2^nd July 2011 - District Handover Gala

The District handover was held in the splendid surroundings of the Railway Museum at York on 2nd July, with tables set out amongst the beautifully restored locomotives. A party of five from the Club, including incoming President Geoff Wall, were able to share the celebration of the handover from last year's District Governor Roger Percival to the incoming District Governor Willie Clark. An excellent time was had by all, with good fellowship with members of other clubs in the District. Entertainment was provided by a silver band and a barber shop quartet.

3^rdJuly 2011 - Club Handover Party

Hosted at the lovely Wall residence, club members socialized on a beautiful summer day celebrating the incoming president Geoff Wall. One of the main topics for discussion was how we might raise money using the 60 bottles of Rotary Ketchup that Geoff had collected from incoming District Governor Willie Clark on the previous evening!

4^th July 2011 - Special Honours Received

Two long-serving members received one of Rotary's highest honours in recognition of their outstanding service to the club.

Carole Ford and Kevin Hardisty were made Paul Harris fellows at the Annual Presidential Handover meeting. Carole Ford was president of the club in 2005-06 and has also served as Assistant District Secretary. She has also travelled extensively in support of Rotary projects, making visits to India and Sierra Leone. Kevin Hardisty, who is also a past President, has for many years masterminded the club's annual golf day at Bedale Golf Club, which has raised many thousands of pounds, particularly for local charities and other good causes. He has served for many years at district level and has chaired the club's Community and Vocational Committee. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary and the awards are accompanied by commemorative pins and certificates.

At the same meeting, outgoing President Basil Bosomworth handed over his chain of office to Geoff Wall and reflected on a successful year for the Club in 2010/11. Highlights included major fund-raising efforts with the Santa Sleigh supermarket collections over Christmas and the Thanks for Life campaign to help eradicate polio. He thanked secretary John Brickwood and treasurer Mark Williams for their support. Geoff Wall inducted Sue Adsett as President-Elect.

8^th July 2011 - On the Taste of Wensleydale Express

Many Club members, partners and friends were able to join a charity train trip organised in aid of Herriot Hospice Homecare. Travelling from Leeming Bar to Redmire, the party was able to sample a range of local food and drink. At Redmire we all left the train to partake in a Hog Roast. Entertainment along the way included a quiz which certainly tested our knowledge of Yorkshire, and musical accompaniment for part of the journey from the Funky Junk Trio who moved from carriage to carriage, troubadour style. An excellent evening in a very good cause.

13^th August 2011 - Club BBQ/Rotary Ketchup Social

Club members converged on Sue and Allan Bush's wonderful home on Saturday August 13th to enjoy socializing and celebrating the official start of Rotary Ketchup campaign. The target was to raise £300 over the course of the year for Polio Plus - something we ultimately achieved, so well done everyone.

It was a beautiful day sitting in the garden, playing several competitive games of croquet (Gordon can really whack a ball!) and feasting on a plethora of great food selections and sweets. 

For those that couldn't make it - your presence was missed - and for the guests - thank you for adding to the delight of our day. Toby stole the show (or was it the yellow croquet ball?) and Isabel was a delightful greeter!

8^th October 2011 - Charter Dinner

A certain lack of photos of this event as President Geoff's son Chris, one of our guests, forgot that he was supposed to be taking the official photos! So the signed programme for the event, something we do every year for our archives, will have to do! We were joined by District Governor Elect Keith Davison and Edith, and friends from a number of Clubs. Rather than an after dinner speaker we had some jazz in the shape of the Alan Owens Quintet, which made an enjoyable change.

14^th October 2011 - District Conference

A number of highlights, so a number of pictures! Five members and a junior guest were able to make it to a very full and very enjoyable conference. This was held in the newly refurbished Spa Complex, which made an excellent setting. The weather was also incredible -  deep blue skies every day.

The weekend started with a black tie dinner. Good fellowship and an excellent after dinner turn from comedian Martin Gold set the tone for the weekend. Highlights of the sessions were some excellent speakers including Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, Anne Blight of the Starfish Project, and Terry Waite. We were also impressed by the assurance and enthusiasm of members of the Interact Club of Keighley, and winners from the Young Musicians competition. Anne also met the Queen (?!)

5^th November 2011 - Bonfire Night

Once again the Club helped with the arrangements for the bucket collection at the Town Firework Display, organised by the Fire and Rescue Service. A great evening, which has now become a traditional part of the calendar, rounded off as usual by a trip to the Red Chilli Indian Restaurant to warm up and round off the event.

7^th December 2011 - "Classy Cast Offs" sale in aid of the Zambian Borehole Project

The International Committee organised a very successful "Classy Castoffs" sale to raise money for a borehole to provide clean water at a village in Zambia, for local Charity Zest UK. Over £550 was raised for the charity, and it was pleasing to know the items that did not sell, and which went to the MIND Charity shop also raised a further £200 for that Charity. The added bonus was that the ladies were able to dress up in some of the items. Here they are showing off some of the hats!

December 2011 - Santa Sleigh

After a difficult year in 2010 because of icy weather, Santa took to the streets of Northallerton again in 2011, and although we were affected by gremlins in the fairy lights on one of the planned evenings, we did manage to do three house to house collections, and two sessions at the local supermarkets. As ever, the people of Northallerton were very generous, allowing the club to raise funds for a range of events aimed at the young people of the town during the year ahead. Santa also had a great time, and is seen here assisted by his helpers at Sainsburys.

23^rd January 2012 - A Trip to the Pantomime

The Club had its traditional visit to the Pantomime to see "Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs"

6^th March 2012 - Technology Tournament

Once again the Club played a part in organising the North Group Technology Tournament. This year the challenge was to create a "Coin Sorter". Teams for schools across the area rose to the challenge magnificently and a great day was had by all. Lack of permission to publish photos of the children themselves undertaking the challenge means you will have to do with a picture of some of the judges preparing for their part in the competition. I think we were all glad we were not the ones solving the challenge!

24^th March 2012 - International Charity Concert

Northallerton Town Hall was our venue again for our second Charity Concert. This was a joint affair with Herriot Hospice Homecare, and the Club's half share of the proceeds went to the District Ukerewe Project. A full house was entertained with a wide selection of 'Songs from the Shows' by the Northallerton Amateur Variety Company Concert Party.

11^th to 13^th May 2012 - Ambassadorial Scholars Weekend

During the 2011/12 academic year District 1040 are supporting 12 scholars from across the world to undertake studies at universities within Yorkshire - a scheme funded by the Rotary International Foundation charity. The Club hosted a very enjoyable weekend, when 8 of this year's ambassadorial scholars from South Korea, France, Japan, USA and Italy were able to join us for a varied weekend of fellowship and activities. The scholars were hosted by Members of the Club.

Friday evening saw dinner parties across the town as groups got together to welcome our guests. On Saturday a range of activities took place including a walk, a trip to Durham, a trip to the North York Moors including a visit to the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton Le Hole, where we were lucky to be there on a re-enactment day. So some of or visitors are now expert on loading and firing muskets! Others went to a local village fete.

In the evening we had a club event at a local restaurant. The highlight was undoubtedly the demonstration of Origami by one of the Japanese scholars. Excellent instruction led to us all making a hat, and the president and the scholars are seen displaying these in one of the photos in the gallery!

We finished the weekend with a lunch gathering with entertainment from a steel band and a fire-eater. A great end to a very enjoyable weekend. More photos from this weekend are available in our photo gallery.

16^th May 2012 - North Group Games Night

In 2011 the Club was "lucky" enough to win the competition. As it says on the Trophy - "This Cup is awarded to next year's organisers"!

So the 2012 event was held at Northallerton Cricket Club on a rather chilly evening - calling for a mix of indoor and outdoor games. Teams from 6 Clubs in North Group were able to attend. Following an outstanding round of Boggle, the worthy winners were the Ripon Club. The activities were followed by an excellent supper.

We look forward to the 2013 event - in Ripon of course.

June 2012 - Kids Out day at Lightwater Valley

The partnership between Rotary GB&I and the charity Kids Out started some years ago . This charity aims to give children who are disadvantaged or who have a disability an enjoyable "day out". It was launched as a district event and each year District 1040 organises a special day at the theme park Lightwater Valley with clubs encouraged to take along a group of eligible children. For the last few years our club have taken along a group of children from Chernobyl whilst they are being hosted for a month in Northallerton by members of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children. 11 children made the journey in 2012, and it is hoped that they will benefit from their stay here. The club funds the day out and is pleased to supply the children with themed baseball hats and t-shirts which they really appreciate. They seem to really enjoy their day at Lightwater Valley - sampling the various rides and entertainment!

June 2012 - Club Photographic Competition

The Club held its first Photographic competition, and this was agreed to be such an enjoyable event that it looks set to become an annual fixture.

The results are as follows:
Club members class - Weather Fury

• Winner - Carole Ford
• Runner-up - Kevin Hardisty

Club members class - Happiness

• Winner - Sandhya Nadgir
• Runner-up - Carole Ford

Open class - Wildlife

• Winner - John Proud, President of Northallerton RC
• Runner-up - Alan Miller

A slideshow of the winning photos can be found in our Photo Gallery