The Torch

Tidings Of the Rotary Club of Harrogate … …… …

…… … … week beginning October 27th 2025.

In President John’s absence, Immediate Past President Chris Whapples welcomed members, and especially, our speaker tonight, Alan Pugh

President’s Announcements: IPP Chris thanked Alistair Ratcliffe for providing the wine with the meal…..Alistair announced that, last Tuesday, he and Roberta had got married!! Very many congratulations from us all!

Secretary’s Announcements: Ann reminded members that next week we are being visited by new Friends of Rotary. So far we have 17 agreed members, 14 of whom have already accepted our invitation to join us next week….with some already volunteering for the Morrison’s collection. Please make them all welcome…meet them…..introduce yourselves….maybe buy them a drink…. accompany them into the meal so that the tables are mixed…and enthuse about our Club…..what we’ve done and plan to do….with their help! Remember, they may be future full time members when they have more time! We need them! There is also one potential new member who has just approached us through our website….Mervyn has spoken to him and invited him on Monday as well.

Officers, Committee Chairs and others wishing to speak:

Peter Knowles International Chair: Peter informed members that as October 24^th was World Polio Day, they had each received a purple lavender bag in their place….they were invited to buy more and make a donation. So Far, £65.29 has been raised. Ann will take them again next week for Friends…please explain EndPolio to them!

Raffle: Peter decided to postpone the raffle until next week…so come prepared with your change again!

John Perry, Social Chair: John asked that members who have signed up for the Christmas Dinner and/or the Pantomime pay as soon as possible:

Christmas Dinner: RBS a/c no: 00935352  sort code: 53 50 21 - £32.00

Ref is Xmas and their initials

Pantomime: Same account: Ref: Panto and your initials…£24.00

Jon Pierce Health & Safety Officer: Jon asked about the recent communication from RGBI re the High Visibility Clothing Policy…..plain fluorescent tabards without reflective strips do not meet the new requirements. Ann will follow this up and it will be discussed at the next Council meeting. Initial research shows that following the suggestion put forwards last night that we add strips to existing tabards will not suffice as tabards offer no visibility from the side. Watch this space!

Chris Whapples Environment Chair: Chris updated members following a meeting  he attended with Mervyn at HSW last week where the updated Section 106 agreement was discussed. Chris Whapples informed members HSW have accommodated the requirements in our letter to North Yorkshire Planners dated 19 May 2024.

The question of the 60years duration of the agreement was discussed and as it relates to the land will continue to be effective even after the land has been sold should HSW decide to sell or the company be dissolved or renamed. I will attach a copy of the agreement to Torch. Chris has been approached by the BBC for comment and is being interviewed today.

It Was agreed that an email forwarded to Ann from Chris Dingley regarding a survey organised my our MP, should be forwarded to members. However, it was pointed out that if members wish to complete the survey they should do so in their own right NOT as a Rotarian.

Crocus Planting: Chris reported on two very successful days of hole gigging and crocus planting last week…2000 crocus at New Park Primary School, helped by 80 enthusiastic 5 & 6 year olds and 2000 at the top of the Valley Gardens helped by 12 9 & 10 year olds from Rossett Acre Primary…who were going back to school to lead an assembly explaining why they had done so. Chris thanked all members who had helped on both days.

Greetings from Other Clubs: Jayne George ( still a member) has sent a message saying she had visited Alnwick Rotary…..she is moving back up North!

Sergeant at Arms: In Mervyn’s absence there were no fines tonight!

But a polite reminder from Mervyn to committee chairs to send any news/updates about their activities to Sue for the website…he stressed the importance of having an eye-catching strap line as opposed to just a boring report….and an even politer reminder to International and Community to chairs to please update their sections!!

Cashiers:     

               Nov 3^rd: June Snowden & Derek Packer

               N0v10^th & 24^th Graham Saunders & Fred Gillibrand

Speaker: Alan Pugh “Titus Salt and Saltaire”

Alan Pugh, a retired teacher, spoke to the Club about Sir Titus Salt, the leading Bradford mill owner and philanthropist of the nineteenth century. Alan told us how, in the 1850’s Sir Titus had moved his textile business out of overcrowded Bradford and built Salts Mill and the surrounding model village of Saltaire, now a World Heritage site. If you have never visited this area it is well worth a visit. Rather than regurgitate his talk, I suggest you google Titus Salt and open the Saltaire Collection page, which makes interesting reading.

Peter Knowles gave the vote of thanks, thanking Alan for taking us on a slide tour through the streets of Saltaire.

Next Meeting:   Monday November 3rd

                             Friends of Rotary

                            Grace: Ann Percival