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