July 2018

PRESIDENT Ian Watson

SECRETARY Mike McNally

THEBORDERER

July 2018

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

 A change of President and maybe a change in the weather, pure coincidence!

The change in the weather will come as a relief to farmers and gardeners alike, and maybe to Nicki, who after an extremely successful year will find some relief from her onerous duties. Her high standard will take some matching, but I shall do my best. On behalf of us all, thank you Nicki, and also for hosting the annual Presidents BBQ at Moordyke, in beautiful surroundings on one of the warmest days this summer.

 We had an incident free Club Assembly on June 26^th, under the keen and watchful eye of Assistant District Governor Brian White, who, in summing

up endorsed our view that all Clubs should do their own thing and not make changes for the sake of it, and he also appreciated our approach to Rotary and in particular our steady increase in membership.

The following week was the July Presidential handover and potato day, this time under the ever watchful eye of District Governor Mary Bradley, who again commended us on our membership and was more than a little excited to witness the inauguration of our latest new member Euan Cartwright who will be made most welcome. Mary brought with her greetings from Barry Rassin President of Rotary International 2018-19, whose message to us all is 'Be The Inspiration'. The highlight of the afternoon was the potato competition, ably judged by Tony Wiseman, who awarded the trophy to Malcolm Metcalfe, and it must have been Malcolm’s day as later that evening he, along with Brian Edmundson won the bowling competition at Wetheral!

 Peter Tiplady gave us a frank but sympathetic view of the 70^th anniversary of the NHS, and left us all with food for thought about its funding and its future. 'Bridges I have known' was the title of a very interesting talk given to the Club by past PDG Kevin Walsh, drawing from his experiences and interest, during his 42 years as an engineer with Cumbria County Council.

It was my privilege to present a cheque of over £3700 to Down-a-Gate Community, this was the remains of flood money that was raised from Rotary Clubs all over the country, thanks to Stephen Higgs for bringing this about.

The support for next year’s Choir Concert continues, with the fund now at £8,000. The plan, with The Sands, to go live in September and the draft advertising poster is within The Borderer for your viewing.

IAN WATSON

PRESIDENT

Past President Nicki,

President Ian,

and District Governor Mary Bradley

PAST PRESIDENT NICKI’S SKYDIVE RAISED £3,000

We make no apology for repeating the story about Nicki’s epic skydive which has raised £3,000 to be divided between The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Blood Bikes, Hospice at Home, and Life Education.

We hope to bring you the rather scary video of the jump in next month’s edition of The Border

President’s Day 4^th July 2018

BE THE INSPIRATION

Those who have attended as many Presidents’ Days as I have will know that the format has remained traditionally the same over the years. This is hand over day, out with the old and in with the new. It is an opportunity for outgoing President Nicki to recall some of the highlights of her year and to thank officers and members for their help and support during her year. Special recognition was given by Nicki to Secretary Mike McNally for his constant help and guidance. The official hand over then took place, the chain of office passing to the incoming President Ian Watson whose first duty was to induct his Vice-President Norman Butler.

President Ian thanked immediate Past President Nicki and the members all agreed that Nicki had had a very successful year.

Outlining the year ahead it was very clear that this was going to be a very busy year, not only for President Ian but for every member of the Rotary Club of Carlisle. Plans are now well in hand for The Farmers and Farmers Wives Choir concert in January next year, a sell-out of tickets being the objective to raise a maximum sum for charity.

Now it was time for the President to introduce new member Euan Cartwright to the members

The President welcomed District Governor Mary Bradley from the Rotary Club of Whitehaven Castle making her first visit to our club since taking office a few days previous. After bringing the customary greetings she outlined some of the aims and objectives for her year before highlighting the District Conference, “Mary’s House Party” to be held  in March next year at the Cumbria Grand Hotel Grange over Sands. Mary expressed the hope that our Club would be well represented and that she was looking forward to being at our Charter Night in November.

The first day of Ian’s Presidential year had got off to a good start.

Potato Day

Another potato day has come and gone and now we know who has won!

This year there was an increase in the number of entries over the previous year which is a move in the right direction. Numerous varieties were exhibited though the rules did not require them to be named and amongst the competitors they remain a closely guarded secret.

The winning four potatoes selected by our judge Tony Wiseman, were those grown by Malcolm Metcalfe who was a previous winner only three years ago. What is the secret of his success?

District Governor Mary chose our club for her first club visit of this Rotary Year and being aware of the Potato Competition presented the winner with a special prize and an encouragement prize to the grower deemed to be most in  need.

DONALD EDGAR

PRESIDENT’S BARBECUE

Our long hot summer provided ideal weather for President Nicki’s Barbecue at Aikton. Her lovely garden made an ideal setting for the event with the barbecue provided by Harry & Sheila Cain and the salads by Nicki and her band of friends.

…and a most enjoyable time was had by all!

Nicki also organised a Farm Walk – very interesting for the ‘townies’!

While the farmer amongst us asked intelligent questions

Happy 70th Birthday NHS – Peter Tiplady

 It was entirely appropriate that Peter should have talked to us about the birth and development of the NHS. After all he first came to Carlisle as a GP in 1968 and we all know that he finished his career as Director of Public Health, North Cumbria.

 We learned how Ernest Bevin first asked William Beveridge to come up with plans which led to our present Welfare State, and to include benefits being paid to the sick, unemployed, widowed and retired, to be funded by National Insurance Contributions, and the NHS was introduced in 1948 by Aneurin Bevan's Labour government. It was soon discovered that existing hospitals and equipment where unfit for purpose and the cost of replacing and modernising became a major drain on state coffers .

 In spite of massive costs and many other major problems, Peter was quick to tell us that -

" The NHS is one of the greatest gifts we as a nation have ever had . It is the gift of freedom from worry about health care and its huge cost, and the relief that the service is free to us at the point where and when we need it .

Thank God for the NHS, for all its achievements, for those that run it, for those who gave it to us, and for the dedicated staff who give us so much " .

The good selection of varied questions and comments at the end of his talk was testimony to how he held our attention.

David Hoggard.

Club Lawn Bowls Championship 2018

Another warm and sunny July evening in Wetheral for our annual bowls competition.  President Ian welcomed everyone before having to leave with Barbara for a family engagement.

Eight players were drawn in pairs on two rinks with Malcolm Metcalfe & Brian Edmundson taking on Tom Dawson & Phil Beadle and Robin MacLeod & IPP Nicki Quayle against Mike McNally & Joe Watt.

Things looked bleak for Brian & Malcolm as Tom & Phil took a 5 point lead after the first two ends. However, they gradually turned it round to 5-5 by the sixth and with a bit of luck (well perhaps a lot of luck!) on ends nine and ten won their match 15-8.

Game 2 started in similar fashion with Nicki & Robin leading 5-2 after three ends and 9-3 by the seventh. A 4 on the next saw a strong fightback to 9-7 but with Nicki & Robin scoring 1 on end nine Mike & Joe’s 2 on the last was not enough a they went down 10-9 in a dramatic last end (without the need for VAR).

Brian & Malcolm were declared 2018 champions on points difference and were presented with the silver cup and bottles of wine by our Immediate Past President Nicki.Tea, coffee and lovely biscuits were served by our hosts Peter and Jill who were thanked for again providing us with a lovely evening in real summer weather.

BRIAN EDMUNDSON

DOWN-A-GATE COMMUNITY CENTRE

President Ian presented a cheque for £3,700 to Down-a-Gate Community Centre to help them with the re-building of their flood damaged changing rooms and clubhouse.

Their new upstairs bar and function room will have a balcony giving views over the playing fields and the river.

One day soon it will be a brilliant venue for meetings and parties.

DAVID MORTON

BRIDGES I HAVE KNOWN

• PDG KEVIN WALSH

Kevin gave us a most interesting tour of bridges, mostly in Cumbria covering the many different types from the pack horse bridge near Wasdale through to the new bridge taking the Carlisle Northern Development Route the River Eden – which Kevin built.

This bridge incidentally has central spans of Corten steel which has a rusty appearance bur needs no further maintenance, but the outside spans are painted.

Kevin was also heavily involved in the aftermath of the flood damage to the Workington bridges which was a serious challenge. The Navvies Bridge was fabricated off-site and fitted onto its foundations first time.

The central pier of the Calva Bridge further upstream had to be jacked up while the foundations were reinforced in an amazingly difficult operation.

The new Cloffocks bridge, replacing the bridge where PC Bill Barker died, was stress tested by two Stobbart lorries, but the first public vehicle over it carried a large Rotary poster raising £4,000 for Rotary funds from the builders

He concluded with pictures of the bridges over the Forth and, for David’s benefit, the new Mersey Gateway Bridge

DAVID MORTON

Navvies Bridge Workington which was made off-site

The Forth road and rail

Bridges

The new Mersey Gateway bridge with the old bridge in the background – beware there is a £2 toll on both Mersey Bridges!

MESSAGE TO NEIGHBOUR:

“Hi Fred, this is Richard, next door.

“I’ve got a confession to make.  I’ve been riddled with guilt for a few months and have been trying to get up the courage to tell you face-to-face.  At least I’m telling you in this text and I can’t live with myself a minute longer without you knowing about this.  The truth is that when you’re not around I’ve been sharing your wife, day and night.  In fact, probably much more than you.  I haven’t been getting it at home recently and I know that that’s no excuse.  The temptation was just too great.  I can’t live with the guilt and hope you’ll accept my sincere apology and forgive me.  Please suggest a fee for usage and I’ll pay you.

Regards, Richard”

 NEIGHBOUR’S RESPONSE:

 Fred, feeling so angered and betrayed, grabbed his gun and shot Richard, killing him.  He went back home and poured himself a stiff drink and sat down on the sofa.

 Fred then looked at his phone and discovered a second text message from Richard.

 SECOND TEXT MESSAGE:

 “Hi Fred, Richard here again. 

“Sorry about the typo on my last text.  I expect you figured it out and noticed that the damned Auto-Correct had changed “wi-fi” to “wife.” 

Technology, huh?  It’ll be the death of us all.

Regards, Richard”

A Poem of yesteryear....

I remember the cheese of my childhood
and the bread that we cut with a knife.
When the children helped with the housework,
and the men went to work, not the wife.

The cheese never needed a fridge
and the bread was so crusty and hot.
The children were seldom unhappy
and the wife was content with her lot.

I remember the milk from the bottle,
with the yummy cream on the top.
Our dinner came hot from the oven,
and not from the fridge; in the shop.

The kids were a lot more contented,
they didn't need money for kicks.
Just a game with their mates in the road
and sometimes the Saturday flicks.

I remember the shop on the corner,
where a pen'orth of sweets was sold.
Do you think I'm a bit too nostalgic?
Or is it....I'm just getting old?

I remember the 'loo' was the lavvy
and the bogey man came in the night.
It wasn't the least bit funny
going "out back" with no light.

Dirty clothes were boiled in the copper,
with plenty of rich foamy suds.
But the ironing seemed never ending
as Mum pressed everyone's 'duds'.

Do you think that bruised our ego?
or our initiative was destroyed?
We ate what was put on the table
and I think life was better enjoyed.

But a huge fact not hereto mentioned
in this mushy tale of nostalgic rejoice,
is the reason we all "enjoyed" our lot
Was that we had NO BLOODY CHOICE.....                             BRIAN ARMSTRONG

POETS’     CORNER

Wishes of an Elderly Man, Wished at a Garden Party , June 1914 .

I wish I loved the human race ;
I wish I loved its silly face ;
I wish I loved the way it walks ;
I wish I loved the way it talks ;
And when I'm introduced to one
I wish I thought "What Jolly Fun !"

Sir Walter Raleigh 1861 – 1922

WISHING WELL

The current charity is Meningitis Now followed by The Eden Valley Hospice.

This takes us to beginning of September so if any member has a suitable charity they would like to nominate please contact me. We will support RBL Poppy appeal in October as well as The Food Bank in December as before.

MICHAEL PEARSON

THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH.. “

"People take different roads seeking fulfilment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost." --Dalai Lama

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." --George Bernard Shaw

"A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are for."

 --John A. Shedd

ROTARY WEBPAGES

Rotary Magazine – current & previous editions

https://issuu.com/rotaryingbi/docs 

EDITOR’S NOTE – The Borderer uses the free version of the same ‘issuu’ website!

Rotary Policies

Rotary GB&I Compliance Statement – 2017/18

Our Club President or Secretary have been asked to confirm that our Club has read and adopted the following Rotary GB&I documents:

 Rotary GB&I Equality and Diversity Policy

 Rotary GB&I Health and Safety Policy

 Rotary GB&I Safeguarding (Children) Policy

 Rotary GB&I Safeguarding (Vulnerable Adults) Policy

 Rotary GB&I Data Protection Policy Statement  

With grateful thanks to the Rotary Club of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire (a long way from the Brecon Beacons - according to our Welsh Correspondent!)

Rotary Central

https://my.rotary.org/en

To delve into the detailed Rotary statistics you may need a username and password

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Tuesday 14^th August – Treasure Hunt.

After a short absence the Treasure Hunt is returning to our calendar. Please note change of date.  Stephen Higgs is on the case and details will be circulated shortly

Saturday 1^st September – Theatre by the Lake.

David Morton has allocated the 20 tickets for the production of Alan Bennett’s ‘Single Spies’, but if anyone else would like to come for this production and join others for dinner at Morrells please see David Morton (very soon!). 

Friday 23^rd November – CHARTER NIGHT.

Still to come before the end of December there will be an Autumn Walk, the District Quiz, Club Ten-Pin Bowling, a return visit to H & H Borderway Mart and of course our Christmas Lunch with great seasonal entertainment. Dates for these to follow shortly.

Sunday 27^th January 2019 

The Farmers Wives and Farmers Choir at The Sands.

The Club’s main fundraiser next year.  With all costs of putting on this spectacular show in the City’s largest venue covered, 100% of every ticket sold will go to the charities selected by the choir and our President Ian.

Make sure you have the date in all diaries and tell all your friends and associates about this special event.

Club Council Meetings

Club Meetings Programme