Handover

The Presidential Year 2017/ 18 & Handover

Wow! 

That was the year that was!

Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club punches well above its weight.

Last year we organized, managed or participated in nearly 50 different events and activities in addition to our weekly meetings in the Carpenter’s Arms.

This included:

Village and charity events including Charity Golf days, the ‘Big Breakfast’ in Stanton Drew, the Village Day in Farrington Gurney, Quiz Nights, Charity Shows and Concerts, The Pensford 10k, Bath & West Show, the Farrington Fireworks Night and regularly helping fellow Chelwood Bridge Rotarian Hugo Pike and his team who operate our Worldwide Water Charity which packs and sends Survival Boxes to disaster areas across the world – in the last 10 years we have raised over £1.5m for this charity.

And there’s more…………………….

We ran our annual competitions for club members including golf, snooker and skittles.

We organised the annual Chew Valley Primary School football competition for boys and girls, maintained strong links with Chew Valley School and other schools through RYLA which sponsors young people on personal development activities and we continued to encourage young people in Business through the Youth Awards Scheme as well maintaining our Community Award Scheme for those who have contributed significantly to their local community and parishes.

We also assisted our Inner Wheel ladies with some of their charity activities.

We transported and erected our large marquee for several local events.   

My first chosen charity was Cancer Research UK which benefited from our Open Golf Championship in Farrington and from our ‘Richard Rocks’ Concert in Blagdon. My second chosen charity was Children’s Hospice South West which benefited from the Keynsham Annual Christmas Concert which included a performance by the Mendip Male Voice Choir (of which I am a member).

That’s what we did when we were not dining at the Carpenter’s Arms (or Cameley Lodge). 

But we didn’t just dine!

As ever, our meetings were enlivened by banter and badinage from all quarters – not always for the faint hearted. 

If this wasn’t enough, we had 22 different speakers to entertain and educate us: these included our local MP, the Headmaster of Chew Valley School, an Air Commodore Knight of the Realm, my favourite butcher from Chew Magna, a leading research scientist from Cancer Research UK, the MOD Project Director responsible for our two latest aircraft carriers, Inky Ann, Barry Gillett whose family apparently saved London and former amateur pilot Spike Parker (now grounded).

No…I haven’t finished.

Our incoming President, Douglas Nash, was instrumental in establishing a satellite club in Garth (Wales) which gave me the rare privilege of enrolling 16 new Rotarians whilst Mike Hedges and Alan Smith are working towards establishing another satellite in Farrington Gurney.

I have had a fantastic year which I have enjoyed immensely and thank each and everyone of my fellow Chelwoodians and my wife, Sandra, for all their help, support and encouragement throughout the last 12 months. 

My Very Best Wishes to Douglas for a successful year celebrating our 30^th anniversary.

Vic Clarke 

A few words from our new President Doug

We have an exciting year ahead of us,  Starting with our friend Richards memorial event on the 7th of July. A big Thank you to Vic and the team who have been instrumental in putting this together. Also let me take this opportunity to thank Vic and every one who helped Vic make his year such a success. As we move into the new Rotary Year we have the opportunity to “change lives” both within our community and internationally. Let the adventure begin.

Chief Indian Barry (razor sharpe) Gillett.

Hands over an alternative badge of office to our new President Doug.

This promotion to Chief Indian is very recent, and well deserved. This is despite his attitude of, it's time to get my own back, when carrying out his duties of Steward.