October 2019 Update
Auld Grey Town to Willow Lanterns
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As autumn arrived the club was treated to a varied and interesting programme of speakers and activities throughout October.
We began the month with Trevor Hughes, a member of the Kendal Civic Society, who gave a presentation on the ‘Yards of Kendal.’ He explained that Kendal has many yards, crofts, and lanes which are a characteristic feature of the town and demonstrates the lively history of the people who lived and worked in them. They are a characteristic portrayal of parts of Kendal’s unique history. In days gone by they were a series of thriving little communities lined with cottages and workshops but with the march of progress and the wholesale destruction during the slum clearances of the 1960s, their number has been drastically reduced. A most interesting and informative presentation to kick start October.
As already reported on our web the club held an open meeting on October 15th with Simon McDermott, North West Regional Fundraiser for ARUK.
Simon, son in the ‘Quando, Quando, Quando’ father-son singing sensation whose heart-warming in-car video took social media by storm across the world, gave a powerful and emotional story about family love striving to overcome the problems of living with a family member with dementia. His stories were staggering about the effects of Alzheimer’s, but showed how the dark times can be turned into moments of pure joy for his ‘Songaminute Man’ father when he sings beautifully every word of well-known songs, enabling him momentarily to recover happiness, his lost personality and self. All listening to his experiences were visibly moved and enlightened by Simon’s account.
The club presented Simon with a cheque for £2500 from our September Duck Race with a further £250 being sent from donations received on the night.
Secretary Judy has been very busy over half term coordinating Willow Lantern Workshops at the Rugby Club. Certainly a case of ‘Service above Self’! A magnificent array of lanterns is produced in readiness for the Community Christmas Lights Parade in November. A few noble members helped along the way.
As we move into November we have had to cancel some of our planned meetings and activities due to the evening closure of the A591, our only main road into the town. Luckily the road will be open at weekends and the Christmas Lights Weekend will be as dazzling as ever as members take on the annual Street Collection for the Lights together with their Human Fruit Machine side show!'What We Do' Main Pages:
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." George Orwell, 1984 Meanwhile, here at AK Rotary members were introduced to Strigiformes even before our Call my Bluff evening!
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Despite the Covid pandemic having dominated all lives and events during this year, AK has continued with friendship and service locally and internationally - just on a smaller and different scale.
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Let us not forget the enormous sacrifices made by so many during both World Wars and other World conflicts.
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New Members and Recycling - rubbish not members!
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Not your usual 'litter' but an abandoned boat in the River Brathay
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November and December have been very busy from WW1 Commemorations to Search Dogs and Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf!
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A super evening - fantastic weather, delicious food and happy smiley Rotary friends. Life's good!
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Duck Race Sun Sep 16th 2018 hit by overnight heavy rain - cancelled by Elf & Safety for preservation of life and limb of Plastic Ducks and Duck Herders
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Winning Duck Racer Kieran McDonnell with family members Derrick Wren and his 8 week old grandaughter Penny, Helen Wren, Emma Wren and great grandmother Joan Graham.
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69 large poppies, inscribed with the name of a local man who gave his life in WW1 have been erected on lamp -posts around the town.
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