Rotary in London DG Helen marks Foundation’s centenary
The Magazine for the Rotary Clubs of London, District 1130 of Rotary International SUMMER 2016
In this issue Speakers at Conference Rotaract year of action New life for lifeboats The dozen who went to Switzerland
contents
welcome
What has happened since?
A MESSAGE FROM THE DG
Celebrate Rotary Foundation’s centenary, says DG Helen................................................ 1 Conference/Handover
Speaker line-up for District Conference.....3 Rotary urges everyone to go Purple4Polio...................................................3 ROTARACT
Rotaracters celebrate youth in action ........5 Lifeboat project
Eve’s RNLI discovery ...............................................7 vocational
What happened to 12 deaf teenagers who went to Switzerland............................... 8-9 CORRESPONDENCE
Have your say.....................................................10-11 Speakers’ Panel....................................................... 11 OUT AND ABOUT
Greenwich Rotary makes a donation of 36 bikes........................................ 13 Shatu Garba attends Jubilee mass.............. 13 Club raises money to buy toys for children in hospital............................. 13 Chingford Rotary raises a grand for Mercy Ships..................................... 15 Jamie, Elizabeth and Troy reach semi-finals.................................................... 15 Ishan receives his Diana Award..................... 15 LAST WORDS
Rotarians and guests celebrate that 90th birthday at York Gate ................. 16 Mish Mosh.................................................................. 16
NEXT ISSUE The next edition of rotary in london will be the Autumn issue. The deadline for submitting your copy is 14 September 2016.
rotary in london The quarterly magazine of the Rotary Clubs of London is published by District 1130 of Rotary International.
ASSISTANT EDITOR & ADVERTISING Margaret Cooper / ma_grooper@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 020 8505 5996 / Mob: 07542 020 616
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Cover photo: DG Helen Antoniou (left) takes over from PDG Toni Finkel at handover lunch at Hilton Hotel, Watford, on 3 July. Photo: Adrian Faiers
Every issue of Rotary in London carries inspiring stories of achievements by Rotarians in the London area and working with partner clubs abroad. What happens next to the people in the stories? This is a question which many readers might ask themselves. This issue contains some answers. The centre page spread (pages 8 & 9) describes how the Rotary Club of London has been taking a group of profoundly deaf children to Switzerland every few years. This time, as well as describing the trip the children made in 2014, we give thumbnail sketches of how the children benefitted from the experience and what has happened to them since. Page 7 tells you about a lifeboat which the Rotary Club of Westminster West helped to buy for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in the 1970s. It fell into disuse; club members and others have now given it a new lease of life. An especially important of Rotary’s work is organising competitions for young people. We report on them extensively, but this time our correspondence column (pages 10 & 11) carries letters from two of the young award winners, Kamil Boulia and Joseph Hayes. They express their appreciation and, more importantly, say how winning is spurring them on to succeed in their careers. Arvind Patel, generous sponsor of London Rotary’s annual District Conference, describes the effect working with Rotary has had on him. It does seem, from some of the stories and letters we are publishing in this issue, that Rotary’s actions have an effect far wider than we might sometimes expect.
Rotary membership rises
London club membership is rising. This is a good news story which we shall cover in the next issue, but only if we have details about all new club members over the past year. Many Club Secretaries have responded promptly to PDG David Palmer’s request to send him details of members who have joined in the past year, but he still needs to hear from others. So please ensure you send him this information as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Jane Hammond, Editor The views expressed above are those of the Editor only.
a message from the dg
Celebrate
Rotary Foundation’s centenary, says DG Helen
Photo: Adrian Faiers
Governors who have gone before me, including two women, are a hard act to follow, but they have inspired me to raise the bar for myself personally and to aspire to be as good as they were during their term in office.
Newly installed DG Helen (right) is seen at her handover with IPDG Toni (centre) and Rosemary Cone, Inner Wheel Chair for London District 13 for 2015/16.
The priorities for Rotary and Rotary in London remain the same: to support and strengthen clubs, focus on and increase humanitarian service and enhance public image and awareness. Our theme this year is Rotary Serving Humanity. It describes perfectly why we chose to join this international club. We chose to be involved in making a difference to people’s lives. To that end we are led this year by RI President John F Germ and our own RIBI President Eve Conway, the first woman President of RIBI from our District. This year marks the centenary of the Rotary Foundation and the 70th anniversary of the Ambassadorial (now Global) Scholarship programme. I hope that this year each of you will take time to consider the many successes and achievements of our Foundation. However you choose to celebrate, make it as public as possible. You will find many ideas for centennial celebrations on My Rotary.org.
Over the past century our Foundation has given $3billion to tackle problems in communities throughout the world. Our Global and District Grant projects save and transform lives, educate scholars and train professionals to continue with this legacy. The Foundation Fund was started by Arch Klumph at the 1917 Convention in Atlanta Georgia; I for one will not miss this big Birthday Party at the 2017 Atlanta Convention. The Foundation’s Centennial is a perfect opportunity to let the world know not only about what we have achieved in the past 100 years, but also what we are achieving now. It is an opportunity to let everyone know about our leading role in the battle to end polio, a fight which Bill Gates and others agree would never have been possible without Rotary’s extraordinary dedication. RIBI President Eve, at her Presidential Handover, launched the Purple4Polio campaign and has given each of the District
Governors an End Polio Now bear. She has asked us to take pictures of our bears throughout the 2016/17 Rotary Year and post them on the Rotary Polio Bear Facebook page and other social media, as part of the Purple4Polio campaign (see page 3). John Germ has said: “Rotary has kept its light under a bushel for too long... we need to do a better job of promoting our cause.” He also said: “We’ve got a service-minded generation coming up. We’ve got to get our message out to them, and we’d better do it fast.” This year we must use all the resources in My Rotary.org to let the world know about our achievements and celebrations with a new visual and voice identity. Use all the templates and tools in the Brand Centre and Rotary Showcase, and on the Internet and social media. Our District Public Relations & Communications team are there to help – use their expertise. In this Foundation anniversary year we shall have many opportunities to show the public what we do. One such opportunity is the District’s London Air Ambulance Project, the Helivan, displaying the Rotary in London logo. This will be just one of many examples which the public can see of how Rotary Clubs in London support their communities. With membership, engagement and retention, clubs this year will have greater flexibility and choice. The membership team are in place to help clubs increase and retain their membership. The new membership enactments will only make a difference to membership if the clubs act on them. One size does not fit all – that is why each club decides and chooses individually. Our New Generation activities continue to thrive and grow. Our Rotary family, which includes Rotaract and Interact, will from September include another RotaKids. It will be the second RotaKids to be established in the District, sponsored by the London Centenary (E Club). We have a great team of Assistant Governors, District Officers and Service Chairman. The District Team with their wealth of experience skills and knowledge, together with the District Governor Chain, will ensure that we have another very successful and above all enjoyable year. The 4 Fs: Fellowship, Foundation, Fundraising, and Fun, are the main ingredients of my recipe for success. The whole of the Rotary family working together and supporting each other will ensure that we all have a great time showing the world “Rotary Serving Humanity”. It is our combined efforts that will keep the Rotary wheel rolling forward in the 21st Century. Helen Antoniou, District Governor Summer 2016 • 1
support
rotary foundation
exhorts DG Helen
100 years of ‘Doing Good in the World’ the rotary foundation expenditure
For the eighth year running our Foundation has received the top rating from the Charity Navigator, an independent organisation, which evaluates
programmes
charities in the United States. The Foundation funds only projects and initiatives worldwide with active Rotarian involvement. This year the Rotary Foundation will…
92%
K Fund 35 Rotary Scholars
coming to our District K Enable clubs to apply
for funds via the Global Grant Program K Be the prime mover in
the final push to eradicate polio from the world As DG Helen reminds Rotarians: “We support so many outside charities, but often forget to support
6%
FUNDRAISING
our own Rotary Foundation. Without such support, our projects and programmes will suffer.”
This space donated by Rotary In London
2%
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Conference/Handover
Speaker line-up for District Conference The London District 1130 Conference takes place from 21 to 23 October in Eastbourne. The full programme of speakers includes broadcaster the Rev Richard Coles, academic and politician Dr Josephine Ojiambo, community worker Martha Wansbrough and photographer Paul Goldstein. Here are their details.
Dr Josephine Ojiambo
Martha Wansbrough
Paul Goldstein
An English musician, journalist and Church of England priest. In the 80s he was known for having been the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band the Communards. After leaving the band, Coles followed his Christian leanings and, after periods as a journalist for the Times Literary Supplement and Catholic Herald, he was ordained in the Church of England, spending time as the curate of St Botolph’s (the Stump) in Boston, Lincolnshire, as assistant priest at St Paul’s Knightsbridge and as Chaplain to the Royal College of Music. In 2011, he became Vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire. He is the regular presenter of the Saturday morning BBC Radio 4 programme Saturday Live. Has been Deputy Secretary-General (Political) since January at the Commonwealth Secretariat, overseeing its political, human rights, rule of law and communications work. She previously worked for the United Nations Population Fund with responsibility for intergovernmental relations, and for building strategic relations with UN agencies, civil society and the private sector. Before that she was Kenya’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Dr Ojiambo has more than 25 years of experience in international relations, diplomacy, governance and policy advocacy. She has held a wide range of leadership, management and advisory positions in the public, private, and non-governmental sectors at national and multilateral levels. She is the daughter of leading Kenyan academic and politician Professor Julia Ojiambo and is President-elect of Westminster West Rotary. Director of Drive Forward, for over 15 years she has developed programmes with local experts and corporate partners that assist disadvantaged young people to live more independently after being in care. Drive Forward helps them to identify a route to sustainable employment in a career of their choice. Previously she had built funding support for seven NGOs’ in Russia through her corporate network. This work supported the development and delivery of training programmes for orphans in Russia. As Director of Community Centre for the St Francis of Assisi Community Centre, she set up and launched an art gallery and café to raise funds for a multi-ethnic centre attended by Filipino, Eritrean and Sudanese refugees. Combines a full-time career with a tour operator with owning four safari camps in Kenya, guiding all over the world, fund-raising for tigers and other persecuted species and writing. He has spent much of the past 15 years photographing endangered animals, which has raised over £100,000 for schools, boreholes, teachers, anti-FGM programmes and natal clinics. He says: “Through it all the ethical side of wildlife, be it just viewing it or photographing it, is desperately important. When I see photos of snarling animals I shudder; the ‘photo at any cost’ concept is disgracefully still-borne . Just as morally derelict are those wildlife photographers who think just by taking some images they will help the species.”
Photo: Ruebin Besureis
Rev Richard Coles
Rotary urges everyone to go Purple4Polio
The Royal Horticultural Society is joining Rotary in its Purple4Polio campaign against polio. RHS Britain in Bloom community groups will be planting five million purple crocus corms in public spaces across Britain and Ireland as part of the campaign. PDG Eve Conway announced this on the evening of 2 July as she took the RIBI Presidential baton from outgoing President Peter Davey aboard the Dixie Queen. Television presenter Konnie Huq and singer-songwriter Donovan, as well as a boatload of Rotarians and guests, were there to celebrate with her. summer 2016 • 3
12 ads new_ad template 05/02/2015 Page 12 European Delicious fusion11:37 of African,
and Asian food brimming with goodness at affordable prices.
rotaract
Rotaracters celebrate
youth in action A year of action, a year of celebration and youth in action: that’s how outgoing District Representative Zsofi Kulcsar describes Rotaract’s activities over the past Rotary year. She elaborates. At May’s 2016 District Conference in London, Rotaract introduced Rotaract Awards to recognise the hard work members are doing in the community. Rotaract also introduced awards for fellow Rotarians who have been supporting Rotaract continuously. Members of London District Rotaract and Rotary Clubs gathered for an inspirational day. In the morning, we discussed projects and membership. We heard fantastic speakers who motivated us to do good in the community. In the afternoon we took to the streets of London and became RotaHeros for a few hours. We helped the homeless, elderly, lost tourists, anyone who needed help. We chartered two new Rotaract Clubs during last year, Kings College London and Wandsworth, bringing over 25 members into Rotary service. Working with different local and international charities, we’ve built lasting friendships.
Westminster Rotaracters have been fundraising throughout the year for the Rotary Foundation, focusing on education, while members of the Hampstead, Hendon & Golders Green Rotaract Club have revitalised it with many charitable and social projects. London needs more Rotaractors, more members who are happy to give up their free time and give back to their local communities. Our aim is not only to increase membership, but to attract right minded people. With Carla Sateriale of the Rotaract Club of Hampstead, Hendon & Golders Green succeeding me as District Representative, London Rotaract is certainly in good hands for the coming year. We look forward to strengthening relationships with our Rotary Clubs and chartering new Rotaract Clubs. We are here to be a gift to humanity and through service we are achieving this every day.
Carla Sateriale is this year’s District Rotaract Representative.
Above: District 1120 and 1130 Rotaractors dressed as superheros raise public awareness of Rotaract in central London. Left: two Rotaractors pose by the London Eye. Photos: Craig Simons
Summer 2016 • 5
218 Grangewood House, Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate, Loughton, Essex IG10 3TZ
Explore London again with Tom Hunt’s walks
They all take place on Sundays and start at 2.30pm Cost is £7 per person: please bring the correct change 28 August THE THAMES PUB WALK
9 October THEATRELAND
Meet at Blackfriars tube station, outside the exit
Meet at Embankment tube station, outside exit (Villiers Street side)
Classic London pub walk: takes in London’s last remaining galleried coaching inn, its oldest market, London’s best skyline panorama, the remains of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hinde.
Simon, an award-winning Blue Badge guide and actor, shows you this patch of London’s theatreland, which he knows the way the Director of the Royal Gardens at Kew knows his roses and orchids.
Further info from Tom Hunt at tomhunt@ppmsoftware.com or on 07860 525 831 This space donated by Rotary In London
Lifeboat project
Eve’s RNLI discovery Last August RIBI Presidentelect Eve Conway handed back to the Rotary Club of Westminster West a framed and inscribed photo of the Rotary Service. She had found it lying in Rotary’s archives at its HQ at 6 York Gate. It had originally been presented to the club by the RNLI. Westminster West Past President Sree Vallipuram tells the story that lay behind Eve’s discovery. In Rotary Year 1967/68 Westminster West Club members heard Rotarian John Atterton talk about the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), of which he was Deputy Director. This led to an RIBI-wide campaign culminating in the purchase of a lifeboat, which was named the Rotary Service by the Queen Mother in 1979. A commemorative cover illustrating the official naming of the lifeboat by the Queen Mother was issued on 30 October 1979 with a 10p stamp bearing a Dover Kent postmark. The eventual sum raised from various sources totalled £200,000.
The Rotary Service was based at the RNLI’s Falmouth Lifeboat Station until she was moved to the Dover Lifeboat Station in 1978. She was withdrawn from service around 1997, sold, renamed and converted to a pilot boat to serve in Fowey in Cornwall and later in Ireland. She was eventually declared unseaworthy around 2010. Four years later, in early 2014, a group of maritime enthusiasts located the former life boat Rotary Service. They formed a registered charity in England called the Thames Class Lifeboat Trust (TCLT) and asked the Rotary Club of Westminster West to support it.. The Trust purchased her in June 2015 with funds
raised from various sources. This included £2,000 raised by members of the Rotary Club of Westminster West, who held a gala fund raising dinner with the blessing of the then President of RIBI, Peter King. The Trust took her to Lowestoft and renamed her Rotary Service; it is now arranging for her to be made seaworthy, for which more funds are needed. Once made seaworthy, the Rotary Service will be used as a training ship. She will train people to maintain and man light sea craft to service the wind farms located around Lowestoft. She will also train young and disadvantaged individuals to sail the boat around the seas off Lowestoft.
Left: a rescue operation in progress – a seafarer is being winched up from the Lifeboat the Rotary Service to a Royal Navy helicopter. Below: Southampton Boat Show Thames Class Life-Boat 1978 Cover
Above: the Rotary Service prepares for the next rescue mission. Right: the Queen Mother onboard the Rotary Service in October 1979.
Summer 2016 • 7
VOCATIONAL
What happened to 12 deaf teenagers who went to Swi
Two years ago, on 9 September 2014, the Rotary Club of London flew 12 profoundly deaf and mentally challenged teenagers to Switzerland. They were all from Oak Lodge School in Balham and four teachers accompanied them. London Club member Tim MacAndrews, who organised the trip, tells Rotary in London what went on during the trip and what has happened to the teenagers since. The teenagers spent a week in Interlaken in Switzerland for recreational and leadership training. The Rotary Club of London supplied the sponsorship monies and mid-weekend attendance, working closely with the Rotary Club of Interlaken, who organised the programme and made many of the necessary bookings in advance. If you imagined that this was just another holiday trip for disadvantaged children, you would be wrong. Something amazing happens every time this trip occurs, which historically is around every three years, and lives are changed – forever. (Readers may recall reading in the Winter 2012 issue about the trip the London Club organised in September 2011- Ed.)
Swiss hospitality The trip followed the general pattern of previous years: eight days of intense outdoor activities, Swiss hospitality and a day in the snow at the top of a mountain – this time it was the Jungfrau – one of Europe’s highest peaks. A number of parties benefited from this trip: the 12 profoundly deaf children, their four teachers and the Rotarians and friends who accompanied them. For the children the trip was a life changing experience. Many had never travelled abroad or even outside London before. Those who had travelled were always cosseted by their families. In order to appreciate more precisely how or why they have benefited, it is important to understand what it is like to be 8 • Rotary In London
profoundly deaf – not just suffering the deafness of old age – but being profoundly deaf from birth. Put yourself in the place of a child who has been born without the ability to hear. The sounds that do get through to you are muffled and distorted. If you cannot hear, you cannot learn to speak without specialist help, so people do not speak to you – not even your family. If you cannot speak you cannot learn to read or write. You are condemned to a narrow existence. You may be ignored altogether in a large family group. Some families even see disability of any kind as shameful. You live in a silent world with few opportunities and no communication. How is your self-esteem doing? Oak Lodge School has an intake of profoundly deaf children from a variety of backgrounds from all over London. Some are referred there as late as 11 or 12 years old, with no education. Some have arrived as asylum seekers or refugees. Some have had traumatic experiences in war-torn countries and some have additional physical problems such as cerebral palsy or poor eyesight. An increasing number do not have English as their first language.
Very bright Oak Lodge School copes with them all, teaching them British Sign Language and all the fundamental subjects they need to know. Classes are small and technology is of paramount importance. Many of the pupils are very bright; some go into the sixth form
college at the school and may go on to further education at mainstream schools. Friendships are formed, but it is often too difficult for the children to meet up outside school hours. Their happiest time is in term time when they are in a specialist environment with specialist teachers. Some of them are deaf themselves and can cope with their needs and understand their problems. On the trip to Switzerland, they learned to think, act for and look after themselves. Even simple everyday experiences such as security checks at airports or eating in restaurants taught them more about integration into everyday life. The four teachers, two of whom themselves are profoundly deaf, benefited by being able to interact with the children, some of whom were sometimes difficult and disturbed.
Humbling experience Eleven Rotarians and guests from the Rotary Club of London also flew out for the middle weekend of the trip. They enjoyed interacting with the children’s activities as well as socialising with Rotary Club of Interlaken members. It was a humbling experience for many of the Rotarians to see at first hand how the children developed and grew over the days that they were together with them. Two years on, we have asked the school the give us an update on the memories that the children had of the trip and the extent they thought it had benefitted them. Here is what they said.
vocational
itzerland
Benjamin is in the 6th Form for a year of taster courses. His greatest memory is of the Jungfrau and the thin air. Because of severe health problem he had to sit while the others went to the top lookout.
Rahat has finished a Level 1 BTEC in Construction at South Thames College and is hoping to move on to a plumbing course. He has made great improvements with interactions and maturity.
Demi Jayne recently finished a Level 2 ICT Course at St Francis Xavier College. She will be going to South Thames College in September to study art and design. She enjoyed the scenery and making water colour paintings of mountains.
Cheyenne is a Year 11 student. She feels she has really improved in confidence and can link this to her amazing bravery during the tree climb. She thinks this experience has taught her to try; then she can achieve anything she wishes.
Liam has completed a year of intensive maths and English at Oak Lodge. He is moving on to take a Level 1 BTEC in Art at South Thames College. Since the trip he has made a huge improvement in his willingness to participate.
Jay is moving on to South Thames College to do a Level 1 Motor Vehicles Course. Although he was older and in a different year group, he has made friendships he believes wouldn’t have been as strong without the Switzerland trip.
Nicholas is a Year 11 student and is moving to the 6th Form next year. He liked the food arriving in different courses. His fondest memory of Switzerland is when Landry slipped over in the snow.
Soraia has had a difficult time of late and has missed a lot of schooling. She is currently integrating back into school within the “towards independence” stream.
Landry is studying on our prevocational pathway so as to improve his maths and English. He will stay on for one more year. He is hoping to do a supported internship in the future.
Blessing has completed a year in our “towards independence” provision and will continue for one more year. Blessing thinks the trip made her more confident... although she was disappointed that she didn’t get to see it snow.
Samuel has finished his first year studying social care.His favourite memory was when he wondered off with Rahat and Mr Bedford came looking for him. Mr Bedford got lost also and was so frustrated he let out a yell that lasted one minute!
Feven is going to South Thames College to take a Level 1 BTEC in Sport. She would like to be a personal trainer for deaf people and coach deaf woman’s football. She now feels confident to visit other European countries.
Summer 2016 • 9
correspondence
A rewarding experience Two years ago, I met David Palmer at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Gants Hill. As a consequence, in 2014, my practice, representatives of St James’s Place Wealth Management, for the first time sponsored London Rotary District 1130’s annual conference. It was such a rewarding experience that I repeated the exercise in 2015 and will be doing so again this autumn. Having a stand at the House of Friendship each year has given us an insight into the breadth of Rotary’s activities. It is amazing what individuals from all walks of life, meeting on a weekly basis in their own Rotary Clubs, can achieve either in their own communities or working with other Rotarians and other charities elsewhere in the world. I am very happy to have contributed to the work of the Rotary Clubs in the London District. So if any members of London District Rotary Clubs become clients of ours, I shall be delighted to donate a minimum of £100 to charities of their choice. London Rotarians might like to remember that an increasing number of families now have four or more living generations, because people are living longer. This means that financial planning will increasingly need to become intergenerational, with families sharing resources between the generations to achieve their financial goals. Any reader who is interested in finding out more about our services can turn to the ad on the back cover of this issue, where you will see our contact details in a blue panel. Arvind Patel Founder Member & Senior Partner St James’s Place Wealth Management
Anonymous help to purchase 12 ShelterBoxes The Rotary Club of Edmonton has always taken great interest in international service and for many years has pre-empted events by purchasing Shelter Boxes. Although Rotary is not an immediate response organisation, we feel we are ‘doing our bit’ when we are informed that the boxes are on their way to provide relief and assistance where they are most needed. During the Rotary Year 2015/16, we have been fortunate enough to have had financial help from an anonymous donor in the club, which has enabled us to purchase 12 boxes. ShelterBox gives our club a truly global reach and simplifies the activities of a club with reduced manpower. John Wells Rotary Club of Edmonton 10 • Rotary In London
Press coverage leads to new members For over 15 months my club and the Rotary Clubs in the east and north-east areas have been contributing to a twice monthly news round-up. This takes up half a page in our local Guardian series newspaper group, covering Epping Forest, Waltham Forest and Wanstead & Woodford. These are all areas where we have clubs. Under the title Rotary Round-Up, we describe our clubs and give a detailed report of what happens at our meetings and forthcoming events. In the issue of 23 June, for instance, we reported on the Kids Out outing my club organised to the Paradise Wildlife Park for 40 special needs children from a local school. A picture accompanied the story. We also reported on speakers who had addressed club meetings. The Rotary Club of Woodford Green announced that a local photographer and journalist would be addressing club members shortly and reported on a collection for Macmillan Nurses which raised £240. Chingford Rotary described their street collection for the charity Muscular Dystrophy, as well as taking 36 children on a Kids Out Day. Each report for each club is headed by full details: club name, meeting dates, times and contact details for anyone who wants to find out more. I started off this initiative by contacting the Guardian Group’s editor and working with him to collate and produce the news items from all the clubs for the newspaper. The editor agreed to publish the news summary twice a month. This has achieved amazing local recognition and awareness of Rotary. It has led to many more partnerships with the District Council, local councillors, businesses and other voluntary organisations. It has also led to an increase in regular guest visits, membership enquiries and new members. I should be delighted to discuss this with anyone who wants to find out more about our media relations activity. Please telephone me on 020 8500 2527 or 07973 166 940 or email me at pesh@londonresidential.co.uk. Pesh Kapasiawala Rotary Club of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell
Winning award has encouraged Kamil Thank you for mentioning in your previous issue (Spring 2016) that I won a special award in the
Young Musician competition for singing my own composition and accompanying myself on the piano. Thank you also for including me in the group photo on the cover. Taking part in Rotary ‘s Young Musician competition and winning the award has encouraged me to continue with my music and to take up a career in music in the future. It has built up my confidence and helped me to perform in front of other people. Kamil Boulia
Pope celebrates Rotarian Jubilee In your Winter issue, you published a letter from PDG Toni Finkel encouraging Rotarians to join RI President Ravi Ravindran and other Rotarians at a mass at St Peter’s in Rome. This was to be held by His Holiness Pope Francis on 30 April to celebrate the Jubilee of Rotarians as part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, a special event hosted by District 2080 and the Vatican. The Jubilee, established by Pope Francis, is a commitment to serve with joy and peace across the world When I read PDG Toni’s letter, I realised it would be a tremendous event that would enhance Rotary’s status across the world and bring great happiness to all participants, regardless of their own faith. For me it was an opportunity that should not be missed. I discussed this with my friend, past President Mary Madden from the Rotary Club of Streatham, and we both agreed to go. The admission fee to the event was C110. After booking our tickets we travelled on 29 April and the following day, Saturday, we arrived at St Peter’s Square at about 7 am, expecting to be one of the first arrivals. To our surprise, however, more were than 50,000 people were there already. The security in the square was very tight. It was only open to paying participants, being closed to the general public. Thousands and thousands of people were present: not only from Rotary, but also from other organisations from all over the world. It was a privilege to be there and I felt very excited and overwhelmed at the atmosphere and the number of people who were gathered together. Nearly 9,000 Rotarians from 80 countries attended. (See picture, page 13). Pope Francis gave a message of compassion, inclusiveness and service to humanity. He urged
speakers’ panel
Keep your letters coming so that you can have your say on whatever subject you want. Rotary in London exists among other things to present Rotary and its work to the world, as well as spurring you on to debate important issues. We shall publish your letters wherever possible, reserving the usual right to edit. So keep up the correspondence!
Speakers’ Panel All organisations listed here are interested in sending speakers to Rotary Clubs in London. As we stressed previously, when launching this column in Rotary in London in autumn 2012, inclusion in this list does not indicate endorsement of that organisation or individual. We are merely putting you in touch with organisations or individuals,
the crowd of 100,000 – which included members of police and armed forces from around the world – to ‘build a culture of peace, security and solidarity’ around the world’. Shatu Garba Rotary Club of Greenwich
Thanks from a young poet Thank you very much for publishing my poem for the Queen’s 90th birthday in your magazine (Spring 2016) and for including me in the photograph on the cover! I really enjoyed writing the poem and I was very surprised and excited when I was told I had won the competition in Rotary’s London District. I was presented with my prize at our school assembly, St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School, and I got a certificate, a trophy and a very smart pen. Thank you for my prize and for organising the competition. Joseph Hayes
Outgoing PM honours Walter Felman Readers will be interested to know that Mill Hill Club member Walter Felman has figured in David Cameron’s farewell speech. As Prime Minister, he had instituted a weekly Points of Light Award to acknowledge outstanding examples of UK volunteering. Walter was the most recent winner of 576 and received the award for setting up Save a Child’s Heart UK in 1999. This work featured in an article in the 14 July issue of Jewish News. Incidentally, one of the charity’s patients, Sarah from Trinidad, was treated many years ago and Walter is happy to report that he recently received pictures of her school graduation. She is one of over 4,000 children from 50 countries of the world, half of them Palestinian, Iraqi, Syrian and Jordanian, treated at no charge by the same surgical team Walter met for the first time 17 years ago. By the way, he stresses that he is always ready to travel anywhere to talk to any club about Save a Child’s Heart; just email him at walterfelman@aol.com. Arnold Phelops Rotary Club of Mill Hill
so that you can make further enquiries. However, you can rest assured that many of the organisations and individuals listed are well known to Rotary already. Do you yourself know of any organisation, however small, which would like to be better known? Or a speaker you can recommend? If you do, please let us know, including where possible the people to contact, with relevant email and telephone details.
Ashanti Development A 100 per cent volunteers’ charity, set up when London-based Ghanaians asked their friends for help to improve the quality of life of people in their home villages. It has provided 16,000 people with access to clean water and sanitation, helps with education and healthcare, and provides income-generating activities. Penny David – penny.david@ ashanti-development.org.uk – 020 7837 3172
Hope for Children Global charity currently operating in eight different countries, including the United Kingdom. Help for Children targets vulnerable children who endure a range of hardships such as poverty, exploitation and violence. In addition, it also aims to provide health and education services, in the process empowering families. Layla Zahawi – zlayla955@ gmail.com – 07834 762 377
Project Peru Lively, totally voluntary UK-based charity offering food, clothes, education, shelter, health and fun to the children who live in extreme poverty in their refuge in the desert shanty towns of Lima, Peru. Project Peru also works on practical initiatives with communities in the local shanty towns and in the high Andes. Carole Hudson – information@ projectperu.org.uk – 01483 576 093
Purple: changing the conversation Aims to be the catalyst for change in creating opportunites that transform futures by bringing together disabled people and business for a single purpose. Works to change the conversation around disability and strives to effect organisational development and cultural change. Kristine Alderman – hello@wearepurple.org.uk – 01245 392 300
The St James’s Place Foundation Helps children and young people who suffer from illness or disability or are otherwise disadvantaged. Also supports the Hospice Movement and charities that offer help to people with cancer. Funds are primarily raised through the generosity of St James’s Place Wealth Foundation partners and staff. Arvind Patel – arvind.pate@ sjpp.co.uk – 01959 500 488
Sense Leading national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind or have sensory impairments. Our high-quality, flexible services are built around the individual and our aim is to enable those affected by deafblindness to live, learn and thrive independently in their community. Lydia Clark – community.team@ sense.org.uk – 020 7014 9362
Summer 2016 • 11
TEA BAGS FOR WHEELCHAIRS The first recipient of a Wheelchair Foundation wheelchair purchased with bar codes from Yorkshire Tea products in District 1130. Please send the Bar Code & the Vouchers from the underside of ANY box of Yorkshire Tea to D1130 collection point to help purchase wheelchairs from the Wheelchair Foundation and support environmental projects. D1130 Collection Point:
Adrian Faiers, 15 Lovett Road, Harefield, Middx UB9 6DN This space donated by Rotary In London
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out and about
Greenwich Rotary makes a donation of 36 bikes Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Greenwich, Limited Edition Cycling in Greenwich received a donation of 36 bicycles before Christmas. Greenwich Rotary’s Club Secretary Bill Harris reports that the club bought the cycles at public auctions last year. In the six months since then, he says, the cycles have helped many members of Limited Edition Cycling. This is a club for cyclists of all abilities in the Greenwich and Bexley area.
Younger members who take part in Limited Edition’s Kids Club and Junior Team are already using some of the bicycles to go cycling on Saturday morning. Young people taking their Duke of Edinburgh Awards have been helping with the maintenance of the bikes at Unique. Repairing and maintaining the bikes teaches the young Duke of Edinburgh volunteers new skills.
Unique is the section of Limited Edition which teaches disabled people and children how to cycle and how to pump up their own tyres when they go flat. Unique also helps young people from families that can’t afford to buy bicycles as well as people new to cycling who just need access to bicycles while they learn.
Shatu Garba attends Jubilee mass Shatu Garba, immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Greenwich, is seen with compatriot Patrick from Eastern Nigeria, a fellow worshipper at the Jubilee Celebration in St Peter’s Square (see letter, page 10).
Club raises money to buy toys for children in hospital Members of the Rotary Club of Islington, Highgate & Muswell Hill are seen at Whittington Hospital’s Paediatric Emergency Department. They were there to present the hospital with £1,750, which has been spent on distraction toys for the children having treatment. With the nurses in the photo are: on left, Steve Hitchins, Chair of Whittington Health NHS Trust, and Club member Michael Simmonds; centre: immediate past Club President Cos Prastides; and on the right, Club Secretary Peter Oliver. The club’s donation was half of what it raised from its Quiz Night, held at the Whittington in February. The other half was given to the Kaos signing choir.
Summer 2016 • 13
The Pearl Parade
Beautiful handmade freshwater pearl and gemstone jewellery
&
Images in Glass Pictures painted in fused glass
Lesley Taylor Tel: 01288 321535 Mob 07737 015902 Please email me at lesleyann@taylor24.eclipse.co.uk Website www.pearlparade.co.uk Looking forward to seeing all my clients in the House of Friendship at the Rotary in London District Conference
OUT AND ABOUT
Chingford Rotary raises a grand for Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships will receive £1,000 from the Rotary Club of Chingford, the proceeds of ticket sales for the club’s annual concert in May. The concert was given by the Metropolitan Police Male Voice Choir, who performed their repertoire of classic and popular music in aid of Mercy Ships at South Chingford Congregational Church.
Photo: Ken Asiodun
One of Chingford Rotary’s charities for the year, Mercy Ships runs the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world. This provides free health care, community health education and palliative care for terminally ill patients, among other services. It has operated in more than 57 developing nations and 18 developed nations around the world, focusing currently on Africa.
Jamie, Elizabeth and Troy reach semi-finals The Rotary Club of Edmonton has teamed up with Love Your Doorstep, a community web page, to run Enfield’s Got Talent. They are doing this in association with the Mayor and Council of Enfield. Heats take place each month at the Beehive in Bush Hill Park.
Ishan receives his Diana Award Ishan Feisal and Senia Dedic attended the Diana Award Ceremony in London in July so that Ishan could receive his award for winning a two-km marathon (Spring issue).
Seen here are, from left, Jamie Somerville, Elizabeth De Branson and Troy Mansour. They have all won their first heats in Enfield’s Got Talent and will compete in the semi-finals. If they win those heats they will compete in the finals at the Dugdale centre November. The local North London Street Dance Academy has also won through to the semi-finals.
Senia is Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Battersea Park, which nominated Ishan for the award. The award, given to young people who transform the lives of others, commemorates the late Princess of Wales, whose brother Earl Spencer presented it to Ishan and 29 other award winners from around the country. Summer 2016 • 15
last wordS
Rotarians and guests celebrate THAT 90th birthday at York Gate
Mish Mosh
Photos: Juergen Schuhmacher
by “Schlepper”
Suraiya Kassamally, District Community Services Chair, cuts the cake to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday at the tea party to mark the occasion at 6 York Gate. Watching her are from left: DG Helen; Global Scholar Gian Marco Galetti from Italy, hosted by the Rotary Club of London; Gurdeep Singh, a visitor; and Shatu Garba and Nellie Stepanova (Rotary Club of Greenwich). They all joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to Her Majesty. Suraiya describes how it all came about. Having decided that London Rotary should celebrate the Queen’s birthday, I wrote to the Queen in January to inform the Palace accordingly and received a reply. Over 45 Rotarians and guests came to tea and enjoyed the food and the cake shown here, provided by the London homeless charity Providence Row which helps the homeless to get back to work by providing training in catering. Remember their presentation at last year’s District Conference?
16 • Rotary In London
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Brexit – the Mother of Parliaments in turmoil – atrocities in France – attempted coup in Turkey – the weather – who will be the new judge on Strictly? The list of serious events affecting our lives is depressing in the extreme. Be thankful therefore for the light heartedness that flavous my annual revelations following an extensive stroll through every Rotarian’s favourite July reading – The new District 1130 handbook, 116 pages of who, what, when, where, and increasingly..why? One of the better front covers this year followed by a very detailed life history of our third female DG (The Conservative party leadership is still one behind!). The executive committee is 16 strong, represented by five females and 11 males. Committee Chair People number 20, represented by 12 men and 8 women. There are 61 established clubs. 27 per cent are led by women and 28 per cent are headed by what in America would be described as “people of colour”. The photos also reveal that 31 per cent have very little sign of head hair that shows up in a photo, 12 (men) have visible facial hair, with one with a moustache only – the others sport the full monty. 40 per cent of Presidents wear spectacles (some fashionable, some not). Whist the vast majority are happy to smile at the camera, only 44 per cent are willing to show a bit of tooth. The frst prize for most pictures in the directory is shared by three people, all women: our DG Helen features on pages 2 & 3, Toni Finkel is IPDG on page 3 and Youth Chairperson on page 31, and Sue Jessel is Assistant Secretary on page 8 and President of her club on page 59. Well, that’s it for another year. I’m off for a quiet lie down before I switch on the television news to be horrified again.
This space donated by Rotary in London This space donated by Rotary In London
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