Club Bulletin August 2023

                                                     Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

                                                                   August 2023 Bulletin

It was only a sunny smile and little it cost in the giving,

but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

From the President Kevin Gwilliam

I am writing this note to you sitting at my desk watching the rain rather than the sun streaming down. What a month of July – hottest ever in southern Europe and the wettest in the UK. Let’s hope for some better news and less turbulent weather in August.

Well certainly the start of my year has been turbulent firstly with the sad loss of Ross and our thoughts are with Rosanne. Our thoughts are also with Janet over the loss of her son Philip. Then with resignation of several members who have decided to hang up their boots so to speak but will always be welcomed back at any time.

David and Shirley Setchell

Avril and Tim Badham

Robin Andrews

David Rust

Heath Wilson (will be leaving in September to return to the USA)

Although the club is still very healthy in numbers, we must continue to attract new members. This is proving to be difficult owing to several factors including the perception of Rotary being for the older business generation, costs, time restraints and does not fit in with people’s social life. Although many people like the idea of doing something good for the community.

Talking of community, Janet and I will be visiting National Star college to present the first of many cheques in supporting their new day/night centre.

During July our present venue The New Club has presented our club, within my opinion, unacceptable additional charges. They have revisited the leases and it now requires each member of Rotary to be a temporary guest as they cannot serve food and beverages to non- members, along with room hire charges and an increase in meal costs. As you know I have set up a small committee which is being led by Maureen to investigate alternative venues. As part of this process a short questionnaire has been sent out by Clive to which I would encourage any members who have not yet responded, to have their say. All of this will then be considered on the 9th of August by

the committee and be fully discussed at the business meeting on the 17th by all members as to the result of both the survey and alternate venues.

Regarding Fund Raising, I know the various committees have met or are meeting to discuss and sort the various events. Good luck to all. Let’s hope all will be successful in this very tough economic year. Richard in the last few days has also committed us to another year of Love your Turf at the racecourse, so please support this and let Richard know if you can help.

My thanks also go to Vivien who has initiated an opportunity to give Gloucestershire Young carers a day out at Nature in Art cause in Twigworth. I thank the club for supporting Vivien with the £350 donation to allow this to happen.

Finally, a bit on the new Future Club, which has also sadly lost a member who resigned due to work commitments. The club is now trying both morning and evening meetings to see if that will attract new and interested members. I am also pleased to say funds have now been raised to start the Whaddon Cornerstone church community garden.

I look forward with interest to the debate on the future of the clubs venue along with the various meetings planned.

Obituary: Ross Cole Roger Grimshaw

Most of you will know by now of the sad death of a dear friend, Ross Cole, aged 82, who had valiantly fought against skin cancer over so many years since he had a kidney transplant donated by Margaret his sister, but he was finally defeated by Leukaemia and Polycythaemia Rubra Vera (PRV)

I had known Ross for well over seventy years since we were both at Dean Close Junior and Senior schools. Ross, who was a border at the school always recalled when, I, as a dayboy reported, that the King George V1 had died in 1952! In those days Dean Close was an ‘all boys’ school right up to after we left!

After leaving school Ross gained a good training and insight, both in this country and abroad, into men’s tailoring before joining their well-established and highly regarded family outfitters ‘The Famous’ in Cheltenham High Street. Over the years Ross, together with his dear wife Rosanne worked hard and developed not only their substantial school uniforms business but also took over a similar outfitter in Exeter.

I shall be forever grateful that Ross invited me to join The Rotary Club of Cheltenham North where he was a founder member in 1972. For those of us in family business it was the weekly Thursday Rotary lunchtime coming together of like souls earning a ‘crust’ from local enterprise, and to share the ups and downs of local life. Ross has held every position in our very special Rotary Club of Cheltenham North and was a particularly enthusiastic with our international Rotary link with the Club of Mons-Sud in Belgium. Many happy exchange visits took place!

Ross was Chairman of Helipebs, a well-established family engineering business in Gloucester founded by his grandfather. He was a local Magistrate and Chairman of the Juvenile Bench for many years and a Commissioner of Taxes.

Ross and his family had a delightful bungalow by Exmouth Harbour where Paddy and I with our families enjoyed each other’s company with many fishing trips on ‘Le Bateau Cole’ a well-cared for

clinker varnished day fishing boat, usually returning with line caught Sea Bass fresh for the evening meal followed of course with a pint at the local!

Ross could always find a ‘cheer up’ conversation with a lovely wry smile.

Nothing was too much trouble to help others and our similar aged families have much enjoyed each other’s company with many varied holidays.

Rosanne, his wife, of 53 years has shown so much love and determination and has been the most amazing carer. Without her tenacity Ross would not have had the extra years of reasonable health to enjoy time with his family, and especially to watch his grandchildren growing up. Rosanne has made many journeys to Gloucester Royal Hospital and spent many hours there and she has been ably supported by Claire and Quentin, their lovely children.

So – well done my trusty friend We miss you so much!

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.

National Star Comedy, Curry and Quiz Night Fundraiser, July 13th

Vivien Barr

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.

Can anyone help? Cheltenham & Gloucester Hospitals Charity

Secretary Michael Jones has received the following request for help:

I am contacting you on behalf of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity. Can you help us please? We are looking for individual or groups of volunteers to help us with an important fundraising event. This is the Charity’s annual Walk for Wards event, which is taking place on Sunday 10th September at the gorgeous Bathurst Estate in Cirencester. Dedicated hospital staff, patients and supporters will come together to take part in a 3km or 10km charity walk to help raise funds for our local NHS. We would absolutely love it, if you would consider volunteering at the event. We have a number of volunteer roles available so hopefully one will take your fancy! • Information/Greeting stand – to welcome people to the event, help them with anything they may need before the walk, register everyone who has arrived • Ghost runner/walker - Run the course checking that signage is all still in place from the day before and there are no hazards. Report anything that needs amending upon return.

• Tail walkers; one for 3k and one for 10k - Walking behind the last participant and removing signage as you pass it and picking up any litter you come across (equipment will be provided). • Course marshals – helping with directions, will be situated in key points along the course. • Halfway point – volunteers to manage half way point; handing out water and refreshments. • Tombola/raffle volunteers – help with the tombola/raffles • Finish point – congratulate walkers, hand out refreshments • Volunteer photographer – someone who would be happy to use their own camera to take photos on the day • Volunteer face painters As you can see we have a variety of volunteer roles available, if you are interested in any of the roles, or are interested in helping in any way, please contact Emily Williams on e.williams49@nhs.net or you can call her on 0300 422 6738.

Pushing polio eradication to the finish line Gordon McInally, RI President This is a critical year for polio eradication as Rotary and our global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners are aggressively working to interrupt transmission of the polio virus in the remaining endemic countries and other areas. Polio eradication is Rotary’s top humanitarian priority until we deliver on our promise to protect children everywhere from polio. We had the audacity to take on this mission , and we have the tenacity for finish the job.

How can you take action? Become a peacebuilder by getting involved in virtual exchanges or signing up for the Rotary Positive Peace Academy.

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Notes from the Treasurer Linda Pawley 1. All subscriptions are now paid – thank you 2. Receipt received from SIAB: On behalf of School in a Bag, thank you so much for your generous contribution of £1920.00 ROTARY CLUB OF CHELTENHAM NORTH You have funded: 90 x bags Destination Nepal – Shree Kalika School

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Thu, Aug 3rd 2023 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Gloucestershire Young Carers at Nature in Art Cheltenham North Rotary Club are supporting Gloucestershire Young Carers with a day out at Nature in Art _______________________________________________________________________________________ Thu, Aug 3rd 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the New Club A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker Kirstie Bingham The talk is "Tasting the Tudors ". Food in Tudor Times. Host Eric Labrum _________________________________________________________________________________________ Thu, Aug 17th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Club Business Meeting at the New Club A Club Business Meeting at the New Club Host Kevin Gwilliam ________________________________________________________________________________________ Tue, Aug 22nd 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm District Forum Via Zoom A District Forum meeting via Zoom. Details TBA ________________________________________________________________________________________ Thu, Aug 31st 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm A Club Meeting with Speaker and Guests A Club Meeting with Guests and Guest Speaker American Buffet/Barbecue Host Maureen Mcvitty ________________________________________________________________________________________ Thu, Sep 7th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Club Meeting with Guest Speaker A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker the Speaker Paul Haigh will give a talk on "Sri Lanka to the Somme and on to the Mediterranean." Host Clive O'Gorman _________________________________________________________________________________________ Thu, Sep 21st 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Club Meeting with Guest Speaker A Club Meeting at the New Club Speaker Susan Scothern of Glos. Bundles Host Roger Grimshaw _____________________________________________________________________________________ Thu, Oct 5th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Club Meeting with Guest Speaker A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the New Club Host Bill Macleod

______________________________________________________________________________________ Thu, Oct 19th 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Club Meeting with Guest Speaker A Club Meeting with Guest speaker Paul Murphy Paul will give a talk on Charlie Chaplin Part One (Part two will take place on 16th November) Host Linda Pawley ________________________________________________________________________________________ Sat, Oct 28th 2023 at 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm Cheltenham Wine Festival 28th October 2023 The Cheltenham Wine Festival to be held at the Pittville Pump Rooms on 28th October 2023 TICKETS ON SALE NOW _________________________________________________________