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January 30th 2012
Peter Howkins was to introduce our speaker this week but was unwell and we
wish him a speedy recovery. Ted Witton introduced Judith Bell who is the new
executive officer of Yare Valley and District Citizens Advice Bureau ( C.A.B
). She is responsible for 3 Bureaus ,one in Great Yarmouth in Stonecutters
Way and the other 2 in Attleborough and Wymondham. It was in 2008 when these
services were combined. Judith had previously been in banking but she had
followed her passion for Charity work into the CAB. The branch in Great
Yarmouth had been in existence for over 70 years and now was available 4
days a week. Although it was important to obtain financial support , and
both County and The Borough Council had been generous with their help, as
had some of the Parishes, the most important factor was to get more suitable
volunteers from all fields to help the ever growing numbers of people
seeking help and advice. The biggest factors were Debt Related problems,
Welfare problems and matters connected to employment. Judith stressed she
was determined to improve standards locally and offer a service which was
open to everyone free of charge. The facilities at Stone cutters Way had
been improved and with the help of the Borough Council a new disabled toilet
had been installed. Judith quoted one or two cases which had been
successfully concluded and showed how CAB had a tremendous influence over
peoples lives, when other avenues of help had failed. Judith's talk was full
of facts and enthusiasm and President Robert thanked her for all her hard
work at the Bureau and wished her well in her quest to improve the service
and gain more volunteers. The Club presented her a cheque for £300.
Next week President Robert would talk about his visit to Canada on a Rotary Friendship Exchange.
January 23rd 2012
At the Monday meeting this week, our speaker was our own member John
Wiseman. John gave a courageous, intimate and in depth account of his last
two years history of his association with prostate cancer. This was a talk
which was directed at all our club members to be aware of male problems that
should be taken to their doctors at the slightest hint of a symptom.
Prostate cancer is very much more common among men especially over the age
of 70 and because of the advance in medical knowledge, detection at an early
stage was most desirable. John had members listening intently to his very
personal situation from early detection through radiation
treatment. John gave some valuable advice to those who had a few symptoms
and his key words were to " Be Aware" and if necessary check with the local
surgeries and have a blood PSA test. A very interesting subject brought out
in the open by John ,and Bob Price , on behalf of all the members, thanked
John on his personal insight into prostate cancer.
Next week Mike Erskine would be introducing a speaker.
January 16th 2012
This weeks meeting was a business meeting and reports from each committee
were approved, having been endorsed at the previous council meeting. The
latest Calendar of Events had been circulated to all members and forthcoming
ideas for interesting speakers was considered. Four recent donations were
approved . CAB, the local Citizens Advice Bureau, because of their increased
workload and the reduced funding from some official sources, and two
emergency actions to help a single mother in providing essential
furnishings, and a widowed lady with 2 children recently moved into a flat,
to supply a double bed and 2 single beds, the request having firstly been
initiated by The Salvation Army who had also helped. Finally following a
presentation by the Operational Manager of the Benjamin Foundation for
Housing and Homelessness, a cheque of £500 was presented to help extend
their range of services and support in a new Great Yarmouth premises in the
Summer. Internationally the Club would be donating £250 each to Water Aid to
complete a project in Africa and to The Aqua Box Organisation for use in the
Philippines following the recent floods and landslide disasters.
January 9th 2012
Following the festive holiday break, our first regular meeting of 2012
was on Monday. It was good to see so many members attending and enjoying
the fellowship at The Burlington Palm Hotel.
John Westgate introduced our speaker Jane Hall. Jane is a contemporary
visual artist who paints the modern British seaside. She also has a
fascination for the old shops in Soho London which are fast disappearing
and thus, capturing them in colour on canvas helps to retain parts of
the heritage of British Life. Her inspiration also comes by visiting
many of the streets and shops in Great Yarmouth which she paints and is
particularly capturing the spirit of the seaside town with her
impressions of colourful sights as Ice Creams, Hot Dogs, Fish and Chip
shops , the amusement arcades etc in a modern and realistic way. Jane
has lived in Great Yarmouth for the last 19 years and has held
exhibitions of her work and paintings in various locations throughout
Norfolk , Cambridge and London. Her latest exhibition will be on show at
the Great Yarmouth Library from Wednesday 15th February to 24th February
between 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Her work is varied and she also enjoys painting
portraits and outdoor scenes. She enjoys ballroom dancing and thus has
painted a series of pictures of her favourite dances. Jane gave a
fascinating and interesting insight into her work as an artist and
showed how very passionate she is and how this hopefully was transferred
on to canvas in a bright , colourful and modern way. Malcolm Loveland
thanked Jane on behalf of the members.
Next week would be a Business meeting.
January 2nd 2012
No Meeting.... New Year's Holiday.
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Judith pleased to receive the cheque from Robert.
Jane with 3 of her paintings.
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