more of Our Year So Far
Wednesday 7th September 2011
Habitats and Hillforts Event
Some weeks ago, we were contacted by Ellie Soper, from CW&C Council, asking for our help with the above event, as on the evening of Wednesday the 7th of September, some 100 invited guests were expected to attend a celebration meeting at Castle Park.
As you would expect, Sam Williams, the Chairman of our Clubs Community Services Committee quickly made contact with Ellie, and confirmed that we would be pleased to provide help on the evening. And so it was that on a very dull and rainy evening, 5 of our Club members, all of whom are expert in car parking duties, went along and ensured that all the guests were quickly parked up and safely directed to the event.
It is likely that many may be unaware of the work done by this Group, so a visit to their Web Site www.habitatsandhillforts.co.uk is highly recommended.
As can be seen, our award winning “Car Parking Team” was slightly wet and bedraggled at the end of their work, but pleased to have been of assistance to those who attended the event.
The usual suspects - wet but happy in a job well done
Saturday 10th September 2011
Frodsham Downhill Run and Community Centre Fête & Fun Day
The club assisted with
the organisation and facilities at this
popular community event - erecting gazebos, marshalling the runners,
providing hot food from the barbeque, and manning the PA system.
As usual, this was a great day and we all enjoyed ourselves. Things were a little uncertain first thing, as the wind threatened to blow one gazebo away and damaged two others. We were very grateful for assistance from Paul Harris Fellow Ron Sayle, Group leader of the 4th Frodsham Scout Group, who went off and brought emergency guy ropes and pegs for us to tie down the gazebos before they lifted off again.
Emergency engineering repairs using coke bottles and plant pots by Glyn Morris and Mike Collins brought the damaged gazebos back into service (see photo below!).
Vince Akers and his hard-workong team cooked bacon, sausages and burgers all day; needing to replenish stocks at lunch-time to avoid running out. Rotarians Malcolm Davies and Mike Gammie proudly display their implements as well as their smart attire ...
The run itself in the middle of
the day attracted over 250 entrants,
many at the last minute, with competitors from 1.25 to 78.5 years old.
Only one of those received assistance completing the course.
Rotarian Frank Ball was disappointed to be the last club member to complete the course / Rotarian Frank Ball was pleased to be the first member of the club to complete the course this year (as the only club member to do the run both are true - choose the statement that gives you the greatest pleasure).
All were amazed as apprentice sound engineer Glyn Morris prepared the PA and it worked first time ... none more so than Glyn himself. Sam Williams then performed to usual standard; although it was noted that at one point he came out with the classic "... and now it's runner number 264 coming in to finish, but we don't know who that is"
Several of the Rotarians present were wearing several hats at the event although all did wear their Rotary Tabards or jumpers; Rotarian Sam Williams is also the Community Centre Chairman, Rotarian Andrew Lawless was acting as treasurer for the event and Rotarian Roy Wallwork performed a vital duty tending to the real ale on tap from the local Station House Brewery.
An excellent day all round. We were all still in good spirits despite several rain showers by the time we packed away, assisted the 4th Frodsham Scouts to bring down their tents and helped with the final litter-pick.
Monday 19th September
LIFE EDUCATION CARAVAN
At the start of the new school year the club were delighted again to sponsor and organise a visit of the Life Education Caravan to schools in our area.
The Caravan provides a forum where children of primary school age are encouraged to consider and discuss the importance of taking good care of their bodies. The various integrated programmes look at many aspects of this subject at a level commensurate with the childrens' age. They are introduced to subjects which, amongst others, include the need for healthy diets, the importance of exercise and sleep, the risks associated with smoking and the dangers associated with the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol. These and other topics are put over in such a way that the pupils are able to start to make their own informed judgements, which hopefully will allow them to make appropriate choices, and hence stand them in good stead in the future.
The Rotary Club of Helsby and Frodsham members collect the caravan and bring it to our area, and then move it between the schools who participate. This year, the caravan stayed for eleven days between six schools - Hillside (Helsby), Manor House (Frodsham), St Lukes (Frodsham), Frodsham 'Overton' C of E, Kinglsey St John's, and Norley Primary.
Feedback was, as ever, positive; staff, parents and especially the children all think the caravan team do a terrific job. It was especially gratifying for members of the club who were able to visit the caravan to be greeted in the streets days after by some of the children still bubbling with enthusiasm for what that had learned.
Our photograph shows the happy Year 5 pupils of St Lukes Primary School with teacher Mrs Faulkner and Rotarians Second Vice President Fred Bishop and Roy Wallwork.
A few club members bore the brunt of the work; with Eddie Basnett-Briscoe fetching the caravan, Sam 'The Tractor' Williams doing the manoeuvres and moves between the schools, and Roy Wallwork liaising with the schools and planning the entire visit.
The club would like to thank the Frodsham Care charity for a substantial donation towards the cost, which was particularly welcome in a year in which it is harder than ever to raise funds even for such fantastic services as this.
A great way to support our community at the grass roots
22nd September 2011
Group Study Exchange visitors
The club enjoyed an interesting presentation from our visitors from District 7150 in New York State, USA on the Group Study Exchange programme.
Liz (Team Leader), Kelly, Chad, Jennifer and Megan gave us a brief summary of their background and their experience (so far) on the GSE programme which has a medical focus. They will be attending District Conference in Scarborough. Their presentation was well received and there was an extensive Q&A session.
A real international session
Friday 14th October
SPORTSMAN's DINNER
The Club held its Sportsman’s Dinner on Friday 14th October, at our usual venue - Frodsham's Forest View Hotel. As usual, was a great success. The speaker was footballer and local radio presenter Mickey Thomas, who in a long career, played for Wrexham, Manchester United and Stoke football clubs to name but three. Mickey Thomas was a very entertaining and engaging speaker, who answered many questions from the audience at the end of his speech as well as assisting with the auction and raffle. Almost 100 guests attended representing local companies, businesses and the community, plus Club members and their personal guests
Following a five course dinner, there was a substantial raffle, a couple of games of heads and tails bingo with great prizes, and finally, as is the custom at such charity events, a marvelous auction. The club offers its thanks to Andrew Wallace of Wright Manley, who yet again offered his services as the auctioneer.
Initial results indicate that the evening raised in excess of £2,500 for charity. This year, a significant portion of the total amount raised is being donated by the Rotary Club of Frodsham and Helsby to Wheels-4-Wheels. This is a group that provides powered wheelchairs for local disabled youngsters, allowing them to make the most of their childhood. The remainder of the proceeds will as usual go to Rotary charities.
Well done to Rotarian Vince Akers and all his committee who organized the successful event.
Many thanks to all those who attended or contributed, and especially to those who are our regulars!
31st October 2011
Installation of Plaque
Twenty years ago the Rotary Club planted trees on the Memorial Field in Frodsham as part of an initiative by RIBI. The request from RIBI was for each club to plant one tree per member and in the event we planted additional trees to mark lost members.
The trees, rowan, oak, birch and ash, were planted in a circle to replicate the Rotary roundel and despite less than favourable conditions on the top of the hill most of them survived.
At the request of the Tree Group of Frodsham Town Council we were asked if we would fund a descriptive plaque to inform visitors of the different species planted. This was recently installed and looks mgainficent as the picture shows ....
Twenty years on ...
Friday November 4th and Saturday November 5th
Remember, remember, the 5th of Novemeber ...
Members of the club supported both Helsby and Frodsham community bonfire and fireworks evenings.
On Friday 4th a group of members assisted at the Helsby event. Despite very unfortunate weather it was reported that a good time was had by the all those who turned out; and the event ran at a profit.
On Saturday 5th November the annual Bonfire and Firework display was organised at the Community Centre by members of the Frodsham Round Table, The Rotary Club of Frodsham and Helsby were invited to provide food for the public, In total ten members volunteered and put in a sterling effort providing Hot Dogs, Burgers and Jacket Potatoes, all stock was sold out in an hour and thirty minutes taking in excess of £700.00. Ladies Circle provided Tea, Coffee and Sweets in the Community Centre, the event was very well planned and additional support was given by the 41 Club, Town Council and Community Association plus volunteers.
This was a fantastic event bringing together various fund raising organisations providing an excellent evening for the community and raising much needed funds for many local charities, well done and thank you to all who were involved.
Friday 2nd December 2011
Our Charter Celebration
No doubt there will be more detail to follow this up, but tonight was a bit special. At our celebration of 33 years as a Rotary Club, one of our most committed Rotarians was awarded a very special honour. Roy Wallwork was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his many years of service to the community by the club's president, Graham Reeves.
Among so many things that Roy has done for our community, and his fund raising for so many good causes, one activity stands out: - the Life Education Caravan.
We were once again delighted to have visitors from our sister club
of Hradec Králové in the Czech
Republic
with us for our celebration this year. President Jan Michálek, Rotarian
Aleš
Hýbner and Jan's son Jakub Michálek joined us on Friday night and were
entertained by various club members for the whole weekend.
Our picture shows the vistors with Rotary District 1280's esteemed
Governor, David Ellis.
Our visiting speaker, the Indepenent's Cheif Sports Writer, entertained
us after dinner with tales of his exploits with some of the most famous
names in
sport.
