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Amherst News
January 2006
Editor Ron Adams
This next month we wish a happy birthday to:
Ken Arthur and Bill Brickell on January 31
Eileen Williams on February 9
And our programme will be:
25 January Speaker Jonathon Bracken, Parliamentary Agent
1 February Business Meeting
8 February (t.b.a.)
15 February Speaker - Stan Tottey
22 February Speaker - Carol Rollinson, Sevenoaks Chamber of Commerce
22 February Publication of February news.
Paul Harris Fellowship
Tony Kemp acknowledges the presentation of a Fellowship by President Derek last Wednesday.
President Derek writes
The New Year brings new challenges to our club and also to us as individuals. However for one of our members it has brought a little extra.
I am referring to Edward who has been awarded an MBE by the Queen in her New Year's Honours List for service to education and the community. Although Edward disagrees I am sure that the award was richly deserved. Well done.
It was a pleasure for me to present to Tony a Paul Harris Fellowship on behalf of the club last Wednesday.
I am sure all members will agree that we look forward to a very busy year as a club and the first of our outside fun raising events will be the Golf Day in April which is always very successful. In May we have the Calendar Girls joint promotion with Sevenoaks Club in aid of the new Rockdale extension.
Tony has made a breakthrough with Wilderness School after years of trying. He hopes to start an Enterprise Scheme within the school. It is going to be a busy year for Sevenoaks Amherst.
The New Year brings new challenges to our club and also to us as individuals. However for one of our members it has brought a little extra.
Near Enough?
Among the month’s news is the correspondence in the papers on grocery ‘best by’ dates.
The winner so far is the tin of baking powder which will be at its best until 5019 - but before 1.43pm on March 6.
Main Points from the January Council Meeting
Edward Oatley awarded MBE in New Year’s honours list.
President liaising with Sevenoaks club to arrange a fund raising event with a ‘Calender Girl’ - Miss October - as speaker on 13th May at Aisher Hall.
Derek to investigate further a project linked with Foundation monies in South Africa at no direct cost to the club.
Thanks to Mel & Don for arranging the Christmas party. £123 sent to Handicamp from raffle.
Battle of the Bands deferred to June.
Roubaix invited to lunch early March. Hope to visit them for weekend in March/April.
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS
Partners evening is progressing well and is confirmed for 29th April at Wildernesse again. Tickets will be in the region of £35 each.
Malcolm is to revisit the idea of having a meal out from time to time and Simon will discuss with St Julians possible ‘theme’ meals .
Ten-pin bowling—Jane will try and arrange for February.
Malcolm is progressing a geology weekend in Dorset.
The Committee is about to survey some of the newer Clubs in the District to try and ascertain how they were able to attract younger members, and will report to Council with recommendations in due course.
St John’s Church of England Primary School
Last month we made a donation to the School trips fund and Tony has received from the Head an acknowledgement which, in part, reads:
What a wonderful Christmas present! Thank you so much for your exceedingly kind gesture.
Our plans for a residential visit this year are different from last due to the financial implications. We have decided to take the Year 6 children to an Outdoor Activity Centre for four days in May. Obviously parents will have to bear the cost of the visit but your generous offer means that no-one will miss out on the opportunities that this trip entails.
As with last year's trip we intend to use the evening sessions as revision time for the Statutory Assessment Tests the following week. The children will also carry out orienteering activities, swimming, follow nature trails etc. It is a rare opportunity for peer bonding and also developing social skills, particularly at mealtimes, that these children need.
Once again I would really like to thank the Rotary Club of Amherst for this wonderful gift. Without this kind of support, many of our children would miss out on what could be life changing opportunities.
Tony has also had thank you letters from Westminster Abbey and Sevenoaks Citizens Advice Bureau, and personal thanks from Tony Platt. Making a raft of donations just before Christmas looks to be good PR
Westminster Abbey
Thank you for your letter with the donation acknowledging the visits you had last year. I am so glad that you all enjoyed your visits. I know Tony Platt is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic he makes all the artefacts literally come alive and has something to say to make their history interesting.
As you rightly point out, it would be good to improve on the lighting up there, but there is always a greater demand than supply!
With all good wishes to you for 2006.
Projects and Visits Officer
Sevenoaks Citizens Advice Bureau
Thank you very much indeed for your kind donation towards the cost of our new server.
This is an extremely welcome donation and we very much appreciate the support that the Amherst Rotary Club gives to our organisation.
With very best wishes.
Yours sincerely
Bureau Manager
True or .......
The first of an occasional series via John Harland
Before photography, the only images were sculptures or paintings and by George Washington’s time there were public figures who did not owe their position to birth alone. Their need to project an image could be met by portraiture in a business-like pose e.g. in their office, perhaps behind a desk.
Portrait fees being traditionally based on the work involved and American politicians and painters being as commercial as anybody, the custom grew up of charging for portraits by the number of limbs on show. Compared with, say, a simple pose at the desk a full-length picture would “cost an arm and a leg”.
AMHERST INNER WHEEL NEWS
On Inner Wheel Day we enjoyed entertaining Sevenoaks and Westerham Clubs to a pretty calorific tea in the company of District Chairman Liz Jackson. We were very glad to see Liz on a day when she has so many Clubs to choose from.
Our speaker was Maureen Jupp who was until her recent retirement the only female verger at Westminster Abbey— in fact the only one ever.
An added bonus on the day was the enrolment of our second new member in a few weeks—after Elaine Hook at the Christmas Dinner we welcomed Carolyn Johnston to the Club. Her first Inner Wheel duty was to thank the speaker!
Carolyn was enrolled by Past President Gladys in President Elizabeth’s unavoidable absence and received a warm District welcome from Chairman Liz.
Ena
We saw “Love, Actually” again over Christmas. This is the film which features a young Prime Minister who has just succeeded the one with, as he puts it, “ teenage kids and the scary wife.” The new man’s name is David.