Bulletin for February 2026

                                                     Rotary Club of Cheltenham North

                                                             February 2026 Bulletin

District Conference Gill Rouse

Are you free on Saturday 18th April 2026? Can we show Anne some support by getting a group together to go for the day? It’s only in Worcester and it would mean so much. We could hire a mini bus if we have enough people. Please let me know if you are interested.

Small Grants Nigel Gilhead

Having decided that several applications needed a further submission, I was delighted to by tasked with following up on a promising application, part of an ongoing project by Benhall Infant School PTA.

Stage 1: An enclosed area had been recently cleared with the help of volunteer parents, to allow give the children an opportunity to learn about the wild world on their doorstep.

Stage 2: A resource shed to store kit

Stage 2a: A shelter

Their application was for the resource shed, as a priority for the new year.

Having seen the enclosure and met two enthusiastic staff who were about to supervise a class of cheerful children, I gave very positive feedback, to the committee.

A grant of £750 was subsequently processed, and the cheque delivered. Clive has kindly put that picture on the website.

Snowdrops

Hopefully we will have good weather on Saturday 14th February when our club is providing the refreshments for the Snowdrop Open Day at Colesburne. Thank you to everyone who has promised to bake a cake or two and to those providing savoury items. Vivien will be in touch with the day’s timetable and we look forward to seeing you all there. We also have the help of six scouts who have volunteered to help with the washing up etc. with their leader, Sarah Hick.

Dates of future fundraising events:

1. Wine Festival Saturday 31 October 2026

2. Christmas Concert Wednesday 16th December 2026

Future Programme Clive O’Gorman

Feb 2nd 2026 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with Guest Speaker Ed Tucker Brown (Son of Gwynne) who will give a talk on "Exploring the real Madagascar" Host Liz Jones

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Fri, Feb 6th 2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Club Council Meeting

A Club Council Meeting. With Janet.

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Sat, Feb 14th 2026 at 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Teas for Snowdrops at Colesbourne Gardens, Colesbourne Park.

Cheltenham North Rotarians are providing Refreshments at Colesbourne Gardens in the Snowdrops season. Proceeds raised in support of Rotary Charities. See website for location etc.

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

Club Meeting with Guest Speaker

A Club meeting with a Guest Speaker. Host Michael Jones Menu See website

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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 website for more info. . Host Janet Keenan Menu TBA

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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 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Club Meeting with Partners and Guests and Guest Speaker

A Club Meeting with Partners and Guests and a Guest Speaker. Paul Murphy 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. Host Steven Mills Menu TBA

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

Club Meeting Cancelled BANK HOLIDAY

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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 timings and details of events TBA.

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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 TBA. Host Clive O'Gorman

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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

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

Club Meeting CANCELLED BANK HOLIDAY

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