INSIDE THIS ISSUE Don’t judge a book by its cover 04 Understanding the value of peace 20 Befriending scheme 26 A world free of Polio 32

rotarygbi.org The Official Magazine of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland April/May 2018

DOLLY IN 4 DREAMLAND Singer’s mission to get more children reading 4

ADVERT 8 12 4 38 36 CONTENTS REGULARS ROTARY IN ACTION GLOBAL IMPACT Rotary in Great Britain Rotary Innovation 12 Dolly Parton 4 & Ireland President 6 Tree Planting Challenge 14 Peace Conference 8 Talk from the Top Rotary Grand Tour 22 Peace Fellows 20 Rotary International President 14 Community Project 24 National Immunisation Day 30 Letters to the Editor 16 RAF Fellowship 26 Michel Zaffran 32 The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair 22 Rotaract 50th Birthday 36 RI Director 28 Champions of Change 38 It's Gone Viral 34 People of Action 40 And Finally… 50

RAF Fellowship 26

w Get in touch Follo us Enjoy Rotary anywhere Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland Kinwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6PB t: 01789 765 411 rotarygbi.org Editor: Dave King e: [email protected] Look for us online at PR Officer:e: [email protected] rotarygbi.org or follow us: Designer: Martin Tandy e: [email protected] Facebook: /RotaryinGBI The Official Magazine of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland Advertising: Media Shed (Agent for Rotary) Twitter: @RotaryGBI Contact: Dawn Tucker, Sales Manager YouTube: Rotary International t: 020 3475 6815 e: [email protected] in Great Britain & Ireland Published by Contently Limited: contentlylondon.co.uk

rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 3 ROTARY IN ACTION Imagination Library

LUKE ADDISON Don’t judge a book by its cover

ITH her tell-tale looks icon of country music has supported something good for kids, it would be to and sweet, sultry voice, many charities through her Dollywood make sure they could read. Dolly Parton has been Foundation – particularly in areas of “I am not a person to tell people what a country and western literacy. they should do, so I thought if we could do icon for more than One of the main projects is something that inspired kids to love books Whalf a century. the Rotary-supported Dolly Parton and to love reading, then maybe we could The legendary singer has sold more Imagination Library, for which the make a difference. than 100 million records and enjoyed a inspiration came from her father, Lee. “After a year or so of figuring it out, we successful movie career. “My daddy was the smartest man I created the Imagination Library.” However, less well-known is have ever known,” she said. “But he could Dolly set up the first Imagination Dolly’s philanthropy. Since not read or write. Early on, I decided Library in 1995 in her hometown in Sevier the mid-1980s, this if I were ever in a position to do County, Tennessee. Since then, The Dollywood Foundation has sent over 100 million free books to children worldwide, with more than 1.3 million posted in the UK. The Imagination Library is a free book-giving initiative devoted to inspiring a love of reading for young children everywhere.

Founder of Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Pat with Dolly Parton

4 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org Every child enrolled in the who do not get the books by the time they five years ago. Imagination Library receives a book start primary school.” As a result, Nottinghamshire City personally addressed to them in the post Rolf has worked closely with Leonard Council has produced a website called every month until their fifth birthday. Gelblum from the Rotary Club of www.dollybooksnottingham.org with All of the titles in the Imagination Nottingham – a project which coincided a voice message from the country and Library are published by Penguin Random with the Midlands club’s centenary. western star. House and carefully selected by a panel “The Rotary Club of Nottingham is Dolly Parton knows that the value of experts in early childhood literacy and one of the oldest clubs in the country,” of Rotary to the project is immense. “To reading. explained Leonard. “It was about to enter make all of this work successfully, we have A child enrolled from birth to its 100th year of operation. to have partners,” she explained. their fifth birthday will build their own “No matter how clever our idea is, home library of up to 60 books and the it takes our local sponsors to make this programme is completely free for children dream a reality for the children. and their families. “I am not a person to tell “Since day one, local Rotary clubs In June 2014, Dolly handed over her people what they should expressed an interest in what we are one millionth book to a UK child. “Every doing. However, we did not go big time time a child comes up to me and says do, so I thought if we could until I was invited to speak at the Rotary ‘Thank you for the books’, I say, I love do something that inspired International Convention in Montreal. being known as The Book Lady!”. "We created an international For Rotary, this has been a perfect kids to love books and to partnership that day which continues to project working alongside Helen Hastle, love reading, then maybe grow over the years. who is the Regional Director of The “Rotary is so strong. I don’t think you Dollywood Foundation UK. we could make a difference. need much advice or inspiration from me. With access to local schools, councils You have always dreamed big and have and youth services, alongside dynamic and done so much good for so long. I can only hard-working members, Rotary clubs have “We had a talk from the Dolly Parton say ‘thank you’ and tell you that it is always been able to deliver and successfully run Foundation who spoke about a library an honour to work together.” Imagination Libraries across the UK. to the club which ticked a big box for But Dolly is dreaming big. When The driving force of the Rotary effort us because literacy in Rotary is a major asked about her vision for the libraries has been Rolf Sperr from the Rotary Club project. At the same time, we discovered in ten years, she said: “Our hope is for Cleethorpes, who has been instrumental in the importance of early intervention in 2.5 million children to be enrolled and setting up five branches alone. education - if you can get hold of kids receiving a book each month. It’s a big Dolly, incidentally, is an Honorary before they are four or five-years-old then dream, but I am a mighty big dreamer!” l Member of the Lincolnshire club. Rolf, you can lay the foundations of education.” who has been a Rotarian since 1990, says The Nottingham Imagination Library You can find out more about Dolly “There is a big difference between the now has over 3,781 children registered and Parton’s Imagination Library here: children who get the books and children shipped over 89,000 books since starting imaginationlibrary.com/uk rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 5 ROTARY IN ACTION Rotary GBI President

PRESIDENT OF ROTARY IN GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND DENIS SPILLER Tuning into Rotary

ITH the conference season The tree planting deadline is fast over, I have been treated to a approaching, and the reports are coming in tour of district councils and of some great results, my own club Strood, “Here is a new project that you project visits around Great planted 90 trees, in some new woodlands, will all wish to hear about. BritainW and Ireland. that’s three each rather than one and, on Clubs in the South East are When you get into the year as February 25th, with RI President Ian President, even as an experienced, well- Riseley and many others from Coventry, supporting the setting up of a travelled and seasoned Rotarian, you come we planted a Japanese Parasol tree in the Rotary radio station. The lead to realise that you have only seen a glimpse memorial gardens. is an experienced hospital radio of the great works that our clubs are This tree is a direct descendent of one delivering. that emerged from the ashes of the city DJ and initially as an internet It is warming to see the focus on of Hiroshima in 1945. April 24th was the radio channel, the plan is to schools from a library scheme in a planting deadline, but please don’t let this move it to a DAB frequency in conventional primary school where children stop you. Keep calm and carry on planting! come with over 20 different first languages, The polio eradication programme due course.” to a polytunnel and gardening installation moves on a pace, and at the time of writing, in a school for children with very special just three cases have been reported needs and some with the most limited this year. communication ability. The very sad, yet very happy and It has been a privilege to meet Rotarian entertaining film ‘Breathe’ has now been victims of the Cockermouth floods and to released on DVD. I encourage you to invest see the project work delivered by the local £10 on this disc. Turn the lights down and clubs to build flood defences. the surround sound up and you will remain We all know that similar great absorbed until the end, at which point you works are being delivered across all our will truly understand the reason why we districts and in many cases making use of have spent 33 years destroying this Foundation grants, both district and global, virus and why the next five because don’t forget, Global Grants can years are so critical. deliver projects in Great Britain and There is never Ireland too. enough space to Here is a new project that you will mention everything all wish to hear about. In District 1120, I would like, so I look clubs have voted to support the setting up forward to talking with of a Rotary radio station. The lead is an you at any of the Rotary experienced hospital radio DJ and initially Conference, Rotary as an internet radio channel, the plan is to International Convention, move it to a DAB frequency in due course. the Grand Tour, and seven The internet makes it accessible to remaining district councils every one of us, and therefore, the broadcast coming up. team are open to promoting Rotary on a national scale. Interviews, project See you there. l presentations and requests will be sought to fill the broadcast hours. Get in touch with District Governor Carol Vizzard to find out more.

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Father forgive Dave King reports from February’s Presidential Peace Conference held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry

ills H OVENTRY – the city of ah cathedral’s ruined chancel. ar peace and reconciliation. A S r The Cross of Nails has become a city which experienced pain D n striking symbol of peace as, following the o and suffering 78 years ago n a war, Coventry reached out the hand of C when it endured a relentless v friendship to the German cities of Kiel, e bombing campaign during R Dresden and Berlin, which have endured the Second World War. similar human suffering. CMore than 500 people died on that A new Coventry Cathedral was built in fateful night in November 1940, as the 1962 nestled alongside the ruins. Rev Hills city lay smouldering in ruins the following told the Peace Conference how the Cross morning. of Nails community had grown to 220 At Coventry’s historic cathedral, only partners in 29 countries, all in places of the outer shell of the walls and the tower conflict or post-conflict, promoting peace. remained standing. “Our aim is to heal the wounds of But in the days that followed, two history, celebrate diversity and build a enduring symbols emerged from the culture of peace,” she added. rubble: two charred roof beams which “Our aim is to heal the Today in Coventry Cathedral sits a had fallen into the shape of a cross were Globe Candlestand which was built by bound and placed at the site of the ruined wounds of history, celebrate students from Kiel. altar; and three medieval roof nails were diversity and build a culture The stand commemorates the 7/7 collected from the floor and, using wire, bombings in London on July 7th, 2005 these too were bound into a cross. of peace,” she added.” and holds 57 candles to commemorate the This was the original Cross of Nails. dead – including the four bombers. As the Rev Canon Dr Sarah Hills “Victims and perpetrators alike. That told this story and showed black and community, declared ‘Father forgive’, is what ‘Father forgive’ means since all of white film of the bombings, together with which was not a popular message for many us are in need of forgiveness,” Rev Hills harrowing images of the mass graves of people in Coventry,” said Rev Hills. told the conference. the victims, there was a numbed silence at “It was not ‘Father forgive’ those who “That is what peace-making is about. the Presidential Peacebuilding Conference are our enemy, but ‘Father forgive’ all of It is difficult, it is risky and it is often taking place just five miles down the road us, because we are all in need of God’s counter-intuitive. at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. forgiveness.” “It is easy to make peace with your But out of the rubble came sorrow, This was a commitment not to seek friends, it is not that easy to make peace hope and love, explained Rev Hills, the revenge, but to strive for forgiveness and with your enemies, and that is what we Canon for Reconciliation at Coventry reconciliation; to build a kinder, more have to do.” l Cathedral. Christ-like world. “The following morning, Provost Shortly afterwards, the words ‘Father Dick Howard, the leader of the cathedral forgive’ were inscribed on the wall of the

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“Polio eradication demonstrates how effective international organisations

can be when they all come together G ove di rnm ba en in E with a common purpose and a t M Shir inis Dr ter, H arr common vision” iett B aldwi n

A Nobel choice y isle at the lowest level in history with fewer OVERNMENT Minister, R an I cases reported from fewer countries than Harriett Baldwin, has lent t, n her support to calls for e ever before. The world now has the best id s e opportunity to eradicate polio once and for Rotary International to be r P all, and for all future generations to come.” awarded the Nobel Peace y r a t The day-long conference, with the Prize for its fight o against polio. R theme of disease prevention and treatment, GSpeaking at the Rotary Presidential was hosted by Rotary International Peacebuilding Conference in Coventry, the President, Ian Riseley. He explained the Minister of State for both International idea was to explore the connections between Development and Africa, praised the stand Rotary’s five areas of focus and peace. which Rotary has taken for 30 years in its He said: “In Rotary there is no hard bid to totally wipe out the disease. and fast line between the various areas of In a Wall Street Journal editorial in focus. Work done in one area often brings 2005, marking the 50th anniversary of the benefits in another. Salk polio vaccine to prevent poliomyelitis, billion to the fund. “A project that puts clean water and the influential newspaper stated: “Rotary’s “Polio eradication demonstrates how sanitation in a school, for example, is going unsung polio effort deserves the Nobel effective international organisations can to not only advance water and sanitation, Peace Prize.” be when they all come together with a but also basic education, literacy, disease Now, speaking at the Ricoh Arena common purpose and a common vision,” treatment, child health and so on. in front of 500 Rotarians drawn from 14 she added. “There are parts of the world where the countries, Mrs Baldwin echoed that call. “Thanks to UK aid, there are more best thing you can do to improve literacy She said: “Rotarians you have been than 16 million people walking today who rates among women is to simply improve truly polio superstars. Your efforts do would otherwise have been paralysed. the water supply, so girls are no longer definitely deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.” And the UK is leading the final push to carrying water instead of going to school. And the Minister added: “I want to say eliminate the disease. “There are endless examples where thank you Rotarians that humanity is on “We are on the verge of one of the ways of understanding the complex the cusp of eradicating polio. greatest public health stories of all time. relationships within humanitarian service “We should take great comfort from The world is so close to being rid of polio can lead to more successful results.” the fact that little over 30 years ago there that we must renew our efforts to ensure Mr Riseley added that peace is an area were 350,000 cases in over 100 countries that 2018 is the year when the disease is of focus which, on the face of it, seems to sit and yet in 2017 there were just 22, proof consigned to history.” outside this dynamic. that, working together, aid really has an Earlier, Dr Ranieri Guerra, Assistant He added: “It is time for Rotary to impact.” Director-General for Special Initiatives with start looking at those complicated realities, Mrs Baldwin pointed out that the UK the World Health Organization, described to start exploring them and understanding has been the second largest sovereign donor Rotary as “a fundamental partner and a key them much better than we do now to to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. player” in its efforts to tackle polio. get the greatest impact possible out of Since 1988, the UK has donated £1.3 Dr Guerra said: “Polio is currently everything we do.” l

10 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org “My dream is a dream of peace, a society where instead of perpetrating

G violence people exercise tolerance ove di rnm ba en in E t M Shir towards one another. And to tolerate inis Dr ter, H arr iett B each other, we have to know each aldwi n other first.”

A fearless campaigner for peace

EACE is not a word, it is a might become bedraggled by set-backs, Dr Ebadi pointed out that everything has culture – that was the message we should not fear failure and instead be a price, including a democracy. “If your from Nobel Peace Prize prepared to take a step back. forefathers had not paid a price during the winner, Dr Shirin Ebadi. “Everyone has a dream in their life, and world wars, then you would not have had Dr Ebadi became the first the main reason some dreams are not ever the democracy you enjoy today. female judge in Iran, but when fulfilled are because the fear some human “Therefore, any nation that is Islamic clerics grabbed power following the beings have of failure and defeat,” she said. seeking democracy and freedom must, Prevolution in 1979 she was kicked out of the “Do not fear set-backs or defeat. When unfortunately, pay the price for it.” judiciary and became a lawyer. I look back at my own life I realise every She said the best way to bring peace to She was subsequently jailed by success I have experienced has followed the Middle East was to stop so-called ‘dirty authorities in Tehran after filing a a defeat. money’ belonging to some of the leaders, complaint against the chief of police while “My dream is a dream of peace, a from flowing into western banks. defending the family of a student killed society where instead of perpetrating And Dr Ebadi used the platform to during a police raid. violence people exercise tolerance towards condemn the Iranian Government for its Despite this, the diminutive one another. And to tolerate each other, we “shameful actions” in detaining the charity campaigner fearlessly worked on cases have to know each other first.” worker, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has dealing with the unfair treatment of Dr Ebadi said that multi-culturalism been imprisoned since 2016. women. was a positive step in this direction, She was jailed for five years for trying And in 2003, she was awarded pointing out how the Swedish city of to topple the Iranian Government. the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in Malmö is represented by more than Dr Ebadi said: “The Iranian promoting democracy, peace and women’s 80 different nationalities who co-exist Government is unjustly holding an rights in the Middle East. peacefully with no acts of violence. innocent person behind bars. Now exiled in the UK because of death “If we hope to co-exist in a peaceful "And Nazanin is not the only such threats from the Iranian Government, Dr society, we have to think of every individual case. There are 32 other cases who are all Ebadi told the peace conference her time in in that society,” she explained. languishing behind bars.” prison was “harsh and unfair”. Dr Ebadi has been a long-term critic of At the conference, Dr Ebadi explained “However, it provided me with a sense the Iranian Government. she had first come across Rotary in 1973 of empathy towards my clients,” explained In 2009, Tehran seized the Nobel when she spoke at a club in Iran, where the former children’s court judge. medal which Dr Ebadi kept in a bank box, she persuaded the club to set up a training “Despite the hardships, the reason I as well as freezing her bank accounts. centre for imprisoned children. carried on with my activities is that I truly Recently, Iran has been the scene The Rotary club was shut down in believed in the course that I had chosen.” of widespread protests as international 1979 but Dr Ebadi added: “I very much Peace, Dr Ebadi explained, is cultural sanctions have a major impact on the hope the conditions will be good again so and something which has to be taught economy – the biggest protests in a decade. we can have another Rotary club in Iran.” l from childhood. And while efforts for peace When asked about those protests,

rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 11 Health Awarness Day RODNEY HOWELL Sunday morning Rotary

NE glance at the website to meet up outside regular meetings and of the Maidenhead promotes the bonding and fellowship of Bridge Rotary Club is “The club is some 60% the club. enough to show that, by female and is mainly made The club also revamped the Facebook any measure, this is not up of people working in IT and Twitter accounts of the local adventure your average Rotary club. playground and optimised its social media Not only does the home page photo and the creative industries.” use. Elsewhere, members have created Oshow a happy, smiling group of casually logos and helped with rebranding and dressed 30 to 40-year-olds, mostly female, printed material. and many have babies or toddlers in their are welcome – the principal purpose is to With three Rotary clubs and a arms but, amongst the options listed in the plan their ongoing projects. Rotaract club, Maidenhead is quite a main menu, is a section headed “Pimp My Lisa Hunter, a founder member and Rotary town and “Bridge” Rotarians Community”. currently the club’s Public Image Officer, strongly support joint working with their The club was formed in 2012, aiming explained the ethos behind “Pimp My neighbours. to provide professionals aged 30-plus with Community”. They run a joint website giving a an opportunity to get involved in local She said: “The club sets its focus united presence within their community and international community projects and on vocational service and engaging with and the clubs come together to jointly meet like-minded people in the local area. smaller, local charities to assist them in organise larger projects in a manner that From 25 members at formation, the club their efforts. “We use the skills of our other towns would do well to emulate. has advanced to 47, despite a high level of members to provide marketing aids for With their dedication to community churn that has seen 13 members leave for these charities and to help them engage service and their furtherance of fellowship an assortment of reasons, although not all with the business community”. through the work involved in that service, have been lost to Rotary. As an example, Lisa evinced their the Rotarians of Maidenhead Bridge The club is some 60% female and work with the local food bank where are far from a traditional club but they is mainly made up of people working in Rotarians completely overhauled its may point the way towards engaging IT and the creative industries. It meets system of operation to eliminate food the younger generation with the Rotary twice a month on Sunday morning in the loss and waste. Hands-on work such as objectives that have served us well so far. l upstairs room of Costa Coffee and the kids this provides the opportunity for members

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ROTARY IN ACTION Tree planting challenge

ROTARY PRESIDENT IAN RISELEY

T the 1990 Rotary International Convention in Portland, Oregon, Athen President-elect Paulo Costa told the gathered Rotarians, “The hour has come for Rotary to raise its voice, to claim its leadership, and to rouse all Rotarians to an honorable crusade to protect our natural resources.” He declared a Rotary initiative to “Preserve Planet Earth,” asking Rotarians to make environmental issues part of their service agenda: to plant trees, to work to keep our air and water clean, and to protect the planet for future generations. President Costa asked that one tree be planted for each of the 1.1 million members that Rotary had at the time. Rotarians did even better planting nearly 35 million trees. Unfortunately, while those trees have kept on doing good for the environment, Rotary as a whole has not carried its Just tree-mendous environmental commitment forward. That is why, at the start of this year, I trees project in Nidderdale in Yorkshire. T was a year ago when the then followed Paulo Costa’s example and asked “At such low cost, I anticipate that Rotary International President-Elect, Rotary to plant at least one tree for every clubs will not plant just one tree per Ian Riseley, challenged every club Rotary member. My goal was to achieve Rotarian, but two, three or maybe four. worldwide to make a difference to a good result beyond the considerable Ithe planet by planting a tree for each of its “My own club, in Strood has just benefits that those 1.2 million (or more!) members. planted 90 as part of a local woodlands trees would themselves bring. It is my Targeting the start of his presidential restoration project. Oak, beech and hope that by planting trees, Rotarians will year last July to Earth Day on April 22, hornbeam were planted equating to just renew their interest in, and attention to, an he pointed out how trees remove carbon short of four per member." issue that we must put back on the Rotary dioxide and other greenhouse gases from Easthampstead Rotary Club in agenda: the state of our planet. the air, which slows global warming. Berkshire has also taken up the challenge. Environmental issues are deeply “It is my hope that the result of It is working with its local council entwined in every one of our areas of focus that effort will be far greater than the and they have bought two lots of 45 trees and cannot be dismissed as not Rotary’s environmental benefit that those 1.2 million from the Woodland Trust; one planted by concern. trees will be,” said Ian. “I believe the greater Rotarians and volunteers this spring, with a Pollution is affecting health across the result will be a Rotary that recognises our second batch being planted later this year. globe: more than 80% of people in urban responsibility not only to the people on our “We have had our local rangers in areas breathe unsafe air, a number that planet, but to the planet itself.” to a club meeting to give an excellent rises to 98% in low- and middle-income Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland, presentation and this kind of environmental countries. If current trends continue, by led by President Denis Spiller, have not activity is gaining momentum,” explained 2050 the oceans are expected to contain been slow in picking up the challenge of Bruce Irvine, International Chair. more plastics by weight than fish. planting 47,000 trees across these isles. It’s not just in this country that clubs And rising temperatures are well- Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland has have been engaged in tree-planting. Paul documented. The need for action is greater been working closely with the Woodland Keeley from the Rotary Club of Newcastle than ever – and so is our ability to have a Trust, developing thousands of miles of Gosforth has headed up the Sustainable real impact. forests, as well as woodlands ancient and Global Gardens programme. This involves As past UN Secretary-General Ban new for planting. tree planting in Tanzania. Ki-moon put it, “There can be no Plan B, Denis reported that there have been “The basis of this project is a group of because there is no Planet B.” countless projects going on, from planting Rotary clubs donating funds for tropical Our planet belongs to all of us, and to in schools and churches, village greens tree-planting, which is undertaken by 12 our children, and to their children. and roadsides, to restoring woodlands and Tanzanian Rotary clubs and other NGOs,” It is for all of us to protect, and for all creating vast new ones, including a 17,000 explained Paul. • of us in Rotary to make a difference.• 14 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org

Letters to the Editor

Enjoyable read online Star Letter I HAVE just read the online version of the Rotary magazine for February and March. I found the format very clear and readable Should Rotary consider its with excellent photos and colour. May I congratulate you and your colleagues on producing this substitute third party charitable funding? for the paper copy. Moreover the fact that a cost saving from eliminating a FOLLOWING the recent reports Who better than the local paper magazine that was seldom read or of sexual exploitation and abuse Rotarians to understand the needs of left at our venue is even more cause to in delivering humanitarian and those on the ground where the action congratulate those in RIBI who have driven development programmes by many is needed – abroad or at home? this necessary change. It is important to of the large overseas aid charities and As a District Governor, I always keep the costs of Rotary membership as low the news that £553,479 was seen to asked clubs one question: “How many as possible and in my own small way have “disappear” from the books of Oxfam charities that you fund-raise for and felt I've made a contribution to this at club due to fraud and corruption in its donate to, reciprocate and fund-raise and district level. 2015/16 annual report, it should for your club’s charitable work or our It is relatively easy in an organisation make all Rotary clubs stand up and be own Rotary Foundation”? to add costs but it takes more effort and more aware of the need for increased No prizes for guessing the answer initiative to adopt change and reduce costs. transparency within the charities that – none. Yes, none every time! we support with monies that we are On top of this, rarely do these John Chapman fully accountable for. “other” charities give credit or publicity Rotary Club of Rainhill, Merseyside Rotary cannot be seen to tolerate to Rotary’s funding. And then we sexual abuse or the exploitation of complain that we get no publicity. vulnerable people, let alone fraud and corruption. Even when these are under There are two answers: All white in the world control, Rotary should also ask how 1. Do it yourselves and put FOR the past 18 years, the Rotary Club of much of every pound that we raise Rotary on the label Chichester Harbour has supported over and donate to other charities actually 6,500 families in need in our community. reaches the point of need. Many would 2. Make Rotary publicity one of your We have collected and redistributed be surprised how close to 50% it can be terms if you do give to a charity and clothing, furniture, furnishings and after these charities have deducted all if they do not like it - do not give it. equipment, working with local health their costs, salaries and expenses. They will soon learn that Rotary is visitors, social workers and our foodbank to Rotary has always claimed that not a soft touch. identify those who are in dire need. working with our own Rotary club This has included families fleeing partners – a pound raised is a pound Yes, it is time to put Rotary back domestic violence, who often arrive at a new spent. We do not pay ourselves salaries on the map. Let’s stop being the soft location with literally nothing. or claim unnecessary expenses. touch and get back to our Rotary However, an area where we experience Let us get back to the principles principles and show that, along with the most difficulty is the provision of of Rotary and do the work ourselves in our own Rotary Foundation, we are white goods. Do any Rotarians know of the name of Rotary (and The Rotary a major force in the world of public organisations with branches in our area, Foundation when involved) and charities. who perhaps take these in part exchange, show the world that regardless of it or who have shop soiled items, that being a local community project, an Paul Charter they would be willing to let us have at international project or even a disaster Rotary Club of Newent & District, preferential prices? If so please contact: appeal we are more often than not Gloucestershire [email protected] the most efficient way of reaching and understanding the need. Hilary Riddell Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour

16 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org TOGETHER, WE CONNECT Rotary provides valuable opportunities for individuals to network, make connections and build relationships, all while giving something back to the community - that’s what People of Action do.

rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 17 Letters to the Editor

polio immunisations. When a six-pack of 1 Toronto, however Rotary in Great Britain litre tubs is bought, 18 polio immunisations and Ireland members shouldn’t miss an Ice cream funds are funded. opportunity to get "on board" today. Some clubs having bought individual 12,600 immunisations tubs for £1.20 each, have then sold for Brett Morey, Founder & Chair IN the late summer of 2016, Rotarians £1.75, thereby recovering their costs and Surfers Unite Rotarian Fellowship Paul Robinson, Stuart Wright and making a further 55p on each tub. www.surfersunite.org Philip Morrison formulated the idea of Whatever price clubs charge, they’ve Purple4Polio Ice Cream, the proceeds used this profit for either general fund- of which would go to support the raising or as part of their Foundation End Purple4Polio End Polio Now initiative. Polio Now submission. To find out more Jammy dilemma Having the idea was the easy part, visit. rotarygbi.org making it happen was to be more LAST summer Wilkin & Sons Ltd very kindly presented Rotary with 52,000 jars challenging. Rotary Club of Huntly After a great deal of hard work and of Tiptree plum jam, which they also kindly application by September 2016 the product distributed to every Rotary district in Great was ready, packaging had been designed Britain, Ireland and Gibraltar, with the aim for two sizes of tubs: 125ml (cinema/ Surf’s up for Rotary of raising £3 million towards the final push theatre size) and 1 litre (family pack) plus to rid the world of polio. a Purple4Polio webpage on the Rotary in lI WOULD like to share the following The aim was that every jar of jam Great Britain and Ireland website. with Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland should raise £20 each, and this has led to With the full support of then District members, interested in bringing youth into all sorts of fund-raising to achieve this. But 1010 Governor Roddy Duncan, Paul Rotary. The 2018-19 Rotary International mostly, Rotarians and their families have and Stuart, were invited to showcase theme is, “Be the Inspiration” and in so enjoyed eating the jam and then using the the ice cream at the District Conference many ways Rotarians inspire others to do empty jars to fill up with loose coins. in Aberdeen. Delegates enthusiastically more to benefit our communities and the The record amount for a jar so far is sampled the ice cream and gave it their seal needs of others. £1,000, but this clearly was not all in coins. of approval. Surfers Unite Rotarian Fellowship The amount collected so far is in excess of Since then, the Purple4Polio Ice Cream (SURF) is an exciting new Rotary £300,000. has been enjoyed at the Scottish Parliament Fellowship. Our goal is to establish Rotary Money collected by Rotary is all being at Holyrood, and the 2017 Rotary in Ambassadors who are as passionate about match-funded 2-1 by the Bill & Melinda Great Britain and Ireland Manchester serving others as they may be about surfing. Gates Foundation, hence why we want to Conference, at the famous Melrose Sevens Connecting Rotarians, Rotaractors and turn the £1 million into £3 million. rugby tournament, as well as at the Rotary Interactors around the world is exactly what Kelvedon & District Rotary Club, Club of Elgin Marafun Event and the we set out to do when I established Surfers whose initiative this is, is now left with Rotary Club of Aberlour & Speyside’s Unite Rotarian Fellowship last May. 1,600 jars of Purple4Polio greengage jam, Ballindalloch Garden Party, where the We are connecting, attracting, which are all sitting in my garage in Little Lossiemouth Military Wives sang and mentoring younger members through Bentley. We would like to raise a further sampled the ice cream. volunteer activities and events. £30,000 if we can raise £20 per jar for By January 31st this year, sales of Surfers Unite was approved by these, which again can be match-funded Purple4Polio Ice Cream have funded so far Rotary International in December yet to raise a further £90,000. The jam is more than 12,600 immunisations. we completed 16 major events in 2017 available to collect from Little Bentley or I The ice cream initiative had originally including numerous Learn to Surf events can ship six jar packs at an extra cost of £8. been planned to run until October 2018, with Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors The club has set up a YouCaring fund- however it is going to be extended to be and Youth Exchange students. raising account on our Facebook page so available for events throughout the whole of We now have over 320 members in you can make a donation directly. the 2018-19 Rotary year. over 20 countries and a website www. Maybe if you could all make a So, in your club’s 2018-2019 plans, surfersunite.org donation, I could then pass the jam over why not consider ordering the ice cream as Through SURF we are building to a foodbank with your agreement. But a charter night dessert course or perhaps friendships around the world from I would not like this last change to raise a for another meal night, a garden party or Australia to the U.K., Brazil to Ireland. final amount of money to End Polio Now to as a sales item at an event your club may be Want to travel to Hawaii and stay with a pass us by. taking part in or supporting. Rotarian who surfs? Reason enough to join Remember the prices of the ice cream Surfers Unite. Nigel Dyson include the ‘immunisation fund’ element. There may be SURF in forecast of President-Elect, So every 12 pack of 125 ml tubs funds 12 the Rotary Fellowship Hall at RICON Kelvedon & District Rotary Club

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GLOBAL IMPACT Special feature DHRUTI SHAH Understanding the value of peace

Shah ruti Dh ITH "What, drawn, and million) from The Rotary Foundation each talk of peace! I hate year, although the running costs are more the word." And with than that. that, in Act One, Scene Rotary International invests in the One, Tybalt, the violent fellowship programme because it gives PrinceW of Cats in William Shakespeare's students "a tool, to use and pass on - to Romeo and Juliet begins a fight that could build a world of hope and peace for all possibly have been avoided. of us". A journalist with more than 13 years' The Foundation also funds master's experience covering stories of terror, courses at peace centres in Tokyo, Uppsala, violence, attending inquests, carrying out North Carolina, Brisbane and Bradford, but death knocks and focusing on the emerging around the world - it's a popular subject. the centre in Bangkok is currently the only field of 'trauma journalism', there came a In 1948, peacemaker Gladys Muir one hosting this mid-career certificate. point when I was ready to take a step back established what is believed to be the Taking two cohorts of up to 25 a year, and deep dive into the world of peace and world's first undergraduate programme in the classes are intense and operate on a conflict, which had come to underpin every peace studies, at Manchester College, in pass-or-fail basis. bit of storytelling I was doing. Indiana, in the United States. My 23 classmates came from 17 So last year, I took three months' A quick online search for "peace different countries and a wide variety of unpaid leave to take up a Rotary fellowships" brings up a plethora of backgrounds - a farmer, development International Peace Fellowship at opportunities across the globe. King's consultants, lecturers, a lawyer, women's Chulalongkorn University, in Thailand. College London is currently offering a rights activists, a government official and This is a professional development fellowship for African women, while people with experience in the United programme for mid-career workers the United States Institute of Peace has Nations and smaller scale NGOs - all interested in understanding peace and schemes too. with the same intention of developing our learning conflict-resolution techniques. The peace fellowship in which I experiences in this field and learning from Fifty people from around the world enrolled receives $3.4 million (£2.6 each other. had been selected for a funded scholarship this year, after a two-part face-to-face interview process and a long paper application system. An article I had written for BBC History several years previously, on why people destroyed cultural heritage, had instigated a real interest in identity politics. The destruction of heritage sites Palmyra, in Syria, and Nimrud, in Iraq, was of real interest - how had we reached a point where monuments were under attack and why? My three months would be spent examining the Taliban's destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan, in 2001, the role the media had played and lessons for the future. Peace and conflict study courses are on offer at universities and educational centres Rotary International Peace Fellowship at Chulalongkorn University, in Thailand

20 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org The damaged Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan

We had to live together in the same has 15 years' experience in the university accommodation and spend a lot “My three months would be development field. of time together. For her, the programme provided But, as US classmate, Travis Burke, a spent examining the Taliban's an immediate networking pool and consultant with experience in Afghanistan, destruction of the Bamiyan some theoretical tools to complement Somalia and Ukraine, said: "The value the practical experience she had already of different voices and thoughts can't be Buddhas of Afghanistan, in 2001, accumulated, while Jill Mann, a peace underestimated when tackling these the role the media had played and activist from Leeds, says it's made her major issues." rethink how communities approach peace This particular Thai peace course lessons for the future.” and conflict. began as a pilot in 2005. It has been Maybe soon we'll find the words of running ever since, producing 203 male Benvolio, Tybalt's counterpart in Romeo and 220 female peace alumni from modules. and Juliet, will be far more influential in a 78 countries. But the world is moving on, and world where conflict dominates the news Each cohort goes on a domestic and cyberwarfare is becoming a norm. agenda: "I do but keep the peace. Put up international field trip. Class 22 visited With fellows raising issues around thy sword, Or manage it to part these men Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand, to disinformation and the role of fake news with me."l examine the fight over the Mekong River. in obstructing peace, the deputy director We then travelled to Sri Lanka to look Vitoon Viriyasakultorn says changes to the at the after-effects of the civil war, which course curricula are afoot. came close to devastating the country. "As well as the changing political People on all sides, from villagers to environments and emerging issues around FACT FILE fishermen to military staff to government the world, it is the right time to revisit the Dhruti is in her mid-thirties and from officials, all wanted to share their programme to make it more attractive London. She studied at Mansfield experiences. and responsive to the world's changing College, Oxford and has worked at the The course lecturers include lawyers, environments and technologies," he says. BBC for nine years in a variety of roles. Buddhist monks and peace activists. For some of my classmates, the In 2015, she was selected to take part The fellowship also uses its network scholarship has already instigated change. in a prestigious seminar programme of alumni as a resource - so who knows Dan Noel Odaba, who teaches focussing on trauma journalism at which of my classmates will be back in international relations at the United States the Dart Centre, a project based at Columbia University, New York. Her Thailand soon to pass on their expertise. International University-Africa, in Nairobi, Rotary Peace Fellowship application We examined military approaches, is using the skills he learned to help young was supported by Rotary District 1090 the role of storytelling and the media, how people in slum areas to learn how to and the Rotary Club of Uxbridge women were integral to peace, mediation resolve conflict. in Middlesex. and human rights, within the designated Sharada Jnawali, from Kathmandu, rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 21 ROTARY IN ACTION Rotary Grand Tour

TRUSTEE CHAIR 2017-18 PAUL A. NETZEL

HE new grant model comes up frequently during my visits with TRotarians throughout the world. It is always disappointing to learn that a club or district lacks interest in participating in global grants. What are the reasons I hear most often? Global grants are too complicated. They take too much work, require too much money. Or the available pool of District Designated Funds may not be large enough to meet the demand. Yet the numbers tell a story that can be perceived as positive. During 2016-17 – The Rotary Foundation’s centennial year – 1,260 global grants were awarded, an 8% increase over the previous year. And the figures for the first half of this Rotary year are running ahead of last year. Numerous upgrades have been made to the global grant online application process. The time it takes to process global grants has been significantly reduced. Helping to dump polio In 2016-17, the average was 129 business days from the time a grant EMEMBER the Iron Lung Man Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland application was submitted to the first President Denis Spiller whose team will not – well Roger Frank is back! payment. The average was 107 business only be visiting the check and rest points, Roger is the creator behind days for 2017-18 as of February 1st. but each evening they plan to invade a club the iron lung replica which has If your club has not participated in Rbeen wheeled around the country to teach a to spread the word before all the other cars a global grant, I urge you to take another end up in Yorkshire for the finish line party new generation about polio. look at the resources now available. Start on May 24th. Now the Past President of the Rotary by looking at the newly redesigned Rotary “My Beetle has already done 12,000 Club of Upper Eden in Cumbria is raring to Grant Center at grants.rotary.org. Explore miles since July, so let’s hope it has another go for the Purple4Polio Rotary Grand Tour. the comprehensive resources linked in the few thousand in it before the end of the Along with Arthur Littlefair from the right-hand column. year,” said Denis. “The German engineering, Upper Eden club and Appleby Rotarians, The Rotary Support Center built in Mexico, is doing pretty well so far!” John Taylor and Alan McViety, they will be can provide contact information: The original challenge was an old embarking on a four-day road trip across [email protected] banger, but interest has expanded and the country from May 21-24. The Rotary Foundation’s Cadre of The aim will be to visit as many Rotary classics, motorbikes, and even a purple Technical Advisers is a group of volunteer check and rest points, at places of interest, dustcart are taking part in this fun tour in Rotarians who provide technical expertise as possible to raise money for the End Polio May aimed at raising awareness and funds and advice to Rotarians planning projects. Now campaign. for Purple4Polio. If you would like to receive guidance early Roger and the team have converted a Check and rest points include Brands in the process, contact [email protected]. timed-out transit tipper truck into a natty, Hatch in Kent, Brooklands in Surrey, and A critical role of the trustees is to listen. nippy contraption dubbed Mr Dumpy. the Great Orme in Wales. Rotary members have spoken. “It has had a hard life with over The map is available on the Rotary Together we are a powerful force of 200,000 miles on the clock,” explained in Great Britain and Ireland website volunteers who identify needs and respond Roger. “It’s a real banger. The aim is to together with a Frequently Asked Questions with generosity, creativity, and passion. turn it into an old-fashioned arched-back summary.• Rotary grants provide us with a garbage truck, hence the name Mr Dumpy unique opportunity to bring ideas to reality and the slogan: sending polio to the dump!” To find out more about the Rotary and to make a lasting impact, whether The road trip is the brainchild of Grand Tour visit: rotarygbi.org locally or globally. l

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Community library keeps the pages turning

Across Great Britain and Ireland, clubs are involved in a host of impressive community projects. Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland's Home Committee want to showcase the best of the best. Here, the Rotary Club of Rugeley in Staffordshire outlines its ambitious library project.

HE Rotary Club of Rugeley We will be responsible for all of the We have recently found that has been in discussion administration at the library and the people considering joining Rotary want with Staffordshire County day to day service through a team of 23 something specific to get involved in Council since August 2017 voluntary library assistants who have straight away and so we have realised that to become the management already been recruited by the council. it is better to have an active or potential umbrella for Brereton All of the necessary resources project to attract new members. Library, near Rugeley. including books, computers and library All money taken at the library for TThe county council is converting 23 management systems will continue to be fines; printing; reservation fees etc. smaller libraries to Community Managed provided by the Library Service and users is retained by Rotary to be spent on Libraries and need established community will still have full access to the whole of developing the facilities and services. organisations to take responsibility. Staffordshire Library Services via Brereton We have secured all of the professional These libraries provide vital resources Library. services needed to set this up by making for the most vulnerable people in society, There is also a huge benefit to Rotary our needs known at district and thereby including the elderly who need local access from this project. securing the help of other Rotarians with to the libraries’ book service or just want We will be allowed some involvement the relevant experience. company. in branding and will be able to clearly Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Despite the modern electronic era, show that Rotary is managing the library regularly encourages us to try something young people still love to handle and for the community which will greatly different and this definitely fits the bill. l read real books. People who, for whatever increase our profile in the area. reason, do not have access to the internet We can also use the library for our and need it for job seeking etc. can do so own purposes free of charge. If your club has a project worth through this local library. In the long-term, we hope that sharing, then contact Geri Parlby, Because of this, we felt it was an ideal we may be able to use the library as a District Community Service Support platform for a Rotary Club. springboard for a new satellite club. at: [email protected]

24 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 25 Befriending scheme which tackles loneliness Mike Curtis tells the story of how a Rotarian and an RAF widow bonded over Burma – a friendship which has helped spawn a befriending project.

TROMA Williams was only 12 weeks old when her father was killed in a flying accident in 1944. Now, nearly 75 years later, the wartime experiences of her Sfather have been surprisingly revived thanks to a new befriending partnership between the Royal Air Forces Association and Rotary International. An email to her Rotarian husband about the new scheme was seen by Stroma and she asked if she could volunteer as a befriender in North Wales. After training, she was assigned to two people and discovered that the husband of one of them may well have met her father as they were both RAF pilots in Burma. “The husband of this lady survived the war, but my father died when in his Mosquito aircraft broke up due to the humidity. We realised both men had served as pilots on neighbouring squadrons in Burma and may well have met,” said Stroma. John and Stroma ©PhilGreig “The RAF connection has certainly given us plenty to talk about, chatting She added: “I realised that if my late for whom times hangs heavy. It helps to about what life must have been like for Mum had a befriender as well as family, it exercise the minds!” wartime pilots and learning new things would have made a world of difference The RAF celebrated its centenary about what my father and this lady’s to her. on April 1st – formed in 1918 as an husband did and faced during the war.” “The two people that I go to see just amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps Stroma admitted that the RAF enjoy chatting, especially about things and the Royal Naval Air Service. befriending scheme had not only helped that they know and remember. I was quite One hundred years on, and seven her, but enabled her to give something surprised that there are no lulls in the representatives of Rotary in North back. And she wondered how her mother conversation. Wales and parts of north-west England may have benefited had a similar scheme “The befriending scheme definitely have been trained as befrienders by the been around. helps people who are lonely, bored and association since last summer. There are

26 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org magazine

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Please post your completed form to: Claire Haines at: rotarygbi.orgRotary in Great Britain & Ireland, Kinwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6PB ROTARY // 27 ROTARY IN ACTION Befriending scheme

RI DIRECTOR 2017-19 BRIAN STOYEL

URING the last few months we have witnessed Rotary Making a DDifference at first hand. First, with District Governors-elect going through their paces at the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, and then during two weeks of travel in India, initially speaking at two district conferences. There, Maxine and I were courted, watered and inspired by the numerous health, water, sanitation, blood, limb, literacy and school initiatives and projects orchestrated by the family of Rotary. Upon our return, we met up with the District Leaders at the Multi-District Leadership Development Forum where Warwick University provided an excellent venue and facilities. It is hoped those Stroma on the bench dedicated to her father who was killed returning to their districts were inspired for in action serving in the RAF in Burma. ©PhilGreig the challenges ahead. From there we moved onto our own Peacebuilding, Disease treatment and ...... hopes that the partnership can be and Policy at the Royal Air Forces prevention Conference in the City of Peace rolled out across the UK. Association, is delighted with the Rotary – Coventry. President Ian Riseley and his Around 85,000 of the 170,000 RAF partnership. He said: “It is a welcome wife Juliet flew in from Tel Aviv to join veterans in the UK have said that they boost for our befriending which will help an eclectic mix of over 500 adults with experience loneliness. The scheme pairs us give invaluable welfare support to the schoolchildren becoming involved with the a veteran with one of the association’s RAF family. Peace Project and PeaceJam. trained volunteers who keeps in touch “Like so many of our volunteers, Everyone was mesmerised by the with visits and chats. we hope that the first seven Rotary talented array of speakers, assembled John Bird is another Rotarian from befriending volunteers get as much out of together by a team led by Peter Offer, North Wales who has volunteered for the this as they will bring to the veterans.” so ably assisted by our secretariat staff, scheme. He said that the Rotary motto Amanda Watkin, General Secretary with grateful thanks for sponsorship by `Service Above Self’ chimes perfectly with at Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, is local Rotarians and Rotary clubs. This the RAF and with the service that military hopeful that this scheme will blossom. She was a memorable occasion which will be veterans gave to their country. added: “Like the RAF Association, we are remembered for many years to come. He also sees parallels between Rotary an international family of people whose In between, we made a hectic dash to and the RAF Association which share common goal is to help others. We see this the Rotary Club of Nottingham for their similar values and are both there to help befriending project as an important part 100th charter celebration, having earlier in people. He described the befriender of our drive to help communities through the year helped the Rotary Club of Bristol training as ‘superb’ and hopes that the our volunteer work and help make people’s celebrate their centenary. partnership will be developed. lives better. And who deserves support It was heartening to see and hear from “I have been matched up with an RAF more than our forces veterans? inductees into the Arch Klumpf Society veteran not far away. His face lit up when “If this pilot partnership works ensuring our Rotary Foundation work he found a new face to talk to,” said John. out well, we will discuss with the RAF continues for another century. “It is fascinating to talk to such people Association whether we can help them I am preparing for the next Board and learn about their life. He feels good expand it across the Rotary network in meeting and discussion around Rotary2 as someone is showing an interest in the UK.” l because, as I constantly refer, the Rotary him. There is an opportunity to change world is watching Zones 17 and 18A to see someone’s life for the better. I believe the To volunteer or if you know an RAF the results of this year’s hard effort. befriender partnership can really make veteran who would benefit from this Make the last few months of this year a difference.” scheme, please call 0800 0182 361 really count. Be the inspiration to ensure or visit: rafa.org.uk/befriending Rory O’Connor, Director of Welfare Rotary continues making a difference.l

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GLOBAL IMPACT National Immunisation Day

Humbled in a country of courtesy

Fiona Phillips is a journalist living on the Welsh borders. A member of Hereford City Rotary Club, she joined colleagues earlier this year to take part in a National Polio Immunisation Day in India.

WAS there! When the world shifted anyone has ever said about India being a on its axis and something momen- “As soon as we arrived we were country of extremes is true… and tous happened, I was there and I then some. was a part of making it happen. mobbed… many of these parents It’s overwhelming, exhausting, Because I was there for what were among the first to be frenetic, noisy, smelly and the traffic has Icould be one of the last National Polio frankly got to be seen to be believed. Two- Immunisation Days in India. immunised themselves when the lane roads carry vehicles five abreast with And that’s thanks, in no small way, polio eradication programme bikes, motorcycles, tuk-tuks and rickshaws to the truly phenomenal efforts of Rotary weaving between; horns blare constantly – International - because the mass, global first began” and in the middle of it all a cow – sacred to immunisation programme, which was the Hindus – will just mooch about. started by Rotary in the Philippines in I have never felt more foreign in my 1979, has seen polio virtually eradicated It would be fair to say I am not a life. Yet conversely I have never felt more worldwide. natural nurse - I’m a hard-bitten hack welcome. India is the country of courtesy. At the time of writing polio is now and when the sympathy gene was being It is also home to some of the most found in just three countries in the world handed out, I was probably in the pub. But deprived areas in the world – and it was – Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria – and being given this opportunity to be involved in the thick of these Kolkata slums that I, so far in 2018 there have only been three in an event that will make history – and and four of my Hereford City Rotary Club cases reported, in Afghanistan. change the world for the better - was colleagues, and two Calcutta Mahanagar So, in a single generation, this scourge, immense. Rotarians, Ashok Kumar Agarawal and that left victims dead or disabled, has been I’m a novice member of Hereford City Deepak Chowdnury, equipped with a conquered – and Rotarians across the Rotary Club, and we were invited by the coolbox full of vaccines, found ourselves globe can take much of the credit for this Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar, in on January 28th. My birthday – and one I world-altering fact. Kolkata to assist in their work on the NID will never ever forget. British Rotarians have contributed in January. Making up our diverse crew was £20 million to combat this disease, Having never travelled outside Europe a tuk-tuk complete with loudspeaker supported by many partners including the the whole trip was, for me, the most sending out a siren call to parents to bring Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. enormous adventure – and everything out their children to benefit from the

30 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org Bringing a smile to India immunisation programme. they’d been ‘done’ and yet another dishing Hereford City Rotary Club and the And as soon as we arrived we out a gift for the immunised. Calcutta Mahanagar club have generated were mobbed… many of these parents And if there is ever a salutary lesson ties that will continue – I have promised were among the first to be immunised on the nature of Western consumerism to send regular contributions to a joint themselves when the polio eradication and greed, it was the look of sheer joy Mahanagar/Hereford newsletter that I programme first began, and despite the on the faces of those tiny children when and Rotarian Payal Agarwal are planning poverty of their circumstances their love they were handed a small, plastic ball as to put together, and we hope to work and concern for the health and well-being a reward for taking their medicine together on other projects too. of their beautiful children shone out. so bravely. Before our return to the UK we also While use of the English language Now that really was humbling. visited the Cochin Rotary Club where is widespread in India, in these areas of I was actively involved in immunising we were inspired by Foundation Trustee deprivation, where the education of girls is around 100 under-fives; the rest of the Elect, Gulam Vahanvaty, who was the particularly low, our lack of Bengali should team completed more than 500 by the end guest speaker. His views on recruitment have been an issue. But it wasn’t. of the day and across the world more than and more importantly retention and The international language of care 2.5 billion children have received the polio engagement of Rotarians has proved a was more than adequate. vaccine - most dispensed by amateurs talking point for us ever since we got back. Dressed in our very fetching bright like me. I will never do anything as amazing as yellow polo shirts and baseball caps we Anyone who thinks Rotary is just my contribution to eradicating polio – tiny couldn’t have been more visible. Soon, we a lunch club for businessmen should though it was in the great scheme of the set up a chain system, with some of our look at its truly amazing humanitarian programme and I am endlessly grateful number on crowd control – and forming work – being given the chance to be part to Rotary; to my new friends in the a barricade between us and the manic of something like the NID has changed Calcutta Mahanagar club for arranging the traffic, others marshalling the children; me fundamentally – I am so proud of my opportunity – and to my fellow Hereford one dispensing the life-saving two drops of involvement and of the links we have City Rotarians for helping me to enjoy the vaccine to waiting open mouths; another made with Rotarians on the other side of experience of a lifetime.l Sharpie-marking little fingers to show the globe. rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 31 DAVE KING

A world free of polio? You bet!

HE question was an obvious over the Alpine border in France - who vaccine to stop any possible cause of polio one, but it had to be asked: will be speaking at Rotary’s Conference in vaccine-derived virus.” when do you realistically Torquay later this month (April). Those hotspots are Pakistan and foresee a world free of polio? These next few months, up until May, Afghanistan which had 22 polio paralysis Michel Zaffran, sitting in are make or break to finally stop polio in its cases caused by the wild polio virus in 2017 This office at the World Health Organization tracks. From October to May, temperatures – eight in Pakistan and 14 in Afghanistan. in Geneva, smiled. It was a question he had are low in countries regarded as polio The big unknown is Nigeria, where the been asked many times before, and one he hotspots. The virus remains less active, Boko Haram group has rendered the north- knew was coming. so this is the window of opportunity for eastern state of Borno virtually unpassable. “I believe we can achieve a world free of experts to get ahead of the game. In 2016, after two years without polio, the wild polio virus by the middle of 2018, If, and it still is a big if, there are four cases were reported from this region, over this next low transmission season,” he no fresh outbreaks and the virus is which was a big set-back. Last year, there replied. quarantined, then there will be three years were no fresh cases in Nigeria, however, “Absolutely we will see a world without of intense global surveillance without a according to Michel, access to Borno to polio. It is not going to be easy, but we will single case before the fireworks can begin. carry out vaccinations remains limited. very likely interrupt circulation of the wild “So let’s say we interrupt transmission “Therefore, we cannot guarantee that polio virus soon.” in the next few months, it will be 2021 the virus is not circulating there,” he added. Michel is director of polio eradication when we will be able to certify eradication And that’s not the end of it. for the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the wild polio virus,” explained Michel. Containing the polio virus is like trying and coincidentally a Rotarian – a member “And within one year of that to herd cats, particularly in war-ravaged of the Rotary Club of Gex-Divonne, just certification, we will withdraw the oral polio and remote parts of the world.

32 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org GLOBAL IMPACT Michel Zaffran

Michel Zaffran visiting a laboratory

Besides the wild polio virus, WHO this push from the launch of Polio Plus in has been tackling two outbreaks of 1985, and then the World Health Assembly vaccine-derived polio virus in Syria and the “I believe we can achieve a world three years later when governments from Democratic Republic of Congo. free of the wild polio virus by the around the world committed to eradicate polio. These were caused by a vaccine which middle of 2018, over this next low was used before April 2016 which WHO Michel said that the WHO is aware of later withdrew. transmission season,” how fundamental Rotary has been in the “From a biological perspective, this is a fight by raising resources and mobilising different animal,” explained Michel. volunteers. But it has been a partnership “But from an impact perspective, the cases. That would be a big question mark, involving Rotary, WHO, the Bill & Melinda children still get paralytic polio. and much depends on the war between the Gates Foundation, UNICEF and the “The reason these two outbreaks have government and Boko Haram.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. started is because the routine immunisation Already there is a plan for a world No one organisation could have taken coverage was very poor, there were very few without polio. One year after eradication, on this fight and won. children immunised, and the access to these WHO will withdraw all oral polio vaccine, “What we need to explain to everyone areas was limited.” which is made of an attenuated form of the is to be patient. We are nearly there, but we Even so, Michel remains confident that virus. “We may, for a time, see some cases also need to understand what we could lose absolute zero can be reached. of vaccine-derived polio virus paralysis but if we do not finish the job now.” Despite the war in Afghanistan, WHO very quickly we will no longer see paralysis For Michel, the day of a polio-free has an extremely good surveillance system cases,” warned Michel. world can’t come a day sooner. to detect the virus when it is circulating and There remain 90 facilities in 30 “I will be so glad and so happy, with good negotiation the immunisation countries which are working with the virus because of the efforts which have gone programme goes ahead. for research purposes and to manufacture into eradicating the disease, the millions of “With Afghanistan and Pakistan, I vaccines, and there will need to be tighter people that have engaged from all levels to am confident we will be able to entrap controls here by reducing the number of achieve this eradication. transmission,” said Michel. such facilities. Those that continue to use “I will be happy for the children who “In Nigeria we are doing everything we the virus for research or vaccine production are going to be born after eradication who can to access these children, but it may be will need to comply with very strict will never see this disease and never risk we are unable to confirm that area is polio- containment regulations. being paralysed by this disease.” l free, although we won’t see any new polio Rotary has been fundamental towards rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 33 SOCIAL MEDIA # JAMES BOLTON It's Gone Viral IT'S GONE VIRAL What is being watched, posted, liked, shared and tweeted around Rotary in the world of social media.

Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

PRESS FOR PROGRESS To mark International Women’s Day, charities around the world celebrated the role of PEACEBUILDING ACROSS THE GLOBE women in their causes. Search Viewers from Afghanistan, Uganda and across the world the hashtags #IWD2018 and THE BIG 50 tuned into our Facebook Live coverage from the third #PressforProgress to read their Back in March, Rotaract celebrated Rotary Presidential Peacebuilding Conference in Coventry. inspiring stories, including how 50 years of delivering service right Catch up on the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland women are at the heart of across the world. You can hear Facebook page to hear from inspiring speakers on a tackling polio. from the current Chair of Rotaract fascinatingly diverse range of topics, including Nobel in Great Britain and Ireland on Peace Laureate Dr Shirin Ebadi. page 36. Tweet your Rotaract memories using #Rotaract50 and follow @RotaractGBI. Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

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#ROTARYCONF2018 Whether you’re joining us at the Torquay Conference or not there are plenty of ways to get involved and follow the weekend’s events. RISING AGAINST HUNGER You can follow @RotaryGBI PIMP MY COMMUNITY Two days, 29 Rotary clubs, hundreds of volunteers and on Twitter and use the hashtag Visit our Facebook page to meet 100,000 meals packed to feed hungry school children in #RotaryConf2018 to keep up to the family friendly Rotary club Kenya. As part of our latest series of films highlighting date and relive the behind the who donate their professional Rotary People of Action, check out the amazing story of scenes action from our speakers, skills to kick-start local charities two Rotarians who from small beginnings have made a the Community Showcase and through their ‘Pimp My big impact by visiting our Facebook page. entertainment! Community’ programme.

Rotary International in @RotaryGBI /RotaryinGBI Rotary International in FOLLOW US Great Britain & Ireland Great Britain & Ireland

34 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org

Tom Silverson from Littlehampton, West Sussex, is the Chair of Rotaract GBI. As the organisation celebrated its 50th birthday on March 13th, Tom reflects on its history and the relevance of Rotaract today. Happy Birthday Rotaract!

T’S hard to believe that Rotaract has the physical and social needs of their Club President in 2013/14. been going 50 years this year! communities, and to promote better In 2014/15, I took on the role of Rotaract is a unique relations between all people worldwide District Rotaract Representative in international service organisation through a framework of friendship and 1250 and in August, 2015 became the for people aged between 18 and service. Marketing and Communications Officer I30-years-old. It all sounds a bit like Rotary! for Rotaract in Great Britain and Ireland, It offers a wide range of activities, to I started my journey in Rotary in focusing on re-branding Rotaract GBI try something new, while getting to meet 2009 when I took part in the District online with the new logo and creating new others and have a great time. 1250 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, marketing materials to engage clubs with The purpose of Rotaract is to provide gaining valuable skills and developing Rotaract GBI. an opportunity for young men and women my understanding about Rotary and the I was elected Rotaract GBI Chair to enhance the knowledge and skills opportunities it offered. Nominee in 2015 and became Chair that will assist them in their personal My journey continued in 2010 where Elect in 2016/17 progressing to Chair in development. I was a founder member of INSIGHT, the July 2017. I am very enthusiastic about We are also about addressing Rotaract Club of Littlehampton, becoming representing Rotaract in Great Britain and

36 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org Ireland, continuing to support Rotaract 60 clubs with this Rotary year seeing five Clubs nationally and work in partnership “The purpose of Rotaract is to chartered to date. with Rotary. Additionally, there has been a huge Throughout the last half century, provide an opportunity for young shift in the mindset of Rotarians and the civilisation has continued to see a vast men and women to enhance the reality of an ageing membership. There is amount of change and benefitted hugely now a clear commitment from everyone by the efforts of the Rotary family all over knowledge and skills that will that we have to work together to sustain the world. assist them in their personal Rotary. In 1968, Charlotte North Rotary Shockingly, still only a small Club chartered the first Rotaract Club, development.” percentage of Rotaractors join a Rotary University of North Carolina, Charlotte, club but there are simple things that can in an effort to increase the involvement of encourage members to continue within the movement, such as: young people in the Rotary movement. reached the age limit of 30, Rotary was • Simply ask them to join your club; Already, Rotary ran youth not as suitable as other organisations and • Value their knowledge and experience programmes, including Interact which therefore the progression failed. from their time in Rotaract; was established in 1962 and catered for Fortunately, in the last few years, a high school students. Rotaract stands for number of changes have occurred which is • Give them leadership opportunities ‘Rotary in Action’ and originally came from steadily improving the picture. within their first year in your club; a combination of Rotary and Interact. Rotaract clubs are becoming more • Suggest they open a satellite club if Since its inception, Rotaract’s flexible, with different types of clubs such your club is not suitable; membership has continued to rise. as Community, University and e-Clubs as • Support and mentor them; In the UK, the 1980’s saw a particular well as a greater choice of Rotary clubs to • Allow change to happen. membership boom and a wealth of club join to suit individual needs and cater for and district activities throughout the lifestyle. Moving forward, our focus at Rotaract country. In 1993, Rotaract in Great Britain Furthermore, the relationship between GBI is to continue to sustain existing and Ireland established itself as a Multi Rotary and Rotaract has improved with clubs, providing support as needed, grow District Information Organisation with better communication, equality and the membership and facilitate formation the purpose of providing support and understanding of joined up Rotary and of new clubs as well as strengthen our resources to Rotaract clubs across the UK. how this can be achieved. relationship with Rotary in Great Britain In the last 20 years, it is fair to say With the changes made from the 2016 and Ireland to achieve our joint goal of a that there has been a gradual decline in Council of Legislation, Rotaractors can joined up Rotary. l membership in the UK. now be Rotarians at the same time which The biggest contributing factor for emphasises how Rotaractors are being this was and still is the barrier between valued within the Rotary family allowing Don’t forget to check us out on: Rotaract and Rotary clubs. for flexibility and the best chance of Facebook @RotaractGBI The limitations in membership to a sustaining the Rotary movement. Twitter @RotaractGBI Rotary club meant that when Rotaractors At present, Rotaract GBI has over Instagram @rotaractgbi rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 37 ROTARY IN ACTION Champions of Change

A true champion - Professional artist Tom Yendell with Radio HERBERT CHATTERS presenter Aled Jones, opening one of his Flat Space holiday homes Singing the praises of the unsung heroes OTARY’S unsung heroes will be of the past, and the vision and commitment will be your turn.” gathering in Wales on May 18th of today’s Rotarians, our organisation For this issue, we are featuring the to receive their awards. would stall. seven winners involving projects in Great The fifth annual event “We have countless unsung heroes Britain and Ireland. —this year at Cardiff City Hall whose initiatives and desire to change lives In Cardiff, awards will also be made in R— will welcome 14 Rotarians and seven simply astounds me. the international category, for community non-Rotarians to collect their certificates “To all of those who wear a Rotary champions, plus the presentation of two and badges. champions’ badge I thank you. To all of Presidential awards. These ordinary people, doing you who wear the Rotary pin, I say keep on Go online to www.rotarygbi.org to read extraordinary things, will receive them solving problems and perhaps next year it profiles of all 21 winners.l from the Chair of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Peter Kellner, and President of Rotary in Great Britain and Champions of Change Roll of Honour Ireland, Denis Spiller. This year’s award night, to be held in Home International Community the Marble Hall, lined by columns of Sienna Cormac Doyle Tony Clayson (D1285) Sean Bailey (D1285) marble, will also recognise 100 years of (nominated by D1210) Peter Croan (D1020) Afolasade Bright (D1130) Rotary in Cardiff and Wales. Denis will also present two Presidential Mike Harvey (D1145) Patsy Dodd (D1180) Paul Brooks (D190) awards for outstanding work in supporting Sarah Newcombe (D1180) Bob Parfitt (D1070) Howard Craven (D1150) and strengthening clubs. Daniel O’Reilly (D1160) Alison Stedman (D1010) Pauline Craven (D1130) President Denis Spiller said: “To visit Tom Yendell (D1110) Alan Wolstencroft (D090) Roberta Lovick (D1080) Wales is always a pleasure, but to combine Norman Yates (D1190) Molly Rennie (D1200) it with honouring our 19 champions, two Presidential awardees and to celebrate 100 Presidential Awards years of Rotary in Cardiff, will be extra Andrew Errington (D1180) special. Brendan O’Shea (D1160) “Without the dedication of Rotarians

38 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org ROTARY IN ACTION Champions of Change

Champions of Change Profiles Sarah Newcombe (District 1180) Sarah is secretary to Bentley Cheshire Rotary and became aware of the desperate plight of the homeless in Crewe. Having encouraged the Bentley-based team to act, she engaged with the local council, other local charities and the community, thus raising the profile of Rotary and ensuring support for the project. The ‘Street Kitchen’ they set up operates in Crewe every Friday, serving a core of 20 to 30 people who are considered as rough sleepers. The project also supplies clothing and toiletries, including essential sanitary items and sleeping bags through the generosity of local companies and the council. The ‘Street Kitchen’ even Sarah Newcombe set up the 'Street Kitchen opened over Christmas and New Year’s Eve. l project' for the homeless in Crewe

Cormac Doyle Daniel O’Reilly (District 1160) (nominated by District 1210) In the darkest hours there is light - such a flash Cormac strives to help others. He is a member of inspiration spurred Daniel, a member of of Ironbridge Rotary in Shropshire and is a Rotary in Monaghan, to transform parents’ mental health practitioner. accommodation at a children’s hospital. After 25 years’ military service, he recognised The Our Lady Children’s Hospital in there was a lack of clinical mental health Crumlin is the largest paediatric hospital in treatment for veterans and The Bridge Charity was born - self- Ireland. funded through charity events at a cost of £45,000 - to deliver An education technologist, Daniel had experienced the tired this level of care. and depressing facilities during his own hour of need. He delivers unique trauma-focused psychotherapy and His project ‘Be a Gift to Crumlin’, embraced Rotary reprocessing for military veterans who cannot access clinical care throughout Ireland to refurbish and upgrade 45 rooms that act within acceptable time frames. He also offers the same service to as home for stressed parents near the hospital. NHS patients who have experienced a ‘long wait’. The project was a triumph for volunteering and fund- Vulnerable pensioners also receive mental health support raising and involved individuals, clubs and businesses. with one of these services available in Shropshire and with Over a two year period more than £90,000 was raised, with support from other mental health specialists who freely give Daniel embarking on a 2,000km Arctic challenge on a 1979 50cc their time. l Honda moped!. As a result, all of the rooms have been upgraded providing sanctuary and calm to help parents cope. l Mike Harvey (District 1145) Mike researched, formulated and established Tom Yendell (District 1110) “Bridging Generations’ on his own. A member of Four Marks & Medstead Rotary, A member of Chichester Priory Rotary Tom paints a picture of a Rotarian on a mission. for 39 years, he is the driving force behind the Tom was a victim of the thalidomide project, whose prime focus is to recognise the tragedy, born without arms or hands. But that need of different generations to engage and does not stop him from leading an active life. understand issues affecting other age groups. A professional artist and a member of the The meetings every two weeks involve Chichester College of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, he recognised how difficult it Further Education, Age Concern, Rotary Meals on Wheels and was to find adequate holiday accommodation. So he decided to care homes. Students talk regularly with the elderly in a safe space champion the Flat Spaces mission. with refreshments and access to health and social care. The goal of Flat Spaces is to grow a network of holiday units, As a result, the view of each generation taking part has throughout Great Britain and Ireland, specifically developed for become more compassionate and appreciative of the difficulties those with moderate to severe physical disability to travel and each face, and it has helped to understand the problems of holiday with confidence. loneliness and isolation in the community. l The first property was opened in May 2015 by Alan Titchmarsh and has since then enjoyed 80% occupancy, with waiting lists over the summer. Tom does not wait for things to change, he is dynamic and motivates those around him to really make a difference even when obstacles seem unsurmountable. l rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 39 LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND

MBE FOR ROTARIAN WHO INVENTED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Rotarian the first scientific paper presented at an terms as Assistant Governor. who international conference. In 2013/14 he started the Dorchester was the Peter authored some 30 papers on Poundbury Rotary Club, which he inventor the topic, wrote a book, and created many subsequently joined in 2016. of digital patents. He has also been a school governor, photographyA has been Peter moved to Dorchester in 1969, and a member of other voluntary honoured by the Queen. founding the company known as Integrated organisations. Peter Noble, who Photomatrix Ltd (IPL) where the first video For 35 years he devoted time to the is a member of Poundbury Rotary Club in picture using the system was demonstrated, world of extreme sports – starting with Dorset, was awarded an MBE in the New winning the company a Queen’s Award to BMX where his eldest son, Mark, won the Year’s Honours’ List for his work creating Industry in 1974. There followed a career world championship in 1988. The team he digital image sensors, and for charity. in electronics, physics, two books and created, known as Team Extreme, added In 1966, Peter created the world’s first consultation for global companies. skateboarding, in-line skating, and even image sensor based on the ‘active pixel’ – the When he came to Dorchester he joined break dancing - performing at many shows genesis of the modern image sensor used in Round Table, and later Rotary, rising to the and exhibitions across four continents. everything from movie cameras to mobile national councils of both bodies. Peter now continues with Poundbury phones. He joined Dorchester Rotary Club in Rotary, as well as being chairman of The Observer newspaper carried the 1984, becoming president seven years later. Poundbury (MANCO2) Ltd and the first public story on April 16th, 1967 showing He became District Governor for District Poundbury Community Trust. a small basic image sensor – following 1200 for the year 2012/13 following three •

RARE HONOUR FOR A SPECIAL ROTARIAN

EICESTERSHIRE Rotarian, Bob sufficient money within the club to obtain a President Phil Dyer said: “The Paul Harris Ferguson, has been a tireless worker matching District Grant to buy motorcycle Fellowship is awarded by Rotary to those for Rotary. ambulances for Uganda. For this, he co- individuals who have made an outstanding A Past President, he has been operated with the Partnerships Overseas contribution to Rotary causes. La member of the Ashby De La Zouch Club Networking Trust, which was set up in South “Bob, your commitment and passion in for 14 years and was recently presented with Wales to assist the people of Mbale, Uganda. supporting the End Polio Now campaign has a Paul Harris Fellowship Sapphire Pin. The Most of the people in Mbale live many been an inspiration to your fellow members occasion was the donation of Ashby club’s miles from local medical centres and their for the past few years. Santa collections to local charities. only means of transport is cycle or to walk. “More recently, you have dedicated Bob is Chairman of the club’s Foundation Most roads are unsuitable for four-wheeled a considerable amount of time into raising sub-committee who has done sterling work vehicles, so the motorcycle ambulance is the funds in the form of a District Grant to for Rotary’s charity since he joined the club. most suitable form of transport. boost the fund-raising we have undertaken According to President Phil Dyer, Bob is also Bob made three trips to Uganda: one to in support of Hospice Hope. Your quiet one of those special people who never refuse hand over the ambulance and later to take determination and selfless manner are there a request for help. over medical supplies and mosquito nets: all for all of us to see.” • One of his early projects was to raise at his own expense.

40 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 41 CHARITY BENEFITS FROM ROTARIAN AUTHOR

T’S been a labour of love for Rotarian Richard Glover, who has just Icompleted writing a book with the proceeds going to charity. Richard, a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Ossett in West Yorkshire, has written a book which traces the beginning of mankind over a quarter of million years ago, until today. Titled, 'The Long Journey of my Little Y Chromosomes: The Origins of one Viking Family' has recently been published and is available through Amazon. Proceeds from the book will go towards the charity WaterAid, the not- for-profit organisation which sets out to HELL OR HIGH WATER provide clean water, decent toilets and T was high water on the Isle of Sheppey forward to doing it again next year.” good hygiene normal for everyone. when Rotarian Margo Bronger, 77, Margo is a Past President of the Rotary “The recent advert in Rotary launched her New Year’s Day sponsored Club of The Isle of Sheppey and amongst magazine for WaterAid inspired me to dip in the briny. those supporting her was fellow Rotarian offer a special price for this book of £13 I She actually went into the cold water Clive Eglinton. which includes postage and packing,” said four times on New Year’s Day to raise funds She added: “I would like to thank Clive Richard. “That’s a saving of £3 over the to help fight dementia from which her for all he has done as well as arranging for recommended retail price of £15.99. brother suffers. me to borrow an inner tube which also made “All profits will be going to WaterAid, With a big smile on her face, plucky it good fun.” which provide clean drinking water in Margo, of Minster, said afterwards: “It was Said Clive: “She is a very energetic and some of the very areas of this journey in brilliant – there was a great atmosphere, it fit lady who swims, rows, walks and plays golf. Africa.” was a good laugh and everyone was in good As I graphically put it the other day, ‘she is a If you would like to receive this book, spirits. In those circumstances the cold tough old bird.’ She has set a target to raise email Richard at: [email protected] doesn’t really come into it. £1,000 and has already reached nearly £800. with your name and address. • “I dashed in and out four times over an “The event was arranged at short notice hour and a half as people suddenly arrived and, given the minimal advanced publicity, and it was a really good fun day. I am looking was remarkably well supported.”•

DOUAI TO GOUDA THE HARD WAY

HE Dutch town of Gouda has northern France to Gouda, linking the East become synonymous with the Sussex’s contact clubs of Douai Sud and popular yellow cheese made Gouda, who supported the venture. from cow’s milk. It was also the The nine-strong team, who also included Tdestination for a group of Rotary cyclists Chris Barnett from the Rotary Club of engaged on a charity ride for End Polio Now. Canterbury Sunrise, managed to raise £24,000 Immediate Past President of Bexhill thanks to the contribution from the Gates Rotary Club, Geoff Longmire, came up with Foundation. the idea of the 200-mile ride from Douai in •

42 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org

THE APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE HROUGH an exciting and innovative venture, the Rotary TClub of Wigan, partnered by the Rotary Club of Bacau, Romania, have been involved in a project with a country school in the village of Gaiceana. Science teaching in Romania is very teacher-centred and the clubs have now provided a fully equipped and serviced laboratory which will allow the pupils to do much more 'hands-on' learning in their science lessons. The new laboratory is furnished and equipped to the highest standards enabling teachers and students A SAFER AND BRIGHTER FUTURE to experience science teaching and HE Rotary Club of Warwick has learning in a new way. children in crowd situations. launched a project designed to Long-term, the idea is to cascade “We are grateful for the generosity and help keep school children safe on this approach to other schools across the support from the Warwick Rotary Club.” the streets. country. The refurbishment work has been Meanwhile, the Midlands club has TAll primary and special schools in carried out by the local council, with the also donated £1,000 to buy 2,000 keyring the town were offered the opportunity full backing of the Mayor and other face masks for use by the Warwick District to receive a supply of hi-visibility tabards, civic officers. The Rotary Club of Wigan Community First Responders. funded by the club, which could be worn arranged for three Romanian teachers to These are volunteers who respond when on school trips. visit Shevington High School in the town to 999 calls on behalf of West Midlands Five hundred hi-visibility tabards were to look at specialist teaching materials Ambulance Service. They have been very handed out to seven primary and special for the delivery of science in Romania. busy responding to the demand for training schools and which will be worn on school They are looking to establish a long-term people in CPR life-saving skills and using trips by both students and staff. Each tabard relationship with Gaiceana. defibrillators, training nearly 2,000 people carries the name of the school and the The 11 and 12 year-old pupils of The over the past two years. Rotary logo. Prescot School in Wigan raised £260 to Rotarian Graham Suggett responded The Rotary Club of Warwick worked in purchase additional equipment by selling to their call to train as a trainer, and soon partnership with Colan Ltd of Warwick who cakes to the pupils and staff of that school. noted that there was some reluctance is a company officially licensed by Rotary The project was made possible by to administer the kiss of life on hygiene International. funding from The Rotary Foundation which grounds. Debra Hewitt, Head Teacher of contributed just over $20,000 (£15,000) Working with the Responders a face Ridgeway School, said: “These tabards will to match the funding by the Rotary Club mask was devised which can be attached to be extremely useful to us. They will help of Wigan of $16,300 (£12,200) which was a car or house keyring so it is always with keep the children safe when walking on supplemented by a contribution from the you in case of emergency. school trips and will also help identify our • Rotary Club of Bacau.•

and also a Rotarian who accompanied Past WHAT A SPECTACLE! President Philip Watson on a visit to the T’S fair to suggest that the Rotary Club African country to distribute spectacles at of Morden in Surrey is used to making a its annual clinic.“Every year we collect used spectacle of itself. spectacles from various sources, all of which The club has been heavily involved are donated to our club for export Iin a project to recycle spectacles as part of to Tanzania,” explained John. a partnership with the charity ABCD: Art ““With Philip’s visit, the community Building Children’s Dreams (UK) which is recognised the significance of the donations operating in Tanzania. made by our club and thanked Morden John de Ronde is the charity’s Director Rotary for their continuing support.”•

44 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org NEWS IN BRIEF RECORD RIDE NANTWICH Rotary raised a record £6,161 from its Christmas Sleigh with Santa. President Tony Hoy has been busy presenting cheques to local charities from the money raised. So far cheques for £800 each have been presented to St Luke’s Hospice, Nantwich Museum, Donna Louise Hospice, Cheshire Young Carers and The Wingate Centre.

TARGETING YOUNGSTERS WIMBORNE Rotary has launched a new website designed with the aim of raising awareness amongst young people NEW YEAR BOOST TO CHARITIES locally of exciting opportunities for them through participation in Rotary OLKESTONE CHANNEL Rotary Club President Alan Myers presented the £2,500 sponsored or supported competitions. has donated a much-needed £11,500 cheque to Unit Manager Tracey Taylor. The new website at www. to Kent charities in the New Year. The money will be used to buy a wimbornerotary.org/youth shows The beneficiaries, which do constant service coffee machine to replace details of free-to-enter local, regional Famazing work in our community, were: the existing, time consuming, need to boil and national competitions which can be •Headway East Kent Folkestone Day Centre kettles. The treatment of patients may last up entered by young people aged between (acquired brain injuries); to 10 hours at any one time and the benefits 11 and 17. to patients and staff will be enormous. •Hypo Hounds (training family dogs to give Alan said: “I have been so impressed early warning and help prevent debilitating by the unit and the way it has touched the KITCHEN EQUIPMENT attacks in diabetes type 1 sufferers); lives of so many people. Folkestone Channel THE Rotary Club of Rochford has •Meningitis Now (support for meningitis Rotary aims to provide further support for the donated £750 from its Christmas street sufferers and their families); Unit, to help it buy a machine for intravenous collections to the Waterman Primary cannulation of veins. This will come from School in the Essex town. •FareShare Kent (family foodbank services); the proceeds of our 2018 fund-raising events At the same time, the club has also Celia Blakey Cancer Care Day Centre at the including the Channel Triathlon which we’ll presented the school with a cooker • William Harvey Hospital. launch in September 2018.” and fridge to replace their outdated Since the club was formed in 1980, equipment. The most recent donation was to the Celia it has raised around £750,000 towards Blakey Cancer Care Day Centre where Club good causes.• CHEERS DOCTOR! DR Stuart Talbot MBE has recently been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship MENTORING FOR GOOD for his work organising and running OTARIANS in Canada and the the Langley Park Rotary Charity Beer Rassin, 61 Rotarian mentors were identified Caribbean have just completed Festival over the last two years. from Rotary districts in Canada and the a six-month pilot mentoring Both Kent beer festivals have been Caribbean. scheme for young women in the a huge success raising nearly £17,000 The scheme was announced in London RCommonwealth. over two years. Proceeds from the 2017 during Commonwealth Week last year when The need for an inter-generational Festival amounted to nearly £10,000 more than 650 young women, aged 18-29 mentorship programme to benefit girls and and were divided equally between St years, registered to be mentored, including young women leaders in the Commonwealth Christopher's Hospice and Hospice in 550 from Africa. was identified at the inaugural the Weald. Plans are already under way Rotary is now working with the Commonwealth Women Leaders’ Summit. for this year's festival. Commonwealth Secretariat to roll out this With the support of Rotary International mentorship scheme to other Commonwealth President, Ian Riseley, and Rotary countries. International Directors Dean Rohrs and Barry • rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 45

Editor's letter

and finally... with Managing Editor Dave King [email protected]

A sea of blood red poppies

S a sobering reminder to the years, and stories involving Rotarians. scale and futility of war, the From initial research, David has major art project ‘Blood Swept discovered that Leeds Rotarian, Frederick Lands and Seas of Red’ which William Hedges (1898-1954) won a Victoria gracedA the Tower of London four years ago Cross for conspicuous bravery at Bousies, • DELIGHTED to say I’ve just joined a is without parallel. France in October 1918. new Rotary club. I’ve been a member of It was a breath-taking sight to see the And Alfred Knight from the Rotary the eClub West of England for a number of Tower’s famous moat filled with 888,246 Club of York was awarded a Victoria Cross, years and before that with the Rotary Club ceramic poppies, each one representing with four other members of the club also of Swindon, but for a change of scenery I a British military fatality during the First receiving military crosses. But that's all we wanted to move to a club whose times fitted World War. know. Do you have any more information around my work in London. I was filled with wonderment at how about these Rotary heroes? It was an interesting experience trying simple, yet moving this piece of art was, set David would love to hear from Rotary out Rotary. I emailed a couple of clubs at a location where a fair share of blood has clubs with any Great War stories they might about joining. Some replied straight away, been spilled over the centuries. share. It’s not just about those serving on others I never heard a dicky-bird from. A Created by artists Paul Cummins and the Western Front, but there may be stories membership action point, maybe? Tom Piper, it marked 100 years since the of Rotary life during the Great War. I also tried a couple of clubs to first full day of Britain’s involvement in the If you have any images, that would be make sure I found one which I felt most Great War. an added bonus. David can be contacted by comfortable with – and I have landed on Now, four years on, our attentions turn email at: [email protected] my feet with the Rotary Club of Elthorne- to Armistice Day this November, when we The feature will be appearing in Hillingdon in Middlesex. Their first mark the centenary of the end of what was December's issue of Rotary magazine. question on club night….do you play darts?! considered to be “the war to end all wars”. Commemoration services are planned • DO you think this concept of Rotary 2 • A QUICK clarification from the last issue at Westminster Abbey, in Glasgow, Cardiff and recruiting younger members is going following the feature on Dementia Cafés and Belfast on November 11th, and 1,400 just a tad too far?! which have grown to become an impressive bell-ringers from around the UK will be I had to share this lovely photo of community asset built on a strong peeling their bells at 11am in symbolic Jenson Beverley (top right). Rotary focus. unison, just as they did in 1918 to herald the Jenson was just six days old when this It should be pointed out that the end of the war. photo was taken in February. He is the son engine room behind this project, Rotarians To mark the Armistice Centenary later of Leanne Beverley, the President of the Easing Problems of Dementia or REPoD, this year, Rotary historian, David Fowler, Rotary Club of Coventry Jubilee. was started by the Rotary Club of Tavistock from the Edgbaston Convention Club in The Rotary onesie was a gift from the in Devon. Good luck to Geri Parlby and Birmingham, has agreed to research a District Leadership Team in the Heart the team. feature looking at Rotary during those war of England. •

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