news and events Spring 2014 Issue District 1070 P.4 P.7 P.10 P.15

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1 District 1070 news and events Spring 2014 Issue 166 P.4 P.7 P.10 P.15

2 Rotary District 1070 News & Events Yes, undoubtedly brought to my knees by just the sheer courage of little Frances Swinnock at the Grantham Kesteven Children of Courage Awards.. She never stopped smiling and she has gone through more pain in her short life than any of us can imagine..i have had the privilege of attending two Children of Courage Awards presentations the other at Biggleswade Ivel..Both left me feeling very humble, very moved, very emotional. Believe me these young people certainly help you to put life into perspective. Do, do watch the DVD on you tube and see for yourself. Perhaps it is something to think about for your Club or working with other Clubs in your Area this really will raise awareness of Rotary. You will read all about further on but I was also in Grantham along with the hopper for the Grantham Swimarathon again see the DVD absolutely electric, fantastic atmosphere, an amazing weekend and raising so much money for local charities. 25 years too that is an achievement Grantham received the Special Community Award for their Yes the DG on her Knees efforts at the recent RIBI Conference well done to all on behalf of all of I know these wonderful, bigger bolder projects take place in all areas and they really do help to raise awareness of our organisation..this is getting the name of Rotary around they also show just how fun and enjoyment is part of Rotary. Do please sing everything you do from the rooftops, use every opportunity to tell our story in whatever you can. It is up to us now! I am a firm believer that if Rotary was understood and perceived for what it does we would have people clamouring to join us our very survival depends upon it I thought things would get easier after Christmas having completed all my Club Visits I was really fooling myself. Thank you so much for inviting me and letting me experience so many inspirational events at your Clubs.. and so many involving young people. Purple pinkie days with a new Rotakids Club in Peterborough, Technology Tournaments in Northampton, Flashmobs in Rushden. I have experienced new foods at young Chef, been transported to other worlds at Young Musician and listened to a feast of ideas at Youth Speaks.I m also delighted to report that we have two finalists in the RIBI Young Musician final and a team in the RIBI Youth Speaks Final. I m sure we will all be wishing them the best of luck. Young people are our future and with the calibre of these young people it gives one great hope. It was also a great pleasure to attend the Community Cheque Presentation evening in Lutterworth Rotary and the community working together this is what Rotary is all about. Can I give a heartfelt thank you to all the Clubs who have supported the polio eradication campaign. Everything raised as you know will be trebled by the Gates Foundation What an achievement..india is declared officially Polio Free Rotary can take much credit for that. Rotary has a dream, a vision, we are on a mission a Polio Free world we must never give up until we finish the job. Thank you all so much for all you do as continue to Engage Rotary Change Lives.. Your Space Hopping DG Margaret Gary C.K. Huang President Rotary Club of Taipei Taiwan Gary C.K. Huang is currently an adviser for Wah Lee Industrial Corp. and Bank of Panhsin. He is also a director of Federal Corporation and Sunty Property Development. A Rotarian since 1976, Huang has served RI as vice president, director, Rotary Foundation trustee, International Assembly group discussion leader, regional session leader, task force member and coordinator, committee member and chair, and district governor. He wrote about his experiences in business and Rotary in his book Finding Solutions, Not Excuses. Huang has been awarded the National Civic Service Award by the Federation of Non- Profit Associations and the Outstanding Community Service Award by the Ministry of the Interior R.O.C. He is a recipient of the RI Service Above Self Award and a Presidential Citation, and The Rotary Foundation s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. 2

3 From the Editor Let me start with congratulating the Grantham Club for what they have achieved with the Global Swimarathon. Fantastic! It shows what a dedicated Club with committed members can do. And this has had a dramatic effect on their membership. Membership is a major issue in the islands in which we live and which are administered by RIBI. Last year membership fell to 51,000 which is a net loss of 3%. The year before there was a loss of 2% and the year before it was a 1% loss! Will membership next year collapse by 4% and fall below 50,000? Membership is a subject close to my heart and it pains me to see the numbers in free fall. What can we what will we do about it? Three years ago we made a net gain in Melton Mowbray of over 50% and it didn t cost us any money! Rotary is a successful organisation and does an amazing amount of good in the world. The material that crosses my desk almost daily about what Clubs do is truly inspiring. And with it we have a lot of fun. But any frivolity should be replaced with a little gravitas when we consider where Rotary is heading in the UK and Ireland. It is excellent that Clubs are arranging Club Visioning sessions: will this help? Watch this space! May I draw your attention to the adjacent letter from Ricky Hallam. He has been given the wonderful privilege of attending the International RYLA, followed by the Rotaract Convention and then on to the RI Convention in Sydney next month. This will be a wonderful experience for him and it is an honour for District 1070 that one of our own is being invited to the top table. We wish him well. But Ricky needs money to be able to do this. He needs 1,400. I urge my fellow Rotarians to support him. It only needs 28 of our Clubs to give him 50 and he s on his way! We have done this in Melton: please follow our example! I struggled to find some Rotary Moments for this issue. There have been some truly awesome moments described in previous issues: please share your past Issue 166 Spring 2014 emotions with us: you don t have to be a past District Governor to have been inwardly effected by a past event connected to Rotary. I am sure there is a wealth of experience in our Clubs: please allow us to draw upon yours! Should we be inviting firms to advertise in future issues? Quite a few members have expressed their views: all in favour! I submitted our News & Events into the RIBI District Bulletin competition. We obviously didn t win! Do you know why? Not that the quality is poor far from it! But the main criteria this year was how is the publication funded. Ours has been funded to date totally by members subscriptions; the cost of producing the winning District s bulletin was significantly reduced by selling advertising space. What a lesson for us! David Morris Editor Letters to the Editor Hi David, When I was a member of a club in Norfolk, which is in District 1080, I did a spell as editor of the District magazine. For many years the whole magazine costs were met by the printer who published the mag. He generated the costs and a profit for himself by selling advertising. We were guaranteed 20 pages of editorial content. Eventually the advertising became too small to sustain the arrangement and the District opted for an online version. I think it makes sense for District 1070 to subsidise the cost of the magazine by advertising as a paper edition is preferable and you may even find a printer in the District who is interested in the idea of publishing the magazine with a mixture of income from District and their own generated advertising. Jim Hyland Rotary Club of Dantre Daventry Dear David It was good to catch up with you, and with the old Aurora crowd the other week. I have just had a wonderful reception from two of the Rotary Clubs in Leicester. I was very pleased to hear that you are starting another club in Leicester, and would be very interested in speaking to them as soon as there is a convenient opportunity. I would also like to ask to be slotted in to talk at your club at some point in the future. Our work is ever expanding, and just today I have had the following Urgent - I want to make you all aware of a police investigation into child sex exploitation taking place currently regarding one of our young people in... This is a serious safeguarding issue, as the young person has been spending time with known sex offenders. This is happening all over the county and we are struggling to meet the needs of these young women, and also to support them to travel into our Lifeskills Centres in Loughborough and Leicester from Melton and other areas of the county. There is no other charity doing such targeted effective work locally. Any support we can gather in will go directly towards helping these very unfortunate young people who have had such an unfair start in life. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards Joanna Burrows Hi David I am writing to you to ask for financial assistance from Rotary and thought it best to contact someone that I know through my different Rotary commitments and connection I have been involved with Rotary in some way since 2008 when I was lucky enough to attend RYLA at Graffham Water Centre. Since then I have returned to RYLA 1070 as a tutor on several occasions and to also assist in running the business game which the participants take part in over several of days. As well as this involvement, I am a founder member of the current Leicester Rotaract club and am currently club President. I have also taken on the role of Co-chair of the Rotaract district committee working to rejuvenate and help raise the Rotaract profile in the district. Due to this involvement over a number of years, it was suggested that I would be a suitable candidate for the upcoming International RYLA which is to take place in Sydney 26th - 29th May which is then followed by the Rotaract pre-convention, 30th - 31st June and finally the Rotary Convention 1st - 4th June. I am glad to say that I have been accepted and will be attending and hope to come back with a wealth of experience and knowledge to help spread the word about Rotary and to also help to get Rotaract back on it s feet in the district by learning from other Rotartactors from around the world. This will cost in the region of 1,400 and am writing to ask if you would be willing to assist me in the funding of this trip. Any assistance that you are able to provide would be very gratefully received. I am more than willing to come to any club to give a talk once I return to tell you about my experience at IRYLA and the subsequent RI Convention. Ricky Hallam 3

4 Rotary District 1070 News & Events HUNTINGDON CROMWELL In January the Rotary Club of Huntingdon Cromwell and the Cambridgeshire Police Boxing Club (CAMPOL) staged their annual Boxing Evening at the Burgess Hall St Ives. Over two hundred members and friends of the Rotary Club and CAMPOL sat down to a three course meal. This was followed by the main events for the evening, namely ten excellent bouts of skilful and entertaining boxing.. It was a great opportunity for members of CAMPOL to engage in competitive bouts in front of a large and appreciative audience. The evening raised over 3000 towards charities supported by the club. RAMSEY Olympic Gym Ramsey and Huntingdon Cromwell Rotary Clubs pooled their resources to apply for a Rotary Grant to refurbish the foam pit at the Huntingdon Olympic Gym. With the grant awarded, the combined total raised was 5,000. Club Presidents, and members who had secured the grant, were invited to attend the Opening Ceremony of the new gym extension UPPINGHAM The Rotary Club of Uppingham are celebrating another successful charity walk around Eyebrook reservoir. The annual walk, in aid of LOROS and other local and national charities, saw more than 100 people enjoy the 4.6 mile walk on a brisk, though thankfully dry, day. The route normally has restricted access so this was a once a year opportunity to see the reservoir close up. Hugh Holden, who led the team organising the event said Although getting everything organised can be a chore it is well rewarded HUNTINGDON All participants received either a winner s trophy or a runner s up trophy these were presented by either the sponsors of the bout or by the Club President. At the conclusion of the evening s bouts, as is traditional, the best winner and the best loser from the CAMPOL performed by Sir John Major. This muchneeded extension building, which is filled with State of the Art equipment, provides extra training room for our future Olympians. It is also used for the benefit of the rest of the local community. Lewis Smith, Dan Keeting and many young budding Olympians treated invited guests to a stunning display. After the display the Rotary representatives joined Sir John Major and Paul Hall (Head Coach) for the cheque presentation. The Rotary Club of Huntingdon held their fifth annual Technology Tournament at Abbey College, Ramsey on Wednesday 12th February. The event was attended by 5 of the local schools which entered a total of 20 teams with 4 students per team. The Tournament is arranged to give the students experience of carrying out an challenging project within a limited time during the day. This year s task was to construct a machine which was able to pick up a radio-active meteorite (actually a tennis ball) from a distance of 1.5 metres. Each team was provided with a kit of parts including lengths of 10mm square wood, card, wire string and rubber bands. The students had no prior knowledge of the task and were expected to consider various designs to meet the requirement and then to construct the machine during the morning. After lunch each team was asked to demonstrate the machine club were awarded with an additional trophy. At the end of the evening a cheque for was presented to the boxing club. Photograph of President Martin Stephenson presenting trophy and action from two of the bouts. when so many people turn up and enjoy the day. Although the money is still rolling in I am confident that we will raise thousands of pounds for the organisations we support. Jacqui Wayte, who came from Market Deeping to take part said It was a great day out and I really enjoyed it. Taking some exercise in the beautiful Rutland countryside whilst supporting LOROS is a perfect way to spend a Sunday. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Uppingham for organising such a wonderful event. which they had built. Points were awarded for their approach to designing and building the machine, within a team, and for its ability to lift the meteorite out of a Perspex box and place it accurately on a target. The day was a great success with the teams obviously enjoying themselves and deriving useful experience in a competitive environment. The teams were split into 3 different categories with varying degrees of difficulty dependent on age. The winners in each group were: Foundation Task: Intermediate Task: Kimbolton School Ernulf Academy Advanced Category: Sawtry College The photographs show members of the winning teams with their trophies, which were donated by Computer Miracle Ltd., together with an example of one of the machines. 4

5 Issue 166 Spring 2014 BEDFORD A reception took place at the newly opened Higgins Gallery in Bedford on Thursday, 13th February The event was the culmination of a fund raising effort organised jointly by the Rotary Club of Bedford, the Rotary Club of Bedford Castle and the Friends of the Higgins in support of the gallery. The evening was introduced by Rtn. David Fletcher, a member of the Castle Club and also a Friend, and known to many from the BBC programme, Flog it. Guests were invited to look around the gallery before a formal presentation of a cheque for 22,055 to Tom Perrett, Head of Collections and Exhibitions. The photograph shows President Mark Chamberlain (RC of Bedford), Virendra Soni (RC of Bedford Castle) and Jane Lambert (Chairman of the Friends of the Higgins) handing over a cheque to Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson and Cllr Doug McMurdo. Tom Perrett was in the wings somewhere. GRANTHAM KESTEVEN A JAMBOREE IN JAPAN An Explorer Scout from Harby recently gave an interesting talk to Grantham Kesteven Rotarians. Edward Sawford is 15 and a member of the 1st Waltham Dollywaggon Explorer Scouts. He is trying to raise 3,500 so that both he and another scout from a poor country can both attend the next World Scout Jamboree which will be held in Japan in The theme is The Spirit of Unity. Edward had to attend a rigorous selection camp to be nominated for the event and he hopes to be one of 1500 scouts from the UK who will attend. He won t know who the other scout he is funding will be until he arrives in Japan. President Arthur Ambrose presented Edward with a cheque for 100 to go towards his target. If you would like to help Edward in his attempt to raise funds Tele or joy@sawford.com (Dollywaggon Pike is one of the fells in the Lake District) The Rotary Club of St Neots St Marys celebrated its 25th Sportsman s Night with a record attendance of 317 local businessmen and guests and raised nearly for its Charity Account during the evening. The celebrity sporting speaker was ex World Snooker champion John Parrott, who kept the audience richly entertained with a highly amusing insight into the world of snooker and many of the characters he has played with and against over the years including Alex Hurricane Higgins, Fred Davis, Steve Davis, Ronnie O Sullivan and Stephen Hendry. John told many anecdotes about his playing days and his life as a BBC commentator on the major championships. He was ably supported by Rod Woodward a young welsh comedian who had the audience in fits of laughter. Rotary Club President Ian Taylor welcomed all those attending including special guest the Mayor of St Neots, Andrew Hansard and before the meal he made a special presentation to Ruth Putley commenting that, as President, he wanted to introduce a special award this year to a young person who has overcome severe disability and illness. Ruth has been battling against acute lymphoma leukaemia but still keeps up an outward appearance of cheerfulness and optimism and as such deserved to be chosen for the Club s first Children of Courage Award. Ian presented Ruth with a gift and a certificate to mark the occasion. ST NEOTS, ST MARYS This event has raised over 190,000 for many different local Charities since its inception in 1990, and shows no signs of dropping in popularity and has brought many famous sporting names to the town representing sports as diverse as Rugby, Cricket, Soccer, Motor Racing, National Hunt Racing, Golf, Boxing and Snooker. Next year s event is already being planned and the success of this year s event should ensure that tickets will once again be in great demand. Also President Ian Taylor presenting Ruth Putney with her certificate. PETERBOROUGH ORTONS Recently Peterborough Ortons organised their annual Beetle Drive. Friends and family were invited along to share in the fun. Ages ranged from under eight to over eighty. Replete after fish & chips we settled down to play the game. Excitement grew as dice were thrown and drawings of beetles started to appear. Eventually a frantic shout of `Beetle rent the air. It was so noisy a whistle had to be blown to stop play! At this point the winner moved up and the loser moved down. As always, chaos ensued but eventually everyone found a seat and the games started anew with a new group of friends. What did this bit of light hearted `nonsense achieve? Young and young at heart came together and enjoyed themselves. Children learned a bit of basic arithmetic and how to draw an insect. In the game the beetle in question is always a `mutation the insect only has four legs but nobody seems to care about this anatomical inaccuracy. The raffle added a little to our charity account but the main aim was for everyone to have a wonderful time, and we did. Roll on next year! 5

6 Rotary District 1070 News & Events Our Future STAMFORD BURGHLEY 25TH ANNIVERSARY Stamford Burghley was chartered in June 1988 with 34 members and is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. 12 of these founder members are retained, and the Club now has a membership of 37. Members have prepared a 25th Anniversary Archive which is an outstanding narrative of what the Club has done over the years,the projects, the fun and what the Club has achieved. Founder President John Hale introduces the archive: The seeds of our club were sown in spring 1987 by Bernard Ward,Martin Barker and Geoffrey Timm who had been for some years members of the Stamford Club. Our aim was to invite new people and double the numbers every couple of weeks. A new Stamford Club was born. District Extension Officer Ron Watson led the pre-natal period; he had been the midwife to a number of other clubs. He was assisted by Clive Butland and John Lyons as they instructed us in Rotary rules and philosophy. We were guided into deciding where to meet, our title, Coundl selection,our pennant and so on. The founder President had to be a Virgin Rotarian, the lot falling on me with Martin Barker as SVP. On 22nd February 1988 our inauguration at Lady Anne s was chaired by DG Frank Norburn. Rotarians throughout the area were present and various Clubs had been volunteered to give us our bell, lectern and visitors book. A Charter Celebration in June with the RIBI Governor completed the official activities and became our annual Presidential Handover time. YOUTH EXCHANGE Rotary Youth Exchange is a great opportunity for young people to learn another language and meet new people. It gives an opportunity of a lifetime to over 8,000 students who participate worldwide each year. By sharing their own culture and embracing a new one they foster global understanding and learn more about their home country in the process. Peterborough Rotary Club organised for five local students to go on Rotary Camps and Exchanges around the world. Ramsey Rotary Club members and guests were entertained by Bethany who visited Virginia USA, Jess who visited British Columbia and Sam who visited Oregon USA. Deepings Rotary Club welcomed back the Youth Exchange Students they had sponsored. Catherine, Amber, and Katy had travelled to the Czech Republic, Turkey and Brazil respectively. Peterborough Ortons Rotary Club welcomed back Emily, who exchanged with Marisela from Illinois and Lydia who exchanged with Kirsten from Kansas. All participants thanked Rotary for the fantastic opportunities they had enjoyed and were awarded Certificates of Achievement. MEMBERS OF OUR NEWEST CLUB IN FORMATION HELP PROMOTE BETTER HEALTH Know Your Blood Pressure was the first service project undertaken by the new Rotary Club In Formation which is meeting in Groby. With help from cardiothoracic surgeon Joe Leverment and Graham Cooper (both members of Soar Valley), the new club recorded the pressures of 18 passers-by. Two were referred to their GP. The checks were taken in the Stamford Arms, Groby, where the club meets on Wednesdays from 0730 to The new club has met weekly since January 21. At the time of going to print ten members had signed up and there are others who have indicated their intention to commit. Brian Rigby, who runs the Stamford Arms, is acting president. Stephen Peatfield, who was Chief Executive of Charnwood Borough Council for 10 years, has undertaken the role and duties of secretary. Lesley Trivett has agreed to be the treasurer. The new group has four men and six women. The new group has yet to decide on a name, but has a Facebook group in the name of BradgateRC. Its sponsoring club is Coalville. District Extension Officer Roger McDermott, from Coalville, David Morris from Melton Mowbray, Graham Cooper and Jim Matthews (Oadby) continue to pilot the new club. Will the new club reach the minimum number of 20 and be presented with its Rotary International Charter this year? Watch this space! YOUTH SPEAKS I was delighted to present certificates to some wonderful young people at Youth Speaks intermediate and senior semifinals held at Catmose College, Oakham. Schools from as far a field as Bourne, Melton Mowbray and Sleaford qualified for this semi-final. Rotarians, teachers, parents and friends came to listen to these talented young people. Youth Speaks, organised by Rotary, gives young people an opportunity to research a topic, formulate ideas and speak on a public platform. They gain selfconfidence, develop presentation skills, and learn to work as a team. Entrants choose the subject. The Chairperson speaks for two minutes, Speaker for six minutes and Proposer of the Vote of Thanks for two minutes. This is only one example of Schools, Colleges, Youth Groups and Rotary Clubs working together to promote the talents of young people. There are opportunities for young people to showcase their skills as musicians, artists, photographers, writers and technologists. The Regional Final of The Youth Speaks competition at Castleford in West Yorkshire was held on 30 March. District 1070 had two teams: Castle Rock High School from Coalville sponsored by RC Coalville and The Vale of Catmose College sponsored by Melton Belvoir. Both teams acquitted themselves extremely well but unfortunately neither won. 6

7 Issue 166 Spring 2014 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) RYLA took place at Grafham Water in July The project enables young male and female students (ages 18-25) to take part in team and character building events throughout a varied and busy week. All candidates are picked by local Rotary Clubs within District 1070 and given sponsorship for the week. This includes accommodation and all meals. The Rotary Club of the Deepings sponsored one of their Interactors Alexander Baker who completed the week in fine style. Alex visited the club on Monday 10th February to give his presentation on his busy week. He proved to be an outstanding candidate. President Mary Martin presented Alexander with his RYLA Certificate and said how delighted our Club has been to promote such a superb project. Alex thanked the Deepings Club for this opportunity to experience teamwork and friendship at such a high level. There was a very interesting article in recent issue of The Sunday Times Today s teenagers do give a damn. Demos had surveyed 1000 teenagers and concluded that today s generation are highly aware of social issues, keen to volunteer and keen to use their digital skills to change society. 80% believed that their generation were more concerned about social issues than previous ones. So what holds us back from having an Interact club in every school? Is it the young people, their teachers or the Rotarians? Let s be positive - It isn t enough to identify the resisting group - ideas are needed for overcoming the resistance identified. Peter Davey Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon and Samworth Enterprise Academy in Leicester once more hosted the District Young Chef Finals, sponsored by Samworth Brothers Quality Foods who are based in Leicester. 30 Rotary Clubs provided talented competitors aged between 13 and 17. District Governor Margaret Morley presented certificates and prizes and contestants were congratulated for their excellent results, having all previously won their local Young Chef competitions. At the Huntingdon District Final (South) Final on 25th January, judges Mick Gunney, Roger Sanderson and Heather Wilson tasted a wide range of dishes cooked by the young chefs. They agreed that the standard of cooking skills was of a very high standard, to the credit of the contestants and support from their parents and local Rotary Clubs. The winner in Huntingdon was JOSHUA SMITH, aged 13, a student of Wellingborough School and supported by Wellingborough Hatton Rotary Club. Joshua s winning menu was: Piedmontese Stuffed Pepper Pheasant breasts with apricots and prosciutto and vegetables Mango lime syllabub 2nd place was awarded to Autumn Newman, aged 17, of Northampton College, supported by the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket, with 3rd prize going to Amy Vujatovic, aged15, of Bishop Stopford School, supported by Kettering Huxloe Rotary Club. Mary s winning menu was: The District Final (North) was held one week later, on 1st February. The judges of the Leicester competition were Roger Sanderson, Mark Farthing and Paul Eason who decided the winner was MARY HARPER, aged 14, of Newbridge High School, supported by Coalville Rotary Club. Filo pastry parcels of spinach, ricotta and spring onion Lamb moussaka and Greek salad Lime cheesecake In 2nd place was Thomas Rawlings, aged 14, of Robert Smyth Academy, supported by the Rotary Club of Market Harborough, with 3rd place awarded to Harry Lawson, aged 15, of Dixie Grammar School, supported by the Rotary Club of Market Bosworth. I have just seen some amazing pictures of this years Young Chef competition held at Samworth Leicester today. I understand it is too late to enter my students from South Wigston High School in Leicester this year. Please could I have details of how I enter next years exciting competition. If I have contacted the wrong person from The Rotary Club, then please would you point me in the correct direction. Thanks for your time. Mr Chetan Vallabh: Catering Teacher YOUNG CHEF

8 Rotary District 1070 News & Events My Rotary Moment... Ken MacKellar: I joined this wonderful organisation as a Founder member of the Rotary Club of Stamford Burghley in February 1988 and in the ensuing 26 years I have had many pleasurable experiences, been many places in the name of Rotary and met some wonderful people. Amongst all the pleasurable memories which have come my way the one that stands out above all others occurred during the very first Calvert Trust Project in I had been invited to lead a group of enthusiastic Rotarians who were to use their vocational skills to create a new district project for disabled young adults. Starting with a blank sheet this group, in conjunction with the professional staff at Calvert put together the initial guidelines, procedures and selection criteria to allow the first exercise to take place in The Lake District in April that year. In addition to the organising group extra help was recruited from clubs and an eclectic mix of skills joined the project. These extras included a team of Rotaractors who provided an infusion of youthful exuberance and physical support. I had never been closely involved with anyone with a mental or physical disability so leading this team was a real eye opener for me and others in the group and during the week of outward-bound type activities there were many occasions when we not only witnessed participants achieving feats way out of their comfort zone, but we also often found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. The spirit of camaraderie, team-work and sense of achievement that emerged during the activities was a joy to behold and led to many eye watering moments. It was on one of those activities that My Rotary Moment occurred. This involved Nick a Downs Syndrome awardee sponsored by my club and shadowed by myself during the course of the programme. The event in question was fairly early in the timetable and involved scaling a very steep slope littered with boulders which each participant needed to circumvent on the way to the top. Taking it in turn each team member, cheered on by their peers, crawled their way upwards with the aid of ropes and a Calvert guide. The grin of achievement on Nick s face when he appeared over the crest of the hill was something that I will always remember and will remain in my mind as the justification for the ongoing continuance of the Calvert Trust Project. 8 Eddie Pearson: BIRMINGHAM It was with a mixture of anxiety and excitement that I approached the ICC for day 2 of the 89th Annual Conference. President Nan McCreadie did a great job in setting both guests and speakers at ease and contributed in no small way to the easy flow of the day. Martin Routledge with his rich military background proved invaluable as he went on to extol the fortunes of wounded and sick service personnel. He stressed the significant partnership developed with Rotary. The highlight for me was the next speaker Lord Digby Jones. He immediately engaged with conference by means of many amusing asides and succinctly set out his principles for a booming Britain, all done with characteristic candour, forthright and delivered with style and panache. The morning was brought to a close by the characteristically white suited Martin Bell who now is an ambassador for UNICEF. Tom Griffen chaired the business meeting and despite the controversial debate surrounding the advertising budget, did a great job. It soon became clear that the traditional views, long held and clearly no longer relevant, still held sway. Prearranged speeches were trotted out and heart searching pleas for change were swept away. I was impressed by the high numbers of delegates who were keen to renew passed friendships obviously borne out of several past conferences. For any new Rotarian, attending a conference is a must! The House of Friendship is highly informative and crammed with info your club may need. It gives you a grip on the worldwide pulse of Rotary and its expanding influence on the world s poor. As ever, fellowship is well to the fore as well as a warming glow generated by eminent speakers who were all truly in awe of Rotary s achievements on the world stage. As I say to my own club: when we work in unison we are a formidable force to be reckoned with! ON TO BELFAST SEE YOU THERE! John Dehnel: It was evident from our visit to the Philippines that the money and aid sent to them was being put to excellent use. Shelter Box tents were everywhere we went. We saw new local fishing boats bancas being built by the dozen. Shiny corrugated tin roofs across the islands replaced the roofing that has disappeared during the storm (with severely injurious effect in many place imagine a sheet of corrugated tin flying around at 200 mph and the damage it can do). And everywhere we went Filipinos of all ages would come up to us saying Thank you for coming, thank you for your help. The personal resilience of the local people was heartening to see. Local Rotary clubs were evident in much of this work, along with other NGOs and aid agencies in large numbers. Although the immediate needs for food and water were largely satisfied some while ago, the food we distributed was in much demand. The current priorities are rehabilitating homes and schools. The phase of recreating livelihoods is now underway. And even now, 5 months on, it is clear that, especially around Tacloban, it will be many more months, if not years, before lives being to return to normal. If a moment can last two weeks, this was a Rotary Moment that will live with us all for a very, very long time. Eric Hall: I was deeply impressed during my recent trip to India when I visited a school in Amritsar that benefits from Rotary s support. It so happened that our visit coincided with the final school day for its senior students. We met the school s founder and also the current head teacher before being shown around the school by local Rotarians and staff. After being invited to sit in front of the openair stage, we were entertained by dance, singing and short plays given by the senior students. The quality of the performances and skills displayed was a credit to the school and pupils. However, perhaps the most striking aspect for me was to witness the warmth, respect and appreciation that exist between students and staff.

9 Issue 166 Spring 2014 The Rotary Family The Interact Club based at the Ruskington site of St. George s Academy has been nominated for the Sleaford Town Community award and Young Sleafordian award. The Interact Club consists of students from varying year groups whom meet weekly or fortnightly. They have an elected board of 5 individuals and a committee which meet with members from the Rotary Club of Sleaford Kesteven and the Academy Liaisons, Jigna Patel and Kevin Plaskett. Interact meet to discuss fundraising initiatives and how they can volunteer their services in the local community and through doing this, have raised a lot of money for many causes. Interact continue to collect stamps for the Marie Curie Cancer Appeal and an article regarding this was published in the Sleaford Target. They collected old laptops last year and after having them rebuilt, the Interact President, Zoe O Neill in Year 11, took them to the Patunan Manukan Elementary School in the Philippines last summer. Interact collected 53 shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal in November. They organised and helped run the St. Georges s Christmas Cabaret on the Ruskington site and raised money for their chosen international charity, Operation Smile as well as Macmillan Cancer Research. Furthermore, the members have displayed a Shelterbox and raised money for the Philippines disaster where the Academy sent a Shelterbox to a family after the disaster. In addition to Interact s efforts to raise money for international charities, they are also keen to get involved in the local community. In July 2013 they organised a non-uniform day where children brought in an item of food for the Sleaford Food Larder and this was donated to local residents. In February this year the Interact members have stared volunteering at the Ruskington Methodist Church, serving meals to local senior citizens of the community. This has proved very popular. Interact work tirelessly for others, they are keen and caring and always trying to think of new ideas in how to help others and raise money for them. Our Interact Club has now won the Young Sleafordian of the Year Award and a civic ceremony was held on Friday 21st March. Leicester Rotaract interest evening Leicester Rotaract held their interest evening 15th April at the Lansdowne bar having been widely advertised through social media, advertising in local periodicals and also by contacting clubs throughout Leicestershire in order to boost numbers after previous members have had to take a set back through a variety of different commitments. Despite this extensive canvassing it was only possible to attract one perspective new member. Leicester is the district s newest rotaract club with a core of dedicated individuals that are determined to ensure that it goes from strength to strength. They aim to do this becoming involved in as many activities as possible so enabling them to spread the word of Rotaract, the Rotary family and their commitment to help project both home and abroad. However, in order to achieve this target they require the aid and support of as many people as possible to help to find the next generation of rotaractors and ultimately the next generation of Rotarians. Leicester has the potential to act as a feeder club to Rotary clubs throughout the district with so many young people in the district. In order for this to function efficiently they require your help to help find these young members of our communities and help to get the involved. Children, nieces, nephews, next door neighbours, waiters and waitresses at the local restaurant or pub are all potential members and if each club found one or two new members then this would assist in the recruitment of new Rotarians a few years hence. Other possible routes are to involve rotaractors in your own club s events. Leicester have been involved in various events from helping out on Santa s sleighs fundraisers, acting as marshals at charity fun runs and fireworks and taking sponsored walks. This has helped to show the work with the next generation that Rotary does enabling them to develop into the Rotarians of the future. Without assistance in finding new rotaractors, the latest club could unfortunately be the latest to fold which would be a great shame given all of the hard work that their sponsoring clubs have given in setting this club up for the future of Rotary in the area reasons why Ravensthorpe Primary turned pink and purple for a day. Most have heard of cubs, brownies and other youth groups but how many of Rota Kids? If you were lucky enough to be in Ravensthorpe on Tuesday, 25th March you would have seen a stream of children making their way to school all dressed in pink or purple to celebrate Purple Pinkie Day at the school but most importantly see eleven members of the school council be presented with their red hats as members of Rota Kids. This is the first Rota Kids club set up in Peterborough for children to enjoy themselves, help charities and learn about others less fortunate. It is sponsored by the Werrington Rotary Club. On the day members of Werrington Rotary joined member Ann Huckle for a whole day experience, not only for the pupils and teachers but also the Rotarians. All children were able to dip their pinkie (index finger )in purple dye and leave their mark on Rota Kids paper. A talk was given on End Polio, purple and pink cakes and pink smoothies were made by year four and were sold at break. There was a colouring competition and at least one member of staff dared to ride a purple space hopper, all part of an enjoyable day Pupils were amazed to see the effect of the polio virus preventing children from walking and breathing properly. The event allowed the collection of enough money to immunise 2745 children under the age of five against polio in other countries of the world. This is just a starter, the school council assisted by head teacher Martin Fry and staff, will organise more events, learn, organise and have fun. Interact Rotaract Rota Kids 9

10 Rotary District 1070 News & Events Swima Deepings Swim Team Kettering Swim Team Northampton Swim Team Rotary Swimarathon gets people active in Market Harborough! Rotary Swimarathon gets people active in Market Harborough!a 197 swimmers swam 3,780 lengths, that is 95 km or nearly 60 miles, at Market Harborough Leisure Centre for the Market Harborough Rotary Club s 2014 SwiMarathon. That is almost as far from Market Harborough to Hunstanton! Their efforts have raised well over 5,300. Together with 2,000 generously given by business sponsors, this will all go to local good causes. Rotarian Chris Etherington, chair of the group of Rotarians organising the Swimarathon, said We are delighted to have raised so much money this year from the sponsorship. We thought it might be difficult this year, with the economic climate, but with more swimmers and sponsors we have reached this fantastic amount. It will all benefit local causes. It is lovely to see so many people of all ages swimming together, and having so much fun. One local primary school has been a big supporter of the event. Market Harborough Church of England Primary School entered 12 teams this year; teams of pupils, former pupils, teachers and parents. Hazel Stephens, organiser at the school said The children love it, and so do I. We have swum every year with more and more swimmers. We have also applied for grants each year and received awards for the school library and the Peace Garden and other things. It is good to be able to tell the parents that the school benefits from the Swimarathon, as well as having fun actually swimming. The staff at the Leisure Centre swam, for the third year in succession, and aimed to match their own record for number of lengths completed in the hour. Their team of 5 swimmers improved their total from 165 to 185. Christine Giles swim school entered 5 teams of swimmers, as they did last year. Christine runs swimming sessions at her own small pool, for families. She said Our teams all did brilliantly. It was great. I would like to thank all our swimmers and helpers for taking part, and thank the Rotary Club for organising it all. It was very well organised. Christine has already reserved times for her teams in the programme for the Swimarathon in Local businesses also entered swim teams. Staff from the 2 shires doctors surgeries, Lewingtons Heating Engineers, Great Bowden and Little Bowden Women s Institutes and Little Bowden school. Newcomers in 2014 included the Street Pastors who had 2 teams and staff from Waitrose. One family heard about the event on Harborough FM and decided to swim. Young Eloise Garner, aged 8, found sponsors from local businesses and thanked them How to become an international star in just one hour. Noah and his mother decided to take part in the Rotary Global Swimarathon on Sunday 23rd February What is special about that? Well - it was Rotary Day and in 210 centres throughout the world swimmers were invited to swim a minimum of 100 metres to raise money to help us eradicate polio. Thanks to the End Polio Campaign over a million children are alive and can walk today. Noah cannot swim (yet!) but with the support of a floatation ring and help from mum and aunt managed to be pulled the 100 metres whilst making lots of noise and splashing others. Afterwards his antics were caught on camera. The Global Swimaraton organisers decided it was good enough for Facebook, thus Noah (appropriate name for a water event) went international on Facebook. Here in Peterborough, at the Jack Hunt Pool, Rotary asked enthusiasts to swim the minimum distance of 100 hundred metres. As a bonus they could spend the rest of the booked hour in the pool, having fun (and 10

11 rathon Issue 166 Spring 2014 Swimarathon celebrates 25 yrs!!! On 7th-9th February the Rotary Club of Grantham celebrated with 1610 swimmers at their 25th Annual RotarySwimarathon and what a 3 days it turned out to be - with 10 members still in the Club since the first event in 1990 they were joined by the 1990 President Geoff Braunton and the 1990 Event Chair Sir John Southby on the Friday. On Saturday they welcomed paralympian Peter Hull MBE who swam as part of the paraplegic GB at the original event and on Sunday they were joined by Beverly Jones daughter of founder Basil Blackham. The atmosphere throughout the event was one of celebration and a huge cheer for DG Margaret Morley when she arrived on her space hopper on Saturday but stayed well away from the water! A record number of teams 266, record swimmers 1610 and record lengths swam at 36,944 coupled with an amazing 40,000 raised for local charities and deserving causes in and around Grantham. Teams of six swimmers swam in relay for 55 mins with all the swimmers in the pool for the last 5 mins, with an army of helpers - 20 every hour for 34 hrs of swimming it certainly was a party, every swimmer getting a free t-shirt and goodie bag with all costs covered by local businesses. On the Sunday afternoon the swimmers and crowds gave a warm welcome to GB Paralympic swimmer, medallist and World Record holder Fran Williamson and also GB paratriathlon Liz MacTernan Club President Kevin Lawry paid tribute to the committee who worked tirelessly before and during the event and to all the other helpers he also went on to tank the people of Grantham who have helped make this event so popular not only in Grantham but other Rotary Clubs and of course on a worldwide basis with the 3rd Annual RotaryGlobalSwimarathon which took place on 23rd February Event Manager Roger Graves said we set out to make this a celebration of 25yrs and from the feedback we certainly achieved it, in fact 250 teams have already confirmed their place for 2015! An excellent 10 min video is on the website and if any club is interesting in holding a RotarySwimarathon the please contact Roger and he will be happy to assist. with a special T shirt she made. She had recently asked family and friends to sponsor her for another event and did not want to ask them again, so she found different sponsors. A very enterprising young lady, and a good swimmer. Harborough FM radio were at the poolside providing good music for the swimmers and crowds, together with live commentary on the numbers of lengths each team was swimming. The Swimarathon is not an endurance event. Each team of up to 6 people get one lane to swim in relay for one hour. Rotarians count the number of lengths for each team. 39 teams swam this year. After their swim each swimmer gets a certificate with a photo of their team, endorsed by Rotary, thanking them for swimming. This is presented by the President of the Rotary Club, this year Janet Meek. She said Everybody enjoyed the event and many want to come back next year, and bring more friends. They really liked the certificates. 35 Rotarians of the Market Harborough Club, assisted by members of Inner Wheel and the Welland Valley Rotary Club, ran the event. St John Ambulance supported the Leisure centre staff in providing supervision. The St John Cadets also had a team of swimmers and there was team of Rotarians who swam. The Rotary Club is very grateful to the business sponsors: Andrew Granger & Co, Brooke House College, e.surv (Chartered Surveyors), ET Peirson and Sons (Accountants), Harborough FM Radio, Harborough Mail, Jet Pumps UK Ltd, Lewingtons Heating Engineers, Stephen Sanderson Transport Ltd, Tim Thornton Jewellers, Walker Forestry Conservation, Wartnaby Heffords Solicitors and Weltons Delicatessen. avoiding Noah). City Council Chief Executive Gillian Beasley took up the challenge and brought a team of five swimmers. Deepings Rotary brought along an enthusiastic swim team of members, children and friends. President Mary Martin (centre of the photograph) thanked her team for a job well done and said how good it was to meet with other Clubs in true Rotary friendship. No matter what your age there are lots of Rotary events you can take part in. What is special about the Swimarathon is that all money raised goes to the End Polio Campaign. Better still, the Bill Gates Foundation will triple the money raised. One week after the event the sum recorded is $250,000 and growing rapidly, hopefully one million dollars could be a reality! The Werrington club holds its own Rotaryswim in October where individuals or teams can swim up to 55 minutes to raise money for all sorts of different causes. You too could swim and have fun or perhaps help to organise by contacting the club. They too have a Facebook site where you can see all the photographs of the event. 11

12 Rotary District 1070 News & Events PHILIPPINES Six Rotarians from across District 1070 visited the islands of Cebu and Leyte in the Philippines in late March/early April, with an aim to assess the levels of devastation caused by typhoon Haiyan back in November and to see how the monies raised by clubs across the district were being used by the Filipino Rotary clubs. Alison Blythe, John Dehnel and Eric Hall from Melton Mowbray, Stephen Bath and Norrie Bell from Sleaford and Elaine Sefton from Huntingdon Cromwell toured around both the main islands that were hit by the worst typhoon ever to make landfall in recorded history. The devastation was just mind-blowing. No-one can reliably estimate the number of lives lost (probably somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000), and the sheer scale of lives disrupted by loss of home, school, work place and livelihood were completely mind blowing. It is difficult to find the right words to express the sorrow and heartache we felt on seeing it all, said John even some days after their return. Some 37,000 had been collected by clubs in District 1070 in the few weeks after the typhoon hit the Philippines. This was sent out before Christmas to the District Disaster Fund set up by District 3860, the Rotary district covering all the islands significantly affected by the typhoon. Shelter Box had received great support from our clubs too. And several containers of assorted aid was collected, packed and sorted with the aid of many Rotarians. John Dehnel: Melton Mowbray SIERRA LEONE Many years ago Ramsey Rotarian David Wallwork dreamed of building a school to give children in Sierra Leone access to an education we all take for granted. Members of his own club helped him get started and now the school is supported by many Rotary Clubs locally and around the world. Peterborough Rotary Club member Marcus Horrell went out to Sierra Leone to assist with the construction of an extension to David s School. He went armed with water filtration packs known International Rotary Shree School Bharatpur NEPAL The Shree School is a very poor unit with 140 hearing and 14 deaf children attending.the dedicated headmistress (Mrs Dallakoti) has a passionate objective to make this school a shining beacon of excellence for the education of deaf children not only in Bharatpur but for the whole of Nepal. A deaf Nepalese child is deemed useless, only fit for exploitation on the land. Mrs Dallakoti and her committed team of 14 teachers have a dream to be able to accommodate a further 50 deaf children with dormitory facilities, to teach sign language and give a fundamental understanding of reading and writing, empowering these students to face a more enhanced future. Holbeach is the lead club in this venture along with other clubs in District 1070, all committed to raise 1000 each. If a collected effort can reach up to 10,000, we will apply for a Rotary international Global Grant, turning 10,000 into 35,000. As a club we have been communicating with various people and agencies in Nepal for about a year. Collin Scott and I decided to go and visit the school to get a first-hand knowledge of exactly what was required. We arrived in Khatmandu on 2nd March and flew down to Bharatpur the next day, to be warmly welcomed and whisked through check in via the V.I.P. lounge by a very friendly bunch from RC. Bharatpur, along with two guests from the Nepal Trust (these would be the experts who would project manage the development should it go ahead) We spent the next 4 incredible and exhausting days in various meetings with, the Nepal Trust School staff site engineers Bharatpur and regional RC officials, all of whom were exceptionally enthusiastic and helpful. It was evident many hurdles need addressing before we can qualify for global grant status and a list of needs has been left with the Bharatpur RC in collaboration with the Nepal Trust i.e., secure perimeter fencing (an absolute must in terms of safety and security), upgrading of school building (pupils live too far to travel so need accommodation), sanitation needs (practically none existent), roofing and shutter repairs, equipment. Until we have sight of plans, quotes, costing s and professional assessments we can go no further. David Dye: Holbeach RC as Life Straws. Simple to install, they work by pouring dirty water in at the top. Clean water comes out at the bottom after passing through the filtration system -a brilliantly simple invention that has transformed the lives of people living in the local village. They have access to clean water for the first time, significantly reducing the number of water borne diseases - just one of our many international projects including our work to eradicate polio from the planet. 12

13 D 1070 Showcase 2014 District 1070s Showcase will take place at the Kettering Buccleuch Academy on Saturday 21st June This is an opportunity to let members of the public and Rotarians know what Rotary is accomplishing. District Committees will have stands at the event and there is opportunity for Clubs to showcase an exciting project you may be involved in. Centre stage at the event will be the District Young Designer Competition which brings in teachers, parents, other family members and friends of the participants. There will also be musical presentations by winners of the District Young Musician Competition and winners from other competitions. Refreshments will be available at reasonable cost. The event will start at 09:00 and will continue through to 16:00. The judging of Young Designer will take place during the morning with presentations early afternoon, but the whole event will be on a drop in basis with visitors staying for as long or as short a time they can manage Future Events DRAGON BOAT RACE The Nene Valley Dragon boat race is coming to the county again this year. With teams of 10 rowers and 1 drummer taking to the water and competing for 1st place and the coveted winner s trophy. This year s event is hoped to be bigger and better, with more teams and, most importantly, more money being raised for charity. Last year, over 25,000 was raised for Cransley Hospice and Lakelands Hospice and the event will be supporting these local charities again this year. The event is great fun competitors and spectators alike. As well as the racing, there will be live music, craft and gift stalls to keep the whole family entertained This year s event will take place at the newly restored lake in Wicksteed Park, Kettering on Sunday 31st August. Entrance to the race is 350 per boat and places are being snapped up fast so if you are interested in joining in the fun then please visit uk or contact us on infor@nenevalleydragons. org.uk for more information on how to enter. To keep up to date with preparations for the event why not follow us on facebook www. facebook.com/nenevalleydragons or twitter@ rotarynvd using hashtag #nvd14. Issue 166 Spring 2014 District Conference 2014 SCARBOROUGH 19th to 21st September Have you booked? Places are limited so hurry and avoid disappointment! Why not come and join the Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch Castle Festival of Hymns & Music Friday 16th May 2014 Holy Trinity Church Ashby de-la-zouch 1930hrs Cost 10 per ticket with Pam Rhodes (BBC Songs of Praise) (Pam will be signing copies of her new book) Music by The Melbourne Town Band Special Guest Alexandra Gamble (Mezzo-Soprano) THE ROTARY RUN AT THE DEEPINGS District 1070s Showcase will take place at the Kettering Buccleuch Academy on Saturday 21st June This is an opportunity to let members of the public and Rotarians know what Rotary is accomplishing. District Committees will have stands at the event and there is opportunity for Clubs to showcase an exciting project you may be involved in. Centre stage at the event will be the District Young Designer Competition which brings in teachers, parents, other family members and friends of the participants. There will also be musical presentations by winners of the District Young Musician Competition and winners from other competitions. Refreshments will be available at reasonable cost. The event will start at 09:00 and will continue through to 16:00. The judging of Young Designer will take place during the morning with presentations early afternoon, but the whole event will be on a drop in basis with visitors staying for as long or as short a time they can manage. Giant Bring and Buy Cake Stall RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW Barbara Milner (01530) Chris Knight(01283) Tourist Information Centre (01530) (card payment accepted) or cjcjknight@supanet.com barmil32@hotmail.com tic@nwleicestershire.gov.uk 13

14 Rotary District 1070 News & Events MUSICIANS FELLOWSHIP Those who are musical in a district may be interested in being reminded of the current activities of the International Fellowship of Rotary Musicians (IFRM). This is at present centred again on the RI Convention, this tear in International Fellowship of Rotary Musicians (IFRM) Sydney. Each year a volunteer choir is formed to sing at the Interfaith Service at the annual Convention. Initiated and sponsored by IFRM, this choir sings six to eight songs with only one rehearsal. The size of the choir varies from participants who come from all over the world. In Sydney there will be 40 voices representing the countries of Australia, Japan, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Vietnam. Many sing with the Rotary World Choir every year. Typically, there are 1500 people attending the Interfaith Service and to sing with so many enthusiastic people from all over the world to so receptive an audience is a real privilege - and it s fun! One does not have to be a Rotarian to sing in the Rotary World Choir so partners may certainly be involved. To take part you just have to register, so that Club Visioning you can receive the music and rehearsal CD in advance. Becoming familiar with the music ahead of time makes it a more musical and enjoyable performance. There is a $30 (US currency) fee to cover the cost of the music, CD, and postage. This is payable online when you register. To register, go to In the column on the left, click on RWC Sydney. The registration form will appear. Complete that, along with paying the $30 (US), and you will receive the music packet by the end of April. Although the deadline for registering was March 15, 2014, you may still register. For questions, please contact choir director, PDG Judy Walker: jwalker.rotary@gmail. com or for general information myself at bobbracegirdle@sncv.freeserve.co.uk. In addition to the Service most delegates spend a good deal of time making music at the IFRM stand in the House of Friendship and make many new friends in the process, so there are plenty of reasons to join in and make some music. If not this year, why not try it at a subsequent Convention? It s really worthwhile. THE DISTRICT QUIZ Charles Stevens and Graham Packwood of the Rotary Club of Wreake Valley have generously volunteered to take over the organisation of the District Quiz. They now have all the necessary information from previous incumbents and will no doubt be adding their expertise and style to the Competition. Clubs should therefore expect a changing approach. Charles and Graham will be putting initial information in the baskets at District Assembly so look out for it then. Wish them luck and enjoyment in their task and entertainment for those who take part. STRENGTHENING ROTARY SURVEY As part of the Strengthening Rotary initiative, Rotary is currently updating the logos for youth and young leaders programs (Rotaract, Interact, RYLA, and Youth Exchange). The goal is logos that are inspiring and consistent with Rotary s voice. Feedback is important: Everyone is asked to participate in this survey and provide input on the possible designs. To take the survey, type the link below into your browser: eukkjbqtfssyx5x THE RMS TITANIC On April 10th1912, The RMS Titanic embarked on its maiden voyage sailing from Southampton to New York. One of the largest and most luxurious passenger liners at the time, considered by many to be unsinkable. On April 14th,however,the ship struck an iceberg and early the next day it sank. Some 1500 people perished and 700 survived. Recently, in aid of Rotary Foundation, the Rotary Club of Sleaford organised a hugely successful Titanic Dinner Evening recreating the last hours of the ship. The 81 successful passengers who had applied for tickets were issued with Boarding Passes,each in the name of an actual passenger who was travelling on that maiden 14 voyage and at the end of the evening the fate of that individual was revealed together with a short biography. Captain Smith (Club President Norry Bell) greeted and welcomed all passengers aboard, several having travelled many miles to take part and shortly after setting sail, an 8 course meal was provided as actually served in the ship s restaurant. Passengers were entertained with piano music during the voyage and throughout the evening details of the course of the ship,speed and progress were given together with weather forecasts prior to the final disaster when the ship finally hit the iceberg and all had to abandon ship. (this time to safely go home).

15 Issue 166 Spring 2014 End Polio Now NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION DAY (NID) My part in India s National Immunization Day (NID) 23 February 2014 On 17 February 2014, I flew from London Heathrow to India to participate in the ongoing fight against poliomyelitis (polio) by joining a group of 27 other Rotarians from the UK. Two billion children from around the world have been immunized against polio since The incidents of polio from this date have declined by more than 99% - from 355,000 cases then, to 400 reported in 2013 and 11 for 2014 (as of 12/02/2014). In 2013 only three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) remained polio-endemic - down from more than 125 in On March 27, 2014, the WHO certified India as a polio free country following three years without a case. However, the fact remains that there is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented by polio vaccine. Given multiple times, immunisation can protect a child for life. The immunisation process involves giving two drops of vaccine from a small rubber capped bottle directly into the mouth. It is immediately followed by another helper applying 2014 WPV1 cases year to date: No WPV3 cases have been reported since 10 November No more cases have been reported from the 2013 outbreak regions in the Horn of Africa or Syria. A total of 62 WPV1 cases compared to 22 at the same time in 2013: Pakistan 49 cases vs 6 at the same time last year Afghanistan 3 cases vs 1 at the same time last year but many of the cases are related to those in Pakistan POLIO UPDATE a purple dye to the quick of the small finger on the left hand. The age group ranged from 7 days to 5 years. A record is made of those immunised which is subsequently checked against the list of local children less than five years in order to identify those which still need to be immunised. This takes place in the following week and each house is marked with chalk. The biggest fact and one that continues to challenge my comprehension, is to know that by the end of the week, near to 172 million children will have been immunised across India. So what was my part? Immunising 50 or so of the 172 million, but have I prevented a child from contracting the tragic and debilitating effects of polio? Eric Hall Nigeria 1 case vs 14 at the same time last year - a reduction of 80%. Cameroon 3 cases vs none at the same time last year Equatorial Guinea 3 case, the first since Syria 1 case Iraq 1 case 2014 cvdpv2 cases: One new cvdpv2 case reported from Pakistan The total so far this year is 8 vs 62 in the full year VISIT TO INDIA Further to Bryan and Pat s article in the last 1070 news and events there were a further 6 Rotarians and friends from Kettering Huxloe who attended the November snid in India. Having completed the immunisation day and on the afternoon after the house-to house it was our pleasure to attend the opening of the Rotary Club Bisauli Dinesh Madhu Eye Hospital together with other Rotarians who had travelled up to Bareilly. The project was presented to both myself during the Nid in 2011 and to Brian May, Northampton Rotary Club, during his visit in Both our clubs and the Rotary club of Bisauli together with a matching grant from District 3110 and a Global matching grant raised the funds to equip the hospital. The process in obtaining a Global grant was simplified as both our districts were in the online pilot scheme and hence the forms were fully visible to all parties at each stage. The hospital is situated in one of the poorest areas in Uttar Pradesh and had no facilities within 50 miles to treat eye conditions like cataracts. Loss of sight to the local population means the opportunities to generate a small income for their families is severely limited and also generates a lack of self esteem. It has been equipped with diagnostic equipment, a small theatre where operations can be performed and a simple recovery room with 6 beds. During our visit we witnessed all the installed equipment being utilised and a steady stream of patients, with their families, being either tested or operated on. Paul Hirst 15

16 Rotary District 1070 News & Events SAILABILITY VOLUNTEERING What is Sailability? An organisation facilitating sailing for everyone, regardless of age or ability. It is a not for profit volunteer based organisation which through the activity of sailing enriches the lives of those with any type of disability, the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged. Under various names, Sailability operates in Australia, France, Greece, United Kingdom, Hungary, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Timor Leste and USA. A large number of IYFR members throughout the UK are already actively involved with Sailability. Sailability originated in the UK. In the 1980 s the Royal Yachting Association formed the Seamanship Foundation, while at the same time a number of individual Sailability groups formed an embryo of a national organisation for disabled sailors. As a result RYA Sailability was formed. Today the organisation is the leading national charity for disabled sailing in the UK with over 15,000 sailors benefitting from its activities. RYA Sailability is considered to be the most active sailing organisation for people with disabilities in the world, there being 200 clubs in the UK. Many Rotary Districts set up a rota of clubs to assist throughout the sailing season which is how I became involved, my district being number So on Thursday afternoons between April and October come rain or shine you will find Rotarians helping out at my local Sailability centre, Grafham Water. Sailability not only caters for those who wish to sail but it will also provide the experience of just being out on the water. The activities cover a broad spectrum, ranging from recreation, therapeutic and competitive activities from grass-root, entry level JAIPUR LIMB PROJECT One of the International Priorities for District 1070 in 2014 is the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project. Many Rotary Clubs have supported this rotary charity in the past. The work has now continued for over 30 years bringing hope and a chance of a new life to thousands of people who have lost limbs through disease or accident, but the need remains as great as ever. The Project and its simple cost effective technology and expertise has spread from India across Africa to many parts of the world via specialist centres and limb camps where a new fitting incorporating the famous Jaipur Foot can be completed for just In preparing their programmes and projects for the next Rotary Year Clubs are asked to please give consideration to including support for this project or perhaps asking every member to consider sponsoring a new limb at The District has a team of speakers available to come to give the latest information about the Project. To arrange for a speaker please contact the JLP Coordinator for District 1070 Philip Douglas on or philipdouglas@hotmail.co.uk through to elite World Championships and Paralympic training. Members of local Rotary clubs support Peterborough Sailability, not just in the form of donations but with practical hands-on assistance. Rotary is very much a service organisation. The rewards of enabling someone with a disability to find freedom on the water are indescribable. We get involved with many such community activities. We are not just fundraisers. Annette Lewis / Janet Cooke RUTLAND OSPREYS PROJECT The Rutland Osprey Project has been an outstanding success, but is also a very personal project for everyone who has been involved in the Ospreys journey, from Scotland to Rutland and then on to Africa. This ground-breaking project was the first of its kind in Europe. Other Osprey translocation projects in Italy and Spain have since come about as a direct result of it, and breeding pairs are also now established in Wales as a result of the work of the Rutland Osprey Project team. Despite early disappointments, the Ospreys make incredible journeys as they migrate to Africa, and convey the pride the Rutland field team and many locals feel as their Ospreys return to the same nest year on year. This project has been a long term commitment from Anglian Water and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Melton Rotary Club together with the Rutland Osprey Project are helping students 16 (and teachers) to learn more about the migratory flights of Ospreys and other migrant species, we are installing computers and an internet connection in all of the schools we are working with. This will allow them to follow the progress of satellitetagged Ospreys and to make links with other schools on the migratory flyway. Last week we installed computers at Tanji and Kartong schools. To put the significance of this into context, despite the fact that the two schools have a combined total of 2500 students, they had only one working computer (and no internet connection) between them for students to use. We have installed a single machine in each for the time being but will be expanding that in the coming months. Two of their members, Bill Hill and Bill Glancy, are also Osprey project volunteers and they joined us for the second week in The Gambia. Bill Glancy is an IT expert and his technical knowledge was indispensable during the trip. The computers themselves were provided by Lasting Solutions Limited, an ICT business solution provider, based in Serrekunda. Their Head of Business Development Alhagie Mbow installed the computers and will also provide after-sales support for the schools. Alhagie runs ICT training courses at the Lasting Soultions HQ and as part of the ongoing sustainability we plan to send at least one teacher from each school onto these courses.

17 Issue 166 Spring 2014 Crocus Café is blooming! RIBI Conference: Dublin seeds sown (or corms planted!) after an inspirational presentation on Rotary Memory Cafés. It struck a chord as my mother lived with dementia. More recently our City Council launched ` Inspire Peterborough ; coordinating sporting activities for people with physical disabilities. It `inspired me to ask the CEO to support those with mental problems. We met in the Town Hall. An alliance was formed. Local Rotary Clubs entered into partnership with Peterborough City Council, Alzheimer UK, Age UK and the Salvation Army. Age UK and the Salvation Army offered wonderful venues, both free of charge. The latter gave easier access and ample free parking. The CEO donated start up money. We purchased games, quizzes and memory boxes. The Alzheimer Society provided training. I visited Memory Clinics to gain experience. Members of St Ives RC funded tambourines, maracas and jingle sticks. Visiting South Cambs RC s memory café gave us ideas. Help was on hand from REPoD (Crocus Café is now a member). Members of St Neots RC, who operate the Coffee Pot memory café, shared ideas for a constitution and code of conduct. A newly refurbished room, bright gingham table cloths, vases of fresh flowers, a professional singer, volunteers from local clubs, cuppas and cakes - our first café took place in October. Two members reached 80 and 90 years of age respectively. Homemade birthday cakes, candles to blow out, we all sang `Happy Birthday. One of the most rewarding activities since joining Rotary; many Rotary clubs working together, engaging with other organisations to serve our community. Waitrose are supporting us with green counters throughout February. I am now a member of the Peterborough Local Dementia Action Alliance. Peterborough aims to become a dementia friendly city. A new Dementia Resource centre will soon offer therapies, advice, hairdressing, opticians and cookery classes for carers. The PCC budget for dementia care has increased to 5million per annum. Crocus café - just a small cog in what has become a very big wheel RESULT!!! Janet Cooke Children of Courage Awards This all began with a visit from our DG Margaret Morley and then a presentation on Children of Courage at the 2013 District Assembly Community break out session. A lot of planning and preparation culminated in a happy and memorable day for seven young people from the Biggleswade area, their proud parents, families, teachers and Club Rotarians (who financed the presentation event) when the Young People Overcoming Disability and Illness Courage Awards presentations took place at Jordans Mill, Broom, Biggleswade at lunchtime on Wednesday 12th March The event was also attended by representatives of local businesses, who generously sponsored the Awards, DG Margaret Morley, Rotarian Andrew Morley, AG Mary Whitehead, local dignitaries including the local Mayor Hazel Ramsay, Chairperson of Central Bedfordshire, Cllr. Caroline Maudlin, Sir Samuel Whitbread and Mr. Bill Jordan amongst others. Awards were given to:- Angus Moore, Lloyds Bank, who achieved so much despite having had painful treatment for leukemia. Georgia Giddings Burgoyne Middle School, Potton who has shown brave resilience despite the pain caused by frequent dislocation of all her joints. Josh Corder Stratton Upper School, Biggleswade who has cerebral palsy and applies himself enthusiastically in all his school activities Lewis Harradine Ivel Valley School, Biggleswade who has set an amazing example to others by managing distressing changes in his home and school life whilst coping with his own special needs. Robert Nocera Henlow Church of England Academy who despite severe hearing impairment joins in all activities at home and school with enthusiasm. Sophie Chudley Henlow Church of England Academy who is the main carer for her disabled mother and autistic brother and still manages school life very successfully. Will Roberts Ivel Valley School, Biggleswade is successfully managing the recent huge distressing changes in his life despite his autism. This was a wonderful event in every way. It made seven young people very happy, their families and teachers very proud, it offered an opportunity for making new contacts for membership and gave Rotary a boost. Many Rotary moments were created and will be remembered. INNER WHEEL Ladies of Malawi receiving their Bras in Tilinanu 17

18 Rotary District 1070 News & Events Geoffrey Turner Geoffrey Turner, a member of the Stamford Rotary Club, recently notched up his 50th year in Rotary and received a long service certificate from the club President. He was also a founder member of Stamford Round Table before joining Rotary in 1964 and is now the longest serving member of this Club. He has been a very active member serving on many committees and raising funds for charities and causes throughout the world. Mr Turner lives in Ketton and is a former managing director of Ketton Cement. Picture shows Mr Geoffrey Turner (left) receiving a congratulatory card from Mr Peter Dodworth, President of Stamford Rotary Club. Ted Howlett Peterborough Ortons Rotary Club members were honoured and proud to present a Paul Harris Sapphire to Rtn. Ted Howlett on the occasion of his 90th birthday in January The award recognised that Ted is still a very regular attender at our meetings, where he contributes to discussions and decision-making, long after his ability to participate in our more physical activities has passed. Ted and his wife Janet regularly support the club s social functions. Ted served his country in World War II in the Royal Armoured Corps as a radio operator on Churchill Tanks, serving in Normandy (where he saw active service in Caen), Belgium and Germany. He joined the Midland Bank in 1940 and after his War service he continued to work for them, retiring in 1982 when manager of the Cathedral Square, Peterborough branch (now HSBC). Ted joined Peterborough Ortons in its year of being chartered, 1977, and served as President in and He continues to serve as one of our auditors, a post he has held for some 10 years. Phil & Joyce Marston Members Achievements Colin Yarwood I would like to pay tribute to Colin Yarwood who steps down from his role as District Youth Exchange Officer in June. Colin has done a fantastic job over the past five years. We have arrived at the situation where District 1070 doesn t just lead RIBI: the total exchanges arranged by the other 28 Districts in one year are less than the total number organised by Colin. Well done Colin! Your energy, enthusiasm and commitment will be difficult to replace. Little wonder you say that you are exhausted and if you don t pass the role on now it could vanish as quickly as it arrived. So Colin: take and well earned break with your wife and enjoy your retirement! Editor June Green Rotarian June Green was given a Paul Harris award by the Ramsey Rotary Club. June a very active member, has chaired many committees, successfully using her persuasive smile and guile. She has instigated various fund raising activities, including social & fund raising events at her home, the most recent in aid of the Air Ambulance. June was the first lady member and then first lady President of Club. She also supported her husband when he was President for two consecutive years. SATURDAY 7 th JUNE 2014 BASSETT S CLOSE WELLINGBOROUGH NN8 4NE 18 Meet Paige Wheeler famous Drag Racer and her sister Belle with their Dragsters Organised by the Rotary Club of Wellingborough Hatton Contact Richard Brooks All proceeds to the Charities supported by Rotary Charity Trust Fund No: (Subject to availability and weather permitting)

19 Coalville Membership New Members Issue 166 Spring 2014 Kettering Paul Watts Blaby Meridian Sue Bailey Melton Mowbray Sue Herlihy Melton Aurora John Marriott Melton Aurora Allan Walker Melton Aurora Paul Saxon Cynthia Henderson Kathryn Manderson Libby Simpson Sue Kinder Brian Phillips Melton Aurora Grantham Kesteven Grantham Kesteven Northampton John Marshall Grantham Kesteven John Marshall Kettering John Perry Spalding Cynthia Henderson Coalville Gerald Pratt Coalville Helen Stamp Coalville Paul Saxon Coalville Gerald Pratt Helen Stamp Doreen Heighway Coalville Libby Simpson Sue Kinder Deaths Norman Spiers, Melton Mowbray Belvoir : The Melton Mowbray Belvoir Club are sad to report the death of one of it s oldest members - Norman Spiers (80). Norman joined the Rotary Club of Aberdare in 1984 and was their President in Prior to Rotary Norman was a member of the Round Table in Neath. He held a BSc and PhD from Aberystwyth University and was a University Blue in athletics (mainly Hurdles & Javelin). His wife, Shirley,who sadly passed away in 2008, was a member & Past President of the Inner Wheel Club of Aberdare. Jorgen Romose, Northampton: Five Rotarians, led by President Evan Gregg, took turns to speak of the major contribution made by Jorgen to Northampton Rotary Club, both locally and internationally, and the way in which he exemplified the spirit of Rotary. He was enthusiastic for the formation of the new Apollo Club. He also initiated major projects such as support for the Kiev Rotary Club, and the building of the Bird Hide at Pitsford.He delighted in his role as Club President in 2007/8. Alan Cox, Holbeach: Passed away 23 February Alan joined the Rotary Club of Holbeach in June Previously he had been a Rotarian in the Guildford area. Alan described himself as an entertainer and those who knew him could not disagree with that description. As a member of the Holbeach Club, despite his age and deteriorating health, he was always anxious to play his part. He was friendly, helpful and supportive. If he could help someone, even in a very small way, he was always eager to do so and always with a smile and a joke to cheer. He will be missed in our club. Albert Smith, Shepshed: Albert died on 5 March at 90 years of age. He moved to Shepshed in 1968 from Forest Gate London and joined Shepshed Rotary Club in At different times in Rotary, Albert held every office in the Club as Secretary, Treasurer and twice President. Albert was a member of The Oaks Church Choir and so became an excellent performer in the Old Time Music Hall Evenings that Shepshed Inner Wheel and Shepshed Rotary put on for many years. He was also a very talented bowls player. Albert continued as an active member of Shepshed until due to failing health he could no longer continue his membership: he was appointed as an Honorary Member. Like most men of his age Albert served in the Armed Forces during the Second World War. Robin Orr Eric Bamford Peter Whitehead Alan Cox Norman Spiers Albert Smith Jorgen Romose Howard Robinson John Kemp Wellingborough Hatton Kettering Kettering Holbeach Melton Mowbray Belvoir Shepshed Northampton Northampton West Audrey Hackett, wife of Neville Hackett Kettering Editor s Note: Please send me information about any births, marriages and deaths within your close family. Share your moments of joy and sadness. 19

20 Copy for the next issue of News and Events by 21 June 2014 please to the Editor, Rtn David Morris, 14 Jasper Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6UN Rotary Tel: District / News & Events Why did the British wear red coats in battle? During the recent royal wedding, the millions around the world saw that Prince William chose to wear a uniform that included the famous British red coat. Many people have asked, Why did the British wear red coats in battle? A long time ago, Britain and France were at war. During one battle, the French captured a British Colonel. They took him to their headquarters and the French General began to question him. Finally, as an afterthought, the French General asked, Why do you British officers all wear red coats? Don t you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at? In his casual, matter-of-fact, way, the officer informed the General that the reason British officers wear red coats is so that if they are wounded, the blood won t show. and the men they are leading won t panic. And that s why, from that day forward, all French Army officers wear brown trousers FLASH MOB Thrapston & Raunds Rotary Club organised a Flash Mob at the Waitrose Store in Rushden on Saturday 15th March. It is believed to be one of the first held in the area. Being a Saturday the store was very busy and the impromptu event took the shoppers by complete surprise. Students from Raunds Manor School music and dance group performed the flash mob to their own live music. Within a few minutes the normal routine of the Waitrose store was transformed when the students appeared from nowhere and started dancing to Johnny be Good which was performed by the School music students. The Rotarians around the store all put on Rotary tabards and held up a Rotary End Polio Now banner as soon as the flash mob started, End Polio leaflets were handed out to shoppers allowing them to text donations. The object of this event was to promote Rotary in a more modern light at the same time advertising the End Polio campaign. Rotary would like to thank the Raunds Manor school and Waitrose for their co-operation. This was a good example of Rotary working in the Community with Schools and Business. The event was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all especially giving light relief to the weary shoppers! SYDNEY 1st 4th June 2014 Young people need a catalyst to fire their interest and enthusiasm in the world; positive role models; inspiration to make changes in their lives and the opportunity and a desire to try. So many young people need help. Saturday 12th July pm Are you going? Please do a report for News & Events Editor Rotary Foundation D1070 Peace and conflict resolution project for young people A training session will be held for interested Rotarians and school partners(location TBD). It is suggested that for each Rotarian attending they should be accompanied by an interested partner school teacher. Peacejam Champions and Rotarians Jean and Keith Best (District Conference fame) will be running the session. To book - contact Trevor Davies at or t.c.davies@reading.ac.uk 10 per person Rotarians working with teachers, youth leaders, government organisations etc.. So now you know. Peacejam Ambassadors curriculum: skill set of intensive listening, intentional speaking and civil discourse. Rotary international Peace Fellows act as mentors and help to inspire our young people to engage with conflict resolution strategies RIBI Presidential Handover 2014 RIBI Presidential Handover, Saturday 5th July 2014 On-board The Elizabethan, River Thames Cruise, with lunch and entertainment included Would you like to join the RIBI Presidential Handover on-board The Elizabethan, with President Nan McCreadie and President Elect Peter King? There are just a few spaces left so please register quickly to avoid disappointment Partners are welcome to attend. The RIBI Handover is a celebration of what has been achieved in 2013/14 and a commitment to further progress in 2014/15. The occasion reflects both continuity within the Presidential team and looks forward to change and innovation. Team work is a key factor in making things happen and you are very much part of that team, giving to Nan and Peter the support within club and district which they need to carry out their Presidential roles. An afternoon on the River Thames aboard The Elizabethan will be a memorable way of continuing the Rotary adventure and to launch forth into another challenging year. Event details: Embark The Elizabethan at Waterloo (London Eye) Pier at hours (prompt). Disembark at Waterloo (London Eye) Pier at hours Ticket Cost: each Nan and Peter have great pleasure in inviting you to come on board and join in the celebrations. Peacejam is an innovative and unique international education programme working directly with Nobel Peace Laureates. Our aim is to inspire young people to be active citizens and agents for change 2009 Peacejam is working in close partnership with many Rotary clubs across the UK. Rotary clubs are instrumental in rolling out our Peacejam programmes to many schools from Scotland to Jersey. Rotary volunteers are introducing Peacejam clubs in schools with the support of teaching staff. as clubs are established Rotarian volunteers can move to a new school with the existing Peacejam club being sustained by the school Peacejam is a not-for profit organisation and the majority of the work is done by volunteers Faure s Requiem Melton Mowbray have arranged a performance of Faure s Requiem in St Mary s Church at 7.00 pm on Friday 17th October. The music is being provided by Uppingham School. There will be an option to have a pre-dinner meal at La Torre. The event is being organised by Rtn Alison Blythe and is to raise funds for The Philippines. 20