Bulletin January 2025

                                                    Rotary Club of Cheltenham

                                                              January 2025 Bulletin

Geoffrey Fox RIP Gill Rouse

Geoff very sadly passed away at home on the 18th December following a cerebral vascular incident ( a stroke affecting the brain). He was surrounded by all his family. He had been looking forward to his 90th birthday this coming April but unfortunately it was not to be.

Geoff came to Cheltenham as a newly appointed ENT consultant in the late 1960s and and Mike and I met him and Jill when we arrived in Cheltenham in January 1971. We were not to know then that our friendship would grow and develop over the next fifty plus years. We shared many happy holidays together and were there for each other in the difficult times as well as the good.

Geoff was a very likeable, friendly and helpful person who was also extremely loyal. He enjoyed playing squash and later took up golf joining Cotswold Hills Golf Club on his retirement. He was active member of the Gloucestershire Branch of the BMA and was an early member of the Rotary Club of Cheltenham North joining in 1973 – one year after the club was founded. Geoff was President of RCCN in 1980/81, 1999/2000, 2006/2007 with Roger Grimshaw and again in 2021/2022. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and a keen promoter of Rotary. For many years he organised the carol concert in the Town Hall and played a major part in keeping the club viable when membership numbers fell in 2006/7.

A keen Welsh rugby supporter he was a frequent visitor to Cardiff Arms Park.

When LINC started in 1998 Geoff was one of our first Trustees and was a strong supporter of the charity until he resigned in 2023.

Latterly Geoff joined the Cheltenham Probus group and enjoyed the weekly lectures.

He will be greatly missed by so many people and I know you join me in sending our deepest sympathy to Jill and the family.

0 v

Carol Concert Gill Rouse

Another successful evening but not without its problems. We were short of marshals, half of the VIPs did not turn up, the organist arrived with the wrong shoes – it is difficult to play the correct pedals with normal shoes – he usually wears a narrower version when he is playing. Despite all these difficulties everything went very smoothly. John and Duncan worked extremely hard stage managing the whole event, Beth took charge of the marshals that were present, Vivien oversaw the teas and coffees and Michael Jones and Mike Bone poured the wine. Michael Rouse climbed the balcony stairs to take the photographs.

The Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra were a great success as were the children from Leckhampton Junior School. Our two soloists, Imogen and Harriet were an absolute delight. So much talent, it was a real privilege to hear them.

I estimate we sold over 450 tickets but I do not have any figures as yet. We have a debrief meeting on the 6th December when I hope more information will be available. Our current concert committee have been running this event for a few years now and the formula seems to work Thank you to everyone who helped in any way.

We also wish the very best for Nereide.

Photos of the concert are on the website.

Young Musician Competition

Do you know anyone who plays a musical instrument and is Grade 6 or above

Please contact Gwynne for any further information.

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

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 we will be holding a British Heart Foundation "Defibrillator Awareness session". See website for more information S Host Nigel Gilhead

__________________________________

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" See website for Menu Host Maureen Mcvitty

__________________________________

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.

__________________________________

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 website for Menu Host Nigel Gilhead

____________________________________

Mon, Feb 17th 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 Caroline Pover will give a talk on "Japan and the Tsunami" See website for Menu Host Diane Mills

_________________________________

Mon, Mar 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 David Aldred who will give a talk on "Re-Writing the History of Cleeve Hill" See website for menu

Host Steven Mills

________________________________

Tue, Mar 11th 2025 at 12:00 pm - Fri, Mar 14th 2025 - 5:00 pm

Love Our Turf

Cheltenham North Rotarians along with other Organisations are supporting the Cheltenham Racing Festival by acting as Stewards

___________________________________

Mon, Mar 17th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Partners and Guests plus Speaker at the Queens Hotel

A Club Meeting with Partners and Guests plus Guest Speaker at the Queens Hotel. The Speaker Luke Simon CEO will give an update on "School in a Bag" See website for Menu Host Clive O'Gorman

___________________________________

Sat, Mar 22nd 2025 at 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Celebration of Rotary Day A District Conference

A District Conference entitled "A Celebration of Rotary Day" at the Hatherley Manor Hotel. Details available from the Secretary.

__________________________________

Sat, Apr 5th 2025 at 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Cheltenham Wine Festival

The Cheltenham Wine Festival will take place at the Ladies College Health and Fitness Centre Malvern Road. GL502NX. on 5th April 2025 See "Details" for more information and the purchase of tickets that are now on sale.