Nice little job on Friday. Along with Chas I presented a cheque to a local junior school. The money will go towards a trip to the Science Museum in July. I had the privilege of announcing this trip to the youngsters- they were overjoyed. Without our donation it is unlikely that the trip would be going ahead. This is what makes this job all worthwhile.
Some bad news this week however, two of our members' mothers have died,I will not go into details and give names online, but suffice to say their passing was a shock and in one case the family have had a local connection with our club for a long time and the lady is well known to many members. Her funeral is on the same day as Presidents night. I did consider postponing this event but after speaking to some members it was felt that the show should go on. It will be difficult as many of us will go to the funeral earlier in the day, however, we are sure the family would have wanted the event to go ahead so it will.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tandem to Dordrecht
This weekend was the highlight of my year. Martin and I rode my 1934 tandem to meet up with other club members and Rotarians in Dordrecht. Here is a small report and some pictures.
"This trip was very much a symbolic ride but great publicity not only for our charity, Alzheimers Society but also an opportunity for me to compare our country’s poor cycling facilities with those in Holland. We had great press coverage and a local TV interview when we arrived. We rode from the Hook of Holland to Dordrecht (about 40 miles) on my 1934 tandem in cold but mainly dry weather. My Rotary Club friend Martin and I wore 1930’s clothing to demonstrate the English love of the bike?! to show how it used to be in days gone by.
We were waved off from Maidstone Town Hall on Thursday 14 May by the Mayor, Cllr Denise Joy, and Vic Codling Chairman of The Maidstone Alzheimer's Society and then we travelled to catch the overnight ferry from Harwich. (OK so we did that bit by car, but whose counting?!)
When waiting to get on the ferry we met several Dutch,British and German motor cyclists who admired the bike and gave generously to our charity in the cans we had hanging on the side. We also met two “real” club bikers who had cycled in the morning to a meeting in London and were on their way back home to Amsterdam, just a quick 85k journey when the ferry berthed in the morning! Now that is what I call commuting. A generous British couple in a car leaving the ferry gave us a 20 euro note as we were leaving the ship. So everyone was very kind and we have raised in total, with the collection and other contributions, in the region of £600 for the charity.
We were met at the Hook of Holland ferry port by a Dutch Rotarian who also dressed up and rode with us all the way. We were also escorted by three lovely vintage Morris 8 cars owned by some other Dordrecht Rotarians. My tandem suffered a broken front brake cable in Rotterdam but as there weren’t any real downhills and it was all on cycle paths, we didn’t really need brakes. The rear handlebars also nearly fell off but we just about fixed them so Martin could hang on when we reached great speeds!
The old cars and bike cavalcade made a great sight as we arrived in Dordrecht in the afternoon to be met by our flag waiving Rotarians and spouses who had taken the easy route from Maidstone by coach and arrived just before us. We were presented with 150 Euro cheque by the Alderman of Dordrecht and the Rotary Club of Dordrecht ter Merwe our hosts, decided to match that amount. A great weekend followed, in a country dominated by great people and of course, bikes.
How did we get home? The luggage space in a coach is ideal for housing a tandem, now there is an idea for bus companies! Oh,and I was not aware of any potholes."
"This trip was very much a symbolic ride but great publicity not only for our charity, Alzheimers Society but also an opportunity for me to compare our country’s poor cycling facilities with those in Holland. We had great press coverage and a local TV interview when we arrived. We rode from the Hook of Holland to Dordrecht (about 40 miles) on my 1934 tandem in cold but mainly dry weather. My Rotary Club friend Martin and I wore 1930’s clothing to demonstrate the English love of the bike?! to show how it used to be in days gone by.
We were waved off from Maidstone Town Hall on Thursday 14 May by the Mayor, Cllr Denise Joy, and Vic Codling Chairman of The Maidstone Alzheimer's Society and then we travelled to catch the overnight ferry from Harwich. (OK so we did that bit by car, but whose counting?!)
When waiting to get on the ferry we met several Dutch,British and German motor cyclists who admired the bike and gave generously to our charity in the cans we had hanging on the side. We also met two “real” club bikers who had cycled in the morning to a meeting in London and were on their way back home to Amsterdam, just a quick 85k journey when the ferry berthed in the morning! Now that is what I call commuting. A generous British couple in a car leaving the ferry gave us a 20 euro note as we were leaving the ship. So everyone was very kind and we have raised in total, with the collection and other contributions, in the region of £600 for the charity.
We were met at the Hook of Holland ferry port by a Dutch Rotarian who also dressed up and rode with us all the way. We were also escorted by three lovely vintage Morris 8 cars owned by some other Dordrecht Rotarians. My tandem suffered a broken front brake cable in Rotterdam but as there weren’t any real downhills and it was all on cycle paths, we didn’t really need brakes. The rear handlebars also nearly fell off but we just about fixed them so Martin could hang on when we reached great speeds!
The old cars and bike cavalcade made a great sight as we arrived in Dordrecht in the afternoon to be met by our flag waiving Rotarians and spouses who had taken the easy route from Maidstone by coach and arrived just before us. We were presented with 150 Euro cheque by the Alderman of Dordrecht and the Rotary Club of Dordrecht ter Merwe our hosts, decided to match that amount. A great weekend followed, in a country dominated by great people and of course, bikes.
How did we get home? The luggage space in a coach is ideal for housing a tandem, now there is an idea for bus companies! Oh,and I was not aware of any potholes."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Yet Another New Member
It was a privilege to welcome Catherine into the club tonight. An excellent introduction from Clare and an equally excellent reply from Catherine. This was followed by a presentation from Bryn Price from Kent Peoples Trust. Anyone who does so much good to help young people and also takes part in one of the world's biggest ironman tri-athlons certainly has my respect!
A great evening and one of our best attendances for long while - only 4 members not there. I wonder if we will have as many for next week's business meeting?!
Welcome to the club Catherine
Mind where you stick that pin!!
Now it's off to Dordrecht on Thursday.
A great evening and one of our best attendances for long while - only 4 members not there. I wonder if we will have as many for next week's business meeting?!
Welcome to the club Catherine
Mind where you stick that pin!!
Now it's off to Dordrecht on Thursday.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
First Puncture!
So there we were fully dressed in our 1930s clothing thundering towards the town on our trusty tandem, when bang, a drawing pin caused a puncture. However, we pushed the bike to the Town Hall and had our photoshot done for the KM. Thanks to Richard, Peter and Norman who turned up to join us (thrill seekers!) and of course thanks to Steve who turned up at the wrong Hall! County Hall is not Town Hall, Steve. Following our picture session Martin and I tried to dismantle the complex gearing and breaking system to get the wheel out (the others had to rush of course- urgent business appointments probably). We needed some assistance so went to cycle shop nearby. They were busy and not overly helpful so we repaired the bike in their shop ourselves. We were also talked into buying some kevlar tape to prevent further punctures- Hmmmm! not so sure. An hour or so later we rode gallantly up Stone St and home. Mission accomplished.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Vicki Pearson
It was an honour tonight to present the RIBI Certificate of Recognition to Vicki Pearson. Vicki came to speak to us last year about her work with the disabled in Romania and in 2006 we raised £4000 from our YES Concert for her charity Romania Connect. I have written an article about her and along with the photo I hope both she and our club get some publicity from the local and Rotary press.
Urban Bus
Well done to Martin, Peter and all those involved in the Urban Bus project. The official launch ceremony went well on Wednesday, again thanks to those who attended and represented our club.
AGM went without a hitch including having a vote for Council. Good to see so many members wanting to get involved. Everything looking nicely in place for Lloyd's year.
AGM went without a hitch including having a vote for Council. Good to see so many members wanting to get involved. Everything looking nicely in place for Lloyd's year.
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