Exmoor Rotary Club

 

 

Find us on Facebook

Exmoor Rotary: Club News 2006-7

Club News on this page follows the main events in which the club has been involved this Rotary year - from July 2006.


Cheque for Marie Curie Cancer Care

Marie Curie cheque

This year the President's nominated charity has been Marie Curie Cancer Care. On June 25th a cheque for £3332 was presented to two representatives of the Tiverton branch of Marie Curie. This goodly sum had been raised by two cabaret evenings, a BBQ, and a number of donations, and some smaller events such as raffles.


Charity BBQ

At the end of his year of office, Edward held a charity BBQ kindly hosted by his friend Janet. In the midst of a very wet spell of weather, we had a dry (and almost sunny) evening in the Devon countryside, enjoyed by nearly 60 friends.

 

The event was in aid of the President's charity, Marie Curie Cancer Care and this made the total top the £2000 mark, a remarkable achievement among the many other charities we support.

BBQ

Ironman UK

Ironman cyclists

Ironman (actually a half-Ironman!) is a triathlon event staged in the area surrounding Wimbleball Lake. It attracted over 1100 entries on June 17th June who swam, cycled, and ran some extraordinary distances.

Our task was to run one of the two cyclists service stations where they could take on water, and energy drink, or an energy-giving gel whilst whipping past at 20mph! From the sponsorship money raised by the event, we hope to raise substantial funds for the charities we support.


International 'At Home'

Our International Chairman Frances organised a fund raising 'At Home' in mid June - this was to publicise our project to help equip an eye clinic in Ethiopia. The response to the evening was excellent, and over £2000 was raised.

International 'At Home'

A New Paul Harris Fellow

Paul Harris Fellow

At the end of May at a Guests' Lunch, one of our members, Colin, was given the highest Rotary Award, a Paul Harris Fellowship.

This award was made because of his long involvement with the club, that he had twice been President, and that he had forged many international links.


GSE Students' Visit

On 22nd May our club was visited by a group of five Exchange students from India whose visit had been organised by the Devon Rotary District 1170. After lunch they were taken on a short tour of Exmoor and given a traditional cream tea.

The students said how much they were enjoying England, and that they had a very busy schedule laid on for them - they were also required to eat a lot of meals!

GSE Students

Wimbleball Lake Open Day

Wimbleball Lake

The Rotary flag was waved, at least metaphorically, on 19th May by the club having a stall at this event. The aim was to allow members of the public to come and find out what Rotary does and what the club achieves.

The weather was not clement, but the stalwart group of members who manned the stall have ideas for improvements for next year - if not to the weather.


President's Night and a Presidential Citation

On 18th May over 100 members, guests, and Rotarians from other clubs enjoyed a splendid celebration at Stoodleigh Hall. One of the things celebrated was yet again receiving a RI Presidential Citation which is being presented here by District Governor Denis.

President's Night

Exmoor Youth Challenge

Exmoor Youth Challenge

 

On 28th April we held the annual Challenge - over 400 young people on the moor taking part in a 16 mile trek with the aim of hitting the checkpoints and completing the course at specific times. President Edward is seen here with Jonathan, a remarkable boy with very poor health, who nevertheless completed the challenge.

The event raised over £2000 for Children's Hospice South West.


MikeNew Club Members

New club members are like London buses - none for a while, then two come along at once!

Inducted on April 3rd was Mike who lives in Bampton, and below is Alan, inducted on April 10th, and who lives in Shillingford. Both are seen being welcomed by President Edward.

Alan


Exmoor Challenge

Another very successful event based on sponsored walks from Exford. This challenge between the Rotary districts 1170 (Devon) and 1200 (Somerset) attracted 256 walkers, some doing 6 miles and others 12 miles. District 1170 won by just 14 points. When all the sponsorship money is collected we hope to raise over £3000 for Children's Hospice South West.

Three of the Exmoor club members on the right had just completed the walk - can you spot which ones?!

Exmoor challenge 2007

Pub Quiz Night

A pub quiz night was held in March to find 'Bampton's Brainiest Pub' - this is part of a larger pub quiz event run simultaneously across the whole of Devon. This time it was won by The Courtyard. The event raised £187 for charity.


Skittles Night with Wiveliscombe Rotary

A very good time was had by all when we got together with the Rotary Club of Wiveliscombe for a skittles and quiz night at The George, Brompton Regis. Some 40 members and guests attended, and the Exmoor club narrowly won the skittles tournament. Money raised from the quiz went to our Ethiopian eye clinic project.

This complimented the 'away' event we had with them at the West Somerset railway (see below).

Skittles night

Community Award

Rotary Community Award

It is not often that our club entertains a guest who is 100 years old! On 30th January we were pleased to present a Rotary Community & Vocational Award to Jack Totterdill (he's the one on the left, next to our President Edward!). Jack lives in Bampton and celebrated his 100th birthday in November - he has lived locally all his life, and notably whilst in Shillingford helped to raise funds for their village hall, ran the football and gardening clubs, and was hall caretaker for an incredible 27 years.

Jack was on very good form and very spry, and greatly enjoyed the occasion of our guest lunch.


Youth Speaks - Intermediate

The intermediate level of this competition took place at Dulverton Middle and Community School on January 24th. The fourteen original teams had been whittled down in heats to just six who gave an amazing range of talks on the day. The winning team, pictured left, spoke on 'Andrew Lloyd Webber' - Jessica, Bethany, and Lucy.

Youth Speaks 2007 - Intermediate

Youth Speaks - Junior

Youth Speaks 2007 winning team - Bolham

The Junior level of Rotary Youth Speaks was held at Bampton School on January 17th. Three local schools again competed for the John Owen Trophy, and again the standard of speaking was remarkably high - all the pupils taking part were no more than 11 years old.

The winning team from Bolham School - here being presented with the trophy by President Edward, spoke on "Global Warming".


Rotary Community Sunday Lunch

Community Sunday Lunch

The Exmoor Rotary Community Sunday lunch - in its 3rd year - was enjoyed by 120 guests in Bampton's Public Hall on January 21st. A three-course meal was provided by the club, and all proceeds went to the Shelterbox charity. The Rotary district international chairman Jill Sloley gave a short talk on the amazing effect that the Shelterbox charity has had in many regions of the world.

A total sum of £1430 was made, which was topped up from club funds to make enough for three Shelterboxes. Many thanks to all those who took part, helped, or donated raffle prizes or contributions to the food and drink. See you next year!


Club Christmas Dinner

A great time was had by over 40 people attending our annual Christmas dinner (slightly more than our good friends at the Courtyard had bargained for!). A lovely traditional Christmas meal, crackers and paper hats, a certain (restrained) amount of imbibing of alcohol, carol singing, an ode from past president Dennis, and a draw which raised money for Shelterbox.

No cameras, so a pretty picture of a Christmas tree will have to suffice.

Xmas tree

Santa's Sleigh Collections

Santa's little elves

Santa's Sleigh collections for charity in Dulverton, Bampton, Brushford, Shillingford and Morebath raised an amazing total of over £1100. Many thanks to all who contributed for their generosity, and the club members who gave of their time.

Weather was variable - Dulverton Starlight produced some really soggy elves by the end of the day.


DG Visit & Cheque Presentation

On 28th November the club was visited by our Devon District Governor Denis and his wife Jenny. He is seen here addressing the club members after a very good lunch! The opportunity was also taken to present a cheque for £3,500 to a representative from Children's Hospice South West - this took the total we have raised for them to over £50,000 over the last eight years.

DG Visit November 06

First Lady Leaving

Jean leaving the club

A sad occasion for the club was the departure of our first lady member, Jean. She had been a member for about 8 years, and not only had been a real strength in her offering to give her support at almost every opportunity, but also contributed a great sense of fun and enjoyment. She has moved to live in Hampshire, and we hope that she and 'Big John' will be very happy there.


President's At Home

Over 30 people enjoyed an excellent evening at the President's home on Friday November 10th. The food provided was both gastronomic and copious, and there was no shortage of alcohol either!

A raffle raised over £100 for the President's charity, Marie Curie Cancer Care.

At Home with the president

Bampton Fair - Whiskey Galore!

Whiskey Galore

This year at Bampton Charter Fair, the club again had its 'Whiskey Galore' stall. This was a continuous raffle, with a bottle of whiskey won for every 20 tickets sold. During the day, an amazing £520 was taken, raising over £350 for charity.


District Conference - Award for Exmoor Rotary

The club were delighted when, at the closing stages of the District Conference, they were presented with a splendid shield. In the picture, President Edward (left) is being given the award by District Governor, Denis.

The shield was won for being the club with the highest attendance score at the conference! - this is apparently a complicated formula involving the number attending from the club, the distance traveled, and whether you are a pal of the person working out the figures!

Award for Exmoor Rotary

District Conference - Torquay

District Conference - French Night

'French Night' - fourteen members and partners from our club went to the Conference and, at the risk of stereotyping, dressed up as best they could. The glittering couple in the centre are none other than our District Governor and his lady wife, and on the right is Atilla Gonenli, a Rotary conference guest from Turkey.


Train Trip & Pub Lunch

In a joint venture with the RC of Wiveliscombe (across the border in Somerset!) some 15 representatives of our club joined with the Wivvy group to take a train trip on the West Somerset Railway from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead (and back). The outward trip was by aged diesel, and the return by magnificent steam.

An excellent carvery lunch was enjoyed in Minehead, not to mention the odd Styles ice cream.

Bishops Lydeard station on WSR

Social Evening at the Quarryman's Rest

Social Evening at Quarryman's Rest

 

A very good time was had by over 30 members and guests at the newly refurbished Quarryman's Rest (formally The Seahorse) in Bampton.

An excellent carvery meal (with amazing home-cooked puds) was provided, and a raffle and quiz (of a different, sonic, nature) brought in funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and for our House Funds.


A New Member for the Club

On September 19th, another new member was welcomed into the Club by President Edward.

Seen here is John in Edward's firm grip.

John is inducted into the club

Senior Citizens Outing

Senior Citizens going to dartington Glass

A magnificent cream tea was the highlight of the afternoon when over 50 senior citizens were taken by the club on a coach trip to Dartington Glass in Great Torrington. There was also plenty of opportunity to visit the spectacular showroom and shops. The coach took a circular route allowing good views of the Exmoor countryside, particularly appreciated by those who are unable to get out and about. Ten Rotary helpers from the Club went with the trip.


Bampton Open Day - Book Sale

August Bank Holiday Monday was Bampton's Open Day with many attractions and stalls bringing in quite a crowd of visitors. The club again ran a second-hand book sale in the Methodist hall and chapel of which just a small fraction can be seen here! Trade was brisk, and in spite of books being sold at very low prices (50p typically for a paperback), the proceeds for Rotary Charities were £272. We are always happy to have donations of unwanted books!

Book Sale

Dunster Show

Dunster Show - Whiskey galore

A new venture for us, we teamed up with Rotary Clubs from our neighboring Somerset District 1200 to run a stand at the annual Dunster Show on August 18th. The was aimed at raising the profile of Rotary, and of Shelterbox in particular - a Shelterbox was available for inspection, and the tent had been pitched next to our Rotary pavilion. Our club raised £200 for the Shelterbox fund with our Whiskey Galore stall.


A New Club Member

Our first new member of this Rotary year was Terry, seen here being welcomed by President Edward. Terry joined the club on 8th August, having come to a number of meetings beforehand in order to get to know members (and vice versa!).

 

New member terry

Club BBQ

Club BBQ

On Sunday 23rd July, on a lovely sunny day, the club barbeque was held with great success. Over 30 people enjoyed a splendid meal (much of which was cooked by our President Edward) with members and their guests.

Much was consumed, both food and liquid refreshment, and a raffle raised funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.


Handover - President Edward Starts His Year

On July 5th a convivial gathering said farewell to President Dennis after his year of office, and bade felicitations to President Edward.

Here is the moment when the chain is handed over - rather like passing the baton in a relay!

Handover 2006


Charities