Churchill Evening

I can't believe that we got lost again this year! Harry has been 5 years now and always gets lost. The sat nav was impressive but clearly didn't understand what a golf club is. Surprising as it was in Harry's car! Richard S spent what seemed like hours in The Spinning Wheel pub trying to find out where to go - they weren't sure even although it was only about 8 mins away. We eventually arrived just as they were about to take their seats. Usual huge attendance, couldn't afford raffle tickets at £5 per ticket or a snip at £25 per strip! Still it is in Sevenoaks/Westerham area so plenty of others bought them and it made over £1000. 

Can't say I was overly impressed by the eminent speaker historian and broadcaster Christopher Lee ( no not the Dracula one!). He said he lost his notes and it showed. Obviously a very learned man but hardly dynamic with little ability to put over the points to a large crowd. Plenty of overfed, over-wined middle-aged Rotarians nodded off. I wish I had my camera there. 

Journey home was less exciting than the journey there although someone did think they saw Hastings pier as we hammered down the A21. We had three backseat navigators and one in the front with very little agreement amongst the lot of us. Still it was great fun and thanks to Harry B for taking us.

Aberfan

I was so glad that we had a good attendance to hear Doug Baguley recount the role his father had at the scene of the disaster in Aberfan in 1966. We had a couple of guest Rotarians plus a guest of Maria and Clare - there about 30 in total at club. The evening went well with an attentive audience giving Doug a lot of support for what is an emotive subject.

Walnut Tree

I gave Rotary a miss so that I could receive a £200 cheque for COSMIC  from Shepherd  Neame during the opening of the re-furbished Walnut Tree in Loose. Landlord and Lady Phil and Debbie had agreed to support COSMIC this year and have so far raised over £100. The pub was full and it included two of our lady Rotarians who managed to invite two well known prospective members along as guests next week. So a good evening was had by all with a potential spin off for Riverside. I also met John, owner of the 147 Club where we are holding our social event on Friday 5th Dec. He is very keen to help us. Maria and Clare are steadily drumming up local friends to attend but we will want more from our club to attend and bring their friends as well. It looks like being a great evening.

Remembrance Day

There was we believe, a first this year when all three Rotary presidents from Maidstone laid their wreaths at the Memorial in Maidstone as one group. We asked if this could be done and there was no problem. Shame we couldn't get a picture but another significant gesture on this year's aim to get more joint participation between the clubs. A good turnout of the public from Maidstone especially at it was the 90th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice.

KM Visit

Grateful to Geoff W for organising a tour of the KM offices and printing facilities. Interesting but the current financial crisis was apparent- several empty desks through recent redundancies. Interesting to see how the editors put together stories etc now using computers, much easier than previous hot metal imprints. Also noted that PCs have replaced AppleMac- seems strange as AppleMac is a designers computer. Reason - cost!
Went to Papas Fish and Chip restaurant at Ditton. Nice food but expensive for fish and chips. Some members thought it nice to get out and about for meals at different places. Mike St has got a special deal for the Marden Tandoori- he will try and get it programmed in.

Malcolm B

I collected Malling Rotarian Malcolm B from hospital in London today. He had an operation to remove cancer in the liver. It appears to have been successful but Malcolm will know in a couple of weeks when he returns to see the consultant. Malcolm will now continue with his chemotherapy. Carolyn his wife and our club secretary, is grateful to those Riverside Rotarians who offered their help with transport if it was needed. She found it reassuring to know that help was at hand if needed. We wish Malcolm well with his future treatment.