Sunday 29 May - Laguna Tandoori Restaurant - Fundraiser

Past District Governor Rami Seth, in conjunction with Tony Verma the proprietor of Laguna Tandoori Restaurant in Nottingham, put on a fund raising lunch for our India housing project.

The restaurant was packed and the food was delicious as always. I was left speechless when Rami announced that Tony had donated £1,000 personally to the project.
The raffle, auction and ticket sales resulted in another £1,000 and Rami donated £200 from a previous speaking engagement making a total of £2,200!!!
I was totally stunned at this figure and thank all concerned, particularly Rami and Jenny Seth and Tony Verma.

We have been to a number of these Indian lunches at Laguna which Rami and Tony have been doing for many years for charity.

Tuesday 24 May 2011 - Sherwood Sunrisers new member Sylvia Armstrong

Sylvia Armstrong and I have known each other for more years than we care to admit!
It was a memorable occasion for us both when I introduced Sylvia as a member of Sherwood Sunrisers.
I know that Sylvia will be an excellent member and she has already helped with events and knows everyone.




President Kim Armstrong, Sylvia's husband inducted her and we all wecome Sylvia to Sunrisers.
Is this a first for a President to induct his wife as a new member?

Monday 23 May 2011 - new Honorary members at Drone Valley

Identical twins Francine and Nicola Gleadall who give a tremendous amount of support to the Rotary Club of Drone Valley were made Honoray Members to recognise their valuable contributions.

These girls are very good singers and a delight to be with.

President Patricia Quinn was delighted that the twins family and boyfriends came along to support them.

These are Rotarians of the future!

Monday 23 May 2011 - Hospital garden judging

It was a cold and windy afternoon for the judging at the Sunrisers Hospital Garden.

Fortunately the judge arrived before the torrential rain so we moved indoors for our final discussion.

Now we have to be patient and wait for the results!

Saturday 21 May - Nottingham City Hospital Sunrisers Garden

The judge for Green Pennant is coming on Monday so Noel Harrison and I are having a quick tidy round!

This multi award winning garden is much used by patietnts, visitors and staff. Sherwood Sunrisers landscaped this unused area into an oasis of calm and colour eight years ago and we continue to maintain it.

Saturday 21 May 2011 - Alan Bush, Sherwood Sunrisers 60th Birthday!

My old friend and fellow Sunrisers Alan Bush held his 60th birthday party at the Canal Bar in Nottingham.

It was a lovely evening and great to meet many friends and parents from Redhill School.

I am especially delighted that Alan's son, Wesley, who was one of my star dancers is teaching dance. From September Wesley is to be an Assistant Headteacher in his school in Leeds.

Happy birthday Alan and well done Wesley!

Golf competition - Rotary drivers!

Just a few action shots to show the techniques of our players!

Wednesday 18 May 2011 - Eric Potter Golf competition

The 80th Annual Eric Potter Golf competition took place at the Erewash Golf Club with

16 players taking part.

It was drizzly at first but cleared up and the banter between the competitors was wonderful to hear.

My thanks go to Bruce Liddle and those taking part to keep this old established competition going.

I will post the name of the winner when I have it!

Monday 16 May 2011 -Rotary Club of Belper & Duffield

Wow, what an evening Terry and I had at the meeting in Belper!
Partners were all there to witness two total surprises. I presented Vernon Barnes with recognition from RI of his 45 years Rotary membership and a well deserved Paul Harris Fellowship to Dr John Scotney.

Both knew about the others awards but had no idea of their own. There had been a great deal of subterfuge to set up the evening and Vernon was shocked when asked to turn round to find his daughter and son in law sitting behind him!
Our thanks go to President David Harris and the members for making us so welcome as usual.

Sunday 15 May 2011 Young Musicians Concert -

The annual Young Musicians Concert at the Assembly Rooms in Derby was once again an outstanding evening. Every one of the performers enthralled thge packed audience with their talents. Special thank go to the organisers including Terry Clay and John Hall who do so much to make this event a success. It now receives the recognition it deserves and I saw more talent on this evening than the so called "stars" on television programmes such as Britain's Got Talent.

I can only show a few photographs so here are Oliver Whittingham, Lily Taylor - Ward, David Somers and Brian Chang

Sunday 15 May 2011 - RC Warsop, Shirebrook & District walk for India project

The Rotary Club of Warsop held a sponsored walk in the Thoresby Estate to raise funds for the India housing project. The weather was unpredictable but the company was superb as usual and these events give opportunities to chat leisurely with people. Thank you Warsop, Shirebrook & District!

Thursday 12 May - Rotary Club of Castle Donington Charter

President Eric Woodward, ably assisted by his SVP Chris Elston held their Charter celebration at the Novotel, Long Eaton.
The speaker was Ian G Williams, a bankruptcy lawyer who works for an American company. A different world!

Wednesday 11 May 2011 - Rotary Club of Bulwell & Basford Charter

President Bill Smith and his members held a different Charter at Blotts Country Club in Nottingham with the band, Sons and Lovers. Yet again it was a superb occasion and I was delighted to present three Paul Harris Fellowships to Tom Bond, John Martin and John Heading.

Saturday 7 May 2011 - Rotary Club of Sherwood Sunrisers Twinning event

The Rotary Club of Sherwood Sunrisers hosted a Twinning weekend with our two clubs from Maldagem in Belgium and Villepinte Expositions in Paris.
After a hectic weekend I joined them for a Pirates evening and a hog roast at Oxton Village Hall

Friday 6 May 2011 - Rotary Club of Drone Valley Charter

The Rotary Club of Drone Valley held a spectacular Charter celebration at the Tramway Museum in Crich. Everyone turned up in 1940's dress or uniform which added to the atmosphere. Songs of the era drifted from the pub as we drank outside and the dining room looked fantastic. The food was gorgeous and included Bubble and Squeak, a choice of roasts and bread and butter pudding with custard!
It was clear that a lot of thought and preparation had gone into this event, well done President Patricia and her members!

Thursday 5 May - Rotary Club of the Vale of Belvoir Charter

President Denis Bacon, pictured here with the Mayor of Rushcliffe Marie Males, held the Charter celebration at the popular Country Cottage Hotel in Ruddington.

I was delighted to receive a club donation and a personal donation from a member for houses in the Indian project.

It was also a pleasure to present two Paul Harris Fellowships.

The recipients were Past President Gordon Marsh and Past President Rob Gray. Both are very well deserved and both were speechless!

Wednesday 4 May 2011 - Graduation in London

Terry and I were honoured to be asked to represent Maithreye's parents at her Masters Graduation from Imperial College, London.

The event was held at the Royal Alber Hall and we were stunned to find that we had seats in the Royal Box!

The hall was almost full for this wonderful occasion.

Maithreye is the daughter of our good friends Jai and Nimmi from Hyderabad. They were unable to come for the graduation but Maithreye flew in with her brother Anirudh from Hyderabad and her sister Meghana came from Chicago.

Saturday 30 April - Sunrisers Garden at the City Hospital in Nottingham

My own Rotary club, Sherwood Sunrisers, landscaped and now maintain a hospital garden in the City Hospital in Nottingham. It is an oasis of calm beauty where patients, visitors and staff can spend a quiet time.

President Kim was valiantly sweeping up leaves but the wind won in the end!

We all enjoy working in the garden in the sunshine and it gives us time to chat and socialise.

Friday 29 April 2011 - the Royal Wedding!

Yes, I was one of the millions who sat glued to the television. There is no doubt about it, we know how to do ceremonies well here!

We had a courtyard party at home with the neighbours with 1940's food for some reason, including bread and jam and jelly!

It was an opportunity to leave the worlds problems on one side for a day and we all needed it.

Can you remember fairy cakes decorated with hard silver balls? We had those too!

I have to admit that I did not realise that Terry was so patriotic!

Thursday 28 April - Stapleford & Sandiacre Charter

President Paul Clements and his team at Stapleford & Sandiacre held their Charter Dinner at the Trent Lock Golf Club. The guest speaker was our good friend Colin Slater who entertained us with his anecdotes.
This club is a good example that it is quality of the members, not the quantity, that matters.
I will never forget the excellent toast to Rotary International given by Reg Bee, it was wonderful!

Wednesday 27 April 2011 - District Executive meeting

This was the last District Executive meeting of the year and my sincere thanks go to all of the team for thier total support and dedication.