General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 5th October 2023 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Chris, Dave C, David K, David M, Elaine, Godfrey, Ian, Jean, Kathryn, Maureen, Margaret, Pat, Paul, Reggie, Robert, Sue.

Apologies:           Gerry, Hilary, Lesley, Myfanwy, Marian, Nick, Pete, Pippa, Spyros, Trevor, David B

Welcome & Birthdays:   Pat welcomed everybody to the meeting.  There were no birthdays this week.

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:            

Comm / Voc:  There is a litter picking event for Chestfield residents on Sunday 15th October from 11.00am.  Meet at the play area.  Pat said it would be a good opportunity to show our colours, and remind local people that we are still their local Rotary club.

                Pat reminded everyone about the deadline for shoe boxes at the end of this month.

                Robert said that the Chestfield parish magazine had an article about emergency planning with a list of tasks that will need doing.  This might we something we could offer to get involved in as a club.  He will circulate a list of tasks.

Fund Raising:  David M said that the Quiz ticket sales are going well.  There are 81 tickets sold for the Quiz Night on Saturday 18th November.  There are two tables left. 

                Paul said that the next car parking will be on Thursday 26th October (half term).  Since it is half term, we open up at 09.00am rather than an hour earlier.  So the timings for the shifts move back an hour; 12.00 to 14.00 shift becomes 13.00 to 15.00, for example.  Can everyone please check the sheet in the events folder.  Paul said we could do with more volunteers for the busiest shifts in the middle of the day.

                The Christmas collection will be on Sunday 7th December.  Can all members look at the events sheet and indicate whether they want to be in Team A or Team B, please?

                Sue said that Margate have a new indoor mini-golf.  Would wee be interested in going over there for an outing sometime?

Social:   Sue asked how many members would be interested in another evening at Ales & Antiques?  This would probably be on a Thursday evening in late October / early November.  About 10x people indicated an interest.  Sue will make enquiries, initially about the 26th October if we can have it.  This day will be busy for some of us - breakfast, car parking and an evening event!

International:  Andrew B reported that there were no new developments (he admitted being somewhat distracted by the birth of a new grandson).

Youth Opps:  Margaret said it is confirmed that the Whitstable school will host the event.

District:  Sue went to a recent cluster meeting.  She reported that Whitstable shared the news that they intend to host a boxing night.  Also, Canterbury sunrise intends to apply for a large Global Grant next year of up to £80K.  There is also a proposal to get all the local clubs together on 24th July 2024 to discuss a joint strategy for recruiting new members.  Faversham reported that they have arranged a visit by a male voice choir next year.  Finally, Sue added that Georgia (a former member) sends her regards and will be with us at our anniversary dinner.

Any Other Business:  Pat said that Robert's (partner Robert, that is) mother has passed away, so she will be away in Devon next week helping Robert's sister with the funeral.  Pat's Robert is currently away driving a group of Australian civil engineers around some of the historical sites in Scotland and the North of England.  One of the engineers is a Rotary member; 'Skip' sends his regards.  Sue recounted an anecdote about waiting for a bus and being picked up by Robert.

                Robert brought greetings from Canterbury Sunrise.  They recently had a trip on the miniature railway at Dungeness.  Ed Shearan has a new house there.

                David M said he has had an email from African Oyster acknowledging our donation of £500.

                Sue said that the Whitstable Historical society had a speaker about the history of the coal mines in Kent.  He was a good speaker.  One for us an at evening meeting?  Robert mentioned having visited the museum at Bettshanger.  Dave C said that he had been recently and the wretched car  parking machine took £1.25 off him, then the company fined him for non-payment.  It was some obscure company, not RingGo. 

                Robert added that another outing for us might be the Sikh temple in Gravesend.  He will find out about how to book visits.

                Andrew B asked if Maureen has another date in mind for another gardening day at the Whit & Tank?  Maureen said that she and Elaine are aware that there is some more work which needs doing.

Final Toast:         Andrew B.

Date of Next Meeting:

07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 12th October 2024 @ the Plough