2022-23

CLUB PRESIDENT(S)

        

This year - for the first time - the Presidency will be shared. Rotarians Brendan Carey (pale blue shirt) and Peter Whelan (dark blue top) - seen here when they were presented with their Paul Harris Fellowships by Immediate Past-President Martyn Phillips last year. Both have been President of the club before. Brendan will do the first half of the year and Peter the second. Both are retired Doctors who had very successful Consultant careers in Leeds (in Radiology and Urological Surgery respectively). We wish them every success in this shared role.

This year's annual theme:

Charitable Giving 2022-23 

Club has donated as follows:

              Ukraine appeal                      £200

              Leeds Street Angels              £200

              St Richard's Parish Larder    £300 + (milk)

              Ireland Wood School             £600

              Rotary Foundation                   £25

              WaterAid                                £100

              Mitto Disease appeal             £100

              Pakistan Flood Appeal           £200

              St Richards Parish Larder      £120

              Little Hiccups                         £300

              St Richards Parish Larder      £143 (+ Easter Eggs = £300)

              Turkey Earthquke Appeal       £500      

                      TOTAL (so far, April '23)  £2788 + extras.

RIP OUR OLDEST MEMBER(s)

It was with great sadness that the Club received the news that Rotarian John Bennett, PHF., our oldest (Honorary) member, passed away at his care home near York on 9th January.

John had celebrated his 100th Birthday on 25th November 2022, and a number of our members had visited him to add the Club's congratulations to those of HRH King Charles!  He had enjoyed wonderful Christmas and New Year Celebrations with many members of his family around. Suddenly becoming poorly last weekend, he passed away (of "Old Age") in the evening of Monday 9th January, with many members of his family around him. The funeral will be later in the month, and a number of our members are hoping to pay our last respects to John then.

John had been a member of our Club since early 1985, having seen Rotary Service in other Clubs before joining us. He was the Club's Secretary for a number of years, and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his 'Service to Rotary' a while ago. Our joint Presidents were able to present him with a certificate of "50 Years of Service to Rotary" at the time of his 100th Birthday. He was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet and remained very active and jovial until the end, despite his advanced years! 

President Peter and Ex. Sec. Bill attended the funeral at the East Riding Crematorium, Octon, East Yorkshire, then a reception at The Gait Inn, Millington (John's favorite Pub) on Monday 30th January 2023. John had a good 'send off'.

CLUB CHRISTMAS LUNCH THURSDAY 15th December 2022

  
Nineteen people - Members, Honorary Members, wives and friends - sat down and enjoyed a magnificent Christmas Lunch, with all the trimmings, on Thursday15th December. The lunch was held at the Bingley Arms, Bardsey. We were made very welcome, as always, and an excellent meal was provided in very pleasant surroundings. Our thanks to the Chef and the Staff who served us so well.
  
  
Unfortunately towards the end of the meal the wife of one of our members was taken poorly, and, as a precaution, was sent to hospital to be checked out. Glad to rerport she recoverd quickly, and was back to normal the next day.
  
  
The 'finale' of this year's 100 Club Draws was held, and 3 happy people will have their Christmas boosted by their monetary success. We enjoyed the 'Christmas Cracker' jokes presentation. Then, after the Toasts to the King and to Rotary, we made our way home before the evening frost took hold, bidding each other Season's Greetings as we left.
  


  
  
         
  
  

  
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 
 

Members of the Leeds Elmete Club expressed deep sorrow and sadness when the news of the Queen's demise was announced from Buckingham Palace on 8th September 2022.  We join the whole of the United Kingdom in mourning Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 
One of our senior members said: "Today we have lost our Queen and the greatest example of “Service above Self” in our lifetimes". 

May she rest in peace.

Polio

Get set for World Polio Day

World Polio Day is just around the corner! On 24th October, Rotary members and supporters around the world will mark the progress made to eradicate polio, and renew our global commitment. 2022 has been a turbulent year. There have been detections, and even cases, of polio in places where it hasn’t been seen for years. That includes in the UK, where poliovirus was detected in London sewers. There have also been cases in the United States, Malawi and Mozambique. But this remains a time for optimism and looking forward. World Polio Day is an opportunity for Rotary members to tell their communities about the importance of vaccination, fundraising and advocacy to finish the job, and end polio forever.

          Rotary pledges further $150m to end polio

Speaking at the 2022 Global Citizen Festival, Rotary International President Jennifer Jones announced that Rotary will pledge an extra $150 million in the fight against polio.