Email: [email protected] Website: mayflowerrotary.org https://www.facebook.com/billericaymayflower?fref=ts

A welcome back to members after the attraction of a casino. holidays, and I hope everyone is ready to get back into the swing of things. I was pleased that I was back for our recent speaker Mike Brace, who fitted the Rotary bill Thanks go to Yvonne for holding the fort perfectly in “being an inspiration”: I don’t think I while I was away on my own holiday. have been present at a talk where we laughed so much. As usual, an interesting programme of speakers and events ahead, thanks to Chris Thurman, as well as preparations for I was sorry to have missed Colin Campbell and Christmas Market. These will be being brought back on Andy Hunter’s joint Projects update, but I feel it is track at a meeting on Tuesday, September 11 at 7.30 at the important that we are kept well informed and in Cricket Club. the loop as to the range and progress of these worthwhile causes. I was pleased to see Gavin’s initiative for raising funds for the purple4polio campaign, with a collecting day (on Finally, I was pleased to see that the Sensory World Polio Day), at Liverpool Street station. This is a Cabins project is all but complete. This has been hugely important cause that Rotary spearheaded: it would an interesting project on all sorts of levels and a be great to see as many of us as possible turning out to real learning curve for us. Thanks to Barry Fagg, help on Wednesday, October 24th. Colin Campbell and of course Keith Dewis.

In October too, will be the Dinner/Dance, with the added Carl

Sept Nov Sept 5: Matchstick Club, Marygreen Manor, Nov 1 BCM - initial briefing – David Randall Brentwood. 7.00 for 7.15 am – see John Murray Nov 8: Twitter – Richard Rackham Sept 6: Veteran cars and 1904 Oldsmobile – Les Nov 15: History through beers brewed in – Smith Keith Lovell Sept 13: RAG Against Slavery – Harry Payne Nov 22: Business meeting and special AGM Sept 20: District Governor Lesley Sulley Nov 29: BCM briefing Sept 27: Business meeting Oct Dec Oct 4: tbc Dec 2: Christmas Market Oct 11: Albania - Ray Walters Dec 6: tba Oct 18: Ground Control: the story – Kim Morrish Dec13: My friend Carl – Andy Hunter Oct 20: Dinner/Dance – Casino night Dec 20: Christmas Party Oct 25: Business meeting Dec 27: No meeting

I’ve just had my check-up at the doctor’s. She said, “Don’t eat anything fatty”. I said, “Like bacon and burgers?”. She said, “No, fatty, don’t eat anything”. Business meeting

Great causes! That’s the way the money goes help given in providing tools for the men’s sheds project providing woodworking and engineering tools : The club is well on the way through a to give retired men a chance to continuing using long- wide shopping list of good causes supported as a result held skills. of fund raising by Mayflower Rotarians in 2018. A large amount still remains in the kitty however. Colin BOSP to whom we have allocated £1,000 has also Campbell, heading the service projects team has spelled written, warmly thanking the club for its support of out to the club just how much of the money is to be their activities which, together with other local spent and how funds raised recently have already gone community contributions has meant that far more and results acknowledged. families of children with difficulties are being supported in the organisation’s unique way. The In view of the urgent need following the recent Indian number of children benefitting has increased flood disaster the club voted to bypass original advice substantially. from RIBI and sent £1,000 immediately to the British Red Cross operating team there. One additional behind-the-scenes success came at Christmas with our financial support for the homeless The Club also voted £600 to repair water filters in people’s night shelter which catered for 10 to 15 villages in the Masai region of Kenya ensuring clean people throughout the festive period. We shared in water continues to be available for more than 1,000 the costs of the -based scheme alongside people. funds from the National Lottery at £9,000, £7,000 In a further donation to international good causes, the from Essex Foundation and a Basildon Council grant. club voted £1,000 to the Devnar School for the Visually This year’s budget has been increased to £25,000 Impaired in India, a project highlighted by Gary Moore thanks to the opening of extra locations and an and supported in recognition of Gary and Jane’s increase in the number of evenings the shelters are generous hosting of the club’s summer event in their open. garden. Part of our help for local good causes has been made The big local success story however, centres on the possible by the highly successful Co-op shop scheme. sensory cabins we have provided for South Green The organisation launched a policy where one per Infants and Nursery School. Thanks to the building skills cent of every pound spent in local Co-op shops goes and enthusiasm of Keith Dewis and colleagues £10,000 to good causes and the branch, which has allocated by the club has already been spent mainly on already made a donation to our funds, hopes to the construction of the cabins. The balance will go on provide a further £3,200 for our work. sensory equipment details of which are being More school support investigated. A Mayflower team is also working hands on to decorate the cabins. It is expected that once the The club is continuing to widen its support for various project has been completed, a major official launch will activities relating to local schools in the Billericay area. be publicised locally. Among these is the school pastors scheme set up after the success of the Billericay Street Pastors In a review of the team’s work both at home and project. The scheme has already begun at The overseas Colin revealed that letters of thanks had been Billericay School where the school pastors are linking received from a neurosurgeon at Kosovo University with the school’s own pastoral team in providing help Hospital thanking the club for its help. where needed for young people facing difficult Also, from Chelmsford has come appreciation of the challenges. School headteacher Ahson Mohammed

The other day, my wife asked me to pass her lipstick, but I accidentally passed her a glue stick. She still isn't talking to me.

and assistant head Charlotte Berry responsible for The Dewis pie chart shows it all pastoral activities confirmed that the school pastors are already working successfully at break times and A Dewis-style pie chart presented to the club for the at lunch times available to be approached and to 2018-19 donation budget shows that a third of the help children with particular issues. £24,550 listed is to go into community support here. A further £6,250 is to go on Rotary foundation with It is proving an excellent example of the community £5,700 for international and £4,600 allocated for new working with a leading school for the benefit of generations. young people. The New Generations donations are listed as: Kids Out A further initiative comes at Ramsden Hall School £1,300, RYLA £750, Billericay Netball Club £500, School where Barry Howe has re-established contact. pastors £500, Chemistry at work £500, Mayflower Thanks to the £250 a session paid for by Mayflower, school prizes at £300 and the Ramsden Hall School canoe course students can aim to gain a diploma of canoeing course at £750. competency. The club voted at its August business meeting to make Another result of a link with local schools has meant an early payment of its contribution to Rotary that the Chemistry at Work course paid for largely by Foundation amounting to more than £4,600 according Mayflower Rotary has been launched and a further to the state of dollar v sterling at the time. It represents 40 places have been booked by The Billericay School $100 per member. This figure paid by Mayflower this year. includes the contribution on behalf of the satellite club.

In another part of the Mayflower-supported success A further $25 per member is allocated to the End Polio story, the Anvil Trust has welcomed the success of Now project. the refurbished bathroom at their Perry Street premises. Colin Campbell reported that only after : Dinner-dance on Oct 20, our commitment of financial support of £3,500 did including casino. Please see Barry Howe for tickets Swan Housing agree to complete the project, making - Christmas Market: all in hand, next meeting Sept 11. a massive difference to the young lives of the people involved. Mark Chambers is reviewing insurance

Sand dams - Carols at the Colbys’: December 7.

Andy Hunter whose Rotary role includes that of - Club Quiz: February 9, Stock Village hall has been Chairman of the District International team is leading booked. As there will be no chicken/fish and chips this year, it will be suggested that attendees bring their own projects where it is hoped that individual clubs will give their combined support. This is along similar food and drink or eat beforehand. So, a later start, less lines to the successful Mercy Ships scheme led last to pay, little clearing up, and much less waste! year by our Nick Sillitoe as the district governor’s - Classic car rally martialling: April – date tbc. chosen charity. - Jazz bbq: you heard it here first!!! Gary and Jane This year, clubs in district are to be asked to support Moore are happy to host again on Sunday, June 23, the Sand Dams project in East Africa where rain 2019. water from wet seasons is stored for use in arid conditions. The dams are regarded as the most cost- - Summerfest: July 7. Meeting in October tbc. effective method of water conservation in dryland - World Polio Day, “One day one focus”: Wednesday, environments. Mayflower had looked at this idea October 24. Gavin Taylor is the main once before, but it now seems a viable project and a coordinator. Collecting at Liverpool Street station. plea for help is likely to come from District for help in Volunteers required. the £30,000-plus campaign. - Remembrance Sunday centenary: November 11.

: - Membership: the Satellite Club can that has been on this site for 150 years. now boast 14 members with several more prospective It felt a real privilege to be at the Tower after the members attending an information evening mid- crowds had left. Night fell, bringing an eerie glow to September. They could possibly be applying for their the pale stones of those towers, that had borne own Charter by the New Year. witness to such momentous events in our history. - Attendance: 67% for July; four members had 100%

attendance and received a bottle of Prosecco in recognition.

- Website: Members are to be issued with new log-in details for the members’ section of the new website. Newsletters will be archived there.

- Publicity/PR: Barry Fagg has kindly agreed to take on some of the responsibility for this.

- Christmas Party preparations are well underway, although we still need a couple of “home-grown” talents more to keep us entertained.

- Sports: Golf Day - see report.

Locked up for the night!!

A small group of Mayflower Rotarians and partners joined the 41 Club on a trip to witness the Ceremony of the Keys, an ancient ritual held every evening (uninterrupted for 700 years) at the Tower of London, when the main gates are locked for the night. It is said to be the oldest military ceremony in the world and is the best-known ceremonial tradition of the Tower. We all agreed that it had been an exceptionally memorable evening. Thanks go to Tony Sprackling for having organised the visit.

Breakfast date

Mayflower is continuing to remain the strongest club tucking into breakfast at the Matchstick Club. Five members, including two of our ladies will be in the bacon and egg brigade on September 5th at Marygreen Manor.

Come all ye faithful Anne Miller, Ifor Roberts, Ian Miller and Jill Roberts Testing the club tonsils. Derek and Yvonne have agreed for their Cedar View home in Norsey Road The atmosphere was set by our Yeoman Warder guide, to host Carols at the Colbys’ on December 7. Basher, who gave a colourful and comprehensive guided tour, rounded off by drinks at the Keys, a pub

The Wi-Fi wasn’t working last night, so for a change I chatted to the wife. I was surprised to hear that she no longer works at Woolworths.

Peeps into the Past

The day we looked at Brexit in reverse

While the UK is tying itself in knots about Brexit, 27 years ago Mayflower members were en route to consider a partnership with Europe.

A newsletter of the time reveals that RIBI’s Bert Cartwright, John Murray, John Malbon international officer Peter Lawrence was advising us and John Vaufrouard about twinning with a French club.

He said: “There are more than twice as many British as French clubs and of these 47 per cent are already twinned with British clubs. Most are in the north west corner which means that new contacts have to be either further inland or further south. Districts in Normandy, Brittany and northern France are virtually saturated.” Frank Pamplin, Derek Collyer, Colin Peter advised: “Do not be discouraged if at first you do Campbell and Sri Srivastava not succeed: many French clubs already have two or three contacts in Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain and are not really looking for a further contact in Britain.”

Peter added that entertainment of French members should not be penny pinching, but that did not mean it had to be expensive either. “Our French friends also John Murray walked away with the trophy, but have similar problems to some British clubs in finding readily admitted that it was Frank that was the real a venue, getting a meal at a reasonable price and in winner!! keeping with membership.” Reminder! Join Lesley and Martin Sulley in Southampton for the Despite Mayflower man Roger Cornwell looking for a 2018 District Conference, 5-7 October 2018, at the link with a Dutch club, we decided not to go ahead. Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton – a stunning The newsletter editor (who could that be?) added: four-star hotel overlooking the Solent and the “We could always try Albania.” Peter Owen mediaeval city walls. https://www.rotary ribi.org/upimages/distreps/1240/Conference/Southam

Any excuse for ham, egg and chips! ptonWeb.compressed.pdf Mayflower golf!

Thanks so much to Colin Campbell for arranging a most enjoyable and relaxed golf day for Mayflower.

It was really good value for money and the Burstead did us proud with an excellent golfers’ meal of ham, egg & chips. There was more good quality ham than I was able to eat! John V.

Golf is not just a good walk ruined, it’s also the act of hitting things violently with a stick ruined.

A pint of your best! are carrying out a trial project around six key reservoirs to incentivise farmers to stop using metaldehyde and use an alternative chemical instead. Andy Brown, seen with below Colin Saunders and President Carl, visited club recently on behalf of Anglia The farmers will receive payments to cover their costs Water to give a presentation on what Anglian Water is and for taking part. doing for us!! He also pointed out that the region is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, it being low-lying, with a long coastline, and low average rainfall. Certain sites have to be made flood-resilient.

Andy asked what we thought was the average daily consumption of water per person in the region. It was a surprising 133 litres! That’s a lot of water to clean up and be made fit for human consumption! All we can say Andy has worked for Anglian Water for 20 years. He Andy is “keep up the good work”. explained that they work on five-year investment cycles and have recently canvassed customers to get an idea of what they would like to see. However, they It’s all in aid of a great cause! are already looking 25 years ahead, considering things such as new reservoirs, while taking into account the Raising funds on behalf of the Purple4Polio campaign perennial issues such as how much and when do they - Rotary has been committed to eradicating polio invest, and what is a fair profit? across the world. The number of polio-endemic countries has dropped from 125 to just three, with He revealed that Anglian Water is not only the largest over 2.5 billion children receiving vaccinations. With of all the water companies in terms of geography, but eradication now closer than ever, Rotary’s they are also the largest energy consumers in the East Purple4Polio campaign is designed to unite communities to be part of the final push to eradicate of England, electricity being used to pump and treat water. polio for good. If polio isn’t eradicated, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 children could be paralysed by it As Head of Sustainability, much of Andy’s work each year. A polio-free world will be a safer world for revolves around planning for the future, such as being children everywhere. Polio eradication would be one of history’s greatest ready to adapt to climate change and severe weather public health achievements, with polio following events in the years to come, as well as addressing the smallpox to become only the second human disease particular challenges that face our region: population eliminated from the world. and economic growth, and environmental protection: he explained that there are 750 Sites of Special Please join us at Liverpool Street Station on Scientific Interest (SSSEs) in our region, and there is a Wednesday, October 24, World Polio Day, to legal obligation to protect wildlife, and let’s not forget, collect funds for this ambitious, but hugely good habitats can improve water quality. worthwhile project. See Gavin Taylor for more details. Anglian Water recently launched a campaign called “Slug it out” aimed at reducing levels of the slug Sad news control pesticide metaldehyde in the region’s waters Sincere condolences to our fellow Mayflower before they reach the treatment works. Although Rotarian Rita Dasgupta on the news of the death of harmless to humans, metaldehyde is very difficult to her mother. The thoughts of her colleagues will be remove, and meeting tough EU targets on it is a real with her at this time. challenge for the region. As part of the campaign, they

I just watched a documentary about beavers. It was the best dam show I ever saw!

This is just bananas Steve!!

And they keep on coming!!!

Satellite Club Rotary Ladies - an exciting The Satellite Club will hold their next induction meeting year ahead! on September 17, when four new members will be inducted. Rotary Ladies have planned the following events for the coming year. Edward Fortune and Yvonne Kyndt have been invited as members of the “mother” club: both will make short 13th September: Pot Luck Supper - Liz Campbell presentations. Edward will be speaking about 12th October: Visit to the Supreme Court of UK - Foundation, while Yvonne will be giving a brief history Tricia Fortune of Rotary International, some background to Mayflower, and finally what joining Rotary has meant 8th November: Plant Sale - Karuna Srivistava to her.

10th January: Lunch at La Toscana - Nicola Moulds Success!!!!

14th February: Memory Evening - Jill Roberts We recently received an email announcing the completion of Global Grant 1418631, which has RC March: Visit to Highlands House, Chelmsford - Kampala West as host club, and RC Cataraqui- Barbara Campbell (date tbc) Kingston as International Partner, with the final report having been accepted on August 16, 2018. May: Visit to Marks Hall, Marks Tey and cream tea - Pauline Randall (date tbc) This project provides water and sanitation to rural schools, and medical clinics at Merekit in Tororo June: Visit to Talliston House, Dunmow - Gill Tyrell District, Uganda. Thanks were passed on for financial (date tbc) support from RC Madras East, RC Au Sable Valley, RC July: Visit to Kew Gardens - Yvonne Colby (date tbc) Cataraqui-Kingston, RC Kampala West and RC Billericay Mayflower, and the associated districts for the investment of DDF. Our thanks go to Ganesh for coordinating this worthwhile project. Andy Hunter I had a job drilling holes for water – it was well boring.

Billericay Mayflower Rotary

presents

an evening of entertainment

including a three-course meal, Casino and music from

the Skyliners (requests welcomed)

Enjoy a three-course meal, play the tables, sit back or dance the night away, enjoying music from the Skyliners band. The choice is yours!

Venue: the Burstead Golf Club, Tye Common Road, Little Burstead, Essex CM12 9SS.

When: Saturday 20th October 2018, 6.30pm for 7pm. Tickets £30

Dress: Smart casual Carriages: Midnight

For further details: phone Barry Howe 07775 998662 or 01277 651542 or e-mail to: [email protected]

They threw me out of the cinema today for bringing my own food. But come on – the prices are far too high, plus I haven’t had a barbecue in months.

We have contact directory: “that little booklet contains such a wealth of knowledge, value and experience.”

The annual delivery of our latest Rotary directory to our He adds: “It has been an honour to have continued friends now a distance away, has once again paid off the link with Mayflower over so many years and now with greetings from the “In contact” crew. to see the club becoming a ‘mother’ itself. I wonder, Among the first was a note from Susan Howarth whose does that turn the late Peter Murray the lunchtime late husband Peter had such a leading role in the club’s extension officer and I into grandparents?” formation of Mayflower. Susan emails: “I so enjoy receiving the monthly newsletter and reading about “It has been a great journey for all those involved over what the club has been doing. I find it quite amazing the years, although I have to admit that with growing what the club has achieved over the years. It has gone and changing numbers, I seem to have more difficulty from strength to strength. Peter would have been so nowadays in putting names and faces together.” proud. Brian and Liz were hoping to be with us for the August

partners’ evening. With family news that will interest long-time club members, Susan reflects that the move nine years ago In his acknowledgement email, honorary member as Peter’s health declined proved to be the right one. “It Nigel Barrett who has just taken over at the head of has been a joy being with daughter Victoria and the his Bury St Edmunds Rotary club sends his good boys whom we saw very little of when they were wishes to former Mayflower colleagues and adds: "Off younger. Joshua is now in his final year at university and to my second meeting as President tonight, never th James is at a 6 form Performing Arts College and knew it would be so time consuming!" having gained four distinctions in his diploma exams will be going on to a Performing Arts University in London. Mavis Needham whose late husband Brian played Where his talent for singing and dancing has come from such a leading role in the creation of Mayflower has will remain a complete mystery”! added her thanks for the directory with a note to say how much she appreciates being kept in touch with Susan also enjoys her now frequent trips from nearby the Rotary family and how Yvonne keeps her up to Manchester to Cape Cod where her son Philip lives. date with activities through the monthly magazine. She adds: "You seem to be going from strength to Our former treasurer Richard Snoxall, now living near strength with the membership of Mayflower and with his son in the North writes how much he and Ann are your satellite club, as well as involving the young enjoying the North Yorkshire air. “It has been a glorious people of Billericay in events. You must all be very summer, but still with nice cool breezes and plenty of proud of your achievements." Peter Owen green countryside.” The couple plan to be with us for Charter Night on April 6. On the mend Long-time Mayflower man Michael Haynes reports in to It is good to see Colin Breathwick back after a painful say the directory makes him feel more in touch as he goes through the names. “Good news about your summer that confined him to home and back rest satellite club,” he adds. His own Rotary colleagues have instead of going on a family holiday. decided, “we could not do that down here and are Pleased to report also that Stewart Ellis is getting over concentrating on upgrading ‘Friends’ to a more involved a recent rather delicate operation. status”. Good wishes too to a number of members of the Meanwhile our longest serving honorary member Brian Mayflower Rotary Family who are facing some health Hill-Cottingham, who as district extension officer at the challenges at the moment. We wish them well. time saw Mayflower into existence writes about the

I took out a loan to pay for an exorcism. If I don’t pay it back, I’m going to get repossessed.

Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/edinburgh-fringe-106-of-the-best-ever-jokes-and-one-liners- 1-4790463 Partners’ Evening graced by a truly inspirational speaker

Liz Hunter and Jackie Malbon catching up Good to see a smiling Colin Breathwick

Steve (the shirt) McEvoy with Colin Saunders with Bob and Gill Tyrell President Carl, returned from his Cornwall holiday

Gavin Taylor, Ifor Roberts, and David Randall

Jane Rogers with Peter Owen

enjoying a crisp Sauvignon Blanc

Jackie Malbon and Alan Campbell

Satellite Chair Lynn, and Gareth Talbot

Sylvia and Peter Owen Faye Gregson and Chris Thurman

Caroline and President Carl Johnson Anne and Ian Miller pouring a nice Merlot

Keith Dewis and a very colourful Steve

Cheers Howard!

Satellite Chair Lynn with new recruit Vicky and Derek Collyer Nicky Rackham and Richard

As a kid I was made to walk the plank. We couldn’t afford a dog.

Immediate PP Mervyn Rogers Dorothy and John Vaufrouard - great to looking very relaxed see Dorothy back to fighting form!

Hi from Karuna and Sri Srivastava Gavin Taylor and Yvonne Kyndt

Mike Brace OBE, CBE Mike’s pal Izzy Mike’s story began on a tragic note as he described the accident at nine years old that partially robbed him of his sight, followed, at age 12 by a medical condition that finished the job!

Mike then gave a relatively brief account of his work over the last fifty years, brief because of the very liberal sprinkling of hilarious anecdotes.

Very early on he came to understand that there was the general perception that disability meant inability: he was determined to change this perception, by setting his own targets and doing better than his peers. Mike triumphed ending up as Ass. Director for Children’s services for Kensington and Chelsea. His passionate love of sports has also been a mainstay for Mike, culminating in his managing the Cross-Country Ski Team from 1988 until 1994, and then being appointed Chef de Mission for the Great Britain Team for the 1998 Winter Paralympics in Nagano, Japan, and finally Director of Paralympics GB, for the Sydney Summer Paralympics in 2000. In 2001 he was elected Chairman of the British Paralympic Association, and as such, performed the role of Head of Delegation at all Paralympic Games Peter Owen thanking Mike for his very entertaining from 2002 to 2008. A true inspiration! talk, whilst raising a few laughs himself!

Mayflower Rotary Programme 2018 -2019

When Life gives you lemons, freeze them and throw them hard at the people who are making your life difficult.

Still looking for a volunteer to step into Chris Thurman’s rather large shoes to take over as Speaker Finder!!!

What did the drummer call his twin daughters? Anna one, Anna two.