A delicious, entertaining and thought-provoking evening was had by the 21 members and guests that attended from our club. The lovely panelled ballroom was a elegant setting for the more than 100 rotarians, guests and speakers. We all felt very welcome and delighted to be included in such a well organised and relaxed evening. The knowledgable and erudite speakers talked about their first hand experiences of the most war torn parts of the world and the attempts of various military, humanitarian and political groups to bring stability and ultimately peace over the last 25 years or so. They agreed that there was no simple, one size fits all solution, despite what the newspapers might try and imply. Infact each country has its own tensions and bias and any intervention is very complex and time consuming. 'The strong hand in a velvet glove' often seemed to be the most successful approach.
Main speaker General Sir Mike Jackson served as Chief of the General Staff (CGS) from 2003 2006, the culmination of four decades in the British Army. He previously served as Commander in Chief Land Command (from 2000), Commander Kosovo Force (in 1999), Commander ACE Rapid Reaction Corps (from 1997) and Director General Development and Doctrine at the MoD.
His active service included command at company and brigade level in Northern Ireland, divisional command in Bosnia, and corps commander in Macedonia and Kosovo.
He is now Senior Advisor at PA Consulting Group and has other consulting roles. He is a trenchant and authoritative commentator on military and other issues. He draws on a wealth of unique experience, combining sharp-end military action and the heavy responsibility of many life-and-death policy and command decisions.
Other Special Guests :
Councillor Sheila Stuart - Mayor of Cambridge
The Right Reverend David Thomson - Bishop of Huntingdon
Trevor Sayer - Governor of Rotary District 1080
Bill Redmayne - Governor Elect of Rotary District 1080
Gillian Johnson - President of The Inner Wheel Club of Cambridge
Ana Zavala Guillen from Argentina - the Rotary Peace Fellow at Bradford University
The Presidents of the other three local Rotary Clubs -
South Cambridge - Mike Smith:
Cambridge Rutherford - Paul Breen
Sawston District - Simon Lake
Debate leaders -
Edward Chaplin - former British Ambassador to Jordan, Iraq and Italy
Mohammad Razai - born in Afganistan, escaped when 15yrs old, now a medical student at Cambridge University who works to raise awareness of asylum seeker issues.
John Grieve (PP) - Chair the discussions
Rosemary Turner (PP) - Master of Ceremonies.
more Charter Dinner wws again at Selwyn College - the 47th celebration of the club's initial meeting.
more Our Annual Sports Challenge against fellow rotary club - Cambridge Rutherford, Fun Croquet followed by a tasty BBQ - Claire College Sports Ground. CAN WE RETAIN THE ASHES ? Cashier - Colin B
more Meet in Bob's lovely garden to enjoy a tasty open-air BBQ.
more Come and have some fun trying out outdoor bowling. Cashier - John W.
more Our annual celebration of the first meeting of the club in 1966. We will enjoy a lovely meal in the elegant surroundings of Madingley Hall,Cambridgeshire, with an afetr dinner speaker. Gather at 7pm to sit down and start the meal at 7.30pm, Guests welcome
more Our annual Social with 'Sports' Day.
more Inter club meeting - meet Peter King RIBI President 2014-15 at Queens College. Book by noon Tuesday 10th March with Bob (Sec).
more Annual 4-Clubs Dinner - hosted this year by Cambridge Rutherford Rotary Club - at Queens College Thu 26th Feb.
more Christmas Fundraiser at only £2 a copy from Roger Webster. Deadline for submission 23rd Jan 2015. Winners announced 1st Feb 2015. £50 and £25.
more Burns Night Supper open to guests and partners 7 for 7.30pm. Master of Ceremonies - David Adamson. General Host - Vicky B, Cashier - Judith C, Speaker Host - Martin H.
more A lovely seasonal meal with a fascinating speaker - Robin Catchpole - Professor of Astronomy - Are We Alone ? Speaker Host-Michael F, General Host-Brian B, Cashier-Vicky B.
more 3days and 2 nights away in the Shrewsbury area.
more A social evening - Table Tennis - meet at the Histon & Impington Recreation Ground Pavilion. 6.15pm. Table Tennis followed by a Fish & Chip Supper about 7.45pm. More info from Brian B.
more This is a multi club meeting hosted by Saffron Walden Rotary Club. DGE Dorothy to attend. Main talk all about Scotts last Polar Expedition when he was just beaten to the South Pole by Admundsen, and died on his return journey.
more NEW DATE + TIME - A lovely way to spend a late Summers evening - punting with a picnic. Host - Book with David Adamson asap.
more Houses of Parliament visit - make your own travel arrangements and meet Alan for security checks by 10.30am. THIS REPLACES OUR USUAL MEETING.
more An historic tour led by experienced guide County Archivist Quentin Carroll, for about an hour.
more The open air theatre at Stamford is a unique and beautiful setting and their productions are always top-knotch.
more Come along to see Shakespeare Twelfth Night. Unless the heavens open several members are going to see this ever popular play. Come along and join us. Bring a picnic, rugs, cushions perhaps.
more Our annual summer barbecue - venue as last year. Check with President Bob - ample local parking.
more Much Ado About Nothing in St Johns College gardens, Cambridge.
more Punting Evening using 2 Kings College and a Darwin punt with special permission from the college to picnic on the Kings College river side.
more Charity Race Night Fundraiser organised by Cambridge Sawston. Only £15 including a Fish & Chips Supper with Dessert - Red Lion, Whittlesford Bridge Cambs.
more Annual friendly Golf Tournament between members.
more The four Cambridge Rotary Clubs join together each year to share a nice evening dinner.
more 4 Clubs Presidents - with our Paul Dover 2nd left
more The popular annual Walking Weekend is arranged by the club for any interested members, partners and guests. For those who enjoy medium exercise in the open air this informal weekend is great fun.
more A very popular annual event for the club, guests and visitors. Meet for a fun evening of bowling, good tempered rivalry and a light meal together.
more The Annual Fun Sports Evening vs Rutherford Rotary Club plus Bar B Q 18.30 at Clare College Sports Ground and Pavilion, Bentley Rd, Cambridge, CB2 8AW. Come and have some fun ! Open to Members, Partners and Guests.
more A concert lead by Leon Lovett and supported by the club.
more A fun club quiz night with partners at the University Arms Hotel. Quiz Master - Jan Cooper
more The second round of the District Quiz 2013 - South Cambridge drawn against Letchworth.
more Our Annual evening of self-entertainment by members. Compere D Adamson, Cashier J Helmsing.
more South Cambridge Club vs Haverhill Club at the Red Lion, Great Wratting - to be hosted by Haverhill. WON BY SOUTH CAMBRIDGE!
more Annual meeting when members of the 4 clubs in Cambridge share fellowship and dinner, 6.30 for 7.00pm at the University Arms Hotel,Cambridge. Speakers will be DG Trevor Sayer and Tim Winter.
more A festive social meal with family and friends. Roger will speak about 'How Rotary changed my life' Speaker Host - R Birchenall, General Host - D Baldry, Cashier - Alan Franklin.
more An early Christmas annual event - Carols followed by wine and mincepies.
more Members , partners, friends and Rotaract are invited to a fun evening. Note - no meeting at the University Arms today.
more A large group of members from the club and their partners will be going to this annual conference. It is a great chance to network across England and Ireland and pick up new ideas for the club. The excellent speakers make the 3 days well worth attending.
more Annual informal club golf tournament.
more An evening of fun punting along the Backs with special access to Kings' riverbank for a picnic - arranged by David Adamson.
more The story of a Colditz roof top escape plan - come along at 6pm to the Engineering Dept, Trumpington Str, Cambridge CB2 1PZ. Refreshments from 5.30pm. Parking on site 5.30 - 8.30pm.
more An opportunity for Rotarians to spend time with our visiting Peace Fellow, Ana, and a University student of politics, Tom, in a social setting and show off the beauty of our City.
more A club visit to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was arranged by David Adamson.
more The annual golf competition for club members was enjoyed by 5 members at Heydon Grange and was won by Colin Edge.
more Multi Sports evening with Rutherford, Cambridge, South Cambridge and Cambridge Rotaract clubs at Clare College Sports Ground.
more Punting and picnic on the Cam towards Granchester. Guests and partners welcome.
more An open evening event to attend the Shakespeare Evening in Kings College Gardens to see "The Merry Wives of Windsor" £10 concessions; £14 other. Pay at ‘door’. 7.00pm for 7.30.
more The annual and keenly fought competition between golf playing members was won by Colin Brown.
more 7.00 for 7.30 pm at John and Molly Helmsing's home at 96 High Street, Harlton.
more 6.00 pm Multi sports with Rutherford, Cambridge, South Cambridge and Cambridge Rotaract clubs at Clare College Sports Ground off Bentley Road.
more Meet in the car park off the Swavesey-Fen Drayton Road at 10.00. Followed by lunch. Rotarians from Enschede Nord will be attending.
more Punting from Kings College Time
more A fun evening - in aid of Macmillan Cancer Charity
more A six clubs event at Kings College 7.45 pm
more Enjoyable matches in the D1080 tournament in which the club just lost to a very good team from the Holt and District Club. Congratulations to the victors.
more 7 members enjoyed a fabulous weekend of fellowship and exercise in glorious sunshine around Bakewell.
more 6.00 pm Multi sports in competition with Cambridge Rutherford Rotary Club followed by a barbecue at Clare College Sports Ground off Bentley Road.
more A magical evening!
more An absorbing and dramatic evening.
more Punting from Kings College, gathered at 6.00pm followed by punting and a picnic on the College lawn, courtesy of Kings College.
more Meet at entrance to Lucy Cavendish College at 17.30
more Annual Sports evening and barbecue at Clare College Sports Ground. Details tbc
more Visit to Cambridge Veterinary School, partners welcome to attend. Visit starts at 6.15.pm. Followed by a pub meal.
more Come and experience a game of Real Tennis, started in the 1500s. You can opt to play and have some coaching on the unique scoring system or just to watch.
more CFCI Annual Debate - This House believes that 'Cambridge is Bursting at the Seams'. Free to all, Bar open.
more Evening Bar B Q - our final event for 2012-13 - at Bobs house. The rotary year starts 1st July 2013.
more Evening meeting with Partners 7.00 for 7.30pm, Entertainment by performers in the Young Musician competition 2014. Speaker host-S Franklin, General host-M Frape, Cashier-A Franklin.
back Sharing and enjoying rotary activities is a high priority in Rotary. This committee adds to our friendly group by organising a wide variety of sports and social events throughout the year.