February 2013

After a quiet January, February burst into action. We started with a Rotary interclub skittles match against the Rotary Club of Mendip. We have to admit that our past form has not been great so it was with much surprise to both Mendip and ourselves that we scored a resounding victory.

On Saturday 2nd, Beth Davey, the winner of the Trowbridge Wessex Mead Young Chef 2012 Competition, took part in the RIBI Young Chef District Final. The standards were very high with Beth facing stiff competition from 11 other club heat winners. Beth kept her cool (better than her supporters & President Caroline!) and produced a very fine 3-course meal, but sadly just missed out on a place in the next round, the regional final.

The following Monday, Trowbridge in Bloom launched a new initiative 'The Young Voice of Trowbridge'. The three secondary schools of Trowbridge came together for the first time to take part in a public speaking competition. The Rotary Club of Trowbridge Wessex Mead was delighted to be part of the organising committee for this innovative event and to sponsor the Year 10 winner trophies. We offer our admiration and congratulations to all the students who took part.

Posh frocks & black ties followed when a few of us attended Westbury Rotary President's Night. A fun time was had by all with enjoyable conversation, food and dancing to retro disco music from the 50's & 60's. Not quite the music of our generation but that didn't stop us from trying to strut our stuff on the dance floor!

A very important part of Rotary is the desire to make a positive difference in the local community, so when it came to our attention that Trowbridge Sea Cadets need help in raising funds to replace their aging minibus, we were very keen to support such a valuable youth asset in our town. President Caroline & Treasurer Liz attended a Monday night parade and presented to T S Achilles a cheque for £300.00.

Each February, Trowbridge Wessex Mead organise a Big Breakfast to raise funds and awareness for the End Polio Now Campaign and this year it took place on Sunday 24th. We would like to thank everyone who came along in support and hope you enjoyed your breakfast! A special thank you goes to Peter Barnett and Councillor John Knight from Fair Trade who supplied all our teas & coffees, Walter Rose & Sons who gave us a wonderful deal on our bacon & sausages and Richard & Celia Young who sponsored our free range eggs. In all we cooked 131 breakfasts throughout the Sunday morning and are pleased to announce a profit of approximately £630.00 which will aid the fight to eradicate Polio worldwide.

Our social events in February involved pubs and pins as some local hostelries were visited and some games of 10-pin bowling were enjoyed at the Christie Miller Centre. We finished the month with another Rotary interclub skittles match, this time against Bradford on Avon Rotary. Sadly our triumph at the beginning of the month was not to be repeated as BOA knocked us out of the league, however sausage & mash at the end of the evening helped to soften the blow!

Lots has been going on behind the scenes too, with a District website training seminar and a Rotary Foundation information evening, as well as planning for our President's Night Charity Venetian Masked Ball in March, the Turkish Group Study Exchange  visit in April and the French Twinning return visit in May. February has been a very busy month indeed!