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29th June 2023 Handover Meeting
Gerry reminded members that she would like to relinquish overall responsibility for our Memory Café by Christmas.
President Rob then explained that he had some pleasant duties to carry out in presenting two Paul Harris fellowship Awards, given in our Club for exceptional service and this year they go to Maggie Falconer and Steve Carson. He then presented The Harry Thompson award for the Rotarian who consistently demonstrates the highest principles of Rotary throughout the year, this year to Allen Richmond, for his weekly website speaker reports.
There then followed the ‘Handover’ procedure with President Rob passing his chain of Office to President Elect David followed by P E David passing his chain of office to P Elect Gerry Short.
Rob decided it was best to entertain us with “What made me laugh”! This covered videos of:
So a good laugh to end Rob’s year, with our congratulations and best wishes for David’s forthcoming year AR
22nd June 2023 Grantham Canal update – Tina Combellack
Tina’s passion for the Grantham canal came from her first marriage home in Kinoulton, eventually moving to Hickling, so the commitment has lasted.
Grantham Canal WATER restoration Group (GCWRG) was established in 2019 when the canal in Kinoulton ran dry and the Hickling canal basin lost a considerable amount of water level. The aim is to initially rewater the canal between Hickling and Wilds Bridge, then move to the remaining sectors of the canal, hopefully bringing together local Parish, Borough and County Councils, Grantham Canal Society, Canal and River Trust, Severn Trent Water, DEFRA and anyone else with interests.
Looking back British Waterways closed the canal in 1929, classing iit as a ‘remainder waterway’ and “of no use”! What about the contributions the canal makes to wildlife, walkers, cyclists, artists and the general impact on health and well-being? Also ‘night soil’ was carried by the canal from the City to the Hickling basin and spread on the fields in that area, producing verdant growth in current times. (which may also have impacted on local Stilton?!
Positive activity so far has seen repairs to the leaks at Culverts 39 and 42. As the canal is a manmade structure, reservoir fed from Knipton, where work on the feeder has improved the flow. Also, through successful lobbying, money was allocated from the UKSPF levelling up fund to Rushcliffe B C for works on the canal amounting to £k100 of which 27% has been used to clear reeds from the Rushcliffe boundary to Lady Bay.
Obviously, there is still a lot of work to be done to maintain this valuable asset, so they are campaigning to get as many volunteer groups to help in this maintenance work.
Tina fielded a number of questions regarding possible links to the Trent, possible Health support through the County Councils with aplomb. Adrian provided the Vote of Thanks suggesting how impressed he was with Tina’s energy levels, but likened it to “if you want something done, get a busy, energetic person to do it!” He thanked her for her very interesting presentation and said it “certainly floated his boat!” The members joined him in the usual manner. AR
15th June 2023 Club Assembly
President elect David opened with a congratulations to President Rob (in his absence) for a very good year. Consequently, he has made few changes to the committee structure and looks forward to another successful year. He welcomed AG Colin Gell, who would be assessing our Assembly.
The committee Chairmen’s presentation commenced with little intervention or questioning. Colin then congratulated us on a well prepared Assembly and suggested we didn’t get complacent with our 36 membership, but continued to strive to increase it. AR
8th June 2023 My Life and Times Chris Scholey
Chris began, after a joke about his “overactive Knife and Fork”, by explaining that he was born in a little mining village between Selby and Doncaster, so naturally a Yorkshireman, through and through! His school career he would prefer to forget: failed 11+, but got to Grammar school following interview (he obviously had his persuasive delivery skills at a young age!) He only managed 3 ‘o’ levels, but needed English to be able to stay on in 6th form. After failing 3 times his headmaster suggested a different tack with 2 other University boards and he finished with 2 English ‘o’ levels! He was doing some part time work at Filey Butlins during his ‘A’ levels, so managed just an ‘E’ in Physics. Still confident in his own abilities he went to Sheffield and managed an HND in Applied Physics, then decided to move on to Liverpool to convert his HND into a Degree. After much hard work (6 hours lectures every day) he produced a First-Class Honours Degree and so on to a successful working career, spending 75% in the private sector and the remaining 25% public sector.
His first job was at Steeltley, a refractory manufacturer in Worksop, but after a time there when asked to do a 45-minute presentation on ‘bricks for the cement industry’, he decided it was time to move on! So off to Dalton Industrial products in Stone, Staffs., where they produced complex ceramic cores for turbine blades that went into the RB211 engine (70% failure rate). He described the fettling shop where many middle-aged women worked, who loved to embarrass him, which he hated, but he spent some time ‘on the tools’ there becoming quite competent with the moulding machine operations, resulting in regular unpaid call outs to trouble shoot on the shop floor.
We then had the story of his father-in-law, who regularly bet on the horses and passed on a strong ‘tip’ for “Royal Match” in the Spring Cup, in Liverpool. As it happened one of his staff “Arnold” went home for his lunch each day and put a bet on at the bookies on his way back to work. He tried to explain to Arnold that gambling was a waste of time and money. More as a joke Chris passed on the tip (Royal Match) asking him to put £1.50 each way for him, however Chris hadn’t realised that Arnold took many other bets from the factory. In fact, Arnold had taken £450 in bets and suggested that this was only half the total riding on Royal Match (circa £10k in today’s money). The lucky outcome was that it won, so he was cheered through the Factory on the following day, strutting like Noel Coward did in the “Italian Job” film.
Next a move to Sales with British Oxygen, including a 3-month secondment to Zimbabwe; after 8 years he moved to BOC Manchester. Shortly afterwards he left BOC and joined Redfearn Plastics in Leeds, where he was involved in the first introduction of PET bottles. Once it looked like the technology was changing enabling the big bottlers to produce at the end of the filling line, he recommended that the business be sold. Chris then moved to the parent company Redfearn National Glass as General Sales Manager, 2 years later becoming Sales Director. A few years later the business was sold to PLM a Swedish packaging company, they made Chris UK Managing Director all ran well until Irish billionaire Shaun Quinn entered the glass market. Chris then regaled us with his fight to stop the UK government giving Quinn grants. Ultimately as the market become oversupplied Chris sold the business to one of his competitors and the left the private sector to start a new career in the public sector.
President Rob gave the vote of thanks congratulating Chris on his punditry & all the entertaining facts he had provided covering refractories, ceramics, plastic and glass, in an informative and interesting presentation. We all look forward to part 2 in the public sector.
The members joined Rob giving a prolonged applause, in the normal manner AR
25 May 2023: Aquabox Talk - Roz Adamson
Roz commenced her talk by saying that she is a Trustee of the Aquabox Trust and a Member of the newly established Derbyshire Dales Rotary Club.
She said that she had become a member of Rotary as a result of her volunteering for Aquabox following her retirement from teaching and searching for someway of using her continuing energy.
She had started at Aquabox as a shelf filler and had progressed to hold various roles as a volunteer currently being the champion for Aquabox Ambassadors.
Aquabox was founded in 1992 when 2 members of Wirksworth Rotary Club hatched a plan to find a way of helping to provide safe clean water to people affected by disasters where water supplies are interrupted.
The first Aqua boxes contained water purification tablets that that were used in the plastic boxes provided and whilst providing safe water it was tainted by the chemical purification.
The remaining space in the boxes was filled with items that had been donated as a result of appeals for items that people who were homeless due to disasters were felt to need.
Whilst donors were generous many of the things donated proved to be inappropriate for the needs of those who were affected so much time was spent unpacking and repacking filled boxes.
Overtime development of water filtering systems allowed Aquabox to move away from chemical water purification with the provision water filtering equipment.
Concentration on the provision of clean water led to the cessation of filling boxes with donated items many of which proved to be unusable.
A great step forward in the development of Aqua boxes provided today came about 10 years ago with the development of the Grifaid Filter System by renowned design engineer Rotarian John Griffiths in Rotary District 1030.
The water filters are manufactured by a not for profit company the Safe Water Trust and assembled under licence by Aquabox at their depot in Cromford, Derbyshire.
Now each Aquabox Gold Box, which is tailored to support a family group, contains water purification filters as well as items of humanitarian aid to help with shelter and shelter building, lighting, cooking and feeding, educational development and hygiene.
The boxes are packed by the volunteer Aquabox teams and filled with specially selected humanitarian goods to meet the basic needs of the recipients.
Boxes filled with 12 Family Filter units and a larger capacity Community Filter unit are also supplied to meet specific needs.
The Aquabox Trust is run entirely by volunteers apart from One Part Time paid employee.
There are more than 70 volunteers who assemble the filters and pack the boxes at the Depot.
Recently some new trustees from local business have come on board and this has spawned a project to revaluate the production procedures with the aim of increasing the efficiency of the work carried out at the depot. This is a collaborative procedure with the Volunteers being involved in the development new procedures.
Aquabox works in partnership with Aid Agencies operating throughout the world who supply Aqua boxes as part of their disaster response efforts and in support of communities that have no access to clean water.
The Trust always welcomes visits to the depot and would be happy to receive help from anyone who might wish to become a volunteer.
Roz was thanked for her excellent talk and complimented on the continued success of Aquabox. It was good to see that they are forward looking and refreshing their procedures. ST/AR
18th May 2023 - Charter Celebrations
President Rob welcomed everyone to our 33rd celebration of the granting of our Charter in May 1990. He commented on how great it was to see so many of our own Rotarians, partners and friends, but also the support in particular from Newark Castle and Nottingham Clubs.
He explained how he was being recycled, having been the Founder President, presiding over our Inaugural Meeting and our first Charter. At both of those events, and subsequent Charters, we have followed a traditional format, so this year we decided to try something different - there will be no speeches, other than this one, no roll call, and no list of achievements over the past year. There will be only one Toast, to "Rotary International"
Attendees then enjoyed the Chinese Banquet meal accompanied by piano playing and followed by a "Drifters style" performance, which got some on their feet dancing.
All in all a good night of fun and camaraderie! AR
11th May 2023 My Life and Times Chris Beale
Chris began by explaining that he was born in Sheffield and spent about 40 years there before moving to Nottinghamshire for a further 37 years, so far! He went to Birkdale Prep school from 4 to 11, where he passed his 11+, which enabled him to go to King Edward VII School, rather than having to go away to Boarding school. He developed his ability for languages, doing Latin and Ancient Greek, which won him a Exhibition to the Queen’s College, Oxford. However, in his ‘gap’ year he got employment at United Steel Company, where he alternated between operating a valve computer and recording data in the ‘Cogging Mill’, where the steel was rolled with great noise.
Once at Oxford he dropped Classics to study Law. The College Principal was a Nobel Prize Winner, Lord Howard Florey. He moved on to the College of Law at Guildford, where he passed the Solicitor’s exams except accounts, which he passed after serving his articles in his father’s Solicitor’s practice. He did three voluntary activities, joining the Special Constabulary, continuing in the Scout Association and becoming an Assistant County Commissioner and an occasional volunteer with the Peak Park Warden service.
His main hobby has always related to railways, as a voluntary trackman for the Severn Valley Railway in Worcestershire in the 1990s, then a new project The Ecclesbourne Valley railway, eventually to become an Engine driver, and along the way purchasing a class 31 mainline loco!
He talked fondly of his family, and also spoke about all his volunteering and hobbies, which included long distance walking having covered between 50 and 100 of English long-distance paths.
President Rob gave the vote of thanks congratulating Chris on all the fascinating facts he had provided in an informative and interesting presentation.
The members joined Rob giving a prolonged applause, in the normal manner AR
4th May 2023 What is Forensic Podiatry Richard Povey
Richard started with the definition, which in summary is: an association between a footprint and a crime, as defined by Vernon and McCourt. He then went on to talk about the role of a Podiatrist as an expert witness in a court case, suggesting it’s not quite the same as DNA. He also mentioned that it is very rare that a podiatrist would visit a crime scene, that is the police role of a SOCO (Scene of Crime Officer), which means that ‘Silent Witness’, gives a totally wrong impression of what happens in real life. He cited an example of where Wesley Vernon (Sheffield Professor of Forensic Podiatry and World-renowned expert) returned from holiday to discover 72 floor boards that had been sent for his ‘views’, following a murder in Holland!
The main role is for them to present a clear, logical report on the evidence they have been given. Photographs of a footprint would provide: appearance; length; number of toes; toe positions, depending on whether a full or partial footprint. He then described the Gunn Method of foot measurements which give specific numbers which can provide guides on the height of the owner of the print.
Footwear was next discussed, although the Podiatrist would not normally involved, other than a print from an insole, but there can be marks and crease lines, but it’s mainly about the maker and type of shoe.
Blood and blood patterns are often important and Richard suggests that all traces of blood cannot be totally removed, even with bleach! He also mentioned gait analysis, used by the police mainly from CCTV footage.
Maggie gave the vote of thanks congratulating Richard on all the fascinating facts he had provided in an informative and interesting presentation, showing how much information can be gathered from feet. The members joined Maggie in the normal manner AR
27th April 2023 Social Evening
2 cheques for £100 each were presented to Phoebe Lunn and Amber Castell as a contribution towards the cost of a 10 day visit to Costa Rica where they will be doing voluntary work in connection with their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
The rest if the meeting was purely social, if cut throat dominoes can be so described. SC
20th April 2023 10 Pin Bowling Evening
President elect David E put together a well organised social Bowling evening for Club attended by 19 members. We split up into 3 teams of 4 and the remaining 3 (slow movers!). Scoring varied considerably with the 'A' Team of Alan F., Allen R., Barry and Chris S. managing a grand Total of 798, followed by Chris N.(who managed the best individual score of the evening at 135, with Chris S. not far behind with132), President Rob, Jim and Gerry S. amassing 778. Denis, Stan, Stuart and Peter getting 708; Doug, Jane, Maggie and Gordon totalling 582. I didn't receive a figure from Adrian, Derek and David E? Good value for money with 2 frames and an included drink.
Then on to Chiquitos Mexican restaurant, again well organised by David with pre orders, drinks and good food.
A very enjoyable evening with lots of banter and camaraderie! AR
13 April 2023 - Litter Pick in Bingham
3 teams tackled the Litter at various sites in Bingham, collecting significant amounts of litter. They then retired to Bingham Bowling Club where they enjoyed a tasty buffet followed by a music quiz based on TV and Film theme music presented by Bowling Club Steward Rb Leadenham. An enjoyable evening for the 20 members present. DD
6th April 2023 - AGM and Business Meetings
President Rob welcomed members to the meeting with congratulations on a successful year, with fund raising beyond expectations. we are still awaiting a nomination for President Nominee and hope we can attract at least one new member before July.
Details to be found in the members section.
23rd March 2023 Bottesford in the Great War – David Middletun
David is involved with the Bottesford Community Heritage Group, as well as one of the editors of the Bottesford Living History website (www.bottesfordhistory.org.uk) His presentation drew on research conducted as part of the Bottesford Parish 1st World War Centenary Project. This has been running since 2014 to the present and was funded initially by Heritage Lottery Funding and involved 25 volunteers. Their basic drivers were: Who served and How did the community cope? They researched, gathered family information and memorabilia, worked with schools and hidden history revealed unexpected findings.
230 served in the combined Bottesford and Muston parishes from a community of 1300; 41 died up to 11/11/1918. Giving an 18% mortality rate compared with the National average of 11.6%, with many dying in 1918 in the German Spring Offensive. Much data was gathered from the Grantham Journal and the Bottesford School Log book.
The children held 18 Flag days in the year 1914 to 1915, collecting £33.0s.04d (equivalent to £300 today!) They also collected oranges for sailors, horse chestnuts to produce acetone for explosives and blackberries to produce syrup, rich in vitamin C for the troops. As normal they were involved in potato picking and harvesting, waste paper recycling.
There was also War Saving Association which had 34 families saving in 1916 rising to 127 families by 1918, raising a grand total of £648 (equivalent to £50 k today) There was also the National Egg collection with H M Queen Alexander as its Patron. By 1915 they were collecting 1 million eggs per week with 2000 depots interlinked by FREE railway transport, they even had “Eggograms!” and the two local organisers proudly declared “only 0.5% breakages”. David showed a cartoon with the vicar preaching about ladies when visiting church could lay their eggs in the font.
He next covered Memorials, which became a contentious issue, but eventually they found a list of the 186 who lost their lives at the Leicestershire County archive at Wigston, and were recorded by regiment, but not rank. He then covered two war biographies (of the 250 produced):
Montagu Vincent-Jackson, a Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), who died on 5th February 1916 west of Armentieres, Flanders. The research revealed that Montagu had been part of a group of friends at Oxford University, all of whom had given up their studies to volunteer for war time service. Vera Britain was one of those friends. Vera went on to write the celebrate book ‘Testament of Youth’ where she documented the loss of all those friends including her fiancé. There was an interesting twist. Montagu’s service records contained a letter written in 1919 by a young German officer called Karl Brand. It became clear that Karl was present when Montagu had died of his wounds and he wished to contact Montagu’s parents to give them details of his death and to return his pocket watch which had been damaged by a bullet. Sadly, Montagu’s parents had both died before the letter arrived.
The other biography was for Pte Charles (Charlie) Pacey, who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. One of his letters home was a poignant reminder of how important it is to reveal the details of the lives of those who fell. Or as Charlie Pacey put it in a letter home to his family ‘it’s a pity how a man is soon forgotten though. A fellow that we slept with, worked with etc., and now just an occasional thought reminds us. Or we would forget they ever existed.’
Gail provided a warm vote of thanks, expressing as someone who lived in Bottesford what a fascinating and informative presentation it had been and members joined in with appreciative applause. AR
16th March 2023 Battle of the River Baise – Clive Rees
Clive fooled us all with his title, as this was the story of their boating holiday with friends Barry and Sue in 1999, but it did turn out somewhat risky and traumatic!
After the month of July had suffered permanent rain, I think it all started at Le Mas d ’Agenais with Eglise Saint Vincent, who Clive felt offered some protection to travellers(not clear whether that covered ‘sailors’?! So, they set up in this 8-birth super tanker, of which apparently Clive is Captain and Barry Chief Engineer? Off they go towards Buzet on what Clive says is the Canal du Midi (I could only find Canal Lateral a la Garonne?)
Would you believe they discovered a ‘lay by’, where they moored and pressed a buzzer to call a pair of Horses with flash cart, driven by Nicole, to take them wine tasting at the nearby Chateau. Unfortunately, one of the two horses Henry had some stomach problem, so let Hercule, the other horse do all the work. This could be seen by Henry’s chain remaining slack, but Nicole observed and flicked the whip at Henry, but this resulted in “the passage of highly smelly wind”. By the time they reached the top of the hill, enough gas to melt the ice cap. This reminded Clive of his young days when Grandma insisted he collect from behind the horses manure for her roses!
So on they went having purchased several cases of wine from the Chateau, eventually joining the Petite Baise river, which appeared almost Red and clearly in flood conditions. They sighted a Fire Brigade boat which were looking for broken trees and as they entered the river, the boat proceeded backwards. Rapid action was taken sending the Engineer below decks to sort out the injector pump, which miraculously was successful! So, on to Moncrabeau, where apparently, they have an annual competition for ‘liars’, from which, naturally politicians are banned! They decided to treat themselves to a restaurant meal, but unfortunately it was closed for a wedding party. Not to be outdone, they found a nearby campsite and they entered the Marquee and asked for ‘steak frites’ for 4, to be told there was only enough for 3 , which turned out to be one piece cut into 3! Still the rain continued to fall, but they returned to their boat, which they had moored under a bridge and off to bed. Next morning Clive wakes up with his feet 30 degrees higher than his head, boat stuck under the bridge. So, Barry and Ros were quickly dispatched to the ropes to sort out the dilemma. Onwards then to Nerac, where they saw the Palace of Prince Henry and it continued to rain, to such an extent that they were ‘spat’ out of one lock when the water was flooded in from the side of the lock. Finally arriving in Condom, where their Museum claims that invention and Clive thanked St, Vincent for his ‘care of passage’!
Alan W. gave a humorous vote of thanks suggesting that with all the risks that occurred they all came smiling through having good fun and members joined in with appreciative applause. AR
9th March 2023 Ukrainians in the UK – Jon Anslow
Jon began his presentation by expressing how it had been a cathartic experience preparing for his talk. He outlined that his village, Aslockton had supported 13 Ukrainians in 5 families, with he and his wife receiving a Mum, 2 children and their Grandmother. His inspiration to get involved in helping the Ukrainians was Gary Lineker, who despite all his money actually had a family live with them in his home. Their local community put a package together to send trucks over, although he was late arriving in the meeting at Whatton, his wife had volunteered him for the committee!
The Government issue forms had to be completed and he has yet to find a match between UK and Ukr. Family, and there was concern about hosts being able to handle the situation. It was difficult as there was nobody to speak to for help or advice, so they set up a WhatsApp group and Social Media became a useful tool for the Ukr.s It was a different refugee situation that was women led, so a danger with them alone with children and vulnerable. Often migrations (which have been taking place over many years) are male led. The man migrates, gets job, gets a new home, then brings his family.
Jon described a situation where a man from the North offered their family 3 visas, missing the grandmother one, thus suspecting possible abuse or exploitation.
They came across the Sunflower Sisters who used the term “guests” rather than “refugees”, who got together the paperwork required: passports, birth certificates, certain financial information, obviously all sensitive and personal information that could be fed to an Ukrainian Embassy, unfortunately based in Stockholm. They finally received their family, which was a challenge not having children themselves and the children had most difficulty with English food, but eventually they were able to make Borscht ( a sour soup based on beetroot), which they could serve to the child in a flask, so they could eat when out. Consequently, their first meals eating together were quite awkward, so eventually they ate separately. They come from a town called Irpin, NW of Kyiv and on 23rd February 2022, the invasion and bombings started so they got the children to pack their bags( changing the toys to clothes) and went down to their basement for protection. They decided to travel West to join with Grandmother and continue to the Polish border. They eventually arrived and Jon wanted to give them some stability, getting appointments organised at the Job centre and arranging schools for the children. The latter proving a challenge with Notts. County Council who tried to delay decisions as school holidays were due in a few weeks, but eventually getting them into Aslockton school.
They went to an event organised by the Nottingham Ukrainian Ensemble, which Michael M. and Alan F. attended with them. Then followed a shop opening which offered new or nearly new clothes enabling some dignity to return to their gusts. Trying to get independence for them was even more challenging, they needed to be earning about £28k pa to cover the rentals involved in some basic properties, concluding with Jon and his wife standing as guarantors, a major commitment..
When asked if he would do it again, Jon’s immediate response was ‘no’. David V. gave a heartfelt vote of thanks acknowledging what a great job he and his wife had performed compared with most of us who had made minor contributions and member joined in a warm round of applause. AR
2nd March 2023 KWEST – Lesley Churm
We were well entertained by our speaker, Lesley Churm, who gave a very succinct presentation about her charity, the Kenya Watumu Educational Support Trust (KWEST).
Lesley is a retired school teacher who founded her charity after holidaying in Watuma in Kenya and discovering the pressing need in local schools for suitable reading books, which was severely disadvantaging the children's chance of a basic education. There are many languages in Kenya, but all the testing and exams in schools are carried out in English, often a child’s 3rd language. Additionally, classrooms are cramped, many schools have over 80 children per class with one teacher. with class sizes of over 60 pupils being common, with few chairs and desks, and any reading is teacher led to the whole class. Also, extreme poverty, and parents lack of education, meant that there was a complete lack of books in the children’s homes.
To help alleviate this problem, Lesley has founded, and funded, a local Community Library in Watumu, giving children access to books at weekends and school holidays. The books are donated in the UK, and then Lesley and her KWEST charity ship them to Kenya. Our team visit 9 schools a week taking boxes of books from the library to hold a Reading/ literacy session. This gives over 2000 children a week the opportunity to read and develop their literacy.
After a few years, KWEST now supports 9 local schools and employs 4 teachers, with some 2000 local children benefitting weekly from 1000’s of books.
Lesley’s passion and drive were well demonstrated, and her talk raised many questions. After a vote of thanks from Mike Twells, also a retired teacher, President Rob presented Lesley with a cheque for her Charity. AC/AR
23rd February 2023 Cotgrave Community Kitchen Jilly Mathers and Phil Drabble
Before Jilly presented Gerry updated members on the Memory Café event this afternoon with 48 guests and 14 Rotarians, highest to date. Jilly began by explaining that they had been in operation for about 4 years and were a food distribution service, rather than a food Bank, run with the help of 24 volunteers.. They pick up from 32 Supermarket’s surplus food, either early morning or last thing in the evening. They run a ‘mini market’ twice a week, set up as a Green Grocers shop environment and served subsidised meals during lockdown on Tuesdays (85 to 100) and Thursdays (150), now based at The Manvers Pub also with the distribution of food bags. They just cook Tuesdays now, serving 25 to 30 Metropolitan Housing Residents fro The Thurlbeck Community Centre.
As well as saving food wastage into landfill, helping with food poverty prevention, there is a major impact on Social isolation. There work has been recognised and they showed us a video that was presented on Central News as well as an award for “ Community Group of the Year” from Rushcliffe B C. Jilly is also an ‘Honorary Member’ of Rushcliffe Rotary Club, who like ourselves have been helping and supporting CCK and they awarded her one of the highest awards in the Rotary movement, a “Paul Harris Fellow”.
Partnership working is one of their strategies and they showed many examples of their different initiatives: Cotgrave C of E school, Cotgrave Methodist Church, Ashlea Special school, Rosie May(and their famous Tuk Tuk), the Community Garden group. They provide Easter eggs, Christmas hampers, Pizza kits, half term “Kids eat free” at The Manvers, Friday coffee mornings.
There was a further moving video from Krista, a mother who had benefitted from their “affordable” food services in these times of the cost of living crisis, but the other very important aspect was the friendships and acquaintances she had made to the extent that she has become one of the volunteers herself.
Their future aspirations include possible Charity status, improved accommodation, increased number of customers and new initiatives. There is a Bowls pavilion adjacent to the Miners Welfare and the Community Garden, that would meet their needs perfectly, but are hitting a ‘brick wall’ with CISWO and the Welfare Trustees, whilst the Pavilion continues to deteriorate.
Alan F gave a heart-warming Vote of Thanks, suggesting rather tongue in cheek, that CCC might have been an improved Branding (Cotgrave Community Cuisine). We are very impressed by the staggering account of their activities and will continue to support them in any way we can, but the 3 ‘D’s will see them progress:
Determination, Dedication and Drive and the members showed their appreciation in the normal way AR
16th February 2023 Update on Life Education Caravan Stephen Kitch
Before Stephen presented Stan updated on the funds raised at Saturday’s Frog Race at £1817, which was proposed by Adrian to fund a further 3 Shelter boxes for the Turkey/Syria Earthquake.
Stephen who is a member of Long Eaton Dawn breakers club, who currently meet in the evening! He then reminded us that the Life Caravan had started its career in 1994 and they believe that the programme has delivered to about 500 000 children.
Unfortunately, the pandemic naturally caused serious funding problems, although with the support of the City and County Councils funding the Family learning for Parental Skills, they survived.
They changed their name to Life Education East Midlands with Northamptonshire and Leicestershire Trusts joining in 2022 and with the support of Coram Life Education, the UK’s leading health and drug education organisation (believed as the oldest charity in the world, starting in 1739 covering adoption and legal work) they sold off the caravans and Land Rovers to keep their ‘educators’ and began work writing the programmes in digital format, so they could offer schools the programme on line.
Their offer includes SCARF resources for Primary and Nursery schools, a comprehensive, progressive PSHE and RSE scheme of work for 3 to11 year-olds, high-quality, educator-led workshops for pupils and a host of free and low-cost staff training. Truly supporting schools with a Whole-school approach to wellbeing and Mental Health. Their vision is for all children to acquire the life skills needed to thrive.
SCARF – Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship
Their workshops use a best-practice, three-strand approach, addressing children’s knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. All workshops support the DfE statutory requirements for RSHE and are aligned with the National Curriculum.
Life Space is a pop up mobile tent classroom, which has gone down well with teachers and pupils creating an exciting, interactive and inspiring environment (Harold’s new home!). Their educator-led workshops combine the themes of keeping safe, relationships and growing and changing, contributing also to Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural, safeguarding and mental health requirements.
Evaluation is crucial and 99% of Headteachers and teachers recommend Life Education and SCARF. Children’s emotional and physical wellbeing helps them thrive, both academically and socially, in preparation for adulthood. The fantastic work they do relies on the dedication of their staff team and a group of volunteering Trustees.
Stephen spoke of the challenges they face due to the current economic climate and the need to offer financial support some schools to enable them to continue to access these programmes.
Stephen thanked our Club for all it’s support over the years, with a particular mention of all the selfless work done by Trustee Bill Banner.
A few question about percentages and costs were fielded by Stephen, then Jim Gostick thanked him for his informative presentation and bringing us up to date from our previous work of towing the caravan to schools in our area to the present day ‘on line’ approach and the members joined him in the normal manner.
AR
9th February 2023 Mystery ‘Call my Bluff’ President Rob
Inevitably the evening started with the Turkey/Syria Earthquake disaster, given the following background: we had a matching grant for support for Ukrainians and have only managed to spend just over £500 of the £2000. I spoke with District to check out how best to proceed with the money, especially important because requests have dropped off. The suggestion was that we work on a budget of £1000 and return “our contribution” to our charity funding. My original intention was to discuss this at our next meeting, but following the Turkish earthquake Adrian put the following proposal to Club. "That members give approval for Club to spend this £1000 in the following way -(1) £600 for a Shelter Box (2) £400 into Rotary's Earthquake Disaster Fund"
Proposal seconded by Mary Bridge-Collyns and unanimously approved bt all 26 members present for immediate action. However, we have our Frog race event on Saturday, which is sold out, so there may be additional funding available from that event.
Then to President Rob’s Mystery event and following our quiz season he selected ‘call my Bluff’, so he attempted to split us into 5 teams of 4, leaving a team of 3, Doug Duncan and Peter; as is normal this process took about 10 minutes!. Then the fun began with such words that Rob had prepared like: ERGASY, GRIMTHORP, PODIACIDE, FEATEOUS and FUSTILUGS. A second round followed with further ‘unusual’ words, but resulting in 3 teams sharing the winners enclosure: Chris N, Stan, Mike W & Stuart; Ian, Bill, Chris B & Allen then the “indecisive “team of David V, Jane, Mary and Gail, all scoring 6 points from Rob’s mysterious scoring system. A good fun evening with clear demonstrations of the members vivid creative skills ranging from ‘ a blacksmiths tool’ to ‘cotton stuffed ears’! AR
2nd February 2023 A swimmers Life….years of making it Liz and Lewis Warner
Lewis started his swimming journey as an 8 year old with Calverton and Bingham Swimming Club and achieved his first County medal in 2015 in the 200 Fly. It’s quite a lonely life existence spending 3.5 to 4 hours most days pounding up and down a swimming pool, which I can confirm as my nephew Andy Rolley swam in the Barcelona Olympics in the 400 Individual Medley in 1992 .
Consequently, Lewis enjoyed the ‘Relay Weekends’, but then came Covid and ‘lockdown’ and he was fortunate to be able to continue his training in a swim tank of friends in West Bridgford, plus many gym workouts! So, things changed following lockdown and he finished up moving to Bassetlaw Swim Squad, based in Worksop and Retford. This obviously had some impact on ‘Taxi Driver Mum’ Liz who spent about £6.5k on transport in 2022, but he achieved his first National Race in December 2021 gaining two bronze medals in the 50 and 100 back events.
We saw Lewis’s trunks, a small conventional pair for training, then an American pair like shorts style for racing, at a cost of around $400
His regime often finds him rising at about 04.30, swim training from 5.30 to 07.00, back to 6th form college, then evening training 16.30 to 18.30, followed by some stretching exercises and consuming about 4 to 5000calories per day, retiring to bed at 22.00.
The members were posing various questions as the presentation progressed, all of which were expertly handled by either Lewis or Liz. The future is hopefully in N.Carolina at a specialist Swim College and we wish him the best of luck.
Gerry T gave the Vote of Thanks suggesting that the original title we had was “The Trials and Tribulations of a Swimmer” was an accurate phrase. With his Mum’s support and his determination, dedication, commitment and achievements the sky’s the limit….keep going! AR
26th January 2023 Quiz Night with Steve Carson
Ashmores was not available, so we had a temporary move to The Bingham Bowls Club, where we were served by Steward Rob and assistant, who also prepared a buffet meal for the 23 attendees. President Rob informed the members that the 18th of may had been booked for our Virtual Informal Charter celebration evening with a £35 Chinese banquet. Arrangements had also been made to book Grange Hall at Radcliffe for our next Fund Raising event, again with some Tribute Band, yet to be finalised.
But we first had to “sing for our supper”, that is answer the first 26 alphabetical questions in our Teams. Steve had decided to let us select a piece of paper with a number on that split us into ‘teams’ of 6. How many Rotarians required to change a light bulb comes to mind! Total chaos with lots of noise for the next 15 minutes, whilst the team table arrangements took place, which finished with two teams of 5 and one of seven, probably to account for Jo, on her second visit to see what Rotary is all about!?
Some good scores resulted in the first part of the quiz, which, after the buffet, was followed by a Music quiz, ranging from John Denver through the Sex Pistols to Eight Days a week from the Beatles and finally a further 20 general knowledge questions. Needless to say that all 3 rounds were won by the “Brains Trust” team consisting of Alan Folwell, Adrian, Gerry Short, David E and Rob.
President Rob thanked Steve for his quizzes, acknowledging the time taken to put together the questions and an enthusiastic round of applause followed from the members who had enjoyed the evening and experienced a good ‘default ‘ venue. AR
19th January 2023 Business Meeting
What a pleasure it was to see Trevor back at our meetings, following his operation and he bought a round of drinks for everyone to show that he was glad to be back.
Gerry S, as President nominee had attended a District training session and reported on items such as ‘Children against plastic’ and that if Rotary wished to attract young people they need to get to grips with Tik Tok and Social media…. scary?
We also had a visit from Joanne Gore, a potential new young member from Radcliffe.
The minutes of the Business Meeting, which was very well attended can be found on the Website AR
12th January 2023 Career Talk – Gerry Short
Gerry began suggesting that giving an Irishman the opportunity to talk had its dangers, so he had tried to divide his proposed talk into various sections in an attempt to bring some discipline. Ireland, London, Education, Further education and NOW.
His story began with the man who was to become his father, Patrick Short, who lived in the North and wanted to become a priest, but got TB. He survived his spell in a sanitorium, to be then told Ireland did not want priests who could not be classed as 100% medically fit, so he decided Teaching would be his career and went to Scotland to be trained. Meanwhile a young lady in the South joined a Silent Order of Nuns, quickly realising it was not for her and again decided teacher training in Scotland where she met Patrick and the rest is history. They went back to Ireland to a border village called Aughnacloy (field of stones) with a population of around 800. Sex lessons came early for Gerry, starting with an explanation from his mother about ‘where babies come from’ when he was 7. I will not go into the details of Gerry’s disclosure, but it obviously fired his imagination and interest as he trained to become a biology teacher! Obviously there were ‘troubles’ in a Border town, but despite his father becoming the Head teacher at the primary school, they survived
So Gerry gets to Grammar school, but as time progressed was told he was unlikely to become University material, which inspired him to work harder and applying to 23 Universities and Polytechnics. He put University College London as his first choice, presuming he would not achieve the grades required, he really wanted to go to an Irish University. But he got an offer from London and despite trying to refuse it was told it was a ‘contract’ so had to accept. Being Irish, he soon put his mind to the positive benefits of London; lots of English girls, but within 2 days of his arrival he met the lady who was to become his wife, so no other exciting liaisons! Then it was time for Teacher training colleges, and Strawberry Hill was his choice, but others had said the interview process was tough and not his strongest ability. However, he had a very informal chat with the principal who happened to be in the same order of Priests (Vincentians) that Gerry’s former teachers were in, so the ‘old boys’ network’ operates in religious organisations too!
They married in 1983 when he started teaching in Dagenham, Ladies Sacred Heart Convent where sex education came to the fore again, to 11-year-old girls with Gerry (a married man) and Sister Lorna were responsible. At the school they had “Themes” each week, so when Fox Hunting came up and naturally none of the girls were for it he would support the motion in a debate. However, one of the girls reported him: “that only B*st*d Short likes to kill foxes”. They were living in East London when his wife fell pregnant with their daughter, so probably a good time to move. He tried Carlisle, Bournemouth, Wolverhampton, but managed to get a position at Grantham FE College. He moved up alone at first and managed to get a Council House tenancy, although a cold property his Scottish neighbour lit his boiler for him. It was not an easy start when one of the students explained to the Head of Department that Mr. Short had cut his finger on his penis…which was true, when moving a plastic model of a penis he did catch his finger! But he became a tutor, with staff, did his Masters and became Head of Faculty, managing money and resources. He progressed to Vice Principal at Brooksby (Agricultural) and Melton (performing Arts) College. This is where he joined Rotary as the Principal, who traditionally was expected to represent the college, asked Gerry instead.
Unfortunately, at this time his wife was diagnosed with Cancer, so he decided to take voluntary redundancy so he could spend time with her and take her for all her appointments. However, he was offered a consultancy role with Homefield College, a community based independent specialist college offering education and independent living skills for people with learning difficulties. When asked to write a specification for a new principal, he thought he might apply. Although unsuccessful he was appointed Director of Funding and Development, which he thoroughly enjoyed and when the lady principal left, he was promoted. When he had started there the bank balance was at £12k, rising to £2m, with 30 growing to 75 students when he finally retired, when his wife finally passed following 12 years of Chemo.
Although he had become a grandfather, he decided he wanted to travel and spent one occasion at Lake Bled, Slovenia, where he was the only male accompanied by 17 females! Here he met a lady who lives locally who has become his partner.
President Rob gave the Vote of Thanks explain that it was a very entertaining delivery of a lapsed Catholic who had built a great career based on interview failures, but emerged smelling of Roses and obviously enjoyed his time in education and the members joined enthusiastically showing their appreciation. AR
22nd December 2022 Christmas Dinner
The evening began with President elect David E asking Steve C to recount our Christmas collections results and very pleasing they were: EBGC £2197 and our Santa Float collections at £6406 giving a total around £8600. Steve proceeded to thank the public, Rotarians, our two Santas Chris N & President Rob, the Towers of Barry, Keith, Dermot and Stan, the leaders of Gordon, Alan W, Denis and Doug. Finally, he mentioned all the necessary back up work provided by Gordon, having pulled back from his 30 years of running the operation.
Before the meal Twelly made his Christmassy and thought-provoking grace (which was applauded by one and all!) we were delivered the usual excellent Christmas 3 course meal by Jo and her ‘little helpers’ . President Elect David E the presented a box of our tips for all their team, some flowers for Jo and a big thank you to them all, not forgetting Chef Mark.
Alan F and Rob proceeded in their usual ‘Tales of Christmas activities’ ably assisted by Flight Sergeant Adrian (super sub just in case Rob didn’t get back from Wales in time). Barry got nominated as “The fastest tower in Town”, Keith was spotted doling Baileys to the girls on duty. Comment was made about Doug’s beautiful dog being used as a “Bird magnet” in the pub, talking of which something was said about Gordon and the landlady of the Rose and Crown at Cotgrave. Adrian referred to our Charity canal walk, when Clive proceeded at about 0.25 of a mile per hour to collect some people at the Grantham end of the walk.
Apparently Denis, having managed to get the owner to the door with his dog responding that he had no cash, so Denis, ever sharp, quipped that he was happy to take the dog instead, which immediately produced a £5 note !. Chris Beale, true to his former profession, summarised his judgement on one child with the comment “sentence – one sweet!” In St. James Place, Alan W was accused of bribery with mulled wine’ in a bid for DG possibilities. Gerry Short was alone for the evening as his partner had gone ‘line dancing’, from which he had previously been banned New member Chris S having arrived early at Daleside apparently wandered to the far end to seek Santa’s float, then walked all the way back to be accused of being late
The Granby Calendar was circulated with neither Mike W or Stan being featured; it was said the Stan “came up short!!”. When Alan F gave Adrian a lift he asked if Adrian wanted the seat heater on to ‘warm his bum’, Ade responded that he was in the RAF, not the Navy! Santa Robs quote to Maggie at Saxondale is unmentionable
All very entertaining and followed by Group Karaoke on digital enhanced Christmas songs and carols, Though enjoyable, this raised a comment or two about how it felt a little like a Care Home event!?
A good evening of fun and fellowship AR
17th November 2022 North Korea, then and now – Tony Waltham
Tony and Jan first visited North Korea in 2001, and then again in 2018. Originally one peninsular country until 1910, when the Japanese invaded and made it a colony, which lasted until 1945 when it was divided, with the North supported by the Soviet Union (Russia), leaving the South to be supported by the USA, split across the peninsular on the 38th parallel (and that changed only slightly after the war in 1953).
South Korea has become a most dynamic country, with the largest steel works and car manufacturing facilities in the World. The people make things work, having a religious freedom, whereas the North has no religion. The North/South border has a DMZ 4 km wide, which can only be visited on group bus tours from either side. Inside North Korea visitors can only travel with a guide, interpreter, minders and a driver, and are unable to wander around unescorted.
The North Koreans don’t do enjoyment, there’s no street lighting as there’s nowhere to go. Plenty of ‘civic grandeur’, with 10-lanes-wide roads, but people have no cars or transport other than bicycles. There are magnificent statues and fountains. But you must be a dead leader to get a giant statue at Mansudae in Pyongyang. The first leader, Kim Il Sung, ruled from 1948 until he died in 1994, so had the first statue, followed by his son, Kim Jong Il (1994 to 2011), and the people bow to the statues and to posters of them. Tony showed a picture of an immense building that contains just the two coffins of the former leaders. Also, we were shown pictures of the little metal hand carts used to carry Government-issue rice, sugar and grain, mainly pulled by women as the majority of men are in the army. The national dress is very colourful, but ladies are told when to wear it and then appear on parade for official events.
Tony believes Korea will never be one country ever again. Nothing works outside the capital Pyongyang, frequent cuts to power and water; the only smoke they saw was the power station in Pyongyang; the Russian-built factories were notable for their lack of activity.
The current leader Kim Jong Un was educated in Switzerland, but unfortunately was not influenced by Western ideology, and now runs the country on Fear. Life for the people has improved only in small ways; though on their second visit, they were taken to a supermarket, but it sold only luxury extras for the privileged class, as basic food provided by the Government. Some people were seen to be eating ice lollies bought from little stalls, and the Russian-built Metro is magnificent with official newspapers on display. They did see some people dancing in a city park one Sunday, and there was a grand amusement park, but with no sign of activity. The nationally symbolic mountain of Paektu is a volcano with a lake in its caldera, it lies on the border with China, and a new resort is being built to bring Chinese tourists into North Korea. Their tour was completed with a visit to the Arirang Games, a fantastic display by about 120,000 performers in what is now the biggest stadium in the World.
Allen gave Tony a vote of thanks expressing how, as usual, Tony had entertained us yet again with his great photographs (many of them illegal), humour and delivery, giving us a true flavour of the country and the people, all in sharp contrast to the programme on South Korea that is being presented by Alexander Armstrong currently on the TV. He was thanked for not singing, and was commended for all his daring actions, for which we were amazed that he hadn’t finished in a Gulag himself! The members and guests joined in warm applause. AR
10th November 2022 - Tara's Angels - Bev Turner
We were joined, at the beginning of this meeting, by Adrian Wright who runs a financial adviser firm based in Bingham. They are part of St James‘s Place Wealth Management and every year take part in various charity fund raising events. Every September Adrian is involved in a charity trek at various locations. This year he trekked three summits in the Bavarian Alps on the Austrian border and over the last five years has raised £16,000. The money raised goes to the SJP Charitable Foundation and is then allocated to charities based on local needs with an emphasis on supporting children, young adults and mental health. Adrian heard about Tara‘s Angels from Jane Hart and having spoke to the people involved in the charity I was convinced that this is a extremely worthwhile cause run by a group of very committed people. Adrian didn’t hesitate in requesting a grant to support this charity and presented a cheque of £5000 to The Vale of Belvoir Rotary who will ensure that Tara’s Angels are supported with the provision of much needed equipment for women & their families who have been subjected to Domestic Abuse. Indeed the SJP Charitable Foundation was so impressed with Tara’s Angels that they want to put them forward as their charity of the year!
Bev Turner, representing Tara’s Angels, delivered her first public talk on Tara’s Angels and any signs of nerves were soon dispelled as she spoke about the reason for the formation of the group. Bev’s niece died, in 2016, after a brutal attack from her partner and her family decided that they wanted to offer help to other women who have been subjected to domestic abuse. So they formed links with 8 refuges in Nottinghamshire, which at any moment in time can be supporting over 100 families and their children.
Bev shared some chilling facts with Rotarians: every minute 2 incidents of domestic abuse are reported to police in the UK; 1 in 4 women (1 in six men) will be a victim of DA in their lifetime; 2-4 women per week are killed by a male partner or ex-partner; 90% of DA is seen or heard by children; on average a survivor will have experienced 50 assaults before reporting to the police; between 7,000 and 10,000 children in Nottinghamshire are at risk from DA (this equates to at least 3 in every school class).
As well as supporting the refuges and “outreach families” Tara’s Angels is supporting the J9 initiative which offers free training for businesses and staff to respond to survivors of DA. Currently 200 people in Rushcliffe have attended the J9 training and the hope is that more businesses will sign up to cover more of Rushcliffe.
Bev once again expressed her thanks to The Vale of Belvoir Rotary Club for its support to this small not for profit organisation.
A flurry of questions followed Bev’s talk – a true demonstration of the interest that her talk had sparked. MM
3rd November 2022 The Bentley Boys – Bruce Frame
Prior to Bruce’s presentation, President Rob inducted a new Member, Chris Scholey
The Bentley Boys included John Duff a Canadian, Frank Clement the Bentley test driver, Woolf Barnato a multi-millionaire playboy heir to the Kimberley Diamond fortune, Dudley Benjafield a Harley Street GP, Glen Kidston a proven aviator, S.C.H. “Sammy” Davis automotive journalist and Sports editor of Autocar, Jean Chassagne a French racing driver, George Duller a steeplechaser, 3rd Baronet Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin of local Lace manufacturing family and finally Walter Owen Bentley or “WO” who had previously worked for Humber on Aero design.
WO produced his first engine in 1919, progressing to the 3 litre Tourer in 1921 at a price of £1050, equivalent today to £50k plus £25k for the body which was separately built.
In 1923 The Grand Prix Endurance was launched close to the village of Le Mans, where Bentley finished 4th having had a stone damage the petrol tank. In 1924 they won the race with the backing of WO, then entering 2 cars in 1925 and 26 without success. Dr. Dudley meanwhile set ‘time and distance’ records, but Bentley were starting to decline, so called on Woolf Barnato to become Chairman and bring his financial support and going on to gain 4 consecutive victories from 1927 t0 1930.. The 6.5 litre Bentley Speed Six became known by their competitors (Bugatti) as “The World’s fastest lorries!” A great deal of Barnato’s fortune went to keeping Bentley afloat, but the Great Depression destroyed demand for the company's expensive products, and it was finally sold off to Rolls-Royce in 1931.
They began to try and increase the speed by developing ‘superchargers’, introducing The Bentley Blower, which set speed record at 135mph
Naturally the cars have produced some interesting Auction prices in recent years: The current Bentley Continental GT selling for £175k, but when Tim Birkin’s No.1 Model came to auction it raised £7m.
A number of questions followed from our enthusiastic members which Bruce fielded and Barry thanked Bruce for his informative and comprehensive presentation and the members responded in the usual manner.
AR
27th October 2022 - Meeting cancelled as Ashmores unavailable
20th October 2022 Job/Life Talk – Mike Wiseman
Mike started with his age at 82, explaining that he was born in Gorleston on Sea Norfolk, where he was ‘brought up’ by his Grandma. So when he got to 16 at Yarmouth Grammar school, it was necessary for him to get a job. As he had a couple of mates they decided to go to London to become Police cadets, telling him how great it was, so he applied and joined them. He explained that they got luncheon vouchers, which if you saved them over the week by Friday it was 2 eggs, chips and beans!
He was based in Hackney, somewhat different to Yarmouth and when he went to hear a court case about a drunken man riding a horse, he learnt some new expletive language!! Having expanded his knowledge of the law, in 1961 he returned to Gorleston, but based in Norwich city staying for 10 years, progressing from uniform to CID, Drugs moving on to Yarmouth as a Sergeant. He related a number of stories of the characters he came across in the Tower Casino: ‘Red Eye’ was a man that worked on the oil rigs and was hooked on Poker, which was run by the Greeks and they set him up with a bottle of Canada Club and picked up his fast amounts of his earnings. Apparently he had this exotic watch, and when he ran out of money he pawned this to the Greeks, then bought it back on his next visit! Another character called ‘Big 6’ played the ‘craps’ (dice for the uninitiated). They sent Mike on a CID course about betting and gambling and he was promoted again to Inspector returning to Norwich and the Vice Squad! Quite an experience, learning from the ’girls’ some of their experiences: one punter happy to watch her take her clothes off and brush her hair, another wafting a hair dryer at a plastic daffodil strategically placed!?
Betting and Gaming were a fascination for him and he volunteered for an 8 week course in Manchester. Covering law in the morning, playing machines in the afternoon and combined with visits to casino’s and clubs in the area.
He always then liaised with the local Gaming Board Inspector, but having got his 32 years in decided to retire from the force, but there were jobs coming up all over the country with the 1968 Gaming act, which was draconian. But he applied and was successful in getting an Inspectors job in Nottingham. The new legislation reduced the number of Casinos from 400 to 121 with a turnover of £2m p.a., 68% of which was in London. He cited that a Casino required £660000 gaming reserve and £40000 for a licence, hoping to get about 12% return. Staff had to be vetted for character and any transgression, you were OUT, without appeal.
He mentioned the ‘big rollers’ as The Sultan of Brunei and Kerry Packer. But Mike decide it was time tom retire when attaining 65, but a 36 year old new guy on the scene asked Mike to be his ‘Compliance Officer’, which he did for a further 13 years. In 2005 a new Gaming act came in allowing tipping, advertising (football shirts), which changed the face of gambling to what it is today.
He conclude by saying he like walking, watching the Leicester Tigers and didn’t mind the odd small bet himself, setting himself a target of trying to win £1000, which he managed!
President Rob thanked Mike for his very entertaining talk which had captivated the members, whom he asked to join him to thank Mike in the normal manner. AR
13th October 2022 - Business Meeting
6th October 2022 - 10 pin Bowls evening
On 6th October, 19 members of Club went 10 Pin Bowling at the Ten Pin Bowling Alley on the Ring Road
We played 2 games over 3 lanes with six, six and seven players per lane. No scores were kept (good job!), but there was the occasional strike!
However, the use of the bumper guards seemed to trigger mixed opinions!
Then over to Chaquitos, the Mexican restaurant on the complex for a well earned supper
Good Fun and good camaraderie!
Will have to do it again sometime DE
29th September 2022 ‘Vale and Fosseway Responders’ – Nikki Shore
Nikki explained that the Vale Responders started in 2005, through Gill & Henry at Harby, then becoming a registered charity in 2006. They joined forces with Newark Responder in 2019, as both parts were struggling, although working with EMAS, funding became an issue.
In essence Responders are volunteers who give of their time to attend to cardiac arrest patients in their own community. Every minute delay reduces the patient’s chance of survival by 10%. Currently they have 13 Responders of varied backgrounds, 50% retired and the remainder still working. Nikki herself is a retired Police Sergeant, so the move to responder was built into her DNA and she really enjoys it, outlining one example where her and her assistant were giving a rendition of the Beatles “All my Loving” joining with their male patient in the care home who had been humming the song, until the ambulance arrived.
Their primary role is to deal with cardiac arrests (different to Heart attacks, normally caused by a blockage), but inevitably chest pains, falls, blackouts and many other traumas demand their support. They are not First Aiders as such,
the sense of dealing with minor injuries but can do so if required. They are trained by EMAS to deal with quite serious incidents and attend regular monthly training to keep their skills up to date.Initially they become a level 2 responder and with more training progress to level 3 which allows them to deal with incidents involving patients of any age and use drugs such as entonox.
but are trained regularly. When they first start to gain level 2 responder and more progressing to level 3.
They cover the area from Newark in the North, Long Clawson South, Bingham West and Bottesford East, but that’s just the theory, if EMAS needs their help somewhere else they jump to it.
Nikki had circulated a quick quiz that provide some details which she had not covered in detail, but funding turned out to be an issue, with costs of about £6000 per annum. With kit costs of around £1800 per responder, £300 for a replacement Defibrillator battery and they now have a liveried vehicle costing £4000 p.a. instead of always using their own vehicles.
Obviously Covid had a big impact on their service, in particular requiring the responders to have to work on their own, but they also got involved at the vaccination centres supporting other NHS staff.
This has been recognised with 4 responders receiving the Queen’s Jubilee medals and the Queen’s Award for Volunteer organisations.
They now visit schools to make children aware of their role and support village fetes. Their work in terms of hours (10976) and incidents (267) have increased by at least 50% over the last 12 months.
Clive gave a heartfelt Vote of thanks to Nikki to someone ‘who has a vital role to play in the local community, but no one wants to see’. Certainly one of our members who received their help really appreciates the service they provide. The members joined in to thank Nikki in the normal manner in appreciation of her informative and interesting presentation. AR
15th September 2022 ‘Job Talk’ – Gail Parkinson
Member Gail Parkinson began her talk by sharing with us her early life. Born in Leicester, Gail was an only child who was taken to ballet and tap lessons as a young girl which she loved enormously. This passion followed through into her adult life and although was only average academically, her skills in this area along with other areas of PE enabled her to go to one of the top PE colleges, I.M.M Marsh in Liverpool. From here it was evident that the next step would be to begin a career in teaching sport as she loved the outdoors and couldn’t envisage herself working inside. Her specialisation was always in her first love of dance.
Almost all her teaching career was at Toot Hill School, but she did short volunteering trips teaching English in a school in St Lucia and a Buddhist monastery Kathmandu.
She decided not to return to Leicester but to Nottingham where she started her career at Toot Hill. The facilities were amazing and she has fond memories especially the many camping & walking trips.
Gail married and had two children. In those days women usually retired from work but Gail returned to teaching as soon as she could. She is proud of her children who are now married with children of their own.
Before retiring Gail enroled in a counselling course at Grantham FE College and after 10 weeks decided to enrol for another year. This then took her into a degree course at Nottingham University which she completed just before retiring from Toot hill. Having no intention at all to become a counsellor she joined CASY (Counselling & Support for Young People) based in Newark (offering one to one confidential service to young people mostly in school). Gail finds this work very interesting and rewarding as so many youngsters are faced with anxieties and mental issues more today than ever.
Gail concluded with “My love of walking and dance continues to this day”.
David Eldridge as stand in President gave the vote of thanks and applauded Gail for her 2-day preparation life story. We all enjoyed the evening very much and are queueing for counselling!!! JH
Litter pick September 8 2022
We carried out our second litter pick of the year on September 8 2022, covering two areas in the north and west of Bingham, and areas around the Leisure Centre in Cotgrave, with 14 Rotarians taking part, helped by Pam Richmond and the Bingham Town Mayor, Gareth Williams.
The teams picked for 90 minutes, and then made their way to Ashmores for a meal following by a short Rubbish Quiz. The general consensus was that the amounts of rubbish to be collected were lower than in the April pick, but that the exercise had been enjoyable and worthwhile.
August 4th 2022 ‘The 60’s decade’ – John Whitfield
John started with the Prime Ministers of the 60’s, the first of which was Harold MacMillan (1957 -1963) who had taken over from Sir Anthony Eden who had suffered following the Suez crisis. With the good standards of living and people with ’money in their pockets’, his slogan became: “You’ve never had it so good”. But changing Britain, including his efforts to get us into the European Market, the Cuban Missile Crisis, he suddenly looked ‘out of touch and old fashioned’. Then with Kennedy’s assassination, the Profumo affair and his prostate problems at the Party Conference in Blackpool October 63, he resigned and Sir Alec Douglas Hume took over, but only lasted 9 months when in 1964 he was put up against Harold Wilson, with Labour winning by just 4 seats!.
Although historians do not think much of Harold he survived until 1970, the1966 election won with a majority of 96 seats. A very intelligent man, 1st at Oxford, together with his similarly clever Cabinet, they made some good changes, investing in education with a number of new universities, colleges and schools; changing the voting age; the abolition of hanging and the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
But they dis struggle with the economy, with competition in manufacturing from Germany and Japan, complacent management, Trade Unions starting to have impact and high costs of lots of ‘new build’ programmes, with the introduction of Tower Blocks.
On the transport front the railway industry suffered with the change from Steam to Diesel & electric, Dr. Beaching’s plan, which closed 33% of the track system. But this was really the decade of the motor car and motorways, although it did bring awful accident rates.
He concluded by saying that Society changed radically, it became the age of the young, who were protesting and despite the Beatles and high profile of music, he felt the title of the “Swinging 60’s” was somewhat exaggerated.
A most enjoyable evening for which brought back some significant memories, was well presented and Stuart gave a Vote of thanks congratulating John on a fascinating and wide ranging subject and the members joined him to show their appreciation in the normal manner . AR
July 28th 2022 Doug’s Quiz – Doug Downing
President Rob opened the meeting introducing two guests: Alan Haydock and Councillor Gareth Williams, Bingham’s Town Mayor, who was taking our Club as his Annual Charity this year. Then let David Eldridge present Gerry Short with his Gong of office as President Nominee.
Doug circulated two quiz sheets to be completed during the meal: 22 Coastal countries of the Mediterranean and the 10 longest coastal States of the USA
Then on to the 60 questions, the first 26 covering the letters of the alphabet as their first letter, followed by a wide ranging set of clues, from Television, film, history to the colours of the Bulls eye in archery. He was then assisted by Rob in a Musical quiz, which had a ‘common theme’ and an ‘odd one out’.
There was a lot of ground covered which took up quite a time giving the answers, with Gerry T’s Team acquiring 95; Denis’s team 97.5; Derek’s team 94, Steve C’s team 101, but the winners with 117 out of 118 questions was the Top table, with Chris Netherwood struggling to add up the scores, which put doubts in the minds of the rest of the members, as a former Banker his numerical skills have always been questionable!
A most enjoyable evening for which Doug was well prepared and President Rob gave a Vote of thanks to Doug and the members showed their appreciation in the normal manner . AR
July 14th 2022 Imagine Rotary – Deputy D G Colin Gell
The presentation started with a video of RI President Jennifer Jones, with the Theme “Imagine Rotary”, with the aim of expanding our reach, being mindful of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or how we think about Age, Skin Colour, Religion & Gender.
The goal is to form new Rotary and Rotaract Clubs as they are the catalyst to attract more new members and interest within the community. Think of different type of Clubs: e.g. Cause Based or On-Line/E Clubs. Let us embrace CHANGE, continue with the Partnership: “Kids against Plastic”, promoting more “Plastic Clever Schools” and International projects like “Empowering Girls”
President Rob gave a Vote of thanks to Colin and the members showed their appreciation in the normal manner . DD/AR
7th July 2022 Understanding Decision Making – Dr. James Gray
James lectures to Physician Associates at Sheffield University on this subject and qualified it with the comment: “We don’t think about thinking”. He gave a simple example about the process involved in buying a car; what are you looking for? The decision making is based upon your ‘values’, which are probably some of: price, size, safety aspects, colour, performance. Herbert Simon called it ‘bounded rationality with the aim being to make a “good enough” decision. The primary conclusion was that humans make decisions with a small number of variables, allocating a value to the variable within a time frame to arrive at a DECISION. The term “satisficing” was introduced as “satisfying minimum requirements and that decisions could be based on ‘recollection’.
James then took us into some paper and pen exercises, giving us a list of about 20 items, once read to be recalled. The success rate of members varied from zero to about 10, which James was not surprised at as time pressures were exerted and as most members are retired ‘time pressures’ are long returned to the ‘memory bank’!