Weekly meeting 19 September 2016

Nineteen members sat down to lunch today with Paul Robbins in the chair, which means that 13 members were either away or not very well.

John Utting, our secretary, told us that a Syrian family had recently moved in to the area and that their children had now enrolled at a local school of which he is a governor.  He wondered if there were any Arabic speakers known to members who might be able to help with interpreting.  

Patrick Brown, our almoner, informed us that Chris Farrer is in good spirits, but asked that any visitors must ring Rita, his wife

Jack Rowe thanked the Club for the gift of a lovely bouquet to his wife Pat, who has not been very well.

Although the 200 Club draw was made, resulting in disc number 149 being chosen, as that club’s secretary was not present we shall not know till he returns from holiday who is the lucky winner for this week.

Jack Rowe won the wine draw.

Howard Binsted mentioned he had delivered his tranche of dictionaries to Year 6 pupils at Sandown school and that teachers there had confirmed their usefulness.  This prompted John Utting to mention that staff at Warden House school, to whose Year 6 pupils he had also just recently delivered dictionaries, suggested the books might be given to pupils in Year 5. This suggestion was made as the English language curriculum requirements had increased so much, that year 5 children could well benefit from being able to use the dictionaries both in of their last two years at primary school (Yrs. 5 and 6)  As the dictionary organiser, Ben Finney, explained that might be easier said than done because although we have to order the dictionaries this Autumn they are not delivered till next May at the earliest. However, even if the dictionaries arrive in May, we could still distribute to Yr5 children as soon as the dictionaries arrive, enabling the children to get at least an additional three months use of them. We could even ask the dictionaries supplier if we could obtain our dictionaries a little earlier than May.

Ian Draper spoke about the £1260 cost of purchasing dictionaries,Discussion ensued and the Club heard a report that the dictionaries were considered a valuable and necessary help to children’s education, especially in the last two years in Primary education. Club members present were in support of the expenditure being made. Our Community committee doesn’t have enough funds to purchase this year’s requirement. It was suggested that ‘Community’ make a contribution of £260 and that Marlene Burnham (Chair of Community) will be applying to the Trustees of the M R Dunn Trust for a grant of the remaining £1000.

David Harding reported that in his communications with the Calais club he had learned some two weeks ago that they were thinking of holding a Triangulaire around the possible dates of 30/09 – 02/1, the date being subject to confirmation, however that confirmation has yet to be received. Members pointed out that diaries may well be filling up with other events.

Colin Richards reminded members that the Quiz Night he has organised to help raise more funds for the elimination of polio is on Thursday 06 October at the RMA - bookings via Colin Richards

Marlene Burnham told us she had reasonable success with the stall, which she organised at last Sunday’s Braderie.  Several Rotarians spared time to help her on the day but she was slightly disappointed with the fact that the effort only raised £105 for community funds.

President Paul then opened the official business part of our meeting and invited our treasurer, David Lister, to speak about his report.  He explained that it followed the usual format in that the first sheet of figures was all about our club funds whereas sheet 2 was all about our charity monies.

 David Hannent wondered whether members would agree with him that some form of musical accompaniment would suit the occasion of the Club’s Charter night celebrations (Friday 18 November) and that idea seemed to meet with approval.

Howard Binsted gave more details about the possibility of us sending some Young Carers away on the Cambria Barge as he had now spoken to their Trustees’ president who came and spoke at one of our formal dinners last year.

The President explained to members his new idea about changing the seating arrangements at our luncheons, designed to ensure that we all move round and get to know other members better.  By a considerable majority it was decided to give his idea a trial till Christmas. The new scheme will start next week.

As to the future of our District Conference venues on which we had been invited to vote, our members thought the University of Kent was the most preferable, especially as it might be possible to hold the event in March at their premises, followed by the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone then Brighton.

Finally Marlene Burnham told about the town’s success with the recent Britain in Bloom competition.  Whilst the town had just missed out, by one point on a Gold award, we had done well in other categories, including a special award for the floral displays outside Dunkerley’s and the adjacent King’s Head pub. Ian Dunkerley had been on hand to accept the award.

Report written by Howard Binsted