Last Speaker Meeting of This Rotary Year

LAST SPEAKER MEETING
The clock is certainly ticking down as this past Monday was the last Speaker meeting of this Rotary year. Next week is Club Assembly and then the week after is the Handover meeting where the Presidential baton will be passed over to SVP Geoff Smith.

I wanted to make the last Speaker meeting a memorable one and in that regard I brewed two beers: an English Ale and a traditional Bitter. Both beers seemed to have gone down well. Almost all of the 23 litres of ale were consumed and most of the bottles of bitter were drunk. So, I think everyone enjoyed the beer. 

Here are some photos of beer glass empty or half empty. A very good sign!

Of course I do enjoy my beer too!

Our guest speaker was Alan Davies a very good personal friend of mine from my umpiring days with the Derby County league. He gave us a superb accounting of his career and the game today. Everyone very much enjoyed his talk which was followed up by several questions. The vote of thanks by Neil Hall was superb as well as Alan and many in the Club knew Author Hunnybun from Ockbrook and Borrowash Cricketing fame and umpiring days.

Thank you very much Alan for coming and speaking to us. Most memorable and appropriate for the last speaker meeting. 

Alan Davies

A true pleasure to be President on the last Speaker meeting of the year. Major thanks to Gail and the girls in the kitchen who prepared an American southern fried chicken dinner. Superb! Big thank you to all 35 Club members who attended.

Me and Alan at Top Table

One of the big moments of the evening happened in the beginning when we presented two BIG cheques to two local charities: 

Borrowbrook Home Link and NORSACA. Borrowbrook Home Link does so much wonderful work with our local OAP community in providing assistance in any way possible to OAP's in need. Considering they lost most, if not all of their government funding organisations like Rotary need to step in and help fill the need for funds. Thank you to the Club for agreeing this substantial amount for Borrowbrook Home Link.

NORSACA is our local Autism charity and they have a school in Heanor. I was so pleased to present them with a cheque that will purchase in full a wiggle bar for their young people in their care. I am very thankful to the Club for supporting this charity as there is a personal interest of mine in Autism. The Club's support was overwhelming and I believe that when Melanie came to speak she sold the charity and its work superbly. Thank you to all for making this a reality for NORSACA

I will be going out later this month to deliver cheques to Ashbrook and Draycott Primary Schools. Pictures to follow.

Thank you to everyone for making our last Speaker meeting of Rotary year 2013-14 such a success.

Greg

Hinnerup Visit, Barn Dance & More!

It has been busy once again but now it is time to catch up as my year as President comes to a close. Sad to say it all ends on 30th June 2014. But, lots to report so here we go!

HINNERUP VISIT
We had the most fantastic time in Hinnerup a few weeks ago. Seven of us went to see our Club we are twinned with and wow did we have a great time!!! There was a Viking theme to our time there which was lots of fun and very educational. One of the highlights was watching a Viking play with our hosts interpreting the action for us. Some in the audience did not appreciate it as much as we did. LOL.

Anyhow, there was much more to the trip as well. Our formal dinner was an evening I will never forget. Superb food from a local young chef along with great fellowship. What more could one ask for. There was also the art museum, cathedral, city tour and trip to Sky Mountain. Of course our hosts showed us even more. We were exhausted when we came back home and we do miss all the wonderful people we met at our sister club and look forward to seeing them again in two years time when they visit us.

Here is a video that kind of captures our trip. Hope you enjoy watching it.

HINNERUP VISIT MAY 2014

BARN DANCE

Now, what do you get when you have International Committee and a barn free of charge? You get an incredible evening in the form of a barn dance. What a great evening of fun and dancing. We all learned a few new moves and found that many of us can't count or stay on our feet as SVP Geoff demonstrated. 

Here are some pictures and video from last weekends superb and well attended barn dance. As you can see lots of fun and smiling faces.

CITIZENSHIP PARTY

Last weekend I had a Citizenship party to celebrate my becoming a citizen of this great country - the UK. I am blessed to be a citizen of two countries and you can see by the flags in the pictures that both were represented. However, the festivities (which included Morris Dancers) and food which was very English traditional food celebrated the day in British style. 

It was also very special a few weeks ago to be able to vote for the first time since I moved here 17 years ago. It was the European Parliamentary elections. Very important stuff for the future of the UK and Europe. 

Well, here are some pictures to show you the action on the day. Thanks to all from RCCW who came out and supported the afternoon fun. Very much appreciated.

INNER WHEEL CHARTER

One of the best things about RCCW is we have a great and well supported Inner Wheel club. This years President is Ann Gregory who I have had the great pleasure to serve with as my role of President of RCCW. The Inner Wheel Club of Church Wilne has done some incredible fundraising events this past Rotary year and today there were some cheque presentations to their charities.

Congratulations to Ann and all of Inner Wheel for a most successful year. Also, thank you very much for inviting Gail and I to your Charter this past Sunday. It was absolutely delightful.

Here are some pictures of todays cheque presentations to two very important charities in our local community. Thank you Inner Wheel of Church Wilne for being a leading light in our area and setting a superb example of service above self.

Cheque presentation to keep Rainbows bus going!

Cheque presentation to NIDAS

So, as you can see it has been busy once again. Can't believe how much we have squeezed in this past month. I will be writing a few more blogs before the end of my year as President of RCCW. Stay tuned!!!

Many thanks,

Greg

Great Speaker Meeting This Past Monday - AUTISM AWARENESS

NORSACA Speaker
We had the most wonderful speaker meeting this past Monday evening as we welcomed Melanie Howard from NORSACA, which is an Autism Charity serving both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The group was set up in 1968 by parents and in 1970 they opened at the Sutherland House School in Nottingham and have been serving local autism people now for 45 years.

Autism is a life long condition and effects 1% of the population and with 4 times as many men. It affects social communication, integration and imagination with around 50% having learning difficulties.

There are 22 sites in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and they employ 450 . The sites in Derbyshire includ e an adult centre at Heanor and also a residential one along with 3 supportive living centres

The members heard first hand the stories of two people who attend 5 days a week at the Heanor centre which gives their parents much needed rest bite. At this centre they are currently working on the development of a sensory garden which again will help the many needs of the people.

The Group helps families by reducing strain, give advice and also held training workshops last year for 220 parents and carers. They produced a training programme last year which was given to 1,700 professions.

There will be a 2 week summer play scheme which last year attracted 56 people and they also have regular play and leisure activities on a weekly basis. They are looking to develop a Sports Club.

Melanie in summing up said the aim of NORSACA is to bring “Quality of life for people with Autism”

This is a charity near and dear to my heart that I hope our Club can support in my Presidential year. 

HINNERUP RC, DENMARK

This Bank Holiday weekend will feature a journey to Denmark with several other Rotarians from our Club to visit our twin club in Hinnerup. The schedule of fellowship activities is very full and I look forward to reporting back to you about all aspects of this journey. 

Here is a taster of what we have in store:

Saturday :

Sailing to “Sky Mountain” ( Himmelbjerget – 147 m) and lunch, before sailing back to Ry

Banquet / formal dinner with speaks and music

Sunday :

The afternoon to Fyrkat ( www.fyrkat.dk )which is a Viking fortress, and we are booket to the Viking Games (show)

Farewell reception

Until then hope you all have a great weekend!

Greg

OAP Party, International Mexican Food Evening & Castle Donington Charter

It has been yet again another busy month. The Club is certainly vibrant and all members participating in a variety of activities and fellowship events. It is hard to imagine that with 5 weeks left there is even more BIG events on the horizon.

ANNUAL OAP PARTY
Yesterday afternoon we held our annual OAP party and once again it was a major success. All hands were to the pump and a delightful afternoon was had by all. These pictures tell a thousand words. We certainly were amazed at the energy level of some of the OAP's in attendance. They do know how to dance and the video is quite good to watch. It seemed that our own Rotarian's lead some of the dancing and special thanks needs to go to Adrian and Ray for dancing with the ladies. Watch the video below. You can't miss it.

Special thanks must go to the Service Projects Committee for sorting the whole evening out and Inner Wheel who helped prepare the whole meal. They worked their socks off. Also, thanks to all Rotarians who helped out with food prep, driving and any other aspect of the event.

Inner Wheel Kitchen Team

All set up before our guests arrive

Some of our guests enjoying the meal and conversation

OPA's of all ages attend and some of
them are real sparks!

John Gregory as our bus ticket master and
Clive our musician entertainer

Flowers that each OAP
receives when leaving.
Thanks for organising it once again John.

The hall was full to max once again.

My girlfriend I see year on year.
She is so much
fun to talk to.

Clive in his element

Enjoying the dancing

Adrian showing his moves in Lets Twist Again

Showoff.

Adrian's partner certainly enjoyed her dance with him. 

Ray waltzing with his new found partner.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD EVENING - MEXICAN
What a superb evening of food and entertainment put on by our International team last weekend. It was great to see so many in attendance. The food was fantastic and the quiz challenging. major thanks to all the International team for your efforts as we all enjoyed the whole affair. The costumes were great too!

Everyone got into the spirit

Great to see Bob who phoned everyone in the club
to make sure attendance was 100%

Head Amigo

Nachos starter. My favourite!

Packed hall. Great fellowship event.

CASTLE DONNINGTON CHARTER EVENING
Secretary Tony and I attended the Castle Donnington 40th Charter evening. We had a great time of celebration for President Ray Webb and all of CDRC. I was given the honour of replying to a toast on behalf of all guests. Thank you Ray and all members of CDRC for a superb evening.

So, as you can see I was right. Busy as ever and the Club is superb as always!

See you next time!

Greg

29th Charter Celebrations USA Visit

Last week we celebrated the 29th Charter of our Club. What a fantastic evening it was. All I got to say is that it was a superb team effort by the whole of the Club led by none other than John Astell. Thank you John for leading the organisation to a most successful Charter and the most memorable evening of my Presidential year. Superb! 

Thank you to all who supported it as well. All 120 guests and our DG Peter and wife Carol. Superb speeches but the best part of the evening was Rtn Stephen Woolley's most entertaining speech on his adventures (or misadventures) in law during his misspent youth. Very funny and enlightening at the same time.

DG Peter, Wife Carol, Me, wife Gail, PP Stephen Woolley

A proud moment of the evening was when we were able to present a cheque for 500 GBP to former Derbyshire footballers Barry Butlin and Roger Davies for Derbyshire Children's Homes. A very worthy cause that provides Summer holidays for children from needy backgrounds.

BArry Butiln, Me and Roger Davies

Stephen Woolley in full throttle entertaining us all

USA Trip So Far

Two days after Charter I was off to the USA and my first stop was in Monticello, Minnesota where I had lunch and fantastic fellowship with the Montecello RC. We exchanged banners as well as greetings. Thanks for allowing me to attend lunch and Monticello RC will live long in the memory as they are shining examples to us all on getting things done the right way and to the highest of standards.

I love exchanging banners! Lol

Thats it for now. Until next time - YIR - Greg

Catch-Up Time / I'm A UK Citizen!!!

Well, it's been a very long time since my last posting. About a month or a little more. What can I say, life has been very busy and sadly the day job got in the way of spending time blogging. But now I have a little time on my hands between teaching lessons I thought I would at least give you an update on our meeting last night.

CHRIS HILL - Flautist
Chris Hill came to our Club. This 15 year old young man is a flautist of incredible talent. He not only has his Grade 8 at Distinction on Flute but also his Diploma and Licensure and all of them at Distinction level as well. Oh, by the way, he plays saxophone and has equal qualifications in that instrument. Yes, that's right. All at the age of 15 years old. Chris also made it to the 2nd round of the BBC Young Musician of the year this past school year.

It was a night to remember as Chris gave us the history of the flute from when they were made out of human bone to today's high tech models and everything in-between. Chris also played short extracts on each of the 9 flutes he brought and showed us the different characteristics of each model. 

Thank you Chris for a very enjoyable evening about the flute. We all learned a lot, enjoyed your sense of humour and your passion and professional presentation.

I'M A UK CITIZEN

Believe it or not a few weeks ago I became a UK citizen. Yup, after 17 years they finally let me in. I am very proud to have made the step forward and I now am a dual citizen so I can vote for two world leaders and make a real mess of the world. LOL

My thanks to everyone from the Club who came out and supported me at the ceremony or afterwards at the Holly Bush pub in Makeny. 

Well, the day job just got in the way again. Got to go teach. Next edition will have a report on our Ladies Night and other events of the past month. I will also do a separate blog on our Charter night coming up this Friday evening at Trent Lock Golf Club.

After Charter night I will be doing a presentation at District Assembly on FB and Twitter. Then, it's off to America for three weeks where I will be visiting friends and family and hopefully the occasional Rotary Club.

Time to teach!