Youth Competitions Success for D1260!
Great results for our district in the Youth Competitions
Youth Competitions Success for D1260!
Mallards - Second Place in the Senior competition
Junior D1260 Winner
“Wild Nature” by Juliette Read, a collage of pressed flowers
Youth Competitions Success for District 1260
Despite 2020-21 being the year of the pandemic which sadly curtailed many activities for everyone, the young people of District 1260 were busy with their creative art, photography and writing and we had more entries than usual for Rotary Young Artist, Young Photographer and Young Writer Competitions.
The winners of our District Competition were duly entered to the Rotary GB&I National Competition and we are delighted to announce that their efforts have been recognised by the national judges and rewarded with one outright winner and several second placings and we congratulate all these talented young people.
The theme of Young Artist for Rotary year 2020-2021 was “Wild Nature” and this was skilfully interpreted by Juliette Read in a collage of pressed flowers who has been awarded second place in the Junior Category of the National Competition
Juliette whose entry was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Amersham.
Juliette thought that the beauty of these wild flowers described the theme of ”wild nature” and her entry was her first attempt at collage. Juliette’s work is shown above and will be displayed on the Rotary GB&I website.
The Intermediate Class National Winner of Young Photographer was Tamsin Hall whose sponsoring club was Berkhamsted-Bulborne. Her picture of an owl is appropriately entitled “Night Watchman”.
The photograph of Jonathan Clark (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chesham) was a close-up study of Mallard ducklings, showing great detail and was placed second in the Senior Class.
Our Junior National Competition Entry, Jack Kirby (sponsored by Royston Rotary) was a winner in our District 1260 round but, although not placed in this year’s National Competition will receive a certificate of participation. His excellent study was of a spider’s web at a church gateway, with a view of the church in the background.
You can see the winning pictures above and they will shortly be published on the Rotary GB&I website.
We are delighted that the writing of Chaitanya Sapra on the theme of ‘My happiest day’ has taken second place in the Intermediate category of the National Final of Young Writer.
The judges were moved by the excellent imagery in Chaitanya’s writing and the imagination shown in linking the official theme with a very up-to-date situation.
It would be easy to say more, but to appreciate the quality of this writing you really need to read the entry for yourself! This can be found on the District website, but here are the opening paragraphs:-
I felt defeated. Despair had clawed its way into my life and into my body, until I was well and truly defeated. The more you hear the inevitable, aggravating phrase “it’s going to be okay”, the more aware you become of the truth. You cannot win.
Yet somewhere in that blood-stained lie, is the slightest stitch of silver-lining. They tell you because they love you. They believe in you. If I’m honest with you here, it was that minute sliver of hope that forced me to try. And I did try. I really did. But after-all, trying just isn’t enough. Not in this war, at least.
It furtively crept up my skin, overcoming my outer defences until I was weak, and crawled in. Greedily, mercilessly, it devoured every soldier, closing in on my chest, until I could bear no more. I was told to hide away, and I was forced to constantly endure downhearted cries and disgruntled glares as punishment for heartbreakingly disclosing that the enemy has sabotaged my home. All the memorable faces that once gave me a sense of security, now face away, as if I’m the only victim of it, as if it’s not lurking behind them, creeping up on them too. I missed seeing those faces, for the only face I got to see was one I felt ashamed to call my own.
I was rushed to hospital, rescued from my home before my body began to drown in a white sea, which I soon realised to be the covers of my new bed. Gloved hands met the surface of my skin, dragging me alive from the whirlwind of thoughts and confusion. They told me to keep fighting. They told me to not give up. The second my eyes fall, I’m thrown at with armour, down my throat, into my lungs as they help me to breathe, help me to rise against my invisible enemy, and it was that moment it hit me, I was no longer on my own. I had the faces I missed rushing in from every side, comforting words into my ears and smiles greeted mine, but I was too grateful to try and comprehend the worry they worked to disguise, to notice the white capes they were wearing and the plastic on their faces- too grateful to realise they were shielding themselves from me.
They gave me new soldiers, ones that made me feel empowered, but my enemy sensed this, and it rose too. It threw every soldier down, bloodthirsty for each one, they considered adding more, but I was weakening, I couldn’t hold more, I couldn’t take it, it was ruthless, barbarous, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I lost all hope, just like it wanted me to. That’s the duty of the enemy, to throw you into despair, to ruin your life, and your body, and then to snatch it away. I let myself go.
And then I woke up. I remember fighting the light as I opened my eyes for the first time in ages, and the weight on my chest was gone. Faces surrounded me, faces that were never really gone. I couldn't suppress tears as I was led outside, soft grass bowing to my touch, as they led me to practice simple, normal things, like throwing a ball. That was my happiest day, when the trumpets sounded for our side and my war was miraculously over. But the nurses' smiles soon faded away as another patient was wheeled through the ward, heaving, sweating, gasping for air. I prayed for him, he had a long way to go, but his war would be over too, and with the confidence I never thought would come from my own experience, I knew his happiest day was soon to come. Just as mine.
- Chaitanya Sapra
We congratulate all our contestants, not just those who won or were placed second, but every entrant, as all entries that were submitted to the national competition are of a very high standard.
Also in the difficult past year, we thank all club Rotarians who have promoted the youth competitions and particularly the members of the District Team, Sandy and David Aked-Walker, Iola Samuels and Dave Gillow and Jean Phillips who have coordinated Young Artist, Young Photographer and Young Writer respectively.
Although the release of the national Results by Rotary GB&I has come later than expected and, sadly as the schools are closing for summer, but we hope to celebrate our contestants’ success when schools resume in September, when we will intend to actively promote all the Rotary Youth Competitions for the current 2021-22 year.
John Hammond
District Youth Services Team Leader
'What We Do' Main Pages:
On Friday the 25th October we held a highly successful Music and Magic evening at Chartridge Park Golf Club
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Thousands of youngsters take part every year in our youth competitions which in most cases take the form of regional heats followed by a national final. The majority are categorised into junior, intermediate and advanced age groups.
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On the 19th August members of Chesham Club and guests attended President Kalpesh Patel's Barbecue.
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The Rotary Young Chef competition was held on Saturday 12th January 2019 at Piper's Corner School
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Chesham Rotary Club held the local round of the National Young Photographer competition, where local youngsters took photos based on a ‘Wild Nature‘ theme.
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In May this year Chesham Rotary Club supported Mayor Emily Culverhouse in the Mayor’s Charity Water Slide Event held in Lowndes Park.
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Silverson Machines Limited recognised for Excellence in Manufacturing and services to the Chesham Community.
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Chesham Rotary has been around for 75 years. We are an organisation of practical action and we are proud of the Chesham community rising to the current challenge.
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The Youth Council of Chesham organised the inaugural Chesham and Villages Young People Community Awards
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The Rotary Club of Chesham are supporting Chiltern Music Therapy and other local groups (who have or do support dementia suffers and carers). The walk in the beautiful Chiltern Hills took place on Sunday 4th September 2022.
moreOn Friday the 25th October we held a highly successful Music and Magic evening at Chartridge Park Golf Club
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Chesham Rotary took children and carers to Whipsnade Zoo on 12th June.
See the letters of thanks from the children on this page
This was an incredible show of local talent by children and adults from Chesham and surrounding area. The versatility, inspiration and professionalism shown by the artistes was absolutely amazing.
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Santa's Visit Programme for 2021 has been finalised. He will be visiting streets in and around Chesham. Find the Santa Tracker here.
moreRotary Club of Chesham's Peace in the Park 2023: A Resounding Success and Celebration of Unity
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Chesham Rotary Club members were pleased to be involved in this year’s Chesham Schools Carnival, the main event being in Lowndes Park.
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Chesham Rotary has one or two speakers or visitors each month during our meetings. Have a look at what has been happening recently.
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On Wednesday 17th June, President Jeremy Wyman arranged for a special event to mark the end of his Presidency. A VIRTUAL CREAM TEA !!!
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Looking for something fun and entertaining to add the “WOW” factor to your event whilst also allowing you to raise additional funds for your cause!! Look no further than using the Rotary Club of Chesham Games.
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A Technology Tournament was hosted by the Chiltern Hills Academy on Friday 24th February. This was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Chesham, Amersham, and Great Missenden.
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Chesham Rotary Club would like to thank residents and visitors to Chesham who supported our Christmas Float over the Christmas period and made our collections for local charities such a success. You can donate here
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On Tuesday 17th July 2018 the annual titanic struggle took place between opposing teams for the 'Texas Scramble’ golfing match. This was followed by the putting competition and supper organised and hosted by Inner Wheel.
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The Rotary Clubs of Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden extend their congratulations to all the winners.
moreLetters of thanks received by Chesham Rotary
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Please use this link if you wish to donate to Chesham Rotary
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Celebration of 25 years of the Chess Valley Male Voice Choir. Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Chesham 23rd March 2019
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The Rotary Club of Chesham promises to respect the confidentiality of any personal data members or supporters share with us.
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Rotary recognises the service given by one member of the Chiltern Chamber of commerce who has given unselfish support to the community for many years.
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At the end of June, The Rotary Club of Chesham presented two local people with the most prestigious award from Rotary Foundation and International – THE PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP.
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Rotarians Mervyn Edwards and Chris Marsh give their report to members concerning the Christmas 2021 activities
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In Christmas 2017 Chesham Club pushed the technology barrier and used an Online Tracker System to pin point the actual location of Santa directly onto the club website as it was happening.
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On Wednesday 17th July 2024 the Rotary Club of Chesham were invited to visit Heritage House as a thank you for the work undertaken by some of our members
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The Rotary Club of Chesham once again organised the annual Stroke Awareness Day on Saturday 12th May 2018
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The Mayor of Chesham, Rotary Club of Chesham and Chiltern Chamber of Commerce were delighted to present a Special Recognition Award to the students of Chesham Grammar School
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Santa's Sleigh schedule is now finished for Christmas 2023. He has visited streets in and around Chesham.
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A Technology Tournament was hosted by the Chiltern Hills Academy on Friday 1st March organised by the Rotary Clubs of Amersham, Chesham, and Great Missenden.
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Santa's Visit Programme for 2023 has been finalised. He will be visiting streets in and around Chesham.You can get to the Santa Tracker from this page.
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Some of the photos that were taken during the christmas in Chesham celebrations held on the 24th November 2017
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The Technology Tournament for teams of Secondary Schoolchildren. The 2018 Technology Tournament took place on 23rd February at the Chiltern Hills Academy, Chesham.
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