Club Meeting: Monday 25th February 2019

Mon, Feb 25th 2019 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Induction of Marion Dinwoodie & Speaker Peter Georgiadis

Club Meeting: Monday 25th February 2019 -

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President Elect Robin Taylor inducted our new Member Marion Dinwoodie. Marion was sponsored by Amanda Cottrell. She was born in Glasgow and her father's family had a garage.

At primary school she was the yoyo champion! She attended the same grammar school as Ann Hardie, in the same year but a different class. She joined the hospital pharmacy department and went on the National Council of Pharmacists at the age of 22. She moved to Islington and then Harrow.

She then went into NHS General Management. Marion has spent time in Washington and then moved to the North East of England to work, as her mother was ill.

She moved back to Kent where she held her last position prior to retirement 3 years ago. Marion's mentor will be Sue Sleet and she will serve on the Community Service Committee.

President Elect Robin then introduced our speaker for the evening Peter Georgiadis. Peter is a member of Tenterden Rotary Club and was once principal double-bassist with many orchestras and would eventually become interested in knowing more about the instruments which had so often surrounded him. In 1977 he decided to stop playing and became a dealer.

His invaluable experience as a player became a great attribute, as he could offer advice on instrument selection to colleagues, one professional to another. Over the last twenty years he has supplied double basses to many famous orchestras from all over the world as well as to some of the world's greatest jazz musicians.

Sales average around one hundred instruments per year. Peter told us many stories about the famous conductors he had worked with and about his time in Iceland where they have the highest incidence of alcoholism in the world!

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New Home for the Club

We will move our meetings to The Ashford Holiday Inn North from 25th March.

The 'Rotary and Friends' team prepared boxes for distribution by Ashford Food Bank, as usual, this week. Well done!

12th August saw members enjoying a convivial evening after President Alan Jose showed us round the Charing Crematorium.

Bryan Gipps, Director of Music, St Mary’s Church, Ashford, is presented with a cheque by Sue Brown from London Beach Hotel Tenterden, with Rotary President, Alan Jose. This donation will go towards the Church Organ Restoration Fund.

REnate hands over to incoming President Alan and wishes him well

President Renate welcomes incoming President, Alan

Loren Regan Regional Fundraiser accepts donation

Loren Regan Regional Fundraiser presented with a donation cheque

Bryan, Mark, Carol Ann are congratulated by Renate at the close of the event.

Charity Concert success as 3 top musicians entertain an excited audience in Ashford's St Mary Church

President Alan Jose welcomes new members Delphine Stewart and Wilfred Mwiti

The Mayor of Ashford with President Renate

Mayor Larry Krause told us about his early life in Australia and how he now supports local Charities: 'The Friends of William Harvey' and 'Men in Sheds'

President Renate and member (and Treasurer) Stuart McRae

Member Stuart McRae tells the Club abut his life and the lucky breaks that have helped him and his wife through a successful and happy life.

The Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Callum Knowles, Ashford Rotary President, Amanda Cottrell and Leader of the Council, Cllr. Gerry Clarkson open the shelter

The Rotary Club of Ashford's Community Shelter at Conningbrook Lakes Country Park was opened today.

On Monday 10th January, following a frugal supper, PP Kitty Brook, her granddaughter, Kristina, and Kristina's partner, Akeem, gave a talk on 'Malcolm's Soup Kitchen'.

John Harris spoke of the work of the CWGC

Rtn Peter Gammon spoke on Criminal Law

On Sunday 26th June we ran a Charity Cream Tea Party for around 100 people in aid of President Liz's chosen Charities -'Canine Helpers' and 'Kent MS Therapy Centre'. Thanks to all who helped make it a memorable afternoon.

The Club learnt of the support given to the hearing impaired by HI Kent

President Liz Stuart-Smith received a cheque for £600.00 from the Ashford Muslim Association

The Rotary Club of Ashford join partners to collect for earthquake victims

The new Interact Club of Towers School is now up and running.

Paul Mott of McArthurGlen, Rotary President Renate Beerling, and the Mayor of Ashford, Larry Krause. Over £1,000 was made for Charity.

McArthurGlen Management teams up with the Rotary Club of Ashford to raffle prizes freely donated by many retailers at the Outlet Centre.

Lilia with some of her collection and President Liz Stewart-Smith.

We were delighted on Monday night with a talk by 12 year old Lilia who explained the meanings of Ichimatsu Ningyo, Hina Ningyo, Daruma Ningyo, Kokeshi Ningyo and Gosho Ningyo; various forms of Japanese Doll.