Weekly Meeting 12 October 2015

Weekly Meeting, Monday 12 October 2015: 

Our Secretary, David Lister announced the birthday of Alison Munn and confirmed we will be inducting another new member at next week’s meeting, Marlene Burnham, Ex Mayor of Deal.

He also told us the average age of Club members had reduced to 72 years and 2 months!

Treasurer Ian Draper will be giving an interesting talk next week on the M R Dunn Fund.

Monday's meeting welcomed the return visit of Hythe’s Immediate Past President Ken Berkin, where we had 27 Club members in attendance, plus our guest. Ken Birkin updated the club on the work they have been doing to provide a much needed midwifery service to a Ugandan village, and surrounding area. An ante natal facility has been built on donated land, and a full time midwife has been employed to staff the clinic. In addition, drugs are being administered that reduce the chance to 5% of an HIV positive mother passing on the virus to the unborn baby. 

President Barry Baxter presented an award to Rtn John Morris for new member recruitment – a special Rotary lapel badge, with a blue background.

On Wednesday of last week President Barry Baxter, along with 4 Deal Rotarians and 2 of their guests, joined a wider party for a visit to the Tower of London for the “Ceremony Of The Keys”. This is the traditional locking up of the Tower of London and has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years. The group had an entertaining and educational tour and monies raised from this event has enabled a donation of  £80 to be presented to the Prostate Cancer Association.

President Barry Baxter together with Yeoman Warder Steve McMenamy, an ex military colleague of Barry's, who hosted the event for us:

John Utting, Chair of Deal's international committee, raised awareness of the immediate difficulties being faced by Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) as they see an increased number of unaccompanied minors arriving in Kent. Urgent funds are required to provide much needed support, food and shelter. A collection amongst members, during the lunchtime meeting, raised £177.00 towards the cause.  The funds have been sent to Rotary District 1120, with a request the money is donated exclusively to 'KRAN', providing pastoral aid to abandoned, unaccompanied children and young people under the age of 18 years

The Deal & District 200 Club will be holding their grand draw on Thursday 15th October at 7pm at the Deal Victoria & Barns Close Cricket Club, Salisbury Rd, Walmer. The major prize will be a cheque for £5000, with many other valuable prizes to be won during the evening. The evening is open to all, admission is free and a licence bar will be available.

There was one 200 Club winner Mrs G Wordsworth of Pett Bottom near Canterbury 

The next meeting will be held on Monday the 19^th October at Dunkerleys Restaurant, 13:00.