TOP ROTARIAN VISITS NORTH NORFOLKThe most senior Rotarian in East Anglia - District Governor John Samuel - was the guest speaker at last week's meeting of Cromer and Sheringham Rotary Club.
Rotary District Governor, John Samuel (right) with Donald Mayes. President of Cromer and Sheringham Rotary Club. Speaking to a packed audience of Club members, their partners and friends, Mr Samuel spoke of his aspirations for Rotary in the coming year, stressing the movement's commitment to service to the community, both locally and internationally. Rotary's four main priorities this year are health, hunger, water and literacy, he said. Among these, the prime focus is on the eradication of polio where Rotary world-wide has joined forces with Bill Gates the founder of Microsoft. He has pledged a massive $255 million, providing Rotary can raise a further $100million. "Rotary in the UK are committed to raising $1 million", said John Samuel, "and to this end are planning a co-ordinated campaign for the period around February 23 - Rotary Day. Every Club will organise a fund-raising event locally, where possible linked to schools and colleges." Speaking at a recent Rotary conference, Bill Gates said "The world trusts Rotary to spend their money wisely", and continued, " We must, must, must finish the eradication project. I am excited to be a partner - a partner until the job is done." Speaking on the need to increase membership of Rotary, John Samuel said, "We must focus more on what the younger Rotarians do, and communicate their passion and dedication. This will allow younger people to identify with them and move away from the 'older age group' image. There are many men and women age between 30 and 55 who are keen to be involved in voluntary work," he continued. "We have 55,000 Rotarians in the UK alone and the work they do is phenomenal. "We must strengthen and highlight the core values of Rotary - service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership. Ladies and gentlemen", he concluded, "the future of Rotary is in your hands". Rotary Club of North WalshamAt a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of North Walsham, the Churchwarden for St James' Church Southrepps, Anne Daniels (pictured) presented a Cheque for £200 to North Walsham rotary president Brian Wexler, the money having been raised at their annual flower festival.
During the same period the church began assisting rotary by helping to fill a AQUABOX (http://www.aquabox.org ) and ended up by successfully filling two. The club now intend to add funds from their charity account and purchase a SHELTERBOX (http://www.shelterbox.org ) either of which can be used for immediate disaster relief anywhere worldwide. |
ROTARY HONOURS TWO LOCAL MEN AND £1000 TO BARBADOSTwo major awards, plus the presence of local MP, Norman Lamb, were the highlights of the Annual Charter Night Dinner of Cromer and Sheringham Rotary Club held last week at Sheringham Golf Club. The evening was also marked by the presentation of a cheque to visiting Rotarians from Barbados. The awards - Paul Harris Fellowships - are offered to Rotarians or other members of the public who have made a significant contribution to the community over a period of years. The first award went to David Brown of Sheringham whose public service goes back over 40 years.
David Brown (right) receives his Paul Harris During his later working life, he was first Treasurer of North Norfolk District Council and, finally, Director of Finance and Resources. David joined Rotary in 1991 and, among many positions, was Club President (2002/3) and Treasurer (2006/9). But it is his work among the local community in Sheringham since his retirement that has had immense impact. For several years he was Chairman of the Little Theatre in Sheringham, is currently Chairman of Governors of Sheringham High School and Chairman of the Sheringham Museum - a project which is about to reach fruition after years of dedicated work. The second Paul Harris Fellowship was awarded to Cromer man, Roger Hill, who joined Rotary 28 years ago. During that time he has worked tirelessly on several important charitable activities. Initially involved with the local Scouts he rose from section leader to group leader and, for many years, was their treasurer. He was a member of Sheringham and Cromer Round Table and 41 Club serving as Chairman of both. He sat on the Cromer Carnival Committee as treasurer until 2006, served as a committee member and treasurer of the Cromer Twinning Association, the Cromer Chamber of Trade and the Cromer Lifeboat Association as treasurer of the crew's social club.
Roger Hill receives the same award The opportunity was also taken to present a cheque for £1000 to Jenny Randall from Barbados South Rotary Club to assist with the serious Diabetes situation in Barbados. Both she and her husband, Adrian, were former members of the Cromer and Sheringham Club. Towards the close of the evening, Norman Lamb entertained the audience with examples of some the archaic protocols and procedure still observed daily in Parliament - some of which have been in place for over 300 years. Some are simply frustrating in this day and age but some, relating to long-lost traditions, have to be seen as humorous. The evening's programme was led by Rotary Club President, retired pharmacist Donald Mayes. |
@ Sheringham Community Paper - Issue 107 - 20 November 2009
