District 1220 Magazine June 2002

With thanks to Rotarian Ron Walker Editor District 1220 Magazine
(To email Ron, click on the link above)

The magazine this month is full of information.  It has been divided into three parts

ROTARY REVIEW 23.5.02 EDITORIAL:

For several years the District Magazine has been strongly supported with advertising revenue provided by Rotn Eric Abbott's company, County Marketing, for which we are extremely grateful.

In the past months it has become clear that, due to the general decline in advertising, this support would not continue. As required by District 1220 Standing Order 18(n), the District Treasurer put the package out to tender including the provision of advertising revenue but, not surprisingly, there were no takers.

During the last fortnight however, and even earlier than anticipated, the advertising revenue has dried up. This issue of Rotary Review is therefore the result of a rapid compromise between practicality and resources.

We now have to assess the future of the magazine, and especially to decide on a viable format within the limits of the existing District budget. Thanks are due to the 42 Club Secretaries who responded to our questionnaire recently by providing helpful readership figures, which confirmed that there is a vast majority in support of the District Magazine.

A proposal on the future format of the magazine has been formulated by the Communications Committee and by the time you read this will have been put before the District Executive and hopefully presented to District Council. Whatever the outcome we can guarantee two things. First, that Rotary Review will continue in some format. Second, that it will definitely not have the production quality we have enjoyed in the past.

Having announced my retirement as Editor, I have been persuaded by DGE John Bendall to continue for the next Rotary year. Let me take this opportunity of thanking all those Rotarians who give tremendous support to the magazine - we always have too much material, which is as it should be. You can be assured that my colleagues and I will continue to try to provide the best and most appropriate publication possible within the resources available.

THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR WRITES…

Well there we are – that’s the District Assembly done and dusted and your District Governor-Elect John Bendall is now well on the road to being my successor, and a worthy successor too, I might add. I’m not quite sure of the numbers in attendance but as I stood at the podium and looked up at the sea of faces it seemed that most seats were full and some people were standing at the back, I believe the Lecture Theatre capacity was 300, so we can say 300 plus! District Secretary John Berrington was unable to be there due to his work commitments so, PDG Peter Swinscoe and I (part time) took this group and I found it to be most enjoyable, so much so, that I think I might be persuaded to take on this job as D. Sec. again some time in the near future. If you remember I did three of my five years before taking on the role of District Governor so, I could always finish off my remaining two.

We now have the makings of a 2005 Centenary Action Committee consisting of: yours truly, DG(2004/5) John Kirkland, DG (2003/4) Neil Sharman, DG(2002/3) John Bendall, PDG Arnold Crosby, Rotarians Peter Thorpe and Kim Holmes, the four Assistant Governors and the Treasurer(s). I plan to have a meeting with these before the next District Council meeting so that I can report to you the outline of any plans or thoughts we may have. If you have an idea that we could use then contact one of the above, the sooner we can initiate this project the better.

Finally, and it is finally, and with a tinge of sadness, but by the time you read this I shall be nearing the end of my term of office as District Governor and what a year it has been. I have to say that, for myself and Lady Barbara, it’s been a wonderful year, you’ve all been so helpful, so respectful, so sincere and I hope that I have come up to your expectations. Thank You, my best wishes to you and District 1220 and remember “MANKIND IS OUR BUSINESS”.

PAUL GAUNT

It is with deep regret that we record the death of Past District Governor Paul Gaunt

Paul M Gaunt was educated at Heanor Grammar School and later joined the family firm of printers in the town. He was inducted into the RC of Heanor in August 1964 together with 15 others.

Paul served the Club as Bulletin Editor (1965/68) and International Service Chairman (1968/69). After JVP and SVP, he became President in 1972 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1983. He was District Community Service Chairman from 1978 to 1981, District Governor in 1982/3, District Editor 1987/92, again 1987/92 and yet again 1994/95. He undertook the office of President of his Club for a second time at the start of the current Rotary year.

Paul and his wife June received many exchange visitors from all parts of the world and made many return visits. With all their Rotary involvement, the Gaunts found time over the years to foster no fewer than 540 children in their home, aptly named Wideopen. On an exchange visit to South Africa, they saw children living in poverty on the streets of townships. With the help of Inner Wheel, the couple raised approximately £2000 which provided solar lighting for two schools and a soup kitchen.

Paul was a much respected Rotarian, the provider of good advice when asked, a friend to many and the possessor of a dry sense of humour. He will be sadly missed by his family and by Rotarians for his example of service above self.

David Machin

Rotary Club of Heanor

CLUB ROUNDABOUT Carlton – Bikeathon and 15 New Members After celebrating their 25th Charter anniversary the Club have recently held their 2002 Bikeathon at Clumber Park. PRO David Styles report that the National Trust fully supported the event which it was hoped would attract cycle riders from all over the county. Last year the event raised over £16,000 for Leukaemia Research.

Carlton held an open evening in January, following which six of those attending have applied for membership and been inducted. They join the nine new members enrolled earlier this Rotary year. Seeds have also been sown towards the formation of a new Rotaract Club with the inaugural meeting taking place as we go to press. Says PRO David: "Here’s to the next 25 years!"

Vale of Belvoir - Macmillan Cancer Relief The Club has presented Macmillan Cancer Relief with a cheque for £1000, one result of their Christmas collection. At a weekly Club meeting Helen Shepherd, Appeal Co-ordinator for Macmillan Cancer Relief, told members, “The donation is a valuable contribution to this year's £800,000 appeal”. The appeal needs to raise enough money to fund five specialist cancer care nurses and a cancer consultant to work in Nottinghamshire. Pres. John Spence said that the generous donations given to Santa's Sleigh last Christmas in the Bingham, Radcliffe and Cotgrave area would help Macmillan Cancer Relief make a real difference. Other donations have been made to the Mines Advisory Group and Hope and Homes for Children, the latter receiving over £900.

West Bridgford - Charlie's Army in Garden Makeover

Honouring a commitment made by the Club, Rotn Charles Tyrie organised a series of gardening sessions to help tidy up the gardens of the Winged Fellowship's Skylarks holiday centre for disabled people in West Bridgford. A team of Rotarians was ably supported by young people and their supervisors from the Nottingham Youth Offending Team. The Charity provides subsidized holidays for people suffering from Strokes, Alzheimer's disease and other infirmities and who are mainly wheelchair-bound.

Bretby – Static Bikes Go Places

The sponsored Static Bike Ride, reports John Graves, was the first event of its type for the Club. Having started it in Burton-on-Trent, hopes are that it will build year on year as a money raiser. Even though there were only five official teams entered, the event helped raise Rotary's profile in the community various and ad hoc groups came along to have a go. Winners were a group from the FWAKI Club [enquiries re meaning to RC Bretby - Ed] but special mention goes to the Inner Wheel team who raised over £200 for their own good causes as well as contributing handsomely to the total of £484 realised for RC Bretby charities.

Keyworth & Ruddington – Skatepark Award

Pres Robert Fowler has presented Vandra Stewart and Gill Riley with RIBI Community and Vocational Service Awards. Several young members of the Ultrawheelz committee described to the Club how they had steered through to a successful conclusion the project to build a skatepark in Keyworth. The skatepark, on land provided by the British Geological Survey, was aided in its early stages by the proceeds of a concert sponsored by the Club. PP Gordon Riddler provided valuable fund raising experience throughout the project. The official opening took place in April with Roller Bladers, sporting personalities and other VIPs in attendance plus a big turnout of K & R Club members.

Retford – Swimathon 200

In March the Club held what is described as "another successful Swimathon".

A total of 22 teams, made up of 115 swimmers took part in the event, with Retford Swimming Club team taking the trophy for most lengths swum (219) and their captain, Thomas Kercel, the one for most individual lengths swum - a new record of 48. Clarborough CP School once again took the award for most sponsorship money, raising £554, with George Thomas of North Leverton CP School team taking the individual sponsorship trophy with £221. The Club Charity Fund will have benefited by £1758. In a separate stage but as part of the event, a team of Rampton Hospital patients swam for 15 minutes in the hospital pool.

Last month Retford members attended a ceremony to present to the Sherwood Ranger's Yeomanry standards and guidons (small flags) which had been restored with funds donated by the Club's Percy Laws Memorial Committee.

Long Eaton – Historic Charter Night.

Two hundred and fifty people joined Pres David Smith to celebrate "this most important milestone" in the history of the Long Eaton Rotary Club. Visitors from their twinned Clubs in Japan and Denmark made a special journey to take part and the Club were most honoured to have His Worship the Mayor of Erewash, Cllr George Buckley, and his wife Jackie present along with the MP for Erewash, Liz Blackman.

Gifts were exchanged with Pres Akenobu Maeda of RC of Settsu, Japan, who was accompanied by his wife Kiyoko and Rotn Kazuo Chabashi and his daughter Naomi. A presentation followed from RC of Aars, Denmark, by Pres Poul Andersonj and seven members. Other guests of honour were RIBI President David Liddiatt and DG Brian Darlison and their ladies. The roll call named representatives of 27 Rotary Clubs plus visitors from the Long Eaton Interact, Inner Wheel, Probus, Round Table and 41 Clubs.

To mark the occasion RC of Long Eaton have published a 20 page coloured brochure detailing and illustrating the history of the Rotary Club and the town of Long Eaton.

Stapleford & Sandiacre – Ladies to the Fore

The Club began 2002 by inducting its fifth lady member, reports Walter Hayes. Linsey Angus, whose late father was a founder member of S & S, is a bank manager in Long Eaton. Meanwhile current members have voted for their first lady JVP. When Barbara Hadfield takes up the office on July 1st, her husband Ron will become President of the Wollaton Park Club.

Hope Valley – Marathon effort

Local account manager Andy Hattersley trained hard for the toughest challenge he had ever faced - to run the London Marathon on April 14 to raise cash for Hope and Homes for Children. Andy, who had never before run further than three miles, was making the run in answer to an appeal for help from Hope Valley. The Club is hoping to raise £10,000 for Hope and Homes, the charity launched by Colonel Mark Cooke, former Commander of UN forces in Croatia, and his wife, Caroline. It provides family homes for children all over the world who have been orphaned or abandoned as a result of war or major natural disaster. "We're really thrilled that Andy agreed to run on our behalf," said Valley Rotary Club President Eileen Pearson this week. "We've made a good start in our fund-raising campaign but Andy's sponsored run should really boost the appeal."

Eastwood – No Picnic

 "We at the Eastwood & District Club" says IPP Peter Rose in a report received in January, "Are looking into the possibility of establishing a Country Trail somewhere within our area which would be user friendly for people with most types of disability including those who are wheelchair bound. To this end on a Sunday moming last November a number of us met to walk various footpaths and bridleways in the countryside much of which is referred to in the novels of D.H. Lawrence. It was pouring with rain at the appointed 10.30 am start but this did not deter the majority who had indicated they would turn up. We met at the car park in Colliers Wood, Eastwood, which is part of the reclaimed area from the site of the original Moorgreen Colliery.

"The further we walked the wetter we got but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and good hearted banter. It became clear which parts of the potential trail needed further investigation and which parts were non-starters. Thoroughly drenched to the skin, we returned to a local hostelry for a much welcome Sunday Roast.

Beeston - Walter's 60 Years and Still Going Strong

 Great celebrations took place in January at the Beeston Club to mark the 60 years of Rotary service by Walter Hayes. From all the cuttings and copy on the event sent to Rotary Review by Walter (what's new?), we can do no better than quote Walter's own report verbatim. – Ed.

"Am I the only Rotarian in the UK that today has served 60 years of unbroken membership in Rotary?" That was a quote from DG Brian when he, with 81 folk from 14 Clubs, gathered to celebrate Walter's event in Nottingham University Club HQ.

The DG then handed over a Citation from the President of RI, Richard D King, which is now framed at Walter and Elizabeth's home in Beeston, along with another bearing all the names of the Club members. President Shally Suri presented this and then invited the Club's newest member, Rotn Jim Anderson, to give Walter an engraved silver salver.

It was a surprise party for the 91 year old who only celebrated his birthday the week previously. One of the invited guests gave greetings from the Local Authority and later sent a letter of appreciation to the Club for the invitation. PDG Rami Seth was one of the principal speakers and quickly captured his audience with a mock phone message from RI President Richard King. Other speakers almost lined up with congratulations. Nottingham Evening Post News Editor, Andy Smart, presented the shocked Walter with a framed front page of the NEP with its special tribute to the long serving Rotarian. Other past DGs were Keith Hammond, Roy Parsons and Peter Swift.

A giant cake with "60 Years" inscribed was cut with due ceremony. Messages from RIBI President David Liddiatt, RIBI President Elect Tony de St Dalmas and Past RI President Bill Huntley were amongst the file of correspondence. Over 100 photos were taken on the night and that means a large special photo album now in the Hayes archives. Walter says it's a Miracle of Memory and all brought about by being a member of the finest voluntary organisation in the world – a world of friends. A special Club bulletin has been written to mark Walter's 60 years of Rotary activity and – as the banner displayed said - still going strong.

Mapperley – Fund Raising Sportsmen

The main speaker at the Club's Sportsman's Evening was the former Chelsea and England footballer Peter Osgood, reports PRO David Curtis. Over £25OO was raised from which a donation will be made to the Teenage Cancer Trust. The Club continues to sponsor children on the Outward Bound programme and we are aiming to take nine children on the next placement. The Notts County Youth Academy had six sets of football kit surplus to requirements. These were generously donated to the Club and are now on their way to deserving children in Brazil, Romania and South Africa.

Hucknall – Tea and Music

A whirlwind trip around the world in song and music was enjoyed by senior citizens of Hucknall at their annual Over 73s tea in the Central Methodist schoolroom. Presented jointly by the Hucknall Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs, the party is a popular event in the calendar of local pensioners, and this year there was a near capacity attendance of almost 130. When the annual party began back in the 1940s, some of the present guests were in their teens - now they are grandparents and in some cases great-grandparents, the oldest of them being well into their 90s. The Inner Wheel members prepared the tea and the men arranged the singalong that included songs from a dozen different countries, tied together with dialogue by Rotn Peter Sherlock. A solo was sung by SVP Ernie Roberts; Rotn Vince Allen accompanied the singing and played background music through the meal. General arrangements for the party were made by Rotn Geoff. Ward.