President's Blog September 2017

So another month has flown by and a busy one it’s been too! 

Saturday 2^nd September was a busy day.  President Andrew attended the District Forum at Shepton Mallet Showground to catch up on all the latest goings on in the District – the new venue and format of round table discussions groups rather than breakout groups seemed popular, but the main event that day was our inaugural Fun Dog Show at the Trowbridge Carnival Country Fayre.

This new event proved to be a popular addition to the Country Fayre and was well supported by the general public as well as family and friends.  We were also very grateful to Vets4Pets who not only sponsored the event and provided the rosettes, but also did all the judging for us.  We had a good number of entrants in each of the 9 classes and the winner of each heat was put forward for the chance to win “Best in Show” which included a trophy and a deluxe goody bag from Vets4Pets.  Many thanks to Julia and Mark for masterminding this event, and everyone else who helped on the day, we raised around £200 for Canine Partners.  We’ve had loads of positive feedback and are already booked in for next year so hopefully we’ve managed to reach out to a new audience and also raise the profile of Rotary in Trowbridge too.

Monday 4^th September was another member’s night and this followed a vocational theme when we were given an insight to Fingerprinting – who knew that when taking your fingerprints it included the edges of your hands although it makes sense when you think about peering through windows when casing a joint!!  We welcomed our ADG Guy Parkinson and also Geoff Dawe a visiting Rotarian on a scatter from Rotary Club of Esk Valley near Edinburgh, who we sent back to Scotland with a set of fingerprints as a souvenir.

Committees on 11^th September focussed on a wash up for the dog show and finalising plans for the Carnival Quiz on 18^th September, plus a look ahead to the Supper for the Visually Impaired Club on 16^th October.

The Carnival quiz took place on 18^th September and was attended by 15 teams including Westbury and Bradford on Avon rotary clubs, Trowbridge Carnival Committee and many family and friends.  There was a great assortment of subject matter for the questions including “Ancient Greeks and Romans” to “Trowbridge” – some of which proved more challenging than others.  The quiz was won by regular supporters “Little Bloomers” and the table round was won by some more regulars “The Old Timers”.  Thanks to David and Quiz Mistress Veronyca for writing the questions and also to Caroline, Lorna and everyone else who helped or took part - we raised around £250 for the Carnival.  Thanks also to the Polish Club for allowing us, as ever, the use of their premises, and to the Jolly Friar in Brook Road, for producing delicious Fish & Chips.

On 21^st September President Andrew, accompanied by Caroline and Andy attended the Trowbridge in Bloom Awards evening at the Civic Centre.  An impressive array of trophies were presented although sadly no-one turned up to collect the trophy which Andy was presenting; better news is that Studley Green Primary School turned up to collect the trophy which Caroline introduced.  Having seen the awards available President Andrew is now considering entering for Trowbridge in Bloom next year!!

Our business meeting on 25^th September officially rounded off this month although Andrew, Mark, Ian, Caroline & husband Ian rounded it off more sociably at the Kennet & Avon Brewery Beer & Cider Festival on 30^th September.