October 2013

October started with our annual Rotary District 1200 Conference, this year held in the Cotswolds. From the opening address by Mary Berry, CBE, on Friday,  to the closing keynote presentation by Michael McQueen on Sunday, we were informed, inspired and captivated by the contributions from young people and speakers alike. We heard talented young musicians, eloquent young public speakers, amazing young carers and future young leaders. Thought provoking and emotional presentations were given about Young Children Hospices South West, the 'School in a Bag' project, Life education Centres, and Youth Service Projects. BBC Weatherman Alex Deakin gave us an insight to meteorology and its impact on our young people's future and Adam Henson from BBC Countryfile entertained us with his presentation on his life, food, farming and the career opportunities in agriculture. The conference theme 'The Spirit of Youth'  ran strongly throughout the weekend.

Rotary are for communities, we try to get involved in projects & activities in our neighbourhood aimed at improving and building community spirit. Thus on the 14th October, for the second time, Trowbridge Wessex Mead members were pleased to host an evening of food & entertainment for the Trowbridge Visually Impaired Club and on the 15^th October I attended the Trowbridge in Bloom School  Award Ceremony where I presented the Young Persons Award on behalf of the Rotary Club of Trowbridge Wessex Mead.

This was a busy week as on the 19th October some of our members donned their cowboy hats & fairy lights to help with the collections for the Trowbridge Carnival Procession. A mild, dry evening meant there were plenty of people watching, and the collecting buckets soon weighed heavy.

Our business meeting on the 21st proved popular with neighbouring Rotary clubs as we were joined by members from Bradford on Avon, Chippenham and Westbury, along with our invited guests Kira Collins and her family. Sixteen year old Kira participated in the Rotary short term youth exchange programme back in July/August/September. Dressed in a beautiful kimono, Kira's presentation on her visit to Japan was interesting and informative and her movie clip at the end visually portrayed a very full and fun packed stay. In Kira's own words, this experience given her confidence to believe in herself, to try new experiences and to live her life to the full.

Our last meeting of the month was a member organised evening of pumpkin carving, hosted by David. The prize for the best carving went to Caroline who made an excellent scary pumpkin (unlike my very friendly carved pumpkin which was smiling and could not scare a cat!)