District Governor's Newsletter - December 2018

DG Dave writes

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, so I would particularly like to say a big thankyou to all those Clubs who pledged and are now donating funds towards the Fibroscanner Appeal. I was approached by a Rotarian of long standing a couple of months ago to see if Rotary could help with a fundraising appeal being set up by the North Herts NHS Trust. With the hard work of Rotarians Paul Denton and Leslie Robertson of our Foundation Team, we have managed to secure a Global Grant from the Rotary Foundation to purchase this piece of equipment. All Clubs will be advised of the official hand-over date and will be welcome to send representatives to the ceremony. We are hoping for a great deal of publicity to be generated, getting the name of Rotary and our ideals out there.

I would like to give my thanks to all those Rotarians who helped out with the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, laid wreaths at the various War Memorials throughout our District and helped collect funds for the BBC’s Children in Need Appeal. Two fantastic causes ably supported by Rotary.

I have spent the last month visiting the Rotary Clubs of Wolverton & Stoney Stratford, Hatfield, Ampthill Park Flexi, Dunstable, Woburn Sands, Bletchley, Bedford De Parys, Rickmansworth and Biggleswade Ivel as well as acting as Santa at Hatfield’s Frost Fayre, attending St. Albans 90th Charter Celebration and the Hitchin Technology Tournament and getting rather damp at the Brookmans Park Fireworks Night.

I am very much looking forward to attending a number of Christmas Lunches and Dinners during December as well as visits to Milton Keynes Satellite where several new members are due to be inducted, Luton and Ware together with the Winslow Festival of Voices and the Amwell Carol Service.

Good luck to everyone who is out and about with their Santa Sleighs over the next couple of weeks. I hope the weather is kind to us all, and remember to try to stay safe on these cold, dark nights and if just a small percentage of the funds raised could go towards the Rotary Foundation and End Polio Now, we can all continue Being the Inspiration.

Develop your skill with Rotary

Photography, P.I. Tool
Thursday 21st February 2019 - Stevenage
Thursday 7th March 2019 - Hemel Hempstead

Stevenage - Novotel, Knebworth Park Stevenage, SG1 2XS
Hemel Hempstead - Holiday Inn, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4UA

All workshops are on Thursday at 7 for 7pm

Conference Update

BOOK YOU ATTENDANCE AT DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2019 BEFORE 31ST JANUARY 2019 AND RECEIVE A £15 DISCOUNT ON CONFERENCE RGISTRATION.

GO TO www.rotary1260conference.org.uk to obtain the application form and full instructions on how to claim your discount.

STOP PRESS – CONFIRMED SPEAKER
RICHARD ‘DICK’ GRIFFIN LVO.

Dick was appointed to the Metropolitan Police in 1970.  In 1981, as an Inspector, he was posted to Royalty protection where he remained until his retirement in 2013.

During his service with this Unit he was the protection officer for HRH Prince Edward and the Duke of Edinburgh.  In 1999 he was appointed a Protection Officer to HM The Queen, with whom he worked for the next 14yrs.  In 2013 Her Majesty personally conferred on him the Honour of Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order.  Looking back over the years he worked with members of the Royal Family it is not surprising he is regularly asked to recount his experiences.

Multi-Cultural Youth Exchange  2019

Rotary district 1260 is hosting 18 youngsters from europe for 10 days made up as follows:
3 nights as guests, in pairs, will be with families. 

• On thursday 11th youngsters will get to know each other at the tokko youth centre in luton. 
  
• On friday 12th there will be a day out in Hitchin
• 7 nights at the young Mariners centre in Cheshunt taking part in team building activities.

Rotarians are requested to host our guests in pairs.
For further information about rotary youth camps, please contact the district organiser, who will put you in touch with your local rotary club

Proposed Itinerary:
Wednesday July 10th - guests arrive. Home hospitality until
Saturday July 13th - afternoon transfer to Youth Hostel and settle in
Sunday   July 14th - day in London, including river trip and shopping. Return late evening
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday 15th - 17th professionally managed activities, at the Youth Hostel
Thursday July 18th - Full day sightseeing in Cambridge
Friday July 19th - local walk, swimming and pub lunch
Friday July 19th - evening - final night presentation and farewell party, host families welcome
Saturday July 20th - packing then depart hostel for home with member of hosting club.

Christmas Carols

President Paul and the Members of Amwell Rotary Club extend a warm invitation to you to join us for our Annual Rotary Carol Service in the Stunning School Chapel at Haileybury on Wednesday December 19th, 7:45 pm for 8:00 pm.

Entry is free - a retiring collection will be made. All proceeds will go to Herts Young Homeless.
You can also join us for mince pies and a glass of wine afterwards for £5.00.