Purple for Polio

To celebrate World Polio Day, the club held a meeting in the Shampan Indian Restaurant. As the theme was piurple Rotarians and their partners had to wear something (visible!) in purple. The four miscreants who failed to do this had to dip their "pinkies" in purple ink to reflect the action taken when children are imunised to show that they have receiv ed the vacine.

Tenovus "Closer to Home Unit" officially opened

The Tenovus treatment unit that has been partly funded by donations from District 1150 Clubs was opened by Princess Anne in Cardiff recently. There is a room dedicated to Rotary and there is a "Tree of Life" with leaves marked with the names of contributing clubs - Cowbridge is there. Cowbridge Rotarian Eugene Murphy is to be congratulated on the major role he played in raising funds in the District.

Dementia friendly Cowbridge & Cowbridge Rotary

More Cowbridge Traders pledge to become Dementia friendly

Three more Cowbridge businesses have recently signed up to work towards becoming Dementia friendly.

JCP Solicitors, Capel Jones gift shop and Specsavers received their mats, donated by Cowbridge Rotary club to mark their pledge to consider the needs of those living with dementia and their carers.

Dementia friendly Cowbridge is encouraging all traders to assist in helping to make Cowbridge a safe and welcoming community for those living with dementia.

Rotary Sponsored Concert

At the Cowbridge Music Festival, Cowbridge Rotary sponsored a concert by a brilliant young cellist Ben Tarlton accompanied by pianist Stephen Gutman.

Rotarians inspired by Sporting Excellence at School Sports Presentation Evening

Cowbridge Comprehensive School Students have again been celebrated for their sporting achievements during the past year at the Schools Sports Presentation Evening on Wednesday 12th September 2018.
Cowbridge Rotary sponsor two awards for Exceptional Endeavour in Sport and this year’s Rotary President Michael Long went along to award the Certificates to this year’s winners Eleri Harris and Ben Wade both from Year 7.
Rotary President Michael Long said: “We were all very impressed by the number of sporting activities and the exceptional high standard the youngsters have achieved during the year, which included Welsh International Honours across 19 sports.
 Physical Education Teacher Steve David and Head of Physical Education Neil Thomas praised the schools pupils and their parents who spend so much time supporting their children, out of school hours, to achieve the excellence they have shown in their individual sports. Both Eleri and Ben were chosen for the Rotary Exceptional Endeavour Awards by the teaching staff for their extra curriculum activities to improve their skill levels, enthusiasm and motivation.

Lower School Prizes

President Michael presented Rotary prizes for Endeavour and Citizenship at the Cowbridge Comprehensive Lower School Prizegiving.

 Award of a Paul Harris Fellowship

President Michael Long presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Rtn. Steven Blackman on Monday, 9th July. Steven was responsible for many innovations in his year as president of the club, has worked tirelessly on the Dementia Friends project and has stepped up as Chief Elf alongside Santa at Christmas. The club gave its hearty congratulations to Steven as he received his award.

Cowbridge Rotary hand over £1700 for MS

President David Harris, as one of his last actions before handing over to incoming President Michael Long, was to present a cheque for £1700 to the MS Society. The MS society was one of David’s Presidents Charities for 2017/18 and it was with great pleasure that Cowbridge Rotary welcomed Terry Moseley, Group Coordinator for the Swansea and District Group MS Society and Ann Jones who is secretary of the Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr group MS Society to receive the cheque and tell the Rotary Club about their experiences of MS. Terry is a carer for his wife Elaine, who accompanied him, and has secondary progressive MS, and was able to tell the members first hand about the condition and the issues in dealing with this degenerative disease. He serves the MS community as a member of the Cymru Council who work with local groups and MS Cymru with the aim to stop MS. Ann Jones spoke to the Club about her experiences of living with MS since being diagnose in 2001 with Secondary Progressive MS.  She described fully the problems that people with MS have to face on a daily basis. Her experience helps to raise awareness of MS, produce the group newsletter informing people living with MS of latest research and fundraising events. The members thanked Terry and Ann for their illuminating presentation and wished them well in their support of the MS Society.

Presentation to Headway

On Monday 16th April President David presented a cheque for £1000 to Lucy Lawler, who gave a talk to club about Headway Cardiff. Headway is a charity that promotes understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provide s information, support and services to survivors, their families and carers. In addition, Headway will campaign to reduce the incidence of brain injury.

Rotary welcomes new members interested in having fun while 'giving something back' to the community. Fresh ideas and enthusiasm are the life blood of any organisation! It is easy to contact us using the "Click Here" button at the top right of the page.

Rotary provides opportunities to connect with people of like ideas, providing unique opportunities to serve the community using one's own professional skills alongside leaders of other businesses and professions. Rotarians help one another, and together help others.

Rotary is fun  every club holds social activities that offer diversions from today's demanding professional and personal schedules. Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and other events provide entertainment as well as Rotary information, education, and the opportunity for service.

Rotary helps personal growth and development by continuing one's growth and education in human relations and by developing and extending leadership skills. Serving in Rotary helps one learn how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.

Rotarians are people who believe that whilst it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.

Cowbridge - A Market Town in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan

Cowbridge is a township that has developed on the site of a Roman fort built in the 1st century AD. Sir Richard de Clare, Lord of Glamorgan, granted Cowbridge a Charter in 1254 and developed the town. By 1266 Cowbridge had town walls with four gates, although the North Gate was used mainly for cattle. It was an important centre for trade and was the last recipient of a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1886 and was able to appoint its own Councillors and Mayor. This tradition has continued in spite of the local Government reorganisation of 1974.

Cowbridge was renowned for its fairs but also became well known for its traffic jams on the main route from Cardiff to West Wales. A bypass to the north of the town solved that problem and the town continued to develop as a business and commercial centre as well as a popular dormitory town for Cardiff.

Today Cowbridge is known as the Bond Street of Wales and there are many shops that make the atmosphere of the High Street an enjoyable place to wander and to spend money! A farmers market twice a month also adds to the variety of goods available.

The Rotary Club of Cowbridge was chartered in February 1961, currently has 36 members and meets in the Bear Hotel, a historic coaching inn. We are always pleased to welcome visiting Rotarians or others interested in the work of Rotary to our meetings.

Rotary was founded over 100 years ago on the principle of "meeting regularly to enjoy and expand one's circle of business and professional acquaintances." That principle remains true today, and in an increasingly complex world, Rotary continues to provide one of the most basic human needs: the need for friends and fellowship.              

(Photos by Mike Baker. www.bakerlite.co.uk)