Mea culpa yet again! For more regular news please Follow me on Twitter @JohnCGreening!!
Since last I wrote it's been non-stop! Over to Amsterdam in the week of 5 November for Governor-Elect Training - good session with a couple of hundred District-Governors Elect (DGEs) from around Europe. The the following week I embarked on the first of my meetings with the Presidents -Elect, together with a weekedn get together with all the DGEs from Britain & Ireland. Packed in another meeting the Presidents-Elect the next week, together with the last of our Rotary Foundation Future Vision seminars, darts match against Gerrards Cross "B" (we won 4-1, frankly less than convincingly!). Then three more Presidents-Elect meetings the next week culminating in a visit to the Ruislip Beer Festival - much deserved that was! (Great now annual event organised by RC Ruislip-Northwood in conjunction with Ruislip RFC and CAMRA). First time I've tasted 7.4% bitter - can't remember the name - now I wonder why that is?
And thus to last week - a super treat - went to see Kiss Me Kate at The Old Vic - made a nice change from a Rotary outing - great show, great fun, great cast - Go See It!!
I will try and write more often - soon this will become a New Year's Resolution. Looking forward to Xmas and off on our cruise!
Friday, 7 December 2012
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Theatre Extra!! (not exactly Rotary)
Very privileged yesterday to be at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington for the inaugural performance of my wife and fellow Rotarian Joan Greening's series of "Mistresses" (she's written & directed them).Here's what an early reviewer had to say.....
"Award
winning playwright Joan Greening’s new show explores relationships between
women who have achieved greatness by being a mistress for a royal or famous man
and the effect it has on the people around them.
Jean
Heard, an experienced television, stage and film actress plays a prostitute who
has known Nell Gwyn. The performance is
funny, touching and gives a comprehensive feel of restoration England.
RADA-trained
Julia Munrow then takes the stage as Fanny Cornforth and Elizabeth Siddal. The rivalry between the two women for
Rossetti’s love ends in tragedy. Julia Munrow shows what a versatile actress she
is managing to show the heartbreak of Elizabeth
and the raunchy but vulnerable Fanny.
Queen
Adelaide recounts the story of Dorothy Jordan to end the first half. Jean Heard shows the hurt that William IV
caused his wife and her annoyance is both funny and pathetic.
The
second half opens with the further rivalry for Rossetti’s love. This time it is between Fanny and Jane
Morris. The steadfast Fanny changes from
a mistress to a nurse and the self-seeking Jane drifts aways as Rossetti
becomes a drug addict. Julia Munrow delights the audience with a mesmeric
performance.
Jean
Heard ends the show as Lillie Langtry. Lillie
is played with great vigour and is naughty, funny and very likeable.
The
show leavers the audience delightfully entertained and more than a little
moved."
The pictures accompanying this post are of the two actresses from each of the five pieces in sequence. Personally I thought the reviewer somewhat undersells the intensity of the performances - from light and breezy to sombre and devastated. Oh, and the writing is terrific - I could be biased - but I don't think so in this case.
The
show has two more matinee performances, October 27th and November 3rd
at 3 p.m. Tickets available from the
Kings Head Box Office 020 7478 0160
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Busy week this week
Been a busy week - Monday evening I met with my conference chairman and a couple of our committee members to talk over some of the administrative aspectes we need to plan. Although the event isn't until March 2014 there's all sorts of things we need to prepare and as they say "if you fail to plan, you'll plan to fail"!!
Tuesday was the quarterly meeting of our Rotary District Executive - we support the 63 clubs in our patch and meet up to talk through where we need to focus our efforts. Hot topic was the planned reorganisation of how clubs are grouped in Great Britain & Ireland. If it all turns out the way the proposals are structured we'll see an additional 9 clubs join us in 2015.
Wednesday had me as the speaker at our Rotary club meeting on the topic of what it's like to be going through the progression to be District Governor - seemed to go well, but you'd have to ask the audience.
And on Thursday I was at one the continuing series of workshops for the changes to they way our Rotary Foundation will adminster grants - very receptive group this week. I'm sorry to be missing the next few as I have other Rotary commitments - more of those in the coming weeks.
Friday morning - shock horror - no golf today! A couple of times a year my Golf Club allows charities to hold fundraising Golf Days at the club, which means us regulars have a day off - Friday was Sparks day - hope that they did well. But that meant I could go off to RC Banbury for lunch. Terrific group of people - very liveley =- think I gave as good as I got!! Great speaker - Alistair Welford from Leadenporch Trust who spoke movingly of their work with street children and young adults in Guatemala and building links between those children and troubled teens in Banbury - stirring stuff.
And in the evening facing heavy competition from nine other teams we battled in RC Elthorne Hillingdon's annual "Big Ed" quiz. After a poor start we fought our way back to finish second to perennial winners RC Pinner. However, a fun night and a good turnout supporting our club funds.
So to today, Saturday. Momentous day - we're off to The Kings Head Theatre, Islington to see Mistresses - a two-hander featuring actresses Jean Heard and Julia Munrow tell the stories of five famous mistresses - or perhaps I should say mistresses of the famous. Written by Rotarian Joan Greening - who happens to be my wife, doesn't that make me proud! - it's on for three consecutive Saturdays - 20th October, 27th October, 3 November at 3 pm. Hoping to update with a review and pictures - possibly as early as tomorrow!
Tuesday was the quarterly meeting of our Rotary District Executive - we support the 63 clubs in our patch and meet up to talk through where we need to focus our efforts. Hot topic was the planned reorganisation of how clubs are grouped in Great Britain & Ireland. If it all turns out the way the proposals are structured we'll see an additional 9 clubs join us in 2015.
Wednesday had me as the speaker at our Rotary club meeting on the topic of what it's like to be going through the progression to be District Governor - seemed to go well, but you'd have to ask the audience.
And on Thursday I was at one the continuing series of workshops for the changes to they way our Rotary Foundation will adminster grants - very receptive group this week. I'm sorry to be missing the next few as I have other Rotary commitments - more of those in the coming weeks.
Friday morning - shock horror - no golf today! A couple of times a year my Golf Club allows charities to hold fundraising Golf Days at the club, which means us regulars have a day off - Friday was Sparks day - hope that they did well. But that meant I could go off to RC Banbury for lunch. Terrific group of people - very liveley =- think I gave as good as I got!! Great speaker - Alistair Welford from Leadenporch Trust who spoke movingly of their work with street children and young adults in Guatemala and building links between those children and troubled teens in Banbury - stirring stuff.
And in the evening facing heavy competition from nine other teams we battled in RC Elthorne Hillingdon's annual "Big Ed" quiz. After a poor start we fought our way back to finish second to perennial winners RC Pinner. However, a fun night and a good turnout supporting our club funds.
So to today, Saturday. Momentous day - we're off to The Kings Head Theatre, Islington to see Mistresses - a two-hander featuring actresses Jean Heard and Julia Munrow tell the stories of five famous mistresses - or perhaps I should say mistresses of the famous. Written by Rotarian Joan Greening - who happens to be my wife, doesn't that make me proud! - it's on for three consecutive Saturdays - 20th October, 27th October, 3 November at 3 pm. Hoping to update with a review and pictures - possibly as early as tomorrow!
Sunday, 14 October 2012
Looking Ahead - busy times in view
Got a number of really busy months coming up in the Rotary calendar.
Firstly our charity, The Rotary Foundation, is changing the way it administers the grants it gives for charitable purposes from July next year. In a move designed to keep the costs of administration down (less than 9%), a lot of work & responsibility is being devolved to the 538 Districts that make up Rotary International. That in turn is changing some of the way in which Rotary clubs have to record their funds. All of this has to be explained to the clubs and so we're running a series of nine workshops over the next few weeks to set out the changes. As the person who'll be in the hot seat as District Governor from next July I feel it's my duty to support our District Foundation team as they make their way round the patch with these workshops so I'm going to as many as I can.
Then early next month Joan & I will be off to Amsterdam for a three day Training Session with all the other Governors-Elect in Northern Europe, followed by which I will be running a series of meetings with all the Presidents-Elect - all 63 of them - from the clubs in our District during the latter part of November, when I also have a weekend get together with the other 28 Governors Elect from Britain & Ireland. Oh and the team who are running my conference will be off to Torquay for a weekend to check out the conference centre and local attractions so there's some meetings ahead of that to set the scene.
Of course I'm also continuing my perambulations around the clubs in the District that I have yet to visit - that's really rewarding for me - such great groups of people - welcoming everywhere.
And then we're into December and the run up to Xmas - my club will be out with our Santa float for 6 nights - which is always great fun. And before you know it we'll be off to Rome for our Xmas cruise.
I shall do my best to keep up with how all this pans out.
Firstly our charity, The Rotary Foundation, is changing the way it administers the grants it gives for charitable purposes from July next year. In a move designed to keep the costs of administration down (less than 9%), a lot of work & responsibility is being devolved to the 538 Districts that make up Rotary International. That in turn is changing some of the way in which Rotary clubs have to record their funds. All of this has to be explained to the clubs and so we're running a series of nine workshops over the next few weeks to set out the changes. As the person who'll be in the hot seat as District Governor from next July I feel it's my duty to support our District Foundation team as they make their way round the patch with these workshops so I'm going to as many as I can.
Then early next month Joan & I will be off to Amsterdam for a three day Training Session with all the other Governors-Elect in Northern Europe, followed by which I will be running a series of meetings with all the Presidents-Elect - all 63 of them - from the clubs in our District during the latter part of November, when I also have a weekend get together with the other 28 Governors Elect from Britain & Ireland. Oh and the team who are running my conference will be off to Torquay for a weekend to check out the conference centre and local attractions so there's some meetings ahead of that to set the scene.
Of course I'm also continuing my perambulations around the clubs in the District that I have yet to visit - that's really rewarding for me - such great groups of people - welcoming everywhere.
And then we're into December and the run up to Xmas - my club will be out with our Santa float for 6 nights - which is always great fun. And before you know it we'll be off to Rome for our Xmas cruise.
I shall do my best to keep up with how all this pans out.
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Appalling length of time since last I wrote!
Feeling in need of a New Year to make a resolution to do better with my blog posts. Almost two months since I last updated you- humble apologies! Have something of an excuse - we've been away on holiday for nearly three weeks.
So where were we! Last time I wrote we'd just been to a great day at the Olympics. Like many others when the Olympics was over we felt bereft and, not having been to the Olympic Stadium we booked up for the opening ceremony of the Paralympics. Magnificent spectacle - and not without its Rotary connections - standing next to a Rotarian from District 1260 (Bucks & Herts) in the queue - who is a friend of another 1260 Rotarian with whom I went to school - really small world stuff. And then the tweets from fellow DGE from 1290 (Cornwall) who was very closely located within the stadium.
In the middle of August the Team from Elthorne-Hillingdon were back at the Mencap Jubilee Pool in Hillingdon for another round of physical labour, further extending our previous path-building efforts. Entirely not the sort of things we normally do in a our day to day lives, but very enjoyable and ultimately worthwhile.
Furthering the Rotary theme, since I last wrote I've had the pleasure of being with the Rotary clubs of Marlow, Beaconsfield, Witney, Loddon Vale, Oxford Isis, Gerrards Cross and our now annual visit to Fort Myers South while we were on holiday in Florida.
This week I've started the tour with our District Rotary Foundation team explaining all the changes that are coming to the way in which our charity administers grants to worthy causes. The team are covering our patch at nine separate events involving a couple of hundred or so willing volunteers. What with that and a load of other Rotary events that are coming up, I shall try (again) to be a more frequent blogger. I do, however, continue to tweet - follow me on Twitter @JohnCGreening for more concise messages.
In the middle of August the Team from Elthorne-Hillingdon were back at the Mencap Jubilee Pool in Hillingdon for another round of physical labour, further extending our previous path-building efforts. Entirely not the sort of things we normally do in a our day to day lives, but very enjoyable and ultimately worthwhile.
Furthering the Rotary theme, since I last wrote I've had the pleasure of being with the Rotary clubs of Marlow, Beaconsfield, Witney, Loddon Vale, Oxford Isis, Gerrards Cross and our now annual visit to Fort Myers South while we were on holiday in Florida.
This week I've started the tour with our District Rotary Foundation team explaining all the changes that are coming to the way in which our charity administers grants to worthy causes. The team are covering our patch at nine separate events involving a couple of hundred or so willing volunteers. What with that and a load of other Rotary events that are coming up, I shall try (again) to be a more frequent blogger. I do, however, continue to tweet - follow me on Twitter @JohnCGreening for more concise messages.
Saturday, 18 August 2012
What happened to July?
Here I am again - more than a month AGAIN without a single post - just to remind you all - if you need a more regular update - find me at @JohnCGreening on Twitter and on Facebook as well.
So, since the end of June what's been occurring?
On the Rotary front it's been a busy few weeks - been to Kingham & Daylesford, Maidenhead Thames, Langley & Iver, Ascot, Marlow Thames, Crowthrone & Sandhurst & Oxford Spires - met loads of nice people, picked up some great ideas, which has taken my total of clubs visited up to 30 - almost half way through my Be Better Known campaign. It being the Rotary year end we also went to a number of celebratory dinners - at our own club, Elthorne-Hillingdon, which was extraordinary (!) , the District Handover, combined with that of Windsor St George, and Pinner, where outgoing President Nigel Shock received a Paul Harris award. Middle of the month saw the Future Leaders Workshop - good to see better than half of the 2013-2014 Presidents there, with a good number of 2014-2015 candidates as well. Felt for RC Uxbridge having to cancel their Autoshow at the last minute - the appalling weather turing the showground into a quagmire - all that effort put in for no return - hope they can bounce back. Elthorne-Hillingdon had the luck of the devil (or the righteous?) only a few days later though, with a brilliant day for the annual Golf Day, arising an outsanding £9,500 for Canine Partners - congratulations to all involved, but particularly to Club Treasurer Terry Ruby who masterminded the whole event. Also great to go and see District Governor Nominee Tim Cowling making such fantsatic progress following his recent operation. Looking forward to thrashing him at golf at the end of the month!
Talking of golf, made a step change this month - a smashing round with my usual group and a supplementary card duly entered led to a swingeing cut in handicap - down from 26.9 to 23.2. Followed it up with a 5th place (of 45 entrants) in a Seniors competition, narrowly avoiding a further cut. More normal service has since been resumed sad to say, but rounds now habitaully have a sprinkling of pars which is definite progress.
On the personal front, we looked after our grandson Edward for a couple of days at the beginning of his school holidays and took him to the Harry Potter Studio Tour at Leavesden - fantastic day for all of us - will have to go back when we can have more time to marvel at the detail that went into the film making.
Finally, a day at the Olympics - yes, we went - Day 1 to see the Women's basketball (Czech Republic v China and Russia v Canada) - never been to basketball before - loved it.
And in the evening to the quailfying for Men's Gymnastics at the O2, oh no sorry, The North Greenwich Arena. Really, really impressed with the way the entire country has taken to the Games and the shear brilliance of the way we've organised it - just so impressive. Oh, and by the way, didn't our athletes do well! Enjoyed it so much we've got ticketrs for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony - we get to go to the Stadium!!
So, since the end of June what's been occurring?
On the Rotary front it's been a busy few weeks - been to Kingham & Daylesford, Maidenhead Thames, Langley & Iver, Ascot, Marlow Thames, Crowthrone & Sandhurst & Oxford Spires - met loads of nice people, picked up some great ideas, which has taken my total of clubs visited up to 30 - almost half way through my Be Better Known campaign. It being the Rotary year end we also went to a number of celebratory dinners - at our own club, Elthorne-Hillingdon, which was extraordinary (!) , the District Handover, combined with that of Windsor St George, and Pinner, where outgoing President Nigel Shock received a Paul Harris award. Middle of the month saw the Future Leaders Workshop - good to see better than half of the 2013-2014 Presidents there, with a good number of 2014-2015 candidates as well. Felt for RC Uxbridge having to cancel their Autoshow at the last minute - the appalling weather turing the showground into a quagmire - all that effort put in for no return - hope they can bounce back. Elthorne-Hillingdon had the luck of the devil (or the righteous?) only a few days later though, with a brilliant day for the annual Golf Day, arising an outsanding £9,500 for Canine Partners - congratulations to all involved, but particularly to Club Treasurer Terry Ruby who masterminded the whole event. Also great to go and see District Governor Nominee Tim Cowling making such fantsatic progress following his recent operation. Looking forward to thrashing him at golf at the end of the month!
Talking of golf, made a step change this month - a smashing round with my usual group and a supplementary card duly entered led to a swingeing cut in handicap - down from 26.9 to 23.2. Followed it up with a 5th place (of 45 entrants) in a Seniors competition, narrowly avoiding a further cut. More normal service has since been resumed sad to say, but rounds now habitaully have a sprinkling of pars which is definite progress.
On the personal front, we looked after our grandson Edward for a couple of days at the beginning of his school holidays and took him to the Harry Potter Studio Tour at Leavesden - fantastic day for all of us - will have to go back when we can have more time to marvel at the detail that went into the film making.
And in the evening to the quailfying for Men's Gymnastics at the O2, oh no sorry, The North Greenwich Arena. Really, really impressed with the way the entire country has taken to the Games and the shear brilliance of the way we've organised it - just so impressive. Oh, and by the way, didn't our athletes do well! Enjoyed it so much we've got ticketrs for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony - we get to go to the Stadium!!
Friday, 22 June 2012
A Busy Rotary Month - not half!
Somewhat behind the times! Have been very lax - keep updating Twitter but blogless for more than a month! What's been up?
Well 28 May went and heard RC Newbury's Club Assembly - great bunch of people - also went to their 60th anniversary dinner in June (16th), complete with a founder member (someone who was there when they started in 1952!!).
29th May - Conference Committee for 2014 District Conference Inaugural meeting
30th May RC Elthorne Hillingdon President's Night at Northwood Golf Club.
2nd June - Club (RC Elthorne Hillingdon stall at Northwood & Northwood Hills Residents Associations Diamond Jubilee Fair - unprepossessing weather to start with but cheered up and we met lots of nice people and sold £500 of our Meal for Two tickets (for two local charities)
9th June - down to Upton-on-Severn to see Pepperpot Players in Joan Greening's (my clever wife!)The Continental Quilt - I was in the World Premiere in 1981!
11th June had to stand in as speaker at a combined clubs meeting in place of poorly Rotary in Britain & Ireland President Ray Burman - and no one threw anything - some even said they'd enjoyed it!
12th June - RC Sinodun Assembly - best turnout I've ever seen - more than 90% of membership
13th June - Off to Number 23 in my Be Better Known campaign - RC Faringdon
19th-20th June we were at The Compass Theatre, Ickenham for two charity performances of Madame Blavatsky Lives (written & directed by Joan Greening -2011) presented by RC Elthorne-Hillingdon - terrific audiences, brilliant cast and £3,500 raised for Kamuli Mission Hospital in Uganda.
23rd June at the Ickenham Festival Gala Day - great turnout - not much rain - super sales of Meal for Two and draw for the 22 lucky winners!!
Will try and keep up to date better!!
Well 28 May went and heard RC Newbury's Club Assembly - great bunch of people - also went to their 60th anniversary dinner in June (16th), complete with a founder member (someone who was there when they started in 1952!!).
29th May - Conference Committee for 2014 District Conference Inaugural meeting
30th May RC Elthorne Hillingdon President's Night at Northwood Golf Club.
2nd June - Club (RC Elthorne Hillingdon stall at Northwood & Northwood Hills Residents Associations Diamond Jubilee Fair - unprepossessing weather to start with but cheered up and we met lots of nice people and sold £500 of our Meal for Two tickets (for two local charities)
9th June - down to Upton-on-Severn to see Pepperpot Players in Joan Greening's (my clever wife!)The Continental Quilt - I was in the World Premiere in 1981!
11th June had to stand in as speaker at a combined clubs meeting in place of poorly Rotary in Britain & Ireland President Ray Burman - and no one threw anything - some even said they'd enjoyed it!
12th June - RC Sinodun Assembly - best turnout I've ever seen - more than 90% of membership
13th June - Off to Number 23 in my Be Better Known campaign - RC Faringdon
19th-20th June we were at The Compass Theatre, Ickenham for two charity performances of Madame Blavatsky Lives (written & directed by Joan Greening -2011) presented by RC Elthorne-Hillingdon - terrific audiences, brilliant cast and £3,500 raised for Kamuli Mission Hospital in Uganda.
23rd June at the Ickenham Festival Gala Day - great turnout - not much rain - super sales of Meal for Two and draw for the 22 lucky winners!!
Will try and keep up to date better!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)