Week 20 – Wow – that was a busy one!!

Club Visits since July 1                                                         58

Rotary Engagements since July 1                                          149

Official Club Visits with Chicken dinner since July 1                 9 !!

Despite the fact that I only carried out one Official visit to a club this week, it turned out to be the busiest week for Rotary engagements since the year started in July.

 

Monday was my Official visit to RC Jordans who were celebrating their 33rd year as a club.  Just Winners of Rotary’s Changemaker  award in 2012 they are moving ahead with a purpose.  President Alan is leading a thriving club with big plans for the future, including providing an Assistant Governor for 2014-2015 – well stepped up John Evans (well he will when his leg gets better ).

On Tuesday Joan & I made the quick burst up the M40 to Bicester for the first of two “Children Singing for Children” events of the week.  This year RC Bicester have had to increase the number of evenings they’re offering this really special concert because of the number of primary schools that want to be involved.  Each school choir does a couple of numbers to the delight of the audience and the proceeds are donated to children’s charities.  Special mention needs to be made of the pupils of Bardwell (a school for pupils with complex, severe and profound learning difficulties) – a reminder that the rest of us really need to be grateful!!

Wye Valley School Interact club has a splendid record of service for its own and distant communities and it was a real pleasure on Wednesday to be at the induction of this year’s crop of 13 members under the leadership of incoming President India.  Particularly pleasurable also was the fact that 13 members of RC Bourne End & Cookham turned up to witness the occasion – well done all!

Thursday went by in a bit of a whirlwind – first to the Elthorne-Hillingdon  Inner Wheel craft fair and then on to a less jolly occasion – sadly to a funeral for RC Misbourne Matins founder member Jan Berglund.  An unexpected loss to family & friends but great for me to have coffee afterwards with 10 of the more than 20 club members who attended.  Then on up to Banbury for my second opportunity to hear “Children Singing for Children” again.  Banbury’s event has been going for a little longer and they have 4 nights of concerts, this time with 6 school choirs participating.  Super to see kids attacking the songs with such gusto and making their parents really proud. (Pictures weren't allowed but I sneaked this one off anyay!)

More than 250 District Rotarians (and some from neighbouring Districts) turned out on Friday to collect for Children in Need at Heathrow Airport.  I'm told that the day raised more than £20,000 which is a terrific effort and a great advert for our members and our movment!

Complete change of style for Friday evening at RC Pinner’s Bollywood evening.  Populated by more than 350 guests, the sold-out event went with a real bang(la).  Entertainment by Dance Asia & Ashanti Strings contributed to an evening with a difference raising funds for Polio Eradication and other charities.

Off early on Saturday for a blast down to Dartmoor – well Dartmoor Zoo specifically to meet the man who “Bought a Zoo”, Benjamin Mee.  Such a nice man with a real passion for his animals and their conservation.  His dedicated team of staff & volunteers  are a real treat to talk to – oh and the animals are pretty cool too!

And on to a meeting of our conference committee in Torquay who are gelling as a real powerhouse of organisational ability (I have to say that!) followed on Sunday morning by a visit to the Riviera Centre for a reality check on what we’ve got planned for March – happily all going well!!

(PS the picture on the right is from the zoo, it isn't one of the committee on the prowl)