Chesterfield Club Activities June 05

ROTARY CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL AT CHATSWORTH

18/6/2005

Rotary International is 100 years old this year and Rotarians in District 1220 held a special celebration in the garden at Chatsworth when 1,300 members of the Family of Rotary gathered together for the first time ever in such numbers on 18th June 2005.

The event was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Bakewell, Buxton, Chesterfield and Matlock in partnership with Chatsworth as part of the worldwide centennial celebration, which is being led by the 2005 RI Convention in Chicago.

Geoff Mitchell, president of the Chesterfield club and a member of the organising committee, said: “We were delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire wished to be associated with Rotary’s Centenary and it was a wonderful evening for everyone in probably the most perfect setting of all.”

Geoff Mitchell added: “100 years is a milestone for any organisation and, as that original concept of service to others never goes out of fashion, we hope that Rotary will thrive for many years to come as it now enters a new century."

POETRY READERS COMPETITION

Youngsters representing local senior schools have been taking part in a poetry reading competition hosted by Parkside School. Altogether fourteen youngsters competed in the annual Poetry Reading Competition organised by the Rotary Club of Chesterfield. The winner was Ann Cain from St Mary's High School who read 'The Armadillo' by John Hedley. Second was Oliver Hooper from Hasland Community School with Raold Dahl's "Augustus Gloop" and third was Rosie Connor, again from St Mary's, who read "If I were a shape" by Brian Moses.

The prizes of gift vouchers and the cup were presented by the president of the Rotary Club of Chesterfield, Geoff Mitchell, who said; "This competition has been run by Rotary for the last 20 years and gives local students an experience they would not otherwise get. The standard is high and we look forward to a reprise from the winner Ann Cain when she attends Rotary's Ladies Day next year."

The competition was organised and compered by Rotarian David Windle.

ROTARIANS HELPING TO SAVE LIVES
June 2005

Rotarians in Chesterfield have provided welcome support that is expected to save lives locally from the single largest cause of early deaths in the country, heart attacks. The Rotary Club of Chesterfield has presented a £1,000 defibrillator to a local life-saving group which bridges the gap between the 999 call and the arrival of the paramedics.

The Chesterfield Neighbourhood First Responders are part of a scheme operated by Derbyshire St. John Ambulance in partnership with East Midlands Ambulance Service. With 20 volunteer members and two fully-equipped teams, the Chesterfield Neighbourhood First Responders provide emergency response across the Chesterfield area, on call from 8am to midnight seven days a week, if required by the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

All trained volunteers who live locally, the Neighbourhood First Responders can be on an emergency scene quickly, for example if someone is suffering a heart attack. The Neighbourhood First Responder can manage the incident and provide prompt immediate care on behalf of the NHS Ambulance Trust before the NHS ambulance arrives. In this way, vital minutes can be saved and treatment such as defibrillation can be more effective.

Darryl Bagley, Chesterfield First Responder and County Training Manager for Derbyshire St. John Ambulance, said: "We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of Chesterfield for this very generous donation. This has helped us buy a defibrillator - the machine used to re-start the heart in cases of cardiac arrest.

Geoff Mitchell, president of Chesterfield Rotary said: "We are delighted to be able to support Community First Responders as this extra defibrillator will boost their capacity to attend emergencies and help save lives in Chesterfield."
 

NEW CENTURIANS
1st July 2005

Leading the Rotary Club of Chesterfield into the second century of Rotary service to communities at home and abroad is the Rev Roger Watts, the Vicar of Wingerworth. He takes over the role from the out-going president Geoff Mitchell, custodian of the presidency during Rotary's centenary year.

Former insurance company chairman John Hare moves up to the role of senior vice president, meaning he becomes president in 2006-07. And former school teacher and careers advisor David Windle takes on the position of junior vice president.
 

(from left to right) The newly installed president Roger Watts is congratulated by outgoing president Geoff Mitchell.
 

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE
1st July 2005

A local Rotarian has been recognised for his dedication to the Rotary movement despite the disabling effects of a stroke suffered three years ago.

District Governor John Kirkland made a surprise visit to the Rotary Club of Chesterfield to present a 'Commitment to Service' Award to past president Alec Taylor. Only five of these special awards have been presented to worthy Rotarians in the District to mark the centenary of Rotary International this year. The former headmaster of William Rhodes Primary School has been an active Rotarian for 37 years and continues to support all the events organised by his local Rotary club despite his incapacity.

Rotary club president Roger Watts said: "Alec Taylor is an inspiration to us all and club members are delighted that he has been recognised for his dedication over many years to Rotary, with its motto of 'service above self'."

Surrounding past president Alex Taylor from left to right: District Governor John Kirkland, past president Jim Savage, immediate past president Geoff Mitchell and newly installed president Rev Roger Watts.

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