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Recent happenings

                                Yorkshire’s Amazing Wildlife Coastline 15/05/24

This week the club were entertained with an extremely informative presentation by Stuart Baines, born and bred in Scarborough, on the wildlife on our own doorstep. Citizen scientist Stuart has always had an interest in Yorkshire’s coastal wildlife but over the past thirteen years he has developed a passion for the marine mammals that visit and live in the seas of his hometown – Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises.

He is a regional coordinator representing the national cetacean charity Sea Watch, covering an area from the Humber to the Tees. Stuart has links with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trusts on several cetacean projects, as well as the North Yorkshire-based Wild Eye nature project. He also is the editor of the very popular Scarborough Porpoise Facebook page.

He started his talk by saying that he had a tenuous link with the Cavaliers Rotary Club in that he met his wife when he was a Rotaract Member in the 1980’s. Using his extensive range of photographs and videos he described the various species of marine animals that visit and inhabit the sea around Scarborough. So what are cetaceans? Well they are Porpoises, Dolphins and Whales and he began by telling the club about Porpoises. An adult porpoise can grow to 6-foot long and are not as inquisitive as dolphins - they do not approach boats like dolphins.

Dolphins are a very different creature and extremely intelligent. The Bottlenose Dolphins that visit are shores can grow up to 12-foot long and have a distinctive beak. They group in pods that have had as many as 50 dolphins with their young calf’s. The numbers have risen rapidly over recent years and they travel down from the Scottish Coast and can be seen in North and South Bays. In 2018 only 4 sightings wee recorded, whereas last year over 400 where spotted.

Finally, Stuart had some interesting stories about whale watching, particularly around Whitby. Minke Whales are baleen whales that can grow up to 32-feet long and an adult can weigh 8 tonnes. They are sleek with a sharply pointed head and a prominent dorsal fin. Often known as Stinky Minke as their breath can smell of bad cabbage. They feed on herring and sand eels in the North Sea in the summer and tropical waters in the winter. Again their numbers have grown over recent years with 107 sightings in 2023, compared with only 14 in 2015. Last year the North Sea was especially warm and this could have been a contributory factor in the increased sights but only time will tell if this was the case or they are populating the local seas more frequently.

Other whales, such as Fin Whales the second largest whale after the Blue Whale have been seen off these shores, as too have Pilot and Humpback Whales. A Humpback was filmed breaching the waves off Whitby recently. White Beaked Dolphins and Common Dolphins are also rare visitors with the Common Dolphin not often seen in the North Sea. Basking Sharks similarly more regularly seen in the South West of England.

We do get Common and Grey Seals and we did have a very special guest at Scarborough Harbour last New Year when a Walrus dropped in to visit. Rather cumbersome on land but like a rocket in the sea he didn’t stay long in 2024 before he was off on his travels again. Stuart certainly knows his cetaceans and passed on his knowledge of where the best places are to see them locally Marine Drive, where he regularly used to travel to work in a morning and Filey Brigg, Whitby and Flamborough Head.

Mike Wilkinson

Speaker name : Raymond Clark

The Industrial, Agricultural and Geological Heritage of the North York Moors.

 Raymond, a member of the North York Moors Association that is an organization working in collaboration  with the North Yorkshire Moors National Park Board provided the Club with a most interesting lecture concentrating on the history of the moorland region.

The geology and geography of the Park was created and shaped by the various Ice Ages dating from four million years ago up the most recent some 14 thousand years ago. The melting ice particularly influenced the development of the valleys used in modern times to provide routes for rail transport, notably the lines connecting Whitby to Middleborough and Grosmont to Pickering.

 Plentiful supplies of Iron ore in the rock formations led to a development of a huge mining operation in the nineteenth century. The processed ore was transported to Middleborough refined and provided a vital source of metal used during the ‘Industrial revolution’. The remains of the workings are preserved to this day. The Jewelry trade continues to be able to make excellent use of Whitby Jet.

The Moors have provided a habitat for wild life over the centuries and continue to do so.  The land is extensively used for sheep rearing and to a lesser extent cattle grazing. In the 18^th Century a gentleman surveyor named Foord very cleverly used the 240ft  contour to construct small waterways fed from natural springs that were used to supply the farms situated along the southern edge of the moors. Some remain in use to this day.

In very modern times the Moors provide a magnificent space to be enjoyed by all who take pleasure in walking and exploring the open countryside.

The Club thanks for Raymond for giving his time to present an expertly presented illustrated talk on a fascinating  subject.

J Bradley

Visit to Scarborough Lifeboat Station

24 April 2024

20 Rotary members were introduced to the voluntary members of the RNLI who gave up their time to explain the ins and out of running the life saving service carried out by the crews on a daily basis. They were all very knowledgeable and answered all questions from members without hesitation. After the Q&A session we were split into to two groups whilst the staff allowed us to inspect the equipment used, safety requirements and of course the Lifeboat and inshore dirigible.

A very interesting event enjoyed by all, later we adjourned to the Golden Grid for a fish supper and refreshments.

Our thanks to John Porter and the volunteers for their freely given time.

Roger

                                           JOURNALIST REVEALS ALL

New member to the Cavaliers, but long time Rotarian David Ward reported on his professional life. A very laid back opening for which he possibly appreciated being able to be present having endured two operations, sepsis and delirium, which puts life into a wider perspective.

Working life commenced as a Signalman for British Rail in Knottingley. This necessitated a 17 mile cycle ride which gave him a passion to recreationally take up the activity and developed his stamina, despite being overtaken on one occasion by the internationally known record breaking cyclist Beryl Burton. These early days of non-segregated sport gave no protection to men being surpassed by women.

Modernisation by BR led him to leaving and taking up employment in the printing industry, eventually editing and publishing his own regional newspaper. This provided opportunities for interviewing many Celebrities (before this title came into recent fashion) when we would call them Stars. To improve his efficiency David learned via the Yorkshire Post the art of Shorthand writing and it is to this organ he eventually sold his own newspaper title.

Some of his many Rotary activities include cycling with five fellow Rotarians from Rothwell to Nante raising funds for Polio Plus. Another was to collect and transfer second-hand cycles for the benefit of people in Africa.

He created the RC of Helmsley with 25 members, realising later than costs could be kept to a minimum by not meeting over a meal in a hostelry as many clubs do, but making use of Kirkbymoorside Library.

David is a Past President also having served as an Assistant District Governor.

Jim Martin

Our meeting on 10th April, 2024 was held at Flavours, the new Restaurant at St Catherine’s. The food was good and very tasty; the venue itself was very welcoming and comfortable and we were well-looked after.

The Speaker was Mike Colbeck, the leader of the Boys Brigade at Queen Street Methodist Hall. He spoke well about the history and current working of the organisation. His enthusiasm and obvious love of what he does were infectious.

Richard Grunwell

3rd April 2024

Rob Brown got into cycling quite late, he told members of Scarborough Cavaliers Rotary Club. He was visiting the club to explain how he received second place in the Visit England Tourism Superstar Award 2024.

His introduction to cycling came at the age of 46 and led to him being the leader of group outings for handicapped youngsters. The events were held at the Dalby Forest Cycle Hub which allowed him to concentrate his work rehabilitating clients with special needs.

Rob Brown, who now lives in Pickering, also took great delight organising cycling proficiency schemes with schools.

David Ward

Gallows Close Centre

Wednesday 20th March 2024

The story of Gallows Close Centre was related to Rotary Cavaliers at their  Mayfield Hotel meeting when it was greeted with much admiration and support by members for its leader, Kimmie Avison and her team, led by the chairman, Rotarian, Jim Martin.The centre serves a large housing estate in what had been a challenging area historically,  but today has seen the lives of many young people transformed thanks to Kimmie’s vision and hard work which has now won her and the centre one of the new King Charles Awards.

Kimmie explained how the centre had built the self confidence and ambitions of many teenagers some of whom were suffering from homelessness and deprivation. “We look at the young people and their needs  who have  come to the centre.”

As a result many lives  been have been turned round with the creation of job opportunities and skills training for what Kimmie described as “hard to reach children who no-one wanted to know about”. School attendance records were poor but today apprenticeships are available and been accepted by the young people taking places at Scarborough Technical College.

Gallows Close is now recognised as an exemplar centre where opportunities to help solve local social problems with widespread support, including Rotary,  and young people can have their lives enhanced along with the image of the Barrowcliffe Estate.

David Jeffels

TALK ON AI IN FEBRUARY BY ADRIAN INSTONE

Introduction:

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has been all over the news for the past year. We have the false impression that AI is a new phenomenon when in fact it is already irreversibly embedded into so many aspects of our lives. We’ve heard all sorts of reports that it’s going to either make everything easier or somehow destroy humanity. In this short talk you’ll learn where AI came from and actually how it works - whether that’s in generating text and images, diagnosing your medical condition or driving your car - useful information that will help you make up your own mind about AI’s usefulness as well as the threats, to our lives and to our businesses. 

Ayd Instone is Head of Physics at Scarborough University Technical College, and previously a consultant and trainer in innovation for business and keynote speaker at large technical corporation conferences. He is the author of a number of books on innovation and creativity as well as in GCSE Physics and three volumes of science fiction short stories

AI poem  about Rotary in the style of Shakespeare

In fair Rotary, where we lay our scene,

A noble club, with purpose pure and keen,

From various walks, they come with hearts aflame

To serve, to bond, and magnify their name.

With fellowship akin to kinship's grace,

They gather ‘round to better time and space,

A global tapestry of minds combined,

In unity, their aspirations twined.

As morning sun does rise o'er yonder hill,

Their altruism shines, a beacon still,

They labour selflessly, in quiet might,

To kindle hope where there was once no light.

Like Romeo and Juliet's love so true,

Their service knows no bounds, forever new,

Through trials and triumphs, side by side they stand

A steadfast force, to heal, uplift the land.

So let us raise a toast, in Shakespeare's verse,

To Rotary's devoted souls, diverse,

Their noble acts, like stars in night's grand dome

Illuminate a world that they call home.

Wednesday 24th January

Our annual Burns Supper was well supported as usual, entertainment was provided by, Rachel on the bagpipes, Paul on the string section, George with the Haggis, Mary who gave the response on behalf of the Ladies and Alan who was the MC. Thank you to all involved.

Not so recent - but some will remember the talk by Rach Drew and Shan Baker about Arcade back in July. They mentioned their annual "Grue" fantasy experience which is now on the top floor of  Library in Scarborough. Well worth a visit specially for younger folk. A few pics from visit 17 Dec.  More info & bookong:-   https://www.hello-arcade.com/grue-2023 

Annual carol service and carvery had over seventy folk enjoying the festive carols  (lovely service guided by Rev Joe Kinsella) and food athe Downe Arms. 

Emily Gaskell

he Cavaliers were suitable entertained on Wednesday, November 29 by a local singer-songwriter, who played an acoustic guitar set for around 20-minutes. A self-taught player Emily Gaskell performed with lots of style and flair, featuring 4 of her own written songs.

She has been writing and playing her own music from an early age and is still only 15 years old. Club members heard original songs that had thought provoking messages and clever musical forms that drew you in.

Emily’s set was really fresh and included a classic cover of her favourite song and a more “dark” single appropriately entitled “Monster”. Her music is available on Spotify with the

3-minute long single “Silver” showcased on-line.

It is the first time the club has had an acoustic guitar player singing for them and Emily put on a fantastic, confident performance for one so young. The Cavaliers wish her ever success in her future career and would be only to pleased to see her return when she “hits” the heights!

Mike Wilkinson

22nd November 2023.   The Downey Arms Wykeham   Katie Braidie, Sculptor

 I Hear a Symphony

 The club were ably entertained by members of the Scarborough Symphony Orchestra at its meeting held on Wednesday, October 18 at the Downe Arms Country Hotel. The orchestra is one of the leading amateur orchestras in the north of England, performing four concerts each season. Their conductor, Shaun Matthew, has continued the tradition of bringing new, unusual and ambitious repertoire, including several world premieres to the area, alongside well-loved orchestral classics. They open their 2023/24 season on Saturday, November 25 with a programme from Panufnik, the Polonia Suite; Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 20 and Saint-Saens Symphony No 3 ‘Organ Symphony’.

However, an orchestra of around 60 players representing strings, woodwind and percussion sections could not fit into the hotel’s function room; so five members of the string section  played a chamber music piece by Mozart. The group of five musicians, led by Tony Mason on violin, are known as the St Hilda’s String Quintet. Other members are Liz Hydes, Ellie Whitehead, Steve Rosteric and Martin Hall, who play the violin, viola and cello.

There is no doubt that listening to live music far outplays listening to a record. The quintet gave a fantastic rendition of Mozart’s work and the club members present certainly enjoyed the performance. The Scarborough Symphony Orchestra has been in existence for 74 years and has Lady Ayckbourn as its patron. It has players from around the locality, including Scarborough, Whitby, Pickering, Driffield and Beverley and they rehearse weekly with music being their main hobby as amateur musicians.

For their main programme the orchestra brings in soloists and their 2023/24 season will see soloists on piano, trumpet, bassoon and cello. The town is very fortunate to have such an orchestra in situe and you can find more information on their website   www.scarborough-orchestra.org

I would definitely check them out and make a date for Saturday, November 25 at 7.15pm when their new season opens at the Methodist Central Hall on Queen Street. Thanks to Geoff Mountfield for organising the string quintets visit to the club. Mike Wilkinson

LOOKING BACK on some earlier activities (for which we have meeting reports) in Rotary year July 2022 to July 2023. 

Robert Halstead a retired Chartered Surveyor and avid mountain biker gave a most interesting and informative presentation about the various types of Rights of Way August 30 2023).      SEE Details

Stephen Joseph Theatre  has staged many outstanding productions over its long life in Scarborough, but “Blonde Bombshells” must rank as one of the best ever. Based on a true story it was  brilliantly written by one of the country’s best known  playwrights, Alan Plater. (A|ugust 9 2023.  See details

Vanessa Milner of the Scarborough Archaeological and History Society, gave us a fascinating talk on the history of ladies’ underwear (April 26 2023). SEE Details

 Cavaliers celebrate their 45th birthday in style (April 2023). SEE Charter images

A fun-packed evening of entertainment at the SJT - Shakespeare’s most bonkers farce “The Comedy of Errors” brought to life in the eighties in the era of big phones and even bigger shoulder pads. (April 12 2023). SEE report

His Honour Judge Paul Worsley KC gave an informative and entertaining talk ‘Courtroom Trials and Tribulations. (March 22 2023). CLICK for details

Cirrus research of Hunmanby were introduced to us by Craig Storey. Impressing us to see a local company produce noise measurement meters helping companies to adhere tol legislation – and protecting people from hearing loss. (March 15 2023).  SEE Cirrus details

Wagoners Special Reserve of Sledmere: Martin Watts gave a fascinating talk highlighting in first hand anecdotes the experiences of the Yorkshire Wold farm lads who played such a key part in the First World War. (March 1 2023). More details

Wendy Craig-Tyler stepped in at short notice (due to illness) to tell us about Dementia Friends.  And what a great job she did! Summarised by one of our medics  “An impressive insight into the causes of dementia, the emotional effects and the support that can be given by carers” (February 8 2023). More of Wendy's talk

Paul Harris Award for Trish Kinsella for her lifelong contribution to local charities particularly the local Rainbow Centre.

Gemstones and the care of jewellery craftsman jeweller John Hazelwood brought some sparkle to a winter’s eve (February 1 2023). SEE more details

Robbie Burns Supper Burns Night Celebration on the actual Burns night itself (January 25 2023). Images a plenty
Angela Edwards braved the November air to talk to us about the Soroptimist organisation. It was a most enlightening and enjoyable evening (November 30 2022). SEE details

Missing our visit to Plaxtons (Alexandar Dennis) was missing a real treat, and an education. We saw a highly skilled and professional business, with distinguished market-leading products, and a strong order book. We are fortunate to have them in Scarborough, and we should make more noise about their successes (October 10 2022).Visit Plaxtons

Town’s maritime heritage under the spotlight.We had a fantastic insight into Maritime Heritage Centre with its a wealth of fascinating artefacts and records of Scarborough’s seafaring past. (September 21 2022). Take a look

Dragon Boat Challenge 2022 presentation evening. Many of the teams came along to receive their cheques and to hand them over to their chosen charities.  (July 13 2022).  Many images

Coventry University – Scarborough. Eamon Byrne Eamon, who is part of the Talent Team at the University, responsible for business development, gave an informative talk about the university’s plans for the town. (July 6 2022). Seat of learning