Bulletin for August 2025

                                                      Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

                                                                        August 2025 Bulletin

Ryla Candidate 2025 Gwynne Tucker-Brown

This year we have successfully sent a student on the RYLA course run at Storey Arms near Brecon. This is only the second candidate we have sent from RCCN to RYLA this century ! It is also the first time we have sent our choice to a multi District Course. There was a majority from South Wales, about half a dozen from our District and some from Dorset and Wiltshire .

Tommy Atkins, who was a student at Pittville School was put forward by the headmaster, Richard Gilpin to be a boy who would benefit from this course.

We had met and chatted to both Tommy and his mother prior to the course to explain what it entailed. He selected dates from 3 possible weeks when the courses are run. Rob Tyler and Hayley Ridge-Taylor run the courses and they provide excellent information covering all aspects and answering all questions. Although swimming is one of the activities there is no necessity to be able to swim ! So it is all inclusive.

Mary Ann and I collected him from home on Sunday, July 20th., and took him with his gear, a list had been sent previously, to Storey Arms the centre where the course was taking place. It was raining, being Wales, but Tommy went off quite happily ! There were 32 boys and girls between 16 -18 years of age. On the night of arrival they were placed in groups of 8 and then did their activities in this group for the 5 days. The activities included, Canoeing, Wall climbing, Forestry work to teach them leadership and team building skills.

Tommy enjoyed the course and had a good group where he felt that he had conducted himself well. He also felt that he had learnt new skills which will help him with his upcoming apprenticeship. He also said that he had been very well fed !!

Richard kindly collected him last Friday afternoon and he had a tour of the facilities at the centre. Tommy came away with a RYLA sweatshirt and a certificate of attendance.

Tommy understands that he will be invited to come to the Club with his Mum to give an account of his experiences.

The cost of sending a candidate to RYLA for a 5 day course is £475.00

Readers at Rowanfield

You are all aware of the relationship we have with Rowanfield School. Members of RCCN, plus a few others, go to the school regularly to hear the children read. At the end of the summer term there was great delight when Janet received a lego set of Red Roses from ‘her young boy’ who said he was giving the roses as lego because they would not fade.

John also had a special thank you in the form of the following card;

Boules taster session Nigel Gilhead

Tuesday 12th August at 4.30pm

Centered around the opportunity for some members to have a boules taster session, your sports committee invites members, families and friends to Sandford Park. Bring a chair and a picnic, whether, or not, you intend to try the game.

We will meet at the boules terrain in Sandford Park, near the Lido fence.

For those who want to try pitching a few, all the boules kit will be provided. In case you drop a boule, please wear shoes that cover your toes.

Scouting in Gloucestershire

Last month we had an awesome presentation from the Scouts portraying the many amazing things they do and the confidence they build in young people. Sarah Hick is in charge in this area and is also a member of Rotary Future. Her talk was on the Enigma Explorer Scout Group of which she is a volunteer.

Neil Hannon is also a volunteer and is the County Shooting Advisor. Dylan and Carina are both 16 years of age and are Enigma Explorer Scouts who also help with the younger age groups.. The Group focus on empowering young people. There is a waiting list in Cheltenham to join the scouts as there is a shortage of volunteers. Could you help or do you know someone who you could suggest. Volunteers are needed.

A group of Enigma Scouts helped at our last Wine Festival and the club gave them a grant of £500. They have spent this on new camping gear so they don’t have to borrow from anyone else. Their help at the wine festival was invaluable and we hope they will help again in October.

Garden Party Gill Rouse

Enormous thanks to Sue & Chris Jenkins who volunteered their garden for the event when sadly Vivien had to pull out. They were both extremely helpful and generous in making the day such a success. Fifty four people sat for lunch, we listened to Duncan and his 18 strings, the food was delicious, the sun shone, Flower Power reigned, the tombola made £160 – the prizes were mostly donated from Morrisons and Tescos. Sue managed to get two offers from workmen she had employed offering their time in return for a donation. These two items went in a silent auction raising £580. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way. The final figures are not yet available but I am hopeful we have raised over £1000 for local community grants.

The other good news is that Vivien’s surgery went well and she is making a steady recovery.

Corporate Members

Much has been written in the Rotary press about increasing membership by getting corporate members. I do remember we tried once before with little success but maybe the time has come to try again. I, for one, would be interested to learn how it works and what benefit it is to the company.

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Sat, Aug 2nd 2025 at 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Garden Party

On Saturday 2nd August the Concert Committee are organising a summer garden party from 12.30 – 4pm. Sue Jenkins has very kindly agreed that we may use her garden, and our own Duncan Ivory will entertain us. See "Details for info.

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Mon, Aug 4th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker at the Queens Hotel

Club Meeting on 4th August with a Guest Speaker the Speaker Katie Peake will give a talk on the "Gardens of Gloucestershire" Menu details TBA Host Mary Ann Rust

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Thu, Aug 7th 2025 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting with Janet

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Mon, Aug 18th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker Nigel Thompson who will give a talk on "Gloucestershire Blue Plaque Holders" Menu details TBA Host Gwynne Tucker Brown

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Fri, Aug 22nd 2025 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Visit to Stanway House

A Club Visit to Stanway House followed by Lunch at The Plough at Ford. See website for more information

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Mon, Sep 1st 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker the Speaker is Emma Hildesley who is Community Fund Raising Manager for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Menu details TBA Host Tony Pawley

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Mon, Sep 15th 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Speaker

Speaker will be Richard Fowler from the Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club Menu details TBA Host Steve Wood