President's Blog April & May 2018

So another couple of months have flown by and it’s been a busy time for us at Trowbridge Wessex Mead.

After a Monday off at Easter we kicked April off with our slightly later than usual Big Breakfast raising funds for Rotary’s eradication of polio campaign – numbers were down slightly on previous years but this was in part due to the change of date – it still proved a successful event raising plenty of money and we had many satisfied customers who enjoyed their breakfasts.  This year we bought the bacon and sausages from the new butchers in Castle Place market – it’s always good to support local businesses.  Thanks also to Paxcroft Farm for donating free range eggs and the Trowbridge branch of fair trade for providing coffee and tea.

At committees we held a big breakfast “wash up” and finalised plans for the forthcoming pub quiz and discussed catering for President’s Night in June.

Our only Members Evening in April, organised by David & Vicky, was a fun race night with hand wound horses which sparked plenty of competition, only Julia had the sense to bet on President Andrew in the final and scooped a “huge” sum!!  As well as being St Georges Day 23^rd April was our business meeting with a raffle prize donated by Caroline. 

On 25^th April we were pleased to support the annual Young Voice of Trowbridge competition. Nine teams from the 3 secondary schools in Trowbridge presented their thoughts on environmental issues – plastic was most definitely the buzz word of the day. As always, it was a most interesting and thought-provoking evening and a closely fought battle with the Clarendon Academy clinching the overall winner’s trophy.

April was rounded off on 30^th with our annual Pub Quiz (with the ever-present Fish & Chip supper).  Over a dozen teams took part including some of our regular supporters.  The table quiz was won by our own Liz Gouldson, whilst the main quiz was won by “The Meaders”.  President Andrew did a great job as quiz master and Caroline did a great job writing an array of interesting questions (sadly though no-one wanted the round on Donald Trump!)  We raised £250 for the Storehouse Foodbank in Trowbridge so a good result all round.

The first Monday in May was a bank holiday but that didn’t stop us, 6 of us were at Trowbridge Swimming Pool at 7.00am ready to steward the swim leg of the Hot Chilli Triathlon – one of our regular community service activities. 

14^th May was the first “New Committees” session starting to plan our events and activities for 2018/19.

The weekend of 18^th – 21^st May we welcomed 6 visitors (Christian & Myriam, David & Sylvie and Christophe & Martine) from our twin club Rodez Espalion in southern France.  A busy weekend including a visit to the UK’s oldest pub which has continually been serving beer for over 700 years on the way back from the airport followed by supper at Liz’s house.  Saturday (Royal Wedding day) we visited Cheddar where we toured both Gough’s and cox’s caves, had a ploughman’s lunch and a quick look at the wedding, then in the afternoon ascended Jacobs Ladder and climbed the hillside to take in the view – phew.  Saturday was rounded off with dinner at Lock Inn in Bradford on Avon.  Sunday morning started with more food – a full English at the Farleigh Farm Shop.  From there we headed into Bath and toured the Roman Baths, followed by a walking treasure hunt taking in some of the highlights of the city including the Royal Crescent and a visit to a convenient pub which happened to be selling Mark’s beer.  Sunday ended with a traditional Roast Beef Sunday roast (for 21 diners) at the Royal Oak, Hawkeridge.  After an early breakfast it was off to the airport for their flight home.  It was a busy weekend but enjoyed by all and blessed with fabulous sunny weather throughout (unlike in Rodez where it was raining). 

21^st May was a Member evening, where Julia had arranged a visit from 2 local PCSO’s who gave us a fascinating insight into their working lives, we also learnt the difference between the roles of a PCSO, Special Constable and a Regular Constable.

As 28^th May was another bank holiday we had a Monday off, and now for the final month of the current rotary year which will include our President’s Night which this year is taking place on the Kennet Avon Canal – taking in a “cruise” on the Barbara McLellan.