May 2013

May is a traditionally short month for Trowbridge Wessex Mead Rotary due to the two bank holidays falling on our meeting nights, however our month was filled with preparation for and participation in a very enjoyable French Rotary Twinning visit.

Since 2009, the Rotary Clubs of Rodez-Espalion and Trowbridge Wessex Mead have enjoyed taking turns for a long weekend visit, with members and their partners staying with members of the hosting club. This year it was the turn of the French to visit Trowbridge and my plea last month for better weather worked as we enjoyed a weekend programme of outside activities in the sun, with not a drop of rain! On Saturday night we even managed a BBQ , sitting out in my garden until gone 10pm!

Other activities included a full day of sightseeing in the beautiful City of Bath, complete with a 2 hour guided tour in French; a morning's treasure trail around the historic town of Trowbridge (this seemed to be a new experience for our French guests but one they really embraced and I suspect we might well find ourselves participating in a treasure hunt in Rodez next year on our return visit!); a trip to enjoy the rhododendrons and view at Heaven's Gate; and a beer tasting game and meal at the Fat fowl, Bradford on Avon.

At the beginning of May we  attended the Rotary District Assembly in Street, to hear our incoming District Governor's plans for the new Rotary year. This was a full day for me and I just made it back to Trowbridge in time to co-judge the Carnival Royalty Selections at Walwayne Court School. It was a very tough call as all the applicants were delightful, but we finally came to a decision and named Amy Dawkins (age11) as Butterfly Queen, Maddie Jones (age 10) as Butterfly Princess and Harley Morten (age 8) as Queen Consort.

In  June we look forward to our Club Assembly and AGM, The Trowbridge in Bloom Young Bloomers Public Speaking Competition, various neighbouring Rotary Club President Night celebrations and at the end of the month,  the presidential reigns will be handed over to the new Rotary Presidents for 2013/14. Meanwhile plans are afoot  for an exciting year of projects & activities ahead.