General Meeting - Live

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 23rd February 2023

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Chris, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Godfrey, Jean M, Lesley, Maureen, Marian, Nick, Pat, Paul, Reggie, Robert.

Apologies:           David K, Gerri, Hilary, Iain, Kathryn, Myfanwy, Margaret, Pete, Pippa, Spyros, Sue.

Guest:                  Ian Small

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:             Referring to our last meeting, when we discussed making further applications for District grants, Pat said that the one for Red Zebra has already been made.  The one for Crossroads will be made when the latter come back to us with details for the project for which they money is needed.

Social:                   The Ten Pin bowling is booked for next Friday 3rd March.  Seven people have booked a meal at the Royal afterwards, but only a couple of people have let Pat have their menu choices.  Can those attending please let Pat have your menu choices by the week end, please?

International     Andrew B said that he is doing his first talk to a school about Walk4Water later today.  David M visited another school yesterday to do a talk.

Any Other Business:        Chris as Speaker Organiser has arranged a speaker from the Canterbury Food Bank for our evening meeting on 27th April.  It was suggested that everyone attending bring a donation of one or two food items to pass on.

                                An email has been circulated to members about a 'black tie' dinner being organised by the Forest of Blean club.  If you would like to attend, contact FoB - not Pat.

                                The next Car Parking is Saturday week 4th March.  Paul said he needs another volunteer to open up at 08.00am.  Only Leslie's name is down at present.

Chris' Life Story:                                Chris was born in Suffolk.  It was while he was at school that he began a lifelong interest in sailing.  He studied biochemistry at university which gained him his first job at Watneys brewery.  After a year he moved to Kent to take up a job with Shepherd Neame, and subsequently met his wife at a sailing club in Kent.  Chris has worked in several different breweries in the north and south of the UK before returning to Kent to work again for Shepherd Neame.  On once occasion he was asked by the BBC to help the then popular scientist Adam Hart-Davis in a documentary about the origins of brewing in ancient Mesopotamia by resurrecting a 4,000 year old recipe for beer.

                                Chris retired in 2013 and he and his wife bought their first yacht.  They have since accomplished several cruises to France or up the east coast.  Chris is still a keen sailor.  He is a volunteer driver for Red Zebra once a week.

Raffle:                   Won by Lesley

Master-at-Arms:              According to Nick, today is International Dog Biscuit Day.  On this day in 1836, the 13 day siege of the Alamo began.  Also in 1963, a farmer electrified his car as a deterrent to traffic wardens but was arrested for electrocuting a policeman.

Final Toast:         Robert

Next Meeting:

07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 2nd March 2023 @ The Plough