Vocational Activities in 2016-17

Vocational Review 2016/17
Keswick School and Youth Development – We enjoyed listening, judging, engaging and supporting the youth of Keswick in various activities;-
 The club sponsored students in the following competitions ; Young Musician, Youth Speaks, Young Chef, Young Writer, and the Cumbria Design and Technology awards
 Alex Chalker, on drums, won through to the North of England Regional final after winning the district final and played live at Liverpool Cathedral as the sponsored winner from the Rotary Club of Keswick
 National Poetry day readings at the Skiddaw Hotel lunch by the winning poets from Keswick School and, for the first time, St Herbert’s school
 We also heard the winners of our local competition for Young Writer tell their stories of “reflection”
 Introduced some professional coaching, provided by Rotary District 1190, for Youth Speaks the public speaking competition
 We provided “employers” to engage with Keswick School students during a mock interview day at Keswick School
 We supported two students to take part in a “Global Young Leaders Conference” in the USA.
Fund Raising
 £2250 was raised from the Rod Stewart tribute band in July, of which £1200 was given to the Friends of Mary Hewitson Hospital
 The December Keswick Own Christmas Proms event was a sell-out which enabled us to donate in total £1200 to the Keswick Scout and Guiding movements. £900 of this enabled Keswick Scouts to buy some new buoyancy aids for water based activities
 The balance of money raised was used to support local charities
Visits
Rotarians enjoyed some visits out;-
 A day out west to visit the Maryport Maritime Museum and the Senhouse Roman Fort and Museum
 A day to visit the Derwent pencil factory in Workington, and to the former stomping ground of Rotarian Tony Gibbs, James Walker and Co Limited in Cockermouth, who manufacture high specification seals and equipment for various industries. They have recently announced a move
to Lillyhall to reduce potential business disruption in future due to flooding.
 A visit to Brian Fulton, Jewellery Maker in Threlkeld and the Cumbria Clock Company at Dacre followed by a pub visit in Greystoke to refresh.
 A visit to Floors Castle at Kelso in the Scottish borders. This was the home of the 1st Duke of Roxburgh and is still lived in by the family. Unfortunately they didn’t invite us in for afternoon tea.
My thanks to all on the Committee who have helped so much during the last 12 months. This includes Peter Campion, who is sadly no longer with us, Mike Ryder, David Morgan, David Quainton, Gill Francis and Nigel Lewis and not forgetting of course President Phil. Finally, we should recognise the teaching staff at Keswick School, who supports us in providing the extra-curricular activities available from Rotary.
Paul Bowmer
Vocational Chair
July 2017