General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 9th November 2023 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Chris, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Godfrey, Ian, Jean, Maureen, Nick, Pat, Paul, Pippa, Spyros, Sue.

Apologies:           David K, Gerry, Hilary, Kathryn, Myfanwy, Margaret, Marian, Pete, Reggie, Robert, Trevor, David B

Welcomes:         Pat welcomed everyone.  There were no birthdays this week.

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:

Upcoming Events:  Pat asked if anyone remembered what was happening about a wreath for this coming Remembrance Sunday 12th November?  Roberts has messaged to say he thought Pat was arranging one.  Pat will pop in to the Royal British Legion shop in Whitstable to see if we can get one.  Dave C suggested if it comes to it we could buy a Christmas one from the garden centre and re-purpose it with some poppies?

                Pat reminded club officers that the Board meeting on Tuesday 14th November starts at 7.00pm here at The Plough.

                The Quiz Night on 18th November is in hand.  There was a brief discussion about donations for raffle prizes.  We still need a couple more.

                Pat said that Robert has the route details for delivering Christmas cards.  This will be discussed at Board on Tuesday.

                The next evening meeting will be on Thursday 23rd November.  Pat reminded members that you don't need to book to attend, just tell Robert if you are bringing guests.  Otherwise, Robert as meals steward will assume you are attending (and charge you) unless you specifically advise him you won't be attending.  As previously advertised, the speaker will be a Mr Jim Davis an ex-miner from the Kent coalfields.

Fundraising:  Paul confirmed that there isn't any car parking until 30th December.

                There was a brief discussion about an appeal at Sainsbury, but the latter are not being helpful in allowing collections to take place.  David M confirmed that the collection buckets for food donations have been delivered to the local branches of MacDonalds.

International:  Andrew B has spoken to David K who has not heard anything from his contacts in Ukraine for a worrying length of time.

Youth Opportunities:  Pat said that the Young Chef competition will go ahead on 25th November.  Unfortunately her Robert can't now be a judge.  Can anyone else volunteer?  It means an early start (from 08.30am) since you have to be there while the chefs are preparing the food.  Pat will ask Mel if she could do it.  Nick will ask Mary.

Comm / Voc:  Red Zebra have indicated they would like six Christmas hampers.  So, some of the food from our Christmas collection can go to Andrew and Jean M who will make up the hampers.

Any Other Business:

                Nick bumped into a fellow Rotarian from the Forest of Blean club who spoke about a special service in Canterbury Cathedral next year, 1st June 2024, when they will be a performance by a community choir.  Tickets for this popular event will go very quickly.  Nick will give the details to Robert so we can have a sheet in the Events folder.

                Sue raised the Christmas dinner at the Golf Club.  Can those members who wish to attend make sure their names are on the sheet in the Events folder by the end of November, please?

                Spyros said that Rotarians from South Walden are coming today to collect the mobility aids from his garage.

                Dave C said that for any members interested in matters nautical, the new Tamar-class all weather lifeboat will be arriving in Ramsgate at approximately 13.00 on Saturday, escorted by the lifeboats from Margate and Dover.  It should be quite a spectacle, best viewed from the end of either of the harbour arms at Ramsgate.

Raffle:   Was won by Andrew B

Master-at-Arms:              Nick fined everyone who wasn't sporting a poppy and a Rotary badge.  This week is Great British Game Week (ie grouse etc) and also it's Chaos Never Dies Day in the USA.  Today is Roger McGough's birthday.

Final Toast:         Given by Lesley

Next Meeting:

07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 16th November 2023 @ The Plough