Cheltenham North News

Cheltenham North News

             This is a selection of our activities over the past twelve months

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October 2024 Community Awards Presentation

Stoke Orchard Football Club

Message from the Mayor of Cheltenham

September 2024 A New Member for Cheltenham North

The members are very pleased to welcome Jane Setton as a member of the Club. Jane was previously a member of West Wickham Rotary Club

August 2024 Community Service and CCP Pantry

It was decided at our last committee meeting to make a donation to The Pantry at CCP of £400.00. 

The idea was that as the children were on holiday there would be much more demand for food over the Summer holidays. 

Liz Jones and I with our fantastic Club photographer Michael attended CCP on Tuesday August 13th. to present the cheque to The Pantry. 

Shoppers come on a Wednesday and Friday and for £4.50 can buy 15 items of food. On top of that they can also have a limited amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, these are rationed. There is no limit to access of the Pantry as with other Food Banks eg. Trussell Trust. 

The Pantry is reliant on donations and it has a large delivery once a week from a wholesalers in Bristol on a Tuesday. So our cheque will be used to buy supplies and hopefully relieve some of the pressure on the Pantry at this time of the year! 

July 2024 Rowanfield School

At the final assembly for the school year a presentation was made to Cheltenham North members whom had been assisting the school. The members supported the Staff with the Pupils reading lessons..

July 2024 Belmont School Fete

Members of Cheltenham North supported the School Fete which raised over £2400 for the School.

June 2024 Rotary Cluster Conference A Report by Member Tony & Linda Pawley

“STRONGER TOGETHER” CLUSTER CONFERENCE, June 28th – 30th 2024

Sandy Park Conference Centre Notes by Tony and Linda Pawley, RCCN

This was the first ever Cluster conference, with Districts 1100, 1150, 1175, 1200 combining.

350 delegates.

Each DG chaired a session, with our very-own Anne Bartholomew chairing the first.

Deputy Mayor of Exeter opened the conference. His wife is Ukrainian, so he appreciated the blue and yellow Rotary theme.

ShelterBox:

2.5 million people helped in the past 10 years, in 100 countries.

£270K raised by the 4 Districts 2022-23, sufficient for 665 family tents or 4141 Shelter kits (a recent addition to their range)

global warming is expanding and changing needs, including provision of termite-resistant tents for Sahal, West Africa

partnerships with local Rotary clubs who know local conditions, peoples and language

RotaryGB&I Specialist Advisory Team (SAT) leads:

tried to show how different strands of Rotary and members’ skills can come together to deliver successful projects, but the style of the presentation put us off

covered new types of membership, grants from entrepreneurs and charitable foundations

the power of social media for spreading the word

School in a Bag – CEO Luke Simon:

brilliant presentation and video (as expected!)

almost 150,000 bags delivered to date.

3,784 purple bags delivered to Ukrainian children in UK

run by two full-time and two part-time employees

session concluded with children from Llanelli and Bryn Mawr and audience members packing SiaB bags

RI President Gordon McInally’s Representative Trustee Aziz Memon

RI President’s initiatives on mental health

educating communities on the value of immunisation (Polio, etc)

leaving behind a legacy for a literate, healthy and peaceful world

Evening CEILIDH / Barn Dance / Buffet

RI President Gordon McInally video

Main Sponsor - Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management

an appropriate ‘promotion’ by the founder, given their £3K sponsorship of the Conference

RotaryGBI Board Chairman Robert Morris – didn’t inspire us

Rotakids (from Ysgol Pen Rhos, Llanelli)

a superb, awe-inspiring presentation by four youngsters on their team’s achievements through Rotary for Polio, Ukraine, bee corridors, butterflies, climate change, young chef, litter picking (incl. beaches)

growing algae cakes and biscuits to capture CO2

Break Out Rooms for Specialist Advisory team leads – very low-key, not aware it happened

Anthony Knight – Young Violinist

playing & speaking about his playing in European centres for UNICEF

Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE

wow, what can one say! she covered her early life, her early years in Britain subjected to bullying and racial abuse – “I was no longer a person, I was a colour”

we must show all children that we love them – all government decisions affect children and after throughout their lives – “childhood lasts a lifetime”.

she concluded with the Charlie Chaplin song “Smile, though your heart is breaking”

BiPolar UK – Leah Charles-King

good to hear from another of the charities that we have happily supported

a BiPolar e-club has been set up.

RotaryGBI General Secretary Amanda Watkin

an opportunity to hear how the 18 staff in Alcester clubs and their members help clubs and members through on-line resources and on-call services

urged people to give others the space to be the people they are

Steve Brown, Countryfile presenter and wheelchair Paralympian, supporting OK Our Kids

in his teenage years, he focused on making himself happy

had a great job running Alpine resorts until an accident that shattered his 6th vertebra

learnt in Stoke Mandeville about living with his disability – he would not get better.

there are things you have no control over, but you can control yourself afterwards

focus on what is possible – find a simple solution

Rotarians are parts of so many jigsaws that improve people’s lives

see what you’re capable of

find the best people to help you and give your best

he then left to help with his 8-day old baby, to a big round of applause

_______________________________________________

Foundation reception for major donors

Gala Dinner - Dancing to “The Cove Club “

Thought for the Day - Rev Debbie Hodge

Kids Out – 11/6/2025

has aligned with a different charity, “Kid’s in Mind”, to create “Rotary Children Fun Day”

has come ‘in-house‘, backed by RGBI, more aligned with Rotary aims

seamless transition from current operation; District Ambassadors to help out

clubs receive £5 per child subsidy

plan Rotary Christmas Toy Box for 2025

Interact (Bryn Mawr)

2 kids gave an extraordinarily inspiring, amusing and moving presentation

Scott Kelly – Beefeater (Yeoman Warder)

Army Air Corps for 24 years

helps veterans with PTSD

133,000 Facebook followers

no vegetarian or vegan Beefeaters

five female yeoman warders – better than many of the men, “but not me”

RI President’s Representative Trustee Aziz Memon

Nigel Linacre – Well-boring in Kenya

writes poems, wrote The Grief Opera after a family tragedy

every day is on opportunity to make a difference – life can be a teacher

be open, curious, realise our views are not the only ones

Ollie (Pianist) & Lilly (Vocalist) entertain

District Handovers – D1100 – D1150 – D1175 – D1200

outgoing DGs: 2 men, 2 women; incoming 4 men

Drewe Lacey’s D1100 theme: inspiring and energising communities

we are all change managers, we can change through teamwork

Saturday 22nd March “Celebration of Rotary” day

RI General Secretary John Hewko video - Rotary The Future!

Anton Pigot – Pianist - RotaryGBI Young Musician

OUR GENERAL COMMENTS¶

As ever at Rotary conferences, some of the presentations were brilliant – inspirational, heartwarming, provoking. This time, there were many stand-out presentations.

Average age of delegates typically high

Not too much self-congratulation, telling ourselves how wonderful we are.

A very worthwhile 48 hours.

June 2024 Gloucestershire Young Carers Vivien Barr

On June 23rd five members of the Community committee volunteered for 2 hour slots to help at the Glos Young Carers gazebo at the Montpellier Food & Drink Festival. 

We persuaded visitors to take an interest in this organisation by handing out helium balloons and stickers to children and Newsletters for adults. 

We also had a competition with a new ipad as the prize, with the entry fee being taken by Zettle technology which was a bit challenging at first but soon mastered! We had quite a steady trickle of visitors to come and see us. 

We were delighted to meet a former Young Carer who had looked after her mother with a brain tumour. She was then able to go on to teacher training with the excellent support of the staff. Her husband also was considering involving his workplace in fund raising activities as their chosen charity. 

It was heartening to know how much the Glos. Young Carers organisation had influenced the lives of many over the past 30 years. 

While we were doing this there was another celebration event taking place at Over Farm Park, near Gloucester. One group of families in the morning and another group later were taking part in all sorts of fun activities and competitions, and our Community funds had purchased prizes for the Tombola for this event. 

I would like to thank the volunteers very much for cheerfully helping with this event, it was quite an experience!

June 2024 Visit to Beards David Rees

On Monday 10th of June 13 a group of Cheltenham North Members enjoyed a most interesting visit to Beards Jewellers, where they have been located for over 60 years and which they have recently extensively updated and fitted out beautifully.

June 2024 Club Assembly, AGM and Handover to a New President

On the 17th June Cheltenham North held its AGM, Club Assembly and the Handover to its President for 2024/25 Nigel Gilhead.

The President for 2023/24 Kevin Gwilliam presented a Paul Harris Foundation Award to member Anne Bartholomew for here sevice in Rotary. Anne is District Governor for 2023/24.

The AGM was held and copies of the Various Committee reports etc. can be found in the "What we Do" area of this Website. 

A presentation was made by the new Club President Nigel Gilhead as to the Clubs aims for the new Rotary year. 

May 2024 Pendyrus Choir Concert

 The Rotarians of Cheltenham North organised a Ccncert by the Pendyrus Choir plus Soloist Cathy Keating a well known Professional Soprano.

This was held at the Leckhampton High School with profits of approximately £600 raised from the event in support of Rotary Charities.

April 2024 New Members for Cheltenham North 

Cheltenham North is very pleased to welcome two new members to our Rotary Club Di and Steven Mills.

April 2024 Cheltenham Wine Festival

Cheltenham North organised another successful Wine Festival that was held at the Fitness Centre of Cheltenham Ladies College.

Pictures taken at the event will be available soon.

Proceeds from the event will go to Rotary Charities

April 2024 School in a Bag

Rosanne Cole has received a certificate from SIAB thanking the club for our donation of £1453.00 which funded 78 schoolbags to go Nepal. These will be delivered in April/May and it was determined that 38 bags will go to Shree Kalika and the remaining 40 to a nearby school called Shree Laligurans. The bag numbers are 158964 to 159041 and you can track these bags at www.schoolinabag,org

March 2024 Cheltenham Races 

Cheltenham North supported Cheltenham Races again this year as Volunteers with local Clubs raising approx. £3150 for supported Charities.

Cheltenham North supported the opening of the Cornerstone Community Garden by the Rotary Club Cheltenham Future at Cornerstone Centre, Whaddon by Edward Gillespie, Lord Lt. of Gloucestershire.

Cornerstone Jubilee Garden Sue Jenkins Cheltenham North Rotarian

Sue gave the vote of thanks at the Official Opening of the Garden on Friday 8th March 2024. 

My name is Sue Jenkins and I am a landscape architect and have been a member of Rotary for many years. Rotary is a group of people who use their varied skills to improve both their local community and the lives of people around the world. When Vicar James joined the new Rotary club, called Cheltenham Future, he was interested in building a community garden to support their Cornerstone Community Centre. 

The new club had no money, but set about selling Mistletoe and collecting at a Cheltenham Town football game. Fortunately, I am used to working with communities who have a good idea, no money, but really want to make it happen. 

In June 2022 it was the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and an opportunity to celebrate Her Majesty’s long reign with a Jubilee Garden. The then Prince of Wales, now King Charles, was keen to create a Green Canopy of trees across the country as part of the celebration, and we were fortunate to find 4 sponsors for these 4 trees. 

Together with obtaining various grants from Enovert, CBC Jubilee Grant, GCC Build Back Better and Rotary District Environment grant, we have been able to raise sufficient funds to make this community Garden reality.

 It is particularly fitting that today is the International Womens Day, because this garden is in memory of a very special woman, namely the late Queen Elizabeth. 

Appropriately, our distinguished guest, Edward Gillespie was appointed as Gloucestershire’s Lord Lieutenant by the late Queen and is now the King’s representative. So on behalf of the Cheltenham Future Rotary Club, I want to give a big thanks to Edward for agreeing, in his capacity as Royal Representative, to officially open this Cornerstone Jubilee Garden, and thank everyone else who used their various skills and helped to make it happen. 

February 2024 Snowdrops at Colesbourne 

Cheltenham North Rotarians, Partners and Friends have provided the Refreshments and raised nearly £3000 for Rotary Charities at Colesbourne Park during the Snowdrops viewing season over the weekend of 3/4 February.

All the pictures taken at the event can be viewed in the Featured Page on the Home Page of this website.

January 2024 A New member for Cheltenham North

At the Club meeting on the 15th January the members were pleased to welcome Duncan Ivory as a member of Cheltenham North Rotary Club

January 2024 New Seating Facilities for Sandford Parks

A donation of £800 has been made to Sandford Parks for the provision of additional seating facilities.

December 45th Annual Carol Concert

A very successful Concert was held at the Ladies College Princess Hall Cheltenham with over £4600 being raised for Rotary Charities

See Featured Page on the Home Page of this Website for Pictures of the event.  

The event featured, Compere Mark Cummings, the Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra, Cranham Handbell Ringers, the choirs from Leckhampton Primary School.

December Hamper Scamper Christmas Hampers

Cheltenham North Members have again supported the Christmas Hamper Scamper campaign to provide Hampers for needy families over the Christmas period.

December 2023 Christmas Dinner at the Queens Hotel.

58 Cheltenham North Members and their Guests enjoyed a Christmas Dinner at the Quieens Hotel. Entertainment, A Winter Serenade, was provided by Maria Jagusz, Alice Nelson and Jessica May.

November 2023 Cheltenham Fireworks

A group of Cheltenham North members volunteered to assist as marshalls at the Fireworks display held at the Cheltenham Racecourse.

October 2023 Support for End Polio Now

DG Anne Bartholomew presented RCCN with a Certificate from Rotary Foundation in appreciation for the financial support the club had given to “End Polio Now”

Members from Cheltenham North are supporting the Community Garden project being implemented by Cheltenham Future Rotary Club. See Pictures

October 24th 2023 To Celebrate End Polio Day

October 2023 Opening of New Building at Star Centre Ullenwood

In recogonition of the support received from Cheltenham North Rotary Club the following invitation was received by our Club President. 

"I am pleased to invite yourself and one guest to the formal opening of the Building a Brighter Future accommodation project, which includes Scott House, Bradbury House and the Ingram Discovery Rooms, on Wednesday 25 October 2023 at 2pm.

We are delighted that the new specialist accommodation is being opened by Jack Thorne and Rachel Mason, who are long standing supporters of National Star."

Through its fund raising activities the Rotary Club has provided £10800 for the furnishing of a number of rooms in the new building.

September 2023 Morocco Appeal 

Rotarians from Cheltenham North supported the Cheltenham and Cheltenham Future Clubs with a street collection in aid of the situation in both Morrocco with the supply of Shelterboxes. The monies raised £2209 is sufficient for three Shelterboxes. We are grateful for the support provided for this collection.

Message received from Shelterbox.

August 31st 2023 A New Meerting Venue for Cheltenham North

Our Club celebrated a new meeting venue, the Queens Hotel with an American Theme evening.

This evening included an American style Quiz and Game.. We also bid farewell to member Heath Wilson who is returning to the USA. 

August 2023 An Update by Nigel Gilhead

A mixed report - one loss and one win. That means we end the season with four wins, one loss.

Well done and thank you to: Tony P, Beth, Richard, John P, Tony H and Mike S.

Good social sessions after the latest games, at the Wall Sports Club where Gloucester meet weekly and then enjoying the fine evening outside the Greatfield. Following a last minute confirmation that Pershore were actually coming this was followed by a venue change to Brizen, brought on by the travellers stopping in Sandford Park for a few days (they have since departed).

August 2023 Presentation of Cheque to the Star Centre

Past President Janet Keenan of Cheltenham North Rotary Club presented a cheque for £10800 to the Star Centre at Ullenwood for the furnishing of four new rooms at the Star Centre. A Grant was received from our Rotary District towards this project.

August 2023 Boules an Update

Nigel Gilhead triumphantly announced that his team, Beth and John Phillip, Mike Stevens and Tony Pawley had won their three matches of Boules.

August 2023 Support for Sue Ryder

Member Tony Pawley announced that his efforts in the Sue Ryder bike ride raised £750, and once again he thanked member for their sponsorship.

August 2023 further support for Ukraine

Member of Cheltenham North Sally Whittle explained that she had been working with the Ukrainian family who stayed with Sue Jenkins, and although the wife spoke fluent english the husband did not so she had given 100 hours of free english lessons, which enabled him to communicate and obtain a job, Sally is now completing the project with 25hours at half price.

August 2023 An Update on Rowanfield School Reading ( See Picture of Certificate )

Rowanfield 2023 Gwynne Tucker- Brown

We, the Community and Youth Committee, volunteered to help to listen to the early readers at Rowanfield Junior School last Autumn. The group consist of 4 classes of 8-9 year olds of mixed ability and ethnic background. There are 15 different nationalities within the group!

There are 8 of us in our group and we try to attend regularly at least once a week. Janet has been our star, attending as often as has been possible so she has really got to know the children well.

It has been so rewarding to see the improvement in the children’s reading ability. They are so mixed in that ability, some are free readers reading such books as Harry Potter etc. whilst others struggle with the basic books.

Overseeing the scheme has been Sue Garcia whose love of reading and determination has been instrumental in the children’s progress. Sadly, she has now retired although she might return in the same capacity as our group!

Each class has a clip board with the names of the children listed, they are colour coded according to whether they are heard to read once a week, twice or every day. All we have to do is to tick the board and write a favourable comment in their record book. Our only role is to listen and gently assist.

I would thoroughly recommend this most enjoyable community service. I love listening to the children and getting to know them. We will be starting afresh in September with the new intake from the Infant School. So if anybody in the club would like to join our group please get in touch with me. The only requirement is a DBS which does take a little time to acquire.

August 2023 A day out for the Young Carers

Cheltenham North  Rotary Club funded a day out at the Nature in Art Centre and transport for some of the children.

On Aug. 2^nd Vivien met the 10 Young Carers in the Art Centre with their 2 Key Workers, the teacher and her assistant. 

The teacher had prepared tables for the Batik work, and showed us how to use a special pen to drip hot wax onto our frames with sheeting on to create a design, which was then colour washed.

After a break for a snack we began the next project  with wire.

These 2 different activities were very enjoyable and after lunch the group went outside to play among various sculptures and an activity area.

To end this Art Day we went to the house to see the various rooms filled with all types of art, sculptures of animals, bronze heads and many pictures of bird, fish, etc.

This was very much appreciated by the key workers at Gloucestershire Young Carers, who are now celebrating their 30 years of working with such groups in Gloucestershire.  

Vivien Barr

July 2023 National Star Comedy, Curry and Quiz Night Fundraiser, July 13th Support By Rotarians

Recently Janet, Maureen, Anne Wilson and I volunteered to help on this evening which was sponsored by Speller Metcalfe who are building the new premises at the College.

All the tickets at £40 were sold and 202 guests came to be entertained in a lovely marquee with twinkling lights in the ceiling drapes.

Each of us were allocated 2–3 tables to deal with and our duties ranged from welcoming our guests, checking their pre-ordered drinks, and taking further orders, selling them raffle tickets, inviting them to take part in a table quiz – with team name etc. and later to collect these and deliver them to the markers.

When the curries were ready we delivered them to our respective tables ,with other helpers serving other guests.

The Comedy part of the evening was the performance by the Lost Voice Guy, winner of Britain’s Got Talent competition. He is the first stand-up comedian to use a communication aid, and has performed at the Royal Variety Performance and many other shows.

Lost Voice Guy is seriously promoting the view that disability should be no bar to participating in all types of activities where possible. His act was amusing, thought provoking , and good entertainment.

Compere Faye Hatcher held the evening together very expertly and cajoled the audience into buying more raffle tickets and participating in the Auction.

The marvellous amount raised for each of these was over £1,200, which was an excellent result, and will be used to support young people with complex disabilities at National Star.

Vivien Barr