Welcome to a new Rotary Year and a new President

Angeles Walford, Immediate Past President of The Rotary Club of Cheam and Sutton was duly elected to take on that role with us here at the Rotary Club of Morden.

Pictured from right to left above are Assistant Governor Foulsade Demuren, Fiona, wife of the District Governor, Tim Vile who is on her left and President Angeles.

President Angeles has certainly hit the ground running as the Rotary New Year officially opens on July 1st. On July 7th she managed and volunteered at the Morden Family Fun Day. Despite the weather, it was a great day but not without challenges. These we shall iron out next year.

Messages from our past Presidents follow. Watch this space for more news.

John de Ronde, Club Secretary

Messages from President Tony, 2023-24

Christmas 2023

A message from your secretary on behalf of our President, Tony Hunn.

We are now busying ourselves with the Christmas collections. We have decided to suspend the mobile collections this year in favour of static collections at designated locations near to or on the routes we previously took. 

We are also joining with two local organisations - the Merton and Morden Guild (M&M Guild) and Morden Little League to help us with our collections and to combine resources. We will be at M&M Guild with Santa’s Grotto and the Sleigh on the 18th, 20th and 22nd December. Rotary in Britain and Ireland (RIBI) nationally encourages cooperation with local community organisations and businesses to better serve the community.

We have also been invited, with our sleigh, to join LB Merton for the Morden Christmas Lights Switch-on Event 24th November 4.30-6.40pm on the Civic Centre forecourt. Come and join us to swing a bucket! 

For a celebratory Christmas meeting and evening dinner, to which all our newsletter recipients are cordially invited, we have booked the Kapak Restaurant, Raynes Park (opp. Waitrose) for December 14th, 6.30 for 7pm start. Full dinner menu for only £15 per member. Parking is available at Waitrose.

This will be our last such special fellowship meeting before Christmas, so please come and join us. Please email me at johnderonde@live.com or Margaret Redway at mejredway@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

So, looking forward to an exciting Christmas and and some equally exciting service projects going into next year. More soon!

Every good wish, Tony

 

Messages from President Tony, 2023-24

Autumn 2023

Your secretary is again honoured to be able to send this message on behalf of our President, Tony Hunn.

We are happily well into the Autumn season now and beginning to think about Christmas again! As our group only ever seems to be getting older, we have decided against doing a mobile Christmas Collection this year. We did succeed last year but not without a few hiccups. This we would like to avoid in order not to disappoint our traditional door-to-door donors.

The club instead will be holding static collections at various locations near to our traditional routes and hoping the families will come to us rather than the other way around. Our locfation schedule is pretty much worked out and we shall be advertising soon.

For a celebratory meeting and evening dinner, to which all our newsletter recitpients are cordially invited by the way, we have booked The Taste Restaurant, Merton College, Morden for November 9th, 6.30 for 7pm start.

This will be our only such special fellowship meeting before Christmas, so please come and join us. Please email me at johnderonde@live.com if you plan to attend. We are normally treated to a sumptuous 3-4 course menu at the very reasonable price of £15. We also enjoy supporting the young student chefs and service staff from the catering department.

So, looking forward to an exciting Christmas and a some equally exciting service projects going into next year. More soon!

Every good wish, Tony

 

Message from the President, September 2023

Summer, 2023

Your secretary is again honoured to be able to send this message on behalf of our President, Tony Hunn.

I am now well on the way to recovery from my several hospital visits over the past few months. Getting older has its downside sometimes!

Since the start of this Rotary year, the club has been in the process of instituting a number of changes in structure and working practice.

We agreed to set up a Rotary Club Vision Group whose purpose is to look ahead and to work out a path for us to move forward as a new, reinvigorated club at the service of the community. This year’s international Rotary motto is ‘Create hope in the World’. We hope to continue our traditional work in Morden while partnering with other groups and causes locally and internationally.

The club is now mindful of our upcoming events, including the distribution of Dictionaries4Life (D4L) and our Christmas Collections. D4L is an ever-popular community act of goodwill for the club, generously supported by The Leivers Trust through its trustee, Roger Young, a long-time friend of Morden Rotary. Through it we distribute beautifully illustrated dictionaries to Year 6 primary school leavers in several of our local schools. We hope to continue this and to expand to the special needs schools local to our club venue - that is, in and around Morden.

Christmas collections comprise our annual fund-raising effort, collecting pennies and pounds while spreading Christmas cheer with our mobile Santa Sleigh. We have done this for more years than anyone can remember! However, due to our collective age, we will this year reduce our usual mobile routes to static locations, thus bringing patents and children to us rather than us to them.

As you can see, we have a positive will to forge ahead as active members of the local community. Brighter days are ahead!

Every good wish, Tony

 

Messages from President Tony, 2023-24

July 1, 2023 - The New Rotary Year 

Your secretary is honoured to be able to send this message on behalf of our President, Tony Hunn.

Unfortunately, due to several unplanned hospital visits since the end of April, I have not been able to deliver this memo to you in a timely manner.

On the cusp of changing circumstances, Morden Rotary can now boast a new start to this Rotary year, 2023-2024. Last year’s venerable VP, John Telford became indisposed towards the end of the last Rotary year, so Tony very valiantly stepped in to offer himself in a temporary role until we can elect a sitting president.

Meanwhile, we have recently inducted two new members, John Jelinek and Mansoor Ahmad. Mansoor comes to us from his community in the The Baital Futuh Mosque here in Morden and from a faith with a very much Rotarian motto, ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’. The mosque ‘has featured in national newspapers for its homeless feeding and national/local community cohesion efforts.’  John Jelinek has been with us for over a year now as an associate member and has already shown his credentials as a loyal an active member of the club.

At our last meeting the club agreed to the establishment of a Vision and Mission Group (Steering Group) to discuss upcoming events, projects and community support. Our current and ongoing projects, including Dictionaries4Life, Rotary KidsOut, always managed in the good hands of Tony, Christmas Collections, Christmas visit to Cricket Green School in Mitcham, RCMorden Young Chef competition, as always adeptly managed by Margaret Sinclair, and finally support for the ongoing international projects involving girls’ hygiene in Tanzanian secondary schools.

As you can see, we have a positive will to forge ahead as active members of the local community. Brighter days are ahead!

Every good wish

Tony

There are no messages from the President until July 2023 as your secretary was in Tanzania from 1st January and then fell ill upon return. Fortunately recovered now and aim to keep up.

Message from the President Margaret, 2022-3

Christmas, 2022

‘Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat…’ However, the Rotary goose isn’t getting very fat as the weather so far has meant we have had to cancel some of our collections. When we have been out, people are, as always, delighted to see us. Let us hope that we shall be able to get a good few evenings when we can show off our refurbished sleigh.

We now have the delight of visiting three schools in the borough to deliver the very generous cheques from the Leivers Charity Trust. We are very grateful for their support, and know that the gifts will make a huge difference to the schools, and the children.

It only remains for me to wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas, and may the New Year be one of good health and a renewed wish for ‘Service above Self’. Next year’s meetings begin on Thursday, 12th January, at the Taste.

Every good wish

Margaret

Message from the President, November 2022

 

‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’. This may bring back fond memories. However, November is a month of Remembrance, starting with All Souls Day. I shall be representing the Rotary Club of Morden as I lay a wreath at the Remembrance service at Haig Homes.

I’m sure this day also brings back memories of family or friends who served in the many wars of the last century, some of whom may have given their lives in that service.

On Sunday 20th November, I shall be presenting a cheque for £1,000 to the Old Rutlishians, in gratitude for their help with Christmas collections past and soon to come, and to help them with a large refurbishment plan.

This month’s meetings are on Thursday 10th at Ganley’s when we shall have our AGM, and Thursday 24th at The Taste. I look forward to seeing as many as possible of you at both meetings.

I hope you enjoyed the fireworks, even if your pets didn’t!

Margaret

Message from the President, October 2022

 

I’m sorry to say that we don’t seem to have done a great deal in the last month. I attended the District Club Summit which was extremely interesting, and it was good to meet with fellow Rotarians from other clubs. We were given questions to discuss and on which to give feedback, and I intend sharing some of the answers with you at a future time

We enjoyed the fifth Thursday at the Taste, when Frank (our Past Assistant Governor) and Rabab Hardiman joined us. Unfortunately the Lantern Handbells were unable to entertain us due to Covid.

During the month, the Secretary & I will be meeting the Old Rutlishians to handover the cheque for their assistance with Christmas Collections, and to discuss this year’s routes with them as they are more than willing to help us again. Our Business meeting will be at the Taste on Thursday 13th October, and the following meeting at Ganley’s on Thursday 27th October. Hope to see you at these meetings,

Every good wish

Margaret

Message from the President, September 2022

 

I hope that even if you haven’t managed to reach some far-flung spot in our wonderful planet, you have had time to enjoy the sunshine in Merton in a green space, even in your own back garden.

Judging by the falling leaves, autumn has arrived early in some respects, and I hope we can continue to appreciate the beauty which surrounds us. We met with Roger Stent, the District Governor, at the New Malden Club, and listened to his positive message. It was good to also meet the local Presidents, and members of a neighbouring club.

Kevin Mack, the District Compliance Officer visited our club, and brought us up-to-date with current legislation on all sorts of matters. We have also had our first Christmas Collection Meeting (for this year), and it’s full steam ahead! Please join us in the collections. It is tremendous fun, and our major fund-raiser for the year. Without this, we would be unable to help local causes.

29th September is a Fifth Thursday! We shall be meeting at The Taste, with a raffle, entertainment by the Lantern Handbells, and who knows, drawing of The Fifty Club? I do hope to see you there, hopefully with a guest or two, and we shall have a wonderful evening. 

Thank you for all that you do in the name of Rotary. Every good wish…

Margaret

Message from the President, August 2022

 

Morden Funday took place on Sunday, 17th July, a hot but happy day for all those present. It was good to see people, mainly young families, enjoying themselves again. Her Worship the Mayor of Merton visited the stalls, and then opened the day with words of encouragement to the community. Now is the time to start thinking about what Rotary can do to encourage more people to our stall next year. 

The secretary and I distributed the dictionaries at West Wimbledon, Hatfeild and Sacred Heart Primary Schools at the closing assemblies for Year 6. Those books are miniature encyclopedias, printed in colour and inviting to read (guilty!). It is now compulsory for those entering secondary school in Merton to have a dictionary, and I believe we have given them the best we could. 

Roger Stent, the District Governor, will be visiting the New Malden club on Monday, 15th August, and we are warmly invited to join them. Please let JdR or me know by 10th August if you are able to attend.

Last, but certainly not least, the Rotary Club of Morden do not have a President for 2023-4. As was succinctly put by one of our members at last week’s meeting: ‘No President, no club’. It is vital that we have a name ASAP. Whoever it is, will be supported and encouraged by those who have been before. Please consider this matter urgently; our future is at stake. Enjoy the summer weather, take life a little more slowly if you can, and give serious thought to where we shall be in less than a year’s time. Every good wish…

Margaret

Message from the President, July 2022

 

Happy New Year! Yes, it is the beginning of a new Rotary year, but not a new President. I would be delighted to list all the things which our club has achieved during the past year, and am pleased to say that we continued with Young Chef, and donating dictionaries to schools, but other than presenting a cheque to the Polish Family Association for Ukranian refugees, we have yet to work together as a club to aid the community in which we live.

Individuals have done some sterling work, but we also need to be seen to work in the name of Rotary. Morden Family Funday will be taking place on Sunday, 17th July, and I hope we shall see plenty of Rotarians encouraging people to find out what we do, and hopefully to join us in helping those in need, and perhaps giving us ideas of what we could be doing. We do need to convince people that we are living by our motto of ‘Service Above Self’. 

Perhaps we need to remind ourselves that that is what we signed up to! I hope those of you who are unwell, recovering, or going through a difficult patch will feel much better soon. Enjoy the summer weather, and look forward to seeing you at Morden Funday, and at our regular meetings. Every good wish…

Margaret

Message from the President, June 2022

 

I can hardly believe that I am writing the last Memo letter of this Rotary year. They say time goes more quickly as we get older……. We were delighted to present our cheque of £550 to Slawek Szczepanski, CEO of the Polish Family Association, who are doing amazing work with the Ukranian people who have had to flee their home country. This work is at the New Horizon Centre, Pollards Hill, and at the time of his talk to us, Slawek told us that 115 families were being helped, including 127 children of 15 years and under.

A few Morden Rotarians have said that they would like to give practical help as well. If you feel you could do something, please contact the Secretary, the Vice President or myself. The In/Out party will be held on Sunday, 28th June from 2pm at 114 Mostyn Road, SW19 3LP. All are welcome. The Mayor of Merton will be the guest of honour.

Our Fifth Thursday meeting (30th June) will be held at the Taste restaurant at 18:30 for 19:00. We shall be in the main restaurant, (just us), with a four course meal for £25. Please join us. I hope that this will be well attended as the food and the service have been excellent at the Taste. Please invite your friend and family, but please let me know the numbers coming and whether they are vegetarian by Saturday, 25th June at the latest. Meanwhile, enjoy the sunny weather which has been forecast for June.

All good wishes,

Margaret

.Message from the President, May 2022

On Thursday, April 26th we had an excellent meal at the Taste restaurant, with the Mayor and Mayoress as our guests. It was also good to see our Secretary, John de Ronde, safely returned from Tanzania.

We were also fortunate enough to be able to book our next face to face meeting at the Taste, on Thursday 12th May. 6.30 for 7pm. This will be a two course meal, for £12.50, (thereby saving our waistlines and our wallets!), and it is hoped we shall be able to use the facilities there for some of our future meetings (see below in Stewards Rota). 

It is good to know that students benefit by our visits in learning the catering ropes, and who knows, we may have a future Jamie Oliver enabling us to enjoy a good meal.

A small group of us joined Stan’s daughter, Yvonne, at the memorial tree which was planted in memory of Stan in March. It was a glorious sunny afternoon, and we were delighted to see blossom on the elder tree.

I am sorry to tell you that our fellow Rotarian and Honorary Member, Barry Clarke has died. The funeral will take place on Tuesday 24th May 2022 11.45am at Randall’s Park Crematorium, Randall’s Road, Leatherhead, KT22 0AG. Please No Flowers.

Please join the family afterwards at Woodlands Park Hotel, Stoke D’Abernon, KT11 3QB to celebrate the lives of Barry and Brenda.

All good wishes.

 Margaret 

Message from the President, April 2022

 

We had a very pleasant evening at Cuddington for our ‘fifth Thursday’ in March. Mike Thorn, the Assistant Governor joined us, and very cleverly made the members of Morden Rotary do most of the talking! This prompts me to give you a final reminder to book your places at the Taste restaurant on Thursday 28th April when the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Michael Brunt, will be our guest.

As we have had no new projects for some time, please don your thinking caps and come up with some ideas. Remember the Rotary motto: ‘Service above Self’. We really need to think about how we give that service. I am sure there are opportunities aplenty, and we need to be seen to respond to them.

All good wishes

 Margaret 

Message from the President, March 2022

Spring has arrived! Well, it has meteorologically. I don’t know about you, but I find the wind biting, and the sun seems to be hiding. However, the clocks 

spring forward in less than three weeks’ time, so I look forward to longer, warmer days. (We all have dreams) 

Unfortunately, due to numbers, we were only able to have one meeting during February. I hope we do better this month.

We have the Morden Family Funday on Sunday, 9th July, to which we said we would give our time and efforts this year. Please put on your thinking caps. The Dons Local Action Group also has Fundays to which we could give our support. 

Brighter days are ahead!

Every good wish

Margaret

Message from the President, February 2022

The last month (January) has been rather interesting for me from a Rotary perspective. I was fortunate enough to be shown around Perseid school by the Head Teacher, Mrs. Tina Harvey, who gave generously of her time to explain the various methods and staffing levels necessary to enrich the lives of the children who attend. 

She expressed her thanks for the garden which Morden Rotary Club provided some years ago, and which is still enjoyed by the pupils. I was glad that we had given such a long-lasting gift to an extremely deserving group of young people who live and are educated in our community.

 

A few days later I attended the Rotary District Conference at G-Live in Guildford. There were many very interesting speakers with a variety of topics, ending with an hour of Roger McGough at his best. Please make note of the next conference which will be held in Eastbourne on 20-22 October at the Winter Garden and Floral Hall. The Conference Hotel is The View. This will be for three Districts, including 1145, and promises to be interesting and fun.

 

Last but not least, we have just had Young Chef at Merton College. The meals which the children had prepared looked absolutely delicious, and I would be hard-pressed to have to pick the winner. An amazing amount of work went into it by teachers, parents, supporters, and children themselves. I should like to thank Margaret and Jim Sinclair for all they did to help make it such a success. Time to put my feet up!

Every good wish

Margaret

Message from the President, December 2022

‘Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat…’ However, the Rotary goose isn’t getting very fat as the weather so far has meant we have had to cancel some of our collections. When we have been out, people are, as always, delighted to see us. Let us hope that we shall be able to get a good few evenings when we can show off our refurbished sleigh.

We now have the delight of visiting three schools in the borough to deliver the very generous cheques from the Leivers Charity Trust. We are very grateful for their support and know that the gifts will make a huge difference to the schools, and the children.

It only remains for me to wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas, and may the New Year be one of good health and a renewed wish for ‘Service above Self’. Next year’s meetings begin on Thursday, 12th January, at the Taste.

Every good wish

Margaret

Margaret

Message from the President, November 2022

‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’. This may bring back fond memories. However, November is a month of Remembrance, starting with All Souls Day. I shall be representing the Rotary Club of Morden as I lay a wreath at the Remembrance service at Haig Homes.

I’m sure this day also brings back memories of family or friends who served in the many wars of the last century, some of whom may have given their lives in that service.

On Sunday 20th November, I shall be presenting a cheque for £1,000 to the Old Rutlishians, in gratitude for their help with Christmas collections past and soon to come, and to help them with a large refurbishment plan.

This month’s meetings are on Thursday 10th at Ganley’s when we shall have our AGM, and Thursday 24th at The Taste. I look forward to seeing as many as possible of you at both meetings.

I hope you enjoyed the fireworks, even if your pets didn’t!

Margaret

Message from the President, October 2022

 

I’m sorry to say that we don’t seem to have done a great deal in the last month. I attended the District Club Summit which was extremely interesting, and it was good to meet with fellow Rotarians from other clubs. We were given questions to discuss and on which to give feedback, and I intend sharing some of the answers with you at a future time

We enjoyed the fifth Thursday at the Taste, when Frank (our Past Assistant Governor) and Rabab Hardiman joined us. Unfortunately the Lantern Handbells were unable to entertain us due to Covid.

During the month, the Secretary & I will be meeting the Old Rutlishians to handover the cheque for their assistance with Christmas Collections, and to discuss this year’s routes with them as they are more than willing to help us again. Our Business meeting will be at the Taste on Thursday 13th October, and the following meeting at Ganley’s on Thursday 27th October. Hope to see you at these meetings,

Every good wish

Margaret

Message from the President, September 2022

 

I hope that even if you haven’t managed to reach some far-flung spot in our wonderful planet, you have had time to enjoy the sunshine in Merton in a green space, even in your own back garden.

Judging by the falling leaves, autumn has arrived early in some respects, and I hope we can continue to appreciate the beauty which surrounds us. We met with Roger Stent, the District Governor, at the New Malden Club, and listened to his positive message. It was good to also meet the local Presidents, and members of a neighbouring club.

Kevin Mack, the District Compliance Officer visited our club, and brought us up-to-date with current legislation on all sorts of matters. We have also had our first Christmas Collection Meeting (for this year), and it’s full steam ahead! Please join us in the collections. It is tremendous fun, and our major fund-raiser for the year. Without this, we would be unable to help local causes.

29th September is the Fifth Thursday! We shall be meeting at The Taste, with a raffle, entertainment by the Lantern Handbells, and who knows, drawing of The Fifty Club? I do hope to see you there, hopefully with a guest or two, and we shall have a wonderful evening. 

Thank you for all that you do in the name of Rotary. Every good wish…

Margaret

Message from the President, August 2022

 

Morden Funday took place on Sunday, 17th July, a hot but happy day for all those present. It was good to see people, mainly young families, enjoying themselves again. Her Worship the Mayor of Merton visited the stalls and then opened the day with words of encouragement to the community. Now is the time to start thinking about what Rotary can do to encourage more people to our stall next year. 

The secretary and I distributed the dictionaries at West Wimbledon, Hatfeild, and Sacred Heart Primary Schools at the closing assemblies for Year 6. Those books are miniature encyclopedias, printed in colour and inviting to read (guilty!). It is now compulsory for those entering secondary school in Merton to have a dictionary, and I believe we have given them the best we could. 

Roger Stent, the District Governor, will be visiting the New Malden club on Monday, 15th August, and we are warmly invited to join them. Please let JdR or me know by 10th August if you are able to attend.

 

Last, but certainly not least, the Rotary Club of Morden do not have a President for 2023-4. As was succinctly put by one of our members at last week’s meeting: ‘No President, no club’. It is vital that we have a name ASAP. Whoever it is, will be supported and encouraged by those who have been before. Please consider this matter urgently; our future is at stake. Enjoy the summer weather, take life a little more slowly if you can, and give serious thought to where we shall be in less than a year’s time. Every good wish…

Margaret

Message from the President, July 2022

 

Happy New Year! Yes, it is the beginning of a new Rotary year, but not a new President. I would be delighted to list all the things which our club has achieved during the past year, and am pleased to say that we continued with Young Chef, and donating dictionaries to schools, but other than presenting a cheque to the Polish Family Association for Ukrainian refugees, we have yet to work together as a club to aid the community in which we live.

Individuals have done some sterling work, but we also need to be seen to work in the name of Rotary. Morden Family Funday will be taking place on Sunday, 17th July, and I hope we shall see plenty of Rotarians encouraging people to find out what we do, and hopefully to join us in helping those in need, and perhaps giving us ideas of what we could be doing. We do need to convince people that we are living by our motto of ‘Service Above Self’. 

Perhaps we need to remind ourselves that that is what we signed up to! I hope those of you who are unwell, recovering, or going through a difficult patch will feel much better soon. Enjoy the summer weather, and look forward to seeing you at Morden Funday, and at our regular meetings. Every good wish…

 

Margaret

 

 

Message from the President, June 2022

 

I can hardly believe that I am writing the last Memo letter of this Rotary year. They say time goes more quickly as we get older……. We were delighted to present our cheque of £550 to Slawek Szczepanski, CEO of the Polish Family Association, who are doing amazing work with the Ukranian people who have had to flee their home country. This work is at the New Horizon Centre, Pollards Hill, and at the time of his talk to us, Slawek told us that 115 families were being helped, including 127 children of 15 years and under.

A few Morden Rotarians have said that they would like to give practical help as well. If you feel you could do something, please contact the Secretary, the Vice President or myself. The In/Out party will be held on Sunday, 28th June from 2pm at 114 Mostyn Road, SW19 3LP. All are welcome. The Mayor of Merton will be the guest of honour.

Our Fifth Thursday meeting (30th June) will be held at the Taste restaurant at 18:30 for 19:00. We shall be in the main restaurant, (just us), with a four-course meal for £25. Please join us. I hope that this will be well attended as the food and the service have been excellent at the Taste. Please invite your friend and family, but please let me know the numbers coming and whether they are vegetarian by Saturday, 25th June at the latest. Meanwhile, enjoy the sunny weather which has been forecast for June.

All good wishes,

Message from the President, May 2022

On Thursday, April 26th we had an excellent meal at the Taste restaurant, with the Mayor and Mayoress as our guests. It was also good to see our Secretary, John de Ronde, safely returned from Tanzania.

We were also fortunate enough to be able to book our next face to face meeting at the Taste, on Thursday 12th May. 6.30 for 7pm. This will be a two course meal, for £12.50, (thereby saving our waistlines and our wallets!), and it is hoped we shall be able to use the facilities there for some of our future meetings (see below in Stewards Rota). 

It is good to know that students benefit by our visits in learning the catering ropes, and who knows, we may have a future Jamie Oliver enabling us to enjoy a good meal.

A small group of us joined Stan’s daughter, Yvonne, at the memorial tree which was planted in memory of Stan in March. It was a glorious sunny afternoon, and we were delighted to see blossom on the elder tree.

I am sorry to tell you that our fellow Rotarian and Honorary Member, Barry Clarke has died. The funeral will take place on Tuesday 24th May 2022 11.45am at Randall’s Park Crematorium, Randall’s Road, Leatherhead, KT22 0AG. Please No Flowers.

Please join the family afterwards at Woodlands Park Hotel, Stoke D’Abernon, KT11 3QB to celebrate the lives of Barry and Brenda.

All good wishes.

 Margaret 

Message from the President, April 2022

We had a very pleasant evening at Cuddington for our ‘fifth Thursday’ in March. Mike Thorn, the Assistant Governor joined us, and very cleverly made the members of Morden Rotary do most of the talking! This prompts me to give you a final reminder to book your places at the Taste restaurant on Thursday 28th April when the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Michael Brunt, will be our guest.

As we have had no new projects for some time, please don your thinking caps and come up with some ideas. Remember the Rotary motto: ‘Service above Self’. We really need to think about how we give that service. I am sure there are opportunities aplenty, and we need to be seen to respond to them.

All good wishes

 Margaret 

Message from the President, March 2022

Welcome to our first spring edition of the Memo! What a joy it is to see the spring flowers beginning to bloom, and the trees in bud. The Young Chef event went well, although there were no local entrants. At the end of the event, we were asked by the college to host a lunch with the Mayor, Councillor Michael Brunt. We have arranged this for Thursday 28th April at the Taste Restaurant, and I urge you all to come to this event, bringing your spouse, partners, friends, neighbours and anyone who might be interested in joining us on a more permanent basis. 

The cheque for £1000 to the Old Rutlishians which I mentioned in the previous letter, is going to be presented just before the Wimbledon AFC versus Charlton Athletic game on Tuesday 22nd March. I only hope the weather is dry!

I can confirm that in March we shall be meeting at the Brook on the second and fourth Thursdays, with Zoom available for those who cannot be there; the first and third Thursdays we shall all be on Zoom.

Last month I said we are looking forward to a brighter future as Covid restrictions are lifted. However, humankind sometimes intervenes, and with a vengeance. The Rotary Club of Morden has started discussing how we are going to send money to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, as I am sure many of you will have already done personally. Be assured, we shall be generous, we are just waiting for District guidelines on how best to do this. All good wishes.

 Margaret 

Message from the President, February 2022

 

Here we are in the last month of winter, and with many Covid restrictions having been lifted, looking forward to a brighter future.

We had a good first meeting of the month, agreeing to give £1000 to the Old Rutlishians without whose help, our Christmas ventures with Santa and the sleigh would have been much less successful (even Santa-less on occasion), and £500 to St. Raphael’s Hospice.

At our second meeting on 10th February, we shall be inducting the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Michael Brunt, whom many of you met at the In Out party. This has of course been delayed by Covid, but having begun to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays in January, we felt we could go ahead with this. These meetings are also on Zoom for those who cannot be with us, and known as hybrid meetings (see below).

We are back at the Brook on a trial basis, but those who have attended have been pleased to be able to meet in person again. We enter by the function room door, and drinks are brought to us as requested so that we avoid going to the bar.

On 12th February it will be the Young Chef event at what was Morden College, now S.W.London College, Morden Branch. Because of social distancing, there will not be the usual mixing of Parents and Rotarians, but the Mayor of Merton will be presenting the certificates, and I am sure it will still be a happy/nerve-wracking occasion as always. Don’t forget to post your anonymous cards in time for 14th February!

All good wishes!
Margaret 

Message from the President, January 2022

 

I am thrilled to be able to tell you that our Christmas Collections were a huge success. Groups of children (with their parents) waited for us on street corners. Lengthy queues were seen waiting to have their photographs taken in the sleigh on our static collections. People seemed delighted to see us again after missing a year due to the pandemic and showed their gratitude in the donations they happily put in our yellow buckets. It was amazing fun actually doing the collections; the festive spirit was apparent in Morden, and we are most grateful to all who helped in any way, and particularly to the Dons local action group, and the Old Rutlishians without whose help we wouldn’t have been able to cover the area we did.

The Secretary and I today visited the Brook, and have agreed with the Deputy Manager that Morden Rotary Club will meet there on 20th January, when the Mayor of Merton will be inducted as an Honorary Member, and 27th January. We shall also meet there on 10th and 24th February. This will be a trial period for the Brook and for the club. These meetings will also be available on Zoom. At the meeting of 20th January, we shall be wishing John de Ronde bon voyages as he then goes to Tanzania for three months. Doubtless, the wonders of modern technology will enable us to see him on Zoom, and the three months will fly past! Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2022.

Margaret

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Christmas Collections 2021!

Hello Morden and Lower Morden. We're back this year and hope to see everyone again on our rounds (see below for our routes this year). You may also donate by our poster below.

Rotary Club of Morden Christmas Collection Routes 2021

Contact info: John de Ronde; 07800907661; johnderonde@me.com 

ROUTE 1: Monday 6th start 6.30pm

Rendezvous corner of Kingsbridge Road and Aragon Road, proceed along Aragon Road, right into Dudley Drive, right into Seymour Avenue to Kingsbridge Road where left to Lynmouth Avenue to Tudor Drive; where finish.

ROUTE 2: Wednesday 8th start 6.30pm

Rendezvous at the railway bridge in Hillcross Avenue. Proceed into Maycross Avenue for the whole length to Mossville Gardens where left to Leamington Avenue where left to Woodland Way where right to Ashridge Way to where right to Martin Way. Turn left into Martin Way. Then to Westcroft Gardens for whole length to Leamington Avenue where turn right to Monkleigh Road where left to Hillcross Avenue and finish

ROUTE 3: Friday 10th start 6.30pm

Rendezvous in Monkleigh Road at junction with Hillcross Avenue. Left into Shaldon Drive to Churston Drive where Right into Templecombe Way, left into Thurleston Avenue turn right into Churston Drive to end then left into Camborne Road ,turn right into Glenthorpe Road, left into Cannon Hill Lane, turn left into Queen Mary Avenue to end and finish.

ROUTE 4: Monday 13th start 6.30pm

Rendezvous in Monkleigh Road at junction with Cannon Hill Lane (Opposite surgery). Proceed along Monkleigh Road turn right into Leamington Avenue and right into  Cherrywood Lane left into the Green, then into Eastway and to Cannon Hill Lane where left and first right into Elm Walk to Grand Drive where right and first right into Heath Drive and then Parkway for whole length to Cannon Hill Lane where finish.

ROUTE 5: Wednesday 15th start 6.30pm

Rendezvous at Seaforth Avenue,level crossing end. Proceed along Seaforth Avenue for whole length,cross West Barnes Lane into Arthur Road where left into Tennyson Avenue to Kingsway where left to West Barnes Lane. Left along West Barnes Lane and right into Seaforth Avenue where take first Right into Phyllis Avenue to West Barnes Lane where Left to Adela Avenue.Turn left along Adela Avenue first right, Douglas Avenue, right into Estella Ave to West Barnes Lane and left into Seaforth Avenue and finish.

ROUTE 6: Wednesday 17th start 6.30pm

Rendezvous in Fairway at junction with Church Walk. Along Fairway and into Linkway. Turn left into Westway to it’s junction with

Crossway.Turn left into Crossway. Turn left into Grand Drive then left into Greenway and finish at it’s junction with Westway.

And Finally

Static collections in Lower Morden Lane at Hatfeild School:

Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th December 4-8pm in two shifts

Saturday and Sunday 18th and 19th December 4-8pm in two shifts

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Message from the President, November 2021

 

We have been fortunate in being able to buy a hundred toys and games from a neighbouring Rotary club, who were given more than they could cope with. These were at a huge discount to us, and we shall therefore be able to hopefully brighten a few children’s Christmases. I shall be collecting these on 8th November. Hopefully, Perseid School will have some of them, and we shall have to put on our thinking caps for other recipients. 

On Saturday, 6th November, I attended PEPS1 at Reigate. Last year I attended on Zoom, so this year it will be good to meet colleagues face to face. Last year’s remembrance service at the Haig Homes in Morden was canceled due to the pandemic, but on Thursday, 11th November this year, I shall represent the club at the service of remembrance.

Hopefully, you are all staying well, and getting your flu and covid booster vaccines. We are extremely fortunate to be able to have these so easily. In this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, I send you my best wishes,

Margaret

 

Message from the President, October 2021

This month we said goodbye to our friend and colleague, Stan Earl, as his ashes were laid to rest in the grave of his beloved wife, Jennie. His was a life well-lived, one which he seemed to enjoy. He will be sorely missed.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Regatta went very well, although the sailors could have done with a little more wind. It was a joy to see the children enjoying themselves, competing, and showing good team spirit in the preparation and putting away all the equipment.

 

At the end of a glorious September, members have quietly gone about their community service, while we begin to prepare for the Christmas collections. Yes, it seems early to be doing that, but people are already panicking about whether seasonal food will reach the supermarkets, and the toys requested from Father Christmas will be in the shops. Dare I mention petrol……….?

We mustn’t forget that our community needs us to help them in whatever way we can, all year round. So let us give some thought to how we could make ourselves more visible. Hopefully, the District Conference on the first weekend of October in Brighton will give me some ideas too. Best wishes,

Margaret

 

Message from the President, September 2021

We are delighted to have welcomed another new member to Morden Rotary Club this month:  Mark Brooks. What an excellent start to the new year we have had, having inducted so many new members and associate members.

However, we have also been saddened to lose our oldest member, Stan Earl. Stan has been Club President four times, and Father Christmas for many years, not only on the Rotary sleigh during our street collections, but also at Cricket Green School, Mitcham where he represented us. He has been a hard-working and supportive member of Morden Rotary Club for twenty-one years, and will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to Yvonne, his daughter, and to the other members of his family on their huge loss.

The Rotary District Conference is taking place 2nd and 3rd October in Brighton, and I hope I shall see some of you there. It is an excellent opportunity to meet up with old Rotary friends and acquaintances, and to learn more of the work which is being done throughout the district, and indeed internationally.

Don’t forget the Garden Tea party Sunday, 5th September! 

Margaret

Note from Yvonne Ferrier (nee Earl)

Stan Earl - A life Well Lived 

21.03.1929 - 17.08.2021

 

A kind and generous man and such a character is how so many friends describe Stan, he was loved by so many people. His 92 years have been lived to the full both in his business and personal life, he rarely sat down and relaxed, and even when he did he was planning his next project. 

 

He has been a Rotarian for over 50 years, originally being a member of the Ewell Rotary club before joining Morden Rotary.

 

His working life started very young when age 10 he would go out with his Dad to learn about steam boilers. He left school at 14 and worked with his Father before his National Service in the Navy and then started an apprenticeship at Decca Radar. 

 

Despite leaving school without any formal qualifications he taught himself technical drawing and always embraced technology throughout his life. He loved his gadgets! He continued to run his company until a few years ago. His last major project, when he was in his 80’s, was the design and installation of a distillery for Silent Pool Gin. He was one of the few people that could achieve the traditional steam boiler and copper piping work they wanted. 

 

With his beloved wife Jennie, he led a very active social life, especially within the Irish community. He became president of the Irish Club at Eaton Square which was quite a feat for an Englishman. He was a keen photographer and at one time he was the social photographer for the Irish Post newspaper. He enjoyed walking and one of his favourite places was Morden Hall Park.

 

I’m sure many people have stories to tell about Stan. He really was a memorable and lovable character and will be missed by many.

Yvonne

 

Message from the President, August 2021

I think we can be very pleased with what Morden Rotary has gained this past month. We have formally welcomed Shuile Syeda who has transferred her membership from Wokingham; and we have inducted John Jelinek, Robert Busby and Janice Howard as Associate Members. A warm welcome to all of you, and I hope that each of you are enjoying the fellowship, and feel part of the team which makes up our club.
 

We have had two face to face meetings at our new venue: Coombe Wood Golf Club, and members and their guests have obviously enjoyed the social aspect of not being on a screen. Kingston Rotary has started having lunchtime meetings there on alternate Thursdays. Although it may be a little early for Morden to increase to twice a month, it is certainly something to which we should give consideration.
The Christmas float has been checked over by Brian and Tony, and considered fit for purpose, with possibly the addition of a door to make things easier for Father Christmas.
 

We are invited to join New Malden and Surbiton clubs for the visit of the District Governor on Monday, 29 November.
 

How good it is to be thinking positively of the future after such a period of uncertainty brought on by the pandemic!
 

I hope the staycation sees you enjoying good weather, and the benefits of our locality.

Margaret

 

 

 

Message from the President, July 2021

What a glorious celebration we had at the In/Out party on Sunday, 27th June! It was a delight to meet people face to face after such a long gap, and to meet our soon to be Rotarians and Associate members. We were graced with the presence of the relatively new Mayor of Merton, Councillor Michael Brunt, along with former Mayors Janice Howard and Sally Kenny. Even the weather was kind to us, with only a drop or two of rain.

I would like to say a really big thank you to all who made it such an enjoyable day: those who cooked, served the food and drink, put up the gazebos, and those who just came to take part in the afternoon. Our biggest thanks go to our Immediate Past President, John de Ronde. He has presided for two unprecedented years, which have been among the strangest and sometimes toughest periods through which we have lived. Being an IT expert, he embraced Zoom, started a weekly Rotary coffee morning in addition to our meetings, and was with us whether he was in Mitcham or Tanzania. His pastoral work within the club was done quietly but with much effect, and he also gave a great deal of time to the Dons, collecting food for those in need in the borough. Thank you John, you are a hard act to follow!

To reiterate what I said on the afternoon when the Presidents’ badge was placed round my neck, I feel honoured and excited to become President of Morden Rotary; I am grateful to all who have supported me, and ask that their support continues. I look forward to an exciting and interesting year, and will serve the club as best I can.

With every good wish for 2021-2022,

Margaret

 

Message from President John, June 2021

By way of apology, we are sorry that the May memo has been waylaid somewhere and nobody seems to be able to find it! Jesting aside, as we have only been meeting on Zoom and with not much activity, we don’t really have much to report.

My work in Tanzania has come to a temporary halt now. The plumbing and the door and window furniture have been installed in the new girl’s toilets. Plastering is partially complete. The toilets are in use but final finishing has had to stop. The boys’ toilets await plumbing fixtures and, like the girls’, plastering and painting. The project as we envisaged turned out to be a little too ambitious. I did take advice on this and it seemed that we could get two blocks for the quoted price of one! It remains for me to seek further funding in order to fully open both blocks.

 

When we finally come out of lockdown here we can certainly continue our fellowship on Zoom, as well as meeting once a month in person. I will be in favour of continuing our Zoom talks this year as we have had great success with speakers, thanks to the good offices of our speaker secretary.

 

Let’s keep the momentum up for the new rotary year in 2021. We will see a return to some kind of new personal meeting zone every 2nd and 5th Thursday while continuing on Zoom for business and remaining meetings. I have thoroughly enjoyed our coffee mornings this past year. Nice to have an informal Monday morning chat while stuck at home during lockdown!

 

Good news lately! We have been awarded as a club a certificate of merit by the Mayor of Merton in recognition of our voluntary work during the COVID crisis. Our colleague Joss Ollett has been awarded one individually in recognition of his contribution to food banks during and before the pandemic. Well done Joss.

 

All the best until our next meeting, when President-Elect Margaret Redway takes the reigns.

 

All the best, John