Presidential Handover 2006.
Another year, another handover! Our Dinner Meeting on Thursday the 6th of July, held at the Forest Hills Hotel, saw the handover of Office from Tony Cervenka to our new President, Malcolm Davies.
This year, the meeting was slightly different in so much as in attendance was Jean Brook the President of the Inner Wheel Club of Frodsham & Helsby along with Daniela Cervenka the wife of the outgoing President and Maggie Davies the wife of the incoming President.
The evening began with outgoing President Tony thanking Club members for their support and help during his year of office. He then briefly highlighted some of the many memorable events of his year without calling upon the wealth of statistics he claimed to have available. His Presidential year then ended as he formally handed over the Presidential Chain of Office to President Malcolm.
Once the new President had formally presented his 5 Club officers and 6 Committee Chairmen to the members present, he briefly outlined his ideas on the forthcoming year. He advised that above all he would want Club members to enjoy being a member of the Rotary movement, but most of all enjoy and be proud of being a member of the Rotary Club of Frodsham and Helsby. He also confirmed that he would wish the Club to continue with its support for Local, National and International Charities, Projects and Initiatives just as in years before.
Not wishing to take up too much time of those present, he ended his presentation simply by urging all Club members to "Just Have Fun" as far as all future Club activities were concerned.
Our photo shows President Malcolm happy with the presentation of our Charter, Honorary Membership of our twin club of Hradec Králové and other weighty trappings of office and IPP Tony more than delighted to be relieved of them.
Cricket Match with Northwich Vale Royal.
It is that time of year again, and so it was we joined our good friends from the Rotary Club of Northwich Vale Royal at Winnington Park Cricket Ground for our annual cricket match.
Our teams expectations were initially high as our Captain, Frank Ball, won the toss and elected to bat; - it was at this point that things went downhill!
Despite our team being packed with wonderfully talented Rotarian cricketers, who had honed themselves to perfection ready for this game, it was not long before NVRs three opening bowlers, who happened to be the youngest fast bowling Rotarians ever seen to grace a cricket pitch, quickly ripped their way through our talented ranks thereby reducing our scoring capabilities to 52 All Out after 20 overs!
In view of this very low score, it was pleasing to note that all the batsmen used by our opponents, were in fact Rotarians and as expected they overhauled our score with the loss of 3 wickets, in just over 13 overs.
Following a tasty and extensive buffet meal Glen Millar, the President of the Rotary Club of N.V.R., thanked all those present for their participation in the event and confirmed that he had enjoyed the match. President Malcolm responded in like fashion and advised that he too had found the match enjoyable and was pleased that the match was played in true Rotary spirit.
Lastly to the Victors, the Trophy, with next year being eagerly awaited!
Our Team members were :-
Frank Ball (C), Eddie Basnett (VC), Vince Akers, Richard Brook, Malcolm Davies, Hedley Greaves, Rod Hyde, Don Paterson, Gareth Williams.
Our Umpire was :-
Brian Henshaw.
Our Supporters were :-
Ray Ashley, Tony Cervenka, Mike Gammie,
The 'E' Factor Challenge. 
On Wednesday the 12th of July President Malcolm went along to Helsby High School in order to be one of eleven members of local businesses helping 'Creative Learning Events Ltd.', a company based in Yorkshire, with the above event.
Each event lasts one full day and involved in total some 230 pupils and 15 Staff over both Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th July.
This initiative draws together Teams of 10 pupils, under the guidance of a representative from local businesses and a school Teacher, to helps students develop an understanding of the world of Business.
On this occasion, the Project everyone was involved in was:
a) The Planning of a 'New Band'
b) The recruitment of band members.
c) The promoting of the band's records and performances, and
d) Ensuring the band was profitable.
The day is designed to increase the pupils understanding of skills such as decision making, planning, organization, communication, team-working, meeting deadlines, and risk taking -- to name but a few!
Suffice it to say that both days went remarkably well and feedback from ALL pupils that were involved showed that the event was found interesting, stimulating and most enjoyable.
As far as our President was concerned, he enjoyed the day so much that he recommends that next year, when the event is run again, Club members should give consideration to going along and lending their support to this event just as two of our Club members, Eddie Basnett and Mike Collins, did last year.
Presidents
Lunch.
Once again and in keeping with tradition, President Malcolm and his wife Maggie greeted some 61 guests to his Presidential Lunch, which was held on Sunday the 13th of August. The Lunch this year was held at Catton Hall Shooting Lodge.
Following a few welcoming drinks, Sam Williams, the MC for the day, invited the guests to partake in an extensive Buffet Lunch that was accompanied by Australian wines, which were in honour of the fiancé of the Presidents son, who was over from Australia and was able to be present at the celebrations.
Following the leisurely completion of the meal and before the arrival of the strippers (according to Les Cottrell), President Malcolm was called forward to briefly speak to his guests.
He firstly thanked everyone for attending the Lunch and making it such an enjoyable event. He went on to thank all those who helped with preparing, providing and setting out the food and clearing away between courses. He also made special mention of VPI Barrys newly acquired skills associated with the filling and operation of the crockery and glass washing machines! .... Man and machine in perfect harmony.
Not wishing to keep his guests from their continued enjoyment of the afternoon, he and his wife Maggie presented gifts to Martin and Theresa as a token of their thanks for making the Shooting Lodge available for the day. The President also presented flowers to his wife as a way of saying thank-you for sharing in the worry and work leading up to the successful day.
Finally, wishing to leave the Lodge as clean and tidy as it was found, many hands made light work of the cleaning up and tidying away and of course, ensuring that the firkin of Weetwoods Cheshire Cat was dispatched with due ceremony.
