Summary of Club Activities

August 2023

The club’s outgoing President, Bob Holt, was joined by some 60 club members, guests, and family for a memorable lunch at Tortworth Court Hotel in July to celebrate the completion of his year in office.

Also, in July the club had a stand at the Yate Ageing Better festival in Yate Shopping Centre. On a sunny day and with good footfall the event provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the club’s activities in the local community and beyond. Our thanks go to Yate Town Council for organising the event.

On the international front the club agreed to make financial donations on two fronts. First, via Care International UK, we have agreed to provide funding for an initiative known as ‘Lend with Care’ where the aim is to assist small enterprises in developing countries to set up and run small businesses. Second, under the Yate/Genieri Link we have agreed to help to fund the provision of basic medicines for the healthcare centre in the Gambian village of Genieri.

Club members recently enjoyed an excellent talk from a representative of the local PROPS charity which focuses on supporting adults with learning difficulties to achieve their full potential in a range of fields. Moreover, the charity now operates the Tapestry Brewery in Bristol with the help of some those they support.

In August a few club members joined Rotarians (see photo) from other clubs to support a charity known as PhysioNet to prepare and load on to a large truck a range of medical equipment destined for a town near the front line in Ukraine which, by the time you read this article, will be in use in hospitals there.

On the social front our Wunderboules team have progressed to the knockout stage of the District annual boules competition. Meanwhile our Thunderboules team await the completion of the group stage matches to see whether they too have progressed. Finally, a good number of members gathered in mid-August at the Horseshoe pub for an enjoyable lunch and brainstorming session.

July 2023

It is with deep regret that I must report the recent death of David Peacock, one of our longest serving members. David was the club President in 2003/4 and had been a great ambassador for the club, involving himself in many activities, perhaps most prominently in the youth sector where he led the club’s participation in the annual Rotary Youth Learning Awards, an intensive leadership experience for students in our local secondary schools. David will be much missed. Our condolences go to David’s wife Angela and their family.

At our club meeting in early July the outgoing President, Bob Holt, handed over to Steve Young for the Rotary year 2023/24 (see photo). Steve emphasised the need to make the most of every opportunity to promote the club and its many activities, particularly in the local community. He added the need to persuade new and younger members, both women and men, to join the club.

Again, this year the club was delighted to host the Chipping Sodbury Rotary Young Innovator competition. This event took place in late June in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall where GCSE and A level students from Chipping Sodbury and Brimsham Green Schools exhibited their project work in several categories, including product design, textiles technology, art, photography, and graphics. Students grasped the opportunity to demonstrate some outstanding pieces of work, readily acknowledged by the respective judges for each category. Remaining on the youth front the club was delighted, once more, to support the Rotary sponsored ‘Kids Out’ event at the Berkeley based Cattle Country Adventure Park. Our club supported some 40 or so children from Culverhill School in Yate contributing to transport costs and providing Kids Out t-shirts and caps. The children expressed their thanks for a very enjoyable day out.

Recently, club members were entertained to a fascinating presentation from Carl Morgan, a blind music therapist. Carl explained how he overcomes the many challenges he faces daily and demonstrated his talents as an accomplished musician and explained how he puts his music to good use with clients.

Again, this year a good number of club members helped to serve beer at the annual Sodfest event organised by Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club. Club Rotarian, Nick Cragg, acted as the MC throughout. Despite the changeable weather the event enjoyed a very good attendance, entertained by a number of bands.

The annual District Boules tournament continues and, so far, our Wunderboules team have won both of their matches whilst the Thunderboules team have won two out of three matches.

Stuart Fraser

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