Service above Self
Winchester Rotary, UK Bulletin - July 2011
Leadership and Teamwork
We know that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to do it alone, and quickly gets into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
When the lead goose gets tired, he or she rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Finally, if a goose gets sick and falls out, two other geese will also fall out of formation and follow him or her down to help and protect. If we apply this living metaphor to us; we will 1 be all the stronger.
The President writes… R.I.2011-12 Logo
Welcome to a New Rotary Year! On Handover Evening Richard gave a most enjoyable and entertaining review of the past year. I’m sure you will all join me in thanking him for all he has done to ensure that the club is in such fine fettle as he hands over the reins.
Fun and Fellowship have been very much to the fore with Richard at the helm, and he and Maureen have been hugely successful in bringing the two clubs, Rotary and Inner Wheel, together for many enjoyable occasions. We wish them a happy retirement from their Presidential roles and look forward to their continuing involvement and support in our many continuing activities.
Looking ahead, a full programme has been prepared for the coming year.
In each quarter there will be a major occasion at the Holiday Inn.
On August 8th. we are privileged to welcome RIBI President Ray Burman as an honoured guest. President Ray is known to be a most inspiring and entertaining speaker, an occasion not to be missed.
th. Then on December 19 there will be our Christmas Dinner for which great entertainment is being arranged.
Moving into 2012, the joint meeting with Inner Wheel on February
27th will be very special indeed. Through John Wilkinson’s Education Uganda connections, we are honoured with a visit from The High Commissioner for Uganda, Her Excellency Joan KN Rwabyomere, who will speak about women’s rights.
th. April 16 will be a major fundraising dinner when Alastair Stewart will be “interviewing” Ann Widdecombe, both of whom are generously giving us their time. We know these two celebrities will provide a most entertaining evening and attract a wide audience.
Do please put these key dates in your diaries now and consider inviting family and friends, especially any who might be potential members.
Finally, I would like to record my thanks to the Directors all who supported me last year and helped me plan the coming year. Across the world this week there are some 33,000 new Club Presidents taking up their roles. I am surely one of the most fortunate to become President of Winchester, such a special, diverse and vibrant club.
Have a great year! 2
David Farthing Handover Night
Seamless continuity Denis to Richard to David. David Farthing’s chain of Office. Janet Farthing receives her badge.
Giles Peck, President-Elect. Gill Russell, Honorary Secretary.
Wednesday Breakfast
President Richard, Iain Steel and some of the guests. in The Hampshire Room.
20th June, 2011 Lunch
Charter Day Rotarian Colin Eames
84th. Anniversary Speaker
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New District Governor Nominee 2011-12
On Friday July 1st. John Eade became the new District 1110 Governor Nominee 2011-12 at the District Handover Dinner. Caroline Millman became the first female District Governor.
Others in attendance were David Farthing, Colin and Polly Cook, Ian
White and Inga Tully. The Club congratulate John and appreciate that he will be particularly busy in the next three years!
Cook’s Tours
Supporting Armed Forces week, City guide Colin Cook took Honorary Member Lt. Commander Amanda Hassell and members of her Worthy Down team on a special two
and a half hour tour of the city.
They visited the Cathedral, Winchester College War Cloister, Wolvesey Palace, and St Giles Hill, and are pictured where they started at Peninsula Square.
Florian Sprung’s Triumph
“National Three Peaks Challenge” was completed last weekend, completing all peaks in just under 29 hours (a bit slower than Julian, but then he wasn't carrying a Shelter Box!) Thank you again for your tremendous sponsoring. So far all 8 participating
Ambassadorial Scholars raised £3,775 for Shelter Box.
The team on top of Snowdon: (top from left to right) Jerry, Max, Atif, Florian, Jessica, James, (bottom from left to right) Andrew, Iain, Ryan.
A New Dementia Support Group
Ten former volunteers who were committee members of the Winchester Branch of the Alzheimer’s Society are starting a new group in Winchester, independent of the Society, to provide support to people with dementia and
their carers. This follows the Society’s disbandment of all its 236 branches and their volunteer-led committees and their replacement by a wholly management-directed structure.
The Society has retained an office in Winchester, though the manager there is now responsible to an Area Manager in Reading. The new group - Winchester Dementia Support – starts with no money and no premises, as the financial reserves of the previous branch have been subsumed by the Society into a county-wide account. Consequently, the group – all of whom have many years’ personal experience of dementia care and the running of a variety of support services - has to start on a very modest basis.
Immediate plans are to continue a monthly “Music Time” event held at Kings School, launch a monthly tea party at the same venue, and continue to provide individual advice and support to carers with whom members were already in personal contact. Longer term, however, the group could be interested in the possibility of some volunteer support from another volunteer-centred organisation, such as Rotary, to help with general activities. 4
In addition to this, REPOD (Rotarians Easing Problems of Dementia) has a good website: www.repod.org.uk Paul Harris Fellow – Brian Bull Evening Meeting Brian was born in Cheltenham and moved to Weston-Super-Mare in 1946, attending the village school where his father was Headteacher. From Weston Grammar School he went to Kings College London, graduating in English followed by Post Graduate Certificate in Education in 1959. He later acquired another BA Honours this time in Psychology and later still added a M.Sc. with Distinction in the Psychology of Education.
His career in Education started Regular promotions took him to with teaching in a secondary appointment as Sub Dean of the school in London. He moved School of Education. His to a primary school in Didcot, Psychology, meant that he was Berkshire before reaching the understandably chosen to take a higher echelons as Lecturer in leading role in planning the Education at King Alfred’s revised Bachelor of Education College in 1966. degree at the now University of
Winchester. Colin Eames, President Richard, Brian Bull & John Cranmer
John Cranmer, Brian’s former Principal, writes: “Brian was deservedly well-liked and respected for his fair- mindedness and good humour. He retired after a distinguished career and Rotary service became a beneficiary of his skills and rich experience”. Moving to that Rotary service, Brian joined us in 1996. Brian quickly identified with Youth Activities which in those days was Youth Speaks, Kids Out and the Peter Symonds College Business Challenge. He was soon elected a member of Club Council. His contributions to the Club Bulletin were much appreciated, not just by the Editor. “Dumb Blondes, Hormones and Flower Power – what do these have in common” was one article reporting Youth
Speaks.
In 2002-3 Brian was Vice President and chaired Club Service committee. He was an enthusiastic member with Paul Russell and Warner Hall of the new Sponsored Walk project team and for several years oversaw the laborious registration process on which the successful organisation of the walks depends.
Brian’s Presidential Year 2003-4 got off to what he described as “a flying start” with support for Le Havre de Grace Club’s proposed Matching Grant for equipment for a hospital in Riga, Latvia; the Triathlon, Gems of East Winchester; Last Night of the Proms; and the Peter Symonds College Business Challenge. That was the first month.
In August he and Ann were “at home” to members on August 10th – the hottest day since records began and at the meeting on August 11th permission was given to remove ties. District Conference, he said, was “very good for recharging the Rotary soul” – a successful and enjoyable event.
In toasting the guests on President’s Night, Brian reflected on how much his involvement with Rotary had widened his horizons. Involvement with other local service clubs was exemplified by a Ten Pin Bowling event with Inner Wheel, Soroptomists, Rotaract and Round Table.
Being Past President did not mean being past it for Brian for more recently he has chaired the International Committee and served on Club Council. Brian’s approach to life is to “Lend a Hand”. This may be in connection with the Workers Education Association, of which he was Chairman of the Winchester Branch; with golf – he is a Seniors Section Committee member at Avington; with Rotary – in the coming year he will be Club’s Sports Officer.
Brian married Ann in 1962. Those of us who are aware of the difficulties and anxieties in recent years caused by Ann’s ill health admire his concern and care for her. We are pleased that things are going better for her. 5 As recently as last year, Brian said he was “proud to be part of such a diverse and growing organisation as Rotary”. The Club is proud to have him as a member. Colin Eames Tripartite Weekend Immediate Past President Richard’s speech
President Karl and Margit, President Philippe and Danielle and all our dear Rotarian friends and partners from
Oberhausen Antony Hutte and Le Havre de Grace.
It is a great pleasure, as well as a privilege, for me to stand before you this evening, as the 85th President of Winchester Rotary Club as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our twinning with Oberhausen and the 33rd occasion since Winchester commenced twinning with Le Havre. This is a record of which we are very proud! Not so much the G8 meeting, more the R3 gathering of like-minded people!
This annual European twinning weekend is always a highlight of our Rotary year and, although the Winchester delegation this year is a small but nonetheless exclusive group, we bring sincere greetings to you all from every one of our 84 members, many of whom are now working men and women (yes, we have already some 16 lady members) and who find it difficult to take time away with both work and family commitments.
The size of the UK budget deficit is I cannot speak for your Clubs such that people in work are having but, in Winchester, we are to work harder than ever and are seeing an increase in the therefore reluctant to be absent from number of requests for funding their workplaces for too long! But we from both national and local are taking the nasty economic charities as well as students, medicine now, as I know are other who are all “feeling the funding European countries, in the hope of pinch”, as we say in the UK. securing more prosperous times in [The photograph shows President the not too distant future. The good Richard receiving attention in the times will return! Festival in Wiesbaden.]
It is perhaps reassuring to be reminded, in stormy economic waters, that Rotary is seen by many organisations and individuals as a key stabilising influence within the local community – a secure refuge from the uncertainty of current times. We are seen as trustworthy, reliable and worldly-wise members of our communities and our collective Club views are much respected.
We have organised a number of street collections in recent times, in response to some very traumatic natural disasters and, in Winchester as elsewhere I am sure, our citizens look to Rotary members to spring into action whenever or wherever the need arises.
I like to think we are an important part of our national psyche – our cultural backbone. We too have an “essential” relationship with our communities, as well as a “special” relationship between our three Clubs.
President Karl, to mark this important twinning anniversary, Winchester Club members have agreed to contribute 2,000 Euros to your Friedensdorf International project, which I understand takes care of injured, poor children from Afghanistan, Ethiopia and other war-torn countries, providing medical care to local Hospitals. We heartily support this project and commend you for the idea of helping such vulnerable and damaged young people cope with their lives. Our children are our future.
Finally, on behalf of my wife Maureen, President of Winchester Inner Wheel Club and myself, along with all our members, may I give to you and Margit this small gift, as a token of our respect and friendship. Thank you and all your Oberhausen colleagues for organising this memorable weekend and for your continuing close relationship with the Rotary Club of Winchester. 6 May I ask the Winchester team to stand and to drink to the health and happiness of our good friends from Le Havre de Grace and to our 2011 hosts, the members of the Rotary Club of Oberhausen Antony Hutte. New to the experience… Tripartite Weekend
The international dimension of Rotary became a practical reality for those of us who met and embraced friends from
the Oberhausen and Le Havre Clubs in Wiesbaden, Germany on the weekend of 2nd-5th June 2011. This was a splendid occasion marked by new friendships made and old ones instantly rekindled. Language was not a barrier as common ground was universal.
The service we received was warm, welcoming and engaging, providing much of interest that was stimulating and relaxing. We experienced the Rhine with a boat trip to Koblenz, viewing pretty villages, vineyards and castles. The tour of Wiesbaden emphasised its impressive 19th century architecture set amidst parkland and woods. These were
built to accommodate the many visitors to the health giving natural springs. Because of this, the city has applied to become a World Heritage site.
The tour of the Schloss Johannesberg vineyard and wine tasting refreshed our palates to the delights and intricacies of Riesling wine and our minds to the importance of this agricultural industry to the region. The setting for the club reception and set meals were impressive, whilst the cuisine and wine were always of high quality.
“wine that gladdens the heart of man”
The three clubs mixed well on all occasions, with Winchester Rotary bringing fun and laughter to the occasions, particularly on the final evening where we all participated in a facial photo montage of the Royal Wedding family group, appropriately timed for the Queen’s official birthday. We gave a well-received repost on the pavement outside the hotel as the French and German coaches left on the Sunday morning. The rest of that day for our group was spent in fun and friendship prior to flying back to Hampshire.
As new participants to the Tripartite meeting, both Myra and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would have no hesitation in recommending and encouraging other Rotarians and their partners to get involved in the partnership both here in Winchester in 2012 and subsequently in France and Germany. What a great way of celebrating Rotary’s capacity to bridge boundaries between societies and countries through building such partnerships and lasting friendships. John Wilkinson
Postscript: Both Winchester and Le Havre each contributed £2000 to the Peace Village International established in Oberhausen and supported by their club. This aims to help children from regions of war and conflict, providing medical aid, humanitarian awareness and social engagement 7 through peace education. www.friedensdorf.de
at Paultons Park
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The Winchester Walk
Thanks to Roger Walker and his team for all the preparation, execution and clearing up that had to happen for this event to take place. The rain made the end of the day a bit of a washout, but spirits were not dampened and a great time was had by many Scout groups, Rotarians, families and friends that participated. It will not be known for some about the total sum raised for the Winchester Scouts as it takes weeks for the sponsors show their generosity. Further thanks to the Army team from Worthy Down whose catering was brilliant and all the stall organisers for offering a range of activities.
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Celebration of Youth Gala Sunday 26 June
The Incomparable
Compere: Ben Hart
The Brilliant Byron Adlam
This event was possible because of the talent that abounds in the local Groups, Schools and Colleges. It is brought together every three years to avoid over loading the teachers and coaches. This year the two groups who would benefit from any monies raised (sharing £1,000) were ‘The Blue Apple Theatre’ based at the Tower and ‘The Young Theatre Royal’. Both took part in this year’s Gala Performance for the first time. Special thanks go to the team management of John Wilkinson (Stage Manager); Jackie Weston; Richard Chisnell;
Robert Parsons; John Eade; David Farthing; Tom Humbertson; Justin Craig and Hannah Wade. JML
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Theatre Royal, Winchester Celebration of Youth Gala
“If Music be the food of love, play on”
“Thank you so much for inviting Blue Apple to be part of such a terrific Gala evening. I thought you would like to hear some of the comments from the Blue Apple dancers: “I LOVED being on stage... It was an honour and special to be on that stage... I've been waiting to get onto that stage... I loved dancing on that stage”... etc. In fact it was a terrific opportunity for them. So I am really grateful to the Rotary for giving our dancers that chance where they can perform equally with others in our premier venue. Please thank all your members too and for all their support in so many different ways. We all also had a wonderful evening out. Best wishes,” Jane, Jo and the dancers.
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Joint Presidents’ Night Barn Dance
Thank you to our Joint Presidents 2010-11 Richard and Maureen Chisnell for a super Barn Dance
on Friday 10th. June in the Littleton Memorial Hall.
‘Uncle’ Melvyn Jones was great and Caller Keith Woodward was
terrific at making it all happen.
The details of the funds raised for ‘The Better Life Charity’ are mentioned on the opposite page. The pictures immediately above show the Funnelle family group with the Chisnells and Leigh Funnelle explaining her work.
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Eat your heart out ‘Hello Magazine’… New President Inner Wheel
It is all change at this time of Judith Lumsden was installed as the year for Inner Wheel and our 74th President on Monday Rotary with new Presidents in 27th. June. (Pictured here with both clubs and we wish Maureen Chisnell on the right). Rotarian David Farthing a We wish her every success. very successful year too.
June has been a busy but enjoyable month for Inner Wheel. We were entertained at our Speaker Meeting by Cate Lacey (see right), husband of Rotarian Richard Lacey. Her talk was entitled ‘Following the Flag’ and she certainly played an extremely supportive role for her husband throughout their RAF travels.
We were in awe of the exciting and varied life she led, the countries she visited, notwithstanding the jolly hard work in packing and unpacking, sometimes at very short notice.
The culmination of the Inner Wheel year was the Joint Presidents’ Evening at Littleton where Barn Dancing and good food was enjoyed (see opposite). The evening managed to raise £755 and Rotary very generously donated another £500 so we were able to present a cheque for £1,255 to The Better Life Charity which houses Mongolian street families, in a GER (large tent). www.abetterlife.mn.
Thank you Rotary and everyone who supported our fun evening. The photograph shows Sheila Moss, Sybil Thomas, Betty Wright and Irene Cullen busy organising the successful raffle.
Several of our Members visited the Salisbury Flower Festival which was very enjoyable with a feast of magnificent flower arrangements. Also, the Installation of our District Chairman, Elizabeth Walker took place at the Bournemouth Football Club. Salisbury Flower Festival
We do not meet in August but on Thursday 18th we have our annual Summer Lunch. Wives of Rotarians are very welcome to join us. Please call Secretary Sue Hall on 01264 361307 if you would like to. You will receive a warm13 welcome.
Swimathon Cheques
for Three Charities
Winchester Home Start League of Friends of Winchester Hospitals
Winchester Young Carers
One of the great pleasures of organising a fund-raising event is the moment when we get to give the proceeds to the charity we are supporting. Richard Chisnell and Jon Pierce experienced this pleasure three-fold last month by presenting three cheques to the three charities that we supported through this year’s Swimathon.
Firstly, we gave £2500 to the League of Friends of Winchester Hospitals. This will enable the League to buy visual reinforcement audiometry toys for the Audiology Department of RHCH, specifically to help children aged from 6 months to 3 years. This system will greatly improve on what is currently available: it will be easier for the staff to operate and will result in more accurate measurements, with significant benefits for younger patients. It is particularly successful with 'difficult to test' hearing impaired children.
Next, we presented a cheque for £2500 to the Winchester and District branch of Home Start. This is a charity that supports vulnerable children by helping families to cope with post-natal illness, isolation, bereavement, disability, domestic violence and other problems that might lead to the child being neglected or maltreated. Our donation will fund the support of two families for a year.
Finally, we went to Winnall to one of a number of weekly clubs organised by Winchester Young Carers. Here we met around 20 sub-teenagers who each act as a carer for someone in their family. The charity tries to improve the lives of such children and young people by providing safe, quality support to individuals and their families. The group we met was as lively and intelligent a bunch as you could hope to meet, and it was clear that Young Carers is doing a magnificent job in giving these very young children a break from their responsibilities, help with their problems, and a chance to make new friends and take part in new activities. Our £2500 will be very well spent.
All this would not have been possible without your support and participation – thank you all. Next year’s Swimathon will be on Saturday 18th February. Again we intend to support small local charities, where the money we raise can do the greatest good. If you have such a charity in mind, preferably one that Winchester Rotary has not recently supported, please let Jon Pierce know.
WINCHESTER ROTARY BULLETIN SPONSORS The Lilacs, West Hill Road North South Wonston Winchester SO21 3HJ www.pdpix.co.uk T/F: 01962 882445 Mob: 07800 617240 Tel +44 (0) 1962 714814 E: [email protected] Mob +44 (0) 7831 1522
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The Gerry Moss Memorial Trophy Golf Seniors
Geoff, Andrew and Braham David, Keith and Colin Jeremy, John and Brian
A cup was donated, by James Larcombe, with the intention of awarding it to the winning over 70 Rotary golfer in match play. His idea was for the more senior members to have a competition which they stood a chance of winning.
When it became the Gerry Moss Memorial Trophy, it was agreed that it was out of order, and not at all what Gerry would have wanted, to bar some non-Rotarians from playing.
So it was that Gerry’s special friends John Parker, Keith Ross and former Winchester Rotarian Andrew Kennedy joined David Farthing, Brian Bull, Geoff Wickes, Braham Fredman, Jeremy Ouvry and Colin Eames on June 16th at Avington Park Golf Course. There was some doubt as to whether we should go ahead or simply play nine holes in view of the amount of rain falling. As it eased, three three-balls set off but were soon thoroughly wet. Somewhat perversely four players scored better on the first nine holes in very poor conditions than they did on the back nine when it was dry and sunny.
With most total scores in the thirties, it was left to Geoff Wickes and Brian Bull with 38 points to be the clear leaders. In the case of a tie, golf competitions are settled on what is called “countback”, which takes into account the score on the second nine holes. Geoff Wickes had 20 and 18. Brian Bull, thanks to 5 points on the last hole, had 16 and 22 so was declared the winner and holds the trophy for the year.
A pleasant occasion in good company with some good golf shots to remember and many more bad ones to forget was concluded when the group met at the Chestnut Horse, Easton, where a very good lunch was enjoyed by all. We were joined by James Larcombe, who had been capturing the occasion on camera, but only after it had stopped raining.
Although there had been discussion about whether a golf competition in memory of Gerry was to be annual or just a one-off , it was generally agreed that it would be worth repeating. So we look to Brian to organise something in 2012.
That’ll teach him to win!! Colin Eames
WINCHESTER ROTARY BULLETIN SPONSORS
Richard Steel & Partners – Family Owned Funeral Directors Alderman House, 12-14 City Road, Winchester 862333 (24 hours) Common Road, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire SO53 1ZD
Tel: 02380 253534 www.whitedogconstruction.co.uk e-mail: [email protected]
Star Lane House Staple Gardens Interesting and well-researched Winchester SO23 9AD 01962 844544 holidays at competitive prices 33 Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire 15 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] SO23 8RY Tel: 01962 869966 Website: www.shentons.co.uk www.rogerwalker.travel E-mail: [email protected] July Meetings Looking Organised
This is HISTORY… WOW! Calendar for July 2011: In this year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens once every 823 years. I understand the Chinese called it money bags.
Monday 4th. July. Lunch Meeting. Attendance & Reception: Julian English Buffet 12.30 – 2.00 p.m. Properties: Brian Bull
Monday 11th. July. Evening Meeting. 7.00 for 7.30 – 10.00 p.m. Peter White: “A life in Broadcasting”
Menu: Chicken breast with butter bean, chorizo and tomato sauce followed by Crème Brȗlée
Attendance & Reception: Anthony Arkwright Properties & Grace: Simon Burge
th. Monday 18 July. Lunch Meeting. Attendance & Reception: Chris Nutt Buffet 12.30 – 2.00 p.m. Properties: John Eade
Wednes day 20th. July. Breakfast Meeting. RSVP via website Contact: Iain Steel Continental or Full English 7.15 – 8.30 p.m.
th. Monday 25 July. Evening Meeting. 7.00 for 7.30 – 10.00 p.m.
Eileen Berry: “All that Glitters….” and Chris Nutt: “Life and Times of Chris Nutt”
Menu: Smoked salmon crusted hake followed by Baked Pineapple
Attendance & Reception: James Larcombe Properties & Grace: Duncan Gibson
July 29th. …Young Carers Sailing Trip Looking Seaward
August 8th. RIBI President. Visit the website: www.winchesterrotary.ning.com
October 14th. – 16th. District Conference. visit: www.rotary1110-districtconference.org.uk
Editorial: Some events in June (e.g. Car Boot Sale and Festival of Volunteering) will be reported in August. 16 A thank you to all contributors and advisers to and for this edition. JML