Summary of Club Activities

CHIPPING SODBURY ROTARY CLUB

At our club handover meeting on 6^th July our outgoing President, Ian Joseph, inducted Viv Uttley as a new member. Viv was warmly welcomed by all present. Retiring Rotarian, John Harris, was presented with a Long Service Award for his 40 years’ service as a Rotarian. At the same meeting Ian handed over the chain of office to the new club President, Tim Osborne, who will now lead the club for the next twelve months. Tim congratulated his predecessor on a very successful year and felt sure that with the vibrant spirit in the club he was confident of another full and successful year ahead.

Our major fundraising event of the year, the Rotary Classic Run, now in its 30^th year, was held on 28^th June in Chipping Sodbury High Street where over 180 vehicles of varying age, size and colour lined up in the presence of a large crowd. Each vehicle was sent on its way by Sonia Williams, Mayor of Chipping Sodbury and by our club President for a 70-mile drive with a welcome midpoint break for light refreshments provided by members of Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel Club before returning to the Ridings for members of the public to view the vehicles.

In mid-June our club hosted a visit from Rotarians in Mannheim and Toulon. Various trips were arranged in Bath, culminating in a very enjoyable gala dinner on the final evening.

On 23^rd June we staged the annual Young Innovator event in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall where students from Brimsham Green and Chipping Sodbury Schools competed in seven categories, showcasing an impressive range of creativity, innovation and technical skill. A special award was presented to Daisy Palmer in recognition of her outstanding artwork. A week later our Rotary Young Chef competition was held at Brimsham Green School, involving several students who all excelled with high quality dishes, judged by Kasae Fraser.

In late June club members helped to load a shipping container with surplus NHS equipment destined for Somalia. At the recent Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club Sodfest event on the Ridings several Rotarians served beer and wine throughout the day with Rotarian Nick Cragg acting as MC.

The first ever club Swimathon will take place on 19^th and 20^th September at Yate Leisure Centre. The aim of the event is that participants from the likes of schools, companies, sports clubs  and other organisations each get together a team of up to six people, all of whom can swim at least 25 metres and, as a group, taking it in turn, can swim for 50 minutes. And, crucially, each team member has the opportunity to raise sponsorship money. Please call 07899 805880 or 07837 588362 for more information and entry forms.

TYPICAL CLUB ACTIVITIES