Bulletin for June 2025

                                                  Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

                                                                   June 2025 Bulletin

Our lives are the sum total of the choices we have made Camus

A word from our incoming President David Hearle

Hi everyone It is a fortnight away from my Inauguration as your President for 2025/26. I have enjoyed my year as Vice President immensely but its ending has been saddened by the passing of Nereide. I am taking over from Nigel who has been an excellent President and I intend to continue his approach to helping small local charities through our Community Grant Scheme. I do not wish to pre-empt my inauguration speech here - suffice it to say that our lovely Club will continue to thrive and we can all be proud of the work we have done and continue to do. David President Elect

Nereide Gilhead RIP John & Beth Phillip

With immense sadness we record the death of Nereide, the wife of our President Nigel.

Nereide had a very interesting life and many careers. Having trained as an Advanced Cordon Bleu chef she then worked all over Europe and the USA before opening her own restaurant in Battersea.

Shortly after marrying Nigel, he was posted to America where Nereide trained as a Ceramics Conservator. On their return to England, she worked for the National Trust, large country estates, insurance companies and ran her own conservation business. She returned to college to take a diploma in business administration but decided she needed a creative outlet in her life so began to paint the plants in her two-acre garden. She enhanced her skills in botanical illustration under the instruction of various tutors, principally the RHS Gold Medallist Ros Franklin. Her work was of a sufficiently high standard to be welcomed into The Spetchley Gardens Florilegium. She was also a member of the Gloucestershire Society of Botanical Illustration and Stoulton Art Group. In May 2024, Nereide was awarded a Society of Botanical Artists diploma in Botanical Art achieving a Credit.

Her multitude of friends will long mourn her departure and offer Nigel and his family their heartfelt condolences.

Felicity Stone RIP Rosanne Cole

It was with sadness we heard of the sudden death of Felicity Stone.

Felicity was the wife of Peter Stone, our Club President 1997/1978.

Peter having been Ross’s Vice President 1976/1977.

Felicity came to Cheltenham when her parents moved here from Birmingham. She was a clever girl and elected to join Watterson Moore as an articled clerk, she subsequently qualified as a solicitor. It was at Watterson Moore that she met Peter. Felicity was an able assistant to Peter during his Presidency when he organised a survey of local Cheltenham charities.

It was a particular shock to the Ladies Who Lunch as Felicity had been at our recent lunch where she was excellent company. We always enjoyed her company at our Concerts and Christmas Dinner. We will miss her.

Felicity’s Service of Thanksgiving was held at Cheltenham Minister where Felicity acted as a Volunteer. Janet Keenan and I attended. It was a beautiful, thoughtful service with the Baritone Steven Whitforth singing superbly a very moving ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.

Foundation Richard Purdon

Following on from last month's piece:

The support that our Rotary Cub gives to our foundation

When I transferred to Chetenham North we used to add £35 on to our annual subscription. We also greaty supported End Polio Now in he early 2010s. In myb year as DG in 2016/17 we een hosted a tea party with entertainment at Highnam Court. And over the hyears I have arranged for the Club to participate in District Grants up to £750. We have had 4 of these for Belmont School, School in a Bag, For the community Vehicle we funded in 2020/21 and finally National Star in the major refurbishment of theoir new rooms.

In the past 3 Rotary Years plus the club decided not to support the annual Fund but I would be happy to run a small event for the End Polio Now initiative.

The brief to the Foundation Committee for 2025/6

Does the club wish to reflect on its stance as currently agreed. Namelt the committee to report back any significant updates to members. Or, would the members like to discuss whether the committee should be more pro-active in arranging an activity as the Community Team and International Group.

Ability Drive – National Star Kevin Gwilliam

Janet Keenan and I visited National Star college last earlier this month to see the Ability Drive in Action and to see the presentation plaque.

To remind you, we donated £6750 towards this special wheelchair.

We were both overcome with what this piece of equipment can do for the students in terms of freedom. By use of the student eyes it can control movement of the wheelchair with great accuracy - left, right, forward and back. It also allows the

user to communicate through eye contact with the key board to type out a sentence and to communicate it.

This is certainly fantastic piece of equipment that will change students that use it - freedom of independent movement.

District Handover

Please contact Anne for further information.

Afternoon / morning out

Would any be interested in having a guided tour of Stanway House? If you are, please email me and just say ‘yes’. I will then find out more details gill.rouse3@btinternet.com

Future Events Clive O’Gorman

Mon, Jun 2nd 2025 at 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Club Meeting with Partners and Guests plus Speaker.

A Club Meeting with Partners and Guests plus Guest Speaker NOTE LUNCHTIME MEETING AT COTSWOLD HILLS GOLF CLUB NOTE 12:30 for 1PM. Speaker Paul Barnett on "Journey of A H Hook from Gloucestershire to Rorkes Drift." Host John Phillip

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Sat, Jun 7th 2025 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

District Assembly and Handover

The District Assembly and Handover will be held at the Holiday Inn Gloucester. Note Timings to be finalised.