Bulletin for December 2024

The Club Bulletin for December 2024

Rotary Club of Cheltenham

December 2024 Bulletin

Christmas Good Wishes President Nigel

Nereide and I wish members and their families, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Geoff Fox – we are thinking of you and send our very best wishes as preparations are made for you to be cared for at home.

President – An Update

Can you hear me? Thank you Duncan for all the advice and recommendations resulting a new PA system.

So far 24/25 has been busy with members and their committees quietly doing their volunteering and organising, being active Rotarians.

Continuing to foster the relationship with Round Table's fireworks, several of us helped at the event this year, both on the gate and marshalling families as they queued to be photographed with Bluey and Bingo. Our grandchildren are given limited 'screen time' and with them being Germany, means that these characters, were new to us.

Already Richard's list is out for 'I Love My Turf' in March next year, a long day, but please consider it for yourselves, or friends and family.

Since my last president's year I have been surprised at the self appointed informal champions within D1100 who expect reports and updates on their chosen areas of interest, usually a in field that Clubs, like us, have been treating as normal business.

With our transparent financial processes, meaning that any funds raised in my year will need to be audited before their end of year dispersement is agreed with the Trustees; I along with Council, have reacted appropriately, when any requests have been made to quickly commit significant funding. You too may encounter attempts to solicit quicker commitments from the Club.

Our project working with Cleeve Vale, Cheltenham and Future, on the joint local grants scheme went very well, I will continue to keep up that relationship. In addition to running another joint round of local grants, the idea was proposed at our October meeting, to resurrect Sunrise's 'Last Night of the Proms', as a joint project, in two years time. Any ideas on this subject, lessons learnt, please let me know.

With last month's generous announcement by Kevin of a targeted 23/24 roll-over, our Small and Local grant applications are now available. Copies are on our website. Members who

already knew of possible applicants have been emailed and I will bring some leaflets to the Carol Service.

Young Chef Competition Gwynne Tucker-Brown

I was contacted by Adrienne Ford, who teaches Food Nutrition at Balcarras School, last month. She previously worked at a school in Bristol and was involved in ‘Young Chef’ competitions with a Rotary Club there. She expressed an interest in running an event in Cheltenham with our Club.

I set up a meeting with her this week and together with Anne Bartholomew we visited Balcarras. Adrienne is a very enthusiastic teacher and I would think inspirational for the children. The facilities were amazing with 2 large well equipped kitchens. So we are now involved with Balcarras, Adrienne will select potential candidates and the first heats will be run in School next month.

Anne Bartholomew’s experience both as an ex- governor and teacher has been invaluable as I had only heard of the competition and had no experience of participating. So hopefully we can hold the heats together with Leckhampton High School and Winchcombe next month. The other schools will be invited to put forward 2 candidates. Then a winner and a runner up will be selected to go forward to the next round. Small prizes will be given.

It is so good for our club to be involved in a Youth Competition.

Help outside of RCCN Richard Purdon

Fireworks with the Round Table

On Friday 9th November, 14 members assembled at Cheltenham Racecourse to help

marshal, steward and escort at the very successful event.

The Night was crisp and dry, and a large crowd attended. The income generated was £115,000, and after expenses over £60,000 was made to distribute to local charities. 5 external organisations helped to support the event. So we hope we will receive a payment into our Trust Account as is previous years.

So a big thank you is due to those who were able to come and enjoy the event.

Love our Turf at the Racecourse at Cheltenham Festival is being held between Tuesday

March 11th and Friday 14th March 2025.

For the 3rd year running I am being asked to provide 40 stewards – 10 per day – for the racing at the Festival.

The details are as previously known. This time I have agreed that the fee will be £125 per person per shift. Again entry, and parking if required, will be supplied free.

So if any members, friends or relatives fancy doing a shift, then please let me know by Friday 10th January next year. I would like to know numbers before I travel to sunnier climates!!

I have invited another Rotary Club this year as I have only managed to get 27 to volunteer previously.

Wine Festival Steve Wood/ Maureen McVitty

Early Bird Tickets

We are releasing the tickets for the 5th April 2025 Wine Festival on the 1st December 2024 to enable you to purchase tickets as Christmas gifts, raffle prizes or for yourselves taking advantage of the "Early Bird" reduction of 20% on the price of each ticket available only for the month of December. To purchase a ticket please go to our website http://www.cheltenhamwinefestival.uk/ entering the code December24 when prompted.

The Festival will take place as stated on 5th April 2025 at the Cheltenham Ladies College Fitness Centre Function Room Malvern Road Cheltenham, GL50 2NX. There will be two sessions 12pm to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm.

Anyone who intends to taste should purchase a ticket.

Carol Concert Gill Rouse

Leckhampton School have been amazing and have sold 200 tickets and possibly 250.

We have had £500 sponsorship form Renishaw, £500 from Uncle Bill’s charity and £100 from the Co-op.

We would ask that if you manage to sit in the hall and see the majority of the concert that you kindly purchase a ticket. Those who work flat out the whole time need not do this. Tickets are available on line from https://buytickets.at/rccn/1391331

Thank you to all those who have managed to sell tickets – I know how difficult it can be.

Christmas Dinner

Monday 2nd December is our Christmas Dinner with partners. Dress code is Black Tie. Members are encouraged to wear rotary regalia.

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Sat, Nov 30th 2024 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Belmont School Fayre

Cheltenham North Rotarians are supporting the Belmont School Fayre by serving Refreshments and overseeing the Car Parking

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Mon, Dec 2nd 2024 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Christmas Dinner with Partners and Guests at the Queens Hotel

The Club Christmas Dinner with Partners and Guests at the Queens Hotel. Special Christmas Menu see "Details". Choices by 20/11 Plus Entertainment by a Singing group of Ukulele players. This is a "Black Tie" event. Host Nigel Gilhead

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Mon, Dec 16th 2024 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the Queens Hotel

A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker at the Queens Hotel. The Guest Speaker Phil Collins will give a talk on "The History of Punch and Judy" See "Details" for Menu Host Liz Jones

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Tue, Dec 17th 2024 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Rotary Carol Concert at the Ladies College

The 46th Annual Carol Concert organised by Members of Cheltenham North Rotary Club will take place on the 17th December at the Princess Hall Ladies College. Details on Participants and Ticket Purchase see website

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Mon, Jan 6th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting & Presentations at Queens Hotel

A Club Meeting at the Queens Hotel Community Grant Presentation to Cass and Friends Plus update to Members by John Phillip on Health & Safety/First Aid aspects at Club Events. Host Bill Macleod

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Mon, Jan 20th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker at Queens Hotel

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker at the Queens Hotel The Speaker Carolyne will give a talk on "A417 The Missing Link" Host Maureen Mcvitty

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Wed, Jan 29th 2025 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Club Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting to be held at Cheltenham Whaddon Bowling Club.

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Mon, Feb 3rd 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker at Queens Hotel

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker at the Queens Hotel The Speaker is the District Governor Drewe Lacey. See "Details" for Menu Host Nigel Gilhead