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.