Car Show donation presentation

It was an evening of “Smiles with Miles” when some sixty Rotarians and guests joined together for dinner and the presentation ceremony at the Cooden Beach Hotel on Wednesday 22nd August 2018. The club was pleased to welcome among the guests new District 1120 Governor, Brenda Parsons and her husband Jim. President Dave Miles opened the presentations after dinner by thanking all of those who did so much to make the show such a success. He specially mentioned Pat Connor for looking after the equipment year after year and running the barbeque, Marcia Bryant for her dedication to the cake and tea stall and Rod Farrow who for a number of years had marked out the grounds to ensure cars were displayed to their best and could all be fitted in. Rod has “retired” from the job now to give way to someone younger. Dave also thanked the Hastings Sea Cadets for their overnight vigil ensuring the safety of the ground, the Explorer Scout Group and the marshals for all their help in setting up for the show. Dave continued by thanking Rotarians, partners, friends who did so much both on the Saturday and the Sunday. A particular “thank you” was given to Lynda Turner, the Observer Community reporter, who was present as a guest on the evening and who has provided extensive cover for Senlac’s activities.

Dave then announced that the car show would be moving to a new venue, also in Bodiam, a two field site at Park Farm, Junction Road. The venue is much larger and more suited to the show’s needs and provides safer and better access for vehicles and pedestrians. The existing stalls will be supplemented by additional food outlets.

The first presentations were to those who helped in the success of the show; Chris Connor for the Hastings Sea Cadets, Cormack Smith for the Senlac Explorer Scout Group and to Robin, landlord of the Cross Inn Staplecross, for his generous help with the beer supplies; Robin chose the British Heart Foundation for his donation.

The main donations were made to the Brain Tumour Trust (Angela Hastings and  Susan Pellett), Parchment Trust (Sarah Vaughan-Cox and Claire Stevenson),  Snowflake Nightshelter Trust (Andrew and Lesley Crighton),  Bexhill & Hastings Mencap (Pauline Fletcher and Georgina Homes) and our charity, The Yellowmen (Eddie McCall). The recipients each spoke briefly about their organisation and how the donation would be used.

Following the presentations President David introduced our new District Governor, Brenda Parsons, who gave a short inspirational talk about Rotary activities before issuing a challenge to the Senlac President. Brenda is climbing over the O2 dome to raise money for Rotary’s Polio Fund and she challenged Dave to join her. After a few moments of hesitation Dave accepted the challenge. The club look forward to David going over the top and assure him there are plenty of homes in the Bexhill locality where he can convalesce after. We wish you well Dave and assure you of plenty of support from ground level.

 

Evenings such as this don’t just happen and thanks are due to our stalwart dining steward, Geoff Gander, for organising the dinner.

 

 Please click here to see the Facebook album of the photographs from the evening.