Dare to Dream - Age is no barrier

By Monica Jones

At the age of 70, many will be slowing down. But that does not have to be the case, as we deduced after a recent talk we At the age of 70, many will be slowing down. But that does not have to be the attended at Brooklands Museum in case, as we deduced after a recent talk we Weybridge. Keith Futcher was flicking through a glossy magazine one day. He had just attended at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge. turned 70. He stopped at a photo of 3 Keith Futcher was flicking through a guys astride classic motorbikes in the glossy magazine one day. He had just Sahara watching the sunrise. As if struck by a lightning bolt, he decided “I want that!”. He has just published his book turned 70. He stopped at a photo of 3 guys astride classic motorbikes in the ‘Absurd’, which tells the story about realis- Sahara watching the sunrise. As if struck ing his dream. by a lightning bolt, he decided that!”. ‘Absurd There was one minor impediment at the start….Keith had never ridden a motorbike in his life! He told his wife about his dream. He ing his dream. told friends and family. They all listened There was one minor impediment at the start…. his life! He told his wife about his dream. He patiently but incredulously and told him it was absurd. The more he was told his dream was absurd, the more he wanted it. “Just because something is absurd doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it” told friends and family. They all listened he says. Why should people patiently but incredulously and told him it was in their 70s be wrapped in cotton wool? Why should people tell you that you are “too old” to follow a dream? Thankfully his brother Michael was supportive… was absurd, the more he wanted it. indeed interested. cause something is absurd doesnSo one became two. Two became 3, became shouldn in their 70s be wrapped in cotton wool? Why 4. The team had come together. They were going to make this dream come true! The guys had the (not insubstantial) hurdle of should people tell you that you are getting their bike licences. As Keith says to follow a dream? Thankfully his brother “Now it was a matter of turning old men into Michael was supportive So one became two. Two became 3, became warrior motorcyclists”. Warriors because the plan was to ride from southern Spain, across Morocco and some very challenging terrain, 4. The team had come together. They were ending at the Sahara where they would watch going to make this dream come true! The guys had the (not insubstantial) hurdle of the sun come up. They started at basics, with the motorcycle theory test, followed by the CBT (compulsory bike training). This is no getting their bike licences. As Keith says mean feat, but if you want something enough, you find a way to make it happen. “Now it was a matter of turning old men into warrior motorcyclists plan was to ride from southern Spain, across Fast forward two years and the dream became reality. The guys had now got riding experience and specialist training. For the terrains Morocco and some very challenging terrain, they were going to be riding in, this was Please mention Shepperton Matters when responding to adverts ending at the Sahara where they would watch the sun come up. They started at basics, with the motorcycle theory test, followed by the 22 www.villagematters.co.uk

Keith, centre, with his team of adventurers essential. They would be riding on dirt roads and doing wild camping. They had opted to take a support vehicle but this afforded no luxury. They roughed it….and they loved it! Keith had always had a thing about the desert; the big skies, the intense dark at night, the bright stars and the vast expanses just waiting to be explored. On route the team faced many challenges. They lost one of their members who wandered off from the camp site for a “quiet moment”, only to get disorientated. Thankfully he was found the following day, albeit dehydrated and suffering from hypothermia. The team took on the famous Cirque du Jaffar (have a look on YouTube for an understanding of how extreme this terrain is). At one point they met locals who were far from welcoming and children pelted them with rocks. But the joy of having taken on this challenge, survived and thrived on it, is clearly etched on Keith’s face. When asked what the next challenge is he answers with a twinkle in his eye “Well….” Then goes on to talk about a solo motorcycle trip across Australia…! If you want to read the very well written account of this inspiring challenge, get hold of a copy of ‘Absurd’ from GB Publishing: https://www.gbpublishing.co.uk/productpage/absurd. It could change your life. Just because a dream seems absurd, does not mean you should not go for it, regardless of age!

Spelthorne in Bloom has launched and we await judging and results over the summer. As always, the entry form sports a beautiful design by a local child. The winner was Jessica Martin from ‘Our Lady of the Rosary’ who was aged 10. We will be reporting on the results in detail in a future issue.

This year Village Matters is delighted to be sponsoring the Best Kept Pub. I guess I have a great excuse to visit a few now!

So we look forward to seeing your gardens, large and small, blooming over the summer. Flowers and gardening give such great joy, to those who create, or those who just enjoy.

The Platinum Jubilee was a defining moment for the nation, not only a unique moment in British history but also a well-needed opportunity for the nation to emerge from the confines and horrors of Covid over the last two years. And what a weekend it was! Rotary was determined not to miss out. Our club grasped the opportunity to join in the fun at the Sunbury Jubilee event by providing ‘Hogwart’s’, our version of a roller-coaster. Undeterred by some nasty showers, lots of youngsters enjoyed the ride. (see photo) Rotary also donated to the Embroidery Gallery’s project to become the National Embroidery Centre. Over 2020/21 Rotarians managed some activities such as foodbank donations and supporting Surplus to Supper. Now we’re keen to return to ‘business as usual’ and move ahead with new ideas. We are delighted the first of these is working with Shepperton library. The former monthly coffee mornings, a victim of C-19, have started up again – and more frequently. They have moved to fortnightly on Thursdays, 10.30 to 12.30. Rotarians are providing and serving tea, coffee and cakes at a nominal cost, any profits going to support community library projects. We hope this regular opportunity to meet and socialise will also offer support to those who come along. Upcoming dates are 7th and 21st July, 4th and 18th August and 1st September. Moving on, 13th August is Sunbury Regatta. S&S Rotary will be there. Come along and try our games, or simply visit us for a chat.