Sowerby Bridge Rotary Club

President’s Latest Message

 

 

PRESIDENT’S NOTES – MAY/JUNE 2008

 

And so I come to my last offering of what has been a stimulating, satisfying and rewarding year.

 

My final review commences with our High Viz Jackets again in evidence whilst Marshalling Ripponden Gala on Monday 5^th May with eight Club Members participating very effectively promoting our Club.

 

This was followed on the following Friday with one of our most successful Events of the year when 50% of the Club presented themselves at HBOS in Copley taking 446 Blood Pressure readings this annual event goes from strength to strength and typifies Rotary in Action.  Many HBOS Staff could not conceive that we are all volunteers and were most appreciative of our efforts.  Our thanks must go to Richard Goodwin for the organisation of this event.

 

The Following Friday, 16^th Ashley organised a meal at the Design House followed by an evening of Blues Jazz, an entirely different but, nevertheless enjoyable event.

 

Alan Giles had worked so diligently and unstintingly to arrange another of our most successful Events which took place the following day at St. Paul’s Church in Sowerby Bridge, namely the St. John’s Ambulance First Aid Competition.  Some 175 children had been entered into the Competition, operated and judged by St. John’s, organised and managed by our Club with an astonishing 60% of Club Members present for various periods of time during the Competition.  Just how successful and well appreciated by both Parents and Group Leaders the event was became evident on Tuesday 17^th June, when so many arrived for the Prize Giving Ceremony. I was privileged to award the Prizes to the winning three Teams, on Senior and two joint winners in the Juniors.  We sensed that the participants, Leaders and Parents would welcome this becoming a regular annual event and the quality and detail of Alan’s work provides future Youth Convenor incumbents with a superb documentary back-up.

It was a privilege to meet and be able to work with the St. John’s Ambulance Team of Adults and Cadets who are undoubtedly a very dedicated and committed group of people.

 

The month of May closed with a comprehensive launch of the Aqua Box Appeal at Tesco’s in Sowerby Bridge admirably supported by the recently installed new Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale.

 

The first weekend of June saw a party of seven Rotarians and their Ladies depart from Sowerby Bridge train station to journey, via Leeds, on the Settle/Carlisle Railway to enjoy the pleasure of a Guide from Settle onwards who kept up a running commentary that was educational, informative and humorous through the breath taking scenery up to Carlisle.  Excellent overnight accommodation, including our own private dining room, was enjoyed at the Lakes Court Hotel immediately adjacent to the Railway Station.  There is no doubt, in my mind that, as a Club, visits are well supported and help to bond Members and their Ladies and that every effort should be made to continue the practice of Vocational and Social visits in the future.

 

Sunday 15^th found five Members, again clad in High Viz Jackets helping to support the Halifax Wheelers Cycle Club “Pain in the Pennines”, cycle road race.  We respected the commitment and fitness of the participants.

 

On top of what is obviously a very active two month period in the Club Calendar I have had the privilege to represent our Club at three Charter Celebration Dinners and two President’s Ladies Evenings held by other Member Clubs of the Calder Valley Eight.

 

Friday 27^th June saw Di and I, along with all other Calder Valley Eight Presidents and their Partners host the incoming Presidents and their Partners for an informal “Get to know You” dinner in Halifax.  We wished them every success in their forthcoming year of Office and hoped that they would find the experience as enjoyable and rewarding as we, the outgoing Presidents had.

 

And for the final Event of the month, and therefore my year, Di and I hosted an “At Home”, on Sunday 29^th, when thirty four Members and family attended what should have been an outdoor event.  Inclement weather caused a rapid rethink so that the majority could be seated indoors to eat.  From the sounds of laughter and merriment a good time was enjoyed, Wendy Longbottom won the Quiz and a financial donation of £56.00 has been sent to the Rotary Foundation, our Charity, so satisfying my own objective.

 

This year, my second as President, has been memorable and exhibited very high levels of participation and involvement achieved by Club Members, these last two months have typified and maintained this very creditable standard.

 

No Rotary Club can function without its Members acting as a team in unison and may I congratulate you all for your efforts.

 

My thanks to you All.

 

Regards,

 

Derek