Winchester Rotary33 Bulletin “Dramatic, Stimulating and Poignant” July 2014 1 This Bulletin is available at: www.winchesterrotary.ning.com Gill’s Journal The Rotary Wheel has turned full I have been struck though by the and the first six months are almost circle once more and another year number of times I've been asked complete. The speaker at our first begins - but before I mention who is responsible for what and evening meeting of the New Year on anything else, I want to thank Nick where information is to be found. 14 July, is Sgt. Simon Harmer of the for his leadership during the year just The answer, first and foremost, Royal Army Medical Corp, who lost past. I'm sure I can say on behalf of should be "on the club website" and both legs in Afghanistan. Simon is an us all that it has indeed been a we have been working to ensure inspiring speaker – not to be missed! memorable year - and as he that all the information needed is On 28 July, we are trying something a promised us, there was a lot of fun - readily available and as up to date as little different – an earlier start of culminating in a great President's possible in time for the New Year. 6:30pm with (weather permitting!) a Night in the glorious setting of the barbecue and social in the grounds of grounds of St Cross Hospital. We the Royal Hotel. I hope you'll all have ended the year with 90 enjoy the programme of meetings – members – following the inductions ideas for speakers are still welcome! of Carole Miles-Lovelock and Sam There's also breakfast on 23 July to Dhlamini – welcome both! As well as look forward to – these meetings are two new Paul Harris Fellows – proving are to be a real magnet for Richard Chisnell and John Sweeting – new members. Lunch meetings – on both extremely well-deserved - 7 July we will have the Georgia congratulations! Scholars as “10 minute” speakers. I Gill and Paul Russell It is a great honour to lead have asked the lunch regulars to Winchester Rotary and I very much I have also asked each of the suggest further speakers and the appreciate the trust and Directors to ensure that they programme is slowly filling up. We responsibility of the task. I have a regularly update "their" sections of will also be introducing “lunch great team to assist me and I hope the website. This will be a great help chairmen” - more later! that 2014-15 will give us plenty more to our Bulletin Editor, James Although it's summer, there's plenty opportunities for fun, fellowship and Larcombe. While on the subject of to do over the next few weeks: service. As was set out at Club the Bulletin - James' award-winning outdoor theatre on 12 July with The Assembly, there is already a great production is the envy of many clubs Three Musketeers at Wolvesey deal in store - regular events will and we owe him huge thanks for the Palace; Pedal, Paddle, Pace on 20 July continue but there's always room for long hours he puts in on this each – when we challenge Round Table – more! I hope too that our month. As we move to increased use come along and support our relationship with the local of the website for information on participants!; Fireworks Cruise on 8 community and its institutions will forthcoming meetings and events, August and the Criterium cycle race continue to evolve and grow. the Bulletin may change in style and on 17 August – talk to Dominic if you Congratulations of course to Eileen frequency. But don't panic! There can help out with stewarding. Berry on becoming what I think may will still be a regular club publication Looking further ahead, we have the be a first – a Rotarian as Mayor of to keep you up to date. Marathon and District Conference in Winchester! As was explained at the You'll recall that as planning for our October – and in November a District AGM, for her year in office Eileen is 2014-15 programme got underway I Theatre Night in Winchester, which an Honorary Member. asked members for speaker will combine fun and fundraising! suggestions. I got a message loud Please don't hesitate to let me know A few years ago we revised our club structure, to ease the task of and clear that the "my life" talks are if there is anything you are concerned managing our ever-growing numbers. very much enjoyed and appreciated about – or indeed if you are happy! Six areas of responsibility are divided as a great way to get to know people. Here's to another successful year for between six Directors, who manage Karen McCleery continues to do a Winchester Rotary. great job as Speakers Secretary day-to-day activity. Gill Russell 2 Handover Night Monday 30 June “I would like to give some thanks and Hopefully this leaves Winchester mention some highlights. First, my Rotary in good shape for you Gill and most important thanks go to all the I wish you every success in moving members of Winchester Rotary – you Winchester Rotary forward into the have been so supportive and future.” Nick Bell responsive to events and appeals this “First of all – enormous thanks to year which has made my life so much Nick for his leadership over the past easier! year – fun and fundraising achieved Secondly, in particular I would like to President Gill Russell and Immediate in full measure! A great year – thank the Officers and Directors-some Past President Nick Bell. thanks Nick! I feel extremely of whom I have sat here with me heart –a member for 10 years and can honoured to be entrusted with the today who have all worked tirelessly see what can achieve. Special thanks leadership of Winchester Rotary for to ensure that all events run smoothly must go to Luke – fantastic Founding and we make as much money in our the next year. I'm looking forward to President and Ambassador for Rotary Fund Raising as possible. Council high levels of involvement in club generally. The Good start he has given Meetings and committee Meetings activities – all the while having fun will enable Rotaract to go from have been a joy to take. and providing service both locally strength to strength. Thirdly, we have made a great deal of and internationally. c) FUN – I said I wanted Rotary to be money this year – Fund Raising =£30k You'll recall from the details set out fun and these have been the highlights + and, while not the be all and end all, at Club Assembly that there will be of my year – President’s Drinks at The has enabled us to help even more opportunities to work on all sorts of Trout, Christmas Meal, Cruise with people in the community and different projects – both ongoing President. New Members Evening and internationally. We have also done a successes – and new ideas which are President’s Night. None of these great deal in the community. Fourthly, always welcome! I hope that you'll would have been possible without the several people have asked me if I have feel able to approach me with things fastidious planning and terrific hard enjoyed my year as President and you might feel unhappy about that work put in by Fellowship Director, after thinking about it I have said –yes Robert Parsons, 70 today, propose a need resolving as well as those that in broad terms I have but maybe that toast, even though he is in America – you are happy about and want to be word does not capture all it has been “Robert Parsons”. more involved in. –I prefer words, “sense of satisfaction” Finally, I thank Graham, my partner, Last Saturday afternoon in the long- –“being pleased with what Winchester for his long suffering patience –he will established Winchester Rotary Rotary achieved” and I hope you have with some delight delete the 4,200 tradition, as incoming President, I certainly had fun – so the answer Rotary E mails from this year which took flowers to the incoming really is yes – otherwise there is no remain on the system! President of Inner Wheel – Janet point in doing it! LOWS – Membership loss- 8 members Fifthly, Others have asked what have Richardson. I'm looking forward to have left the Club –some for good been the highs and lows. The highs: continuing the great relationship practical reasons, others disillusioned a) “They Did Their Bit” – for what it between our two clubs. This year I –which is always regrettable , and of was: Established Rotary in the Civic included the new secretary, Anna course the sad Loss of Richard Green. Community. This brought together Cox, as she has recently undergone a Against this there has been the several different organisations: stay in hospital, but I'm pleased to induction of 12 members –brings us Rotary, Geriactors, Inner Wheel, report that she is doing well. up to 90 members. University, schools, Barber Shop. One of the great features of Nick's Raised awareness of Winchester’s year was of course the establishment history. It raised large sums of money of a new Rotaract club at the for To Honour a Promise, Gift of Sight, University. Chloe Brown will soon Tools For Self-Reliance and SAFFA. I take over from Luke as its next made the right career choice as a President (but we won't be losing solicitor rather than actor! him!) - and I'm also looking forward b) Charter of Rotaract Club - so to meeting Chloe soon.