Denise & Stan

We were privileged at our Partners Meeting to listen to Denise Lintern MBE talk about life with her husband Stan. Stan has Alzheimer's Disease and for 13 years now he has needed full 24hr care for every function of his life. Denise provides this fully in their own home. She is totally devoted to Stan and is determined to live as normal life with her family as is possible. Denise is the third speaker I have arranged in our programme to come and "tell it as it is'. We previously had young Claire in her wheelchair and then my son Stuart who spoke about our little Grace. I believe that this is important in anty Rotary programme and so far it has been very well received. It does ensure a quiet and attentive audience however.



We also welcomed this evening DGE Scaria Jose from Kerala India and his wife Sumam. Both very dedicated Rotarians who have been hosted by Dawn Patrol and were also guests at the conference.





A good evening slightly marred by a catering cock up. We are onto this one - poor communication within the Oakwood set up meant that the chef was not prepared for a salad buffet so not enough quiche! Severe complaints from a couple of members who I hope were able to put it all into perspective once they had listened to Denise! We even had a call for a change of venue?! Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Conference

A good time had by all at the Conference. Great programme, great time. Riverside got noticed if only for the hot air in the balloons. Fortunately, this years President behaved- not so sure about next year's ?!

Excellent speakers - particularly impressed by Richard Stilgoe and his work with the disabled group Orpheus. Everyone else agreed, they got a standing ovation.

Really enjoyed "Beyond the Barricades" - very good show by past Les Mis artists.

Proud of the Riverside team - loads of involvement, stewarding, registration, boat stand for New Horizons and of course the Elms Team did all the registration stuff and rarely left their post.

All in all a great weekend.

Amazing Grace

A year and a half on after losing our dear little granddaughter Grace, for the first time I have had a chuckle over something also relating to Grace. This time it simply the issue of a rota for members to take turns in saying Grace at club meetings. Why so funny? Well, business meetings are the times when some members feel free to voice their opinions and frustrations. This they did following our issue of a rota to make the reading of Grace and Objects of Rotary fairer and even more meaningful e.g given time to think up something amusing or interesting rather than have the Grace book thrust at you as you walk in on a Tuesday club night.

The complainants were forceful and supported by everyone in the room, so I suppose I did feel a little exposed. There was nothing personal in this other than the fact that I am President and er.. yes it was me that suggested we had a rota. Still democracy is alive and well so under such overwhelming pressure I withdrew the scheme forthwith. I won't go into all the arguments put to me but the only really sad bit was when I was told that nobody would comply with the list because most people in the club are apathetic. So, if apathy rules over the question of who says Grace I am not going to lose any sleep because in the grand scheme it is irrelevant.

In the meantime real Rotary work is gathering momentum. The Wishing Well had double the takings last time, Interact are going to support our social evening which should boost our numbers somewhat and events for the new year are beginning to take shape. So all in all I think things will start to pick up soon. Xmas tin rattling I hope will be fully supported unfortunately, Chas struggled to get helpers for the MacMillans tin rattling last week. We have a few volunteers to walk the streets for a charity that wants to do a homeless head count soon. This is what Rotary is all about. Conference coming up this weekend- I am really looking forward to it.

Despondency

Have to admit to feeling low after last night's club meeting. this wasn't because of the speaker from Red Cross who was very good, no, it was the response from members to attend functions that are coming up. A total of 23 members and partners are on the board to attend the talk about Altzheimers from Denise Lintern MBE. This will be a moving tale straight from the heart from a lady whose husband Stan is totally reliant upon her for every aspect of life, Stan has been like it for 10 years and is only in his mid 60's now. Stan will be there to hear his wife talk. Nobody knows for sure behind his blank exterior whether or not he is able to hear. Maybe he does but probably doesn't. Denise has to live with that uncertainty everyday.

It is great that Maria and Clare have organised a social evening as a fund raiser in December but as yet the response from the club is very poor- maybe it will perk up. I had asked everyone in the club to come up with at least one idea and make it happen during the year. Early days I know but not looking too promising.

However, I cheered up this morning when I was contacted by Malcolm R to say that the Bedgebury Walk for next May is progressing. Good on you Malc, after going through everything he has endured with his illness and to still rise to the challenge is fantastic. He certainly deserved his PHF Award.

I've just agreed to do a street count of the homeless for a charity soon. I've asked all members if any will join me. I await the response with interest.

Coroner

Our speaker this week was Roger Sykes who is the Coroner for Maidstone, Medway and Mid Kent. We were fortunate that he was able to spend an evening with us and his talk about the work of the Coroner's office was interesting and enlightening. It was frightening for example, just to know how many deaths there are due to unnatural circumstances in our area. A busy man indeed having to oversee a huge amount of work.

I also had the sad duty to announce the resignation of Tony Lush. Tony was our very first president and has played a significant role in the life of Riverside throughout the years. He now has other interests to pursue so we wished him well and he was thanked for all he had done for our club.

Our attendance (25) was a bit better this week but we are still not getting the commitment to take part in some forthcoming events. Maria and Clare are organising a social evening soon and we could do with a lot more people to come along and join in. Hopefully, as the saying goes, it'll be alright on the night.

Once again I emptied the wishing well on Tuesday. Sticky lollies played a major part in the rubbish fished out, along with the usual chips, crisps sweets etc. Coupled with that our notice highlighting the charities we are supporting has disappeared. Having said that after washing the money (thank you to whoever was the smart.... who asked if this was money laundering) it does appear that we have a slight increase this week. Tony is counting and we await the outcome.

Ghurka Statue

It was a privilege to be part of the large crowd of Maidstone people who attended the unveiling of the Ghurka statue at the museum yesterday. The soldiers led by their own band, paraded from County Hall to Faith Street and was a very moving sight. It was good to see a few of our own Rotarians amongst the crowd. Riverside helped pay for the statue and although I had initial reservations thinking that £15k could be better spent on the poor in Nepal, I have changed my mind having seen the statue and felt the warmth towards the Ghurkas that Maidstone clearly has. I recommend that everyone should go and visit it.

The troops were inspected by the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. Cllr Brian Moss who is a Maidstone Rotarian, was the instigator of the idea of a statue, he gave an excellent speech.

Our own Terry Shead was a guest representing his own industry and was photographed with the statue. I managed to snap one as well, a bit more casual though, than the official ones.

Porchlight

Our speaker last night was Rachel Holliday who gave a good presentation about her charity Porchlight which works with and for the homeless. Rachel previously spoke to us in May about her Group Exchange visit to America. Porchlight covers all of Kent now and it is disturbing to hear that they cannot cope with temporary housing for all those that need it. There is also a rise in the number of young people who are homeless, ironically her organisation is growing to meet demand. Next week our speaker is Roger Sykes, Coroner. I hope we get a better attendance I am still concerned about the reducing numbers attending club night.

I spoke earlier with Malcolm R who is recovering from having a "bionic" computer fitted to help his heart rhythm. We look forward to seeing him back at club shortly. Malc has had a very difficult time with his cancer but he has fought back bravely. An example to us all.

Norman and I popped into the Grangemoor and paid the deposit for next year's President's Evening on June 5th 2009. It's definitely on then now!