Our Year So Far
Presidential Handover 2009.
As was fully expected, our Dinner Meeting on Thursday the 2nd of July was a very busy evening. Club members sat back to enjoy the handover of Office from President Adrian Baxter to our Club’s new President, Brian Henshaw.
Town Mayor Councillor Geoff Bath, who is an Honorary Member of our Club, was present and enjoyed the celebrations.
As usual, the formalities began with outgoing President Adrian firstly thanking Club members, family and friends for their support and help during his year of office, which he had enjoyed enormously. He concluded by wishing Brian an equally successful year in charge of a very focused and exciting Club. His year then ended as he formally handed over the Chain of Office to our new President. Well done Adrian.
The Life of (President) Brian – Chapter One…..
Once President Brian had formally presented his Club officers and Committee Chairmen to the members present, he was pleased to undertake his first “Official Duty”, that of inducting Tony Fernandez into our Club (see separate article).
Brian explained what he wanted to achieve in the club. He shared with the meeting how passionate he is about service to the community and went on to say that he would do anything he could to help his fellow Rotarians. Brian believes that we have a strong club and he aims to make it stronger. He went on to say that building on our already strong international, foundation, community programmes, funded through ways and means, that he wants to focus is on 3 things in the coming year:
- More fun and fellowship
- Improved PR
- Further recruitment
Brian shared with the meeting some details about his recent meeting with incoming RI President John Kenny, a Scot. His theme for the year is “The future of Rotary is in Your Hands”. He thought that this theme seemed appropriate and explained that “…it is up to all of us to take our club forward and build on its success. Its not just down to me - it's all of us - we all have a part to play.” Well said Mr. Pres.!
Being conscious of the lateness of hour and not wishing to prolong the formalities longer than was necessary, President Brian ended his presentation by saying that it was an honour to be able to lead the club, and that he and the club officers and council members will do our best to deliver to the members a year that they would really enjoy. He said that he could promise you a year of fun, fellowship and service. Brian said that he was proud to be a Rotarian and hoped that everyone from our newest member Tony to our Founder Members and Honorary members felt the same. We are glad to report that only one member had to be woken up at the end of the meeting. Something of a record!
Our photo shows President Brian, delighted with the presentation of our Club’s Charter Certificate, Honorary Membership of our twin club of Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic and other weighty trappings of office. Oh, what a life Brian! Well it’s onwards and upwards now as we head into a busy and varied programme of events.
Brian, Have a Great Year in Office.
First
new recruit of the Year
Once again, our Club’s efforts in recruiting New Members into the Club have proved successful with the induction of yet another new Club member.
Following the Presidential Handover, the first order of the evening was to induct Tony Fernandez into our Club.
It was with pleasure that Barry Linaker formally introduced Tony to all present. He was pleased to introduce his friend and neighbour to our Club and its activities and commend Tony to those present as he considered that he would be an attribute to our Club and to Rotary.
Following the presentation, President Brian inducted Tony into the Club and presented him with his Membership Badge, the Club’s Year Book' and Rotary District 1280’s Directory. Tony thanked all for supporting his application to join the Club and advised he was looking forward to becoming involved in future Club projects and initiatives.
As is our tradition, Barry then took Tony around the room and introduced him to all present on the understanding that the drinks would be on Tony for the rest of the evening!?
Frodsham “800”
Festival in the Park.
For some time now, Frodsham & District Local History Group, Eddisbury Artists and Frodsham & District Photographic Society have worked on 2009 being the 800th anniversary of the granting of a Borough Charter to Frodsham by the 6th Earl of Chester in the reign of King John.
To mark this 800 year anniversary, our Club as Festival organizers, along with Cheshire West & Chester Council, Frodsham Town Council, Castle Park Arts Centre, and others local interest Groups decided that the 2009 Frodsham Festival in the Park would have this anniversary as it’s primary theme.
And so on a very warm and sunny Sunday the 5th of July the celebrations began with a short parade from the centre of Frodsham headed by our Town Mayor, Cllr. Geoff Bath, who was joined by 100 other civic and local dignitaries and representatives from local organisations and groups.
At 12.30pm, in the main grounds of Castle Park the Festival itself was officially opened by Cllr. Bath, and to the delight of a capacity crowd of local people along-side visitors from neighbouring towns and villages, the entertainment began and things got into full swing.
As with previous years there were two centres of activities, with attractions designed to appeal to all, both young and old alike. Also, it goes without saying that the entertainment of children was seen as most important as this community event is not just for adults but also for children as well.
On the day, within the Castle Park Arts Centre complex, a Craft Fayre displayed a variety of traditional hand made items, along with art and craft work demonstrations. Complementing these activities were art displays as well as musical presentations that were enjoyed whilst visitors took refreshments in and around the tearoom and retail outlets.
In the Grounds of Castle Park was the main stage that was the principal focal point for the live performances that included a Primary School song and dance presentation, Blue Grass Music, Belly Dancing, a Majorette performance, a Musical presentation by several local Primary Schools, a Jazz Trio and an extremely funny Children’s Entertainer, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.
Surrounding the stage was some 50 stalls and displays from both local and national organizations, societies and groups, which again included a Fun Fair area for children. As you would expect it was necessary to feed the inner man, woman and child and so bacon butties, burgers and jacket potato’s were in plentiful supply along with delicious ice cream, pop and of course yummy candyfloss!
Sadly all good things must come to an end, so it was left to President Brian to formally close the event by thanking all those who had performed, manned stalls and displays and of course all those who supported this wonderful community event.
He also thanked our very own Don Paterson for all the hard work he had put into this event over recent weeks, which was well beyond the normal call of duty
Don, (AKA Friar Took) Well Done and Thank You.
Finally, special mention was made of those who had joined our Club in funding and organising the Festival, which had been such a wonderful experience and veritable success.
President's
Lunch
This years Presidents Lunch has taken place and was well attended by club Members and their Ladies.
The Mayor of Frodsham, Councillor Geoff Bath ,an Honory Member during his Mayoral Year joined in the fun.
Despite wet weather the afternoon was much enjoyed, albeit under Gazebos !
In fact in true Rotary spirit, members voted on the poshest Gazebo, and it was agreed Vince Akers has the best taste in Gazebos !!
President Brian thanked Mike and Kath Gammie for kindly hosting the event in their delightful garden.
A hog roast proved a popular choice and the traditional barrel of real ale, (locally sourced ) soon ran out !
Helsby Family Fun Day.
Recently we received a request from the lovely Michelle Pickstock from Helsby Community Sports Club’s Development Team, along with the equally gorgeous George Randles, our Club member, for help and assistance at the forthcoming Helsby Family Fun Day.
Not wanting to let our good friends “cri du coeur” go unanswered, President Brian, Alan, Don, Malcolm & Richard went along on Saturday the 11th of July to join Michelle, George and many more volunteers on what turned out to be a wonderfully sunny, busy and enjoyable day.
It is pleasing to note that in attendance for a large part of the afternoon was the Lord and Lady Mayor of Chester who kindly toured the event for some time before officially opening the Family Fun Day. They were, as you would expect, wearing their magnificent chains of office which, it was pointed out, were much bigger than those worn by the Chairman of Helsby Parish Council, our very own Club member Alan Gardner, and of course our Club’s President, Brian Henshaw.
Gent’s, dunna fret, ….. your turn may come to wear “Posh Gong’s”!
Anyhow, getting back to the business in hand, our main tasks on the day were to man the gate, taking entrance monies, car parking duties and providing all manner of help and assistance as and when requested by the organizers.
This year’s event built upon the success of previous years and it was estimated that at least 2000 people attended on the day. Both young and old had a great time visiting the numerous traditional fete side shows, stalls, attractions and displays that included fun competitions and games.
Our photo shows Don, Richard and Alan handing over the day’s takings of entrance money to Michelle and George.
Once again our Club was pleased to involve itself in another local community event, which we feel is such an important part of the work done by our Club and we look forward to helping with next year's event.
