The club held its Assembly whereby the various Committees announce their plans for the new Rotary Year.  Assistance Governor Brian Hunter joined the proceedings to hear the respective Chairman’s give their vision for the coming months.   President Elect John Burroughs paid tribute to the current President Mike Erskine who had never missed one meeting during his period of office.   Jack Thorpe (Foundation) and Mike Self (Vocational) talked about their challenges and aspirations for their area of responsibly and welcomed some new members to their team.  Bob Grimmer now heads up the Community Service Committee and was quick to announce that he had already identified a couple of local charities that the Club may be able to help.  He also took this opportunity to promote the Swinging 60’s Night at Hopton which takes place on the 17^th July in aid of the East Anglian Children’s Hospice.   Rotarian Ian McCreadie takes control of the International Committee and stated that he was committed to continue the excellent work of the outgoing Chairman, and would identify good International projects that warranted their support in what ever way possible.  Finally Assistant Governor Brian Hunter complemented the club on its past achievements and was in no doubt that it would continue to flourish within the true tradition of Rotary.

                 Rotarian Peter Gethin addressed the Monday meeting and his subject was ‘Library Automation’ which highlighted his involvement in this process and how it would release personal ambitions that would have a life changing effect.  Peter’s career centred on software systems and in 1990 at the age of 34 he had the opportunity to form a company called ‘Sirsi Limited’  Prior to this he was the Technical Director of BRS Europe a company specialising in information Storage and Retrieval software, a position he held for 8 years. He established a personal reputation in dealing with library automation systems which is a computer system to aid library staff in all aspects of their work.  This meant that not only  did they automate local public libraries  they were awarded contracts in Universities, Government Departments including the Home Office, Inland Revenue and the MOD.   They soon established a reputation for being a safe and reliable company on the world stage and this work would move to libraries in Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Greece and Spain.    Due to the nature of this specialist work his company acquired the Dynix Corporation which in 2007 was sold to a venture capital Company in California.  Later that year Peter retired and now enjoys many of his interests which include flying, sailing, skiing and music and he admitted that this was only achievable due to a very successful career.  Rotarian John Wiseman gave the vote of thanks.

                 The Joint Council dinner will now be  held on the evening of Thursday 3^rd June.

                 There will be no meeting next Monday due to the Bank Holiday.

                  At this Monday’s well attended lunchtime meeting the guest speaker was local business Neil Russell introduced by Rotarian Derrick Garwood.  Neil began his talk by explaining his career within the motor trade and the period spent with the ‘Holdens Group’ before embarking on a new business venture with partner Mike Spalding.   Having been an employee for several years he decided to set up a company that can supply commercial and private vehicles both new and second hand to suit the specific requirements of the customer.  Neil went on to explain his desire to undertake a Charity Challenge by climbing the 3 Peaks and cycling between each location covering a distance of 500 miles in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  This was an event that was to have taken place this year but due to a football injury it had to be rescheduled for August of 2011.   Neil is no stranger to fund raising and has taken part in other events which enabled the James Paget Hospital to purchase specialist equipment.  Once fully fit he will recommence his training programme assisted by friends and family.  Rotarian John Tomalin gave the vote of thanks and wished Neil every success with the 3 Peaks Challenge.

                  Next week’s guest speaker will be Yarmouth Mayor Tony Smith.

                  At each lunchtime meeting members who are unable to attend for a variety of reasons send their apologies to the Club Secretary.  However it was an historic moment for this club when some of the members contacted the Secretary to inform him that they were stranded abroad due to the flight restrictions throughout the UK . 

                  At the Monday meeting Rotarian Dick Fiddy introduced his daughter Karen who talked about her experience in travelling to Moldova in 2009 to help with a summer camp for children from poor backgrounds between the ages of 9 and 11yrs.  Karen was able to show a slide presentation depicting the locality and the very basic amenities that were available at the camp. Despite the facilities and the blandness of the food the children enjoyed the experience.  The helpers taught English .First Aid and played numerous games creating much fun and laughter which could be clearly seen on the children’s faces.  Karen had the opportunity to travel on a horse and cart to the Romanian border which was quite bumpy due to poor state of the roads.  Karen is a member of the Magdelan Methodist Church , Gorleston and it was through missionaries Chris and Helen Ducker who are working in Dancu that inspired her to make the trip.  She covers the cost of her travel but raises money that enables her to take specific items and also allowing them to purchase essential goods once they are in the country.   The club has been given the opportunity to see the living conditions in several Eastern European countries through slide presentations and it is quite apparent that life is difficult for many families but with the help of people like Karen they light a beacon of hope for so many. . Rotarian Peter Gethin thanked Karen and wished her well on her next visit in July.

                On Saturday evening the club held the Ladies President night at the Zest Rooms at Hopton with dancing through to 1am a great night was enjoyed by all those who attended especially the president were wore the ‘Erskine Kilt’ which represented his family roots. 

                On Monday at the club meeting President Mike Erskine thanked Rotarian John Burroughs and his wile Jenny for all their efforts in making it a most memorable night.  At the lunchtime meeting the speaker was Romanian Oana Sentici who has lived in the UK for the past 6 years and whilst studying in Norfolk she is raising money to help AIDS victims in the area of her home town Timisoars.  With a slide presentation she was able to show the poor living conditions and pictures of local families who were suffering from the illness some of whom had sadly died since the pictures were taken.  During the past 6 months she has been raising money to enable her to visit and purchase food for those in hospital and to help finance improvements to some of the homes many of which have very basic facilities.  She explained how she was raising the money and her future plans.  She admitted that she was researching the possibility of obtaining Charity Status but was in no doubt that this would take some time to achieve.  This was a very moving presentation outlining the problems of young people who by no fault of their own had contract this decease mainly by blood transfusions.  Rotarian Mike Butcher thanked Oana for addressing the members and wished her well in raising funds for her project.

On Wednesday evening the Foundation Committee organised a quiz night that was held at the Burlington Hotel. With 16 teams taking part there were some surprises when the favourites to win came fifth.  This event was most  enjoyable due to the hard work of the organising committee   raising £267 for their current project..                  Richard Delf introduced this weeks quests who were  Teacher Emma Horne, pupils Francesca Thrower and Dan Smith (both 14 years of age ) from Acle High School. The two pupils are part of a group of 13  who are supporting a  project in Jericho , a town in Kenya which is helping the Stereheh School for boys. They are raising money that will allow them to take books, sports equipment pens, pencils and similar items to the school whist helping them with their studies  during their visit. They are hoping to raise enough money to supply the children  with porridge every day for a  year. They explained how this project was  started and with the aid of a slide presentation members were able to see the area and the smiles  on the children's faces  during the 2009 trip. During their visit they would have the opportunity to go on a safari which would no doubt be something not be missed.     Dan explained that  each pupil has to raise £1200 to cover their travel and accommodation. Francesca gave an overview of how they were  managing to achieve this amount by way of Coffee Mornings, Tributes Nights and other sponsored events. Rotarian Leslie Seabert wished the pupils every success in meeting their gaol and felt that it would be a most memorable trip,. Rotarian Bill Cook will be arranging  next weeks speaker.

                         Rotarian Jack Thorpe and his wife Jean hosted a Curry Evening at their Hemsby home on Friday which was well supported by the members and their wives raising £425 for the Foundation Committee.  Vice President John Burroughs thanked the hosts for organising the evening and opening up their home to the members.  More info here....

                         On Monday the club speaker was Jessica Hiscocks who is a Community Fundraiser for the East Anglia ’s Children’s Hospice.  Jessica outlined the services provided at the Hospices including short break care, specialist play and music therapy, end of life care and bereavement support for all the family members.  EACH is a registered charity which relies on public support for 75% of its required income of around £5.5 million per year.  Jessica explained that they have recently opened a Charity shop in Lowestoft and planned events for the coming year include a Sponsored Cycle Ride and a Toe Dip at Lowestoft .  This was a moving presentation which reflected the struggle of young children and their families when life threatening illnesses prevail.  At the end of the presentation the President Mike Erskine and Chairman of the Community Service Committee Bob Price presented Jessica with a £100 cheque together with proceeds from the ‘Heads and Tail’ fundraiser held during lunch.  The club has acquired a mini  hoist, suitable for a large estate car, MPV or similar vehicle.  The owner has requested a donation for the hoist which cost just under £1000.  For more information about the hoist including fitting arrangements then please contact Rotarian Robert Lovick 01692 670

                       It was the recent disaster in Haiti that was featured in this week’s presentation by Gary Francis from the organisation called the ‘Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters’.  Gary has just returned from the earthquake area and gave an overview of the work undertaken by his team.  Gary has been part of the group for 14 years and with regular training was given leave as a serving Metropolitan Polices Officer to  travel firstly to Santo Domingo and then onto Port-au-Prince.  His group was one of the first teams to arrive in the Dominican Republic as they were unable to fly directly to Haiti .  Due to the fact that there was no official reception centre Gary and his fellow members undertook the task of co-ordinating the deployments of other teams until the UN Officials arrived.   Having been relieved from this deployment they were quickly assigned to sectors and their work could finally begin.  Due to the fact that one of his team members could speak Spanish and French they were able to communicate with the local residents who were desperate to find family members thought to be buried under the rubble.  Gary was able to show the members several slide pictures of the area especially the devastation and the dangers they faced entering buildings that were badly damaged and with the thought that further after shocks could occur.  As a registered charity they get no state funding and on average each deployment costs about £20.000, so they have to raise money from public donations. It was pleasing to hear that many of the shelter boxes sent by Rotary Clubs had been seen in use and he admitted that equipment such as tents and generators taken by them were left for the local people to use.  Rotarian Brian Potter gave the vote of thanks.

Haven Rotary Club Sends Aid to Haiti

Great Yarmouth Haven Rotary Club were pleased to announce at their Monday lunchtime meeting that the club would be sending 10 Shelter Boxes to the humanitarian disaster at Haiti as a result of the recent earthquake. Such purchases are only possible due to the generosity by the general public who support many fund raising events throughout the year. 

These shelter boxes are usually packed with one (sometimes two) ten-person tent(s). Other items can include insulated sleeping mats and thermal blankets, water purification tablets, water purification kits, water containers/carriers, a trenching shovel, a multi-fuelled cook stove, eating utensils and plates, a children’s' activity kit and other essential items.  Many shelter boxes have already arrived in Port au Prince and you can experience how the boxes are helping the humanitarian effort by visiting the Website at www.shelterbox.org

President Mike Erskine and Vice Chairman Ian McCreadie of the International Committee discuss the Haiti disaster and the help being given by Rotary Clubs throughout the world.

                      The club members always look forward to a sparkling presentation from a formidable speaker namely Rotarian Peter Bondi and they were not disappointed with his talk.  Peter has a passion for food and enjoys cooking and entertaining which gives him the opportunity to spoil his guests and for them to enjoy the experience.  His talk related to ‘Lunch’ and how for him it is a very important part of the day, to be enjoyed and embraced for all the right reasons.  He then explained the great evolutionary leap and how some 1.9 million years ago man became distinct from other primates that existed at that time and what lunch had to do with it. 

Having talked about the many changes to our bodies it was the early humans who started to cook which eventually changed their digestive system and caused the development of the brain.  So by some 200,000 years ago anatomically mans body shape was to all intense and purposes the same as ours.  For Peter lunches are not a chore and with his career in hotel management spanning back some 30 years he was able to share his belief that there is no better way of winning new clients than to allow them to be entertained over lunch at his hotel.  Peter then produced a bottle of ‘Poire Williams'  eau de vie with the pear inside that had been given to him by a Frenchman over 20 years ago.   He explained how the pear is grown inside the bottle and the expense in keeping the pear covered with the Poire Williams, which somehow seems to evaporate very quickly in his house at Potter Heigham. Once again Peter incorporated some interesting facts flavoured with humour which delighted the members.   The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Ian McCreadie and was in subject terms ‘An Excellent Choice.’

                       Next Monday’s meeting will be dealing with business matters.

                     After the Christmas break the club enjoyed a good attendance with only a few absent members.   Rotarian Mike Spalding introduced this week’s speaker Gordon Bailey who is the brother of club member Norman.  Gordon’s talk related to his passion for the game of ‘Bridge’ and how it changed his life style for several years after he had retired.  It was while he was on a cruise celebrating his Silver Wedding and enjoying a game of’ ‘Bridge’ that it was suggested to him that as he was so skilled in the game he should consider sending his CV to the Cruise companies, with a view to giving lessons on board the ships.  He gained further qualifications and then successfully applied for a position with Saga and was soon off on his first working cruise.  This meant that he travelled to many countries including Dubai. Dakar, the Caribbean and Greenland.  His wife Val accompanied him and although she played the game she was never meant to be part of the group with Gordon but on one occasion she had no choice and by all accounts she was a formidable player.  Gordon then went on to talk about some of the countries that had the opportunity to visit and made the statement that for him ‘life certainly did start at 71’.  Junior Vice-Precedent Robert Lovick gave the vote of thanks.

Rotarian Peter Bondi will be next week’s speaker.

Updated: 25/08/2010

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The club meets every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at  Burlington Hotel, North Drive, Great Yarmouth at 1.00 p.m. 

Telephone: +44 1493 844568

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