General Meeting

Thursday, 1 October 2026
Breakfast meeting
Apologies
- Godfrey, Maggie, Sue, Andrew B, Jean.
Guests
- Frances Christie
Birthday
- Lesley, many happy returns for today 
Grace given by Andrew M followed by breakfast.
Car parking last Sunday raised just over £500.
Treasurer
- Following a change to the process in applying for district grants making it more
onerous not just for the club but also the recipient. David has developed a
process for the club to manage future ‘grants’ we want to give. It has been
reviewed and amended following discussion with Pete and Fiona as trustees, as
well as district being aware. David explained this and took questions from the
club. David proposed the new process, it was seconded and agreed
unanimously.
- Quiz tickets are now available from David, 14/11.
- Christmas dinner numbers and choices will be required by16/11. A non
refundable deposit of £10 pp will be paid at the same time. This is in the events
folder and on an email David circulated on Sunday.
International
- Walk for Water 2027 invites have gone out to schools.
- Gerry and Ronan will be presenting a banner to their club in South Africa when
they are back there over the next few months.
Membership
- 24/10 B&Q has been secured by Sarah as our venue for World Polio day and
membership drive. Page in the events folder with 2 hour slots.
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Humanitarian
- Toy collection 24/10 NEED A SHEET IN THE EVENTS FOLDER PLEASE.
- Next weeks meeting Liz Dane from the Horsebridge will be attending.
Social
- Natter and a platter 21/10 6.30 at Ales and Blooms NEED A SHEET IN THE
EVENTS FOLDER PLEASE.
Greetings from other clubs
- Spyros brought greetings from Dave at Brentwood Rotary.
- Kathy brought greetings from Senlac Rotary.
AOB
- Pat is at the Thirst Love cafe craft market on Cromwell Road this weekend.
- Andrew M had a confused lady demanding to know where the market was in the
car park!
- Sheila has seen Maggie and she is on the mend. Maggie hopes to be back next
week courtesy of Sheila.
- Pete and Sarah are going to the area rotary meeting tonight.
- Shoe Box appeal leaflets are in the events folder, Kathy is away on and off for the
next few weeks so completed shoe boxes needed by 12/11.
- Kathy will be in the chair on 15/10 in Pete’s absence.
Raffle won by Fiona . The prize courtesy of Hilary,includes half a dozen eggs, with
an eggs are out message. (Thanks Hilary, lovely gift, including the eggs).
Master at arms
- Dave fined various members for wheelies on the deck, being holier than thou,
being a demon tennis table player, ‘you know why’, and poetic inspiration.
- There followed a delightfully cheerful 9th century poem 
From hateful old age deliver me
Before my back was bent I was eloquent.
For wonders men acclaimed me
And Argoed’s men maintained me.
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Before my back was bent I was confident;
A guest at wassails hailed in Powys, paradise of Wales.
But what I loved as a lad I now curse:
A girl, a stranger, an unbroken horse.
With none of them can I stay the course.
Four ills, of all my hates the chief are met in me together:
Coughing, old age, sickness and grief.
No woman wants me, no friend haunts me;
Age daunts and enwalls me.
Ah death, why do you linger?
Final toast was given by Lesley.
Next weeks meeting is a breakfast meeting, 8/10 7.30 for 8am at the Monument.