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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