Newsletter May 2016

HARWICH & DOVERCOURT ROTARY CLUB MAY 2016 NEWSLETTER On Monday 25th April Martin Reed (a Rotarian from the Dunmow Club) gave us a very interesting talk about the charity ‘Send a Cow’ who, as the name implies, sends cows to Africa to allow families to have fresh milk. In areas where the country is not suitable for cows, goats and sheep are provided as well as chicken. The cows are kept in enclosures for safety and are fed with hay and other green stuff grown with the help of the resulting manure and from the pictures Martin showed us, he cows are treated like royalty. Friesian cows are sent out to Kenya, Uganda and other East African countries and then are bred locally and the calves are given (never sold) to other families so that more and more families can benefit. This all leads on to better education for the children which is necessary to allow future generations to get out of poverty and also to better relationships in the family. The cost of a cow from this country is in the region of £700 and Martin was hoping that all Clubs in District 1240 would each contribute £160 each – I’m sure that our Club would be happy to contribute such a small amount. The vote of thanks was given by PE Nigel in his own inimitable way (as Neil said in his jottings). If you go on the ‘Send a Cow’ website you can see all the gifts that can be purchased and sent out to E. Africa – ranging from chickens to toilets !! ************************************ On Monday 16th May PE Colin Hance welcomed David Willis (Manningtree Stour Valley Club), Ann Holmes (Kelvedon Club), who is the co-ordinator for ‘Youth Speaks’, Headteacher Robert Garrett, Dep. Head Janet Davidson, teacher and coach Sarah Cross, plus the students from Harwich & Dovercourt High School, Ella Humphries, Eliot Jackman and Emily Carman. After the meal the students were invited to give their award winning ‘Youth Speaks’ performance to the members present. All Rotarians were truly impressed with the use of our language, logical argument and deportment, in such an articulate manner. President Andy gave the vote of thanks and asked members to respond in the usual way. Mr Garrett thanked the Rotary Club for their interest and generosity and he also thanked his students and staff for their hard work in making this amazing achievement possible. Ann Holmes also praised the students for their success in not only winning the Area and Regional final, but in their fine achievement in the Grand Final in Preston. (The above was taken from Neil’s jottings – I was unable to be there as we had Australian friends staying) Denis is to be commended for the support that he gave the team at the area, regional and national finals and arranging to bring the team to a Rotary meeting. ********************************* On Monday 23rd our own Richard Coolen gave us a talk about his experiences in Japan when he was at sea and he also talked about some of the ships that he sailed on in the distant past. He obviously thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Japanese people and and experiencing the different culinary delights. Richard Wearmouth gave the vote of thanks and members showed their appreciation in the normal way.