Social visit to Rotary Club of Alfreton 22nd August

The Rotary Club meeting was held at Heage Windmill.  Rotarians, partners and friends were given a guided tour of the windmill.  The picture shows President Terry, President Alan (Rotary Club of Amber Valley), the guide and me.  After the tour lunch was provided at the local pub where President Terry inducted Alwyn Fox as a member of the Rotary Club of Alfreton.

Saturday/Sunday 20th/21st August

This was the first General Council Meeting of this Rotary year when the 29 District Governor's in RIBI and partners met up with other members of the Council at Alcester.  This was my first time in the Council Chamber at HQ which as you will from the photo is quite impressive.  There was a lot of items to cover in two days, in particular the future of RIBI following the Quinquennial Review.   Already there are lots of ideas and during the next two years RIBI will have some dramatic changes to make improvements to the operation.
One of my fellow DG's (who is still working) has had his car sponsored by his company as the photo shows. Thank goodness I have retired.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Carlton 18th August

District Training Officer Derek was there to meet me on arrival and Ambassadorial Scholar Romain was visiting the club.  He is from France, speaks exceptionally good English and is looking forward to Conference in Scarborough.  After my presentation to the club and speaking about 'tomato ketchup opportunity' President Steve said he had a special bottle for me.  I thought it may have been champagne but no! it was a bottle of brown sauce.  

AG Meeting

On Wednesday evening 17th August I had the six AG's here at home for our first meeting of the year, followed by a pie and pea supper. Two grandchildren were stopping with us and they acted a car-park attendants and wine waiter.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Worksop 16th August

This was a evening visit with my driver John Wright.  We met President Peter Swinscoe, a long standing member of the club and Past District Governor.  AG Michael Longdon was also at the meeting.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Sherwood Sunrisers 16th August.

A very early start for Lorraine and me.  There is very little traffic on the road at 6.00a.m. in the morning! We had a very warm welcome on arrival and the meeting was very lively, a lovely atmosphere of  friendship and service.

Breakfast followed the meeting and this was most enjoyable.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Newark 15th August

This was a lunch time meeting  at one of the outlying clubs, hence an early start but still didn't allow for the number of tractors on A617.  Accompanied by Rtn Rob Sherlock and a surprise appearance of AG Sandra Morrey, the meeting was well attended and the club have great plans to increase their membership with two potential members attending.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Southwell 11th August

I was driven to Southwell by Rtn. Martin Cruttenden and we both enjoyed a very pleasant evening.  Over the bar I tried to clarify if the town should be called SOUTH WELL or SUTHEL.  The result was a 50/50 split.  I am still no wiser.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Derby South 9th August

President Grigoris spends quite a lot of time out of the country but he was pleased he could be there for my visit to the Club.  They have a lovely meeting room, good food and good fellowship.  After my talk President Grig presented me with a cheque for my charity 'British Heart Foundation'.  Lorraine and I enjoyed a very pleasant evening.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Belper 8th August

Lorraine and I were made very welcome by President Martin and members of the Club.  Martin had a serious ankle operation a few months ago and is making great progress.
Ever heard of Kentish Pudding for main course!!.  An experience.

Sergeant at Arms John decided to be more formal during the visit of the District Governor.  Members thought he was impersonating the Car-Park attendant.

Sunday 7th August (my day off)

This started at 8.00a.m. when I met up with my fellow Wirksworth Rotarians in the car-park of the Cromford Steam Rally.  The Club members are acting as car-park attendants and we are receiving a substantial donation for our funds. I did the early shift.
Lorraine and I went to the home of  IPDG Val Leivers and Terry for lunch with members of her team for 2010/11.  The weather was fine and we had a good afternoon of eating, drinking and chatting.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Castle Donington

Met President Chris for the second time this year but he had not taken a club meeting since 1st July as he had been on holiday.  We met in the car-park as he was unloading tomato sauce from his car boot.

Plans are being prepared for their Associate Membership Pilot Project.

Visit to Rotary Club of Bolsover 3rd August

Quite a few members on holiday this week, not on my account I hope. There was a really good atmosphere and lots of positive ideas for the future.

Visit to the Rotary Club of Melbourne 2nd August

The Rotary Club of Melbourne now meet at the Melbourne View Hotel.  On a very pleasant evening we had drinks outside before the meeting.  During the meeting the club tried to poison the District Governor with a contaminated drink.  It turned out to be cleaning fluid which made my orange and lemonade taste like TCP.

They made up for the drink by giving me a very warm welcome.

Visit to Keyworth and Ruddington 1st August

The Rotary Club of Trent Bridge joined with Keyworth and Ruddington for my visit.  President Grenville and President Michael spent some time discussing their plans for the meeting, as you will see from the photo they were deep in conversation.  No less than three Past District Governors were present at the meeting so I was kept on my toes.  The two clubs work well tegether socially.

Rotary Club of Bangor (North Wales) Sunday 31st July

Got a few days away in Wales and joined District Governor John McDowell at the Country Fair organised by the Rotary Club of Bangor.

My own Club Thursday 28th July

Managed to get to my own Club Wirksworth on President David's birthday.  The speaker was an old friend of the club who was actually President of the Club when I transferred into Wirksworth during 1993.