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Amherst News
February 2006

Editor Ron Adams

 

This next month we wish a happy birthday to:         

Ena Thomas on February 25

and Gordon Johnston on March 5.

 

Our programme will be:

22 February       Speaker: Martin Turner, The Woodland Trust

1 March             Business Meeting

8 March             Speaker: John Brazier, Kaleidoscope Project

12 March           Sunday Lunch

15 March           Speaker: John London

22 March           Speaker: Simon Hebditch, Charities Aid Foundation

22 March           Publication of March news.

and looking ahead to April, the Charity Golf Day is on the 21st.

 

SEVENOAKS PREP SCHOOL SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAMME 2006

 

Social?    The purpose - to raise money for child victims of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Entrepreneurs?    The method - each student running their own business enterprise, with a £10 note priming the pump.

That’s where we came in.

 

“The Objects of Rotary ......”

Tony explains Rotary to the Social Entrepreneurs of Sevenoaks Prep School at the launch of the 2006 programme.

HOPEHIV is a UK-based charity working, in more than 200 communities across 12 countries, with African children who have lost their parents as a result of the AIDS pandemic.

Many people view the millions of children left as orphans as the greatest scourge or burden of the AIDS pandemic.   However HOPEHIV believes passionately in their massive potential and instead views them as positive agents for change and Africa’s greatest hope.”

This is the cause the Social Entrepreneurs are supporting with the money they make from the start we gave them..

 

Derek writes

As members are aware Eileen and I have enjoyed the very temperate climate of South Africa for the past 2½ weeks.   However I am always pleased to return home after travelling.

This time my visit to SA had more purpose.   As members know I had made contact with the Rotary Club of Inchanga near Durban and had arranged to visit a project  they were involved with,  to provide Hydroponic tunnels to the local black community and to train them to grow food for themselves.

Eileen and I were made very welcome by the founder members of the club—Wendy and Garth—who insisted that we stay with them, which we did for three days.   In that time they arranged a barbeque for us and invited their Club members to attend.

We spent the evening talking to members about their projects to help the local predominantly black and very poor community.

Because of Aids and the death of their parents most children are looked after by a  Granny who may have up to 9 children to care for.

The next day we were taken to the Nomfinlela Primary School for 680 children to see the basic  conditions they had to enable them to have some chance of an education.    However this is another story and I hope to be able to tell you all about it in the near future.

 

Main Points from the February Council Meeting

Letter to be sent to District expressing our concerns about the Matching Grant problems we suffered.

South Africa Project linked with Foundation: Derek  to report on his return from South Africa.

District has asked us to consider appointing a Club Health & Safety Officer.

Speakers’ fund – clarified that speakers’ Expenses paid from General account and donations from Charity account.

Name change. President to advise Club of date of change and confirm arrangements for changes in documents and other items.

Balances as at 25th January 2006:

General Account £4111.03 including International Hosting Fund £788.47
Charity Account £3336.31
Cancer Care Account £3306.07.

 

Arrangements all in hand for the Joint Venture with Sevenoaks Rotary Club.

The Club will volunteer to run car parking at Rotary Fun Day in June

Amherst Ohio are expected to visit us in June – awaiting confirmation and details.

 

Forthcoming events—

something old, something new. Chinese Sunday Buffet Lunch.  March 12

Malcolm is putting a board round. Don’t miss it!

 

ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY

WILDERNESSE APRIL 21 IN SUPPORT OF HOSPICE IN THE WEALD.

BE READY TO HELP!

 

GEOLOGY WEEKEND

Malcolm threatens to whisk the willing away for a weekend to marvel at the wonders of creation—May 26 in mind.

He’s looking into the local pubs as we write!

 

 

This year’s CYCLO SPORTIVE will be on SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

Cycling Weekly writes:

Circuit of Kent

“Set in the quiet country lanes around Sevenoaks, the Circuit of Kent is a well-organised ride offering all participants options of an 80km route and a 140km route.

The route is well-signposted, with marshalls along the way.   The course is relatively flat around the tiny meandering lanes of Kent and therefore ideal as an introduction to sportive riding.

However you will have to face the long and steep Carters Hill to get back to base, where a generous spread of sandwiches, soup, crisps and cake await you as a reward for your efforts.”

 

Gooseberry Pie?

Last week the ready-meals shelves of one of the supermarkets was offering some rather gorgeous sweets as “Suitable for Valentine’s Day.”

The boxes were marked   “Three Portions.”