Guest Breakfast Meeting - Live

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.45am for 08.00am 9th February 2023 @ the Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Chris, Dave C, David M, Godfrey, Jean M, Lesley, Maureen, Margaret, Nick, Pat, Paul, Pippa, Reggie, Robert, Spyros, Pete.

Apologies:           David K, Gerri, Hilary, Iain, Kathryn, Marian, Myfanwy, Sue, Trevor, David B, Elaine.

Guests:                Peter Woolnough            (Hilary)

                                Nick Seagar                         (Pippa & Spyros)

                                Gill Sissons                          (Robert)

                                Colin Plews

                                Chris Brealy                        (Andrew)

                                Sharon Macey                   (Pat)

                                Chris Yeo

                                Ian Small

                                Bob ?

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:             Pat began by welcoming all our guests this morning.  Everyone is aware of the terrible aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.  Andrew B has already sent round an email indicating that he will ask for a vote in favour of a donation to Shelterbox.  David M confirmed that we have £1600 in the charity fund at present.  For the benefit of our guests, Pat explained about Shelterbox and the benefits of using their experience on the ground.  Andrew proposed we donate £1,000 towards two shelterboxes.  This was seconded by Margaret, and agreed by a unanimous vote.  Pat noted that David K, also Pippa and Spyros have made personl donations to Shelterbox.

                                Pat said that Mehmet, owner of the A La Turka restaurants locally has lost relatives and consequently is planning to take a lorry with supplies.  Anyone who wishes to donate warm clothing, blankets, baby and children's clothes can do so at any A La Turka restaurant.

Fundraising:  David M said a well done to everyone who helped with car parking on Sunday.  It's a lot to do with car parking that we have money in the charity account to donate to Turkey etc.  Andrew B said that we should have at least 3 volunteers on duty during the busiest part of the day, from 12.00 onwards. 

Social:  Pat reminded about upcoming events:

·         23rd February, Chris' life story at breakfast

·         3rd Marchten-pin bowling from 18.30pm with a meal afterwards at the Royal.  The latter wil only cater for parties later in the evening if we send them our menu choices in advance.  Robert has sent round the menu to all members.  Can you please respond with your choices to Pat asap. 

·         24th March, Walk4Water.  Andrew said we could do with one more volunteer for a checkpoint.  14 people have put their names down for the meal afterwards, at the Royal Oak from 12.00 noon.

·         Saturday 1st April from 19.30 at the All Saints church hall, Quiz Night.  Tickets now available from David M.

·         Saturday 22nd April, TWAM. 

International:  we have already talked about Turkey and Syria.  Pat said that she and Jean have been knitting baby hats for Ukraine.  She has a knitting pattern for anyone who wants to join in.  A report from Rotary UK indicates that we as a country have donated £6 million to Ukraine, plus 100,000 hours of support.

Comm / Voc:  Marian has sent an email asking if we can agree a date for gardening at the Whit & Tank hospital.  After discussion a date of Saturday 29th April from 09.00am to 11.30am was agreed.

Youth Opps:  Margaret said we have an entry for the Young Photographers competition, who is Andrew & Jean's grandson.

Any Other Business:  Lesley said that the Canterbury Food Bank is running very low on food due to exceptional demand.  Dave C said that at ukulele club yesterday one of the latter's volunteers said that their shelves were empty of some foodstuffs.  Agreed that we should have a separate bin for donations at our next car parking day (Saturday 4th March).  Robert will do a message on social media.  David M will make an A3 poster.

Greetings from Other Clubs:  Gill gave greetings from Canterbury Sunrise.

Raffle:                   Won by Margaret

Master-at-Arms:  According to Nick we are in International Networking Month, and Hoit Breakfast Week (very appropriate). 

Today in 1983, police began looking for the missing racehorse Shergar.  As a way of marking the latter event, Nick fined anyone who has ever eaten a Findus frozen lasagne.

Final Toast:         Was given by Spyros in Turkish.

Date of Next Meeting:

07.45am for 08.00am Thursday 16th February 2023 @ the Plough