Club Meetings

We hope that this page shows you the range and depth of speakers that we get at our Rotary meetings.  If you would like to find out more about us, or have a subject that you are passionate about and would like to come and talk to us please let us know. Sadly, as a small club we do not pay fees for speakers, although we do provide a very good meal at our meetings at the Maenan Abbey Hotel.

July 4th :  Presidents Evening
It being the first meeting of our new Rotary year we had a BBQ rather than our usual sit-down meal and President John held a very light hearted quiz which was enjoyed by all present.

July 18th
The club had a presentation given by Rtn Kevin Rowlands about the Polio Eradication project and the need to continue with this project as there are only two countries in the world where polio is endemic.  We were also joined by Janet Saunders AM who spoke for a few minutes and offered to help the club where possible.  The vote of thanks was given by President John

August - due to a large number of members being on holiday we didn't have any speakers in August

September 5th
Members and guests enjoyed a presentation given by Assistant District Governor Bob Maskall about Shelterbox. The now stand alone charity Shelterbox, which was started by a Rotarian in West Cornwall as a Millenium Project in 2000, has now helped over one million people in the last 16 years within disaster areas. The charity works in partnership with Rotary to identify the needs of disaster hit communities, targeting their emergency aid requirements. Further information about Shelterbox can be found at www.shelterbox.org .  The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Peter Thorman-Jones

September 19th
This meeting of the Conwy Valley Rotary Club, chaired by President John Mitchell, saw members and guests enjoy a presentation given by Andy Tomkins, Co-op Llanrwst Store Manager, and Gill Kilpin, Co-op Retail Trainer. Their presentation explained not only how and where the Co-op started, but also how in 2016 it is re-inventing its values and ideals to compliment today’s business. The new member Co-op product dividend scheme commencing 21st September highlighted how the 5% for members and the associated 1% for selective charities would accumulate. The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian James How. 

October 3rd 
This meeting saw several guests joining us to listen to Simon Simcox (assisted by Paul Cassidy) from Bob Parry Estate agents.  Simon gave a presentation based on his illustrated book about hidden houses in Gwynedd, and showed several examples of houses that had older houses "hidden" in their structures. The vote of thanks was given by past President Richard How.

October 14th (Charter Night)
The meeting celebrated the 70th Charter Night Celebration of Conwy Valley Rotary Club at Maenan Abbey Hotel. Originally called Llanrwst and Trefriw Rotary Club, it changed its name to encompass the relevant area of operation. The guest speaker was Llanfairfechan farmer, author & international television personality Gareth Wyn Jones. During the evening President John presented a cheque for £500 on behalf of the club to Shelterbox representative Assistant District Governor Bob Maskall.

October 17th
Members and guests enjoyed a very interesting and factual presentation given by Lucy, Ffion and Tomos, the 3 RYLA pupils from Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy. RYLA – Rotary Young Leaders Award scheme enables pupils to attend a week long outdoor pursuits course at Arthog, with its objective on leadership and teamwork. The pupils on the course are sponsored jointly between the Rotary Club and Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy.

October 31st
President John Mitchell, members and friends of Conwy Valley Rotary Club enjoyed a social evening at the Maenan Abbey Hotel, last Monday night. The theme of the evening was Halloween, and members reflected the occasion by their adventurous fancy dress attire. Everyone was met at the door by ‘Alf’ the talking dummy, aptly dressed for the event. A great evening was had by all.

November 7th
Members and guests enjoyed an after dinner presentation from Rotarian Ron Watson-Jones of the Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr Rotary Club. Ron gave an illustrated in depth talk about the Irish Mail train crash at Penmaenmawr on 27^th August 1950 at 3.00am. Club secretary Ian Williams gave the vote of thanks.

November 21st
Pesident John Mitchell and members of Conwy Valley Rotary Club enjoyed a musical presentation by Lauren Farr. Lauren sang a medley of well known songs to the Rotarian audience at the Maenan Abbey Hotel; Rotarian John Thiele accompanied Lauren on guitar.  

December 5th
At last this meeting President John Mitchell and members of both Conwy Valley Rotary Club and Conwy Rotary Club welcomed District Governor Molly to their joint meeting. After dinner speaker for the evening was Mrs Rhian Evans, Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator at Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy. Rhian gave a very interesting insight into her work at the school and also her previous 16 years teaching at Ysgol-y-Gogarth, Llandudno. During the evening District Governor Molly Youd presented Rotarian Dennis Reeve (Conwy Valley Club) with a Paul Harris Fellowship award, Rotary’s highest accolade, for his commitment to Rotary, his dedication to young people with additional learning needs and his work as a magistrate for over 30 years.

January 16th
President John Mitchell welcomed members and guests and introduced the evening’s speakers Rotarian’s wife Ann Allsopp and her friend Andrea. Ann assisted by Andrea gave a very comprehensive review of their recent sponsored walk of 75 miles across a rural area in Burma terminating at Lake Inle. The walk, in aid of the Genesis Trust, saw Ann and Andrea meet a number of the area’s residents, making lasting friendships; they experienced meals in their homes, saw the crops grown widely on the farms, and visited a number of places of interest. The Genesis Trust, started by Lord Robert Winston, supports UK based research into causes and conditions that affect the health of women and babies; Ann raised over £4000 in sponsorship.

23rd January
Although not a "meal night" President John Mitchell inducted Ronald Chapman from Tyn-y-Groes into membership of the Club; this was welcomed by all the members. During the business meeting the Club unanimously agreed to increase the United Churches Christmas Carol Service collection of £192.37 to £500.00. The £500.00 will be divided equally between St. David’s Hospice and Ty Gobaith.

February 6th
President John Mitchell and members, together with their partners, enjoyed a pictorial presentation by member Rotarian Roger Thomas and his wife Chris of their recent holiday in Botswana and the Okavango Delta area. Travelling around the huge Kalahari Game Reserve, Roger showed photographs and videos of some of the animals they had encountered, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs and elephants. A country where there is no poaching or crime, the animals are thriving.

February 20th
President John Mitchell and members, together with their partners, listened intently to guest speaker Ross Morgan, Town Clerk to Llanrwst Town Council. Ross gave an interesting, factual, illustrated presentation about the work of the town council and its recently agreed Mission Statement and objectives. Following a number of questions to Ross, President John gave the vote of thanks.