Business meeting- plus Ron Denham, International Chairman of Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group

Writing this while the rain is falling in the Dales brings home how fortunate we are in having clean water “on tap”.  Ron Denham, a one-time Dalesman now living in Canada spoke to the Club about Rotary’s worldwide efforts to improve life and livelihood through the provision of safe water and sanitation. The U.N. designated World Water Day as March 22^nd. The U.N. calls for a 50% reduction by 2015 in the number of people with insufficient access to safe water and sanitation.  Without worldwide effort and co-operation this, like so many targets governments and organisations set, will just pass by as unattainable.  Rotary schemes in this country and worldwide try to assist in meeting this laudable aim.

The visit of the ShelterBox Roadshow in Leyburn on 23/24^th. May was discussed. The club has funded five boxes so far. A box costs £490 providing a tent, blankets, tools, clothing, and water purification and cooking equipment to support 10 people. Recent worldwide disasters have meant that Rotary’s stock of boxes in England is low. The club agreed to fund another box and Joyce Langley has organised a Sunday Lunch in her home to raise funds for the purchase of another Box.  The Roadshow will come up from Helston to the Masham Steam fair in July where the Club will as usual, have a stall.