Welcome to the Rotary Club of Bakewell in the heart of the Peak District National Park

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23rd March Repair Cafe at the Methodist Church

23rd March Repair Cafe at the Methodist Church

The next Cafe will be at Bakewell Methodist Church 10am to 1pm

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Climate Clever

Climate Clever

Rotary Bakewell have signed up to the Climate Clever commitment to fight back against the climate crisis. They have now been awarded a Certificate of Progress having completed the first level.

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An Opportunity for You

An Opportunity for You

We have several new members joining us and are always looking for more to join our ranks to help enhance our events, projects and fund raising activities.

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About us

7th February - Climate Clever

Rotary Bakewell had a talk by Mike Gray on the Climate Clever initiative which aims to involve schools, businesses and Rotary Clubs in our district in initiatives to help tackle climate change issues. President Ann Esders signed the club up to a commitment to act.


31st January - Evening meeting - Talk about the Galapagos Islands

 Kathy Hopkins gave us a fascinating and informative talk about their visit to the Galápagos Islands and a week-long stay there with the base for meals and overnight on small 11-berth ship and with daily outings to all the islands and their inhabitants - and swimming and snorkelling with sea lions!

22nd January - Cheque for Ashgate Hospice

Jane Meredith, President Ann, John Hopkins and Peter Huxtable visited the hospice last Monday (22nd) to present a cheque for £500 from the club, our most recent donation to their wonderful work. They are pictured with Ashgate's Community Relationship Fundraiser, Adele Taylor (2nd from right) who spoke to the club at one of our evening meetings last year. 

2024 - Lundy Island

Our first talk of the year was about history, intrigue, smuggling and wildlife on Lundy Island. This tiny island had its own currency at one time and still issues its own stamps.

Talk given by Evelyn- Rita 

Rotary Bakewell Christmas activities

The club raised some £1,050 from its fund-raising activity during December from street collections at the Coop store, with thanks to the support from the store management, and also at the Aldi store, thanks to support once again from manager Richard Goddard.

The annual carol service in conjunction with the Mayor and Council was held at the methodist church on 21st December and the service was conducted by Rev Fran Johnson – and was addressed by Dr Dan Crook from EMICS (East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme) and the collection was in aid of the charity.

From left Mayor Alyson Hill, Dan Crook, Ann Esders, Evelyn-Rita Hickin


The service was followed by a very convivial lunch at the Rutland Arms attended by about 30 guests.

Rotary Bakewell Christmas Collections

Santa was out at the Coop store in Bakewell on two Saturdays in December as part of the Rotary club commitment to the community and its youngsters.

We also have collections at Aldi on four mornings before Christmas (13,14, 18 & 19 Dec) – with support once again from the Aldi store manager Richard Goddard and his staff - and with some of the collection going towards President Ann’s charity for the year East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS).


Aldi store collection, from left Evelyn-Rita Hickin, store manager Richard Goddard, and Mary Ingham

Rotary Bakewell helps Rowsley Primary School play the bells

As part of its small grants’ initiative, the club has funded Rowsley primary school to purchase a class set of glockenspiels. President Ann Esders accompanied by Rotarian Chris Harrison present a cheque to Claire Harrison chair of the PTFA whilst listening to class 1 perform an enthusiastic rendition of jingle bells on the glockenspiels.

Rowsely School

29th November - Goboka Rwanda Trust

Heather Thomas a founder member of the locally based charity which supports and delivers projects to help the Rwandan people spoke to Rotary Bakewell at our evening meeting. She described how support in terms of farm animals, construction tools, sewing machines etc. have been provided to small rural communities across Rwanda. Projects to build and help set up health centres have been delivered.



A welcome to returning member Nellie Harvey

Club members were pleased to welcome Nellie to the club at their evening meeting. She is pictured (right) with President Ann Esders.

Rotary Bakewell support for Baslow School project

 

As part of its first Community Grants scheme the Club is delighted to support St Annes Primary school Baslow in its plant growing project. Staff and pupils have planted a wide variety of bulbs and corms in pots and grassy banks around the school.

A presentation was made at the school on Wednesday 22nd November.

 

Rotary President Ann Esders presents a cheque for £250 to Headteacher Marie Clark, School Business Manager Vicki Jacob and teaching assistant Vicki Graus along with year 5 pupils Maisie, Nina, Harriet, Barnaby and Hayden.


15th November

A packed room at the Rutland Arms were given a very entertaining and informative talk by Dr Clive Waddington who is the Managing Director of Bakewell based Archaeological Research Services. They have recently been awarded the King's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category. He described how they use remote sensing techniques to carry out non-intrusive archeological surveys. He also described how archaeology has been used in Bakewell to explore evidence behind local legends of Prince Arthur, Henry VIII's older brother. 


1st November

The speaker at our lunchtime meeting was Judith Orchard, a local beekeeper. She is alerting the public to the threat posed by invasive Asian Hornets which have become established in a number of European countries where they have caused great disruption to native bees. 

Bakewell Rotary Repair Café

We had our second successful café at Bakewell Methodist church on Saturday 28th October.
We are planning the next Repair Café on Saturday 25th November so if you have some repair skills and would like to join us, please contact the Café Co-ordinator, Margie Stuckey, on 01629 813638. Feel free to bring items in need of repair between 10am and noon, we will do our best to fix them and save them from being sent to landfill.



East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme

25th October Dr Daniel Crook spoke at our evening meeting at the Rutland about the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS). Dan is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Chesterfield Royal Hospital but also provides voluntary support to EMICS. This involves him in turning out to assist and work alongside the Ambulance Service when required at the most serious of incidents and medical emergencies. Getting an experienced emergency medicine doctor to the scene can save lives, especially in rural areas where it can take significant time to get someone to hospital. EMICS is a charity and their doctors are all unpaid volunteers. 

EMICS is President Ann Esders' chosen charity for the year. She is shown below with Dr Dan Crook.



At our lunchtime meeting on the 18th October we welcomed Ian Ward from the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) which was last year’s President David Goodlad’s nominated charity and we had recently donated a further £1,000 to them.  Ian spoke of the personal involvement of his wife Elaine and his following the sudden collapse and unexpected death of their son Neil in 1992 and the impact it has had on their family. Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy under 35’s die from undiagnosed heart conditions – several have been in the Hope Valley. The NHS does not provide any regular monitoring – and in addition to the research funding of CRY, Ian and Elaine raise funds to provide a series of screenings for applicants in Derbyshire (for around 100 each time). Increased costs of the medics and equipment have now limited this to two a year – and the next is scheduled in Dronfield in July 2024.

Bakewell Rotary Quiz Night

Rotary Bakewell's famous quiz night returned to the Medway Centre in Bakewell on Friday

6th October There were 12 teams for a very good evening of fun regular quizmaster John Kelcey assisted by Sue – along with a bar, excellent buffet, and raffle. The winning team were the Friday Club and the evening raised £500 for local charities and our Repair Café.

Bakewell Rotary Repair Cafe

On Saturday 23rd September the Rotary Club of Bakewell were very pleased to welcome Bakewell Mayor, Alyson Hill, to open the inaugural Repair Café at the Bakewell Methodist Church.


The event was a great success with over 17 items brought in and success in repairing most of these items. It was great to be able to save some items which would otherwise have been sent to landfill and to welcome everyone who came along just to see what was happening.

Local Rotarians were out in force to support the event and we were grateful for donations from the local Aldi, the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund and for the funds given by those who had repairs undertaken.

We are planning the next Repair Café on Saturday 28th October so if you have some skills and would like to join us, please contact the Café Co-ordinator, Margie Stuckey, on 01629 813638.

Or if you have something to be repaired, please come along and we will endeavour to help you with it.

Our speaker on 27th September was Dr Roger Summers, former Director of Police Forensic Services, a senior lecturer in forensic and crime sciences, a member of Amber Valley Rotary and a past District Governor. A most convivial meeting and Roger gave us a very detailed, informative and fascinating presentation with insight into crime detection and the use of DNA and the use of dental, facial and body unique features.

Dr Roger Summers with Club President Ann Esders

Railways in the Blood - At our meeting on 20th September Phil Crosby entertained Rotary Bakewell with an account of his involvement with the railways. He worked all over the country throughout his career, at times assisting with accident investigations; latterly he moved to Bakewell while working in Derby. He is seen below with Rotarians Geoff Sheldon (left) and Roy Pickles (right).




Bakewell Rotary Annual Duck Race - 10th September

At 2pm the Bakewell ducks leaped into the River Wye from the 14th Century stone arch bridge. They were helped on their way by members of the Bakewell Carnival committee.

The banks of the river were lined by enthusiastic visitors, many of whom had bought tickets to support our local charities. Over £1500 was raised, a great result!

The race finished at the Iron Bridge having navigated the weir and passed under the Lock Bridge.

The ticket for the winning duck (286) was bought by Allissa Wibberley, pictured below with her family receiving the first prize of £100 from our President Ann.



Bakewell Rotary Speaker Round-up

Members and guests have had some interesting speakers at our recent gatherings.  Adele Taylor gave a detailed and very personal presentation on the work of Ashgate Hospice and the support for her late husband and her family during his terminal illness. She was introduced by member Jane Meredith who is also a trustee of the hospice.


Aldi store manager Richard Goddard gave us a detailed description and insight of the company and his daily routine, and some anecdotes gathered since he opened the doors in Bakewell March 2019 with GB Olympic gold medallist Frances Houghton cutting the ribbon.

Member John Craike gave a second episode of the Titanic disaster with some fascinating reflections of the times and social and political attitudes prevailing in 1912.

Bakewell Rotary Repair Cafe

Ahead of the opening of the Rotary Bakewell Repair Cafe at the Methodist Church Saturday 23rd September (10am to 2pm) Sheelagh Handy from the Tideswell Repair Cafe was our guest speaker at our lunchtime meeting at the Rutland Arms, Bakewell on 2nd August. She gave very helpful advice and assistance to assist in the final preparations for starting our own regular cafe – with further dates of 28th October and 25th November already booked.

Three of our members Allen Bower, Mike Gray and Jane Meredith are already involved at Tideswell – and Margie Stuckey from the Medway Centre is coordinating the cafe for Bakewell Rotary.

Sheelagh Handy from Tideswell and District Environment Group's Repair Cafe

New Paul Harris Fellowship for long and proactive service was presented to Tom Marshall

Rotary Bakewell New Members on Parade

At our club meeting on the 26th July our latest new member Mayne Fakharuzi was formally inducted by President Ann Esders. Mayne, our youngest member, originally from Malaysia is studying for her PhD in brain medical research at Sheffield. 

 Later in the evening another of our new members Jane Meredith gave a fascinating insight into her career in medical research in Canada on breast cancer drugs, and latterly with Pfizer in the UK on lung cancer drugs. Having turned down an opportunity in 2012 to take up a similar role in Wuhan she became a guide for the trans Orient Express and is now settled in the Peak District. She is an active fundraiser for Ashgate Hospice.  She is pictured (centre) with President Ann and Secretary Peter Huxtable.


A Life of Grime

Nick Hardie was a guest speaker at the regular lunchtime meeting on 19th July and gave a very extensive presentation on his long and varied career as a mining engineer from fullers earth in Bath, coal in Yorkshire, fluorspar in Derbyshire, gold and gypsum in Ireland – tunnelling in London and under the Humber - and more recently in health and safety and management training in many places around the world including China, India, Iran and Turkey. He currently is also the Mine Manager for the iron ore mine in Scunthorpe and trustee at the Ecton Mine Educational centre in Staffordshire.

Schools debate returns.

Bakewell Rotary again organised the annual debating competition between Lady Manners School, Bakewell and Highfields School, Matlock at Lady Manners’ Library on Tuesday 4th July. There were some very lively participations from both the 6th Form debaters and the younger Juniors (Year 8). The junior debate took the form of a Question Time like the radio and TV versions. Each team chose their subject from a shortlist presented at the start of the evening – and had 5 minutes preparation before arguing for and against. Does the use of technology make people lazy? was chosen and proposed by Lady Manners’ and Are gender specific toys suitable for children today? by Highfields’.  After their deliberations the Lady Manners team were declared the winners. The senior debate was run on the more classical lines with the proposition that in professional sport, men and women should receive equal pay was won by Highfields who opposed the motion. 

Evelyn Rita Hickin gave a commentary based on the judges’ deliberations and praised the high standards of research and delivery from all the teams. President David Goodlad presented the winning teams with the cup -and all participants received a book token.


Bakewell Rotary Handover and Presentations

David Goodlad handed over the Presidency to Ann Esders at the lunchtime club meeting at the Rutland Arms, Bakewell on Wednesday 5th July. He also presented her with one of the highest honours in Rotary – a Paul Harris Fellowship for her long and active service with the club.

Following the successful Brass in the Park concert the previous week, two of the four bands were able to join the meeting to receive their cheques for their participation in the event – which separately had raised some £850 for the Rob Burrow Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Appeal fund run by Leeds Hospital charities – in memory of the late former Rotary Bakewell President Mike Fowler who started (and played in) the concerts.

The meeting also updated the plans for the inaugural Rotary Bakewell Repair Café to be launched at the Methodist Church Hall on Saturday 23rd September.

Brass in the Park

Rotary Bakewell's 8th  Brass in the Park open air concert was held amidst this year's Bakewell Carnival week on the Recreation Grounds on Wednesday 28th June. Despite intermittently wet weather there was a very good turn-out and over £700 was raised on the night for the Rob Burrow Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Research Appeal. 

The concert was in memory of our former Club President, Professor Mike Fowler, who started these concerts in 2007 and who was a stalwart member of Cressbrook Band and to support Dr Louise Jordan, formerly practice head Baslow Surgery and founder of Helen's Trust, which the club has regularly supported. Judy Fowler opened the event along with current Club President David Goodlad. The 2-hour programme which included a great mixture of music with each of the four bands (Bakewell Silver, Cressbrook Brass, Tideswell Brass and Youlgrave Silver) contributing a 20 minute segment followed by all four playing as a massed band.

You can still donate here  https://givealittle.co/campaigns/fa4cd6fc-9b9a-4554-b2ce-06de6ea6d9b6


The finale featuring all four bands was "Oh what a night"  (click link to play) requested by Dr Louise Jordan – and specially adapted for the massed four bands by Caty Heelin conductor of Youlgrave

See programme here - Brass_in_Park_Programme_June_2023.pdf

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Bakewell Rotary Annual pilgrimage to Carsington Sailing Club.

Rotary Bakewell held their meeting on Wednesday 14th June at Carsington Sailing Club – and an opportunity to enjoy the glorious views and the great summer weather. Wednesday is the regular Sailability session for disabled users using their trained instructors with the three specially designed boats supplied by Bakewell Rotary in previous years, and an opportunity for us to see this in action.

 

One of the boats donated by Rotary Bakewell.

King’s Coronation Tea Party

Member Rita Hickin joined our teatime meeting on 31st May at the Rutland Arms to tell us about her invitation and visit to King Charles Buckingham Palace tea party on 3rd May just before the Coronation.

She was invited for her work with The Scout Association for over 40 years. A most entertaining presentation and a great honour for Rita. She is also a volunteer with the National Trust and for many years the lead supporter of RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) held in Buxton twice a year.

Presidents Evening – Bakewell Golf Club 24th May

A very convivial gathering for some 30 Bakewell Rotarians, partners and guests and an excellent hot buffet on a warm Spring evening was held on 24th May at Bakewell Golf Club. Unfortunately, our guest speaker Keith Mosely of Air Ambulance had to cancel at very short notice due to illness – but our own David Rawson BEM gave a very lively presentation on his years with the Grenadier Guards in London and overseas with many humorous anecdotes. Peter Huxtable organised a fun general quiz and a cryptic clue quiz. The raffle raised some £135 which will go to the President’s chosen charity CRY (Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the Young).

Rotary Bakewell – Welcomes new Peak Park Chief to their lunchtime meeting.

Phil Mulligan the new Chief Executive at PDNP (Peak District National Park) was the speaker at our well-attended lunchtime meeting at the Rutland Arms, Bakewell on 17th May.  Phil joined the authority September 2022 with an extensive background in the environmental and voluntary sectors most recently as Director, East Midlands for the Canal & River Trust – and having held various executive and board positions including National Trust Council, United Nations Association UK, The Landscape Institute and The Conservation Volunteers Trust.

He outlined the history and demographics of the Park and its 38,000 residents and 26 million annual visitors – along with the decreasing allocation of central government funds in recent years – and the challenges this presents!  He stressed that public input into the Peak park’s local plans is being sought – and he was aware of the concerns over the closures of information centres. Time limited the number of questions from those present – and he has offered to return at a later date to continue with further discussion and dialogue with club members.

Social Musical Evening 26th April

Over 20 Rotarians and friends gathered at the Red Lion, Bakewell for a very enjoyable last Wednesday in the month evening gathering – with a bit of local music provided by singer/songwriter Jamie Jones airing his latest  composition – and there was a great discussion on the latest Rotary project to open a Bakewell Repair Café in the autumn!

Rotary Bakewell - Senior Citizens’ Tea Party returns 

Seniors party

Some 70 invited guests attended the Easter Senior Citizens’ tea party organised by Rotary Bakewell at the Methodist Church Hall in Bakewell on Friday 21st April, a return after more than 3 years.  The event had been rescheduled from 31st March due to an unexpected very high level of Covid/flu sickness cancellations from those who had been invited that earlier day.

A very convivial afternoon and much appreciated and enjoyed by all. Christine, Margaret, and Ruth produced all the sandwiches, food and drinks in the kitchens with ingredients kindly provided by Aldi and Bloomers – and trifle from Rotarian Mary Ingham. President David Goodlad opened proceedings. Bakewell Rotarians had set up the tables and served the guests at their tables.  Entertainment was provided by the Tom Pilkington trio and some wonderful singing from Louise – and also later some community singing.  Everyone was given an Easter egg with a raffle ticket– and there was a draw for three food hampers which had been kindly donated by local businesses.

All in all, a very enjoyable afternoon – and David Rawson who had organised the day thanked everyone and the Church for their assistance and support – and to all those guests who had joined us. Rotarians assisted in taking and escorting some home.


Rotary Bakewell Learns more about the intricacies of Brain Health

Our speaker at our evening social meeting at Red Lion, Bakewell on Wednesday 29th March was Mayne Fakharuzi.  Mayne is studying for her PhD at Sheffield University and has attended previous club gatherings. The subject was Brain Health and prompted a very lively and interactive discussion with those present. Mayne along with our currently youngest club member and Bakewell Rotary scholar Dave Cook completed the Sheffield half-marathon on Sunday (26th) after a quick return from their visit to the Eden Project in Cornwall on Saturday!!


Rotary Bakewell Donates £1,000 to Aquabox for the Syria/Turkey Earthquake mission

From the proceeds of the collections in February at the Aldi Store, Bakewell, the Club is sending £1,000 to Aquabox in Wirksworth for urgent relief aid. This will fund water filters to provide drinkable water even where the supply is very poor. 

Will Throssel guest speaker at Rotary Bakewell meeting on 15th March

Will Throssel

At the Events Suite, Rutland Arms, Bakewell our speaker was Will Throssel from Archaeological Research Services (www.archaeologicalresearchservices.combased out of Bakewell. Will is a geophysicist and is Chief Operating Officer and lives in Buxton. The company is a highly recognised organisation and Will outlined several of the more recent faster and less intrusive investigative tools – and showed several recent success stories with the Environment Agency and the HS2 project.   The company, founded by local Derbyshire lad Clive Waddington, is again this year in line for industry awards for its work.

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Happening soon...

Wed, Mar 20th 2024 12:30 pm

Speaker Meeting at the Rutland Arms

Gary Peat from Lady Manners School will give a talk in the event suite

details
23rd March Repair Cafe at the Methodist Church

Sat, Mar 23rd 2024 10:00 am

23rd March Repair Cafe at the Methodist Church

The next Cafe will be at Bakewell Methodist Church 10am to 1pm

details

Wed, Mar 27th 2024 6:00 pm

Social meeting at the Rutland

Evening meeting with a talk from Allen Bower

details

Meetings & Venue

Where and when:

We meet on Wednesdays at 12:30

(We meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Rutland Arms Bakewell - and normally a social meeting on the last Wednesday of the month at 6pm. If you wish to attend please contact: johncraike@btinternet.com 01433 650966, 07969 846411) Rutland Arms Function Suite
The Square
Bakewell
DE45 1BT  01629 812812
W3W:  ///cracking.pocket.purified

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