Bulletin for October 2026

                                                 Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

                                                          October 2026 Bulletin

From our President Anne Bartholomew

As Club President, I am delighted we were able to support the Rotary theme for September, ‘Basic Education and Literacy Month’. Firstly, by presenting the Year 4 Children at Rowanfield School with Dictionaries and then, thank you to David Hearle for his Presidency donation of £1,000 for 40 ‘School in a Bag’ in Nepal. Both of these will be clearly have an impact on young Children, often in difficult circumstances.

One of this month’s speakers, Kurt Doyle, a young Rotarian form Severn Vale Rotary Club and the Headteacher of St Peters School in Gloucester and lead on Football in Cheltenham Primary Schools, gave a detailed and informative presentation, to the Club.

The Football programme is well received by the young players, not only giving them a fantastic opportunity to take part in various Football competitions as well as participate in games at Manchester City and in Italy. The confidence levels, attendance, commitment and resilience also play a major role, particularly for those who struggle in schools.

Selection is based on talent and ability and at the moment has only attracted boys, but there is now the opportunity for a girls’ team to be formed. The funding for the new kit for the girls, will be used from the Community Grant of £400, we gave them. Again, a real example of the Impact on Young People, from our Club donation.

Club members are fantastic at raising money, which can then be given to different Communities. Fingers crossed the forthcoming Wine Festival and Christmas Concert will also be successful, so we can continue to ‘make a difference to the lives of others.’ Thank you all for the part you play with these activities, in the true spirit of Rotary, ‘Service Above Self.’

Wine Festival David Hearle

It would be useful to set out the state of play with about 5 weeks to go to the Festival.

Ticket sales are at 211 with the split relatively equal between the sessions. I am confident that sales will ultimately exceed the 250 mark with a slim possibility of hitting 300. Advertising in October is in The Local Answer and Punchline as well as social media. Leafleting with flyers will now take place in earnest.

Sarah Harvey is preparing the Grand Tasting Catalogue and Michael is providing her with the names of the raffle donors and he will prepare the table layout.

The rota is nearly complete with the need for 3-4 more helpers.

Sarah Hick is aware that she needs to bring eight scouts to assist us.

I have arranged with Matt Nolan to visit the Health and Fitness Centre during the week of 12th October to check everything is ready for the Festival.

Michael Rouse has ordered the glasses and standing spittoons I believe. I also understand that Gill has enough pens.

We hold about 250 bags. Sarah is ordering as a precaution a further 100.

Steve has kindly ordered the wristbands. He will bring the trugs and table spittoons.

John Phillip has prepared Risk Assessments.

Mike has kindly agreed to obtain sandwiches for the day.

Michael will need help from me to deliver all the equipment they hold. I will probably load my car on the day before.

If there is anything I have missed please let me know.

Next Wine Festival Committee Meeting: Monday 5th October at 5pm at The Queens Hotel

School in a Bag – Nepal Disaster Appeal

Below is an exerpt from SIAB latest newsletter:

First and foremost, thank you so much for the incredible donations we have receivedd towarsa our Nepal Flash Flood Appeal. We gave been overwhelmed by your wonderfu generosity and fantastic,committed support. Since we launched the appwal, the number of Schoolbags we are targeting gas icreased from 3,000 to 3,500 . Trustee David Huchinson and Founder and CEO Luke undertook a challenge a week or so ago to run from Minehaed in Somerset to Woolacombe in Devon to raise funds for the extra bags.

We are fortunate to be in daily communication with Jimmy Lama from Helambu Education Livelihood Partnership and amomgst discussions about our project logistics, we learn more stories of heartbreak and resilience. Officilas estimate the death toll could be in the region of 10,000 given seven whole riverside villages have been swept away and statistics suggest around 17,000 children have been affected by losing family members, their homes and/or their schools. And yet, in an attitiude typical of the nepalese people, Jimmy has recently become aquainted with a business man who managed to outrun the flood up through the gorge and he has agreed to work with the HELP team to help distribute ur Schoolbags!

Christmas Concert Gill Rouse

Does anyone have any connections to a business that might consider placing an advert in the Christmas Concert programme. since retiring my networking circle is getting smaller and many of my contacts have also retired. I could do with some help please.

News from Cheltenham Future Rotary Club Tony Pawley

On 15th September, Stella Barnes spoke at the Tivoli on Cambodia, adjustable glasses and her latest project. No need to say more – she will be speaking at our meeting on 5th October.

Future’s next meeting is breakfast at the Cornerstone Centre on 13th October, to give picture dictionaries to the charity ‘Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees for them to distribute, followed by a visit to Oakwood School to distribute dictionaries to pupils there.

On 20th October is a visit to the Jet Age Museum at 6pm, followed by a meal at Chelsea Brasserie.

Tony’s Trivia 

Thought for the month: I’m not ‘Over the Hill’ – I don’t even remember being on top of it.

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

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

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker The Speaker Stella Barnes is speaking on " From Cambodia to Artful Animals". Partners and Guests Welcome Menu See website. Host Gwynne Tucker Brown AB Away

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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. NOTE THIS IS A LUNCH TIME MEETING Partners/Guests Welcome. Menu Carvery Cost £25pp Host David Hearle

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

Area 5 Meeting

An Area 5 meeting at the Tithe Barn Bishops Cleeve.

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Fri, Oct 23rd 2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting with Janet NOTE NEW DATE and START TIME OF 10:00AM

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.

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

Cheltenham Wine Festival 31st October

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 website for Ticket Purchase, plus Pictures and Video of the event last October.

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

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker. The Speaker Ross Beamish (Cheltenham Round Table) on "Growing and developing a successful Club". Menu TBA Partners and Guests Welcome Host Vivien Barr

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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.

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

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

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Wed, Nov 25th 2026 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

District 1100 Council Meeting

A District Council Meeting via Zoom

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Mon, Dec 7th 2026 at 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Club Christmas Luncheon at Cotswold Hills Golf Club

The Club Christmas Luncheon at Cotswold Hills Golf Club. Entertainment "Musical and literary entertainment from "Wendy Lavender and the Girls" Partners and Guests Welcome Host Anne Bartholomew

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Wed, Dec 16th 2026 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Christmas Concert 16th December 2026

The 48th Christmas Concert will be held at The Princess Hall, Cheltenham Ladies College. This event will feature the Choirs of Leckhampton School and the Gloucestershire Constabulary Silver Band. Tickets are now available. See website for more Info.

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

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker Partners and Guests Welcome. Menu TBA Host: Bernie Campbell

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Mon, Jan 4th 2027 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker. Menu TBA Host Rosanne Cole AB and RP Away