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Amherst News
June 2004
CLUB DIARY
Wednesday Meetings
23 June, Annual General
Meeting and Valedictory
30 June, PARTNERS' EVENING, Speaker Don Webster of Tonbridge, a noted local
after-dinner speaker
7 Jul,y CLUB ASSEMBLY, Guest from District, our friend Norman Jones
15 July, The District Governor’s Visit
Service and Social Diary
26 June, PARTNERS' EVENING
AND HANDOVER, Wildernesse Golf Club
1 July, Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot
15 July, Quiz of Quizzes, Chipstead Sailing Club
17 July, Barbeque at Colin Hook's
11 September, Visit to Whitechapel Bell Foundry
19 September, Cyclo Sportif - fund raising for Marie Curie Cancer Care
Harvey writes….
It seems to me that all
too often our present culture demands that the success or failure of an activity
is judged purely on whether or not it gave a sufficient financial return. For
me one great benefit of Rotary service is that it provides the opportunity to
engage in activities where financial outcome is beside the point. Very often,
to have provided pleasure, relief, reassurance, support, raised awareness, or
just human company, is to have succeeded.
I don’t know what the financial outcome of Fun Day will be. What I do know is
that visitors to our Party Pentathlon stall were enjoying themselves, as were
those to our neighbours Westgate & Birchington. It was clear to them all
that Rotarians from all over our District were participating in the day. Awareness
of Rotary was raised. We met with and greeted fellow Rotarians from other clubs
whom we see all too infrequently. Well done to District for organising an event
that brought so many of us together. Of course it would be nice if the Hospices
for Children were to receive a significant sum of money as well.
The Musicathon was next.
At the time of going to press we have a full schedule for the day. Good luck
everyone, raising awareness of our club and Rotary service with its opportunities
will be at least as important as raising money. Thanks Eric for agreeing to
host a garden party next Sunday. I am sorry that our friends from Roubaix felt
unable to raise sufficient numbers to come at this time. Personally I do not
judge such visits by the numbers, but rather by the quality of the fellowship
that is generated. We look forward to contact later in the year.
This is the 12th and last of my monthly contributions as President. I confess
that initially the prospect of writing a monthly “essay” was a bit daunting.
In the event I have enjoyed the opportunity to give thinking time to Rotary.
A huge vote of thanks to editor Ron Adams for all his hard work, and to Eric
for his invaluable help with production.
Heartfelt thanks to my Council and the club officers for their help and support.
Also to the members who have helped to make it a most enjoyable year.
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Somebody reminded me the other day that Johann Sebastian Bach not only wrote
a great many pieces of music but had a large number of children and practised
on a spinster he kept in the attic.
Ed.
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DISTRICT
1120 FUNDAY 6 JUNE
Never before have I seen so many Rotarians all working together in one field.
Detling was awash with fluorescent yellow tabards.
Funfairs, Farmers’ Market, Trade Stands, Bouncy Castles, Beer Tents, a Pony Show, Vintage cars, an overflight by an RAF Nimrod and numerous Rotary Club stands created an excellent party atmosphere. Amherst's stand was well supported by Club members and partners throughout the day.
We did a lot to create a better understanding amongst non-Rotarians of what Rotary is all about and we did much to enhance the party atmosphere of the day. Unfortunately, due to the relatively low attendance by members of the public we only made a small profit. After the deduction of expenses, £15.20 has been paid in to the Club’s Charity Account and this money will be passed on to the District Funday account in due course.
A SPECIAL PLEA
Fellow Rotarians,
To reiterate my comments and plea of last Wednesday - so far we only have SEVEN entries for the Charity Clay Shoot and that number includes one non-paying shooter(a prize winner from the Golf Day).
With only 3 weeks to go before the event, the Club needs your support by encouraging friends, work colleagues, relatives, neighbours or merely vague acquaintances to send in their applications. Even if you have already approached someone, please do it again.
Don't worry about upsetting them through excessive hassle, I guarantee that everyone that enters will thoroughly enjoy themselves. The Shoot is suitable for everyone - novices or hotshots. Please help make this event go off with a bang!
The most effective means of applying is directly to
the West Kent Shooting School
Tel 01892 834306
or e-mail: charityshoot@wkss.demon.co.uk
Many thanks for your support.
Bill
Council Meeting Notes 2nd June
Subscriptions 2004/5 to
be recommended at £160 per member/year.
Leave of Absence requests granted: to Philip Spicer for the remainder of this
Rotary Year and for as long as required thereafter. Also to Ken Marsden for
5 weeks as requested.
In view of a further request from Philip Spicer, Derek Williams agreed to ‘move
forward’ and accept the Vice Presidency for the year 2004/5 and the Council
will take the appropriate steps to formalise the situation.
Albert Hughes will continue to keep weekly ‘phone contacts and collect monies
from members for meals but the Treasurer or his nominee will accept and bank
the monies and settle St Julian’s bills.
The Charity Account stands
at £1781 and the General Account at £1981.
£480 will be dispersed to Dunton Green PTA towards a pool liner and £320
to the Citizens Advice Bureau.
This intentionally leaves a float of approximately £981 as a Charity Account
reserve for the new Rotary year.
Notes of a Joint Meeting of the outgoing and incoming Councils for 2003/4 and 2004/5, 9th June
The Councils confirmed the ‘move forward’ to Vice President for year 2004/5 of Derek Williams following the withdrawal of Philip Spicer, to be formally noted at the forthcoming AGM.
Derek will become Chairman
of Club Service, vacating his position as Chairman of Foundation.
The appointment of a Second Vice President will await a decision until the December
SGM.
Club Assembly 7th July - Norman Jones has requested sighting of Committee programmes
prior to the evening. Suitable notes will be forwarded to the 2004/5 President
for passing to Norman Jones hopefully well before that date
The Club Directory is well advanced and subject to the vagaries of the printing industry will be published at the valedictory/AGM meeting.
The incoming Treasurer tabled proposals re the opening of two CAF Bank Ltd accounts.
The District Fun Day produced
a Club net profit of just £15.20 – but all who took part enjoyed the day
and were pleased to be one of three stalls providing games for children at a
small cost (25p).
We wait to hear the overall profit including takings at the Gate, from District.
Mike
Poetry Corner
Last month we read Miss
Patience Strong’s tribute to our doughty walkers.
Had she ever journeyed with them, this is the work she might have written.
Walking
Miserable are the boots
That wander through the fields
Caked with mud.
In a haze we pass the milestones
Hearing every squelch
And thud.
Now we're lost and tired
and hungry
Aching
To the very bone.
Now we find our bloody leader
Left the bloody map at home.
Roy
NEWS FROM AMHERST INNER WHEEL
In May we enjoyed a very happy evening, joined by several other Rotary Wives for our meal.
After appetites had been suitably assuaged Mary Bradbury (the mother of Dan - Jean & Jack Wilson’s son-in-law) entertained us.
Mary gave us an illustrated talk and voyage, via some excellent slides, through Windsor Castle. She was a guide to Windsor Castle and St. George's Chapel and lectured to the Fine Arts Society. A very enthusiastic and knowledgeable lady with obviously a great love of her subject. Windsor Castle certainly has a fascinating history and contains treasures beyond belief.
We are coming now to the end of the I.W year and our next meeting will be our A.G.M. when we plot our future course.
Ena
HANDICAMP
A chance meeting with Rorie's dad Mark Lynn while walking our dogs at One Tree Hill gave me the chance to find for the club a suitable candidate to put forward for the Medway Club's Handicamp.
Rorie, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, moved to Sevenoaks from Millwall recently with his parents and sister. Having now spoken to his father since the event, I was overwhelmed with their gratitude. We certainly did well to sponsor both Rorie and an able-bodied helper and gave him a week to remember for the rest of his life.
Amongst the high-spots were a trip in a helicopter; a visit to London and The London Eye, a theatre visit to see The Lion King plus a boat trip and many other exciting events.
Our thanks to the Medway Club and all others concerned in giving Rorie such a great time.
Roy
FORTHCOMING EVENT
The 2004
Quiz of Quizzes
Thursday 15 July 2004
7.30p.m.
Chipstead Sailing Club
To register a team
call or fax
Douglas Macildowie
on01732 450964
or e-mail
douglas@etc.u-net.com
as soon as possible
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Tony tells us of a group
of visitors being shown around Westminster Abbey.
As they concluded their visit to the Royal tombs, one asked a verger
“I don’t quite understand – who was related to Blackadder?”
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and now….
A short report from the Committee with the longest name
End of Year Dividend Declared!
The Community, Vocational and Educational Services Committee is delighted to report that the Council have released some end-of-year Charity Funds as a result of which requests from two local organisations can be met. £480 is going to the Dunton Green Primary School Swimming Pool Refurbishment Appeal and £320 to the Citizen's Advice Bureau. Thus we end the year on a positive note.
From The Paula Carr Diabetes Trust
“Thank you so much for your kind donation. …….…. Your kindness is much appreciated. It will enable the Trust to continue its fight to reduce the dreadful complications that can arise from diabetes.”
SUCCESSFUL SUMMER PICNIC IN BEAUTIFUL KENT SURROUNDINGS
13 Club families and friends had an enjoyable picnic at Eric Matkins’ lovely
home on Sunday - the beginning of an annual event, perhaps?
It was originally intended to be the finale of our hospitality to visitors from Roubaix Est Club but when the visit had to be postponed someone said “Why not have it anyway?” So we did.
Jean and Eileen prepared
the food; beers and soft drinks were included although guests were invited to
bring their own glasses and wine as well as garden chairs. Chicken Marengo,vegetables,
baguette, cheeses, fruit and trifle followed by coffee were the fare.
Lady guests brought the lovely selection of trifles. And we all ate off china
provided by Elaine and Colin Hook. No problems finding washers-up!
After lunch we enjoyed the
same games the Club had at Detling last weekend - and an unexpected game was
added: counting the £250 taken at Musicathon on Saturday ! The games prizes
were won by Eric's son and daughter in law - to members, it was like the speaker
winning the wine raffle. But we grinned and bore it.
Thank you to Eric, the two principal lady chefs and of course the Trifle Team.
It showed that at £5 a head you can have a great time - and make £20
profit for Charity.
Mike
n.b. Mike also supplied an evocative photograph of the occasion, to which the
newsletter’s format cannot do justice. A copy is on the noticeboard – further
copies available on request plus £1 in the Charity Box.
Curmudgeon's
Corner
Many of us who follow football and would like to see our team do better than
anyone else can't stand the constant over-hype and in a rather nasty way were
quite pleased when France beat England because of the distress it caused to
so many pundits. They were reduced almost to silence.
Anyway, we ought to make it up with the French because we have never really
got on since the spot of bother over Joan of Arc. Killing her was bad enough
but the French have never forgiven us for spelling her name in English.
LAST
WORD
As the Rotary year draws towards its close, we have exercised editorial privilege
and kept these last few lines for ourself.
Firstly, to issue a challenge to Club members - does anybody want to take over
as editor in 12 months time?
Secondly, to round off the year as I have dreamt of rounding off ever since
I gave Harvey's pieces the by line "Harvey writes ......".
We can at last say "Harvey writes ...... and having writ, moves on."
Editor