Rotary District 1070 Magazine

DISTRICT 1070 News & Events | Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | www.rotary1070.org

NORTHAMPTON WEST’S POSTCARD COLLECTING FOR CHARITY REALLY

Meet our new DG

Takes Off Fix up, Look sharp

Solid as a Rock

PETER BERRY

ROTARY POLO’S & FLEECES

RYLA GROUP

P3

P5

P30

ISSUE 183 | CONTENTS 2 3-7 8.

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CONTENTS DISTRICT NEWS ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS AROUND THE CLUBS LOCKDOWN PROJECTS YOUNG RYLA NEW MEMBERS/OBITUARIES

EDITORIAL THOUGHTS

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elcome to the Summer edition of Rotary News & Events which in these difficult times is being sent to you in an on-line version to make sure you receive it. Apologies for most of you not getting hold of a hard copy of the March edition due lockdown and AG’s not being able to get them to you but I hope you have visited the District website to look at it there!!

This edition is a bumper one at 32 pages mainly due to the fact that Clubs have been very busy during lockdown helping community food banks and giving up your time to help the vulnerable members of the community! It seems that the covid 19 virus has given members a focus which has been tackled head on.

Meetings have gone from face to face ‘official’ meetings with a meal to a more informal Zoom on-line meeting which have also gone down well as Clubs are reporting they are getting more members joining in than their usual meetings!! Is there a message in there somewhere??? The world is open to attract speakers from anywhere! I have organised a speaker from Knysna in South Africa who gave us an account of the way the virus was affecting them and what steps his Rotary Club was taking to help their own community. It is true therefore that ’Rotary opens Opportunities’ and hopefully we have learned that Zoom, which was the practical way for our Club members to meet, also opens up the way to meet other members from other countries not just during a lockdown period but for the future!

Let’s hope that we will get through this crisis unscathed and ready to continue working for the good causes in our communities!

Deadline for next November edition will be Friday October 30th. John

EDITORIAL: FOR EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS CONTACT EDITOR JOHN GARLEY T: 01933 312668 E: john.garley09@my.northampton.ac.uk Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or District 1070. Every effort is made to ensure that the magazine’s contents are accurate. Information is published in good faith but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience arising from error or omission.

Advertisements are accepted at face value and no liability can be accepted for the actions of advertisers. The editor welcomes contributions of articles, news items, photographs and letters but are under no obligation to publish material. The editor reserves the right to publish for clarity or length. Contributors must ensure that all material submitted is not in breach of copyright or that if such material is submitted they have obtained any necessary permission, in writing, for its reproduction. Whilst every care will be taken with material submitted to Rotary 1070 News and Events magazine, no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage.

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PLEASE HAND THIS TO POTENTIAL ROTARIANS WHO ASK “WHAT’S ROTARY ALL ABOUT?”

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otary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders and problem solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.

Rotarians are men and women who volunteer to help people locally, nationally and internationally by using their time and talents. They have formed themselves into local Clubs so that they can more easily help their communities and support those in need. Rotary Clubs support local hospices, charities, schools and students, the elderly, disadvantaged and disabled and they encourage young people by providing opportunities and rewarding them for their achievements.

Rotary is an International Service Organisation which gives help and support to thousands of projects across the world. Donations are not given to governments but to local Rotary Clubs who oversee the work on behalf of the donors. Let me give you a couple of examples.

Last year a UK Rotary Club donated £2000 to provide equipment and a clean, safe play area for toddlers in a very poor township in South Africa. The local Rotary Club bought the equipment and materials and oversaw the installations.

On a much larger scale, 30 years ago Rotary pledged the world’s children that they would get rid of Polio from the planet so that no child would die or be disabled by the disease ever again. By persuading and working with governments, Unicef, The World Health Organisation and other charities and by raising hundreds of millions of US Dollars, the promise has almost been completed and now the world is 99.9% free of Polio. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has promised to match every dollar Rotary raises with 2 more dollars such is their trust in Rotary’s determination and professionalism. That’s not all. Rotarians are currently focussing on promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies. Rotary does not simply give hand-outs of food or equipment; it always oversees projects and in disaster areas Rotary is among the first to render aid through the ShelterBox scheme which provides basic shelter, water and tools for survival. Rotary responded to the Caribbean disaster this year and was in the NE of England a few years ago.

Rotary is not in any way a religious, or exclusive organisation. Its members are men and women of all ages and from all walks of life who want to help and do some good wherever they can. To do their good work Rotary clubs raise funds by organising large and small fund-raising events like Dragon Boat Races, Charity Golf Days, Sportsmen’s Dinners, Car Shows, Bucket Collections, Christmas Collections etc.

Rotarians meet regularly to enjoy each other’s company, have some fun and to plan future projects they even have a choir in this District!

If this is the kind of thing you think you would like to be involved with, get in touch with one of your local clubs and go and see for yourself. Look for your local Rotary Clubs on www.rotary1070.org , or call John Garley on 01933 312668.

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

DISTRICT NEWS DG PETER - HIS MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR HIS YEAR OF OFFICE!

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have rehearsed what I was going to say to you all on many occasions over the time leading up to me being your District Governor, varying from thanking you all for electing me, thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment, THANK YOU for being part of the VERY best District in Rotary Great Britain & Ireland.

Whilst all of those thoughts are still there, they are now tempered with sorrow, for the friends we have lost, for the events we have missed and for the friendship and fellowship that we can’t physically promote. They are also tempered with happiness for the opportunities that this pandemic opens for us, the ability to volunteer to help others, whether it be making Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), delivering food for Foodbanks or for maintaining contact with those that are alone.

When Holger Knaack first presented Rotary Opens Opportunities little did he know just how relevant that would be in the Rotary Year 2020/21. He may be the first President in RI history never to travel, the first to open communication channels through Zoom and other media outlets, the first to show that he can appear for any Club at any time.

Surely two Rotary themes could never match as these do now, connecting the world and opening opportunities, both of which will be remembered when this Pandemic is over.

I made a commitment to you all that I would attend as many of your functions as I can, and that still remains the case, if I do my “A“ visit on Zoom, I will attempt to return with a physical visit (presuming you want me that is) and I will attend any special event that I possibly can.

You, the Rotarians of our District, are the most important, followed by Clubs and lastly the District. You are the people at the “coal face” and are responsible for the way that District 1070 goes forward, however we do need to change and to accept new ideas, some of which won’t match with our traditional views, but we also need to promote new clubs. All of these have a place in Rotary going forward.

I look forward to Clubs working together, still having individual identity, but pooling resources for the benefit of all; also to having a Rotaract Club in every town and an Interact Club in every school. Strange as it may seem, the young have ideas that are equally as good as the older person. Holger made a great point of pointing out that there is no wrong age to join Rotary. We need quality rather than quantity and to carry out Projects rather than talk about them.

I said at the beginning that I had rehearsed what to say, this article totally defeats that aim as I sit here with a blank sheet, speaking to you from my heart.

We are People of Action, lets Open Opportunities, help anybody less fortunate than ourselves and take great pride in what we do.

THANK YOU ALL for what you do and I look forward to meeting you all soon

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2020 / 2021 MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE TEAM

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e have given the decision of what to do about the District Conference, scheduled for this coming September, a lot of thought and in consultation with the venue (ICC Wales) and we have been able to re-schedule the event to March next year.

The Conference will now take place from Friday to Sunday March 12th, 13th and 14th 2021.

If you have previously registered for this September, your registration will of course roll over until then, but if you wish to cancel we will accept without question and your fee will be refunded.

We are assured by the Celtic Manor group that hotel rooms are available for the new dates at the Celtic Manor group’s hotels in the area: the Celtic As you can imagine our decision has Manor itself, Holiday Inn Newport, not been made lightly and we waited Coldra Court or Ty Magor hotels. as long as possible before having to If you have not already done so then do this. please register now for the revised

date. Further details are on the district website at www.rotary1070.org/ district-conference/.

The District Conference for the following Rotary year, 2021-22 will be moved, probably to March 2022.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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DISTRICT NEWS PDG RODNEY’S PAST YEAR’S REMINISCENCES

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n looking back on this extraordinary year, it can be divided into two parts, the first before mid-March being defined as pre-COVID and the time since lockdown, which has given Rotarians great opportunities with a national increase in volunteering. As has been said many of these new volunteers are Rotarians, they just don’t know it yet.

I completed my visits to all 86 Clubs by February but during that time I did not know how important one of my key words – flexibility – would be.

So I would like to particularly congratulate Club Presidents for taking flexibility on board with regular online meetings, engaging with their members, many of which are having increased attendance.

We were the first District in Rotary GB&I to successfully hold a District Council Meeting online. The changing of other District meetings to online has reduced our travel costs and environmental impact and I am sure this will continue in the future.

In these last three months Service above Self has blossomed and I would congratulate those Rotarians who were able to take advantage of the government confirmation that leaving home for work, including volunteering, was permitted – and this included working for foodbanks, delivering shopping and medicine – as well as manufacturing personal protection equipment at home by those who were housebound. Also 25 local COVID related projecteds received Rotary Foundation support Several Clubs also took advantage of a new arrangement with Giving World providing supplies of surplus and end-ofline products free to Rotary Clubs for distribution to those in need in their communities.

The Rotarian per capita fundraising increased to help finish Rotary’s long-term priority of ridding the world of Polio and it has been confirmed that the vaccine distribution and laboratory network will also be used for COVID vaccination in the same way it is currently being used for Malaria and HIV.

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The other great news of which I am particularly pleased, as it shows the quality of the service projects and strength of Clubs within our District, is that 36 are expected to achieve a Rotary Citation, the highest number for several years.

My thanks to all Rotarians who have undertaken so much Rotary Service during this difficult difficult year and also to the 100 members who served on the District Project and Support Teams with the objective of promoting their passion and contributing to the District objective which is to support Clubs and Rotarians.

My thanks to members of my own Club, Leicester for their support during the year and particularly those who acted as assistant sergeants at arms at the conference. And to my wife Pam, a member of the Rotary Club of Leicester Novus for her support.

Best wishes to my successor Peter Berry, the new District Team and all Rotarian during the Rotary year 2020/21.

Rodney B. Spokes, Immediate Past District Governor.

If you missed the District 1070 Handover, you can see a recording at https://www.facebook.com/ watch/?v=1199792533687961 or search on Facebook for “rotarydistrict1070” – the actual meeting starts at 2 minutes and 44 seconds from the start of the recording.

HANDOVERS

SLEAFORD PRESIDENT CHANGEOVER

Lutterworth Rotary change of President took place by Zoom on Monday 29th June due to the current Government imposed rules on meetings instead of our normal venue at the Greyhound Coaching Inn in Lutterworth.

The attached picture was taken prior to the Lock Down in March – where they met for another function.

David Ayres our new President is joined by our past President Sally Hollis far right and pictures Val Cooper our President Elect for 2021/22 with the proprietor of the Greyhound Robert Eggleston in the hotel’s garden.

On Wednesday 24th June, Hinckley Ambion Rotary Club celebrated the changeover of our Presidents. President Ben Mangiante (on right) handed over the chain of office to the President Elect Mike Harris representing the end of one year and the start of the next.

The ceremony took place in the course of a zoom meeting attended by the Club Membership and our Assistant Governor Elect Mr Ray Spare, thanks were given to Ben as the outgoing President for his work over the preceding year. Good wishes were given to Mike as the incoming President for his efforts on behalf of the Club over the next year.

It was all change at the Rotary Club of Sleaford as Rotarian Barbara Roberts, following in the footsteps of her late husband Keven as President, received the Charter and Presidential chain of office from the outgoing President Rotarian Peter Kite, whilst strictly observing the ‘social distancing’.

A retired school teacher of 30 years and a director of Roberts Tyres/Sleaford MOT & Service Centre, Barbara was chairman of the Sleaford Talking Newspaper for ten years , spending her spare time helping Home Start and being a member of the WI. She is keen to continue as an active member of the Hykeham Sailability alongside her other duties, whilst realising the next 12 months will not be easy due to the pandemic restrictions.

SPILSBY HANDOVER Members of Spilsby Rotary Club gathered at Snipe Dales Country Park for their hand-over when out-going President Ian Steltner handed over the chain of office to in-coming President Charles Tong who thanked Ian for his year in these difficult times.

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

DISTRICT NEWS LICENSED SUPPLIERS The RI Board of Directors has developed a licensing system to provide high-quality merchandise to Rotarians worldwide and to maintain and protect the integrity and use of the Rotary Marks. A list of licensed vendors (individuals, corporations and Rotary Entities) within RIBI, authorised to produce merchandise using the Rotary Marks, is given on the Rotary GB&I website.

Any individual, company or Rotary Entity interested in manufacturing or selling goods containing the Rotary name, Rotary Emblem or other of the Rotary Marks must be licensed

by RI. Rotary clubs and districts and Rotarians within RIBI are encouraged to purchase merchandise bearing the Rotary Emblem or other Rotary Marks only from Official Official Licensees

THE ROTARY CLUB OF LINDUM LINCOLN END POLIO NOW CHRISTMAS CARD 2020 Following the success over the last 4 years of its Christmas card, The Rotary Club of Lindum Lincoln is offering a new cover design for their 2020 cards. Cards are sold in packs of 10 for £4.50 including post and packaging. All profits go to The Rotary Foundation UK, and last year each purchasing club’s End Polio Now record was credited with a massive £2.35 for each pack of cards purchased, an amazing 55% of the purchase price. With double matching from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that grows to £7.05.

The 2020 cover is kindly donated by a local artist. The back page of the card explains Rotary’s long-term project to eradicate Polio since 1985, as well as a membership marketing message about Rotary, Rotarians volunteering service, fun, fellowship, and how to join.

Lindum’s Project Leader, PDG Simon Kalson is hoping to grow the customer base and sales yet again in this fifth year.

To receive details and order form for the 2020 card please send Simon an email: simon@inter-travel.co.uk Timeline: Orders placed and cheques received by:17th October 2020 Delivery to one address per club by: 30th November 2020 (Last year 95% of deliveries achieved by 15th November) Confirmation of Club Donation to End Polio Now: 31st January 2021 (Last year this was achieved by 21st November 2019) We have brought forward the order deadline by a few days compared with previous years because of possible restrictions caused by Covid-19. This buys our customers more time to distribute to their members.

Donations to End Polio Now since 2016 total £16,840, which with Bill & Melinda Gates Double Matching grows to £50,520. Every penny of profit is donated to End Polio Now, and to repeat the earlier statement, last year each purchasing club’s End Polio Now record was credited with a massive £2.35 for each pack of cards purchased, an amazing 55% of the purchase price

DISTRICT PROJECT AND SUPPORT TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS 2019/20 Thanks are due to the 100 Rotarians who served on District Project and Support Teams in support of Clubs and Rotarians.

The following lists some of the activities and projects initiated or expanded for the Rotary year 2019/20: Youth Services (Alan Jukes): Communications/Public Image Foundation (Hugh Holden) Of 73 Successful Senior Rotary Youth (Eddie Pearson): News & Events Grants processed, 25 for COVID-19 projects in the five weeks up to 8 May. Leadership Award at Grafham Water audit resulted in print cost savings in July and Junior RYLA in February without compromising quality.

Programme of club visits including 2020. Successfully completed Youth Developing Social Media assistance. virtually, to promote Foundation competitions for Photographer, Artist, Website training attended by over projects and “End Polio Now”. New Musician and Chef. Community 60 Rotarians. Promoted awareness and innovative online training based Interact Club formed and of copyright requirements. DG package developed. Achieved an continued success of existing Interact Newsletter published on first of each increase in per capita fundraising for clubs. Continued growth of RotaKids. month.

Polio eradication.

Rotaract (Jim Davies): Developed Leadership Development and the District team of Rotaract Training (David Lawrence): Community (Bill Watson): Ambassadors. Established our Prepared President Elect resources for Introducing Giving World to the Clubs District as the Rotary GB&I pilot Assistant Governors to facilitate and giving free goods to support their for the National Citizen Service organised improved District Team communities. Promoting information (NCS) partnership. Mentored senior training which achieved greater on Dementia and Memory Cafes.

Rotaractors into key District leadership attendance in preparation for this Promoting environmental awareness roles including attending our President Rotary Year. Increasing the evaluation with talks to Clubs and regular Elect training. input from participants to lead to newsletters. Awareness to combat future improvements. Developed Membership (Graham Martin loneliness and all mental health issues & Dick Parsley): Section of the E-mail etiquette advice. including an alliance with Rutland District web pages update to enable Compliance (Louise Willis): Water. Assisting with flood relief in the easier navigation. Generic tri-fold Safeguarding officer appointed. recruitment brochure for all clubs to Doncaster Area.

Conference (Bob McKinlay): use. Improved “online” handling of Conference at Southport was International (Joel Weaver): enquiries from non-Rotarians.

Good appreciated by all who attended, Environmental awareness including practice advice on bringing in new and speakers were judged to be “the relationships with Plastic Oceans members, mentoring and working best ever”. Online booking introduced and SeaTrust. Promoting Cadre of with volunteers. Supporting Assistant for the first time. Careful management Technical Advisors. Promoting support Governors and Clubs to consider allowing the return of significant funds for numerous disaster relief efforts different membership options. With to the main District account. Members across the planet. Promoting a new District 1220 developing link with local have been surveyed for views on Chambers of Commerce to deliver vessel fitout for Mercy Ships (Africa). future conferences. club community projects.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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DISTRICT NEWS GIVING WORLD – E CLUB

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very year UK businesses produce £2billion worth of surplus goods. Surplus is the natural cycle of business but what we do with it can and does make a difference, helping the most vulnerable people to significantly improve their life chances We collaborate with a trusted network of businesses and charitable distribution partners who reach the most vulnerable people with the surplus goods from businesses, including packaged food, warm winter clothing, toiletries, toys, books, cleaning materials and other household products.

It is impossible to overstate the impact the goods have for beneficiaries. Powerful stories of making low incomes stretch; preventing debt and high risk loans by providing household essentials like nappies and cleaning products; preventing social isolation with new clothes and shampoo.

E-club President Angela Woods heard about Giving World, a charity which last year saved over a million new items from landfill, ensuring they are given free to those in need.

Quick off the mark she contacted Giving World to see how the Rotary E-Club could

help. She registered and selected brand new products to give away (items cannot be sold or used for a raffle or tombola). Even under lockdown, with President Angela being a key worker and the goods being used for vulnerable people, she was able to collect 1,797 items with a value of £4,868 from the Leicester warehouse. These included clothing for babies to be donated to the hospital, supporting new parents not able to get to the shops. She also chose hygiene items and adult sports clothing that will go to support vulnerable people in homeless shelters; stationery items for children from low income families currently not attending school and with school uniforms and PE kits for when they return; novels and memory kits to help stimulate residents in care homes.

A perfect example of Rotary supporting the local community.

COUNCILS ON LEGISLATION (COL) AND RESOLUTIONS (COR)

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very District in the Rotary world elects its representative, who must be a past Officer of Rotary International, (a Past District Governor) to serve a 3-year term on the two Councils. It has been my privilege to represent District 1070 for the period 2017-2020.

It is important to point out that the designation “representative” is significant. It is emphasised that whilst representatives should seek opinion from the District they should not finally make up their mind as to how to vote until they are at the Council and hear the debate for and against the proposal. Representatives are urged to vote for what they feel is best for Rotary International as a whole.

These Councils are sometimes described as Rotary’s parliament.

They are the means by which any Club or District in the Rotary world can propose change.

COUNCIL ON RESOLUTIONS This Council meets online every year to vote on proposed resolutions.

Resolutions are requests to the RI Board or Foundation Trustees to take an action that is outside the purview of the constitutional documents. A resolution should affect the Rotary world rather than address local issues.

Representatives from all Rotary Districts

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vote on resolutions by clubs, districts, the RI Board and the Governing Council of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland. Adopted resolutions are then considered by the RI Board or The Rotary Foundation Trustees.

The Council on Resolutions takes place from mid-October to mid-November each year. Any Rotarian can view the resolutions and the results but only representatives can vote.

The deadline for submitting resolutions to the 2020 COR is 30 June.

COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION Every three years District Representatives meet at the Council on Legislation to review and vote on proposed changes to the legislation which governs Rotary. They consider enactments which change Rotary’s governing documents and position statements by the RI Board. The proposals will be open to online viewing by any Rotarian.

The deadline for submitting proposed enactments for the 2022 Council is 31 December 2020.

THE 2019 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION The most recent Council took place in Chicago from 14-18 April 2019. There were 538 certified representatives (all have to be elected by their District and complete online and face-toface training) of which 532 actually

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

attended.

There were also a number of nonvoting members of the Council including the RI Board, Foundation Trustees and Past RI Presidents) 117 proposed enactments were debated and voted on. Voting is done electronically.

Seating for the representatives is allocated by the organisers and is changed from time to time to ensure maximum integration. An electronic device, laptop or ipad, is an absolute essential. Re-charging during the long days is a problem but participants were all supplied with a power-pack.

For more detail about how to draft Enactments and Resolutions please refer to the following, available on the Learning Centre on the RI My Rotary site.

How to Propose Enactments and Resolutions Course Finally, it has been a privilege and honour to be District 1070’s representative for which I’m truly grateful. I am doubly grateful for the honour, recently confirmed, to represent the District at COL and COR for the 2020/23 cycle. geoffblurton@gmail.com Tel: 01536 510263 Mobile: 07964 015782

DISTRICT NEWS ROTARY AND THE NATIONAL CITIZENS SERVICE,A NEW PARTNERSHIP

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ioneered by Jim Davies of Market Harborough Club, (District 1070 and RIBI Rotaract Lead) Rotary now has an amazing opportunity to work with NCS and its partners. The whole idea is to promote new Rotaract Clubs in what Jim calls “Contemporary Rotaract”.

Giving the young people who have been through the NCS Scheme an opportunity to continue their good work of service to their Communities.

Obviously in the current climate it is really impossible for the NCS Programme to proceed as normal so the traditional 4 week Course has been shortened to two weeks. If you haven’t come across NCS before it is a Government backed programme “Designed especially for 16 and 17 year olds, the NCS experience will give them a clearer idea of what they want from their future. Over 500,000 people have already completed the course”.

If YOUR club would like to look into this further talk to your area Rotaract Ambassador, or Jim Davies email:jim.davies@fraserdavies.co.uk.

This really is a way which Rotary can benefit from the help of enthusiastic young people who will assist in the delivery of our service to our Communities. One of the drivers behind the Partnership is Rotary’s ever increasing age profile and the fact that who will be there in 10 years time to deliver our programmes and continue with our motto “Service above Self”!

Older Rotarians will remember the heady days of Rotaract Clubs with 60 Members! Sadly very few continued into Rotary. With the upper age limit of Rotaract being removed by The Council of Legislation, Rotaract Clubs will in reality be Satellite’s of their founding Club(s) and provide the Youth that Rotary is currently sadly lacking!

There are a number of ways that Rotary can be involved and your Area Rotaract Ambassador will tell you how and who to contact. This is an amazing opportunity for Rotary we MUST not let it pass us by!

TAKE ACTION NOW! GET INVOLVED, ENSURE THE FUTURE OF ROTARY! Tony Robbs Rotary Club of Kettering

CHANGE LIVES. TAKE ACTION.

7th – 9th May 2021.

Rotary and Volunteer Expo Volunteer Expo is created and hosted by Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland and will further advance what Rotary does best – connecting with our communities and championing good causes.

This event will have Rotary at its heart, giving us the opportunity to promote Rotary membership, showcase our life-changing projects and encourage participation in our incredible programmes.

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olunteer Expo is the new event to harness the power of volunteering. Hosted by Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, it is the first and only event of its kind in the UK.

After close monitoring of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we have

taken the decision to postpone Volunteer Expo, which was scheduled to take place from 1-3 May 2020.

This decision has not been taken lightly, but collective health and safety is our top priority.

It will give a brand new audience chance to discover how Rotary’s activities promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, protect mothers and children, grow local economies and so much more.

The event will now take place from

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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ENVIRONMENT MARKET HARBOROUGH INDUCTION IN GARDEN

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ew Rotarian Paulene Bosworth was inducted into the Rotary Club of Market Harborough in her own garden. The ceremony took place during lockdown and only six people were present, all at social

distances. In the warm sunshine, President Mark Taylor welcomed Paulene to the club. Paulene’s mentor, Rotarian Dee Quinn was present, PDG Chris Davies was there as membership officer of the

club and Rtn Les Dodd, who had introduced Paulene to the club.

Paulene is the fourth new member of this club in 2020 and there are 2 more people waiting to join.

ROTARY E-CLUB OF DISTRICT 1070 COMMUNITY WILDFLOWER MEADOW

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es, the meadow is now open.

And what a beautiful sight it is.

Towcester Town Mayor, Richard Dallyn, opened the wildflower meadow on Sunday 31 May, maintaining a social distance of course. It was a beautifully sunny morning which showed the meadow in its full glory.

A number of people were present (all at least two metres apart) including some of the community who worked on the development of the meadow.

It was quite a contrast to the weekend when we started – the rain was almost biblical.

Mayor Lisa Samiotis was game as she cut the first turf to get the project started. A lot has changed in eight months.

It was a lot of work, but the hardest part was waiting for the flowers to emerge and wondering if they would.

Luckily, the wait has been worth it, it is a joy.

However, the work doesn’t stop

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here. It does need to be maintained and the Rotary E-Club welcomes assistance from members of the community to identify potential problems, trim the pathways so people can continue to walk through the meadow and yes to clear any dog excrement they see to keep it safe and pleasant for everyone.

The Rotary E-Club would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the development of the wildflower meadow and that includes the residents of Hazel Crescent that came out to help.

But we’re not finished yet. The mound of turf next to the meadow is too heavy and thus too expensive to have it taken away by the town council.

We could turn that into a number of things, for example, a series of bug hotels, or other wildlife habitats and plant some different meadow plants.

Ideas are welcome.

However, we can’t start yet because the surface of it is very uneven and

Before (Turf removed)

ith the good news that the Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have approved adding ‘supporting the environment’ as Rotary’s seventh area of focus we are able to more confidently move ahead to mitigate the symptoms of the declared Climate Emergency and help our communities change behaviours and trajectories.

To culminate the initiative started last year by David George we are aiming to have wilded or re-wilded as a minimum an additional 2021 square metres by the end of June 2021. This is a relatively small ask, 1m2 per Rotarian would do it. The benefits benefits are huge. No weekly mowing, insect friendly and pretty to boot.

There is a plan afoot to bulk purchase wildflower wildflower seed for sowing in the Autumn or Spring.

After

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we need it smoothed over first with a digger, so we don’t end up creating a neighbourhood full of twisted ankles.

In the meantime everyone is invited to come and enjoy the wildflower meadow. See how many plants and wildlife you can identify. It really is a place of calm and tranquillity.

If you want to contact the Rotary E-Club about the wildflower meadow or want to find out more about Rotary and what it does please email secretary@rotaryeclub1070.org or visit our website www.rotaryeclub1070.org

GREEN SPOT (IDEAS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING) Consider using an environmentally friendly search engine, such as Ecosia. In the 10 years since Ecosia was launched, it has planted over 87 million trees. Change your investment choices to ethical funds.

Consider moving to electricity providers who generate only from Green energy sources. I wrote the offering offering below at 4.30am one morning when feeling particularly strongly about our behaviours and plight.

What Life If you can drink water will undo your good work with no rest And not throw away a bottle If you can bear the pain; If you can eat Of every plastic bag you throw But never discard food that can be eaten Of every piece of plastic film you tear and cast away If you can tend your patch of green For every natural life you take each day With concrete unseen If you can meet with frequent flyers If you can place yourself at the mercy of doubters and diesel drivers And treat those two imposters just And bear ridicule and scorn from cynics the same Then, human, you have a life and If you can plant just one tree humans you have hope.

Yet know that you must plant fifty If you can do your personal best Chris Davies, March 2020 knowing that other nations

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS THE DAVID SCHOOL SIERRA LEONE

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otarian David Wallwork, disturbed by what he saw on a visit to Sierra Leone, persuaded his family he needed to set up a school to help young people gain an education. He could never have envisaged the scale of what he would achieve. With the support of Rotary clubs at home and abroad his successes have been phenomenal.

Imagine his pride now some of the youngsters he has helped have graduated from University.

Umaru Jalloh expresses his gratitude in his own words (abridged): “As I sat in the National Stadium in Freetown, dressed in my graduation regalia awaiting the conferment of a Law Degree by the Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone (President of the Republic of Sierra Leone), I reminisced how this came about and how the David School changed the narratives.

After taking my final high school examination, I went to my uncle’s subsistence farm close to Mile 36 to await my result. It was excellent, satisfying university admission requirements. At last, I could follow my dream – to read Law. This dream was shattered. Law, the most expensive course on campus, was beyond what my parent could provide. I was on the verge of dropping out of school.

In 2014, Mr Fofanah, principal of the David School, came to my house to ask me to teach as a volunteer in his school. I accepted - an opportunity to help humanity. In 2015, proprietor David Wallwork and other trustees visited the school. They offered to help me go through my university education. I was dumbstruck.

In 2016, I was admitted into the University of Sierra Leone to read Law. Reading law was daunting but I remained steadfast and focused on chasing my dream. As I write, thanks to the David School, I hold a Bachelor of Law (with honours) degree.

My story is just one. The school has impacted many lives. Despite meagre funds, it is setting an indelible footprint that shall forever thrive.

This charitable school provides free, quality education and other

amenities to the people of Mile 36 and beyond. David Wallwork foresaw the need to provide education to vulnerable and less privileged children. I thank David, his wife, daughter and Michael Houlden whose support and advice has been invaluable. I also thank those “unknown” people who have donated resources to the school.

They cannot imagine how valuable their support has been.

The fight isn’t over. My ultimate aim to be a lawyer has not been reached.

I still have to do a year at the Sierra Leone Law School. It’s short but stringent and needs further support.

The David School is changing the lives of the people in Mile 36. You need not be a millionaire to be a humanitarian. Every act of kindness can greatly influence someone’s life.”

Umaro Jalloh See the Newsletter in Downloads dated 30/03

THE DEEPINGS VOLUNTEER IN INDIA

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otary’s flagship youth programme, giving opportunities to young people by offering camps or exchanges, has been badly affected. Happily, Lilian Read did get a chance to visit India and updated us on her return to the UK. This is her story: Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the Project Trust made the difficult decision to repatriate all volunteers from across the world. There were increasingly tight travel restrictions, organisations shutting down and international borders closing. In fact, Lilian got the last flight from Hyderabad!

This meant she only got six months in India. However, she relates that the time she spent in India was phenomenal and the best

experience of her life. Lilian not only experienced the country but got to teach at an incredible school, and make friends for life.

She fell in love with India; everything about it from the food to the culture and the people. She even visited Agra and saw the Taj Mahal!

Lilian taught children aged four all the way up to age 13 and upwards.

She also helped with a resource group (a class for children who were blind but also mentally challenged).

In the evenings she spent time in the girl’s dormitory, helping with any kind of project, learning Telegu (the language of Telangana), playing games and an experiencing an exchange of culture.

Lilian will forever remember her time in India and intends to return as

soon as possible. She said “It was like finding a second home and family in India and at Devnar School.

However, none of this would have been possible without the help of your charity. Without your generous donation it would not have been possible for me to go to India. Thank you very much. It really was a oncein-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget and I am truly grateful that I was able to be funded to have this chance with help from the Deepings Rotary club.”

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS GRANTHAM SUNRISE - BUSUMBALA COMMUNITY SCHOOL -THE GAMBIA

G GRANTHAM KESTEVEN KENYA STREET KITCHEN

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n June 3rd the Rotary Club Grantham Kesteven hosted a zoom meeting with the Rotary Club of Meru Kenya. It was attended by about 50 Rotarians from a range of clubs. The meeting was set up so the Kenyan Rotarians could tell us about the situation in Meru Kenya since the outbreak of Covid 19 and the subsequent curfew restrictions. We were joined on Zoom by four members of the Meru Club, including a Past President, current President and President Elect.

Their Rotary Club is faced with the daunting situation of having approximately 300 children living on the streets of Meru town with no access to food. Schools where some of these children might have found refuge have closed, there is no casual work, and restaurants where children might have received leftovers are closed. With the Covid restrictions in place the food supply has been affected, and whilst there is still food available to buy, prices have increased significantly further adding to the strain.

The Kenyan Rotarians explained that these children receive no government support and the community has no capacity to offer support at this challenging time. So their Rotary Club had started to run a street kitchen to feed the youngsters with lunch and supper. These are currently being cooked in the local prison and distributed by Rotary volunteers. The cost of the food needed to feed the children is $110 a day approx £80.

Those of us at the meeting wanted to support their efforts and we took the information back to our clubs. Within several days over £5000 had been raised including a £1000 District 1070 Grant.

This money has been sent down to the Meru Club account and each day they are cooking and distributing the meals. We have arranged a second Zoom call with the Meru Club in August to get an update on the Kenyan Covid situation and to hear how they are getting on with the feeding program.

If anybody would like to join this Zoom call do email our Grantham Kesteven secretary on secretary@granthamkestevenrotary.org and they will forward the link.

A huge thank you to everybody who has come together to make this project succeed.

Kind Regards Rotarian Caroline Newton

Rotary Club Grantham Kesteven

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rantham Sunrise Rotary Club are not just working locally to support the community, but are now working internationally in their support for a school in The Gambia.

A founder Sunrise member, Heather Wright brought the clubs attention to the fact that she has been supporting a school, the Busumbala community school, in The Gambia, for many years now, visits the school most years, and that there was an opportunity for the club to get involved, initially with the provision of books, and the seed was sown. Club Secretary Irvin Metcalf, along with Sunrisers Lez Jones and Keith Copeland mentioned the need to several schools in Grantham, whilst conducting Rotary Star Awards there, and the schools responded positively, and books surplus to requirements were duly picked up from the schools, namely Huntingtower and Isaac Newton schools, for shipment to Gambia, which Heather, and her friend, initially took out through their hand luggage and with her contacts ensured the rest made a safe passage. Upon hearing of their safe arrival at Busumbala community school our first school to respond were quick to contact the Sunrisers with Emma Harkins, Headteacher at Huntingtower School, saying: “I am so delighted that the books have reached their destination safely. Our children have read those books many, many times over a number of years so I am delighted that this will now continue in another school.

Reading really does have the capacity to bring such joy to so many and has a universal and equitable capacity. I believe that it is an entitlement of all children to learn to read and am so glad that we could help in a small way”. Equally, the school in The Gambia were overjoyed with their new books, and photographs and gratitude were shown in abundance.

Thanks to the generosity and intervention of Heather, the school has gone from having mud walls to having proper

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

classrooms, and now has 252 children in attendance, with seven adults leading including the Headteacher and cook.

The Gambia, which is a former British colony, mainly use English as their spoken word and taught language, but also have their own languages in Mandinka and Wilof. Their main industries are farming, fishing and tourism, but there is a lot of unemployment, and the country over past years has seen nearly 48% of the people living at or below the poverty line, and nearly 70% of people in that category in rural areas, so education is extremely important for the young people.

After one of her most recent visits to the school, Heather returned and informed the Sunrise club that the school building, has poor provision regarding privacy when using the mixed toilets, and the club, with more than a little encouragement from a very enthusiastic Heather (who was willing to pay for the doors herself), agreed to assist, and the club paid for new metal doors, their installation and fitting, which provide privacy and dignity. Heather said, “I have personally been supporting the School for many years now, and am so pleased to see the improvements there, the young people and staff are just so grateful for our involvement and assistance, and the children show so much excitement and love when we attend, it’s truly wonderful”. Thanks to Heather, and Grantham Sunrise club, the people in the Busumbala community school, are enjoying all the enrichment that a good education can bring, long may it

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS MARKET HARBORO - TANZANIAN SCHOOL AID

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school in Tanzania has opened a new science laboratory funded in part by the Rotary Club of Market Harborough.

The school is in Oldonyowas, a village in the Arusha district in north east Tanzania. The building has been financed by donation from the Rotary Clubs of Market Harborough and of Bjerringbro, Denmark. The two clubs worked together, and linked with a Rotary Club in Tanzania, to get a grant from Rotary International to match their donations and pay for the new laboratory.

The building itself was finished quite early, but there were major challenges with installing gas and water.

Nevertheless, the laboratory now has a high quality finish.

The school is currently closed due to lockdown (April 2020), but when the students come back, they will have a laboratory which, by Tanzanian conditions, is of a very high standard. The ambition of Oldonyowa’s Secondary School is to create optimal schooling for young people, so that, even though they come from a farmer’s village far in the countryside, they can get a good education which can possibly lead on to higher education. The school must be attractive not only to the students, but also to attract good teachers who can be retained.

FOOTBALLS AND SKIPPING ROPES MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND In every Literacy Box we include a few footballs and some skipping ropes. Kids anywhere in the world need a break from learning and recently we were sent pictures from a school in Chishiko, near Lusaka of some lads playing football with one of the balls from our box. It makes a break from the classroom, encourages teamwork and is loads better than kicking a can... nothing like the real thing.

Meanwhile the girls use the skipping ropes to play as well.

So not only is a box educational it is also recreational.

MELTON MOWBRAY BELVOIR MALI – NEW VILLAGE WELL! Villagers in a sub-Saharan village in Mali were celebrating this week as they drew the first water from their new village well. The well, provided by Rotarians from Melton Mowbray, provides a safe and clean water supply to the 1000 plus people of this mud-brick farming village in one of Africa’s most impoverished and deprived countries.

Melton Belvoir Rotary Club heard about the hardship that the villagers were going through once their old well had collapsed and they were being forced to travel three kilometers each way in 40 degrees of heat to share a muddy pond with livestock. They galvanized a joint effort between Melton Belvoir Rotary Club, Melton Inner Wheel, Melton Markets, Rotary Foundation and private donations to fund Joliba Trust, a British charity specializing in Mali to dig nearly fifty metres through hard quartzite to provide a new water source for the people.

One villager expressed the sheer joy that the well has brought “We women of the village are so happy that we cannot find words to express it. We now have clean water available. The water collection chores that used to take 8 hours from wells that often dried up now just take one hour”.

The need for water was so great that the village school children, particularly the girls, were mobilized to spend most of their days fetching heavy cans of stinking muddy liquid from the pond. The villager added “The school was almost deserted. School officials came more than three times to encourage us to send the children to school as if not the school would be threatened with closure”.

Now the new well has transformed the villager’s lives and the school is full once again.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS PETERBOROUGH ORTONS PURPLE COMMUNITY FUND

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n recent weeks we have all faced difficulty, uncertainty and at times fear. During this dreadful pandemic, Rotarians have been at the forefront of volunteering in the local community and financially supporting local charities. We are however mindful of the dire situation faced by people living in other parts of the world; those who do not have an understanding government or the support of our wonderful NHS. For those with little income and those displaced by violence in their homeland matters are even more frightening.

District Rotary clubs have donated to their charity partner, the Purple Community Fund (PCF) who are supporting families living on rubbish dumps in the Philippines. In addition to their usual problems a devastating fire has swept through the heart of their community in Tondo. Families have lost all their possessions, food and clothes. Their community kitchen was opened up with the help of

volunteers in the area to feed the children and their families three meals a day. This is the worst possible timing.

With Coronavirus a threat, families are not able to practice social distancing as the need for shelter and food presents a greater problem.

Rotary’s other partner organisation, ShelterBox, fears Coronavirus will spread through and devastate overcrowded displacement camps.

Here, people already having faced violence and fearing for their lives

forced to flee flee their homes, now have very limited access to healthcare. In densely populated Wuhan, China there are 6,000 people per km2.

Compare this with the Rohinghya refugee camp in Bangladesh where there are a staggering 40,000 people per km2. There have already been confirmed cases of Covid19 in Syria.

ShelterBox is supporting these families by sending out soap and handbasins in addition to providing them with shelter and essential items.

REV CLIVE DOUBLEDAY (PETERBOROUGH ORTONS) CANCER CARE IN KOSOVO fifirst rst doctors thought this was deep vein thrombosis due to all the flying. After flying.

After further investigation it was discovered that he had NonHodgkins Lymphoma Grade 4 Aggressive. Medics said without chemotherapy he would not see Christmas. After After six months of intense chemotherapy, ultrasound, CT, MRI and PET scans, and lots of prayer, Clive was given the all-clear, ten years ago!

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magine you are told you only have six months to live. This was the situation in the summer of 2009 for Rotarian Rev Clive Doubleday.

Clive is the founder of the Christian charity Smile International which helps to feed, educate, empower and develop communities in Africa, Asia and Europe. Clive had made 17 flights in 17 days, visiting and overseeing projects which feed and educate many children, provide support for widows, and empower women through micro-financing.

Clive’s right leg began to swell. At

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Not wanting to waste his cancer journey experience, he and his wife Ruth decided to pioneer palliative care in Kosovo, where there is no national health service. If you do not have money, you cannot see the doctor, buy medicines or get treatment. Smile International established a clinic and employed doctors and nurses to provide free cancer care. Over the past seven years they have made in excess of 20,000 free home care visits. Smile International has also trained over 3,000 doctors, nurses and medical professionals in end-of-life care.

They have also recently established a mobile medical clinic, to reach the

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

remote mountain communities.

Thanks to Peterborough Ortons Rotary Club, where Clive is a member, £750 was raised. This was matched by a District grant, to provide £1,500 for the purchase of important pain relief medicines, three computers to help keep medical records, and a stethoscope.

Clive said; “In these challenging days of the coronavirus, we value our NHS more than ever before. In countries where there is little or no medical support, life is so much harder, especially for the elderly who live on meagre pensions. Smile International has been supporting widows in Kosovo since the Balkan war of 1999. If you wish to find our more please visit our website www.smileinternational.org, or our Facebook page. We are very grateful for the support of fellow Rotarians. This is just one of the many health projects Rotary supports around the world. One of the greatest gifts is to do for others what they cannot do for themselves.”

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS MERCY SHIPS

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he Rushden Club has recently donated £500 from their International funds to Mercy Ships which is a faith-based international development organisation that deploys hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need.

Conditions requiring surgical treatment kill more people in low-income countries than HIV/Aids, TB and malaria combined. Globally, five billion people have no access to safe, affordable surgery when they need it.

In sub-Saharan Africa, up to 69% of people live on less than £2 a day.

Healthcare in these countries either doesn’t exist or is unaffordable to the vast majority of the population.

The Rushden Club has also given a donation to Medecins sans Frontieres. MSF often hits the headlines when an emergency dominates the news, such as an earthquake, tsunami or war. But they constantly deliver humanitarian aid projects – from disaster response to long-term medical programmes – which stretch over decades.

SHELTERBOX SYRIA

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hanks to an incredible partnership with ShelterBox, Rotarians have helped over 1.5 million people rebuild lives devastated by natural or manmade disasters.

The conflict conflict in Syria dates back to March 2011 when a peaceful demonstration was met by swift government opposition, leading to a brutal war. As the conflict approaches its ninth year, millions remain displaced, unsure if they will ever be able to return home, their future hanging in the balance.

Civilians paying the price.

Children are no longer safe; one in four schools damaged or destroyed. Over half of Syria’s hospitals no longer function and millions of hectares of farmland have been destroyed or abandoned. Increased aerial bombardments and ground offensives in Idlib have killed or seriously injured innocent people. New refugees are sharing old, abandoned or damaged tents. Heavy rain has brought flooding; leaking tents battered by the elements.

When traumatised families are far from home, having a safe place to call home is invaluable. Shelterbox, working with Rotary and ReliefAid, aims to help vulnerable people not reached by other humanitarian organisations. More than 250,000 people have already received ShelterBox aid since December 2012 - the largest, most sustained response in our history.

Meet Farid - he was looking forward to starting his postgraduate studies in Aleppo, Syria. When the bloody war erupted in his country, he was faced with a tough dilemma - to flee the violence, or stay and help fellow Syrians? He decided to stay and work with ReliefAid, to distribute aid.

Farid says: “We have been able to preserve life by giving people equipment to purify water to drink. We also deliver clothing to vulnerable communities, especially children.

Solar lamps allow children to do their homework.” And Farid’s hopes for the future? To see his family again, finish his Master’s degree, get married and create a family. The simple things in life we take for granted.

UPPINGHAM BOMANI PROJECT

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ppingham Rotary Club has been working with Mtwapa Rotary Club in Kenya for almost 2 years to put together a Global Grant project to provide a model maternity unit at Bomani Dispensary near Mombasa, Kenya. Just a week ahead of the deadline for the revised Rotary Foundation funding rules which would have cost the project $9,500 of funding, the 2 clubs succeeded in submitting the project proposal. This is Uppingham’s 3rd attempt at producing a Global Grant project, the other 2 foundered for a variety of reasons, so all concerned have fingers crossed for 3rd time lucky and a successful project.

Bomani lies in in an impoverished area of Kilifi County some 30 km North of Mombasa with a high incidence of perinatal mortality. In Kilifi, an area with a population of about 1.2M, between 20 and 25 mothers die every month through pregnancy-related problems - a rate about 50 timers higher than in Western countries. The current dispensary at Bomani provides basic ante-natal care but has next to no capacity to look after women during delivery or provide post-natal care.

The project aims to plug this hole by providing a model maternity unit alongside the existing dispensary, using a redundant building, which draws on the nearby Medical

Training College for staff and training resources and provides a 2-bed unit to provide proper care during labour and post-natally for women from this deprived area.

Uppingham and Mtwapa have received support from Dutch and US clubs as well as 5 other D1070 clubs plus support from German, Swiss and Kenyan charities and NGOs - a truly international project valued at over $50,000.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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AROUND THE CLUBS SLEAFORD PAUL HARRIS FOUNDATION AWARD

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rantham Kesteven Rotary club held their ninth annual “Children of Courage Awards” at a celebratory lunch. The principal guests were of course the eight nominees for the award, along with their parents and representatives from the schools who had nominated them. Also present were local dignitaries and the Rotary District Governor along with Rotarians from many different clubs.

Each story we heard described a unique challenge being met with determination, resilience and courage. A common theme was that, despite the obstacles they face, these young people never grumbled or complained. Each one seemed to be able to see the positives and meet each day with a beautiful smile. Among those nominated were students who had undergone extensive surgery, one in a wheelchair, one facing life changing challenges when her dad died, one with craniosynostosis autism and spinal scoliosis, one with bone cancer, one with ME and one with leukaemia. A member of the school staff explained why they had been chosen then, as the young person went up to receive the framed citation and trophy, a piece of music selected by that nominee was played – a lovely touch. The stories were so moving several presenters were near to tears.

After the presentations, special guest GB Paralympic track cyclist Sam Ruddock spoke about each of the nominees. Having spent time chatting to each of them, he was able to reveal extra interesting nuggets. Having himself faced adversity, following his very premature birth, he was able to recognise how very special they are. Sam was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, his parents told he would never walk. However, his mother’s determination and his own courage resulted in a different outcome. He recognised the role of the parents in the lives of the nominees. To his great delight, Sam was made an honorary member of the Rotary club.

Sam’s final message was to follow the example of the nominees by taking up the challenges life throws at you. He said: “Don’t complain about the cards you are dealt – play the hand you’ve got -live through them and be inspired”.

A message we can all heed!

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he highest award in Rotary has been given by the Rotary Club of Sleaford to Rotarian Jane Peck. The ‘Paul Harris’ award has been given in recognition of her outstanding work within the community, most notably her achievement in forming Rainbow Stars, based in Sleaford and now with a membership today of over 1500 families within Lincolnshire who have children with Autism and Additional needs.

WOMEN IN ROTARY

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s most Rotarians are aware, although it was started in 1905, it wasn’t until the 1980’s that Rotary allowed women to join!

Currently, in this 21st century, women are now a vital part of the Rotary Organisation and in fact make up 22% of International Rotary membership!

Women in Rotary focus on the local community’s charitable causes, many International projects but also on women’s health and women’s problems in general which are all issues that feature with a high priority in Rotary International’s list of aspirations. In District 1070 there are 21 lady Presidents, and a glance through the Membership book brings us to the Uppingham Club with 11 lady members!

Grantham has three Rotary Clubs, a Breakfast Club, a Lunchtime Club and an Evening Club which gives potential members in the Town a choice to suit members’ lifestyles. These Clubs often combine their strengths to put the most into their local or international projects and activities. It is a fact that male Rotarians still outnumber the female members but in the three Clubs in Grantham there is a total of eighteen ladies! The Clubs feel that they are all enriched by the presence of the ladies and are able to make more rounded decisions with their input.

Past President of the Grantham Kesteven Club, the Evening Club, and Paul Harris Fellow, commented “Rotary was already a well-respected organisation before women joined, but it has now become a more rounded one where women are accepted as equals and is now representative of society as a whole”.

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

AROUND THE CLUBS HUNTINGDON

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TECH TOURNAMENT

he annual Technology Tournament, organised by the Rotary Club of Huntingdon, has grown in popularity and, for the first time in ten years, all of Huntingdon’s seven secondary schools sent teams to compete in the challenge, which was hosted by St Ivo Academy this year.

The Tournament, sponsored by Urban&Civic, is held on a single day with the students challenged to design, build and demonstrate a completed machine in about five hours, with no prior knowledge of the task. This year the teams were asked to build a flashing beacon that was capable of giving a large number of flashes without being touched after it was set going. They were provided with a kit of parts including wooden rods, stiff card, light bulb, batteries and a range of other smaller items.

There were three different levels of difficulty to cater for students from Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 - designated Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. The teams were assessed by a team of judges throughout the day and were awarded points for planning, teamwork and development of a solution as well as building and demonstrating the final machine. The winning teams each received an engraved trophy, a cash prize for their school and individual certificates.

The Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Dr Andy Harter CBE, attended the event and handed out awards to the winning teams. He expressed his appreciation of the effort the teams had put into designing and building their machines and encouraged the students to consider a career in the well paid sphere of engineering.

This year’s Tournament was also attended by the Rotary District Governor, Rodney Spokes, who took the opportunity to discuss the event with the teachers and the students.

He congratulated the Rotary Club of Huntingdon on the excellent organisation and delivery and commented that it was great to see the Club undertaking such successful community service.

Roy White from the Rotary Club of Huntingdon said: “The students really look forward to the event and find the task challenging but enjoyable. The chance to build a machine from scratch and the element of competition provide an experience that they rarely find find within the school curriculum”.

Victoria Denny-Morley, Skills Lead for Urban&Civic, said: “Skills development, especially in the construction industry, is a core priority for Alconbury Weald and the wider Cambridgeshire area and it’s fantastic to be able to inspire students through innovative approaches like the Rotary Club’s technology tournament. Supporting projects like this is vital, and it is important that the next generation know about the career opportunities on their doorstep.”

KETTERING HUXLOE WELL-BEING BOXES DISTRIBUTED

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ecently the Kettering Huxloe Club has been involved in distributing ‘well-being boxes’ to the lonely, vulnerable, isolated and those in self isolation who attend groups and drop in’s identified by Young Carers.

In the middle of the coronavirus lock-down Northamptonshire Carers, using donations from many companies to put together an impromptu production line for ‘wellbeing boxes’ under a project promoted by Northamptonshire Carers Connecting Community Project. These contained household essentials, toys for children and sweet treats. These were delivered to 400 carers across Northamptonshire. This was made possible thank to the time of staff, volunteers, National Lottery Community Fund Carers Champions and Rotary Club drivers. They have received many messages of thanks from carers and have shown a couple of typical ones below.

“Thank you so much, a lovely surprise just when I needed it the most. I have been in tears most of this weekend after visiting my 93-year-old dad (him in his 1st floor flat and me from the Rose garden, and my son through a glass window at his residential home) both I haven’t seen since lockdown, it really hurts as my son has no understanding why his life dramatically changed one day and that I can’t be with him. I know I’m not alone and there are many of us in the same situation. So a great big thank you to all for showing true caring and kindness, I’m happy to be in this amazing group!”

“Thank you Northamptonshire Carers and The Rotary Club for delivering me a parcel. It has given me something nice to think about.”

“I’d just like to say thank you for my parcel, it’s very much appreciated and was a nice surprise. Stay safe and tell the Rotary Club thank you for delivering it too.”

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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How

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Why Improve our Internal/External Communications Within community

How

Collaborate

To build the Public Image With the people We interact with

Communicate

Connect

Why

Why

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How

Social Media Public outreach Website

Stories Video Newsletters

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What

What

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Budget Responsibility

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| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

Why Build awareness and brand recall, Make consistent Message everywhere

Convert

e the profile e club to get e members nteers/funds

Consistent

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Why More volunteers More Members More interest More funds

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AROUND THE CLUBS MEMORY CAFÉ CELEBRATES ITS SECOND BIRTHDAY

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KETTERING CLUBS TESCO FOOD AID!

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ettering Tesco has been very helpful and generous in supporting Kid’s Out in recent years. The Rotary contact is Andrew Carnell from the Rotary Club of Kettering Huxloe. Andrew was contacted by Tesco to ask if Rotary could make use of food (sandwiches, pasta, bananas) to help local people especially in the Covid-19 crisis. Andrew asked Geoff Blurton of the Rotary Club of Kettering, if The Salvation Army could distribute the food to those in need.

An hour or so later Andrew arrived at The Salvation Army Hall with a Landrover full of food which he and Geoff unloaded. Geoff then called on Major Rena Litchfeld and her husband Peter for help. It was decided that we should share the gift with other faith groups who are seeking to help those in need and Rena was able to make contact. Rena, Peter and Geoff sorted the food into meat, fish and vegetarian to cater for differing religious requirements.

Very quickly two member of the Sikh Gurdwara came and gratefully received an allocation of food. Others will be coming later. The Salvation Army will continue their regular task of giving food parcels to those who are in need. Coronavirus is showing how caring our community is and this is a wonderful example of Rotary Clubs and Faith Communities working together. Thanks Tesco and thanks Andrew for today’s initiative.

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he Rotary Club of Kettering Memory Café held a party to celebrate its second birthday which was attended by 42 members. Yvonne Robinson and Dennis Bowden who organise the Café’s activities cut a cake which was shared by all those present including the Rotarians and volunteers. The entertainment was by the Pom Pom Girls who got everybody involved.

The café is open 2pm every second Thursday at the Rockingham Road Baptist Church Community Hall, Kettering.

The Café also organises coach trips to suitable events.

These are heavily discounted for those taking part, and the café is indebted to the generosity of donors. The Rotary Club of Kettering will be funding some of the future trips in addition to all the hiring and running costs of the Thursday afternoon afternoon meetings.

The role of the Carer is very difficult difficult and demanding as often often they can see the effects effects of dementia increase in a short period of time. The Carers know there is no way back, only difficult difficult times ahead. The Café provides the opportunity for Carers to talk to other Carers and also to Charity organisations who can provide support and information, in addition to finding the pathways into governmental agencies who provide many services.

The Café provides for the Carers an afternoon of respite with fun and entertainment, so that when everybody is leaving, smiles are everywhere. The trips are enjoyed by all those taking part, and the carers know that such trips are difficult for them to undertake alone.

There is every indication that the Kettering community want the Café to continue and provide this much needed service.

KETTERING KGH ‘WE CARE CAFÉ’

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here is a regular attendance of 150-200 per day and one day this week saw 300 members of staff there.

It has proved to be a great asset. A further development has been the identification of the need for a quiet place nearer to Red Zone.

Senior staff working on the frontline have little time to spare to visit the café so a room has been set aside nearer to them.

Council agreed this week to purchase two easy chairs with cushions for this room now called Open Office. The cost was £198 for the two chairs and £36 for the two cushions. Once again the thanks of Professor Amanda Ashton and her team are sent to the Rotary Club of Kettering.

The Care Café continues to be a huge asset. Professor Ashton was interviewed by BBC East on Thursday evening this week. Geoff Blurton was there on Monday this week and the activity in the Café continues to flourish. The Open Office is also used very regularly and is a much needed refuge for staff on the nearby Red Zone wards.

1070| www.rotary1070.org | Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070|

AROUND THE CLUBS LOUGHBOROUGH BEACON INTUBATION BOX

G LEICESTER NOVUS NEW MEMBER RAJAN A PARROT!

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y holding its weekly meetings using Zoom, Leicester Novus Rotary hopes to attract visitors from far and wide.

So far, four weeks into ‘Lockdown’ they haven’t done so…unless you count the meeting on April 16.

For there, appearing suddenly, was Rajan, a magnificent African Grey Parrot.

He had not come far, though… only from the other room while his proud owner Channi Riyait was attending the Rotary meeting. Maybe Rajan was a little shy, being surprised to see eight other Rotarians in the living room. He did not reply — as he often does — to the usual Sikh greeting: “Sat Sri Akal.” from the other attendees.

Rajan did not seem impressed, but it was decided to recommend to all members that they put £10 for each missed fund-raising meal into the charity account.

Members were also pleased to hear that Atsuko Miyake had got home to Japan safely and had spent a fortnight in quarantine before moving back into her flat. She, too, will be using Zoom during the COVID crisis to teach her university students English Literature.

Following the example of previous meetings, attendees left their screens at 8pm to join the applause for health and other keyworkers.

Not all members are able to attend online meetings and they are contacted regularly to make sure they are OK during the COVID Lockdown.

Other Rotary business conducted during the 90-minute meeting was the District Conference survey, the fun district quiz, future speakers for Novus and other clubs, a request for help from a visiting Hungarian graduate student, and the changed criteria for this year’s Rotary citation

arner Roberts, of the Rotary Club of Loughborough Beacon, has set up the Intubation Box Charitable Trust to raise money for a vital NHS project to protect hospital staff from Covid-19.

This highly topical project was initiated by Garner’s brother Dr Ashley Roberts, a clinical radiologist at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales, and Mr Rob McLeod an ENT surgeon at Cardiff University.

They recognised that clinicians are at risk during the pandemic when ‘intubating’ patients who need assistance with breathing.

Their team’s solution was to design a transparent acrylic box that surrounds the patient’s head, providing an examining doctor with a physical barrier from tiny drops of fluid, called aerosols, which are produced by a patient when coughing or gagging.

The box has openings covered by clear plastic sheets to allow a doctor to perform an intubation (inserting a tube), upper endoscopy (inserting a camera into the oesophagus), or tracheotomy (making a hole in the

throat for a tube).

Two designs have been trialled, an endoscopy box (EBOX) and a tracheotomy box (TBOX).

These have been used for over 40 successful procedures in several Welsh hospitals and will be available soon in East Midlands’ hospitals.

The Trust has HMRC charitable status and is supported by Rotary clubs across several Districts. Beacon Rotary, with a donation of £1,500, has spearheaded the initiative in 1070. The aim is to make the boxes, each costing £70, available nationwide free of charge.

Eventually, it is expected that they will be part of NHS procurement.

Further information is available at www.ebox.wales and from garnerroberts@outlook.com.

PETERBOROUGH ORTONS FAMILY VOICE

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embers of Rotaract Peterborough, and a working group of Orton Rotarians, joined city councillors at Orton Goldhay Centre, home of Family Voice (FV) Peterborough. FV is a charity that helps the families of Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) children in the area. The team worked on the garden (clearing weeds, cleaning up beds and general tidying). Some did a litter pick around the neighbourhood, which includes a shop or two, car park, school, footpaths etc. A group of volunteers helps regularly so it was an ideal opportunity for Rotarians to join them and work for our local community. The most valuable piece of litter found was a £10 note - that went straight in the FV donation box. Ortons Rotary plans to continue working with Family Voice in the future. In addition to continuing monthly litter picks and gardening, opportunities exist in developing the garden/play area by repair/repainting the play house and repainting the fence.

Orton Rotarians are continuing to help the local community with donations to the Peterborough Foodbank. So far this year the club has donated almost £3,000, half of which has come from personal donations made by our members.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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AROUND THE CLUBS BOURNE PEOPLE OF ACTION AWARDS.

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he Rotary Club of Bourne recently presented a ‘People of Action’ award to two members of our community for their outstanding services to the people of Bourne.

The photos show Rotary President Bernie Cejer presenting an award to Maureen Cornell, the Operations manager of the Bourne Foodbank, and also to Jenifer Peel, the manager of the Butterfield Centre.

LUTTERWORTH

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BIG INDOOR BIKE RIDE

utterworth Sports Centre played host [for a fourth year] to Lutterworth Rotary Club’s ‘Spin into Spring’ Indoor Cycling event. The club teamed up again with spinning instructor Richard Stannard to run six one hour spinning sessions giving cyclists a ‘virtual trip’ around some of the worlds more famous cycle rides, all with musical accompaniment. The event itself was a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support & other Rotary supported charities.

There was a great response, with entries for well over 100 time slots from people ranging from those who had never stepped onto a static bike before to others who were used to cycling marathons and had booked to ride for all six hours. Entrants were plied with free refreshments and responded generously by supporting the raffle, raffle, cake stall and 100 square competitions. A physio was on hand to revive flagging flagging legs and there was a great atmosphere in the Sports Centre for the whole afternoon. afternoon. President of Lutterworth Rotary Club, Sally Hollis, said ‘The Indoor Bike Ride has been a great event to be involved in again. Not only does it raise a lot of money for some good causes but it encourages people to keep fit fit and acts as another way in which the community can come together & have some fun’.

Over £2,000 will have been raised for the nominated charities.

NORTHAMPTON WEST POSTCARDS FOR MAF

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orthampton West has for a few years now been the conduit for collecting used and new postcards for the charity Flying For Life (Mission Aviation Fellows or MAF).

The cards are ‘collectors’ items, for many reasons, countries, colours, themes and so on and there are people who collect these cards and purchase them from MAF. In the first year of collection MAF were able to convert the collected cards into £35,000 which has now gone beyond £100,000 to support their funds.

long-term development and Christian hope to thousands of communities. Every four minutes an MAF plane is taking off or landing somewhere in the world to help eliminate the barriers to physical and spiritual transformation.

For 75 years, MAF has been flying light aircraft over jungles, mountains, swamps and deserts. They enable more than 2,000 aid, development and mission organisations to bring medical care, emergency relief,

Could I please, through this article, request all clubs in District 1070 collect cards from their members and send them to me in batches for me to forward to the contacts at MAF.

ST NEOTS ST MARY’S

The charity provides transport for education and medication purposes to far flung places that are difficult to access, it is a wonderful cause.

Northampton West has already collected over 5000 cards for this purpose.

My address is 2 Milton Road, Gayton, Northampton, NN7 3HE (01604 858183) I will be pleased to receive them and of course acknowledge receipt.

Regards Roger Clarke rogerwas.clarkeltd@btinternet.com

QUIZ NIGHT

The Rotary Club of St Neots St Marys recently staged the second quiz night held at St Neots Golf Club on behalf of the Friends of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Life Education service.

The service has recently suffered cutbacks due to Council spending cuts which has effectively reduced by half the number of children being taught by the service. This, together with budget constraints on Primary schools has put the service under pressure and as the St Neots St Marys club was a prime mover in the establishment of the service in the 1990’s, the club has been active in supporting the reduced service as far as possible, as well as helping local schools financially with the assistance of other Group 4 clubs.

The evening was exceptionally well attended with 20 teams of 6 battling for the Life Education shield, raising over £900 in the process and all who attended had a very enjoyable evening.

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| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

AROUND THE CLUBS NORTHAMPTON WEST VE DAY!!

The editor of Northampton West’s newsletter produced a Special VE Day “Memories” edition on MAY 8th. It makes good reading and must have contained memories similar to those of many Rotarians across the country.

Members were asked for their own personal, or their family’s, special memories of the day when peace in Europe was announced by Sir Winston Churchill. The editor had been born only five days before VJ Day but when he later visited his granny in London he could remember seeing the piles of rubble that had been people’s houses.

As Captain (Honorary Colonel) Tom Moore said during his epic fundraising walk for the National Health Service, ”tomorrow will be a better day”. But he also remembered the carnage and destruction, those still fighting in the Far East, those who had lost their loved ones, the enormous sacrifices, the courage and determination of people from all walks of life who saw us through this dark and terrifying period.

VE Day was time for celebration but also, Captain Tom thought, of commemoration. A time to remember the members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy from many countries who gave their lives or returned home injured in body and mind, the hard-working women and men who operated the factories, mines, shipyards and farms, the ARP wardens, police officers, doctors, nurses, firemen, local defence volunteers and others who toiled day and night selflessly on the home front during difficult, frightening and uncertain times. We could produce a similar list of good people who are serving their communities through this Corona virus time.

Rotarian Hugh Adams who was with the Royal Dragoons remembered driving a Jeep with the Second-inCommand Major Heathcote-Amery into Copenhagen on 4th May, the day of their liberation so the news of 8th May seemed to him a bit of an anti-climax after the excitement four days before. He made many friends as he relaxed after the war - playing

cricket for England vs Denmark, (included in his team was Maurice Tremlett who represented England proper after the war). Needless to say England won!

Alan Goddard landed on D plus 2 in Normandy with a Reconnaissance Regiment, part of the 7th Armoured Division. The night before shooting stopped the Regiment used the evening to fill the skies of Holstein with every missile in their armoury to show that indeed the War was over.

Alan remembers that one of the celebratory bonfires got out of hand and burnt down a local farm house!

Geoff Ekins was 15 Years old and still at Grammar School taking his school certificate exams. When the news came through he walked through Northampton - where two bombs had fortunately missed their targets and only destroyed 2 old bungalows.

To complete the picture Geoff remembered that 8 more years of rationing were to follow.

Brian Norrey recalled that there had been no bonfires on November 5th during the war so May 8th was an excuse for resurrecting Guy Fawkes celebrations in the street but

what could they burn? The answer was THE AIR RAID SHELTERS - they wouldn’t be needed again. The local constabulary did not agree with them and they had their names taken but nothing come of it and they had a great fire!

Bruce Clayton was nine when the War broke out and took an intelligent interest in the conduct of the War and all its events, reading everything and imagining what it was like. When news of the D-Day landings reached his school in June 1944 he was 14 and fearfully expected to be called-up very soon.

What a memorable D Day edition that was - something for the club to archive for a later day.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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AROUND THE CLUBS MARKET BOSWORTH

T ASHBY ROTARY CLUBS REINDEER COLLECTION

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ll three Ashby Rotary clubs are grateful to all the residents of Ashby and the surrounding area for their generosity during our annual Santa and Reindeer Runs having raised the magnificent total of over £19,000 for local charities.

The main recipients being Donisthorpe Scouts, Barnardos Care Free Young Carers and Hospice Hope.

This year they had help from many outside organisations, individuals and companies, including from the cheque beneficiaries, which was much appreciated.

They are looking forward to next Christmas when they will again be travelling around the area hoping to raise money and bring good cheer to all children – whatever their ages!

JAILBIRDS!

he Rotary Club of Market Bosworth visited Coventry Police Black Museum in February, at the behest of relatively new member and former police-dog handler of considerable distinction, John Goodall (shown in wheelchair with wife Shirley).

As feared, some of the members soon found themselves behind bars. Peter Gannon and President John Hayes seemed to enjoy being incarcerated but John Whitehead, far right, next to his wife Jill, quickly got into character and can be seen here planning his escape.

THE MARTINS PROJECT - ROTARY SERVICE CONTINUED IN THE LOCKDOWN

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ushden Chichele Rotary Club has been a supporter of several local organisations dedicated to mental health over the years starting with a commitment to provide greatly improved facilities for Rushden MIND over a decade ago. Tragedy struck that project when a fire wiped their building out. Never daunted, the club again committed to providing a new facility from a derelict warehouse. Several members became involved in begging and borrowing discarded materials with which to provide a kitchen, meeting areas and offices. Under expert Rotarian guidance they undertook the practical work of laying floors, installing cupboard and storage spaces, making areas for socialising and practical workshops (the latest being an engineering workshop for men and women learning new skills as they overcome their personal difficulties).

More recently, two residential centres have been set up in Rushden; The Squirrels, a respite care facility providing short breaks for young people and The Martins,

a crisis house for men and women. The Squirrels has received donations from Rushden Chichele and funding from the club and from a District Grant for providing a “wheelchair roundabout” for its young, disabled children.

The Martins is a pleasant modern building originally set in a very ‘basic’ grassed area. Chichele Rotarian John Walker, a Public Governor of the Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, saw this grassy area as having the potential to become both a pleasant, relaxing place for the residents and also a practical area which could provide therapeutic advantages for them, so with funds provided again by the Club and a District Grant he undertook to provide raised beds for vegetables and flowers. The icing on the cake came with the provision of a 20 foot long poly-tunnel donated by local Renewable Energy business Wykes Engineering.

The heavy work involved in the project was done by residents of the Rushden Recovery Centre (men in recovery from serious health problems) who cleared the land, set up the raised beds and planted trees. Other helpers assisted with erecting the poly-tunnel but the vast majority of the project was completed on his own by John Walker. When the lock-down came John continued to work solo - as if in his own back garden. The only help he accepted was from his wife and a socially distanced engineering friend who supervised him with the erection of the poly tunnel in early June. The completed project will provide fresh fruit and veg for the Home in the autumn.

RUSHDEN FOOD BANK DONATION

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his is the third donation made by Maya & Atul Patel who are the owners of this Premier Store in Queen St, Rushden to Sara Owst of Rushden Food bank. This all came about when Rotarian, Rick Nunley explained to Maya the work that the Rotary Club of Rushden was

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doing to support the food bank since the Covid epidemic hit our country. Wonderful acts of kindness in these difficult times.

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

AROUND THE CLUBS PETERBOROUGH MINSTER SUE RYDER LETTER

SOUTH HOLLAND WINS AWARD FROM SCOUTS South Holland Rotary Club has been involved with Scouting, Guiding and other youth organisations for many years so they were delighted to be given an award by the International Federation of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR), which is comprised of over 1000 Rotarians in 45 countries, to acknowledge their support and involvement with the Scouting Movement.

Earlier this year President Jon Martin presented Amanda Baggott of Spalding and District Guides with a donation for the Organisation.

Amanda, speaking about the award from IFSR said, “This is a well-deserved award. We are always grateful in Guiding to be given the opportunity to help with the sleigh and have done so for many years. You’ve made lots of girls’ trips possible from Spalding District Guides and we are always grateful.”

Over the years the club has given financial support to Scouts, Guides and Brownies for trips, jamborees and conventions in the UK and across the world. Last year, South Holland supported Lucy Smith of Spalding to attend a World Scout Jamboree in the USA. She had a wonderful experience there and returned to tell the club all about it.

These difficult times have revealed local needs and South Holland has been able to support their local foodbank, the Women’s refuge and the local COVID 19 Kindness Team which has provided needy people with supplies. The Calvert Trust in the Lake District has been unable to operate as normal this year but it still needs to maintain its premises, ponies, etc and as a charity it is unable to claim government financial support. Many charities like Marie Curie are doing their best to continue their essential work for the vulnerable

and sick so it is good Rotary Service to support them as much as we can.

In normal times Rotary clubs would have been planning to raise funds through their own big events and also the events organised by other groups. Golf days for example are mostly cancelled but with good fortune we should be back for Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas sleigh rides.

Club Meetings by ZOOM have been popular and largely successful.

They have kept clubs together and

speakers have been able to deliver their topics without having to leave home. This in turn has saved clubs at least some of their expenditure.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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LOCKDOWN PROJECTS ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH CASTLE LOCKDOWN ETC

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hilst these are really difficult times for everybody, the Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch Castle has been very active, providing help and support to the local community and continuing membership activity.

The Club has held weekly zoom meetings since the beginning of lock-down and continued to conduct Club business, and has even formally recruited and inducted two new members during this period - new Rotarian’s Jane Foulds and Kevin Green.

We have also presented one of our founder members, Hugh Milward with a Paul Harris award, a very special award given out very rarely to commemorate the many years of wonderful service given through our club to the local area and charities across the world. Hugh is also very active in other local service organisations and is huge deserving of this award. The Club also provided

man-power to assist our friends at the Ashby Round Table and Ashby 41 Club as part of the Ashby Coronavirus Support Group, to complete shopping tasks, prescription collections and other tasks for vulnerable and isolating local residents. To date well over 200 man hours of support have been provided by Ashby Castle members in this initiative. Furthermore, donations of £1500 have been made from the Club to the local food-bank, supporting families struggling through these tricky times.

The formal Ashby VE Day act of Remembrance in Ashby was cancelled due to the Government’s current Covid-19 guidance, so two of our Rotary Club members, Rotarians Mark Arjoo and Paul Anderson, decided to pay tribute on VE Day 75 by conducting the first ‘socially distanced 2-minute silence’ at the Ashby War Memorial in memory of all those that

lost their lives in WWII. In addition to their own personal and professional reasons, they paid their respects on behalf of all local Rotary Club and RBL members who are self-isolating at home.

With lock-down now easing, the Club have started socially-distanced litter picking certain areas of the town requiring particular attention, and now have a weekly rota of volunteers from the Club.

We also decided to film our handover in the Rotary Peace Garden in Ashby de la Zouch and we welcome President Kevin as our 26th President.

So, a busy time for the Rotary Club of Ashby Castle, still active and visible in the community in these unusual times.

BLABY MERIDIAN FOODBANK

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uring the COVID-19 crisis, charity organisations have been badly hit not only through lack of financial donations but also through lack of food being available to some of the most vulnerable people in our society who desperately need help.

The Rotary Club of Blaby Meridian have quickly stepped in and donated £1,000 to the local food bank.This amount was raised by the voluntary fund raising efforts of the members who help charities

locally, Nationally and Internationally.

The donation was made to the Lutterworth and Villages food bank.

They ensure that food parcels are delivered to those who most need vital supplies through a referral scheme operated between them and Leicestershire County Council.

This scheme ensures that the most needy in our society have a lifeline to something many of us take for granted - food and beverages.

BOURNE ROTARY CLUB HELPING IN THE COMMUNITY

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ere at the Rotary Club of Bourne, we have been affected, like everyone else by the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic but have maintained being as active as we can whilst we are unable to meet as normal and be out and about in the community.

We have resorted to meeting in the virtual world using the new format of Zoom which is a new experience to us all.

Whilst our first attempt left a few of us stranded with blank screens, we are now getting used to it.

As part of the community we have been looking to see how we can help both those less fortunate and also help our NHS is this time of crisis.

One of the first priorities to consider was that of helping the less fortunate and it was agreed to make an initial donation of £1000 to the Bourne Foodbank which was undertaken at the beginning of the crisis.

Then our thoughts turned to how we could help in the local community with regard to health and our colleagues in the NHS. We contacted the Hereward Group Practice in Bourne to see how we could help and they advised us that they

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needed certain critical items due to the present circumstances in the practice.

These consisted of medical uniforms for protection, non contact thermometers and also adult and paediatric oximeters which instantly measure the levels of oxygen in the blood and indicate if the lungs are working correctly linking low levels to possible coronavirus and any other lung dysfunctions.

The members of the Rotary Club of Bourne all agreed to provide £500 for this cause from our funds and an approach was made to our Rotary Foundation who also provided a further £500 as a grant from their resources.

Hopefully, this sum of £1000 will go some way to help in this present crisis and keep those that need care getting the full benefit from this donation.

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

LOCKDOWN PROJECTS NORTHAMPTON LOCKDOWN DONATIONS

LUTTERWORTH FOODBANK (LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE MANAGER)

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uring this time of unprecedented crisis due to Covid-19, the services of our Foodbank are needed more than ever. The most vulnerable people in our communities, who were already struggling, are now facing further challenges due to the pandemic.

From mid-March to the end of April, we have seen almost a 100% increase in the number of 3 day food parcels we have distributed across our two centres in Lutterworth & Countesthorpe, in comparison to the same time last year.

A huge 379 3-day parcels have been processed; the staggering equivalent of 3411 meals and 3.5 tonnes of food.

We are working with many local agencies and front-line professionals to offer support to our clients by providing emergency food and supplies to families referred to us in financial crisis. As part of The Trussell Trust, we are campaigning for the day when our services are no longer needed but we know that for the foreseeable future, we will need to play a crucial part in supporting the most vulnerable amongst us.

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our wonderful communities who all continue to donate food and support us with financial donations. Over 3.5 tonnes of food was donated in April alone! A huge thank you to The Rotary Club of Lutterworth for your generous donation of £500 which allowed us to purchase the extra supplies of items we were short of to ensure our emergency parcels remained balanced and as helpful as possible to our clients. Thank you also to those of you who continue to donate regularly online to us via our website or by popping items into our supermarket collecting bins.

Our fantastic team of volunteers of course included those who have had to shield or isolate themselves from this dreadful virus but they all continue to support us from afar.

We have stream-lined our operation to ensure the safety of our operational volunteers and continue to tweak our operation as things evolve but over the past few weeks, things have settled into a pattern which is working extremely well. We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers who are working so hard to ensure we can keep operating safely.

As we move into the next phase of this pandemic, our focus is on continuing to operate safely and also to ensure that we are able to continue in our mission to ensure that those in financial crisis in our communities are able to access our services. We will continue to adapt to the changing situation and I know that with the support of our local communities, we can continue to be there for the people who need us most, for as long as they need us.

Thank you all for your support.

Lucy Freeman Project Manager, Lutterworth & Villages Foodbank

When the lockdown started, some time a long, long while ago, the lunchtime members became unable to meet for their lunches at Miller & Carter. The good Treasurer appreciated that members had paid upfront for lunches for the April-June quarter and offered to refund the amount paid. Alternatively, he suggested that the lunchtime members might donate the money to a “Coronavirus Fund” to be used to make donations to local food banks which were under pressure during the lockdown. The response was overwhelming with almost all members agreeing to make this kind gesture, with a few offering alternative recipients of our largesse.

The satellite members were asked if they would also make donations to complement the lunchtime member’s generosity and many of them did.

Donald Loe, as Foundation Chairman, approached the District Foundation Team and secured a grant of £1000 to match the first month’s donations and thanks to the help of Hugh Holden, the District Foundation Leader, the funds were received within 24 hours.

Brian May approached Waitrose in Kingsthorpe who readily agreed to help and picked £1300 worth of goods which Brian and Tim Bedward delivered to Re-Store Food Bank in Sheep St and St Albans Food Bank in Broadmead Avenue.

Tim arranged a further £700 worth of goods from Aldi which he delivered to the Hope Food Store.

Considerable publicity was generated on social media and local press for our efforts.

In May, with another month’s donations accumulating, Peter Swallow and Brian collected a further £1000 worth from Waitrose and delivered it to Re-store and St Albans. And in June, another £1000 from Waitrose and £500 from Bookers was delivered to the three food banks.

In total £4500 worth of food and household goods have been donated thanks to the tremendous spirit of our members. In addition, we gave extra help to Shelterbox and End Polio Now from the donations and attendant Gift Aid. This is truly what Rotary is all about.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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LOCKDOWN PROJECTS THREE SCHOOLS, FIVE CLUBS Sounds a little like the bidding for a round of bridge but the real diamonds are the staff and students at the three schools, Uppingham, Oakham and Stamford who, using their 3-D printing equipment, have been hard at it for some time in manufacturing PPE Visors for the NHS and other frontline organisations. The five clubs are the Rotary clubs of Uppingham and Rutland plus the three Stamford clubs Saint Martin’s, Burghley and the Stamford club.

As well as recently using spades to plant crocus bulbs to highlight their fight against polio, and on reading in the Mercury of the sterling work carried out by the schools, local Rotarians turned to their hearts and between them have donated £3,100 to their respective schools, the major part going to Oakham and Stamford schools, Uppingham having had their own successful Facebook appeal.

As of this week at Stamford School, over 12000 have been made, each one taking a minute to make and a few seconds to assemble and which have been described as “excellent and very comfortable and stable when using” by one of the hospital recipients. While manufacturing a record 1,230 in one day, the extensive use on the school’s equipment is taking its toll, thus increasing manufacturing time.

Steve Newton, Head of Design and Technology (DT) at Stamford School said: “We have seen a reduction in demand from hospitals who have indicated that their supply chains are catching up, so our focus has now switched to care homes (1200 PPE Visors to 35 locations), plus local GPs, police, vets, RSPCA and RNIB. Our school was one of the first to start designing these visors and it is really pleasing to see so many more DT departments request our designs so they can start their own manufacturing. In fact we have been in touch with over one hundred schools, not only in the UK, but in Australia and New Zealand too - even the World Health Organization have shown an interest in the design being used”.

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ROTARY SCRUBS UP WELL FOR OUR NHS & CARE WORKERS

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small dedicated team of Ramsey Rotarians and friends (potential Rotarians?) have produced in excess of 150 sets of Scrubs and nearly 150 Linen Bags for the for the “Love of Scrubs Group”. These went to the Longsands Hub for onward distribution, also local Care Homes including Florence House and Rose Cottage, the Dialysis Unit at Addenbrooke’s and Ramsey Dental Surgery (who had an urgent need arising from the announcement by the Government of the reopening of dental practices). Staff were delighted with their scrubs, made a large donation to the JustGiving page and posted a really lovely message on Facebook. They said: “thanks to the amazing ladies of Ramsey Rotary club who have kitted us out in the most fantastic work wear”. And a thank you from Florence House: “the girls at work were delighted with your scrubs, they have all gone. If possible, please may we have some more? And wash bags? - yes please” Residents loved them, one said: “they make me feel happy with the lovely patterns and colours.”

In response to their emergency PPE appeal, Peterborough Ortons Rotary donated £500 to East Anglian Air Ambulance helping their crews stay safe as they deliver emergency care.

Huntingdon Cromwell purchased £1,000 worth of material for Maxine Welford and her team to make into scrubs for local hospitals.

Members from the Rotary E-Club have been using their time in lockdown to create Scrub-Hubs.

Enthusiastic sewing volunteers across Northampton, Kettering, Newport Pagnell and Coventry have produced 85 sets of NHS approved scrubs, laundry bags and crochet face mask extenders for NHS and other frontline key-workers. With a Rotary grant and donated funds, President Angela Woods set about securing fabric and getting patterns cut and ready.

Members, and other helpers, wanting to support our frontline workers, went into action sewing up scrub sets. Angela said:

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

“meeting weekly on-line means the Coronavirus has not affected our ability to continue the good work Rotary does through members and volunteers. The response to the scrubs project has been amazing.” She went on to say: “people from all walks of life often want to volunteer but time and location can be a problem. Our Rotary E-Club offers a modern way, for ordinary people who want to give something back to their communities.” See www. rotaryeclub1070.org for details on how to join in. The E-Club certainly embraces diversity and innovation. One member who had been poorly with Covid-19 decided to organise a “village scrub hub.” With support from her husband, she set about finding volunteers in her village who were willing to collect, sew and return scrub sets – this team of “Busy Bees” shared the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”.

Quotes from this group include: “it was a challenge but I got to know my sewing machine better”, “I feel I have helped in a small way to provide support for others” and “I learned something new helping to lift my mood knowing the good I am doing!”

With so much concern about the negative impact of the lockdown it is heart-warming to know - just one click away - are thriving friendships, a family ethos, innovative projects and a way of volunteering to help others.

LOCKDOWN PROJECTS PETERBOROUGH ORTONS FOOD BANK Several members of Peterborough Ortons Rotary have, for a long time, helped out at a local Foodbank. When the lockdown started and it was clear our vulnerable members could no longer do so, younger member Al Good volunteered to take their place. This coincided with the temporary relocation of all Peterborough Foodbank locations to a single site in Dogsthorpe. This in turn minimised the resource requirement enabling the Foodbank to continue to provide food to those in great need.

Al was allocated a Saturday shift every fortnight and has been on the reserve list for other days. He also signed up to be an NHS and British Red Cross volunteer (as did very many others) but to date has not been tasked. His offer to drive for the ‘For the Love of Scrubs’ however, was accepted. To support Al’s efforts, Club President Les successfully applied for a District grant of £500 to buy provisions for the Foodbank. This was added to the impressive amount of just over £1,000 raised so far this year by member’s personal donations and a further £1,000 from our charity account. The £2,500 has been spent on essential items such as cereals, tins of fruit, pies and casseroles, baked beans and vegetables. Also, purchased were commodities such as pasta and rice, biscuits, nappies and wipes and toiletries - all valuable essentials to help those less fortunate than ourselves

PETERBOROUGH – TWIN CLUB ZOOM MEETING Early in June Peterborough Rotary Club joined up with the Rotary Club of Bourge, the Club’s French twin town, which was twinned with the Club just over fifty years ago.

Thirteen members from Peterborough and seven from Bourge plus one photographer had a cordial evening where news and a future trip to France was arranged in June 2020. Home and away visits to each Club usually take place in alternate years but with the covid 19 pandemic this was not possible this year.

The meeting on Wednesday was the first time a joint meeting had been held over the internet using Zoom. Both clubs have members who can translate which in itself was interesting on Wednesday when one member from each Club translated.

SLEAFORD KESTEVEN COMMUNITY LARDER The Rotary Club of Sleaford Kesteven has donated £4,000 to the New Life Community Larder in Sleaford. (Half of the money came from money raised after last year’s Beer Festival and the other half from a Rotary Foundation (Charity) District Grant) President Karen is pictured presenting a cheque to Rod Munro, the Community Impact Coordinator and Anna Maltby. Food parcels have been labelled with Rotary Stickers with 120 parcels being delivered immediately.

The money will provide a month’s worth of food parcels.

“With the help of fellow Rotarian David Hart, we helped to collect a food delivery from Aldi worth £900 and joined staff in topping up the crates ready for the next batch of parcels to be prepared,” said Karen.

Demand for the Larder service has gone up seven fold in recent weeks.

Thank you to the residents of Sleaford and the local area for supporting the annual Beer Festival so that we can provide donations such as this. If permitted we are trying to hold this years in late September.

THE DEEPINGS VISORS Special Thanks to our own Rotarian Shelly, who has been busy with her 3D printer making 145 Face Shields with the help of Rotary’s donations

THE DEEPINGS FOOD HELP Simon Bateman, chairman of the Deepings Round Table, started shopping for vulnerable 41 Club members in the early days of lockdown. The Deepings Youth Group also started delivering food parcels to the vulnerable in Deeping but was forced to stop because of lockdown and Simon was approached to take the Youth Group’s work on.

At this stage Rotary was asked to get involved and Feed Deepings Group was established with local volunteers to help with deliveries.

Funding came from the Round Table, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Deeping United FC, Age Concern and the Deeping Food Bank, Deeping United Charities, Market Deeping Town Council, Deeping St. James Parish Council, and local residents started making small donations. The Scouts loaned them the use of their building. Initially food was purchased

locally and then Tesco in Market Deeping was approached and they agreed to donate food with Food Share, who supply food every week for a small delivery charge agreeing to help out. The Group deliver to over 100 vulnerable people in and around Deepings who are divided into three areas and get deliveries once a week. (Monday, Wednesday or Friday) The group also have stalls at the Open Door church in Deeping St. James and at the Tesco’s foyer in Market Deeping to give out food to families in difficulty due to the lockdown.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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LOCKDOWN PROJECTS

ON GETTING OLD – THE ROTARY PLEA BY AG DAVID KENDRICK I hate getting old, it isn’t a joke It just shouldn’t happen to ordinary folk Fighting each morning to get out of bed Thinking perhaps I’d be better off dead

Then here comes the postman with parcels and letters Hope that there’s something to make me feel better

Then into the shower for ten minutes or more To sooth all the aches from my joints which are sore

But it’s adverts for potions to cure all my ills Charity begging notes, two or three bills

From tossing and turning the long restless night Only falling asleep when it’s just getting light

Nothing at all to improve my foul mood Made worse by the prospect of soon being sued

Tired old eyes that need much more rest And then it’s a struggle to try and get dressed

But I’ve a confession that I’ll share with you I’m considerably older than seventy-two

Putting on clothes, tying up laces Getting all the right ointments in all the right places

That might sound a lot but I’m willing to wage That I’m still below the average age

Down to the kitchen, opening the door Hoping the dog’s not been sick on the floor

Of a Rotary member in this Sceptred Isle And that’s a notion that raises a smile

Put on the kettle make two cups of tea One for the wife, the other for me

‘Cos when all’s said and done, I’m quite young at heart And perfectly happy to still do my part

Ring up the doctor to say I feel queer I hope the appointment is sometime this year

To help the less lucky whatever their plight To try all I can to put wrong things right

Going to the shops to get some provisions Forgetting the list which is still in the kitchen

But most of all honour the promise I took To repay my debt for all my good luck

Forgetting the speed limit, getting a ticket Ringing the police telling them where to stick it

So I’ll keep on going with charitable zeal And at the same time, I’ll make this appeal

To all you Rotarians gathered about Keep on with “Dogoodery” and helping folk out People quite treasure the things that you doAnd you all truly merit a great big THANK YOU

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| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

LOCKDOWN PROJECTS

LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN / 2024 / BRAVE NEW WORLD? Computers and electronic devices are now in full control. Everyone has been provided with an I-phone and/or laptop by the government so they can live on line. Everyone who has retired will have one hour of exercise each day monitored by wrist band. Gardens are immaculate but because garden centres have never re-opened plants are cultivated in raised beds with wild flowers sown from seed packets at the edges following weekly advice from Monty Don. Shopping is done on line or by click-and-collect at supermarkets. Local shops thrive, selling only local produce. All food originates in Great Britain and harvesting is done by auto- picking machines as there is a total lack of labour to do it by hand.

You will no longer visit a bank as everything is on line, (you can even photograph a cheque and have it cleared two days later!)

Parents now understand that it was not the teacher that was the problem. The norm is distance learning and work sheets by the hundred are issued?

Essential services continue; prison and probation officers, fire and rescue, police, refuse collection, public houses, etc. Dentists and other health workers will be stationed at places of work or at the Click and Collect point. Some key staff and specialists will operate from home but most suffer from the screaming ab-dabs and depression through lack of personal contact?

Meetings of clubs and societies normally use ZOOM. Parliament meets on line, and is more organised, while Prime Minister’s questions will be choreographed on Fairly Smart television. Most Rotary clubs meet using Zoom. District 1070 Council Meetings along with all committees and District Assembly and Conference also use ZOOM. Prince William and Kate set the pattern by

conversing on line with children many miles away - we just followed suit. District Conference attracts more participants these days.

Public gatherings are now held virtually - we have the virtual Grand National annually, virtual test matches, Formula One, and wrestling. There is talk of Virtual Bingo being held on ZOOM with an entry fee of £5.00 per head paid by card or via BACS to club accounts. Virtual Mastermind was cancelled two years ago because the competitors were using Google to find the answers. For the sports fanatics who can only cycle, run, or keep fit for one hour a day, the Colonel Tom Department for Alternative Activities arranges for you to take part in virtual major events. You can still run the London Marathon on a machine with a video screen in front as you wind your way through the capital without wind or rain or sun.

The environmental impact has been spectacular; the atmosphere is now clearer, the Himalayas can be seen from miles away, pollution is 30% less than it used to be, just imagine how much we are saving in fuel and travelling costs.

Holidays are now taken on line by virtual train journeys and international flights. Cruise liner holidays are now a thing of the past but the well-known holiday companies advertise virtual breaks from home with breakfast and dinner sent to you by Deliveroo. Holiday entertainment is viewed on your laptop or projected onto your Smart TV. The alternative is camping in the great outdoors with tents erected a minimum of two metres apart.

(NB. The problem with lockdown is that the mind runs riot, makes you write articles for News and Events about life in the future? But it stops you going mad).

ROTARY LOCKDOWN AID Deepings Rotarians have done amazing work behind the scenes keeping the elderly supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables. They also were asked if they could help by providing funds for material to be sewn into Scrubs - of course, they said Yes. Rotarian Shelly, has been busy with her 3D printer

making Face Shields. These have been delivered to the Deepings Health Centre, a local pharmacy and care homes.

Uppingham Rotary had a sixminute spot on local television.

Their members were offering help to train less technically minded in their local community to enable

them understand online shopping and banking – so important in these times of self-isolation.

Huntingdon Cromwell Rotarian Chris has been delivering prescriptions to those isolated at home. Just a few examples of volunteering by thousands of Rotarians locally and worldwide.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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YOUNG RYLA DIARY OF YOUNG ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS COURSE

BY SAMUEL JOHNSON DAY 2.

DAY 1.

On arrival, we met the rest of our course and were shown to our rooms which had bunk beds. Everyone was very friendly and chatty and we soon settled in.

Once allocated to our activity groups and after lunch we set about team building exercises. One was getting a bucket of water across a rope course without spilling it. Another was making a bridge to get the team across a pond. An excellent way of making friends and building trust.

After dinner we had outdoor orienteering activities. It was chilly and dark but we kept our spirits up.

One challenge was to get our team over a 6 foot wall. At 6 foot 1 inches I happily stepped over it! However, the next wall was10 foot. Being tall meant my team used me as a ladder which left me at the bottom. After some thought, I took a long run, jumped and crashed into the wall! Once the laughter stopped I tried again. This time my team grabbed hold of my hands and pulled me up and over! I landed on my head and was grateful I was wearing a helmet. Job done!

Good teamwork!

Rock Climbing. This was no indoor climbing wall! Harnessed to the top of the cliff by a strong post and using foot holes on the cliff we worked our way up using hands and feet. Unbeknown to me there was a difficult route and an easy route and I took the first!

Once I reached the top there was a bag I had to touch. After a couple of attempts I managed it and grab hold of a rock with one hand. Then I realised I had to get down! This meant putting my feet on the rocks, leaning back and walking back down. My team mates cheered me on and steadied the rope. For a few seconds my heart jumped into my throat before I finally reach the bottom. A great personal challenge met.

After lunch was abseiling. My heart leapt for the second time when I saw the 70 foot bridge.The first thing I had to do was climb over the railings without a harness and I made the mistake of looking down. Once over I was harnessed up and told to lean out from the bridge. Eventually having got a rhythm going, I ran out of bridge and had to jump away from it! The security of having the bridge to lean against was gone I was really nervous; however, I got myself to the bottom. One thing I learnt was to trust my own abilities a lot more. After dinner we had a mini Olympics indoors which was good fun. We slept well that night!

DAY 3 The final morning was spent orienteering, which involved finding posts and numbers to crack a code.

After lunch, our parents arrived and there was a presentation to celebrate all our achievements.

I achieved many personal goals on this course; in particular I now have no fear of heights. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have taken part on this course. It was quite an adventure! I have learnt many valuable life skills, which I will take with me into the future. I’ve made many new friends who I still keep in touch with, and made lots of fantastic memories that I will be able to look back on and remember my achievements. Thank you Rotary Club of Huntingdon.

YOUNG ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD (YOUNG RYLA) 2020 This year I am not writing an article about Young RYLA but giving a brief update. Instead a candidate sponsored by Rotary Club of Huntingdon, unable to give his presentation, wrote a diary of his experience. He has kindly agreed to it being published in this magazine.

For those unfamiliar with Young RYLA it is aimed at 13-16year olds and designed, mainly through outdoor activities, to develop skills which will assist them through life e.g. communications, team building and self-reliance to name a few. This is achieved by making challenges exciting and sometimes outside their comfort zone whilst injecting elements of fun.

In its third year the response, once again was brilliant and feedback positive. Across the District, Young

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RYLA 2020 was supported by 18 Clubs who sponsored 30 candidates between them. By chance, the candidates comprised an equal number of males and females with a good cross section of ages. The full complement of candidates attended the course and at the end, having successfully achieved the objectives, were presented with their certificates by DG Rodney Spokes.

Young RYLA, due to the coronavirus shutdown, was amongst the last of the courses to be held at Whitehall.

It is uncertainty when things will get back to “normal” but Young RYLA will be held at Whitehall during the spring half term Monday 15th February -Wednesday 17th February 2021 unless anything untoward happens.

Up to date details will be circulated once received from Whitehall which

| Summer 2020 | Issue 185 | Rotary District 1070| www.rotary1070.org

are expected next month.

As many of you are aware, in July, I handover to Sarah Broom, Rotary Club of Ramsey. Email: sarahbroom@ ramseyrotary.com Sarah and I have worked closely over the past year and I know you will give her the support I have received. Thank you to the people, too numerous to mention individually, who have supported me over the past three years and without whom Young RYLA would not have been so successful.

Maureen Gariff (Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia) District Organiser Young RYLA

NEW MEMBERS / OBITUARIES NEW MEMBERS

We welcome the following new members into their Clubs Claire Ashdown ............................................. Market Bosworth Andrew Ashford.....................................Alford& Mablethorpe Daniel Bates .............................................................. Grantham Parvez Bhatty.................................................................. Oadby Daniel Bennett.............................................. Melton Mowbray David Bennett.......................................................... Horncastle Robert Bowen ...................................... Alford & Mablethorpe Karen Cauldwell ...................................................... Grantham John Clayton ..................................................... Melton Aurora Carol Cranston ............................................. Kimbolton Castle Yvonne Cutts..............................................Stamford St Martins John Dawson ..............................................Ashby de la Zouch Charlotte Dodden ....................................................... Ramsey Rachael Ferry-Jones .................................. Kimbolton Castle Jake Godding...........................................Market Harborough Peter Goodwin ............................................................. Rutland Vaughan Gregary............................Melton Mowbray Belvoir Colin Harpham .....................................Alford & Mablethorpe Virginia Hayden...........................................Danetre Daventry Mike Jackson ....................... Wellingborough Hatton (Corp.)

Helen Jepson .............................................................. Coalville Carol Kendrick ........................................... Rushden Chichele Paul Killingworth ............................................................. Lincoln Gene Kilner.................................................................. Skegness Patricia Leeds ............................................................. Bradgate Terry Malster .................................................. Melton Mowbray Jane Maxwell..................................................... Lindum Linciln Peter Mottram................................................................ Lincoln Alan Nash ...................................................... Market Bosworth Tony Parris .......................................................................... Blaby Beth Pollard ....................................................Melton Mowbray Diana Pooley ............................................... Kimbolton Castle Jane Reynolds ................................. Melton Mowbray Belvoir John Rigby.........................................................Oadby Launde Irene Rodham.................................................. Lincoln Colonia Nick Rossington ............................................ Melton Mowbray Tim Royle............................................. Wellingborough Hatton Trevor Scott............................................... Grantham Kesteven Michael Seccombe ..................................................... Rutland Margaret Shaw................................................................ Boston Bob Smith (age 93!)................................................Huntingdon Andrew Sortwell ................................ Wellingborough Hatton Terry Soult...................................................... Kimbolton Castle John Swain ....................................................................... St Ives Liz Swain............................................................................. St Ives Guran Tatliogu ............................................ Stamford Burghley David Walker................................................................... Oadby Sheila Yates ...................................................... Ashby Hastings

GRAHAM KIDMAN Graham was a founder member of the Rotary Club of St Neots St Marys and sadly passed away at the age of 86 on 30th May, following a short illness.

A quiet, unassuming, generous individual who spent his career in the farming industry owning an arable farm on the outskirts of Hail Weston, only retiring when well into his late seventies.

Graham could always be relied upon to help out with club functions, and was one of the best attendees at club meetings until he became unable to attend regularly just over two years ago, but latterly he still managed to attend a number of social functions with his wife Shalmar.

One of his great loves was helping to organise the club’s annual Sportsman’s Dinner which started in 1990, taking on the responsibility of organising the caterers and raffle ticket sellers for over 25 years as well as booking the speakers for several years. He had attended every event until this year when his deteriorating health prevented him from attending.

He was Club President in 1998/99 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2002 in recognition of his work organising the Sportsman’s Dinner and for his unstinting service to the fund raising efforts of the club and was always very generous when asked for donations towards fund raising functions.

He leaves a widow, Shalmar and 3 children.

OBITUARIES It is with sadness that the following Rotarians have passed to Higher Service Raj Aggarwal .................................................................Wigston Richard Bartholomew .................................................Wigston John Beer............................................... Huntingdon Cromwell Arthur Bennett ............................................................ Leicester David Black ................... Alford & Mablethorpe (PDG) (Hon) Denis Borman.................................................. Bailgate Lincoln Peter Bray.................................. Spalding and Welland (Hon) Paul Bullock ............................................. Grantham Kesteven Roy Cunningham .................................Alford & Mablethorpe David Gingell ............................................Lutterworth Wycliffe David Godfrey ........................................................St Ives (Hon) Frank Gray ..................................................... Market Bosworth Tony Hadden..................................................... Kettering (Hon) Leslie Hamilton............................................................ Leicester Frank Hosley ..................................Huntindon Cromwell (Hon) Rodney Hudson ........................................................... Leicester Graham Kidman .......................................... St Neots St Marys Alex Kondras ................................................................... Oadby Ted Milnes .......................................................... Lindum Lincoln Stephen Peatfield ...................................................... Bradgate Martin Pendered ........................................... Wellingborough Tony Springett ..............................................................Stamford David Sharpe....................................Melton Mowbray Belvoir John Teesdale............................................................. Stamford Bernard Thorne ......................................... Northampton(Hon) Geoffrey Turner ........................................................... Stamford Stephen Vanns .............................................................Brackley Maurice Willoughby.................. Alford & Mablethorpe (Hon) Robert Wills ................................................... Uppingham(Hon) Peter Wood ...................................................... Loughborough Chris Yeomans ............................................Ashby de la Zouch

BERNARD THORNE OBITUARY Bernard, our oldest Honorary member, sadly died on Saturday 18th April, just 6 months before his 100th Birthday.

The following day his wife Barbara, aged 87, died of a massive stroke unaware of Bernard’s passing just a few hours before. With failing health, Bernard for the last few months had been cared for in Duncote Hall Residential Care Home near Towcester.

Bernard was born in Northampton in 1920 and was latterly educated at Wellingborough School where he boarded.

His father had moved from London to establish a new Northampton based business with the Soutar family.

Subsequently his brother ran the Odell Leather Company, and Bernard ran Soutar Thorne in Northampton who were leather factors and shoe component suppliers. At the commencement of the war Bernard joined the Northampton Yeomanry and became a Captain and subsequently acting Major, but with his leather and shoe background was made responsible for boot supplies to the army.

Bernard joined Rotary in 1963 and was our President in 1980.

His daughter Loie married John Perkins who was the son of Aubrey Dyas Perkins, President of our club in 1965 and benefactor of one of the Trusts we administer today. John was also a member of our club for 13 years.

Many will remember Bernard’s passion for motor racing and water sport. He was a keen founder member of the Northampton District Car Club and organised and participated in Rallies. He also raced at Silverstone in club events. Bernard enjoyed water skiing and helped to establish the Billing Water Ski Club. His love of boats took him to the South of France where he had a base from which he could enjoy his water sports.

Bernard will be remembered as a warm hearted loyal Rotarian, who in later years actively represented Rotary at Age Concern and regularly participated in the activities of the local branch. He maintained a keen interest in our club and its members until the last, and until comparatively recently was able to attend our meetings.

We send our sympathy to his two daughters, Loie and Lizann, and to their families. We were all the better for knowing him.

www.rotary1070.org |Rotary District 1070 | Issue 185 | Summer 2020 |

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