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             The Battle of Watling Street

A bicycle drawn chariot containing a Roman Centurion is not the most common sight on North Wales roads but you were certainly not dreaming if you saw one passing through Bangor, Penmaenmawr or Rhos-on-Sea last Saturday.  A Rotary Club from Essex was setting out on a 327 mile coast to coast ride to commemorate the long forgotten battle of Watling Street between the ancient Brits and the Romans in AD61.  Given that the twenty one male and female cyclists all admitted to being of ‘pensionable age’ this is a challenge not taken lightly!

Boudicca(Boadicea), the British rebel leader, started out from modern day Colchester in Essex to kick the Roman army off her land.  At the same time a Roman force led by Gaius Suetonius Paulinus set out from Ynys Mon (Anglesey) to put down the rebellion.  They met somewhere along the old Roman road called Watling Street,between St Albans and Wroxeter,  and Boudicca inflicted a crushing defeat on the finest soldiers the world had till then ever seen.

Eventually though, Boudiccas’ rebellion was put down with the loss of her own, and eighty thousandof her tribesmens ‘ lives.  She is rumoured to have been buried near what is now a McDonalds restaurant in Birmingham or under platform 8, 9 or 10 at Kings Cross station… Depending on which expert you believe!

The Rotary Club of Colchester Forum,who have a long history of attempting ‘Mission impossible’ stunts, decided to commemorate this early British victory whilst at the same time raising cash and awareness of the ‘End Polio now’ campaign.  Rotarians worldwide, massively supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have made it their mission to eradicate this dreadful disease and are now very close to achieving exactly that.  The remaining few places where Polio still exists in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria are being targeted by vaccination to ensure no child will ever again contract it.

Rhos Rotary club members and the Mayor of Colwyn Bay, Councillor Viv Perry, met the group for a picnic lunch at Rhos Point on Sunday ,where donations, including a cheque for £200, were handed over by Rhos on Sea President John Stopford to Colchester Forum President Andrew Crayston, before the group headed off along the coastal path to Prestatyn.  They were joined for part of the way by cycling Rotarians from Penmaenmawr and Rhos, including David Bathers and Pauline Hogan.

 To find out more about Rotary clubs or the ‘End Polio’ campaign check Rotary International on the net or in social media and look up your local club.  Rhos-on-Sea club meets at the Rhos Fynach most Thursday evenings at 7.15 pm 

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  Rotarians honour Welsh fallen                                

On Thursday 11th April 2013 members of Rhos on Sea Rotary club embarked on what was to be an emotional and poignant journey to visit Flanders fields in Ypres, Belgium, and the Artillery Wood cemetery, the final resting place of the famous Welsh poet, Hedd Wyn. The trip had been arranged by former Welch Fusiliers Major, Rotarian Merfyn Thomas.

The Members also visited a nearby cafe where, on the first Monday of every month in a cafe in Boezinge, the Welsh flag is solemnly raised and marks the spot where Welch Fusilier Hedd Wyn, from Trawsfynydd was killed on 1^st July 1917 in the 3^rd battle of Ypres, otherwise known as the battle of Passchendaele in the First World War.

These days, the location is home to an otherwise unremarkable cafe called De Sportsman.The interior of the cafe is festooned with the Welsh flag and memorabilia, while the outside wall bears a plaque in honour of the writer, who was posthumously awarded the chair at the National Eisteddfod in 1917 after being killed at Passchendaele that July.

At the start of every month, the sacrifice made by Hedd Wyn, and his countrymen, in the fields around the area is remembered according to cafe owner Marc Decaestecker, who said “All Welsh people are welcome here – we will never forget the sacrifice of Welsh soldiers who came here to liberate us. The Welsh people are very special, they are spiritual and close to heaven and Earth and are always welcome here”.

Outside the cafe, a plaque has been dedicated to Hedd Wyn with flowers and his picture. After visiting some of the immaculately tended 156 war graveyards in area surrounding Ypres, often called the Flanders Fields, at 11am on Friday 12th April, the coach arrived at Artillery Wood cemetery.

To a hushed gathering, one of the club members, Councillor Phil Edwards from Rhos on Sea, whose grandfather was in the trenches with Hedd Wyn, read out the poem that Hedd Wyn had written whilst they were in those trenches, called "Yr Arwr" (The Hero) and for which he was posthumously awarded the 1917 Birkenhead Eisteddfod Chair under the pseudonym Fleur de Lys.

Phil Edwards said "It was a very emotional experience indeed and I found it very difficult to get through it. I thought of the thousands of men who had lost their lives in horrendous conditions in the First World War and what my grandfather Rhys and his comrades had had to endure, but which he never wanted to talk about.

“I laid a wreath on Hedd Wyn's grave after reading his poem out and we all stood there in silence as we silently said a prayer. It was one of the most moving occasions I have ever known"

That evening, all of the group attended the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate which is conducted every night of the year near the centre of Ypres.

Wales is the only allied nation that does not have a war memorial to mark the ultimate sacrifice made by her sons and daughters. A number of the group met with a member of the local Council at the cafe to discuss this further.

Merfyn Thomas said "Wales is the only country not to have a Memorial to the fallen heroes of World War 1 and there is now a campaign to correct this in both of our countries. It is very important that the ultimate sacrifice made by our forefathers who gave their lives for us, is properly marked for future generations, lest they forget"

Victoria Wins District Young Chef Competition

Victoria Barnes of Ysgol John Bright won the Rotary District 1180 Young Chef  heat held at Deeside College on Friday 15th Feb.

Competing against  young chefs from North Wales, West Cheshire and  Merseyside, Victoria won through to the Welsh finals which will be held  on 17th March at Coleg Llandrillo Rhos on Sea.

"Tree of Lights raises over £14,500"

We have been advised by St. David's Hospice that the Tree of Lights has raised over £14,500 so far this year, if Gift Aid is taken into account. Our best ever year. Many thanks to you all for your continued support.

Pauline takes the plunge

Rhos-on Sea Rotarian Pauline Hogan braved the icy waters of Llandudno's North Shore on Boxing Day. Pauline, dressed as a pirate, joined fellow bathers at the Lions event, in aid of St. David's Hospice. Pauline won 2nd prize of £10 for her pirate costume and raised a further £167 from friends and fellow Rotarians. A total of £177, which was sent to St. Davids . Well done Pauline!

Horeb Charity Carol Concert raises the roof
and funds for local hospice

The Annual Charity Carol Concert was held on the evening of Thursday 6th December at Capel Horeb, Colwyn Bay.

Carol singing was conducted by the Rev. Philip Barnett and accompanied by organist Mr Gwyn Jones.

The audience were royally entertained by a programme featuring the choir of Ysgol Llandrillo yn Rhos, Soloist Esyllt Tudur of Llanrwst and Cor Meibion Colwyn, under their conductor Aled Wyn Edwards

Blessings and prayers were spoken by Rev. R. Ifor Jones of Horeb Chapel, Rev Julia Bartholomew of Rhos United Reform Church and Mr. Huw Jones, Sure Hope Church, Old Colwyn

The event was organised by members of the Horeb Chapel supported by the Rotary Club of Rhos on Sea.

Tea and mince pies were enjoyed after the concert.

A total of £1170 was raised and will be donated to St. David’s Hospice and Ty Gobaith.

Tree of Lights Switch-on

Blend angelic childrens' voices, the sounds of Beulah Brass and Cor Meibion Colwyn, a chance to get together with friends and family to celebrate the coming of Christmas, together with a welcoming tree, in a blaze of lights and you  have the Rhos on Sea Rotary Christmas Tree of Lights ceremony, held on Sunday 25th November on the Cayley Promenade in  aid of St. David's Hospice. Proceedings had to be cut short because of heavy rain but there was time to sing and enjoy several carols accompanied by the band and choir.

The lights, which were switched on by the Mayor of the Bay of Colwyn Cllr.Mrs. Viv Perry, will remain lit in memory of loved ones until well after Christmas.

Donations so far this  year have raised over £10500.

Rotary President John Stopford said," The generosity of the public is quite astounding and makes our efforts within Rotary worthwhile. A big thank you to everyone who helped with this very worthy local cause"

The Chairman of St. David's Hospice Support Group, Mrs Gladys Harrison, thanked all those concerned for their continuing support, "We are so grateful for the support we get from the Rotary Tree of Lights."

The address and blessing were given by the Reverend Keith Tewkesbury.

The Rotary Club of Rhos on Sea should like to thank:-

Bebbington & Wilson Ltd., Electrical Contractors of Prestatyn, Peter Jones Tool Hire, Bay of Colwyn Town Council, Beulah Brass, Cor Meibion Colwyn, the Rhos Fynach, The North Wales Pioneer, The North Wales Weekly News and North Wales Police for their continuing support which help to make this event such a success.

A Book of Lights containing the names of donors and the people or events they wish to remember or commemorate will be on display at St.David's Hospice.

Donations to the Tree of Lights can still be made by using the coupon in local newspapers or directly to St. David's Hospice 

Victoria wins Rotary Young Chef Competition

Victoria receives her certificate and prize from President John Stopford

Rhos on Sea Rotary recently held a Young Chef Competition at Eirias High School, Colwyn Bay.

Nine entrants from Ysgol Bryn Elian, Eirias High School, Ysgol John Bright and Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy were challenged to produce a healthy meal for two

The judges were Mr Donald Hadwin of the Seahorse Sea Food Bistro, Llandudno and Rotarian John Roberts. They commended all entrants on the particularly high standards achieved this year

The winner was Victoria Louise Barnes of Ysgol John Bright who won a prize of £50 presented by Rotary President John Stopford.

Runners up were Morgan Metcalf and Bronwen Morris both of Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy who won £30and £20 respectively.

Victoria goes through to the Rotary Young Chef District Competition held on 15th February 2013 at Deeside College.

The eventual national winner enjoys a two week holiday in Italy with cooking tuition sponsored by Filippo Berio

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                           Rhos on Sea Rotary supports local good causes

The Rotary Club of Rhos on Sea has been supporting local good causes over the last 12 months. Over £3000 has been raised to support :-

St.David’s Hospice, Ty Gobaith Hospice, Welsh Air Ambulance, North Wales Prostrate Cancer Support Group, Blind Veterans (previously St Dunstans) and the Rotary Young Chef competition.

The club also helped to sponsor a volunteer to work on a school project in Uganda

New Rotary President John Stopford said, “ We are most grateful to the public for the support they have given to us over the last year despite the difficult economic circumstances we are all experiencing. We shall continue with our efforts to support local organisations.”