A surprisingly good talk tonight at club from Joyce about Allington Castle. I was a bit apprehensive initially when she approached me at swimming club to say should would like to do it. However, she certainly knew her history especially as she had no notes. Turns out she was a guide at the castle for 10 years and has retained the stories in her head. She thoroughly enjoyed doing it and I have agreed to make a donation to Demelza at her request. For someone well into their 80's this was an excellent presentation.
Firmed up now on a visit to Houses of Parliament. I got the date wrong on the board but I can't be perfect all the time. It's Friday 3rd April just in case anyone reads this!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
....and another Member Resigns
Is it something I have said?! Letter in the post today from Mike Sendles also calling it a day and leaving Rotary. Another long serving member who joined us a few years ago from the Maidstone Rotary Club. Mike has decided to leave and once again goes with all our best wishes for the future.
I suppose it is inevitable that long serving members will sometimes decide to go once they feel that their enthusiasm has waned somewhat and I am sure that is what is happening at Riverside now as members get older. However, maybe we should gain strength from the experience they have given us and now is the time for the younger and newer members to blaze the trail for the future. We have a great club and I am sure we will continue to go forward and I look forward to leading in that direction during the second half of my year.
Anyway, just to cheer us up, good news my grandson Oliver has recovered since our Xmas scare so here is picture of him with his new pet Patch. Thanks to everyone again for your kind words and good wishes, they mean so much.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
We Lose a Valuable Member
I went to tonight's meeting feeling revitalised after watching the inauguration of the new USA president on TV this afternoon. What an orator, if he comes up with the goods as well as he speaks we have a brighter future. Much closer to home tonight's business meeting went smoothly with no controversy or major rows for me to practice my chairmanship skills on. Never mind I am sure I'll get plenty of opportunity before July.
The evening was marred somewhat by the news I received just before the meeting that Jeff Kimberley has resigned. Jeff was a founder member and Past President and will be missed by us all, he has put much into this club over the years and we are sorry to see him go. I spoke with Jeff and he feels that as an "elder" member there comes a time to call it a day and that day has come. I respect that and wish him and Jean well for the future.
The evening was marred somewhat by the news I received just before the meeting that Jeff Kimberley has resigned. Jeff was a founder member and Past President and will be missed by us all, he has put much into this club over the years and we are sorry to see him go. I spoke with Jeff and he feels that as an "elder" member there comes a time to call it a day and that day has come. I respect that and wish him and Jean well for the future.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
President's Half Year Report
The following is my report as presented to Council tonight and will be again to club next week.
President’s Report
14th Jan 09
I am now half way through my year and it is only when I look back at the 42 posts I have put into President’s Jottings on the web that I realise just how busy we have all been. I recommend that all members have a look at the blog occasionally as it helps put things into perspective as it records the ups and the downs plus there are a few pictures as well!
It is good to report that pre- Christmas we had a flurry of excellent fund raising projects which has given our Trust fund a much needed boost. Clare and Maria’s social evening raised over £1k albeit that club support was very minimal. However, I am grateful to those who attended and also those who supported the event financially. The Xmas collection total was up on last year and thanks once again to Chas for arranging it and to those who took part. The Wishing Well and weekly collecting pot continue to bring in regular amounts which help to push the funds up. I am especially grateful to Nic for operating and promoting the online Xmas cards again this year. It raised £240 and was supported by over a half of the club. Perhaps next year we can get a full house.
The Carol Service was another success, thanks to Colin for arranging it this year. We were able to donate £400 to Maidstone Christian Care for the homeless. Our Xmas meal at Sissinghurst was generally well received and I am grateful to Peter for organising the event.
Santa and his elf (alias Terry and Carolyn) kindly did their Christmas bit for Bell Wood School again this year bringing some cheer to the youngsters.
It was good to be able to share a project with the other Maidstone clubs to provide an electric mobility scooter for a local disabled man. Our club donated £150 and we got some local TV coverage from it as well.
Whilst we have made some other small donations and there are some other promises to allow for, it is hoped that we can now give the Kenya project some serious consideration for early payment.
I applied for a District Simplified Grant (DSG) last year to assist in financing a trip to an Ice Show for the Friday Club, a disabled group from Parkwood. I am pleased to say that we were successful in being awarded £500. There were many applications and ours was chosen amongst the few selected as being one of the most worthy.
I am grateful to Keith for organising some excellent speakers this year and the recent presentation from Dave Hatcher on the Life Straw Project has got me thinking about the possibility of taking it on in the Maidstone area. A need for discussion on this one.
Also looking ahead we have a Quiz night and a trip to Parliament planned in March and in May we go to Dordrecht, which includes Martin and myself riding there by tandem. Also that month Malcolm R has organised a sponsored walk in Bedgebury so a lot fitness and fun on the agenda. In June we are sharing the background work with the other Maidstone clubs to support the Maidstone Music Festival performance of Stabat Mater at the Leisure Centre. We will need to sell tickets and help with publicity. All proceeds will go to Heart of Kent Hospice. My year will be rounded off by President’s night at the Grangemoor Hotel. There will be a musical performance by Ross (Clare’s husband) and our very own Maria who will play and sing for us. Please support the event and come along, it will be fun, local and reasonably priced. Lloyd will be organising tickets etc very soon.
I do keep an eye on the Club Plan which I announced at the beginning of the year and of course any plan has to be modified to meet changing circumstances, but it is pleasing to note that by and large the proposals I put forward are coming to fruition so thank you to everyone for their support this year so far.
Clive Bradburn
President’s Report
14th Jan 09
I am now half way through my year and it is only when I look back at the 42 posts I have put into President’s Jottings on the web that I realise just how busy we have all been. I recommend that all members have a look at the blog occasionally as it helps put things into perspective as it records the ups and the downs plus there are a few pictures as well!
It is good to report that pre- Christmas we had a flurry of excellent fund raising projects which has given our Trust fund a much needed boost. Clare and Maria’s social evening raised over £1k albeit that club support was very minimal. However, I am grateful to those who attended and also those who supported the event financially. The Xmas collection total was up on last year and thanks once again to Chas for arranging it and to those who took part. The Wishing Well and weekly collecting pot continue to bring in regular amounts which help to push the funds up. I am especially grateful to Nic for operating and promoting the online Xmas cards again this year. It raised £240 and was supported by over a half of the club. Perhaps next year we can get a full house.
The Carol Service was another success, thanks to Colin for arranging it this year. We were able to donate £400 to Maidstone Christian Care for the homeless. Our Xmas meal at Sissinghurst was generally well received and I am grateful to Peter for organising the event.
Santa and his elf (alias Terry and Carolyn) kindly did their Christmas bit for Bell Wood School again this year bringing some cheer to the youngsters.
It was good to be able to share a project with the other Maidstone clubs to provide an electric mobility scooter for a local disabled man. Our club donated £150 and we got some local TV coverage from it as well.
Whilst we have made some other small donations and there are some other promises to allow for, it is hoped that we can now give the Kenya project some serious consideration for early payment.
I applied for a District Simplified Grant (DSG) last year to assist in financing a trip to an Ice Show for the Friday Club, a disabled group from Parkwood. I am pleased to say that we were successful in being awarded £500. There were many applications and ours was chosen amongst the few selected as being one of the most worthy.
I am grateful to Keith for organising some excellent speakers this year and the recent presentation from Dave Hatcher on the Life Straw Project has got me thinking about the possibility of taking it on in the Maidstone area. A need for discussion on this one.
Also looking ahead we have a Quiz night and a trip to Parliament planned in March and in May we go to Dordrecht, which includes Martin and myself riding there by tandem. Also that month Malcolm R has organised a sponsored walk in Bedgebury so a lot fitness and fun on the agenda. In June we are sharing the background work with the other Maidstone clubs to support the Maidstone Music Festival performance of Stabat Mater at the Leisure Centre. We will need to sell tickets and help with publicity. All proceeds will go to Heart of Kent Hospice. My year will be rounded off by President’s night at the Grangemoor Hotel. There will be a musical performance by Ross (Clare’s husband) and our very own Maria who will play and sing for us. Please support the event and come along, it will be fun, local and reasonably priced. Lloyd will be organising tickets etc very soon.
I do keep an eye on the Club Plan which I announced at the beginning of the year and of course any plan has to be modified to meet changing circumstances, but it is pleasing to note that by and large the proposals I put forward are coming to fruition so thank you to everyone for their support this year so far.
Clive Bradburn
Life Straws
My first Rotary meeting in the New Year last night and our speaker was Dave Hatcher a Medway Rotarian who demonstrated his schools educational programme that he has been running in the Medway towns for a couple of years. It is aimed at primary schools and covers the importance of water for life and includes Shelter Boxes and in particular Life Straws. Dave is looking for a club to take on his work in another area. I would be happy to get involved and early indications from Neil last night was that it might be something Interact could be active in. We have a Council meeting tonight and I'll raise the issue. Through school donations and a Just Giving website Dave and his club was able to also raise £21k which was handed over to Shelter Box to provide thousansds of Life Straws. An excellent project.
I am now half way through my year so I have written an overview report of progress which will be in my next post and will be presented to Council tonight and the Business meeting next week.
I am now half way through my year so I have written an overview report of progress which will be in my next post and will be presented to Council tonight and the Business meeting next week.
Friday, January 2, 2009
COSMIC Soccer
Oliver is back home now and recovering from his ordeal. He'll be off school for a week or so but hopefully all will be well in the long run.
I attended the Charity soccer match and auction run by our local pub yesterday. Fantastic generosity from mainly the young lads from the two teams. A total of £855 was raised- absolutely brilliant. Special thanks to two of our Rotarians who came and gave us support.
Norman the Magnificent - he braved the cold to give support
Maria the Wonderful- our brilliant auctioneer
I attended the Charity soccer match and auction run by our local pub yesterday. Fantastic generosity from mainly the young lads from the two teams. A total of £855 was raised- absolutely brilliant. Special thanks to two of our Rotarians who came and gave us support.
Norman the Magnificent - he braved the cold to give support
Maria the Wonderful- our brilliant auctioneer
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