Mansfield Rotary Club Children of Courage Awards - Tuesday 8 March 2011

It was another emotional occasion at the Rotary Club of Mansfield's 20th Children of Courage Awards at the Civic Centre.

Stewart Rickersey once again organised and introduced the 10 award winners, all incredible young people.

President Kelvin Bowman also welcomed Inner Wheel District 22 Chairman Elaine Harrison.
It was an emotional Kelvin who just managed to finish his speech. Words cannot describe the courage of these young people and the support that they receive from their parents, carers and teachers.

Monday 7 March 2011 - visit to Drone Valley

President Patricia Quinn and her superb club members hosted Terry and I at this, the last of my 58 club visits.

I was presented with a cheque for the housing project and it was a most enjoyable evening with a very sociable group of people.

Monday 7 March - John Port School, Etwall Interact Club

Etwall & Hilton Rotary Club has worked hard to set up a new Interact Club at the John Port School in Etwall.

President Barry Snaith is seen here with the Interim Interact President signing the documents.

Keith Rushby has put a great deal of time and effort into forming this club and there are already 38 members.

Sunday 6 March - Hucknall Inner Wheel Charter

Hucknall Inner Wheel under President Barbara Darlison held a superb Charter celebration at the Sherwood Forest Leisure Centre. A great deal of work had been done and the individual place settings were magnificent as you can see.

The cake was something else - just look at it! Certainly a prize winner!

I was delighted to meet Elaine Harrison and Pam McConnell again too.
I gave a presentation on our work in India and so pleased when Barbara presented me with a cheque to pay for a house in the project.

Saturday 5 March - Rotary Club of Retford Lancashire Evening

Terry and I don't often go to events where we can just chill out and enjoy ourselves but this is what happened at Retford's Lancashire Evening.




As President Phil Lewis is a genuine Lancashire lad the club jointly held a Lancashire Evening with their Inner Wheel club.
There was an abundance of Hotpot, both with and without Black Pudding, Eccles Cakes, Manchester Tart and Lancashire Cheese.
We had a difficult quiz on Lancashire won by yours truly!
Here is President Phil Lewis interviewing the President of Retford Inner Wheel - his wife Pamela.

We had odes and monologues including Albert and the Lion and a selection of Lancashire music.

This was a lovely enjoyable evening. Well done Retford!



What did I do - helped with the washing up!

Friday 4 March 2011 - Rotary Club of Long Eaton Charter

The Novotel was the venue for the Charter celebration of the Rotary Club of Long Eaton. The Novotel has been extremely supportive of Rotary this year, providing all meeting rooms free of charge.
President Martin and his wife were excellent hosts at a very enjoyable evening.

I was delighted to present a Paul Harris Fellowship to Doctor Alec Persey who has been a Rotarian for many years. Alec has a wicked sense of humour but even he was lost for words on this occasion!

I was also able to thank Tony and Domini Gregory for their tremendous help and support of the Ambassadorial Scholars which they readily take into their family. They treat them so well that I asked if I can be adopted by them next year!

Yuko Homma from Japan was with Tony and looked beautiful, confident and happy.

We were entertained by a section from Cantata with songs from the shows and songs that we all know. They will be at the Conference in Southport in 2012.

Wednesday 2 March 2011 - Visit to Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre

Today was emotional, disturbing yet inspirational. I visited the Beth Shalom Holocaust Memorial Centre at Laxton and believe that everyone should see this excellent museum and teaching centre which is in a beautiful setting with extensive gardens.
The exhibits and the way the story unfolds as you go round the centre is very moving and it is well worth spending some time in the superb bookshop and restaurant afterwards.
A small group of us were very privileged to have Rtn Bob Norton as our personal guide. Bob is a Holocaust survivor and it is very moving to hear his story and see his actual cases which held his belongings. I am proud to know Bob and his wife Gerry, their life story is an example to us all.