2010 District Conference

The 21st Annual District 1290 Conference took place over the weekend of the 26th - 28th February. 

In a slight change to the format, the conference did not start on the Friday lunchtime as it has in the past but for the members of our club, it started earlier than for others from the district when Peter and Jan completed their trek to Falmouth.

The Friday evening meal set the tone for the rest of the conference with a great meal and great entertainment.  Harpist, Elizabeth Jane Baldry started the entertainment with some great tales in between the various pieces she played.  She was followed by Emma Staples and Jonathan Delbridge.

The conference proper, started on the Saturday morning and the first of the main speakers was Brian Seage from the Peninsula Medical & Dental School - who the clubs in the Plymouth area supported with the Rotary centenary project back in 2005.

Following Brian was the Rotary GB&I President and RI President's representative before we were taken on a trip around the world by Brian Jones.  Brian, together with Bertrand Piccard became the first men to fly a balloon around the world back in 1999.  This was an amazing adventure and changed their lives in so many ways.  After picking up the million dollar prize money for this achievement, they formed the Winds of Hope charitable foundation, supporting and raising awareness of the plight of the world's children suffering in unreported and forgotten circumstances.

Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde was next up to tell us about the role of the House of Lords before we broke for lunch.

Danny Bamping had had to drop out of the conference but at short notice Ursula Davy spoke in the afternoon on the topic of Restormel Archaeology.  Despite battling low numbers due to District Council taking place at the same time, Ursula informed those present that despite common belief, evidence has been found that the Romans did indeed occupy Cornwall.

The reception prior to the Saturday night banquet saw President Peter receive 2 awards - 2nd place in Foundation per capita giving and also to recognise our contribution to the end Polio Now campaign.

The meal itself, again lived up to the standard we had become acustomed to.  The conference committe also did a stirling job with the entertainment - again having to overcome a last monute cancellation.  First up were the Java 5 harmony group who were then followed by operatic soprano Donna-Marie Hughes.  Tank Sherman, who many of us saw at last years cabaret show ended off the evening and had everyone doubled up in laughter.

With a few sore heads, the Sunday kicked off bright and early at 9.00.  Norman Proctor spoke on the Jaipur Limb Project and he was joined by Debbie Grosch-Squance - who spoke to us as a club last year.  Debbie lost one of her legs due to a flesh eating virus but has not let this stop her continuing her passion of running.

The 2009 Group Study Exchange Team who went to Nepal (featuring our own Jenny Walrond) were next up and gave another fascinating insight into life in Nepal.

Following the Rotary GB&I President and RI President's representative, we were treated a musical feast courtesy of Plympton's Ridgeway school choir.  This brought DG Ken almost to tears. 

And so with the traditional farewell lunch, conference was over for another year.