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SUMMER 2014

ROTARY NOW District 1180

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ROTARY DISTRICT 1180

ROTARY NOW Stories and events from around Rotary District 1180.

65 Rotary Clubs throughout North & Mid Wales, Borderland, Chester, Wirral, Merseyside & West Lancs.

District Governor: Rtn. Les Wilson PHF Rotary Club of Maghull & Aughton

Editorial Editor: Rtn. D.Ben Rees 32 Garth Drive, Allerton, Liverpool L18 6HW Tel: 0151 724 1989 Fax: 0151 724 5691 Email: benatgarthdrive@talktalk.net Design & Layout: Mitchell & Wright Printers Ltd The Print Works, Banastre Road Southport, Merseyside, PR8 5AL Tel: 01704 535529 Email: sales@mitchellwright.co.uk Advertising: Rtn. Peter Weston 7 Long Meadow, Gayton CH60 8QQ Tel: 0151 324 4590 Email: pwconsultancy@hotmail.co.uk Editorial Assistant: Rtn. Keith Mitchell Stalk House, High Street, Mawdesley, L40 3TD Tel: 01704 822577 Email: kcmitchell@hotmail.co.uk

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DEADLINE FOR WINTER ISSUE Sunday August 31st 2014

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IT’S

GOODBYE

FROM ME………

All good things must come to an end and by the time that you read this my time as Chair of the MPRC committee will have come to an end. It seems no time at all since my predecessor, Geoff Uttley, asked me to follow him into the role; something which I did with some trepidation bearing in mind that, in many ways, it is the highest profile of the District committees by the very nature of its purpose in having to present all the best of Rotary to the world at large.

It goes without saying that Geoff had done a good job during his tenure but I wished to put my own stamp on the work that the team does and, indeed the way that we do it. Changing the profile and, indeed, elements of the team has been done in a way that gently balanced evolution with revolution. Old practices and formats have been updated or replaced and we have endeavoured to increase the usage of modern aspects of communication with the results that the District now has its own Facebook and Twitter pages as well as a more pro-active website. The District magazine was renamed as “Rotary NoW” and Chris Porteous was instrumental in redesigning its visual appearance. We sat down, reviewed and altered the appearance of the stand at Llangollen Eisteddfod and the format has been adopted at many of the stands that we have supported at various events. We produced a leaflet “What is Rotary?” and the first 5000 print has been used up in under two years and a revised print of 5000 is now available – as is an all-Welsh version which has also proved to be very popular.

All done with a team that I have been proud to work with, a team that over the last year have taken much of the load off my shoulders as domestic duties have, of necessity, taken some priority, a team that have worked hard in bringing Rotary to the notice of the public in this multi-faceted District These are only some of the things that we have done in the past three years, but there is so much more to be done. I was tempted to stay for another year and achieve some more of the targets but my wife’s stroke, while eventually proving to be not as severe as we first feared, encouraged me to “do the right thing” and stand down but I’m delighted that Heather Oldham of Chester club is taking over and I know that in her hands further advances will be seen - so, like any good relay runner, I will hand the baton over, stop running, and let her run her own race.

It has been a pleasure, to work for, and with, you all and I hope that I have contributed something worthwhile to this wonderful organisation of ours. I thank you all for your support, co-operation (and tolerance!) over the my periods of office. I will be reverting to the role of club president during the coming year and putting District duties behind me, but one thing I have learnt in these last few years is never to say never.......

Mike Clutton MPRC Chair 2011-2014

AND GOODBYE FROM HIM… I found it hard to believe when I looked at my back issues, but the first edition I designed for printing was March 2004.

How quickly has that ten years and forty four issues flown by! The magazine had recently undergone a name change from “Y Bont (The Bridge)” to the less imaginative “1180 News”. It did look rather old fashioned much in the style of a Parish Magazine. I was lucky to receive a great photo of skydiving Formby Rotarian Phil Clulee, taken during his skydive for Polio Plus. With a re-design of the masthead and Phil’s photo scanned for full-page reproduction, a new era for the District Mag. had begun!

The first three years saw a continuation of four issues per annum, which was reduced to three in 2007. I am not a professional designer and have been continually tweaking the layouts even up until the last issue. A big improvement

was the move to full colour but I always felt I couldn’t devote enough time to really do the magazine justice and work commitments have now forced me to take a step back. However, with a professional designer on the team, I’m confident that the magazine will go from strength to strength and will benefit from a more consistent and imaginative layout.

I’ve enjoyed working with Ben, with Mike C (and his predecessor Michael Law) and with the rest of the editorial team. As with my first edition in 2004, quality of content is absolutely key to making the magazine an interesting read.

I do hope that every club in District 1180 will continue to send regular articles and high quality photographs to Ben and Keith, after all, Rotary NoW is YOUR magazine.

Chris Porteous

BIKERS RIDE OVER 2,600 MILES FOR CHARITY The Oswestry Borderland Rotary Club recently held their 21st bike challenge over the Berwyn Hills on the Welsh border. The weather wasn't good to the riders but they seem to think the rain and the mud added something to the event! The money raised by this event has passed the £110k mark.

The off-road challenge is a 22mile mountain bike ride through the Berwyn Mountains. Jonathan Jones said “ We are also indebted to the farmers and landowners in the Berwyn Mountains for allowing us to run the event across their lands for sections not normally open to the public.”

The event has grown in popularity over the 21 years but this year the numbers were down a little with 121 intrepid riders.

All returned covered in mud but with huge smiles on their faces having met the challenge. This year Borderland hope to raise £5k from the event and the money will allow the Oswestry Borderland Rotary Club to support the Midlands and Wales Air Ambulances as the main beneficiaries as well as so many other clubs and organisations.

Contact: Event organiser Jonathan Jones 07919 403355

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OFILE...PROFILE...PROFILE...PROFILE...PROFILE...PROFILE...PROFILE...PROFILE

Les & Pat Wilson Pnawn Da Ben, Here we go, my answers as the incoming District Governor to your questions, Mr. Editor 1 I became a Rotarian in 1984,/85, as the Chairman of Maghull Round Table, I was invited along with the then, Maghull Rotary Club ‘Chain Gang' to their first Charter, followed by all the local community and Civic functions, and as always the last to leave, a friendship developed, and with the Maghull RC, being a young, vibrant club, who met in the evening, which was not the norm in those days I was invited to join and I suppose the rest is history.

2 Maghull being a 40 strong club in the early 80's, as soon as you joined, you were thrown in the deep end, given a job right away, and my first experience of this was to work with the Ormskirk club, in the formation of their Rotaract Club, with Ted Baybutt, who later became Dist Governor 1996/97. The Ormskirk Rotaracters now form the nucleus of Ormskirk Edge Hill RC a mixed gender club with over 50 members.

I became President in 1992/93 of Maghull RC, along with Editor Ben Rees of Toxteth, who was one of my 'classmates' during that year.

My involvement in district from the late eighties till the new millennium was minimal, as my business demanded most of my time.

I met up with David Barton, a fellow ex tabler, during one of his requests for GSE hosting, joined his committee on the selection board, organising the hosting and visits to the City of Liverpool for many teams from the USA, New Zealand, Philipines. Japan and Brazil, an international programme, which I'm sorry were not still involved in I was appointed by the late PDG Vernon Schwarz, to lead a GSE team to Luzon, in the Philipines, in 2009.

A team of 4 young ladies, known famously throughout district as 'The Pink Panthers', a truly unforgetable journey to the Far East which changes your life forever, and how we, as Rotarians make a difference, irrespective of social backgrounds.

Two years as Assistant Governor in Area 1, North Merseyside & West Lancashire, leading up to my selection as DGN, DGE, Conference Chair in Liverpool, sandwiched in between in 2012 and now very proud and privileged to be Governor in my 30th year as Rotarian, for the 'International' District of 1180.

3 The trip to the RI assembly, 530 Governors and their partners/wives from every corner of the globe, a truly international event, with inspirational speakers, setting the tone and thoughts for the governors year in office. Prior to arriving in San Diego, a home hosting invitation by Vero Beech Florida, was accepted, a club that has welcomed Governors from around the world and 1180 for over 20 years, a truly remarkable offer of international fellowship leading to lifelong friendships.

The training is varied, covering all aspects of our curriculum, but its the international fellowship and camaraderie that leaves a lasting impression on all those who attended, meeting fellow Rotarians from all those countries around the world, sharing our ideas and common vision.

4 The main priority is obviously our membership, 10 years ago we had 1.2 million

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members, today we have 1.2 million members we need to change the way do things, think outside the box, relax in our meetings, make them fun, and make it that people want to join us, I know the demographics are against us, we're an ageing population, and we need to bring in new members, with Satellite and corporate membership, which the Membership Team will endeavour to do.

I want to make sure that all the struggling clubs know that help is available, to make sure they survive, either in their current form or changed to equip them for the future.

5 Proud moments come in many ways when you've been in the organisation for 30 years, it could be when you become President of your club, chosen by your fellow Rotarians. It could be when you're awarded a Paul Harris for your work with the foundation or when you’re installed as DG, I feel that none of this would have happened if I hadn't received the Badge which I wore so proudly, on my first occasion as a Rotarian, when all your values are highlighted and you are given the life time opportunity to offer 'Service above Self' - indeed a proud moment, and a one to cherish forever.

6 I would tell them that Rotary is something very special, people meeting people, people helping people and having fun in doing good, the meetings are weekly, but to attend when they can, to fit in with their busy life, as once they've been and like what they see, they will attend more often and partake in all the good projects that we're involved in. The opportunities to meet friends from all over the world, to take part in fund raising, educational projects and youth programmes, the members are from all walks of life, representing a vast cross section of the business and local community, with membership from 18 upwards regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender or political preference.

So come and have look at us, enjoy a meal and consider joining 1.2 milion members from more than 34,000 clubs, in over 200 countries and most of all, they wont regret joining and be part of the greatest sevice organisation in the world.

7 I suppose I'm an oddment, ‘The Welsh speaking Scouser' as someone referred to me. Born and bred on the Isle of Anglesey over 70 years ago in the town and village of Amlwch Port, part of a seafaring family I was brought up in a first language Welsh speaking home, although into English when my father came home, he was a structural engineer working away from the Island on large contracts all over the UK. Educated at Sir Thomas Jones School, Amlwch. A brand new Comprehensive, one of the first in the UK, a very impressive building and teaching staff of the highest quality, so you can imagine the shock of horror, when as a family, we 'emigrated' to Liverpool in the late 50's. Due to my fathers promotion and base at the Liverpool Royal Liver Building I ended up in a bombed out Nissan Hut on the docks in Liverpool at ‘Bootle Grammar School for Boys'.

A real shock to the system, which in the middle of my education, did not really impress me, but as my late father said, 'It had a fine academic record, I completed my education at Bootle Technical college and followed my family tradition of training in Marine Engineering and sailing as an Engineering officer with The Alfred Holt Co, The Blue Funnel Line, spending most of my time on their Far East voyages in Hong Kong Singapore, Japan & China.

At the end of my Seagoing career, I still kept up my engineering experience with the Weir group, involved with voyage repairs, new ship acceptance trials and land based work on Power Stations, Petro Chemical refinery work and the Water industy.

In 1983 I became co-founder and co-owner of Unicorn Ltd Engineers, based at Ellesmere Port, a company formed on the rebuild of Bowaters Paper Mill, and then the new build of Shotton Paper Mill Deeside. I retired from Unicorn,in 2007 I have been married to Pat for 48 years, I married the Scout masters daughter, all those years ago, a young lady I met when I was a 'paper boy'. We have 3 daughters, Sarah, 46, Lisa 45 and Emma 43, 3 Grandaughters and 1 Grandson.

As we prepare to 'Light Up Rotary' in the Years 2014/15, I feel very proud and privileged to be Governor for Distict 1180 and look forward to working and enjoying the fun, fellowship and Rotary Service over the coming Rotary year .

Diolch yn Fawr iawn Thank you very much for the Opportunity to Serve

PRESTATYN

President Colin and Inner Wheel Pres. Claire

CLASSIC CAR SHOW

The 15th annual Prestatyn Classic Car Show took place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26th 2014. Following two wet days 'Sunny Prestatyn' finally lived up to its name and Rotary President Colin Hall donned shorts and tee shirt for a relaxing stroll around the show with his partner Clare (President of Prestatyn Inner Wheel).

The show was the brainchild of Tim Walkden-Williams, a selfconfessed petrol-head and proprietor of The Bon Menswear shop in town. The show has grown into a spectacular display of vehicles including very old vintage cars, classic cars from the 1950's onwards, military vehicles and motorbikes. Every year one or two absolute gems show up and this year was no exception. A 1949 Triumph Roadster took my eye. It was found in a barn 14 years ago, having not been on the road since 1967. 2,500 hours of restoration and a lot of money has resulted in a beautiful motor car. See photo with Tim Walkden-Williams (left) and owner Wyn Roberts. The show is sponsored in part by The Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn who provide a start and finish point for the annual classic car rally through North Wales on the day before the show. A new sponsor for some of the categories this year was the local branch of the Principality Building Society, and Tim is photographed with staff by a lovely old MG.

Show organiser Tim and Wyn Roberts with his Triumph Roadster

Although admission to the show is free, Prestatyn Rotarians and also volunteers from St Kentigern Hospice man the two entrances and this year voluntary donations from the public raised almost ÂŁ1,000 for the hospice and over ÂŁ300 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Prestatyn Rotarians with PDG Griff Jones manning the Rotary entrance to the show

The cars were not the only attraction as the High Street gardens of the former vicarage hosted various stalls, a bouncy castle and tasty teas and cakes from the church ladies. Tim is extremely grateful to the new owners the vicarage for permitting the use of their garden in this way.

In 2012 Tim asked whether the Rotary Club could provide some sort of entertainment for children at the show, and Prestatyn Rotarian Chris Porteous offered the use of his Scalextric layout. The large four lane layout on trestle tables provided a fun activity for many children at the 2013 show and this year an improved layout with computerised timing system proved a great attraction throughout the day with 110 children (and a few dads) taking part.

With four taking part in each race, the action was fast and furious, with the results broadcast to the show crowds by Glan Clwyd Hospital radio who provided a running commentary and music throughout the day.

Show organiser Tim and the Principality ladies by an MG

Rotary NoW Summer 2014 | 5

ROTARY AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE LIVERPOOL CLUB (FORMED IN 1913) Rotary found a base in Liverpool in March and April 1913, at least 14 months before the incident in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina on June 28, 1914 when Cavrilo Princip, a 19 year old member of “Young Bosnia”, a secret society dedicated to liberating Slav lands from Hapsburg rule, fired his pistol and killed in the open-topped car, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Countess Sofia. This incident should not have led to a war but it did because the AustrianHungarian dynasty saw it as an opportunity of crushing Serbia and solve the south Slav problem, once and for all. From this tragic incident all the horror followed. The two great powers, Germany and Britain, were ready for action. Lloyd George and Churchill were charismatic leaders who could never allow violence and violation of neutral Belgium and Luxembourg by Germany. So the war became a reality and young people volunteered for service in the British army.

Most of the members of the Rotary Club in Liverpool were not acceptable for military service on two accounts. They were either too old for service or were in professions where military service was exempt. A number of Rotarian volunteered as special constables.

But ten members of the Rotary Club of Liverpool joined up for active service, and one member, Luther Allen, paid the ‘supreme sacrifice’. He must be remembered.

The club established the Roll of Honour Fund, catering for families who had lost a breadwinner in the War, and it arranged a circular advertising a huge sale that was arranged in co-operation with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Six thousand circulars were printed. The Ladies’ Committee of the Club got involved and the result of it all was impressive. A profit of £1,000 was made by Rotary towards the Roll of Honour Fund, which amounted at the end of the First World War to a staggering sum of £86,991 from which grants were made to disabled Liverpool war veterans for decades.

The other impressive activity of the Club was its hand of fellowship. As a cosmopolitan city, Liverpool was unique. Ramsay Muir, the historian, says it all in his history of the city: ‘There is no city in the world, not even London itself, in which so many foreign governments find it necessary to maintain consular officers for the safeguarding of their exiled subjects.’

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Liverpool Rotarians have been great ambassadors for over 100 years and they were exemplary between 1914 and 1918. American and Canadian soldiers came to Liverpool in large numbers. Rotarian Plummer Campbell felt that the Club should extend a warm hand of friendship to these North American soldiers as well as those who came from other parts of the British Empire.

The scheme became known as Guests in British Homes.

Lloyd Barnes, President of the Rotary Club wrote to the officers of all the Rotary Clubs in Britain to organise the scheme. Plummer Campbell lived in Hightown and was able to persuade all his friends and acquaintances in the Formby-Crosby area to open their homes to the ‘friendly soldiers’.

The result of this was that a number of American soldiers discovered a ‘home from home’ in North Liverpool. Within a matter of months the Liverpool initiative had been adopted throughout the whole of Britain, with the result that over two thousand service men were given an exceptional hospitality on British soil. It is an extremely important story to pass down to a new generation of Rotarians in 2014.

Another far-reaching initiative taken by the Rotary Club of Liverpool was to prepare a map and guide to the architecture of the city. Liverpool is an extremely impressive city for its architecture, its Georgian terraces and squares. Ten thousand of these guides were published and distributed and on the cover the soldiers as well as the ordinary visitor saw the words: ‘With the compliments of the Rotary Club of Liverpool’.

In 1917 the Rotary Club obtained permission from the city planning authority to erect a kiosk to be an Enquiry Bureau in Clayton Square, which came to be known by people from near and far as the ‘Rotary Kiosk’. Every day of the week a Rotarian or his partner or a relative would be on duty at the kiosk between the hours of 10am in the morning to 11pm at night. A rota was

prepared by the Club Secretary and the person on duty had the pleasant task of welcoming individuals in the name of Rotary. He would also supply vital information, handing out the well prepared guide to those who had no inkling of the treasures found in Liverpool city centre. The service provided so professionally by Liverpool Rotarians continued in existence long after Armistice Day on 11 November 1918.

The Ministry of Labour contacted the Club at the end of the War concerning the task of rehabilitation of officers and soldiers who had qualifications in clerical, technical and administrative occupations. There were over 600 on the Register, and Rotarians took up the challenge and week after week for nearly five years, they organised a Panel of Club members to interview the returning soldiers for the jobs available. The scheme soon became a huge success and the Clubs organised these panels on a staggering 210 occasions.

It was a massive achievement and the Club found work for men who had sacrificed so much. They needed skilled workers, and they assisted one thousand ex-servicemen. Tell everyone of their achievement.

Another huge initiative was their care for soldiers, who were patients in Liverpool. A rota was made so that these brave men could have weekly visits and receive presents and parcels. It was ‘Service before Self’, and those Rotarians in District 1180 can be very proud of what the pioneering Rotarians did in the important city of the Empire between 1914 and 1918.

They were established at the right time and they did well in every way. We salute the memory of the soldiers, seamen, and RAF folk, but also those at the home front who offered hospitality, care, compassion when it was very much needed.

D. Ben Rees

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ROTARY IS DOING WELL IN PRESTATYN ………and we’re telling everyone about it!

Prestatyn Rotarians were sorry to read a rather depressing report about the state of Rotary in our local newspaper. It’s a fact that Rotary clubs in the UK have lost members and are much smaller in number than they used to be, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are not viable.

There are some very “small” clubs who do amazing things for their community and we’ve often read about them in this magazine. But let’s keep our reports in the press optimistic and tell the public about the good things Rotarians do locally and wider afield. If we have issues that need addressing let’s fix those at Club level, talk about them within District, or air them in Alcester, but not in the local press.

Prestatyn recently held a Club Visioning event at The Scala Cinema, which was skilfully hosted by past District Governor Roger Heath and his team. Twenty five Prestatyn Rotarians attended and all agreed that it was a very worthwhile exercise. We didn’t hold a visioning event because we’re worried about the health of our club, but as an opportunity to stand back, take a look at ourselves and think about ways we can make Prestatyn Rotary Club even better.

And here’s our latest good news story going to the local paper, onto our website, and out to our followers on Facebook and Twitter……….

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THREE NEW MEMBERS FOR PRESTATYN ROTARY CLUB Prestatyn Rotary Club is going from strength to strength and now has 40 members. Assistant District Governor Beryl Cotton was delighted to enrol the new Rotarians when she visited the Prestatyn Club meeting this week.

Beryl is pictured with Rotary President Colin Hall and new members Khalid Lodhi, Tony Morgan and John Sharman.

Prestatyn’s Rotarians are perhaps best known in the area for their popular Christmas Float, but they work hard all year round raising funds for good causes and organising events such as the school achievement awards which received great coverage in the Journal recently. We helped St Kentigern’s hospice with our collection at the recent Classic Car Show, and held a Scalextric Grand Prix that was enjoyed by well over 100 children (and dads).

Anyone interested in doing something for the community can do so by joining Prestatyn Rotary Club, or by offering to help us from time to time as a “Friend of Rotary”.

Please contact us via our website www.prestatyn.rotary1180.org or telephone 07970 216533 Chris Porteous

RECRUITMENT – ONE CLUB’S EFFORTS Like many Rotary Clubs throughout the U.K., The Rotary Club of the City of St Asaph in North Wales has been concerned for some time about the age profile of the Club and the paucity of new members.

Although the Club has attracted four new members in as many years, this has been countered by the sad loss of some elderly members due to retirement, illhealth or death.

In summary, the Club comprises an exceedingly active group of 25 Rotarians and boasts a very high public profile in a mainly rural/semi-rural area. In addition to the more common fund-raising activities shared by many Clubs countrywide, the St Asaph Rotary has become well known throughout North Wales for its large-scale summer Country Fayre, established for just two years but attracting many thousands of visitors from far and wide.

Many guests have attended weekly meetings over the years and the Club has attracted an enviable number of ‘friends’ who assist Rotarians on specific occasions by an infusion of expertise and manpower.

However, few have taken the final step of becoming full members and, with this in mind, The P.R. and Recruitment Committee, under the able leadership of Rotarian Andrew Thomas, bent their collective minds to a means of interesting more of the local population in the activities of the Club and perhaps persuading existing ‘friends’ to consider taking the final leap of faith into full membership.

member and our one female Rotarian were used extensively in the advertising. All members of the Club were involved in the process of inviting guests and ‘spreading the word’.

In the event, 34 guests, old and new, attended and the evening was deemed an enormous success, with all guests voluntarily completing a brief questionnaire towards the end of the evening, indicating their level of interest in the Club and their willingness to become involved in the many activities with which the Club is associated. This has resulted in a new extended database of ‘Friends of the Club’ and the P.R. Committee is now considering ways of involving them throughout the Rotary Year.

The comments of Mrs Mary Pearce, a local resident, reflecting the still existing perceived Rotary stereotype were telling: “I came here tonight not really knowing what to expect. Before now I had regarded Rotary as being for men only and a bit stuffy, but I have had my eyes opened.

I very much enjoyed the evening and everybody was very friendly and welcoming. I was amazed to learn how much the Club members do for their community while obviously having a lot of fun as well. I shall definitely be keeping in touch and hope to ‘lend a hand’ with some of their future activities.”

Captain Mainwering has a lot to answer for !!

It was decided, therefore, to host a user-friendly ‘Open Evening’ with free buffet meal and a magic show (provided by two local members of the ‘Magic Circle’, who gave their services free of charge) acting as the prelude to a brief verbal summary of the work and activities of the Club.

Advertising for the evening was intense with colourful posters strategically placed, press coverage and eye-catching life-size vertical banners placed in the local library three weeks before the event.

Unapologetically, the images of our youngest

Will this result in an increase in membership? Who knows? But the signs are hopeful and the courtship has begun. At the very least it has extended still further our ties with the community and has thrown up some exciting opportunities for the coming year when it is hoped to draw upon the enthusiasm and expertise of the many ‘friends’ who have expressed an interest in the club, our values and our many activities. At least we have tried and I think the message at this stage is ‘WATCH THIS SPACE’.

Alan Duke

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NATIONAL CONFERE

The bustling Birmingham City centre provided the backdrop for the 2014 RIBI conference in April, presided over by RIBI President Nan McCreadie at the ICC. The advance programme had promised an impressive range of interesting and thought provoking speakers and they didn’t disappoint.

Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham was full of clever wit and humour and, as a local boy, was proud of the history of the local area and the wealth created by industry, so much of it initiated in the midlands. Martin Bell, UNICEF Ambassador for Humanitarian Emergencies, is probably one of the most recognised figures from disaster zones all over the world for many years and he shared with us his perspective on some of the most current issues.

There isn’t enough space here to describe every speaker in detail, but the highlights must also include a talk by Jennifer Scott, the Curator of Paintings, Royal Collection Trust.

Everyone in the audience, not just the art lovers was fascinated by her infectious enthusiasm and description of 10 | Rotary NoW Summer 2014

some of the fabulous works of art in this extensive collection.

Martin Rutledge, Chief Executive of ABF the Soldiers’ Charity, a former Major General, engaged everyone’s attention with some thought provoking statistics about the percentage of households affected by having a member of the family either currently serving, or retired from, the armed forces. He urged Rotarians to engage with this charity to offer support with practical skills and help soldiers back into the community.

Roy Lilley the BBC broadcaster was another worthy of special mention as he livened up a Sunday morning, when some might have been suffering a little after the night of entertainment from the Back Beat Beatles. His witty style and endless jokes, mostly at the expense of his long suffering mother, did nothing to dilute his serious message about the current problems in the NHS. Interestingly he described Rotary as an ‘important lobby group’, something which we might often forget in our search for new members.

ENCE BIRMINGHAM

The big surprise and undoubtedly a unique experience for all those present, was an exceptional moment on Sunday morning as we gathered to hear the much respected Sarah Brown, Founding Chairman of the UN Global Business Coalition for Education, talk about her work with the UN in trying to increase school attendance in third world countries.

Sarah began telling us about the bravery and impact that had been made by Mulala Yusafi, the school girl shot by the Taliban. To everyone’s delight and surprise, Sarah introduced Mulala in person and the audience rose to their feet and gave her a standing ovation. This delightful, intelligent and supremely brave young lady spoke with such eloquence and wisdom which humbled us all and gave everyone much food for thought. She showed her good nature and it was easy to see how she had been able to create a positive message from her experience as the victim of such terrible violence.

Listening to her speak one felt that she is destined to be a significant figure in the future and we were privileged to hear her at this conference.

All that topped off with a fabulous Last Night of the Proms in the sumptuous Symphony Hall which saw Rotarians flag waving and singing, not always to the conductor Anthony Inglis’s high standards. The Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Treorchi Male Voice Choir treated us to a classical 'top of the pops' complete with all the anthems for a rousing big finish. Saturday night was completely different with the Back Beat Beatles providing something for all tastes, but surely a few potential slipped discs from the twisters and jivers dancing out front.

The numerous dinners, lunches, coffee breaks and drinks at the bar with a host of like minded people, provided real fellowship at every turn. The Rotary Showcase also gave an opportunity to talk to a host of support agencies and learn about other projects and resources.

If you were there I am sure you will agree that it was an enjoyable and worthwhile weekend, but if not, hopefully see you next time.

Heather Oldham Rotary NoW Summer 2014 | 11

ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTH WIRRAL

INAUGURATION As many Rotarians will be aware, that the end of June 2013 all but two members of the Club resigned from or failed to continue with their membership. The result being that President David Sims and PP Ian Grove were prepared to continue their membership and retain the Club Charter for a period of one year, hoping that a new and relocated club could be established in the village of Willaston on the Wirral.

Much effort ensued with the assistance of The District Governor Roger and District Governor Nominee Chris Sumner but to little avail. However, in November of 2013 Tony and Beryl Cotton contacted the two members to propose an entirely new mechanism of extending Rotary by the introduction of a new Satellite Club attached to the Rotary Club of South Wirral.

These proposals were met with considerable enthusiasm and the team set about projecting the new image. First on the scene were Colin and Debra Jerrett who, with their sheer enthusiasm and dynamic personalities persuaded other local residents to join them and distribute “flyers” around the village promoting the club and seeking new members.

The process has been slow but successful and at the beginning of April the club had finally achieved the ten person membership that were necessary to create a Satellite Club. It was also decided that, given the District Governors approval, that at the inauguration of the Satellite Club it would immediately be incorporated into the Rotary Club of South Wirral and renamed The Rotary Club of Willaston & South Wirral.

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Inauguration ceremony showing from left to right Ian Grove, Director of Ceremonies; District Governor, Philip Horwood; President Debra Jerrett and Immediate Past President, David Sims.

On the 16th April The District Governor, The District Governor Elect, the immediate Past District Governor, The District Secretary, two Assistant Governors, the District Taskforce Officer together with a further forty five visiting Rotarians and Guests attended the Nags Head in Willaston to participate and witness the inauguration ceremony, its incorporation into a new titled Rotary Club of Willaston & South Wirral and to initiate its first President, Rotarian Debra Jerrett and her team.

The original club has been in existence for a period of some 37 years and it’s hoped that its continuation, albeit in a different form of New Rotary, will progress, grow and demonstrate its dynamics in the changing face of Rotary International.

We all wish them well and look forward to their ever growing involvement in local activities, in association with other local clubs and participation in District initiatives.

HAWARDEN HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISER “Head girl Ellie Murray made a presentation to Peter Hodgson, of ShelterBox, of £1180 which she raised, with the help of Head Boy Tim Kingsnorth, by staging various events at Hawarden High School such as Christmas Jumper Day, Silly Sock Day and their annual Quiz. The money will buy two ShelterBoxes. The Boxes will either be sent out or kept in storage until such time as they are required. The school will be kept informed of when they are dispatched and to which area they are being sent.

ShelterBox is an International Disaster Relief Charity and Global Rotary Club Project and designed to provide instant relief to disasters anywhere in the world to give shelter, warmth and dignity by providing a tent, blankets and ground sheets, water containers with purification means, a stove and cooking equipment, tool kit, mosquito net and a childs activity pack.

Headmaster Roger Davies, Hawarden Rotary Club President Carl Robbins, Rotarian Colin Dollimore the clubs Youth Development Officer and two school prefects Connor Maloney and Alex McGlade were also present at the presentation.

Hawarden Rotary Club would be pleased to welcome anyone to their meetings at the Beaufort Park Hotel who would be interested in learning more about Rotary and what Rotary does, on any Tuesday evening at 7.15 pm.”

Malcolm Watts Hawarden Rotary Club

Peter Hodgson and Headmaster inspecting shelterbox.

Alex McGlade, Ellie Murray, Tim Kingsnorth, President Carl Robbins, Peter Hodgson and Headmaster.

Ellie Murray, Colin Dollimore, Peter Hodgson and Headmaster.

ROTARY CLUB OF ST ASAPH

PROMOTES MEMBERSHIP

Rotary NoW Summer 2014 | 13

ROTARY CLUB OF OSWESTRY

HEALTH AND WELLBEING EVENT 26TH APRIL 2014 Ann Wilson of SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome) supporting the Rotary Polio Eradication stand.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner Amanda Thurber of Oswestry Minor Injuries Unit taking Rotary Club President Stuart Phillip’s blood pressure.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF OSWESTRY completed its tenth Health Awareness event at Oswestry’s Memorial Hall.

Over sixty members of the public took advantage of there being sixteen different organisations in the same room to offer specialist information and advice. Originally conceived with narrower “stroke awareness” objectives, the project now aims to allow people to have access to the widest possible range of health and welfare organisations on a drop-in basis in the same location.

The Oswestry Minor Injuries Unit was on hand to take blood pressure readings, referring a number of people for further investigations based on the results. These tests have been a feature of the event from its beginnings. On the other hand, Rotary itself had a stand for the very first time. This highlighted the initiative to eradicate polio from the whole world (started by Rotary 29 years ago and now nearing its endgame but given additional impetus by events in Syria) and included a chance to take part in the “World’s Biggest Commercial” project being run by the End Polio Now campaign.

14 | Rotary NoW Summer 2014

Oswestry Stroke Club has also been part of the event from its inception and once again provided refreshments for both the visiting public and the many people directly involved in the project on the day.

Event Organiser Rotarian Ray Lewis said “I would like to thank the many people and organisations who have partnered with the Club to make this day possible. This year, we have had the most stands since the start of the project and I think this makes the event a great benefit to the people of Oswestry and the surrounding districts.”

The Rotary Club of Oswestry meets every Monday except Bank Holidays at The Dining Rooms (formerly The Walls) at 12.30 for 12.45. It is one of 34,000 clubs in 200 countries around the world representing a global network of business, professional and community leaders serving communities locally and around the world.

Strong, lasting friendships are formed in the process.

Further details are available on the Club Website at www.rotarycluboswestry.co.uk. Or for more information about Rotary please visit www.ribi.org

THE ROTARY CLUB OF WEST DERBY LIVERPOOL A recent shocking statistic showed that young adults in England have scored among the lowest results in the industrialised world in international literacy and numeracy tests and England came 22nd for literacy out of 24 countries.

Living in an age of high technology and high tech equipment our children, and grandchildren, have taken to computers, ipads, iphones, text messaging and all other electronic ‘things’ - at which some of us might still look with awe - like ducks to water.

But what about their reading skills?

Of course, one has to be able to read even if using a computer and with that in mind, the Rotary Club of West Derby Liverpool decided some five years ago to encourage children and grownups to improve their reading skills, because reading is such fun. For the ‘grownups’ every months we collect unwanted books and redistribute them free of charge through all sorts of public places. Over 2500 books have found a new home and a new reader, this way.

For the children the Club decided to support and donate ‘Dictionaries4Life’ to the Primary School children within our area. Dictionaries 4Life is a positive way for the Club to support the Rotary International emphasis on literacy by not only helping our local primary school pupils but also promoting a positive image of RC West Derby Liverpool to the community.

Mainly Year 6 are benefitting, but sometimes even younger children are rewarded with their own dictionary, duly inscribed by the Rotary Club. We have now supplied over 600 dictionaries to thirteen local primary schools over the past five years. These schools are located in the Kensington and West Derby area of Liverpool some of them would – in ‘Ofsted speak’ – seen as challenging. Of the thirteen schools seven are county primaries and six are denominational….. and we are always invited to take part in the official presentation taking place in the schools’ assembly halls. An invitation we never miss, needless to say Head Teachers are delighted to welcome us.

Christina Spencer

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DISTRICT 1180 GOLF SOCIETY SPRING MEETING

ROTARY CLUB OF WREXHAM ERDDIG

PADESWOOD AND BUCKLEY GOLF CLUB 29TH MAY 2014

MOCK INTERVIEWS SET NEW RECORD Mock Interviews for Schools was the brainchild of the late Chris Jones and have been a feature of the programme of Wrexham Erddig Rotary Club for almost 20 years.

From small beginnings the process has grown steadily over the years. The programme is delivered to Year 11 pupils in secondary schools in the Easter Term and prepares them for forthcoming interviews at colleges and the world of work.

30 members of the society, from 7 different clubs, returned to one of our favourite Clubs - Padeswood and Buckley GC for the Spring meeting.

Despite the disappointing number of players and rather damp day the membership had an enjoyable and, in the main, successful day. As usual P and B Golf Club looked after us well.

The Captain – David Landy – welcomed members and presented the prizes.

Division 1 and 2 Winner Alan Barber 2nd John Bambery 3rd Alun Morgan Divison 3 Winner 2nd 3rd

- Southport Links - Southport Links - Wrexham Erddig

Denisa Blamey - North Wirral Robin Philpott - City of Liverpool Richard Corke - Ormskirk Clock Tower

Longest Drive Mike Morris Nearest Pin Cliff Gent

- North Wirral - Mid Wirral

Spring Trophy - Presented to the Club with highest points total from 3 cards.

2014 winners Southport Links - 98 points The next meeting is the Summer Meeting - 21st August Helsby Golf Club.

Please remind all Rotary Golfers of this date.

Norman Waddell District Golf Organiser 16 | Rotary NoW Summer 2014

The programme has developed to such an extent that it is the model used by Careers Wales to deliver practice in Interview Procedure to young people throughout most of North Wales. The materials also being available universally for all Rotary Clubs to use with the resource materials available on a CD Rom and on a ‘Rotary Mock Interview’ website.

Wrexham Erddig’s sister Rotary Club in Granville, New York State have recently adopted the model and are using it successfully in the USA, so we can now claim it to be truly international !

This year the Erddig club as the lead organiser has delivered the programme to over 600 young people in the Wrexham area with members freely giving of their time to help the young people involved. This has been done in conjunction with volunteers from the two other Wrexham Rotary Clubs – Wrexham and Wrexham Yale. Also involved in manning the sessions was Careers Wales , who drew on their contacts in Industry.

All in all as you can see this extremely worthwhile and valuable programme has developed from the small seed of an idea from one Rotarian and is having a major effect on the lives of hundreds of young people.

Rtn Trefor Roberts (Mock Interviews Coordinator)

ROTARY SCHOLARS VISIT TO WALES AND LIVERPOOL (DISTRICT 1180) LLan/Pen and LLangefni Rotary Club in North Wales have obtained a Rotary District Grant to enable two Rotary Post Graduate Scholars to visit the area. Godfrey from Uganda, and Gonzalo from Argentina, have been students in the Internationally renowned UNESCO IHE Water Institute in Delft Holland. (www.unesco-ihe.org) They both have been sponsored by Rotary Clubs in their host countries and supported financially by the Rotary Foundation Charity. The Partnership between Rotary and UNESCO IHE is intended to tackle the world`s water and sanitation crisis by increasing the number of trained professionals to devise , plan and implement solutions in developing and emerging countries. During their stay in Holland the Rotary Scholars have been looked after by the local Rotary Clubs . Each student has a Host Counselor. This enables them to have continued support during their 18 month course and gives them the opportunity of meeting families and Rotarians away from the Delft campus.

On return to their host countries this unique partnership will continue. As part of the partnership they have agreed to implement a major water/sanitation scheme with their local

Rotary Clubs. This will make a difference in practical terms and will have a long term benefit.

In North Wales and Chester the two Scholars will visit key water and sanitation facilities . This has been made possible by yet more partners; Dwr Cymru, United Utilities and the National Trust The two Rotary Clubs in North Wales have members who are former Water professionals . A former Rotarian, Allan Lambert is an Internationally recognised Water Resources expert and he has assisted throughout this Project.

The Scholars will spend a week in the area , and they will visit selected sites in Bala, Conwy Valley , Gwynedd and Chester .

National Trust Hydro Electric sites will also be visited, including the famous electric mountain.

They will stay with local Rotarian families, visit Liverrpool, Caernarfon, and maybe have a ride on one of the area`s little trains. They will be expected to make a formal presentation to LLangefni Rotary Club and LLanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr Rotary Clubs . Rotarians and guests will learn about their country of origin, their families, their studies in Delft and what they hope to achieve when they return to Uganda and Argentina.

UNESCO IHE Delft and the Rotarians in Holland have been very supportive and see this project as an opportunity for further development and experience. If this project is successful it may be possible to invite two more Rotary Scholars from Holland.

Godfrey Baguma

Gonzalo Duro

Any more information please contact: David Bathers (President Elect .LLan/Pen Rotary Club). (www.llanpen.rotaryweb.org) (www.Llangefnirotary1180.org)

Rotary NoW Summer 2014 | 17

SATELLITE NEWS

I read in the excellent Bulletin of Wallasey Rotary club a pithy article on the Satellite Clubs so I present it to the magazine.

We are all familiar with the concept of “Daughter Clubs” and indeed we gave birth to the Rotary Club of Royden Revolve, just a few years ago. However, the concept of a satellite club is a little different.

We start with a recognition that membership of a traditional club such as ours does not necessarily appeal to all those whom we might invite to join us. Some potential members, particularly younger folk with family or demanding work commitments, may feel that membership of a club which meets on a weekly basis is simply not feasible. Expense may well be a consideration in some cases.

A satellite club is a stepping stone to the formation of a new fully fledged Rotary club. There are no “rules” about attendances or the frequency of meetings. There can be just a handful of members. The club decides on its own projects but can look to the sponsoring club if the members so wish.

The members of a satellite club are not only members of their own club but are also included in the statistics of the sponsoring club.

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Rotarians Colin Jerrett and Karen Mayor, the treasurer and secretary of the newly formed Rotary Club of Willaston & South Wirral (together with Karens daughter Natalie) took part in Sunday’s Coastal Walk organised by North Wirral. The weather was not too kind especially the wind but they battled through comfortably in the knowledge that their efforts had raised £500 which will be accumulated in favour of the Willaston Play Ground Appeal.

RESULTS OF DISTRICT 1180

GOLF SOCIETY’S ORGANISERS’ MEETING

ROTARY'S

HELD AT FORMBY LADIES GOLF CLUB ON WED. 9TH APRIL 2014.

RESPONSE IS ENCOURAGING!

This was the Society’s first visit to this excellent course and produced a large turn out of members including members from Club’s who have not participated before. 50 plus members, played in good weather on this excellent short but testing course.

The competition was followed by the AGM of the Society when the Captain Cliff Gent, of Mid Wirral, welcomed everyone and thanked the Club for presenting such a good challenge. David Landy of Southport Links was elected Captain for the coming year. The accounts were presented by Norman Waddell and duly accepted. The accounts for the Year showed a deficit of £22.35, due to the one off purchase of a Knockout Competition Trophy.

It was confirmed that the team competitions held at the Spring and Summer meetings would be based on the best 3 cards Where a club was not represented by 3 or more players then they should consider joining forces with another club to make up the requisite number.

The Organising Secretary then reminded members of the next meeting – Padeswood and Buckley May 29th and the District KO competition. Completed forms for these should be sent in as soon as possible to the organiser.

The Captain then presented the winners of the day with their prizes.

Divisions 1 and 2 Winner David Sheppard 2nd place David Kendall 3rd place Peter Campbell

Oswestry Borderlands Oswestry Borderlands West Wirral

Divisions 2 and 3 Winner Alan Marston 2nd place Gordon Callaghan 3rd place Richard Corke

Southport Maghull and Aughton Ormskirk Clocktower

Nearest Pin

Gordon Callaghan

Longest Drive

Rob Fletcher

2s recorded

Evelyn Pye and David Kendall

EMERGENCY ACTION In recent months there have been some encouraging examples of the willingness of Rotarians in ‘Lead‘ (first response) Clubs to be involved in Exercises and emergency call-outs in District 1180.

This has not gone unnoticed by a whole spectrum of agencies: Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Airport Authority, all the mainstream voluntary agencies, and the Emergency Planning Units of the Local Authorities.

For the Exercise at Liverpool Airport last October, Rotary was asked to provide at least 20 Rotarians as 'relatives and friends’ - we came up with 40!

Rotary's dual remit is quite clear in the minds of Club REaction Officers: Firstly to meet, assist and befriend the relatives and friends of the victims; secondly to undertake marshalling, registration and befriending of survivors and evacuees.

However there are occasional tasks around our remit which we may agree to undertake, and a real need arose in February 20l4. The British Red Cross (the primary agency in North and Mid-Wales) asked Rotary to call at addresses of vulnerable people in 8 specific areas as far apart as Welshpool, Tywyn, Pwllheli and Anglesey following the floods and storms, and to report back.

The 2010/11 RIBI President Jim Moulson, with the support of General Council, endorsed the REaction Project by stating: “[We] urge the Community Resource Group to develop contingency plans to assist Districts and Clubs in responding to homebased emergencies and disasters” The 44 'Lead' Clubs in this District are involved and have agreed to do just that.

Norman Waddell

Michael Hovey District REaction Coordinator.

Rotary NoW Summer 2014 | 19

o t e m o Welc

District 1180

District 1180 Conference 2014 Southport District Governor: Les Wilson Theme: Celebration of Achievement Dates: Friday 31st October & Saturday 1st November Venue: Southport Theatre & Convention Centre Programme (Subject to amendment) Friday Golf at the Hesketh Golf Club - open to all - £35 Halloween Themed Fellowship Evening - £18 The Lavender House Day Spa - By appointment Tel: 01704 531400 - Also available on Saturday Saturday Full day registration including lunch - 8.30am - 5.30pm - £30 The Speakers include: RIBI President Peter King; Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead; CEO Champion Newspaper Group, Betty Drummond; PDG Milton Frary, Wheelchair Foundation; PDG Geoff Mackey PHF, Motivational & Entertaining speaker and many others.

Saturday night dinner dance plus entertainment - £30 Accommodation - Your choice - Book online Headquarters Hotel Ramada Plaza, but a range of hotels are in easy reach of the Convention Centre. Ramada Plaza, Royal Clifton, Bold, Premier, Travelodge or a choice of B&B.

To register download the booking form from www.rotary1180.org and post enclosing a cheque payable to Rotary District 1180 to Registration Officer Rotarian Gerry Heaslip, 46 Cambridge Avenue, Liverpool, L23 7XW If you require any further information contact Conference Chairman Rotarian Keith C Mitchell on kcmitchell@hotmail.co.uk or 01704 822577 or 07850 600992