History - 2008/2009

A snapshot of the clubs activities during the Rotary year 2008-2009.


29th September 2008 - RYLA Students visit the Club

For several years our Club has joined forces with the Northallerton Rotary Club to send local students on the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) scheme. In 2008 four students attended and one of the highlights of our Rotary year is when the students visit the Club after their courses and give a presentation on their experience. This year was no exception and an enjoyable evening was spent listening to their stories and learning about the leadership experience they had gained.

Pictured above are(l-r) Judith Poole (Brighouse Rotary Club mentor), Becky Sadler, Lewis Gudger, Haydn Blades, Charlotte Hounsome, Simon Kirkup (President, Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club) and Ken Blackwood (Northallerton Rotary Club).

3rd to 6th October 2008 - Visit from GSE Team from California

A Group Study Exchange (GSE) team from California arrived in Northallerton for a weekend visit. On the afternoon they went to the World of James Herriot and are pictured in the surgery's old car.
Pictured front seats (L to R) Lizette Navarette and Sandy McKay; Rear seats (L to R) Kristin Halverson, Sonya Dew; Standing Team Leader Dori Dixon

The Saturday night of the visit coincided with the Club's annual Charter Dinner, held this year in the splendid setting of Bedale Hall. Besides many visiting Rotarians and Guests, the Club was delighted to welcome the Californian GSE Team to join the celebrations. They are pictured here with Club President, Simon Kirkup.

5th November 2008 - Bonfire Night and a Charity Night Cheque Presentation

On 5th November, after members had helped North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service with a collection and stewarding at the annual Town Bonfire, members retired for a meal at the Aroma Restaurant on Zetland Street.

Earlier in the year the Aroma had held a charity night and are pictured here on 5th November presenting Club President Simon Kirkup with a cheque for £250 which will be going to Rotary Charities, namely the Great North Air Ambulance and Herriot Hospice Home Care.

25th November 2008 - Rotary Young Chef Competition

Rotary Young Chef is a national competition and for the first time Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club, in conjunction with the Allertonshire School, Northallerton, hosted a round of the competition.

Four 'young chefs', all year 8 students, competed in a close fought contest under the watchful gaze of judge Malcolm Warne, Editor and Food Critic for the Darlington and Stockton Times.

The winner was Jason Curia who subsequently went on through later rounds of the competition to reach the national final.

Thanks go to the Aroma Restaurant in Northallerton for sponsoring the ingredients and the prizes, and to Lucite at Stockton for sponsoring the winner's trophy.

Pictured above are Club Vice-President Anne Miller and Judge Malcolm Warne with the competitors l to r - William Henderson, Arran-Tey Weddurburn, Jason Curia and Rebecca Worgan

15th December 2008 - Charity Cheque Presentations

The club staged one of the most eagerly-anticipated nights of the year when thousands of pounds were distributed to local charities.

President Simon Kirkup presented cheques from another highly successful Golf Day, held at the Bedale Golf Club in June 2008, to Northdale Horticulture, the Alistair Bullen Aromatherapy Fund, and the Allertonshire School in Northallerton where children are undertaking a special gardens project.

Further cheques were presented to the Great North Air Ambulance, and Herriot Hospice Home Care, following another successful fund-raising dinner at the Aroma Restaurant.

Each of the beneficiaries gave a short address outlining how the money would be allocated. Pictured above are (left to right): Ken Welding (Great North Air Ambulance), Simon Cross (Northdale Horticulture), Judith Steele (Herriot Hospice Home Care), Simon Kirkup (President, Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club), Kathryn Almond (Alistair Bullen Aromatherapy Fund), David Smith and David Batchelor (Batchelors of Ripon) and David Bradley (Head, Allertonshire School, Northallerton).

December 2008 - Santa Collections

The Club was busy in the run-up to Christmas helping Santa and collecting for children's charities. On Saturday 13th Santa was at Sainsbury's. On the evenings of Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th Santa was taken on his sleigh around the estates to the north of Northallerton, and on Saturday 20th Santa was at Tesco's. Pictured above are Club members with Santa outside Tesco's.

19th January 2009 - Young Chef Update

12 year old Jason Curia from Northallerton won through to the Regional round of the national Rotary Young Chef competition. Jason won a qualifying round organised by Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club and held at the Allertonshire School where he is a pupil. As runner-up in the District round held on Monday 19th January at Betty's Cookery School, Harrogate, Jason went on with 16 year old James Hutchinson from Skipton to represent the Rotary District in the Regional final to be held at Mexborough in March.

In the District round there were nine contestants ranging from 12 to 16 years old. Jason had to cook and present a three course healthy meal for two for 15. His menu was Goats cheese and red onion Filo parcel followed by Homemade beef meatballs with Ditali pasta and for dessert Apple and Pear wholemeal crumble.

The judges praised Jason's meal. Afterwards Jason said "The judges seemed to like my crumble. I'm delighted to go forward to the next round."

3rd March 2009 - Technology Tournament

On 3 March 83 pupils from schools, mainly in Hambleton and Richmondshire, took part in a technology tournament organised by Rotary and held at Catterick Garrison. The 21 teams had to make and fly a satellite. The Foundation section was won by pupils from Cundall Manor School, the Intermediate section by Hurworth School, and the Advanced section by Wensleydale School.

7th March 2009 - Jason through to National Young Chef final

Further success for 12 year old Jason Curia from Northallerton who won the Regional Final held at Hill House School, Auckley near Doncaster, and went on to the National Final of the 2009 Rotary Young Chef competition.

At the Regional final Jason was the youngest competitor, competing against 7 other contestants up to 16 years of age from as far afield as Northampton, Matlock, Cleethorpes and Skipton. His 'healthy eating' menu of Salmon Parfait followed by Homemade Meatballs with Mediterannean Vegetables and for dessert an Apple and Pear Wholemeal Crumble was highly commended by the judges.

Afterwards Jason said "My meatballs were a hit. I'm delighted to have won and go forward to the national final."

9th March 2009 - Visit by GSE Tanzania team

Back row (left to right): Della Cannings (group leader), John Philip (District Governor). Front: Andy Bamforth, Katherine Forsey, Mark Gee, Ruth Grindrod.

Monday was a proud occasion for Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club when it hosted a presentation by the outgoing group study exchange team from District 1040 who set out for a month-long vocational visit to Tanzania in April. During this time they will stay with Rotarians and also take part in a safari to the Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti. The team is led by Northallerton Mowbray member Della Cannings and selection involved the District Governor, the Chairman of the Foundation Committee, the GSE co-ordinator and the team leader. The four-strong team comprises: Dr Katherine Forsey, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ilkley, who works with the Arboretum at Kew, Castle Howard; Andy Bamforth, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Denby Dale, from the University of Huddersfield; Mark Gee, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Harrogate, a police sergeant; and Ruth Grindrod, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Skipton, a police constable. Rotarians from 17 different clubs attended the meeting, which was a rehearsal for the many presentations the team will be making in Tanzania and also at a Rotary conference from five countries in Kenya. Group Study Exchange is an educational programme of the Rotary Foundation. It is where the Rotary districts in different countries are paired to send and receive professional study groups of non-Rotarian members and one Rotarian team leader, to travel for four to six weeks staying in the homes of Rotarians. It is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women in the initial years of professional life adult. GSE is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among young adults so they can address the needs of their communities and an increasingly global workplace.

2nd May 2009 - Young Chef final report

Jason Curia, from Northallerton, did tremendously well to reach the national final from over 4000 initial contestants.

The 2009 Final of Rotary Young Chef was held at North Hertfordshire College in Hitchin. Eight young hopefuls from across the United Kingdom, supported by family, friends, supporters from their sponsoring Rotary Clubs and Districts were welcomed by a large contingent of helpers from the local Rotary Club of Hitchin on behalf of District 1260, and Rotary GB&I President Ian Thomson.

All the contestants put up a fantastic performance, with the standards of organisation, preparation and presentation of the food of the highest order.

The District was represented by Jason Curia of Northallerton, sponsored by the Club. Jason had made a whole new art form out of Italian Meatballs! His menu was rounded off by a parfait of salmon, and an apple and pear crumble. Members of the Rotary Club have been willing guinea pigs in sampling the results as Jason had perfected this menu across the rounds in Northallerton, via the District Final at Betty's Cookery School, and the Regional Final at Doncaster.

Jason was one of the youngest contestants through all these rounds, and remained unruffled throughout, and at Hitchin was ably supported by his Mum, Karen, and cookery teacher Sue and her husband, as well as members of the Rotary Club.

After a close contest, the event was won by Hailey Vickers of Dorchester. Jason received a plaque, a certificate, a chefs top and a gift voucher from the sponsors Filippo Berio

The whole event was enjoyed by everybody. There were opportunities to meet other Rotary Members, and the celebrity judges. This really is a great event, showcasing the talents of young people.

15th June 2009 - Club visit to York

The Club made a visit to York to meet York Guide Barry Stephenson who took them on a tour of some of the more historic parts of the City. Barry had been guest speaker at the Club earlier in the year and had so inspired members with his talk and pictures it was decided to see the sights for real! The two-hour guided walk was enjoyed by all, as was the fish and chip supper at the Wetherby Whaler on the way home.

22nd June 2009 - Visit to the Allertonshire School

On 22nd June Members attended the Allertonshire School, Northallerton. Earlier in the Rotary year monies had been donated to the school which had been used, amongst other things, to help establish gardens for pupils to learn about gardening and gain some 'hands-on' experience. Members visited the gardens with some of the pupils who explained their project and said that some of the produce had already been used in the School kitchen.

Following the visit members then adjourned to the Food Technology block where they met Jason Curia and his parents. Jason had been sponsored by the Club in the Rotary Young Chef competition and had reached the final. Jason treated members to his speciality meatballs followed by fruit salad with his special Yoghurt and Orange Zest accompaniment. Monies for the meal were then collected and donated to Jason for his chosen charity, Imagine.

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Highlights from earlier years

back These pages give some idea of the things the Club has achieved in previous year's