Club Bulletin for June 2023

The Club Bulletin for June 2023

Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

June 2023 Bulletin

Courtesy of Tony Pawley

BIG HELP OUT DAY - CORONATION SQUARE - LITTER PICK

On Saturday 6th May, King Charles III pledged “I come not to be served but to serve,” and we in Rotary have always had the motto of Service Above Self. Rotary Club members were volunteering as part of the Coronation Big Help Out Day on the bank holiday 8th May.

Rotary in Cheltenham are forming a new younger club called Cheltenham Future. The new, and more hands on club, Cheltenham Future, wanted to do a litter pick as part of the Big Help Out volunteering day, and Coronation Square in Hesters Way was the obvious location to centre the collection.

We arrived at 10am at the dreary car park behind the shops in steady rain with a forecast of precipitation all day. There were discussions about cancelling or re-arranging for another day. Despite this wet “Coronation” weather we had a steady flow of hardy Rotarians from 4 clubs with a total of 20 people turning up to help.

Cheltenham Borough Council had lent us litter picking kits, and Bence’s Builders Merchants had given us some heavy duty gloves to use.

We divided into 3 teams (red, white & blue) with each headed by the 3 new members of the Future Club, Scarlett Harris, James White and Bee Wilson.

Each team were allocated an area for them to tackle and equipped with Rotary tabards, grab sticks, bags with holders and gloves set about the task. Miraculously the rain started to ease, so we assembled in Coronation Square for a group photo opportunity.

You may not recognise all the participants, because there were volunteers from 4 clubs; Cheltenham Future, Cheltenham North, Cheltenham and Angie Weavers of the Rotary club of Limavady in Northern Ireland. Angie had brought a Rotary banner from her club which was handed over by the car park public toilets

As the weather brightened up and everyone started to dry out, the teams started enjoying the event with Michael Rouse providing the evidence below of some of the White Team’s work

Two hours later, with 10+ full bags of rubbish, we had dramatically improved the environment of Coronation Square, having fun meeting friends old and new and feeling happy that we had done their bit for Big Help Out day.

Thank you to John & Beth Linda Pawley

‘’Congratulations to Beth and John for organising two wonderful events.

The Pendyrus Male Voice Choir (plus soloists) was superb and the range and variety of songs uplifting. In addition, a surplus of just over £3400.00 was raised . Great result!

As for the very enjoyable Gardeners Question Evening:- despite Beth’s worry that we hadn’t sold very many tickets with just two weeks to go, sales speeded up at the last moment (as usual, folks seem reluctant to commit too far ahead these days). The number attending looked good, the experts were inspiring and a surplus of just over £1000.00 was raised.

Thank you, Beth, John and all the helpers.’’

Theatre Visit Maureen McVitty

On Monday 15th June 13 of us went to see ‘The Mousetrap’ at the Everyman Theatre. The outing was originally organised by Eric who unfortunately was unable to go. President Janet took over the arrangements for the pre- theatre meal at the Old Courtyard.

It was a really enjoyable evening and many thanks to Eric and Janet for organising. Who would have guessed that ….... done it!!

An insight into an experience of being hospitalised in GRH Eric Labrum

The very thought of having to go into hospital is every older persons worst dream. Having survived COVID and now to having to go into hospital for an operation was daunting. This was so much harder to take when on the surface one felt well and normal.

In my case I was undergoing a fitness regime of walking each day round a local park. I had been doing for four weeks before developing a very sore heel in my left leg. At night the pain was such that i could only spend a few minutes in bed before having to spend a great amount of time trying

to reduce the pain. During the next few weeks i was at our local surgery having my foot and ankle dressed for suspect ulcers. It was during my last session of having my dressings that the nurse said that she felt that I had a circulation problem. she personally arranged an appointment with Podiatry and then to see a Vascular Consultant. During all these weeks the doctors’ only solution was to give pain killers.

The visit to GRH to see the Vascular Consultant established that my main artery in my leg was blocked and that he wanted me in hospital that day! This was not possible but I was at A & E by 8am the next morning. After 15 hours I was given a bed and taken off to Ward 2A

The next day a posse of surgeons did the morning round. I was not typical of most patients who were there with a complex range of health issues. Whilst the surgeons considered the best procedure for me it was finally agreed that a by-pass operation would be the best course of action. Sometimes a first procedure is used to unblock the artery in question but this can be risky. Whilst the foot did get sufficient blood it was not enough to cure the ulcers which were developing.

After the operation of 5 hours and recovering I was transferred back to the Ward. I was hoping for a good night’s rest but the poor fellow in the next bay had had his leg removed and was in agony all night and it was impossible to sleep. The beds provided in hospital by GRH are just magnificent. They are very flexible and allow the patient to choose their most comfortable position.

Being a patient .does require a certain amount of resolve and courage to get through each day. Doctors constantly monitor every aspect of your profile every day so one is in good hands. Part of senior nurses work is given to student nurses giving them exposure to nursing procedures. In my case the senior nurse had four students around me whilst changing my dressings on me from my groin to my ankle. Having given my permission there i was completely naked for all to see. She explained to the students the necessity of changing the dressings regularly and looking out for infection etc and the technique of applying dressings in the right area.

After only one week from the time of the operation the doctors said that clinically i was free to go home. In fact it was a further three days before being discharged.

As you will read going into hospital needs courage and faith in dealing with one’s issues. Bearing in mind the complexity and nature of what medial staff have to deal with we can be reassured of being in safe hands and that they are there to do their best for you.

There are issues of staff shortage especially for senior nurses, and transport and after social care need to be addressed.

For my part i look forward to resuming my life and feel privileged that the unexpected problem encountered was dealt with by the skill of a highly competent Surgeon..

Request from Rosanne & Gwynne

CONSIGN IT TO AUCTION

‘DRIVE IN AND DROP A LOT OFF’

WEDNESDAY 7th JUNE

10.00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4 THORNCLIFFE DRIVE

Coffee and Cake will be served.

The International Committee are in need of further items for auction in aid of School Bags for Shree Kalinka Higher Secondary School in Tenkampur, Nepal.

We have had particular success in the past with all types of jewellery, silver, watches, pens, ceramics, paintings, prints and

collectables. No item is too small and could join others to make

up a Lot. Your items will go to Stroud Auctions for assessment. If they are not considered suitable for auction and we are unable to sell them privately they will be donated to charity.

We look forward to seeing you and your unwanted treasures. Items can always be delivered at other times – coffee will be available but the cake situation could be iffy!

NEWS ITEMS

Tony Pawley will be cycling in the ‘Ride for Ryder’ on Sunday 9th July to support the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. £21 could fund an hour of care and £145 could pay for a hospice nurse for a day, ensuring local families get the support they need.

Thanks to everyone’s generosity sponsoring his rides in the last two years, raising about £1,000 each year for another charity, he felt obliged to trust his electric bike, and his body, for another jaunt this year – preferably in cooler weather this time. Donations can be made to Tony Pawley is fundraising for Sue Ryder (justgiving.com). This is Sue Ryder’s preferred method, for security and to reduce the admin needed to claim Gift Aid, but Tony will bring sponsorship forms to Rotary meetings for cash or cheque donations.

He thanks you all in advance for your donations!

Mark Cummings has resigned from BBC Radio Gloucestershire following a big shakeup in the BBC so he will sadly not be able to compere at the Carol Concert this year, He sends his love to everyone at the club

The Cranham Handbell Ringers and the Cotswold Male Voice Choir are performing on Saturday 1st July at The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham GL51 6PN at 3pm. All are welcome.

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Thu, Jun 1st 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the New Club

A Club Meeting plus Guest Speaker at the New Club The guest Speaker is Caroline Meller who will talk on "Destination Gloucester from 18th Century Jamaica" Host Kevin Gwilliam.

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Thu, Jun 15th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the New Club

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker Trish Tenn. The talk will be "Strength for Life" Host Sue Jenkins

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Sun, Jun 25th 2023 at 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

District Handover Meeting

The District 1100 Handover Meeting will be held at the Marriott Chase Hotel 12:30 for a 1 pm luncheon. ______________________________________________________________________________

Thu, Jun 29th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting and Handover plus Partners with Entertainment

A Club Handover Meeting with Partners at Southam Village Hall Club Handover to the President for 2023/24 plus entertainment the singer, Maria Jagusz and her accompanist, Jessica May, A Buffet style Meal. Host Elizabeth Jones

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Thu, Jul 6th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the New Club

A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker Julie Kent. Details TBA Host Michael Jones

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Wed, Jul 19th 2023 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Council Meeting at the New Club

A Club Council meeting will be held at the New Club NOTE WEDNESDAY at 10am

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Thu, Jul 20th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the New Club

A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker Details TBA Host Janet Keenan