Bulletin September 2026

The Club Bulletin for September 2026

Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

September 2026 Bulletin

Summer 2026 in the UK has been extraordinary, running exceptionally hot and dry with persistent heatwaves threatening all-time seasonal records.

Key Highlights of Summer 2026

· Temperatures: Mean temperatures have tracked significantly above average, following the second-warmest June and second-warmest July on record. The season saw multiple intense heatwave peaks with temperatures frequently scaling into the mid-to-high 30s.

· Rainfall & Sunshine: Conditions have been remarkably dry and sunny. July recorded a fraction of typical rainfall across England and Wales alongside high sunshine hours, though the very end of August is introducing a shift toward unsettled weather, heavy downpours, and thunderstorms. · Records: According to the Met Office, the season has recorded more 30°C days than the historic summer of 1976 and remains on course to challenge overall temperature records.

Our Man in Havana Janet Keenan

A long time ago I very much enjoyed reading Grahame Greene’s ‘Our Man in Havana’. It was very funny and the story lingered in my memory. When I saw that the Everyman had a well reviewed adaptation in it’s programme, I thought it might make a fun evening. Eleven of us signed up to go on the 18th of August and nine of us met for dinner first. We went to the Nepalese Chef, which is within a few minutes of the theatre. This is a family business that has recently opened in Cheltenham. Tripadvisor makes it third out of 401 places to eat in the Cheltenham area, and I have wanted to try it. We were not disappointed. The food was excellent and the staff could not have been more helpful. We had a very enjoyable meal and were given individual bills, which was very helpful. Nigel had been there before and I think several of us will be going there again.

Thoroughly full we walked to the theatre and got our seats The play was performed by only four actors who took a large number of different parts. Sometimes the change overs into different costumes happened with incredible speed and all the actors were very good, so that it was always clear which character they were playing. It took a little while to get into the swing of the action but the story speeded along, becoming wilder and funnier, particularly in the second half. I think we all enjoyed ourselves very much.

I am keeping my eye on the Everyman’s brochure for our next trip.

Cheltenham Tree Project Michael Rouse

Gill and I were very pleased to be asked to make a presentation to the Rotary Club regarding the publication of our book “Rotary Tree Project Cheltenham 2020-2021” . It was such a successful community event we felt it should be recorded in some way. So for those of you who were away on 17th August, here is a short resumé.

In February 2019 David Evans from the Cheltenham Rotary Club decided to try to get help to plant 100 trees around Cheltenham. A Centenary Committee was set up by all the Cheltenham Clubs in February. It was a very difficult time due to the Covid Crisis. Sue Jenkins from Cheltenham North Rotary Club agreed to lead the project as she had qualifications in Woodland Scape Management, being a Chartered Landscape Architect. She worked very hard to get support from Businesses, Friends and Members. Locations for all the trees were identified following discussions with Cheltenham Borough Council and the Gloucestershire County Council She produced detailed computer information listing the Location and Tree Species together with the sponsor who was to pay the fee required of £300, All these have been included in our book together with area maps.

Local specialist Tree planting Company, Nature First successfully tendered for the project and agreed to look after the trees for the first two years with regular watering. Semi-mature trees were selected and carefully planted with a Rotary Roundel, type of tree and name of the sponsor to make a dramatic effect in the town and promote Rotary.

Following the success of the Centenary Tree Project, planting 100 sponsored trees around Cheltenham, it was agreed to plant 50 trees to celebrate the 50th \anniversary of the Rotary Club of Cheltenham North.

Sadly, David Evans died and his place was taken by three members from Cheltenham Club. Sue was to provide all the vital information about tree planting, and I was asked to provide suitable photographs for each planting. Unfortunately, the Cheltenham Rotary Club members were unable to produce a satisfactory website and resigned.

Gill and I started to produce our own book many months ago and Sue was very helpful in providing all her spreadsheets of detailed information together with street maps. So during the winter months we spent several hours collating all the information.. Gill performed all the computer skills and I produced suitable photographs. .

We are very pleased and proud to produce this book which shows what can be achieved if members are able to join together to promote the value of Rotary in helping to improve the Cheltenham Community.

Wine Festival

Plans are going well for the wine festival on Saturday 31st October. Help will be required from all members so please put the date in your diary.. David has recently secured Portman Vintners who will sponsor this year’s event and there will be a full line up of exhibitors both old and new.

Christmas Concert

This event will be help on WEDNESDAY 16th December at Cheltenham Ladies College. Compared by Mark Cummings it will feature the children’s choirs from Leckhampton Junior School as well as a choir from the Vicki Beauregard Academy.

The Gloucestershire Police Band will entertain us with Christmas melodies and our soloist, Cathy, will delight with a carol by John Rutter. Tim Ingold will once again be our organist and accompanist. Tickets are now on sale by visiting: https://buytickets.at/rccn/2335526

All About Opera II

Another chance to hear our lovely singers performing well loved operatic arias on Friday 4th June 2027 at St Philip and St James at 7pm. More details will be available in the New Year.

News from Cheltenham Future Rotary Club Tony Pawley

Our President Anne and I enjoyed a pleasant twilight meeting at the Tivoli pub on 18th August. The newest member, Paul Newman (the other one!), gave a fascinating and entertaining walk through his life and times. Early beginnings as the son of a wealthy manufacturing company owner in the Stroud valleys led to time at boarding school when he overcame family difficulties to win a place at Oxford, after a gap year travelling. It was followed by a long career at the BBC as journalist and producer, from local radio to national TV, including reporting on location at the Piper Alpha oil rig disaster in 1988. He then switched to handling media communications with the London Fire Service, covering, amongst many other events, the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Tony’s Trivia #7

This month, I thought I'd have a go at haikus. They are more fun to write than to read. Sorry!

Are haikus worth it?

Japanese are very keen

I'll give it a try.

Lines of haikus have

five-seven-five syllables;

stops chatterboxes.

I fear addiction

not alcohol nor gambling

haiku's rule my life.

I lost some marbles

aged ten; aged eighty-two, most

marbles now are lost

Anyone want to try?

not much brain power needed

just a good rubber.

Picture of the Month – flood alleviation is working well at Cox’s Meadow

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Mon, Sep 7th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speakers James Plimmer and Ladies of Cheltenham Ladies College who will speak on their Greenpower Electric Car ( A Community Grant Payment). Partners and Guests Welcome. Menu TBA Host Mary Ann Rust

__________________________________

Mon, Sep 21st 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker the Speaker Kurt Doyle ( A Severn Vale Rotary Member) will speak on the Cheltenham Primary Schools Football Association (A Community Grants Recipient) Menu TBA Partners and Guests are welcome Host Jane Setton

___________________________________

Wed, Sep 23rd 2026 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

District 1100 Forum

A District 1100 Forum via Zoom

___________________________________

Mon, Oct 5th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker Partners and Guests Welcome Menu TBA Speaker TBA Host Gwynne Tucker Brown AB Away

___________________________________

Mon, Oct 19th 2026 at 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker.at Cotswold Hills Golf Club. The Speaker Ian Daniels of Insight Gloucestershire (charity for the blind and partially sighted) NOTE THIS IS A LUNCH TIME MEETING Partners/Guests Welcome. Menu TBA Host David Hearle

_____________________________________

Wed, Oct 21st 2026 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting with Janet NOTE START TIME OF 10:30

___________________________________

Wed, Oct 21st 2026 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Area 5 Meeting

An Area 5 meeting at the Tithe Barn Bishops Cleeve.

_____________________________________

Sat, Oct 24th 2026 at 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm

World Polio Day

Thanks to Rotary's efforts 20 million people have been saved from paralysis and are able to walk today.

_____________________________________

Sat, Oct 31st 2026 at 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Cheltenham Wine Festival

The next Cheltenham Wine Festival will take place at the Ladies College Health and Fitness Centre Malvern Road. GL50 2NX. on Saturday 31st October 2026 See "Details" for Ticket Purchase, plus Pictures and Video of the event last October.

_________________________________

Mon, Nov 2nd 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker TBA Menu TBA Partners and Guests Welcome Host Vivien Barr

_________________________________

Sat, Nov 7th 2026 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Cheltenham Round Table Fireworks at the Racecourse

Volunteers required to assist as Marshalls at the Racecourse Contact Richard Purdon for more information.

_________________________________

Mon, Nov 16th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club SGM/Accounts/Business Meeting

The Club SGM/Accounts/Business Meeting Menu TBA Host Anne Bartholomew