Speaker: Rotary Peace Fellow, Leo Buccahan & 6.00 pm - Council Meeting at Sunley Conference Centre

Mon, Mar 16th 2015 at 12:00 am - 2:00 am

Speaker: Rotary Peace Fellow, Leo Buccahan & 6.00 pm - Council Meeting at Sunley Conference Centre


The Purpose of Rotary Peace Centres

The Rotary Peace Centres offer individuals committed to peace and cooperation the opportunity to pursue an MA degree in international studies, peace studies, and conflict resolution at one of the six universities around the world where they are located. Rotary Peace Fellows will be looked to as leaders who will promote national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through their service activities.

Rotary Peace Centers also exist to advance research, teaching, publication, and knowledge of issues of peace, goodwill, conflict and its resolution, and world understanding. The Rotary Peace Centers have been designed as a program through which The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and the member clubs of Rotary International may become increasingly effective in promoting greater tolerance and cooperation among peoples, leading to world understanding and peace.

A Day (well almost) with Leo Buccahan - Peace Fellow

On Monday 16th March, Leo Buccahan, accompanied by Immediate Past District Governor Margaret Morley and her husband Andrew, visited our club as guest Speaker.

Only after his presentation did we ascertain that this the first talk he had given to a Rotary Club - and what a wonderful insight into his life and work it was.  For one so relatively young he had achieved so much from a very difficult start in life.  His firm belief was that many of the troubles in the world would be eradicated if every child had access to a good education. His professional presentation, nothing less than you would expect from someone being voted student teacher and writer of the year at Benguet State University in La Trinidad, was inspiring and thought provoking. His degree course as a Peace Fellow sponsored by Rotary Foundation runs until October and he hoped that some members of our club could be with him at Bradford University on 31st of that month.  A date for you diaries - more information will follow.  Finishing exactly at the time he predicted he then went on to field a number of questions from the floor.  Leo was surely one of the best visiting speakers we have heard for quite some time.

After leaving the Lunch meeting, Evan and I took him to the Guild Hall for the start of a Blue Badge guided tour of some of the highlights of Northampton Town.  John Brown was our guide of some 27 years experience, and at one time had worked alongside our very own Gary Schaeffer! Sadly we could not access the main hall as a wedding was taking place, and despite John's plea that we could just look inside we were denied. We visited the NCC court rooms and were told of their history, before moving on to learning about the premises now occupied by the George Row Club, All Saints Church and other buildings of note. John even collected the key to St Peters Church so that we could privately view the premises. Ultimately we ended up in the Market Square where we said our thankful goodbyes to John. On reflection I think he had allowed the tour to go beyond our allotted time, but he enjoyed Leo's company and responding to the many question he raised. Sadly for Leo he did not have his camera with him.

It was now 4.40pm and we had 40+ minutes to kill, so off to Cafe Nero for three Americanos and a well-deserved sit down!

Shortly before 5.30pm we arrived back at County Hall, where Margaret Morley and Derek Bull were waiting for us. On entry we were warmly welcomed by Cllr Joan Kirkbride, Chairman of NCC, the deputy Chairman, the Chief Executive, the Political Adviser and Karen Firminger - Joan's PA. Perhaps more importantly, on this occasion, Rachel Scott, the Young Leader who had visited the Satellite Group in 2013 was there with four of her Young Leader Colleges.  Sensibly Joan had arranged for the Young Leaders to sit down alone with Leo and they had 30 minutes of quite wide ranging discussions. We were then gathered together for a guided tour of the NCC Court Rooms - oh no not again! This time our guide Roger took the tour to a new level placing the Young Leaders in the dock and charging them with minor crimes and allowing Margaret to be judge, jury and executioner!  Off to the second court room where Leo, Margaret, Evan and Derek were in the dock and honourable Judge Trevor presided.  Leo was charged with stealing a loaf, Margaret for mixing medicines, Evan for talking to a gypsy and Derek for treason.  The bad news for the first three was that the death sentence "hanging" was issued.  Yes that was the lawful punishment in each case!  The good news for Derek was that his was not a hanging offence, but the bad news it was hanging, drawing and quartering!  A visit to the cells completed the tour.

Fortunately on our return to the Blue Room there was an opportunity for the Young Leaders to have another 30 minutes with Leo.  For the two sessions that Leo was engaged with Rachael and her colleges, Margaret, Derek, Evan & I were free to talk to the NCC Officials about Foundation, Peace Scholars, Polio, and the work of our Rotary club in the town.  The opportunity was not wasted!  Later this month the seven Young Leaders are off to Brussels to the European Parliament, evidence that NCC are taking the role of Young leaders seriously - also evidenced by the budget they had set aside for them.

At 7.30pm the evening was brought to end. Rachael was particularly appreciative of Rotary's involvement and said that they would like to set up some sort of project for the Philippines and could Rotary help.  She will contact me if they have a plan, although she knows we are not talking about large sums of money.  It's good that they are thinking along these lines.

To conclude, Margaret sent an e-mail later that night saying that Leo had not stopped talking about the day's programme and that he particularly enjoyed being with the young people and everything they discussed.  He went on to say that he picked up on reactions to his presentation and felt that he can make it even better.

This is not the end of the story.  To be continued ~~~~~

Trevor Thomas


'What We Do' Main Pages:

Newsletter Library 2023

more  

We are celebrating 100 years of service in the Community and Internationally in 2021-22

more  

The Satellite Group is for Club members who would rather meet in the evening, instead of at lunchtime. Their activities include a full range of Rotary activities. Some of these are shown below

more  

We have been twinned with two other International Clubs for many years and enjoy regular visits to each others countries.

more  

Helping people round the world through International Service. Examples of previous projects are shown on the right. Just click on the picture for more information.

more  

How we raise funds to support local organisations and charities

more  

Projects for which the Club has obtained a Grant from Rotary Foundation Funding

more  

Providing support to people locally

more  

Offering Opportunities for Young People

more  

Club History

more  

All Northampton Rotary Events

more  

Buy on line and support our Rotary charities

more  

The Rotary Club of Northampton welcomes members of our community who cannot spare the time or the resources to be full members, but would like to help with certain events.

more