suggested Organisation/Government Department as provided in the Newsletter. There is a local AI Group at Canterbury and Sue has been a member for 19 years. Canterbury has campaigned for about 20 individuals of which 6 have been able to contact them to express their gratitude. Sue included a brief history of AI in her talk and issued Information Sheets to those present. Anyone interested should phone the Canterbury Group for further information on 01227 831526 or visit www.amnesty.org.uk This month there has been a lot of preparatory activity for our three major events in 2009: The Conjoint Weekend, the Golf Day, and the Autumn Concert. March 2009 On Sunday 1st March Pres. Brian Tutt and VP Eric Peters presented the new flags to 1st Herne Bay Scouts and Cubs which had been purchased with money from HB Rotary. The presentation was carried out at the family Service at St Martins Church Herne, and the Vicar the Rev Elaine Richardson then blessed the flags. GSL Mike Hills had advised us that 1st Herne Bay Scout Group was one of the oldest Scout Groups in the country, its history going back to the start of scouting in 1908. It was certainly based in the oldest purpose-built Scout Hall in the country. The Group had been needing new flags for some time, as they were probably over 50 years old, and suffering from wear and tear and moth damage.
On 18th March we were visited by Rachel Holliday and Will Myers from Porchlight (formerly East Kent Cyrenians), an organisation which exists to search for and assist homeless people. They continue to support those who are now back living in their own homes again. They have a staff of over 100 and have 16 premises, including accomodation units in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover and Ramsgate. Click on www.porchlight.org.uk for more information about Porchlight. Will's life fell apart through taking drugs, and he lost his family, business and his home. Eventually he was sent to prison for drug offences, and while inside he started to help other prisoners with literacy problems. His homelessness meant that he was ineligable for parole and early release, despite being a model prisoner. On release Porchlight helped him find a B&B, and later a place in their Canterbury home. Will now works for Porchlight, assisting with administration, promoting Porchlight, and teaching life skills to his fellow-residents. We helped to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care over the weekend of 21/22 March, by "shaking the tins" outside Morrisons in Herne Bay, and together raised £687.35 in total for this Charity- well done us! The Club Recruitment Information meeting, arranged by PP David Bowley at Strode Park for the benefit of a group of 7 interested parties (there are at least 8 others who unfortunately were unable to attend) on the evening of 24th March, was a great success. Many thanks to Paul Montgomery/Strode Park for hosting the event. 12 supporting Rotarians explained Rotary membership and the workings of the Club and we all enjoyed a convivial evening together, and the visitors left with Friends of Rotary application forms, leaving us with the impression that at least some of them are genuinley interested in persuing the matter further. We must encourage them to take part in our Club events during their trial period and look forward to welcoming them. At the evening Guests and Partners meeting of 25th March Jeremy Voizey gave a talk entitled "Mercy Ship- Africa Mercy". An ex-Danish rail ferry boat owned and run by Mercy Ships International has been converted to a Hospital ship at a cost of £30m and fully commissioned in 2007. RIBI became interested in 2005 and started by raising £681k for an ogthalmic theatre, which is now in full use, and next launched an appeal for the Rotary international Lounge with a target of £740k- so far £247l has been raised and the Lounge is already in use. In addition, Rotarians and their wives have been volunteering for voluntary projects, working both on board and on land in Sierra Leone at the Aberdeen West Sfrica Fistula Centre in Freetown. Jeremy visited Africa Mercy in 2008 while it was docked in Liberia for a ten-month stay. There are over 400 people on board this ship, which has 6 theatres constantly working to help the local people, who come in their thousands for treatment from all over their country. The ship is staffed entirely by volunteers, and after their work is done for the day they go ashore and help further by building Clinics, Schools and water wells, helping with post-operative therapy, teaching the children, or supporting the agriculturalists educate local people to become more self-sufficient. Dennis Rose gave the vote of thanks after questions. Go to www.mercyships.org for further information or to make a donation to this wonderful project. April 2009 During one of the Fellowship lunches a discussion was held regarding the Annual Conjoint events. The conclusion drawn was that the Club was wholeheartedly in favour of their continuance, and the club looked forward to welcoming their visitors at the Herne bay Hosting of this event at the end of May 2009. At the 22nd April meeting Garry Lewis gave an interesting talk on Retirement and concluded that a great deal of adjustment is needed to get the best out of it, but that he was in favour of this institution as well. At the monthly evening meeting Sue Booth, the Pilgrims Hospice Head of Fundraising and Marketing gave a talk which was headed "Misconceptions of Hospice". She provided us with the History of East Kent Pilgrims Hospice, explaining how Nurse Ann Robertson went to a talk by Dame Cecily Saunders and returned inspired, and succeeded in raising funds for the first East Kent Hospice (Canterbury). This was about 20 years ago and is now has 16 beds. Subsequently East Kent has created a Hospice in Thanet (18 beds) and Ashford (20 beds), and East Kent Hospice movement now caters for 1,600 cancer sufferers each year (in East Kent about 6,000 die each year, of which 3,000 are cancer-related). The Hospice movement offers palliative care for cancer sufferers- physical, emotional and spiritual. In addition to the 56 beds, they send out Nurse Teams to the homes of sufferers, a Day Hospice service to give relief for the home carers, and specialist Workshops are also available for particular issues. There is a wish in the Hospice movement to extend the service beyond the cancer sufferers, and increase involvement with young people. The annual costs are £8m, expected to rise to £10m during the next 5 years. They are supported by the NHS up to 25% of their costs, so fundraising is an ongoing battle. They get a great deal of help from Volunteers, and are managed by a Board of Trustees, also volunteers. Volunteers also staff the 20 Charity Shops. May 2009 We were entertained by Linda McCann at our evening meeting by a talk on "How to change trousers in 17 seconds". Pres. Brian kept his hands in his pockets throughout as an insurance policy against being selected to illustrate the talk. The main event was held on the final weekend of the month (29th to 31st), when 147 Rotarians (including their families) from the three Contact Clubs met in Herne Bay for the Annual International Conjoint Meeting. The number breakdown was 19 from Cambrai, 56 from Emmen, and 47 from Remscheid, all of whom stayed in the homes of HB Rotary Club families. On Saturday we enjoyed a sociable and informative walk around Whitstable before lunch:
The highlight of the weekend was a Dinner Dance at the Kings Hall on the Saturday evening, with entertainment from the Herne Bay Sea Cadets during the Reception:
At dinner the visiting Clubs presented our President Brian Tutt with cheques in support of our Bakindik Charity, to help this Gambian village towards the completion of their Health Centre:
June 2009The "Glorious June" Charity Golf Day took place at Belmont GC on Friday 5th June. 18 teams entered, and competed on a mainly dry day with sunny intervals. The Stableford Competition was won by Glyn Savage's team (as in 2008) and the best individual score prize was taken by Kev Williamson of the Brambles MoT team. The putting competition was won by Alister Dunning's team. The day made around £2000 towards our charity funds. Next year's Golf Day has already been booked for Friday 4th June, again at Belmont GC. We again played The Whitstable Rotary Club in our annual cricket match, and it is understood that we again beat them. Also in June we were educated in the technicalities of the new Hitachi Class 395 High Speed Trains, due to be introduced to Kent train timetables by the end of the year, when Sid Scrace spoke at our evening meeting. July 2009Our new President Eric Peters graciously received his regalia from outgoing President Brian Tutt on the first day of July, and we welcomed a new-look set of Officers on the same occasion. From that day we have all been shuffled into new Committees. Details may be found on the Members Page for those who are able to access it! In early July President Brian Tutt was pleased to present a cheque for £2,350 to Peter and Kathy Howe at their summer fundraising barbeque, the money to go towards their Bakindik (The Gambia) Health Centre Fund. This sum was a joint effort by Herne Bay, Emmen and Remscheid Rotary Clubs, and we anticipate a further donation form Cambrai RC in the near future. Here is a picture of the presentation: | |||||||||||||
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