Presidential Handover 2010
Ian Tickle began his year’s term as President of the Rotary Club of Frodsham and Helsby on Thursday the 1st of July. Outgoing President, Brian Henshaw performed the ceremony which included handing over the Club’s Charter Certificate and Honorary Membership of the Club’s twin club of Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic. Town Mayor Councillor Brian Lloyd, who as Mayor is an Honorary Member of the Club, was also present along with other honorary members.
The evening began with outgoing President Brian Henshaw firstly thanking Club members, family and friends for their wonderful support and help during his year of office, which he had enjoyed enormously. He concluded by wishing incoming President Ian Tickle an equally successful year in charge of a fantastically vibrant and exciting Club. Brian’s year then ended as he formally handed over the Chain of Office to the new President.
Ian Tickle said that he was looking forward to a very interesting and exciting year and one in which he hoped the Club would continue to grow and continue to carry out its fundraising activities in support of the local community and also charitable causes further afield.
Pictured are Incoming President Ian Tickle (left) and outgoing President Brian Henshaw (right).
ROTARY CLUB SUPPORTS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Frodsham & Helsby, the members enjoyed hearing from representatives of local youth organisations and individuals whom the club has already assisted or may do so in the future. There were representatives from the Canal Boat Project (based in Runcorn), from the Youth Federation and from an elite swimmer from Helsby. The meeting was organised by Rotarian Alan Laird, who is chairman of the Youth Committee.
Lucy Doherty, 14, is an elite swimmer. She is talented and dedicated and is combining busy school and training schedules on a daily basis. Lucy has been very successful so far in her bid to become a top British swimmer. The Rotary Club has provided funding to assist with the purchase of the specialist swimming costumes that Lucy needs, in addition to assistance with the considerable travel expenses that the family must incur to allow Lucy to attend swimming competitions all over the region and country. Lucy showed the members her growing haul of medals and certificates demonstrating her success to date. She also explained that she hopes to progress though the Talent Development Programme operated by the A.S.A. If she is successful in this, it may be possible to be asked to join the GB squad. The members were delighted to hear of Lucy’s progress and to meet such a confident, unassuming and talented young lady. The club wishes her every success and hopes to hear from her again in due course. The next speakers were from the Canal Boat Project which is based in Runcorn. The aim of the organisation is much more than just access to a leisure facility. It could be social inclusion, education, rehabilitation (health or offending) and issues of wider community cohesion. Norma Hornby with whom the Rotary Club has worked for many years, opened this section by explaining how successful the young people had been who had previously addressed the Club.
Paul (not present on this occasion) and Vicky were two of the young people who have benefited from the Canal Boat Project and its work and who have themselves now been though university. They were instrumental in fundraising to build and equip a school in Ghana, a project which the Rotary Club supported. Vicky showed the members of the club some photographs depicting the building of the school, the children and teachers who have benefited from it and explained what an amazing experience it had been on a personal development level. Vicky also told the club that she had recently qualified as a primary school teacher and was just about to start her first job. Congratulations to Vicky.
Nadine was the next speaker. She was 16 years old and had just received an excellent set of examination results. She had attended a Rotary Young Leadership Programme at Pettypool earlier in the year, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Frodsham & Helsby. Nadine explained how she had enjoyed the experience and how it had been life-changing for her. She was a very confident and determined young person. Nadine, Vicky and Paul are great role models for young people.
Lauren Davies was the final speaker of the evening. Lauren works for the Youth Federation, which provides non-formal education to young people, many from ids-advantaged backgrounds The youngsters may volunteer to join a project called “V” which runs throughout Cheshire. Awards are given for the hours put in , which always looks good on a CV. Lauren explained that young people may be referred to the scheme via Social Services, schools, the Police or self-referral. Summer camps, day trips and team building events are a few of the things available. It’s all about “Capacity Building” according to Lauren. Again the Rotary Club were fascinated to hear about this organisation and thanked Lauren for her time.
Left to right:
Alan Laird (Chairman of the Youth Committee), Norma Hornby, Lauren
Davies, Vicky,
Ian Tickle (President Rotary Club), Nadine, Mrs. Doherty, Lucy Doherty
Frodsham Festival in the Park.
Once again the Rotary Club of Frodsham & Helsby acted as Festival organizers, working alongside Castle Park Arts Centre, Cheshire West & Chester Council and Frodsham Town Council in order to put on another fun packed Frodsham Festival in the Park.
So, on a warm yet overcast Sunday the 4th of July the celebrations began at 12.30pm, when in the main grounds of Castle Park, Frodsham, the Festival itself was officially opened by our Town Mayor, Cllr. Brian Lloyd who was accompanied by our local MP, Mr. Graham Evans.
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 Choral Society presentation, Blue Grass Music, Belly Dancing, a Jazz Trio and a George Formby Group, all of which delighted a capacity crowd of local people along-side visitors from neighbouring towns and villages. Even the forecast shower of rain didn’t manage to disrupt proceedings. Good or what?
Surrounding the stage were some 40 stalls and displays from both local and national organizations, societies and groups, which again included a Fun Fair area as well as a Greyhound Rescue stand, Punch & Judy, a Birds of Prey display, a Ferret Rescue stall and the Sports Hall Athletic activity area, provided specially for children and youngsters.
As you would expect it was necessary to feed the inner man, woman and child and so bacon butties, burgers and jacket potatoes 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 the President of the Rotary Club, Ian Tickle, 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 his Club member, Don Paterson (pictured below on
left
wearing the obligatory “High Vis “with Rtn Steve Hudson)
for all the hard work he had put into this event over recent weeks,
which was well beyond the normal call of duty. Pictured on the right
are IPP Brian Henshaw, President Ian Tickle and his wife
Sylvia.
