.....and More

Fireworks and Bonfire Duties.

As with last year, our Club was asked to help with Bonfire Night festivities in both Frodsham and Helsby, and of course we were pleased to respond positively to those requests for assistance.

Firstly, following a request for help from our Club from Sam William and Graham Reeves on behalf of Frodsham Community Association and 6 other Club members, along with Rod’s wife Mary, joined other volunteers on Saturday the 31^st of October to collect entrance fees and provide help with the management of safety aspects associated with the firework display.

Despite the ever-present threat of wet weather, the bonfire and firework’s display went ahead as planned, and was enjoyed by all who attended!

Not satisfied with the above, following a request for similar help from Club members, George Randles and Alan Gardner, 7 Club members went along on a wet, but enjoyable Saturday the 7^th of November and joined other volunteers at Helsby’s Firework Display.

Our tasks were to join others in the management of the collection of entrance fees as well as car parking duties as those who had started these duties became absolutely snowed under with the brilliant response received from the good folk of Helsby and surrounding areas, and we can say that we had never seen queues like it! Well done to all those involved, especially Michelle Pickstock and her gang of warrior.

We understand that both events were certainly not “Damp Squibs”, but more like “Crackers” of a do, clearly veritable successes.

In conclusion, our Club members look forward to next year’s Bonfire celebrations at both Frodsham and Helsby, where we will be only too pleased to provide our help and assistance, if requested.

Well done to all those who were involved.

Remembrance Dinner and Armistice Day Ceremony

On the 5th November, being the nearest meeting night to Remembrance Sunday, the club held a Remembrance Dinner.

After the loyal toast 11 members spoke in a light hearted but respectful way about friends, relatives or just their own experiences of international conflict, mostly World Wars 1 & 2. Many of the speakers brought articles from the time such as medals, letters, books, the emergency dinghy sail for airmen, a Turkish POW made snake and trench art bullets.

The mood of the mini-talks ranged from very moving to extremely amusing such as the accidental friendly fire bombing of Bristol, the Battle for Hill 112 in Normandy, the Local Defence Forces, Runcorn in wartime, Normandy revisited by a veteran father and how the President came to possess a genuine Gurkha Kukri.

Our picture shows John Pollet and the emergency dinghy sail complete with instructions.

At a more formal occasion on Sunday 11^th November, representatives of the club joined other organisations at the wreath laying ceremony at the Frodsham War Memorial.

Alan Gardner performed similar duties in Helsby.

Our Czech Visitors.

Charter Dinner Just before midnight on Thursday the 3^rd of December, four of our Club members went along to Manchester airport to meet and greet President Vladimír Kasal and Past President Zdenĕk Jirousek from our “Twin” Club in Hradec Králové, along with Štěpán Hanke, a member of their local Rotoract Club.

The main purpose of their visit was to attend our Club’s Charter Anniversary Dinner, however the duration of their stay allowed for us to organize visits to local places of interest as well as attending, and participating in, official Rotary duties.

Friday morning saw our visitors in Chester, where they walked the wall as well as visiting “The Albion”, a wonderful hostelry that captured their imagination with it’s fantastic display of WW1 memorabilia. Later on, afternoon tea was taken in Katie’s Café, a building dating from the 13th century. So impressed were they with it that a mini guided tour was arranged.

No sooner were our guests back in Frodsham than they were whisked away to Catton Hall Shooting Lodge, where our Club’s Charter Anniversary Dinner was held. As President Vladimír was an official guest of President Brian and our Club, he sat at top table and of course had to “Sing for his Supper” by jointly reading the Objects of Rotary in the Czech language, with Gareth Williams reading his part in English, as opposed to Welsh!

It is true to say that all three of our guests had a wonderful evening, made special by Club members taking time out to speak to them.

What a great do that was.

A trip to Liverpool on Saturday morning was next, with visits to the Albert Dock, the newly opened Liverpool One shopping complex and of course a visit to the Cavern Club area in Mathew Street. As part of the introduction to local art and history, they thoroughly enjoyed seeing many colourful Penguin’s that are sited around the City along with a visit to Flanagan’s, reputed to be one of the first Irish pubs outside of Ireland.

Following their return to Frodsham, they quickly changed and went along to help other Club members escort Santa and his Sleigh around the streets of the village. Much to their amazement, five real Reindeers were used as well as artificial snow that billowed from Mike Edward’s double-decker bus.

Great, as they have snow in the Czech Republic too.

By the way, hello to Vĕra and Jenda over there in Hořice. You would have loved seeing the reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh, Vladimír, Zdenĕk and Štěpán did!

However, as you might expect, such a hectic day and evening required a little R&R, and so a visit to the Helter Skelter was arrange, and it was pleasing to see so many Club members, some with their wives, take the time to join our Czech friends and blow the froth off the top of a few pints.

Chester Liverpool

What a Fantastic Turnout You Guys.

Prior to return home on Sunday evening, there was plenty of time for a few visits. Firstly to the Monument on Frodsham Hill, where the weather was kind, and good views of the area were available. Then it was off to the Anderton Boat Lift, where they toured the Exhibition Centre and were given a detailed explanation of the history of the lift by one of the Staff.

Helter Skelter Anderton Boat Lift

Sunday Lunch then followed, and so it was off to The Carriers Inn at Delamere where Barry & Carol Linaker, Ian & Sylvia Tickle, Don & Paz Paterson, Maggie & Malcolm Davies joined Daniela Cervenka, Vladimír, Zdenĕk and Štěpán for a traditional Sunday Roast that was absolutely delicious, and much appreciated by our guests.

Unfortunately, Richard & Jean Brook along with President Brian & Jillian were not able to join the group and therefore were missed, bearing in mind that they too had been significantly involved with helping during the visit.

Sadly however, 4.30 pm quickly came around and regretfully it was time to take our visitors back to Manchester Airport for their return journey home to the Czech Republic, and we are sure that they took with them many happy memories of their visit with us.

In conclusion, thanks must be passed on to our three visitors, along with all those Club members, and their wives, who helped with, or involved themselves in, the visit. You all did a cracking job. However, we must give an extra special thank you to Daniela, as she not only helped with setting up the visit, but also had an input into the arrangements whilst our three guests were here, as well as hosting President Vladimír and acting as our English / Czech interpreter.