Club members please log in for more information.
Jo Pratchett, our speaker, now lives at Aldwincle near Oundle.
In 1942 she, her parents and her younger brother had escaped from Singapore after the Japanese invasion. They were aboard RMS Laconia sailing towards England when the ship was sunk by a German U-boat. Its commander ordered a rescue operation. but that is only part of the story, which became known as the Laconia Incident.
Our talk is by lady who bears no malice but tells the true tale of a journey like no other, through the eyes of a 14 year old girl as she and her family escape SIngapore in 1942, and experience war and compassion in equal measure.
Regrettably, due to temporarily losing her voice. Jo had to cancel so instead we were entertained by Tony Billson on the biographies of patron saints of Britain, and a brief quiz run by Richard Poynter. Who knew that, "I live, I live, I die, I die, I live, I live, this is the hairy man..." is the chorus of the traditional Kiwi haka, "Ka mate, ka mate" . Good question!
As it was a ladies' evening we were finally able to make a presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Anne Ferguson, mainly for her voluntary work for the NSPCC.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
This page, which is available to anyone who browses the site, gives access to handy information in the public domain
moreThis is where, if you're not already in Rotary, you can learn more about us and can also download a Rotary membership brochure
moreTo quickly see What's On in the next few weeks see the homepage. For a printable list for this year, in PDF format, see below.
moreThis country, formerly known as Swaziland, is one of the principal focusses of our work overseas.
moreThe Rotary Foundation (TRF) is Rotary's own charity and, amongst other things, campaigns and raises funds for the eradication of polio from the world.
moreFriends of Rotary (or specifically of Nene Valley) are people who want to associate themselves with our aims and objectives but are not full members themselves. They support us by assisting with our charitable work or with fund-raising activities.
moreThis is the committee that addresses the 'wants' (and 'needs') of young people. As well as identifying and supporting candidates at RYLA and Calvert Trust we also lead the club's flagship project, the annual Technology Tournament - q.v.
more