General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.45 for 08.00am Thursday 29th February 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Dave C, David M, Godfrey, Ian, Jean, Kathryn, Lesley, Maureen, Nick, Robert,

Apologies:           Chris, David K, Gerry, Hilary, Myfanwy, Margaret, Marian, Pat, Paul, Pete, Pippa, Reggie, Spyros, Sue, Trevor, David B

Guest:                  Fiona Stephens

Welcomes:         Nick welcomed everyone to the meeting.  We have a birthday this week; Robert McFarlane is 15 years old today!  One member commented that he should be hitting puberty any time now.

Grace:                   Said by Kathryn

BREAKFAST

Business:            

International:  Andrew B and David M have done several talks to local junior schools about Walk4Water; they still have a couple to do each.

                Andrew B gave a talk about TWAM to an afternoon social group in Herne Bay - Cameo.  Andrew said he did some extra research online about TWAM before the talk, and found out stuff he hadn't previously known, including how the organisers sort donated tools into kits for eg carpenters, decorators etc.  Andrew also reminisced about a 70's pop group called Cameo whose lead singer always wore a bright red codpiece!

Fund Raising:  Godfrey said we have the new list of car parking dates for the next six months.  Disappointingly, we have only been allocated 3x days, whereas other groups have been given up to 7x.  There appear to be a lot of local charities and other groups who have cottoned on to the opportunity.  The 3x dates (which take us up to August) are:

                                Saturday 30th March

                                Sunday 28th April

                                Sunday 16th June (Father's Day)

Lesley commented that we still need more members to help with car parking, rather than leave it to the same people.

Social:  On Friday 19th April the parish council is organising a quiz night in the Chestfield cricket club.  There will be a sheet in the events folder.  Can we make up a table?

                Four of our members have booked to attend the Henry VIII evening being organised by the Herne Bay Rotary club.

Comm / Voc:  Kathryn said that there will be a litter picking morning in Chestfield on Sunday 17th March (St Patrick's Day).

Any Other Business:        Lesley mentioned the Haven charity for the homeless.  They are having a fair on Saturday 6th April in the St John Methodist Hall, Argyle Road.  They need cakes and bric-a-brac (on the Friday).

                Godfrey referred to discussions this week on morning TV about Eating Disorder week.  One item was about Food Avoidance syndrome, which is often linked to autism.  The effects can be extremely debilitating, as Godfrey knows because his grandson exhibits this.  Does any member know of any local charity which supports sufferers?

                Maureen asked if we can fix a date for gardening at the Whit & Tank?  She has been talking to the matron who is extremely appreciative of our work there.  Saturday 27th April was suggested.

Greeting from Other Clubs:          Nick mentioned Rotary at Barking.

Raffle:                   Won by Andrew M.

Master-at-Arms:              Godfrey in the chair this week as Nick was being President.

Final Toast:         Given  by Fiona

Next Meeting:

07.45 for 08.00am Thursday 7th March 2024 @ The Plough

Speaker next Week:       Louisa Constantine from Carers East Kent