Bulletin for March 2026

                                                   Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

                                                               March 2026 Bulletin

From The President David Hearle

“February is exiting the door with a spell of lovely Spring weather. March now beckons and the best time of the year is ahead.

Thank you everyone for all your work over this winter especially the organising of the Carol Concert and the Snowdrops Saturday. If I may single out names obviously Gill and Vivien spring to mind but also our newest inductees Loveth and Solomon who helped enthusiastically at both events.

Also a spring time welcome to Eddie who has joined our Club from Blaby, Leicestershire.”

Biography Loveth Nwaka

Loveth was aware that many of us could not hear her properly at our last meeting. She has very kindly written the words below for the bulletin.

I was born and raised in Nigeria as the third of six children. I studied Human Anatomy at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, graduating in 2020 after pandemic-related delays. In 2022, I completed national service with the Enugu State Ministry of Health, serving in the Emergency Department. My professional path later expanded into Assisted Reproductive Medicine, where I trained and practised as an Andrologist and Clinical Embryologist, combining laboratory science with patient-centred care.

Creatively inclined, I also design Nigeria traditional garments as a seamstress. I relocated with my husband to Cheltenham on a study visa. And I look forward to serving this new community/family and contributing meaningfully through fellowship and service.

District Conference 17th - 19th April, 2026 DG Anne Bartholomew

'Thank you to those who have already signed up to attend the Conference. We have team Meeting on Friday 27th February, so more updates to follow, particularly in relation to any stewarding arrangements. I am honoured and appreciate any support from Cheltenham North Rotarians, as I know you all work so hard.'

Happy World Rotary Day 23rd February 2026

Celebrating 121 year of Rotary

Taken from the RIBI Members Newsletter:

On February 23rd we celebrated Rotary around the world! World Rotary Day marks the date Paul Harris founded the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. Over the 121 years that have followed, Rotary has connected millions of people, building one of the most powerful forces for doing good in the world. Together, our members continue to bring to life the vision for Rotary: a network of changemakers dedicated to transforming the communities we call home.

Snowdrop Teas Vivien Barr

Saturday February 14th at Colesbourne was a warm and sunny day for our fundraising stint with over 800

visitors expected , (but not all have refreshments)

We set up our operations with 52 cakes and fruit loaves, many sausage rolls and plaits, and prepared

quite a few Ploughman's plates in the kitchen.

By mid afternoon there was nothing left except hot and cold drinks!

According to the Zettle records we served almost 400 slices of cake, and over 100 sausage rolls and

slices of plaits, and served just over 500 hot and cold drinks.

Thanks to our rota of helpers, which included visiting four family members, the constant stream of

visitors were welcomed with excellent fare and we received any compliments of the variety of cakes.

The 7 Explorer Scouts and their leader worked hard with the collection of used crockery and the washing

up which made our job easier and they were very helpful.

My most sincere thanks to ALL of you who helped in any way to make the day so successful. It was hard

work but very rewarding.

We have raised £2,339.50 for our Rotary Funds, and this will be put to supporting good causes in due

course, a tremendous result.

Ladies Who Lunch

Rosanne & Gwynne are holding a soup, cake and coffee lunch at

4 Thorncliffe Drive on Wednesday 25th March from 12.30 p.m.

There is no charge for lunch, however if you would like to

make donation for Shelterbox that would be much appreciated.

Our last lunch raised £230 for this charity. Very many thanks to the

ladies who so kindly made soup and baked.

Christmas Concert Gill Rouse

Plans are progressing for the Christmas Concert on Wednesday 16th December 2026. This year it will

feature the Gloucestershire Constabulary Silver Band together with the children from Leckhampton

School.

Rotary Crocus Nigel Gilhead

The crocus bulbs we planted with St Mary Primary School, two years

ago, are now flowering in Sandford Park, by the Keynsham Road Gate.

The next batch was planted late last year by the Friends of Sandford

Park, near the Chelt path behind the Alehouse. That display will form

part of the Gottigen Garden.

News from Cheltenham Future Rotary Club Tony Pawley

The Club continues to slowly increase its membership. The most recent joiner, Simon, gave an enjoyable biographical talk, conveying interesting aspects of his early life, the RAF, his subsequent career including his current consultancy job in Cheltenham, and his family.

Simon and President Nigel & Ruth will be marshalling for the National Star Sunrise Walk around the Cotswolds on Sunday 12th April - briefing 4:45am!

The Club continues to grapple with the typical twin challenges: which charities to support, and how to raise funds with relatively few members, all with busy lives. There are many competing events: beer/wine festivals, fun runs, swimathons, concerts … I am confident that solutions will be found, but they will take time.

Tony's Trivia

Thought for the Month: when the game is over, the King and the Pawn go into the same box. Italian proverb

As a would-be author, I've written my autobiography, but I can't get anyone to publish it – it's the story of my life.

Question of the Month: where do you find 4,159 bottoms?

on Ordnance Survey maps of Britain.

Question: why do British people always carry a tea bag with them?

in case they get into hot water.

The Animal Kingdom: in Shropshire, there are 65 chickens for each inhabitant.

I wanted to go to yoga but the class cost £20 - I couldn’t stretch to that.

If you’d like to talk about my shoddy joinery work, my door is always open.

When Linda complained that I was imitating a flamingo, I put my foot down.

In linguistics, a ‘false friend’ is a word in one language that looks or sounds similar to a word in another language, but differs significantly in meaning:

English – embarrassed / Spanish – embarazado: pregnant

English – parents / Portuguese – parentes: relatives / Italian – parenti: relatives

English – demand / French – demander: ask

English – gift / German – Gift: poison / Norwegian – gift: married [my favourite]

A real-life story on Kissen and Küsse next time.

And finally: those who recall my piece on time travel in the June 2037 Bulletin may remember that I don't believe in the concept.

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Mon, Mar 2nd 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker Rachel Nelson who will talk on " Applying to American Universities: What it takes to cross the Pond" See "details for more info. Partners and Guests are welcome at all Club meetings Host Michael Jones Menu See Website

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Tue, Mar 10th 2026 at 11:00 am - Sat, Mar 14th 2026 - 7:00 pm

Cheltenham Racing Festival Volunteers needed

Volunteers required for "Love Thy Turf" to act as Stewards at the Cheltenham Racing Festival. Contact Richard Purdon for Details.

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Mon, Mar 16th 2026 at 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm

Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting at the Queens Hotel prior to Club Meeting.

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Mon, Mar 16th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker. Paul Murphy who will speak on “The life and times of Neil Sedaka”. Paul is a regular speaker at our Club and a Rotarian being a member of Cheltenham Club. Partners and Guests are welcome. Host Steven Mills. Menu TBA Partners and Guests Welcome.

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Thu, Mar 26th 2026 at 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Ladies who Lunch Event.

The "Ladies who Lunch" are holding another Luncheon, please contact Rosanne or Gwynne for more information.

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Mon, Apr 6th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting Cancelled BANK HOLIDAY

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Wed, Apr 8th 2026 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting with Janet. Note Time

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Fri, Apr 17th 2026 at 9:00 am - Sun, Apr 19th 2026 - 1:00 pm

District Conference 2025/2026

The District Conference "Building a Future with Rotary" will be held at the Bank House Hotel Bransford (between Worcester and Malvern) Note Outline programme see Website

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Mon, Apr 20th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

Club Meeting with a Guest Speaker. Jack Peake a Chartered Geotechnical Engineer will speak on the Challenges of the A417 upgrade. See Website for more info. and the menu. Host Clive O'Gorman. Partners and Guests Welcome.

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Mon, Apr 27th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting plus Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting Plus a Guest Speaker Rob who will speak on the History of the Playhouse Theatre. NOTE THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL MEETING DUE TO BANK HOLIDAYS. Host Tony Pawley Menu TBA. Partners and Guests Welcome

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Mon, May 4th 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting CANCELLED BANK HOLIDAY