Monday 28 February 2011 - meeting with Sam Evans at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground

Sam Evans is a remarkable young man.
We awarded him an Ambassadorial Scholarship a few years ago to study for a Masters in Australia.
Sam is very much a people person and he stopped on his way back from Sydney in Cambodia where he became involved with an orphanage and he still keeps in touch with them.
He now works at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground arranging hospitality functions and we met to discuss Sam's idea to hold an event in September to raise funds for the orphanage and also for a special needs school in India where his brother Tom is currently working as a volunteer.
Sam is a shining example of how Rotary can change peoples lives.

Sunday 27 February 2011 - Rotary Club of Melbourne Birthday Party

President Mike Thornett and his wife Wendy held an excellent Sunday lunch birthday party in place of a formal Charter Dinner.
It was well attended, informal and a lovely friendly occasion

As always there was a lot of laughter and banter and the food is always delicious at Cleve Lodge in Long Eaton.

We had a particularly noisy table with Probus President Ken Harnden, his wife Pauline, Castle Donington President Eric Woodward and Barbara in addition to Mike, Wendy, Terry and me!

Saturday 26 February 2011 - Rotary Club of West Ashfield Charter

Just as I began feeling a little better recovering from dengue fever I returned to work and caught a cold!

The speech I gave at the Rotary Club of West Ashfield Charter Dinner was in a very husky voice, some said sexy!
We all had a great evening with President Mike Redshaw and Alison at the Derbyshire Hotel which is another excellent venue.

The entertainment provided by Hilary Leam and Jonathan Panton direct from the West End was absolutely fabulous. They sang a variety of songs and they are so talented that we could have listened to the all night.

Friday 25 February 2011 - Inner Wheel Club of Alfreton Charter

I was so pleased to be invited by President Vera Dilks to the Inner Wheel Club of Alfreton Charter celebration.

We all has a lovely evening with good food, good entertainment and excellent company!

Seen here are the RIBI Inner Wheel Association Chairman Pam McConnell, Inner Wheel District 22 Chairman Elaine Harrison and Vera Dilks.


I was priviledged to witness the presentation of a 50 Year Membership Certificate to Peggy Spaven, a member of the Alfreton club.

The birthday cake made by Sue Curley was delicious and Terry was very envious as this is his favourite - iced cake!

Thursday 24 February 2011 - club visit - Vale of Belvoir

Third time lucky! After cancellations for loss of venue and snow I made it for the club visit to the Rotary Club of the Vale of Belvoir with President Denis Bacon. This was club visit number 57 - 1 to go!

I knew the new venue by its previous name and this threw me totally. Luckily a member found me looking very lost down a dark lane and came to my rescue!

Sunday 20 February - Rotary Club of Worksop Charter

The Rotary Club of Worksop held their Charter Sunday lunch at The Olde Bell, Barnby Moor where the meal was superb as usual.


Terry and I are delighted to be working with Worksop to provide facilites for special needs children in Kerala. Peter and I both knoe their District Governor, Scaria and we will all be visiting the project in the next few months.




President David and his wife Catharine were excellent hosts and there was a great deal of laughter around the table!

Thursday 17 February 2011 - Rotary Club of Chesterfield Charter

President David Foster and the Rotary Club of Chesterfield Scarsdale held a well attended 30th Charter celebration at the Red Lion, Stone Edge.
The Mayor of Chesterfield, Keith Morgan was a guest along with Andrew Raftery MD, FRCS who gave a very amusing speech.