What we did in 2017/2018

People born in Durham are called Durhamites or sometimes Posh Geordies.  A Posh Geordie was the Club’s President in 2017/2018.  Mike Helyer joined Swindon North in 2013 following memberships of Highworth & District Round Table and Cricklade Rotary Club.

There were two of the annual charity golf days in his year. The 24th which couldn’t be held in the previous Rotary year because of heavy rain finally took place in August. And then nine months later the 25th was held in May as planned. The two events produced £4,600 for Inner Flame.  Inner Flame was also the main beneficiary of the annual Swimathon & Grand Draw. It was sponsored by The Link Centre, which hosted the Swimathon, and the Swindon Link magazine. Over £4,500 was raised for 6 charities with more than £3,130 presented to David Wreathall for Inner Flame (4th from the right). One of the Link Centre lifeguards is 2nd on the left and next to her holding the cheque is the Centre's Manager.

One of the Club’s guest speakers was Lynne Melly, a paediatric nurse and crew member with Mercy Ships.  A donation of £100 was presented to her.  £950 was raised for The Youth Adventure Trust by means of Horse Racing on TV with a fish and chip supper in Wanborough Village Hall.  The money raised was topped up to £1,100 in order to meet the second year of the Club’s 3-year commitment to fund a youngster on a Youth Adventure Trust course.  Another youth project supported by the Club was the Rotary Youth Leadership Award scheme.  Bradley Barber was selected as the Club’s candidate

December saw Terry Williams selling his Christmas trees again with the proceeds being split between Brighter Futures and Action Through Enterprise.  Club member Phil Matthews entered the Swindon Half Marathon and raised a princely sum for the Brighter Futures appeal.  He clearly enjoyed it, saying: "This was my first half marathon and I don't think it will be my last".

A new event was held - Rock and Roll Bingo with a curry supper.  It proved to be good fun and a fairly easy way to raise £460.  More than 100 people came to the charity quiz which this time was held in the Supermarine FC Clubhouse. It enabled a donation of £2,000 to go to TWIGS Community Gardens in Cheney Manor. The funds were presented to Alan Holland of TWIGS at his Gardens in April (pictured). Members, partners and the ladies of the Inner Wheel Club who had provided the supper at the Quiz were invited and shown around the Gardens.

On the social side members enjoyed dinner at the theatre in Sonning followed by a performance of Agatha Christie’s thriller-comedy Spider's Web.  The members and partners weekend away was a 2-night stay in Bournemouth with a trip to Swanage and Corfe Castle by boat and steam hauled train.  To round off the year President Mike and his wife, Daphne, hosted an End-of-Year Tea Party for members and partners in their garden.