Week 10 – Coming Home to Roost?

Club Visits since July 1                                               30

Rotary Engagements since July 1                                75

Official Club Visits with Chicken since July 1                3 !! (I guess 1 in 10 is reasonable?)

Last week finished with the selection process for our Vocational Training Team candidates and this week started with hearing the reaction from the very excited selected team members, and the not so pleasant job of commiserating with those who weren’t selected.  Anyway, it puts us in the position of being able to finish off the application for the Global Grant shortly.

Off to RC Woodstock & Kidlington on Monday.  Terrific bunch of people belying their relatively small numbers by mounting fantastic events under the gentle guidance of President John.  Looking forward to the Rotary Blenheim 10K in October.  

Tuesday – local derby fixture at RC Pinner – always nice to be present when a new member is inducted – welcome to Chen Adya.  With President Nigel taking the helm for a second term the club is in great spirit – looking forward to the Pinner Village Show this coming Saturday 14^th.

RC Marlow Thames was Wednesday’s venue – another club gearing up for their big event of the year – the Cookham Regatta in conjunction with RC Cookham Bridge – at least the river is in better shape this year and the weather turned out not too bad on Saturday.  President Sara has a very lively bunch of committed Rotarians – great stuff.

Thursday saw me back at the same location for our first ever District Roles Awareness workshop, with a bumper audience of those already doing District roles and those curious to know what happens on District.  Had to nip off early to fulfil another engagement but it seemed to be well received.

And Friday at RC Banbury for lunch – largest club in the District with more than 70 members and a robust spirit – no prisoners taken here! – especially amongst their own club members led by President John.  Lots of lively banter and splendid Rotary fellowship.  Makes it seem nearer than the 130 mile round trip!

 

Birthdays are good – right?  And a tenth birthday party for RC Oxford Spires was well worth the trip up to Finstock in deepest Oxfordshire – a real lesson for all of us – how to put on a great evening for £10 a head including a first drink and home-cooked food.  Add in good company, a modestly –priced bar and a casino you have a great recipe for a superb Rotary celebration.   

Well done all!

Never been Dragon Boat Racing?  No, neither had I – but at least now I’ve spectated at one.  RC Abingdon Vesper have been running theirs for some years and are well-practiced at putting on a great event.   

My abiding memory of the day – happy smiling faces of the competitors, win or lose – clearly well worth all the effort for them and a great example of Rotary service in action – giving the community a super day out, despite the occasional showers, and raising funds for good causes at the same time.