Week Seven

Sunday & Monday 11th/12th:

Back down to RIBI HQ again for the two day General Council Meeting (RIBI Governing body). My first experience of this august body in action.

General Council in Session under the Chairmanship
of RIBI President Nan McCreadie

I don't know what I expected but it was certainly a unique and different experience. The best thing about this experience was meeting all my cohort of fellow District Governors in RIBI, and of course enabling Carol to meet the partners (they enjoyed a day shopping in Warwick). We all also had a superb meal together on the Sunday evening in the convivial setting of a country hotel enabling us to exchange stories of now being a DG and also hearing about some of the highs and lows.

Tuesday 13th:

Carol & I together with John Dain, our driver for the evening, went to a Joint meeting of the two Rotary Clubs of Ashfield, Kirkby and Sutton at the Kirkby Club's Hq. Coxmoor Golf Club.

Kirkby President John giving me
a Banner with Sutton President
John Bates and Carol looking on. 

We were welcomed by the two Johns Presidents of their respective Clubs. John Peacock of Kirkby & John Bates of Sutton. the third John, John McEwen, joint President of Kirkby, could not be with us on the night, he decided the customers of his coach business needed his attention!!

Rtn. Baden Powell

The two Clubs were obviously at ease together and the banter was incredible. Carol, John Dain & I really enjoyed the evening.
I particularly enjoyed meeting one of the older Kirkby members, Rtn. Baden Powell, yes this is his name and not a mistake! The audience were enthralled when he spoke briefly about his early Rotary career. A truly inspiring story from a very dedicated long serving Rotarian!
Prior to my talk I promised not to mention Past District Governors, Accountants and Sheep. A most enjoyable evening with good company at our table.

Wednesday 14th:
An evening meeting of the AGs Forum, with my team of Assistant Governors who are supporting me on my journey as DG throughout this year. A very interesting and thought provoking discussion which was due to finish at 9.30pm but actually finally broke up at 10.40pm. A worthwhile Forum meeting with considerable positivity coming from it, I would like to take this opportunity to thank this team of six really dedicated people for their support.

Thursday 15th:
Up before the crack of dawn, or at least it did seem like it, to visit the Rotary Club of Derby Daybreak at their home, the Derby College, Roundhouse Building. Another of my old Derwent Group Clubs.

Presenting Theme Banner
to President Brenda

If you haven't been there, it is well worth a visit and even more so if you visit the Daybreakers for a "Full English", if that is your scene. I just settled for porridge but my didn't that bacon smell good!!
President Brenda and her members gave Carol, Vic Trigwell and myself a very warm welcome, and after breakfast we all adjourned to the 'Board Room' for the Club meeting.
President Brenda spoke of how well the Club were doing in recruiting new keen young members (as was evident by the new faces around the table) and if  they were not careful they would outgrow this room. I must admit I did think to myself, I know a lot of our District Clubs who would like to have that problem.
Following my presentation I was asked some very searching and thought provoking questions and my answers were well received. A very pleasant way to spend the early morning, and coming out into the sunshine made the early rise worthwhile.

At Lunchtime I visited the Rotary Club of Bingham & District with Rtn. Vic Trigwell the Bretby President Elect. acting as driver. Their meeting place is the Horse & Plough Inn right in the middle of Bingham.

Presenting the Clubs Theme Banner
to President Maureen

President Maureen and her members were in fine form and greeted us warmly. Their meeting is held in part of the upstairs dining room, with the members sitting all around one big rectangular table which makes talking and socialising with all but the persons immediately adjacent very difficult. A cosy arrangement in a very nice place with excellent appetising food.
As it is a lunchtime meeting the presentation was by necessity delivered quickly which left no time for questions, a pity as some members indicated they would have liked to have done so.

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Carol & I rounded off the week with two exceptional events! One on Saturday 17th and the second on Sunday 18th.

Jill & John and two sons!

We were invited to attend the Golden Wedding Celebrations of two couples, friends of long standing who we booth greatly admire and love. Alistair and Ann Heyward and John & Jill Weil.
It was an a great honour to be invited and to join so many members of their respective families and other friends to share these happy events.
Both events were so different, as are the couples but, both so very enjoyable!

Ann & Alistair second left and far right.
Photograph taken at their lovely cottage in France

Week Six

Here we are in August already, the height of the Summer holiday season, roads full of cars going hither and thither full of happy children going for a day out, why is this relevant to a District Governor's Blog you may well ask?
Monday 5th August:
Travelled down to the Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) Head Office in Alcester, near Warwick in Warwickshire. Not an easy journey at the best of times. A38 onto the M42 around Birmingham and then cross country.

The necessity for this journey was to enable me to fulfil another of my Rotary responsibilities as the Liaison Governor on the RIBI Leadership Development & Training Committee (LDTC). The meeting started at 10.30am, normally an easy time to arrive, but the cars with happy children in do not respect normal peak travel times!
The meeting proved to be a very interesting one, covering all the training and development issues associated within RIBI including the RIBI Annual Assembly, both looking back to 2013 event and forward to 2014 Assembly. The meeting finished at 4pm.
Followed by another rush to get home I then set off to a joint visit of the Rotary Clubs of Retford and Worksop Dukeries together with club members from Ashbourne, Hope Valley, Worksop & Bolsover.

Indian Team Leader
Dr Shantanu Abhyankar

This Joint Meeting at Ye Olde Bell, Barnby Moor (on the old A1) Retford, was to say farewell to a team of Rotarians and partners from the Indian Rotary Club of Wai who had been in our District for a few weeks as members of a Friendship Exchange. I was greeted warmly by President Roger Stenson took me through to the hotels magnificent banqueting suite and introduced me to the Leader and all the members of the Indian      Team, all dressed in their wonderfully colourful ethnic costumes!

Dr Rupai Abhyankar
Husband of the Leader

Mohit Abhyanker Son of
Shantanu and Rupai
He gave his presentation in perfect English!

The evening commenced with the Indian Team each giving short presentations in followed by individual and group recitations and culminating in the whole team singing and dancing. During the buffet style banquet meal which was greatly enjoyed by all, we were shown a PowerPoint illustrating scenes from the Teams home area.




              After the coffee an exchange of banners was followed by the Indian Team inviting members of the audience to join in their traditional dances, much to my relief the Indians were particularly urging their hosts to join in! As the photographs testify the evening was a superb example of Rotary Fellowship at its best!

Tuesday 6th: A very different evening when I visited the Rotary Club of Hucknall at their Hq. The Horse & Groom at Linby, a small village  in rural Nottinghamshire.

Presenting the Theme Banner
to President Ian.

President Ian Young and President Elect Jack welcomed me and my driver for the evening John Carr. The Horse & Groom is like a cross between a small Coaching House and a traditional Village Pub. The Club meeting room bears a strong resemblance to an old style bowling alley, or perhaps a Chapel, a very cosy atmosphere prevailed, enhanced by the group of friendly members.

Thursday 8th: At another Derwent Group Club. Our only District Club in Leicestershire, Castle Donington at their home, Donington Manor Hotel right in the centre of the village.

President Ray receiving the Theme
Banner

When I was their AG I remember they met in a small cafe just up the road from the Hotel, just as well they have moved as I don't think their current membership could have all fitted in the Cafe.

Banter with IPP Sukh Atwall!!

President Ray Webb and many old friends welcomed and greeted me warmly, the lovely atmosphere I remembered from the Cafe days has transferred untarnished to this larger venue and reflects on all the members both old and new.


 Sunday & Monday 11th/12th:

Back down to RIBI HQ again for the two day General Council Meeting (RIBI Governing body). My first experience of this august body in action.
I don't know what I expected but it was certainly a unique and different experience. The best thing about this experience was meeting all my cohort of fellow District Governors in RIBI, and of course enabling Carol to meet the partners (although they enjoyed a day shopping in Warwick). We all also had a superb meal together on the Sunday evening in a convivial setting of a country hotel enabling us to exchange stories of being a DG and also hearing about some of the highs and lows.

Week Five

Monday July 29th:

Visited the Rotary Club of Beeston on Monday evening at their Hq. Beeston Fields Golf Club, Beeston, Nottingham. Accompanied by my Clubs President Elect, Vic Trigwell.
It was a lovely evening and the greens looked magnificent from the Clubhouse windows.

President David receiving
the Clubs Theme Banner

 During the Q&A Session

We were warmly greeted by President David Biggs and the club members and shown into the meeting room. The Clubs is obviously efficiently well run and looking at the planned programme for the year they are going to be exceedingly busy. A very good and interesting meeting followed an excellent meal. After my presentation some very searching questions were asked, of particular concern was the lack of feedback on how monies collected by RIBI following emergencies was spent. A particular example was the money collected following the Haiti Earthquake. Much of the money was spent initially on getting urgent relief supplies to the victims including assisting ShelterBox and AquaBox to deploy and also in funding essential medical supplies, clothing and food aid. The questioner said there seemed to be a considerable sum unspent until recently.
I have investigated this and all the money has now been dispersed, with the balance spoken of above being given to Rotary's "Haiti Jaipur Limb Centre" to assist them in finding suitable permanent home and for the purchase of much needed equipment to secure their essential long term future in Haiti.

 Wednesday evening found me with on the other side of the Trent visiting the Rotary Club of Bolsover in their meeting place, Ringwood Hall Hotel, Brimington on the outskirts of Chesterfield. A truly magnificent hotel much used for Charters and other celebrations.

Giving President Pam the
Theme Banner

Carol, John Carr and I were warmly welcomed by President Pam and the members, I was also greeted by John one of the waiting on staff, he remembering me from a previous visit to this Club. President Pam said she thought John must have been at the Hotel since a very young age and even though well past retirement prefers to continue with the job he loves!
I had the great pleasure of sitting near one of the Bolsover members who had the hobby of Skydiving, he obviously loves the sport and the thrill and excitement he gets from it. In particularly he recounted in graphic detail, the feelings he experienced prior to and during his first solo jump! All in all a memorable and enjoyable evening.

Friday: I am happy to report I have just taken the first annual output meter reading for my Solar Panels and sent it to my Feed in Tariff supplier. The panels have actually produced 118% of the annual estimated output. We appear to have made a sound investment.
It still seems to me to be a considerable irony, selling electricity to a Gas Company!



Sunday 4th August:

I attended the first, under 12 years of age, Rotary Inter District National Football Competition organised by the Rotary Club of Burton upon Trent, this project is the brainchild of their Immediate Past President William Saunders.

William Saunders,
Rory Delap & Nan McCreadie

The winners receiving the "Cup"
look at those Boots!

It was run in conjunction with the Football Association at their new National Training Centre, St Georges Park, just outside Burton upon Trent. Thirteen Rotary Districts had teams entered in the Competition. The weather stayed dry if overcast for most of the morning and even when the rain came in the early afternoon it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participating teams.
The final was played in a very competitive manner with the victors being a team from Preston.
The medals were presented to the winners and runners up by the RIBI President Nan McCreadie and Rory Delap (Burton Albion Football Club).


The afternoon continued with Carol taking me along to her Bretby Inner Wheel Club, Summer Tea Party, the inclement weather meant this had to be taken inside President Eileen's home.
Who says cakes are the sole province of The Women's Institute, those on display and consumed today would have been hard to beat anywhere!
I was warmly welcomed by the Inner Wheelers and their partners after President Eileen and husband David had made sure I took off my wet coat (and the muddy shoes|) I had worn at St Georges Park!!

Week Four

Monday 22nd July:

President John receiving the
Theme Banner

A most enjoyable lunchtime meeting with President John Lund and the members of the Rotary Club of Derby at their home; The Lund Pavilion, County Cricket Club in Derby. I really should have asked President John if the Pavilion was named after a member of his family!!
 The Derby Club, as part of the Derwent group, know me from my time as Assistant Governor and I received this Clubs renowned warm friendly welcome and genuine hospitality.

Meeting of the 'G' Men!

Tuesday morning I attended the regular four weekly meeting of the District Strategic Planning Group, an innovation by the Governorship Team last year to develop the District Strategic Implementation Plan in line with the RI Strategic Plan and to produce a District Leadership Strategy and Goals for the period 2013-16. The purpose of all this work last year was to ensure continuity as the Annual District Governor succession takes place, as well as getting the members of the District Team to set their own Goals for this year 2013-14.
These regular get togethers proved so valuable we have decided to continue them.

Tuesday Evening Carol & I accompanied by Rt. Geoff Brown and Stella attended the Joint Meeting of the Rotary Clubs of Amber Valley & Ripley at Ripley's Hq. Lumb Farm Country Club in Marehay.

Trapped by the Presidents!!

Mike, Carol, Paul & myself 

Presidents Paul Rose of Ripley and Mike Teale and the members of both Clubs gave us all a very warm welcome. During the meal the room was a buzz of conversation and laughter, a really nice atmosphere of enjoyable Rotary Fellowship.




To show in District 1220, Governors do not solely restrict themselves to issues associated with their year, I set off with DGN Steve very early on Wednesday morning to travel to Llandudno on a reconnaissance visit as part of the preparations for the 2014 District Conference. I am pleased to be associated with this event and saw for the first time how much goes into the early preparations for a District Conference. It was encouraging to find how far into the detailed preparations Steve's Conference Team led by Conference Director Michael Longdon have reached.



Thursday I visited the Rotary Club of Clay Cross at Santo's Higham Farm Hotel, Higham. I was accompanied by Cedric Insley from my Club arriving early we had the opportunity to visit the viewing platform adjacent to the Hotel overlooking Amber Valley, a really wonderful sight and one that made me feel really pleased to be alive!

The 'Endeavour" Trophy

Giving the Theme Banner
to President Cheryle

President Cheryle and all the members of Clay cross welcomed us and showed us into the dining room.
After a very nice meal and prior to the start of the formal Club meeting, I had the pleasure of formally presenting the District "Endeavour" Trophy. This Trophy is given to the District Club who had succeeded against huge odds to turn themselves around. Clay Cross have amply demonstrated they are now an organisation which can now claim to be supporting their community in the Rotary way, having active links with schools and other groups in their community. They are not though resting on their laurels but are seeking new and innovative ways to spread their impact.
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Friday I had the very sad task of attending in both a private capacity and as the District Representative at the funeral of one of the most dedicated Rotarians I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. The moving funeral service celebrating the life of Rotarian John Ploughman of the Rotary Club of Burton upon Trent was held at the Bretby Crematorium, with the wake at the Pirelli Stadium.

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The Third Week

How do you start Week 3?
Monday, day 15: In my case it involved being driven by Rtn Arthur Freeman to Santo's, Higham Farm Hotel, Higham to meet Presidents Keith, Colin & Herbert and all the

Presidents Colin, Keith & Herbert

Rotary Club of Alfreton

members of the Rotary Club of Alfreton for an excellent lunch.
This is a really lovely venue and I look forward to attending the Club Charters, planned for later in the year when the refurbished building will be all dressed and at its best.



Tuesday: Carol & I were invited to represent Rotary District 1220 at The Inner Wheel District 22 Handover an Induction Rally held at the Mansfield Civic Centre.

Speaking at a Rotary Club is one thing, but bringing greetings to an Inner Wheel meeting is something else! Seeing a sea of lovely Ladies, in their best frocks, is enough to panic even the most hardened mere male!

Carole's Top Table including
special guest, the 'Support Dog"

Chairman Carole and her District Team
 2013-14

The meeting was very well attended. Once the formalities where  concluded the Handover itself was very different and in parts a more formal event compared with our Rotary Handover some 17 days earlier.

President Michael receiving the
Club's Theme Banner

Thursday Carol, Rtn. Joe Bailey and I attended the Rotary Club of Carlton at their Hq. The Vale Social Club, Colwick (Nottingham). Presidents Mick & Ian and the members made us most welcome.

The DGs Presentation was followed by a Q&A (question and answer) session, which brought some interesting and probing questions from the members including one on the reasons for having a District Conference.    

Answer: A District is mandated by Rotary International to hold a Conference, and it should be held over three days. 

Some supplementary questions on the same subject followed including the reasons for not holding our Conference in District and what we were doing to control costs in these times of tight family budgets. Subsequently the questioners were complimentary on the candid way the questions were answered and issues dealt with, saying they had never had a satisfactory explanation before.  

Second Week

Monday 8th July started with a visit to the 9am morning Assembly at Rykneld Primary School to receive a cheque on behalf of ShelterBox, the year five/ six pupils did a snake of pennies to collect enough to pay for a ShelterBox. A truly magnificent achievement. They are eagerly awaiting news of when and where the Box will be deployed.

President John

The evening saw Carol & me at a Joint meeting of the Rotary Clubs of Heanor & Ilkeston, the buzz in the room was palpable demonstrating how well the two groups of members got on together, and the welcome for us was equally warm. I had the pleasure of presenting Theme Banners and Pins to Presidents John & Denis of Heanor and Elaine of Ilkeston.

President Denis

President Elaine

'International' Rose Bowl Presentation

President Douglas

Tuesday I visited one of my former Derwent Group Clubs, Melbourne, they meet in the convivial surroundings of Jacks Cafe in Melbourne Town. President Douglas is a really dynamic leader with lots of excellent ideas on how the Club can move forward and his members seemed to be "on-board" with him in these endeavours. I do wish them well and will watch developments with interest! I also had the great pleasure of presenting formally the District International Rose Bowl to my very good friend PP Kate Dumelow, this Trophy was awarded to the Club in recognition of her leadership in the Clubs Project in Uganda.

President Arthur

Wednesday Lunchtime saw me at Bulwell & Baseford, not a Club I had met before. President Arthur and his members made my duty driver Geoff Brown & me very welcome at their home at the Westminster Hotel on Mansfield Road in Nottingham. After my talk I was able to participate in a very interesting question and answer session, covering all sorts of Rotary associated matters.

President Steve Haseldine

Wednesday Evening I was again amongst old friends at the Derby Mercia Club, another of my former Derwent Group Clubs, in the plush surrounding of the Keddleston Golf Club, their new home! President Steve and his members made me very welcome and I had the opportunity to discuss the Clubs Raspberry Pi Computer Project. This is a very interesting, exciting and significant Project involving Schools and Industry in the Derby area. President Steve has agreed to present a summary of it at the December 11th District Council Meeting. Please come along and learn about it! You may wish to encourage your Club to emulate it.

Presented a Vale of Belvoir
Banner by President Ludvig

Thursday Evening Carol & I together with my Clubs Vice President who acted as driver attended the Rotary Club of the Vale of Belvoir at their HQ. The Vale of Belvoir Inn, near Bingham. President Ludwig and his members were in a jovial mood which added to the enjoyment of the visit. Prior to the Club Meeting I had the opportunity to have an informal discussion with the Club Council during which we discussed a number of initiatives they had implemented to move the Club forward. My, the DGs job is a huge but rewarding learning curve.




Friday I had a day off, it was my birthday and I had a lovely relaxing time with my family my only duty being to Barbecue the food and to enjoy their company!!


On Saturday Carol & I were invited to participate in a very different Rotary Fund Raising Event entitled "1913 to 2013 - What a difference 100 years make!".

It was based in and around The Old Hall, Dunstall a 14th Century building lovingly restored to be their family home as part of a 1000 acre working farm estate by Mr & Mrs Simon Clarke.
Alex Fox, a member of my Rotary Club, Bretby, organised the evening. It was designed to explain the incredible changes in farming since 1913 to the present day.

1930 Early Farm Tractor

The huge 2013 Combined Harvester

The evening commenced with a walk round the farm where a display of selected old and new farm machinery was exhibited and their pedigree and use was described by experts.

The 2013 version explained
by Simon Clarke

The Limousin Bull

In another area of the farm, a video was shown reviewing how farm animals have been selectively breed, tracking these developments and changes over the same 100 year period, culminating in us being allowed to get up close and personal with the farms recently purchased prizewinning Limousin bull. A massive but gentle giant of an animal!

The 105 people who attended were then invited to partake in an excellent three course meal including a Hog Roast in one of the beautifully restored buildings followed by a fascinating illustrated talk given by Dr Pamela Sambrook, Past Curator, Staffordshire Museum on the typical rural life for those living and working in the countywide in 1913.

An interesting experience, a really lovely evening, both weather wise and being spent with friends old and new whilst raising a substantial sum for Rotary Charitable work!

I know both Simon Clarke and his lovely wife Alex enjoyed the evening with us all and a huge "Thank You" must go to them for allowing us to share their home for the evening and of course Alex Fox for organising the event.