General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 4th July 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               David M, Ian, Sue, Marian, Maureen, Fiona, Andrew M, Pete, Pat, Chris, Margaret, Paul, Andrew B, Gerry, Dave C, Lesley, Nick, Godfrey, Elaine, Kathryn, Spyros, Pippa.

Guest:                  Rachel Edmed from Pilgrims Hospice.

Apologies:           David K, Reggie, Hilary, Jean, Robert, Trevor, David B.

Welcomes:         Sue welcomed everyone to the meeting, including our guest, Rachel.  There are no birthdays this week.

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Speaker:              Rachel told us that Pilgrims hospice has three sites, in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet, with 12x beds at each site.  Pilgrims is 41 years old, and was started by the late Janet Robinson.  Janet was a midwife and was struck by how much support and attention is given at the start of life compared to what was then available at life's end. 

                                Pilgrims Hospice has a large and supportive staff, not just for residents but also for those who wish to be cared for in their own homes.  There are not just nurses but also physiotherapists, social workers and counsellors, among others.

                                Care is offered to anyone with a life limiting illness, which may mean some service users with long term conditions are with them for many years.  The emphasis is on adding to the quality of service users' lives.  Attention is paid to the mental health and social needs of service users and also their families.  For residents, the hospice is their home.  The latter has hosted weddings, stag and hen do's, girls nights in etc. 

                                All of this comes at a cost, approximately £15 a year.  Additionally, there is an ongoing project to replace all the beds with more comfortable ones, at a cost of £160,000.  Rachel thanked the members present for their support. 

Business:

Membership:  Sue mentions an email from Steve at Canterbury Sunrise about the Canterbury event 0n 20th & 21st July.  Can anyone who is able to take part please email jarle@noeltatt.co.uk as soon as possible.  David M said he has offered to be here at the start to help set up, so can members who have them please bring banners, flags etc to breakfast next week, please?

                                Pete confirmed that he has followed up on recent suggestions for new members.

Social:  Sue reminded members that we don't have a social committee as such.  Ideas for activities will be welcomed from everyone eg Bat & Trap, and afternoon tea @ Brogdale etc.

International:  Last week at the Handover Meeting, the members voted to send £500 to W. Africa towards an X-ray machine.  It is now being suggested that we ought perhaps to wait until we can get matching funding from a district grant.  This will be considered at the board meeting next Tuesday.  David M has some photographs he will circulate.

                                Andrew B confirmed he has completed a number of talks about W4W to local schools.

Youth Opportunities:  Margaret said that David Watson has stepped down as district co-ordinator, so nothing is happening at present.

Treasurer:  David M reminded members that the coffers are now open for members to pay their annual membership fee.  Members can pay £100 now or £75 now and the balance in January.

Any Other Business:        Pippa said that Blood Runners are desperate for volunteer drivers and controllers.  And so are Age UK.  If you have some time to spare, please see Pippa.

Master-at-Arms:              According to Nick, today is Oder's Day.  He was archbishop of Canterbury from 941 to 948.  It's also Alice in Wonderland Day, and Great British Pea Week.  On this day in 1807 Garibaldi was born.**

Raffle:                                   Won  by Ian

Final Toast:                         Given by Ian.

Next Meeting(s):

Board Meeting 18.30pm for 19.00pm Tuesday 9th July @ The Plough

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

**Question:  Which character from children's literature had a group of statues in the entrance to his home called 'The Heroes of Modern Italy'  (plus  a statue of Queen Victoria)?