General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30 for 08.00am Thursday 27th July 2023 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Gerry, Godfrey, Ian, Lesley, Maureen, Nick, Pat, Paul, Pippa, Reggie. Robert, Spyros.

Apologies:           Andrew M, Chris, David K, Hilary, Jean M, Kathryn, Myfanwy, Margaret, Marian, Pete, Sue, Trevor, David B.

Welcome:           Pat welcomed everyone.  No birthdays this week.

Grace:                   by Paul.

BREAKFAST

Business:            

Fund Raising:  Car parking last week end raised £593 and £20 on the stall.  This was despite the poor weather; perhaps the punters felt sorry for us out in the rain.  The next two dates for car parking are: Saturday 12th August and Thursday 24th August.  Sheets are in the events folder for volunteers to put their names down.  Lesley and Paul have said they will shoot off after breakfast on 24th to pen up for us.

The Charity Golf Day is on Friday 8th September.  Nick is still looking for sponsors.

David M explained that the club will be applying for a district grant to enable the food bank we already support to become a Signposting hub.  What this means is that food banks often receive requests for help which is outside their remit.  So, they want to add an extra service to what they already do, which is to be able to re-direct callers to more appropriate services.  A grant of about £1400/£1500 will provide the office equipment to enable them to do this.  We will make a donation of £750 to attract a matching sum from district.  This was proposed by David M and seconded by Pat.  Members present voted in favour.

Community:  The next date for gardening at the Whit & Tank is Saturday 5th August.  There isn't a sheet in the events folder yet, but it was shown in the calendar Pat circulated.

Social:  Afternoon Tea by the Sea is at Dave C's beach hut from 14.30 on Friday 11th August(no. 154 Western Esplanade, Herne Bay - the one which is painted British Racing Green). 

Pat congratulated Lesley and Sue for drumming up a number of social events for our diary.  At the time for the meeting there were still spaces at the Ales & Antiques event on Wednesday 16th August (since filled up). 

Dave C mentioned the start of the month long Herne Bay music events; there is a Folk Festival on Saturday 29th July mostly based at the Kings Hall, but with some other events at smaller venues.  There are free lunch time concerts form 12.30 during the week beginning 7th August.  For a full list of events, there is a booklet available from various outlets in the town.

Gerry mentioned the Christmas meal.  She has been looking at various venues.  One possible is the new restaurant at the Whitstable & Seasalter golf club.  Gerry and Ian and their respective partners have been there and it was very good.  Gerry circulated a sample menu.  Other options are still being looked at.  The date is Thursday 14th December.

Pat reminded that details of the District Conference in Eastbourne have been circulated.

International:  Andrew B reported that he is waiting for a phone call from Orpington rotary about a proposal to undertake a joint project.  No details yet what this is about.

Membership:  There will be a Fun Day at Chestfield on Sunday 28th August (late Summer bank holiday) from about 11.00am.  We are proposing to have a stall there with Splat the Rat, a Tropical Santa etc.  This will be an opportunity to recruit new members locally.  Godfrey said that due to the punishment the old one has received, we need a new rat.

Any Other Business:       Robert said that he has brought in a collecting box from the Tankerton bakery which is very full.  David M will let us know how much is in it later.

Greetings from Other Clubs:       Lesley said that her partner Neil was playing golf recently with one of our past presidents Peter Norfolk, who some members still remember.

Raffle:                   Won by Andrew B

Master-at-Arms:              Nick informed us that today is Norfolk Day, and also Moth week.  On this day in 1940, Bugs Bunny made his cartoon debut.

Final Toast:         Andrew B

Next Meeting:

07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 10th August 2023 @ The Plough