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A Special Edition of the Fareham Flyer - October 2013.
Citation preview
The Fareham Flyer
Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Fareham D1110 UK
President Pamela Bryant
Service above Self Special Showcase Edition October 2013
INTRODUCTION
Monday 23rd September 2013
was a very special day for the
Rotary Club of Fareham.
After months of hard work by
a dedicated team of Rotarians,
the seed of an idea in the mind
of PP Tony Cove grew and
blossomed into a very
successful event.
Under the heading of
Showcase, Tony’s idea was to
hold an evening when both
supporters and beneficiaries of
the Club, together with
distinguished guests, could
find out a little more about
whom we are and what we as a
Club have achieved. A
secondary function of the
evening was to gain possible
new members from the local
business community.
We were most fortunate in
being offered the use of FORT
NELSON, a museum under the
auspices of Royal Armouries.
This offer came about as a
result of assistance given by
the Rotary Club of Fareham, in
providing marshalling and car
parking duties during a Tattoo
event held at the Fort.
Friendships had been formed
as a result of the event, and we
were of course delighted to
receive the opportunity of such
a unique location.
However, that was just one
problem solved, and it became
apparent that a lot of pieces
still had to come together to
make the evening a success.
PLANNING
A small committee was formed
to prepare a programme and to
allocate specific tasks to
members.
It was decided that the evening
should start with a welcoming
drink and a welcome by the
President.
An opportunity to explore the
museum, with assistance by
Royal Armouries staff was to
follow, followed by a buffet
style meal.
On completion there would be
an opportunity to witness the
firing of a 25lb Howitzer gun.
There would then follow a
presentation of Rotary and its
work, the evening concluding
with thanks from the President
to all attending, and likely a
few words from our Guest of
Honour.
Much work followed in order
to achieve the above
programme.
A guest list was drawn up,
featuring local dignitaries and
members of organisations who
had greatly assisted the Club in
achieving its many successes.
Also represented were leaders
of organisations who were
beneficiaries of our charitable
works.
A large number of Club
members and their partners
were also required to act as
hosts for our guests.
Bob Mussellwhite had the task
of organising the Buffet menu
and the supply of liquid
refreshments.
The Fort management and
Staff gave excellent support in
this.
George Cantrill, worthy
Secretary, had to take pen in
hand and write official
invitations to our guests, and
keep track of responses on a
daily basis!
Others were given the task of
preparing presentations for
their part in the evenings main
event.
IPP Duncan Colin-Jones was
nominated to be the Master of
Ceremonies for the evening,
and so kept a very close and
sometimes nervous eye on the
proceedings! He did produce
an excellent Powerpoint
presentation showing the early
foundations of the Rotary
organisation.
PP Geoff Hillam was chosen,
due to his wide experience, to
produce a show explaining
Rotary Club of Fareham’s
involvement with Foundation
on the International scene.
PP Mike Hurley, with the help
of Rebecca Trayner, decided to
take a different route, and
produce a video featuring our
Club’s local achievements.
Mike kept progress very close
to his chest, and Duncan and
Tony were at times quite
desperate to know how things
were progressing. Mike
assured them that all was in
hand – and this proved to be
the case. (apart from a little
shaky start in the Wheelhouse
feature, where we might have
suffered from seasickness had
it been any longer!).
Assistance in editing the video
was given by Ed - a friend of
Mike and Rebecca
Mike also prepared all the
publicity banners and wall
hangings that adorned the Fort
on the night.
Tony Cove prepared a show
featuring how Rotary spread
friendship throughout the
world, and featured his
involvement with New
Zealand, India and South
Africa, especially with the
local schools.
Dave Barclay had the last
minute task of knitting all parts
together to ensure a seamless
presentation on the night!
Four rehearsals were held
before the event, including a
final rehearsal at the Fort –
thanks again to Mike Howell
the Manager, who with his
staff were unstinting in their
hep and support throughout the
whole venture.
Duncan was almost paranoid
when he discovered that 75
slides had ‘slipped in’ to the
original presentation. He was
however assured that these
would be quickly flipped
through (no more than 10
minutes- actually took 15, but
the audience were well
impressed none the less!).
And so on to the night itself -
Monday 23rd September. A beautiful autumnal evening
blessed our Show case event.
At 5.45pm hosts and greeters
were in position, ready for the
arrival of our guests, who were
escorted into the Voice of the
Guns gallery, where drinks
were served by Fort staff.
Our guests and hosts made
each other’s acquaintance and
soon the conversation flowed.
Our Master of ceremonies, IPP
Duncan Colin-Jones,
welcomed everyone and
explained the evening’s
programme programme. What
a great setting to hold such an
event!
Guests were then free to
explore the museum, with
Staff on hand to answer any
queries.
Our President, Cllr Pamela
Bryant welcomed everyone,
and in particular our Principle
Guest –
Mr Mark Hoban,
The Member of Parliament for
Fareham.
Mr Mark Hoban MP, and President Pamela
Bryant
The big one – newly arrived
from Belgium.
“They don’t like it up
‘em!“
Alderman PP Ernie
Crouch still looking for
the ones who bombed his
chippie in 1944!
And then to supper…. At the appointed time Master
of Ceremonies Duncan
announced that all should
make their way to our buffet
supper, where the tables were
attractively arranged, and the
seating plans duly displayed.
During the meal, tickets were
sold with the prize being the
honour of firing the gun!
A very good buffet, together
with plentiful wine ensured
that a convivial evening would
follow – and it did! The
winner of the draw was
announced –Gerry Ayres!
On completion of the meal, we
were invited to follow our
leader onto the parade ground.
It was a beautiful evening, so
no problems with coats or
umbrellas!
With the stage set, we all
gathered round in eager
anticipation. Gerry did the
deed. A mighty bang and a
spurt of flame from the gun lit
up the sky. Not once, but
twice, for Gerry had another
chance, which went equally
well.
The party then made their way
to the Redan, where seats had
been arranged for the
presentations to follow.
Our master of ceremonies,
Duncan Colin-Jones started
this part of the evening by
thanking again the manager
and staff of the museum for
their kindness and generosity
in allowing us to us the
facilities of the Fort.
He then started the
presentation by giving our
guests an introduction to
Rotary, how it came to being,
with Paul Harris and a few
friends who started rotating
meetings between their homes
in Chicago. He explained how
Rotary grew, and eventually
became a major player in
United Nations affairs, and a
world-wide champion of the
less fortunate and displaced
persons throughout the world.
Rotary now has 1.2 million
members in over 165
countries- Quite an
achievement.
Duncan then handed the baton
to Geoff Hillam, who with the
aid slides gave an account of
Rotary Club of Fareham’s
work in India, via the Rotary
Foundation. Geoff explained to
our guests how Foundation
worked, and how joint
ventures between the host
country and our Club could
obtain funding via District and
Foundation grants, each
doubling the original amounts.
Thus large projects became
affordable to smaller clubs.
Geoff produced slides of the
support we have given to
Nandigram school in the form
of water supplies and
classroom equipment, as well
as an operating theatre and
equipment to the local
hospital.
Our latest project is in support
of treatment of club foot –
prevalent in Mali.
The presentation then included
a video, the work of Rotarians
Mike Hurley and Rebecca
Traynor and their friend Ed.
This highlighted the local work
carried out by the Club,
including the Wheelhouse.
This was demonstrated by
interviews with recipients of
our work. Also included was a
reference to visible evidence of
Rotary in the Community,
including the Rotary Clock in
the town centre, the museum
arch outside Westbury Manor,
the commemorating trees and
their plaques, Shopmobility
scooters in the shopping
centre, plus the Rotary
Wishing Well.
Stubbington Study Centre
provided their own video,
which included a personal
thanks from the Head of
Centre, James Scarborough.
PP Tony Cove then continued
with slides and a good
commentary telling of his
involvement with Rotary since
joining 10 years ago. Contacts
had led him around the world
as far as India, New Zealand
and South Africa, where he
and Sue became involved with
local communities and schools
at Knysna.
Tony made many friends.
The concluding part of the
presentation was given by
Duncan, who emphasised that
Rotary was based on
fellowship, and that fellowship
was strengthened by the fun
and social activities. These
events accompany our fund
raising, in the shape of a magic
show, trips out and Rotarail,( a
railway exhibition held in
Fareham College.) Grateful
thanks to Mr Nigel Duncan the
Principal and Mr Nelson
Williams and staff.
Duncan also mentioned the
Clubs assistance in car parking
and marshalling duties at the
Fort, an event which directly
enabled the Club to use the
benefits of this wonderful
location for our Showcase.
It was at this point that
President Pam made the
presentation of a cheque for
£1050 to Tom Nash,
representing the Stubbington
Study Centre.
Tom thanked the President,
and assured her that the money
will be put to good use in
enabling less fortunate
children to benefit from the
Centres excellent facilities.
PP Duncan then concluded by
thanking our MP, Mark Hoban
for his kindness in giving up
his evening to spend it with us.
Mr Hoban replied by thanking
the Club, and expressed
delight in such an evening and
how he was most impressed
with the Club’s achievements
both locally and
internationally. He stressed the
importance of such voluntary
work during times of
depression. This was manifest
in the demands currently
placed on the Basics Bank.
Also singled out was our
involvement with Stubbington,
and how the Club were able to
support local children.
President Pam thanked Mark
Hoban for his kind words. She
hoped that everyone present
had enjoyed their evening with
us. She thanked them for their
support in the work we do and
hoped that friendships formed
would be continued and
strengthened.
The evening thus finished, it
was time for our guests to
leave, and all agreed the
evening had been a great
success.
LETTERS OF THANKS
.
Dear Pam and Members of Fareham Rotary, I wanted to thank and congratulate you on your fantastic, “Show Case” last night. Where to begin!!! The venue was marvellous, original and so interesting. The programme for the evening had just the right amount of fun, social networking and business. You and your team showed so many of the great aspects of Rotary in true Rotarian style. I know there will be many useful relationships started last night and I am sure the outcomes will be as good as the evening. I was proud to be your AG, and your vision and hard work is a credit to Group 7 and District 1110. Thank you again. Yours in Rotary Sandra Lewis
From Fareham College. May I offer my most sincere thanks for an outstanding evening on the 23rd. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire event made only more interesting by the excellent choice of venue and the associated activities. The company at dinner was wonderfully entertaining with full credit to Chris Thomas for looking after me so well throughout. I learnt so much about all the fantastic work you do for others right across the globe and feel very privileged to have been given such a good insight to this. Thank you. Regards, Nelson Williams Estates Services Manager
From Fareham College. Dear Mr Cantrill The Principal, Nigel Duncan, thoroughly enjoyed the event on Monday evening and thanks you most sincerely for inviting him to attend.
Author: Dave Barclay.
All of the photographs taken at Fort Nelson are copyright, and are used here with generous permission of Kim Collins, the
photographer
From Stubbington Study
Centre
I’m writing to thank the
Rotary Club of Fareham for
their incredibly generous
donation of £1050, which we
are very grateful to receive.
Please pass on my sincere
thanks to those who
organised the Rotarail event.
The tremendous success of
this model railway exhibition
was entirely due to the hard
work and commitment of
your volunteers, and they
deserve nothing but praise.
Thank you for making the
difference,
With best regards
James Scarborough – Head of
Centre
From Lynn Clarke, Head of Wykeham
House School
Dear Pam,
Thank you very much for a lovely
evening yesterday.
I learnt a lot more about Rotary
which was most informative, in the
most interesting surroundings, with
wonderful company, food and
weather!
Best wishes
Lynn Clarke
Many thanks for inviting me to
what was a wonderful evening
last night. I really enjoyed
learning about the work of the
Rotary and meeting so many
people. Very best wishes Nicki Nicola Youern CEO YOU
Dear Pam Thank you for inviting me to join the Rotarians at such an enjoyable evening on Monday. The Fort was such a superb venue for the evening and following the opportunity to circulate at the reception I thoroughly enjoyed the table company whilst we had supper. The presentations that followed were both interesting and informative, I really didn't realise that Rotary did so much for the community both here and abroad. It was quite an eye opener. If I can help at any time please let me know. Once again, sincere thanks for the invitation. Kind regards Peter Latham County Councillor Fareham Town Division HCC