Paul Harris Fellows Lunch

International Day Celebrated at Chelmsford

To celebrate the birthday of Rotary International (Rotary Day was the day before) 136 people attended a lunch at the Channels Estate, Chelmsford - and our contingent comprised VP Ben and Angela Clarke, IPP Peter and Wendy Greene, Malcolm and Sue Acors, Bert French, Peter Strong, Norman Wilson and Brenda, Daphne Allen, Lilian Greenfield, Margaret and me.

After the lunch IPDG Nick Sillitoe presented banners to the three clubs (Harlow Tye, Braintree & Bocking, Kelvedon & District) which had achieved the highest per capita contributions to Foundation, and Certificates of Appreciation to various clubs including our own (for the second year running) for their financial support of the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign.  VP Ben received our Certificate of Appreciation.

Mud Hut

Rotary GB&I President Debbie Hodge stressed the need for Rotary to change, and her husband Mike, Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, gave an interesting talk on the history of the Paul Harris Fellowship. 

Mitch Paquette from Wisconsin, who is a Rotary Peace Scholar studying Human Rights Law at Essex University, gave an interesting talk on his experiences as a Peace Scholar sponsored by Colchester Club.

The keynote speaker was Anne Warfula Strike, who started life in a mud hut in Kenya and, although she is wheelchair-bound, has achieved great success as a paralympian, author and polio survivor.  Her talk was the high-spot of the day, full of pathos and humour.  Anne is married with a son and is an ambassador for End Polio Now.

DG Lesley Sulley thanked all the speakers for their contributions, and Sheila Keller from Chelmsford Phoenix Club who had organised the lunch.

By Ed Harrison