RI President Stephanie Urchick's visit to Rotary in Southern Wales
Rotary at the heart of the community in Southern Wales
By Maggie Hughes
The Rotary Club of Henllys hosted a dinner at Greenmeadow Golf Club, Cwmbran which was Stephanie Urchick’s first stopping point on her two-day visit to Wales.
The four clubs covering Torfaen - Cwmbran Vale, Henllys, Newport St. Woolos and Pontypool plus the Croesyceiliog School Interact Club welcomed the Rotary International President when each club shared the impact of their projects both locally and internationally.
President of Henllys Rotary Club, Pritti Davies, said: “Hearing President Stephanie speak about Rotary’s Action Plan and our shared vision for lasting change was both motivating and energising. Her warth, insight, and genuine interest in each club’s work made the evening feel incredibly special. It was a night to remember.”
Stephanie is a keen follower of the Pittsburgh Steelers American Football team. One Interactor had done their research and painted a pebble with the Steelers’ NFL logo which she presented to Stephanie who she showed everyone it matched her (pencil case and) screen saver.
The Bryn Farm Community House in Brynmawr was set up on the Bryn Farm Estate in 2010 to be a warm and friendly space. Gifted by Tai Calon Housing Association, it has served as a space for people of all ages to join in with (the) activities, or just have a cup of tea or coffee and meet with others.
The House and is now run by a team of enthusiastic volunteers, most notably from Brynmawr Rotary Club who are passionate about helping to support the needs of people living in the community.They provide so much for the community from a food bank to organising life-changing activities for the young people of the area, including activities and lunches during the school holidays.
The project is run by former Rotary Great Britain & Ireland President, Donna Wallbank, and fellow Brynmawr Rotarian, Michelle Hurter.
The Brynfarm Community House was full as the Brynmawr family of Rotary welcomed Stephanie. Representatives from the community including local councillors, Gwent Police, Schools, Tai Calon Community Housing, business representatives plus members of Brynmawr RotaKids, Interact, Rotaract and Rotary described how they work together in the community.
Deputy Chief Constable Nicky Brain told Stephanie: “The police appreciate how the work of Brynmawr Rotary has helped to build the development and confidence of the children, plus the confidence of the community. At every visit, I am inspired and humbled by their dedication.
“I wish that the Brynmawr Rotary community house could be replicated in every town throughout Gwent and beyond.”
District Governor Malcolm Hallewell, RI President Stephanie and Donna unveiled a Rotary peace pole to mark the RI President’s visit. At a dinner later that evening, Donna and Michelle were presented with the District Governor’s Service Above Self Awards.
Another Rotary project Stephanie visited was the Rhondda Rotary Community Shop. Together with a band of volunteers, the shop is run by Rotarian Jan Lyons, wife of Rhondda Rotary President, Martin Lyons.
What is different is that when local organisations need to raise money for their projects, Rhondda Rotary allows them to run the shop for up to a week and keep all the profits to help fund their projects.
Carol Bettany helped raise money for her foster son’s rugby team and says “this is a shop like no other” and has stayed as a regular volunteer
One of the other shop’s volunteers, Gerald Rose said: “I belong to a gardening club which needed to purchase a rotavator. We did this by taking over the shop for a week to raise the funds.” Gerald has continued volunteering in the shop.
Another beneficiary of the Community Shop was Karrian Collinson who told Stephanie how her son’s football team enlisted the help of parents who manned the shop and raised enough money to purchase a new football kit, water bottles and hats”.
As a result of this opportunity to raise funds, Karrian’s partner, who is involved with a local veterans’ charity supporting those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was also able to raise funds they required to carry on and expand their work. Karrian also continues to volunteer in the shop.
President Martin Lyons said: “We can’t believe it’s 12 years since we opened our first shop. We started out with the intention of running it for six months as a bit of fun and to raise some funds and the profile of Rhondda Rotary.”
Recently, a saxophone and several acoustic guitars were donated to the shop. But this again is where this shop is so different. Instead of selling to raise money for Rhondda Rotary, members are donating these instruments to the music department of their local comprehensive school.
A Rotary Foundation dinner was held at the Parkway Hotel, Cwmbran in Stephanie’s honour where MS Jane Hutt, the Minister for Social Justice and Leader of the Senedd (Welsh Government) welcomed the RI President to Wales. She said how much the Welsh Government appreciated the vast amount of volunteering carried out by Rotarians.
Members of Abergavenny Rotary and Cardiff Bay Rotary clubs gave presentations on their recently completed Global Grant projects, and District Governor Malcolm Hallewell presented several awards to those attending including End Polio Now Certificate to Subrahmanyam Ganesh and Merthyr Tydfil Rotary Club.
Paul Harris Sapphires were presented to Rob Fry and Hayley Ridge Evans for their work on the Rotary Youth Leadership Programme, along with District Treasurer Nicky Holland and Past District Governor, Maggie Hughes.
Throughout her visit PDG Carol Hallewell acted as RI President Stephanie’s Aide.
To mark her visit to Wales, President Stephanie was presented with a traditional Welsh carved wooden love spoon.
