Weekly Meeting 07 July 2014

Weekly Meeting 07 July 2014

Twenty three members were joined by a guest speaker from the RNLI; Wallace Murray, a guest of PP Bob Joslin, talked about the functions of the organisation, their boats in comparison to the old ones like the Hampshire Rose and his role within the RNLI which was three-fold: firstly to visit schools to advise pupils about safety in the sea, secondly as a volunteer who helps out in the station and thirdly as a fund-raiser.

Wallace Murray with Bob Joslin

He stated that the present boats are for rapid response, the first being a D class lifeboat (Duggie Rodbard) that designed to work close to the shore and has a very shallow draught, which is particularly useful for beach and under-cliff operations and the B class lifeboat Donald McLauchlan, an Atlantic 85, the latest generation of rigid inflatable boat commissioned by the RNLI. The former is housed in a disguised beach hut, whilst the Atlantic 85 resides in the main station.

To read about the Walmer lifeboats click here. This is a picture of one Rotarian's wife in full lifeboat gear taken at the Walmer Parish Fete in 2011

We could run a 'spot the wife' competition.

Wallace commented that the Walmer lifeboats are not designed to venture out in severe rough seas above force 7 and suggested we watch this video to see what happens when they do.

The secretary announced that the District Rules are now on the District website dated May 2014. To save you having to log in and search for them, they are available here.

PP Mike Baxter, as chair of the Entertainments Committee, reminded those present that the annual Bat and Trap competition between Deal and Sandwich clubs is scheduled to take place at Baypoint on Thursday 31st July. There is a possibility that this date could change because it clashes with the Deal Carnival. Keep an eye on the web page which will be amended if there is any change.

The treasurer is pleased that so many members were forthcoming with their subs at the first meeting of the new Rotary year and would be even happier if those that haven't yet done so would make arrangements to do so.

PP Ken Cox made an appeal for members to contribute towards the 250 prizes that are needed for our tombola stall at the Deal Hospital Fete on Saturday 2nd August. Not all prizes need to be valuable like the bottle of wine that Pat Brown won at the weekly wine draw and kindly donated to the tombola, but he did stress that they should be new prizes not second-hand.

Council members are reminded that there is a meeting next week in the Deal Centre at 14:30pm.

Next week's meeting will have a presentation to Debbie Barry of the Deal Centre by the presidents of the Deal Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs, being the proceeds from the sponsored walk that took place on the 22nd June.

There was no 200 Club draw this week; they will continue when the 200 Club secretary returns from holiday.