Ryde Rotary Party On The Green 2014

RYDE ROTARY CLUB'S PARTY ON THE GREEN JULY 2014

It was a fantastic weekend of family entertainment and a great advertisement for Rotary, it went like this:

Following Neil Gurney's negotiation with Peter Pans playground they kindly gave the assistance of a free temporary electric supply and to supply and staff a 9 meter by 6 meter inflatable slide to add a bit more to the event.

On the Friday morning of the weekend Neil Gurney installed and tested the temporary electric supply he carried out the final planning of the site and took delivery of arena barriers that were supplied by Sydnams through David Langdon.

Early on Saturday in a well orchestrated plan, a team of very enthusiastic volunteers helped to errect Vic Vines wonderful tent, set out the arena barriers and put up our Gazibos for the side stalls.

Tables and chairs arranged by David Langdon were delivered and put out.

Neil Gurney installed a power distribution point, along with the lighting, emergency lighting, supplies for PA and sound, the inflatable slide, the urns, handwash, refrigeration and fans etc. which were installed and tested.

The counters delivered by David Langdon were errected by Neil Gurney, Barry Dye and Jeff Henshaw.

Hired urns and handwash were brought in by Ken Marriott, the urns were filled by our now to know as water boy Barry Dye, refrigeration sited (bottle cooler from Mike Turner, a fridge supplied by Mike Jukes and a small freezer (modified as a cold store fridge by Neil) supplied by Beryl, which were all checked and turned on. Non consumable and consumable items were supplied by Mike Turner, Peter Wellington and Ken Marriott. Mike Turner also allowed the magician and the choir to use his motor home as a base (although not all 66 at the same time). Mike actually postponed his knee operation to be at the event - incredible Rotary commitment.

The PA was set up by Neil Gurney who kept trying to tell John Busby not to stand in front of the speakers with the microphone on or to go out of range of the radio microphone (A pound for each time would have been a good fundraiser !)

Three side stalls, a raffle to win some of the many donated prizes manned by Phil Hancock on the Saturday, a throw six sixes or spin the arrow game staffed by Paul and Sandra Ferguson and the I.W. prostate awareness group that was manned by Vic Vine were manned, other private stands were also set up and run by their owners.

The counters were loaded with all donated cakes made by many Rotarians, partners and friends that were all delicious (as reported back by the punters).

On what turned out to be a very hot Saturday the entertainment programme started with PCSO Steve Hull who came along with his police car engaging the croud during the afternoon.

Rotary are working with Steve on one of his initatives called SNAP which is a safe envoiroment for young teenagers usually with a group or disco where they can meet up and socialise with other responsible groups, more will be heard about this in the next few months.

There was a Zumba Dance workshop by Nila Lloyd seen below who was with some other dancers being kept under the eye of PCSO Steve Hull.

Nigel Offers Austin 7 Club displayed several beautiful examples of vintage vehicles (Sorry no picture)

Matt Woods circus skills team enterained and taught stilt walking.

PCSO Steve Hull did some balloon modeling and even managed to lock up John Busby safely out of harms way in his Police car (Raising another 20 from Rotarians)

The Ryde Military College gave a short display that showed how they encouraged team work. (Sorry no picture)

The Childrens Fancy Dress was won by Chloe Jenkins who was dressed as a belly dancer, she is seen being awarded her winners certificate by Ryde Mayor Roi Milburn.

The Sunday was cloudier and breezier.

The non stop entertainment commenced with the energetic and very professional Stevo the Magician and Kai.

The Great Ryde Bake Off cake baking competition was judged by Mike Jukes and Stevo the magician, the winner being someone called John Earl (Think Busby -  ONE MORE PICTURE THEN).

Stevo the Magician and Kai contined to entertain with magic and games, which included reading texts that were on people's phones and getting John Busby's face touched up by some budding young artists.

The 65 strong Vox Pop choir sang two sets, they were excellent and they ate cake.

Where did Paul Wilks get that hat and shorts, where was Carol ?

A lot of Rotarians and partners chipped in before and over the weekend but we must mention the babes in the tea tent Beryl Ely, her friend Linda, Pauline Fawdry & Carol Jukes who served throughout from 1.00 to 6.00 pm on both days, a great effort that provided the bulk of the weekends takings.

At 6pm sharp the take down went ahead and went with military precision to be completed by 7pm.

A final and biggest thanks go to Mike Jukes who after the Club had notice of the cancellation of the Regatta by the Ryde Town Council strove to get permission to run this alternative event, having only four months to put the plans into operation made a fantastic effort in achiving so much that was well appreciated by all those locals and holiday makers who attended.

Apart from supplying the electric free Peter Pans also contributed £200 from the takings on the slide helping to boost the amount we raised to around 1300 over the two days.

So here's to bigger and even better next year?