Exmoor Rotary: Club News

Club News on this page follows the main events in which the club has been involved this Rotary year - from July 2015 to June 2016.

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Youth Challenge Presentation - Hazelgrove School Rotary Organiser of the Exmoor Youth Challenge presents the schield to the winning girls' team at Hazelgrove School (Team 51). Pictured here are Charlotte, Milly, Lily and Imogen. Many congratulations to them.

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President's Night 2016 This took place in Briushford Hall on 10th June. Music was provided by Rev Kev and his skiffle band, along with a buffet supper. This also was the Presidential Handover occasion: shown here is our new President Derek taking over from David.

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Bampton Springfest

Bampton held its Springfest Day on Saturday May 14th. A large number of events spread across the town, and Exmoor Rotary held their usual Duck Race down the River Batherm in near ideal conditions. A lot of fun was had, and money was raised for local charities.

And thanks to the kids who got a bit damp whilst helping to retrieve our plastic feathered friends.

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Exmoor Challenge

Walkers from Rotary Districts 1175 (Devon/Cornwall) and 1200 (Somerset) met on Sunday 10th April for an Exmoor walk to raise funds for Chlidren's Hospice SW and other local charities.

In all 133 walkers; Rotarians, their family members, children, friends and a number of dogs and local people all willing to take part. After egg, bacon and sausage rolls, prepared by three former Presidents, two member’s wives and a former member, the walkers started out around 0900 on one of the two walks. They had come from various places; Bude, Lyme Regis, Mendip, Yeovil, Bridgewater, Warminster and other rotary clubs.

District 1200 (Somerset, parts of West Wiltshire and West Dorset) swept the board and again walked off with the trophy. On hand, at the end, was 1200 District Governor Bob Acland to reclaim the trophy, which was presented by Exmoor’s current President David Whiteway.

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Paul Harris Fellowships

On 22 March at a partners' club lunch, an exceptional event occured: no fewer than 4 club members were awarded Paul Harris Fellowships for their years spent (48 collectively) in organising our two annual Exmoor Challenges. Remarkably it was kept a secret, so it caused gobsmackedness! Many congratulations.

President David (left) with Tony Trigg, Alan Wooolley and Barney Hopkinson (Youth Challenge) and Gillie and Bob Appleby (Senior Challenge).

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Youth Speaks Our own Youth Speaks group of three schools had a very successful Junior competition held at Bolham School - see Youth Speaks page - and was won by Dulverton School. However, the Bampton School team, speaking about Lego, made it to the District Finals in Torquay on March 5th. They are seen here with Rotarians Peter and Edward.

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Shelterbox Lunch

The club held its annual Community Sunday Lunch in aid of Shelterbox on 10th January in Bampton. This event has run since the SE Asian tsunami in 2004 to raise funds to help those who need shelter and basic necessities for life.

The food is cooked and served by volunteers, and a fund-raising raffle is held. This year £1800 was raised, enough for 3 Shelterboxes - many thanks to all who supported us.

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Santa

The Exmoor Rotary Santa with his sleigh has been having his annual tour of Bampton, Dulverton, Brushford, Shillingford and Morebath.

The generosity of local people means that always a substantial sum is raised for charities the club supports. This year the collections exceeded all expectations with £1246 being donated in the collection boxes, and a further £615 from Sponsorship by local businesses.
GRAND TOTAL: £1861

Shown above is Santa at the Bampton Xmas Opening evening.

In Dulverton, Santa had an additional task to perform which was to cut the ribbon on Dulverton's new Community Minibus.

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Christmas Breakfast

In a new departure, Exmoor Rotary held a fund-raising Rotary Breakfast at the Swan in Bampton on Tuesday 15th December. More than fifty people attended to have a Bucks Fizz followed by a magnificent Full English Breakfast. A cheque for £500 was given to Major Ian Harris of the Salvation Army towards the invaluable work they do, particularly at Christmas. Particular thanks are due to Paul & Donna of the Swan, who donated £50 to the Salvation Army and then went on to auction a three course meal and wine for two which raised over £100 for Exmoor Rotary Club funds.

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A 'Rotary-up' in a Brewery!

Around 16 members and partners enjoyed a memorable visit to Cotleigh Brewery Wiveliscombe where they were hosted by the owner Steve Heptinstall a great enthusiast for the art of brewing. The visit started with sampling the products at the club bar and a informative talk from Steve who started the brewery in 1979 moving to Wiveliscombe, a traditional brewing town in 1980. Here they flourished helped by a long association with the growing Weatherspoons pub chain. A delicious Curry Supper was followed by a fascinating tour of the brewery itself where we all learnt that cask brewed real ale was really a health product and not just an enjoyable drink!

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Youth Challenge Trophies

Alan has recently been to ISCA in Exeter to present the Exmoor Youth Challenge trophies to two teams from ISCA. This Academy always does extremely well in our Challenge although this time did not scoop quite as many prizes as usual!

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Bampton Charter Fair Another very successful Fair with our Club running many of the features (see our page all about it). Some new and much appreciated musical and street acts, a crammed full Craft Fair, local produce and trade skills tents, all helped towards a great atmosphere. This time the money raised for the Club was over £2000 - all to be spent within the Bampton parishes.

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Film Night

The Club held a Rotary Film Night at the Dulverton Town Hall on Friday 6th November. Frances Chanter and her team provided the excellent food. The film “About Time” was a slightly quirky romantic comedy which everyone enjoyed.

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Rotary Quiz Night Over £400 was raised by the Club for its Charities Fund at its Quiz Night on Thursday 8th October. The enthusiastic competition between The Swan, Exeter Inn, Red Lion Oakford, Bridge Dulverton and George Brompton Regis was won by the The George which will receive the Rotary shield for this, now annual, event. A £50 raffle prize, donated by the Public Houses, was won by a Bampton resident.

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DG Visit

On 1st September the Club welcomed the new District Governor Brian Stoyal - head of the new Rotary District 1175 for the South West Peninsula. This new district consists of 88 clubs with over 2500 members.

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Rotary Dictionaries

In the last assembly of the school year at Bampton, twelve pupils received their illustrated dictionaries.

Here they were presented by past-president Humphrey.

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Rotary Dictionaries

On the last day of term, 21st July, Rotary Dictionaries were presented to the leavers at Bolham School at their final assembly.

At the back is President David.

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Seward Cup Exmoor Youth Challenge: Caroline and Brian Seward presenting the Cup to Bickleigh on Exe Primary School at their Sports Day. The Cup is the Seward Cup for the best Primary School where they beat the other 18 primary schools who took part in this competition. The same team was also runner-up in the Junior Mixed Category and had a shield for this as well.

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Rotary Dictionaries

As part of the Rotary 'Dictionary 4 Life' scheme, Year 6 pupils at Dulverton School were presented with super new illustrated dictionaries which will, one hopes, contribute to their literacy. With the pupils is the new President David in his first official role.

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Handover At the first council meeting of the Rotary year, 'regalia' was passed from old club officers to new. On the left is the new President-Elect Derek, in the centre is outgoing President Terry, and on the right is our new President David. None were actually strangled in this operation.

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