Bulletin for February 2025

                                              Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

                                                           February 2025 Bulletin

Roger Grimshaw RIP Rosanne Cole

Roger sadly passed away on Wednesday 15th January following a sudden major heart

attack. This was despite the best efforts of the cream of Cheltenham consultants

who were attending the Thanksgiving Service for Geoff Fox. Roger had just

given a wonderful tribute to our friend Geoff.

Roger was a local lad who had attended Dean Close School. It was there that

Roger and Ross met as small boys. Their friendship continued until Ross died in 2023.

It was with much pleasure that Ross introduced his friend Roger to the Rotary Club of Cheltenham North in 1973. Roger has been a stalwart supporter of the Club for over fifty years. He served as President in 1987/1988, 2002/2003 and again in 2006/2007 when he shared the presidency with Geoff. Many happy hours have been spent in his company at Rotary events. I can name the highly alcoholic trips to the Rotary Club of Mons Sud in Belgium, and Friendship Tours to the Rotary Club of Budapest-Margitziget and to Russia. It wasn’t all fun and games – Roger was a hard working member of our Club and was awarded a Paul Harris Award. He was instrumental in helping transform the Club to a twice monthly, twilight club with ladies. This move was despite strong opposition from R.I. and local D.Gs! Roger and Paddy have been very generous in letting RCCN use their barn for our International Committee Curry Lunches, as indeed they have for many non Rotary events.

Outside Rotary Roger was very involved in Tredington and Stoke Orchard Village affairs.

Roger has been a major fundraiser for projects in his community including Tredington Village Hall. The restoration of the medieval wall paintings in Stoke Orchard Church

happened entirely due to Roger’s persistent efforts. One of his claims to fame was being Tredington Snow Warden. He was busy activating his team during our recent

freezing January weather – the team are ready to go should the snow arrive.

Roger was a loving family man and will be greatly missed by Paddy and their daughters

Lucinda, Joanna and Wendy, their families, friends and fellow Rotarians.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Roger’s Life is being held on

Friday 7th March at 1 p.m. at Tewkesbury Abbey and afterwards at Tewkesbury Park Hotel.

Carol Concert Update

I am delighted to inform you that the proceeds from the Carol Concert amount to £5743.15. Well done everyone and thank you for your support.

Rotary Young Chef Competition Gwynne Tucker-Brown

I was approached by Mrs Adrienne Ford who teaches Food Nutrition at Balcarras School. She was interested in entering some of her students for the Young Chef competition. She had been involved with the competition at her previous school in Bristol so understood the requirements. I was very interested so a date was arranged for November 19th. and Adrienne was to approach other schools to see if they were interested. Unfortunately as the District Competition was arranged for January 18th. it was felt that although the other schools were interested the notice was too short to put students forward. The other schools expressed interest in taking part next time.

The competition required 2 judges, Rosanne was one and Rob Knight, a chef was the other.

Although 3 students were supposed to take part, in the end only 2 were able to make it, both from Balcarras School. The competition was held at Balcarras School in their extremely well equipped kitchen.

For the competition they had to buy their ingredients and cook a 2 course meal in a set time and then present it . The judges were watching their preparation and tasted the prepared dishes and then conferred afterwards. Awards were made for the winner and the runner up.

I was able to attend and found it so interesting, the competitors were both girls, one aged 14 and the other 16. They were both so confident showing their skills . Obviously Food Nutrition has moved on since my days of Domestic Science where I learnt to scrub a deal table and make cornflour mold !!

The winner then went on to the District competition held at The Cotswold School where there were 5 competitors. They came from Bourton, Stroud and Kingsholm, the Rotarians who were sponsoring them were also present They again showed such confidence and skill also very sophisticated presentation of their dishes. The judges were 2 chefs from local restaurants.

It was a real eye opener for me and again most enjoyable. We were allowed to taste the food afterwards !! I was not allowed in the kitchen during the competition. Anne Bartholomew was there with her District hat and Lucy Thornton District Youth Lead. The winner of this competition was from The Cotswold School and will now go on to the next competition which is a cluster of 3 districts.

All in all it was an excellent exercise showing what the young are capable of and I was very pleased to be involved.

Wine Festival

You can still purchase your wine festival tickets at a discounted price. Go to cheltenhamwinegfestival.uk and enter Rotary25 when prompted. The offer will eng at the end of January so you need to be quick.

Farewell

A resignation letter has been received from Mrs Diane Mills.

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

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. Host Nigel Gilhead

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Thu, Feb 6th 2025 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Club Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting to be held at Cheltenham Whaddon Bowling Club. NOTE CHANGE OF DATE TO 6th FEBRUARY

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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" Host Clive O'Gorman

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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" Host Steven Mills

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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 Host Rosanne Cole

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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 See website for more information.

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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 website for more information and the purchase of tickets that are now on sale.

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Mon, Apr 7th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker at the Queens Hotel

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker at the Queens Hotel. The Speaker Sarah Avery Down will speak on "The history and work of the School House Cafe in St. Paul's Cheltenham. Host Linda Pawley

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Mon, Apr 21st 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting CANCELLED

The Club Meeting is cancelled as it is a Bank Holiday.

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Mon, Apr 28th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker at the Queens HotelA Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker at the Queens Hotel NOTE THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL MEETING DUE TO THE BANK HOLIDAYS. The Speaker is Nigel Thompson who will give a talk on "Gloucestershire Blue Plaque Holders" Host Beth Phillip