Bulletin for May 2026

The Club Bulletin for May 2026

Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

May 2026 Bulletin

Take some time to sit and think

For life is over in a blink

Seen on a bench in the Lake District

District Conference

Congratulations to our DG Anne Bartholomew for a very enjoyable and successful District Conference. You should all have received a copy of the Gazette detailing the speakers and entertainment over the weekend.

Sunrise Walk Monica Farthing – National Star

A worried looking President

‘As an organization committed to eradicating polio, fighting disease, and improving maternal and child health, Rotary recognizes World Immunization Week as a vital opportunity to engage our communities, share trusted public health information, and highlight one of Rotary’s greatest humanitarian achievements.

Why World Immunization Week matters

Immunization remains one of the most effective public health tools in history, preventing millions of deaths each year. Rotary’s decades-long leadership in the fight to end polio has helped reduce cases by more than 99.9 percent worldwide, protecting generations of children from paralysis.

Yet the job is not finished. As the world enters the final phase of polio eradication, continued awareness, advocacy, and community engagement are more important than ever. World Immunization Week provides a timely platform for Rotary members to amplify this message and demonstrate the impact of service in action’.

THANK YOU so much for your help with Sunrise Walk 2026. I hope you slept well last night after such an early start.

It does take a big team effort for an event such as this to go smoothly. Without your help with registration, car parking, in the Bistro and out on the route this event could not happen.

We had 220 people walk the route this year, which is fantastic and I am pleased to report that everyone returned safely. We don’t know the final total raised yet as sponsorship and donations are still coming in.

Ladies Who Lunch Rosanne Cole

Eighteen Ladies gathered for a soup and cake lunch on Wednesday 25th March.

Although the intention is to have a jolly social time and not to be a fund raiser

the ladies kindly purchased raffle tickets (prizes having been donated)

and gave donations on leaving. I was able to send, on the Ladies behalf,

£340 to Shelterbox with our best wishes.

A special thank you goes to all the ladies who donated the home made soup and cake.

There was a lovely variety, delicious and sufficient quantity for us to sample several!

My kind neighbour Steve donated a bottle of his own English Sparkling wine for the

raffle from his vineyard and provided the additional parking, which was a huge help.

It is so nice to catch up with friends of long standing who are no longer actively

involved with Rotary. It might be of interest to our newer members of RC Cheltenham

North to find out why we don’t have an Inner Wheel. Way back in 1972, yes that far

back, the Wives decided we were far too young to join Inner Wheel!! We had visitations

from Head Office but were not to be swayed – hence Ladies Who Lunch. Over the 54

years of the Club’s existence that decision has held us in good stead. We are able to

enjoy each other’s company without all the rules and regulations that go with a formal

club. If only two or three are gathered together we can still have a good time.

Our next meeting will be Tea and Cake at Home Farm, Tredington. This will take place

on Wednesday 5th August. We will notify the Ladies nearer the time.

Rowanfield School President David

“An enjoyable morning was spent at Rowanfield on Friday 24th April.

Janet and John, Anne and Alan, myself and Duncan joined the School at their morning assembly to award two young girls, Areez Musa and Sofia Kavla, their Rotary Young Writers awards.

It was a special heartwarming occasion and the two girls impressed all of us with their maturity and poise. They are undoubtedly a credit to Rowanfield School, their Headmistress and members of staff."

News from Cheltenham Future Rotary Club Tony Pawley

The speakers at the last evening meeting at the Tivoli pub were from Grove Productions. They work with communities, particularly young people, to entertain, encourage an interest in the arts, and provide employment for professional actors and theatre workers. There are questions to be resolved, but the outcome could be useful all round – it will be good if Rotary clubs can find ways to support Grove.

The D1100 District Conference

Linda and I have enjoyed many District Conferences over the last 20 years or so. We are never sure when we look at the programme of speakers how good they will be, but every time it’s turned out well, and this year was no exception – inspiring speakers and enthusiastic Rotarians from all over the District who are always willing to share their ideas.

The format this year worked well, with a day-rate for Saturday and another for Sunday, as well as the full weekend package with optional dinners on Friday and Saturday evening.

Many thanks to Anne and the District team for a most enjoyable weekend.

Trivia #5 – only one this month, before our President, LLB, steps down.

A lawyer never asks a question unless they already know the answer and never asks a question if they don’t want to hear the answer. [A letter to theipaper.com, 21/4/2026.]

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Mon, May 4th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting CANCELLED BANK HOLIDAY

___________________________________

Sat, May 16th 2026 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

District Assembly and Handover

District Assembly and Handover at Gables Hotel, Bristol Road, Falfield, GL12 8DL

___________________________________

Mon, May 18th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

The club will convene for its scheduled meeting on Monday, 18th May 2026, beginning at 6:30 pm and concluding at 9:00 pm. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in discussions and activities planned for the evening.

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker. Charlene Beasant runs “Friends of Bettridge School” and will talk on Bettridge School. We have given Bettridge School a Small Grant Award. Host Linda Pawley

__________________________________

Thu, May 28th 2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting with Janet

__________________________________

Fri, May 29th 2026 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

All about Opera

An "All about Opera" Concert at St. Phillip and St. James Church Leckhampton GL50 2DD (Pip & Jim's) on Friday 29th May 2026. Organised by Cheltenham North Rotary Club. See Website for more info.

_________________________________

Mon, Jun 1st 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker.

Club Meeting with Partners and Guests and a Guest Speaker. Host Beth Phillip Partners and Guests are welcome

_______________________________

Mon, Jun 15th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting AGM/Assembly and Handover.

A Club Meeting AGM/Assembly and Handover to New President Anne Bartholomew. The District Representative is Lucy Thornton Host David Hearle

_________________________________

Mon, Jul 6th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker Barry Simon The Speaker will give a talk on “St Kenelm and the Kenelm Way”. Host John Phillip