A Year in Llandeilo Rotary
This describes the year 2016- 2017 in the Rotary Year to date
2016 started with President Ken Griffiths at the helm. The club's charitable giving started on the 7th January with Immediate Past President Kevin Sivyer presenting a cheque of £1000 to David Harris of Ty Cymorth one of Kevin's chosen charities during his term as President. The same evening saw Councillor Gordon Kilby, the then Mayor of Llandeilo Fawr Town Council, becoming a member of the club.
The club meets every Thursday evening at the White Hart, Llandeilo and alternates between having regular speakers, to discussing future events to having fellowship evenings all of which follow a meal.
Usually in February the club has a social evening at Pant Glas, Llanfynydd. This includes a meal and a relaxed game of snooker and is open to all.
Later that month, the guest speaker the most recent member of the club, Gordon Kilby. Gordon spoke of his life dedicated to his love of music and 41 years as a music examiner taking him too many parts of the world.
The end of the month saw the club celebrating St David's Day with an excellent attendance of Rotarians, wives and guests. Côr Meibion Dinefwr rounded off the evening by getting everyone to sing a mixture of Welsh and English language songs to celebrate our National Saint and to celebrate, earlier in the day, a win in the 6 Nations Rugby over France.
The rest of March saw a mix of Fellowship evenings which involves members chatting among themselves followed by a Scatter Evening which sees members visiting other local Rotary Clubs of Ammanford and Llandovery and enjoying the hospitality of the members and making new friends.
Into April and the club's AGM was held with a new President and Officers elected. Rob Donaldson from Salem became President from July onwards.
Towards the end of the month members spent part of their day at Nigel Williams Chemist in Llandeilo to encourage the public as part of the Stroke Awareness Day to have their blood pressure taken by the St John's Ambulance staff on duty. The last Thursday of the month saw the club discuss the Ploughman's Lunch the main fundraising event of the year held in June every year.
May started with Rotarian Dilwyn Williams of Nantgaredig giving a talk on his family company "Williams Bros". The following week a major fund raising event took place hosted by the Angel Inn, Salem. This was to raise funds for the charity "Shelterbox" the evening occasion was well attended, with a Shelterbox tent erected by Rotarians, assisted by staff of the Angel Inn and a focal point of the event. A buffet followed and several hundred pounds were raised for the charity.
June started with a warm up meeting for the Ploughman's Lunch which was held on 10th June. Again the venue was the Civic Hall in Llandeilo and preparations involved Rotarians, wives and Ladies of Inner Wheel. The day was a success with about 100 people attending including the Mayor Councillor Colin Jenkins and Lady Mayoress of Llandeilo Fawr and monies were raised from ticket sales, a tombola and bottle raffle. In all some £2000 was raised for the President's chosen charities. This is one of the highlights of the Rotary year and has been enjoyed by the people of Llandeilo and the surrounding area for the past 30 plus years.
The next event was the Handover Dinner on 24 June when Rob Donaldson of Salem became the President for 2016/17.
This new Rotary year was to herald a change in the running of the club as it was decided by club members that the Rotary Club would in future meet only twice a month instead of the usual 4 times per month. This change was to adapt to changing times and to attract new members by becoming more flexible. It was also decided that August was to be a meetings free month.
September started with a presentation of a cheque to Cancer Research Wales on the 13th, when Rotarians attended an evening by the charity at the Victoria Hall, Lampeter. Senior Vice President Richard Hughes presented a cheque for £600 on behalf of the club. The next event was a speaker on the 15th. Isabelle Williams and Carwen George were the guests. Isabelle talked about her trip to Machu Picchu, a trip partly sponsored by the club. In October the District Governor came to talk to club members about Rotary generally and the year ahead for Llandeilo Club.
In November once again the club visited Pant Glas in Llanfynydd, with Rotarians enjoying a meal and afterwards a mildly competitive game of snooker. Later in the month the annual Tripartite Dinner took place at the Plough Hotel, Rhosmaen. This is an annual fund raising evening with a guest speaker and is arranged jointly by Llandeilo Rotary Club, Round Table and the 41 Club. This year the host club was Llandeilo Rotary.
December saw the club meet for Christmas Dinner at the White Hart Inn. Following the meal Rotarians and their guests were entertained by Josh a talented soloist who sang many Welsh favourites with his audience joining him for the carols.
The Club also continued its support for young people to develop their potential, by sponsoring their attendance at a character building outdoor centre in the Brecon Beacons National Park, attending a NASA course in Florida and participating in a number of competitions, including the Mock Trials in New York and Young Chef and Young Musician competitions here in Wales. The Club also continued its support of the Carmarthen Autistic Society, by sponsoring swimming lessons at Pantglas.
Thus the Rotary year started by President Ken Griffiths finished with President Rob Donaldson at the helm. Significant changes, as outlined, have taken place in a relatively short period of time in the hope that will encourage new members to join and inject fresh ideas into the club. Llandeilo Rotary is always seeking new members, women or men and extends a warm welcome to all who are interested in raising money for many local charitable organisations and through the club meeting many fascinating people and making many new friends along the way. We meet usually twice a month every 1st and 3rd Thursday evening 7.00pm for 7.30pm unless special events are taking place. The Headquarters are the White Hart Inn, Llandeilo. For further information please contact Richard Hughes on 01558 685710 or jhughes19@btinternet.com
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Co-op Local Community Fund
more The club's application for a share in the Co-op community fund has been accepted . The community fund receives 1% of co-op branded products purchased which is divide between 3 local charities- Ffairfach school, RSPA and ourselves
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Club News 2016 -2017
back Reports on Speakers at Club Meetings and Events