General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 11th January 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Chris, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Gerry, Godfrey, Ian, Kathryn, Maureen, Margaret, Marian, Pat, Pippa, Robert, Spyros.

Apologies:           Andrew B, Andrew M, David K, Hilary, Jean, Lesley, Myfanwy, Nick, Pete, Reggie, Sue, Trevor, David B.

Guests:                Robert McFarlane

                                Fiona Stephens

Welcomes:         Pat welcomed our guests.  No birthdays this week.

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:            

Fundraising:  Pat confirmed that we did well at the last car parking in December despite the poor weather; we raised £458 parking and £39 on the stall.  There are two more dates on the current sheet for this year.  The next one is Sunday 21st January and Saturday 17th February.  We do need more volunteers for January especially in the middle of the day when it is busiest.

Social:   Pat mentioned the Ten Pin Bowling event which we usually have this time of year.  The date will be Friday 8th March.  Where can we go for a meal afterwards?  We have been to The Royal before but is there anywhere else we might go?  Ideas welcome.           Pat outlined some ideas for future.  Dave C's suggestion of an evening at The Little Green Bookshop in Herne Bay was aired.  A number of members indicated an interest.  Dave will find out how many people can the venue accommodate and how much would they charge, for a date in February. 

                Pat asked how many members would be interested in an afternoon tea at Brogdale with a trailer ride round the orchards after?  A number of members would like this.  This will be later in the year, maybe apple harvest time. 

                Finally, Pat asked about a shooting event.  We used to go to the shop / club on the Canterbury road, but this is now a housing estate.  Pat has found an alternative in Faversham - Joe's Bows - where they do shooting and archery.  A number of members would welcome this, especially the archery.

International:    Andrew has had a committee meeting (and will arrange for the minutes to be circulated)  but is not here today.  The headline is that this committee is not asking for any donations at present.

                TWAM has been booked this year for Sunday 21st April.  Pat confirmed that TWAM will accept materials, not just tools.  She has a list of desired items.  Walk4Water  will be on Friday 22nd March;  lots of volunteers will be needed.  Hilary usually organises the meal afterwards.

Speakers:            Chris has arranged for a speaker from Crufts for the next evening meeting, which will be on Thursday 15th February.  Pat commented that when the speaker says, "Sit" we'd all better do it!

Comm / Voc:      Kathy confirmed that the ambulance trip to Ukraine is not imminent.

Membership:    Fiona has confirmed that she will be joining.  Pat said we will arrange an induction soon.

Any Other Business:        Chris said we have a speaker next week from Blood Runners.  Please bring money to put in the collection pot.

                Godfrey asked for a steer from the members.  Do we want another Race Night?  There wasn't an overwhelming response in favour.  Perhaps we will leave this out for this year.  What else could we do instead?  Dave C asked if there would be any interest in an old-fashioned Beetle Drive?  He has all the stuff for this from his retirement group.  Dave outlined the method; basically it's speed dating for seniors.

                Godfrey asked how many people have seen the latest Rotary magazine with its picture of Anthony Hopkins on the front.  The latter stars in a film about a man (a rotary member) who rescued a number of children from the Holocaust.  Godfrey has seen the film at the Kavanagh and highly recommends it - but take your hankies.

Raffle:   Won by Maureen

Master at Arms:                Godfrey was in the chair in Nick's absence.  He told us a story about a dog at the cinema.

Final Toast:         Given by Pat

Next Meeting:

07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 18th January 2024 @ The Plough