Exmoor Rotary Club

 

 

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Exmoor Rotary: Club News

Club News on this page follows the main events in which the club has been involved this Rotary year - from July 2009 to June 2010.


Ironman 2010 at WimbleballIronman UK

It's that time of the year again - IRONMAN UK at Wimbleball lake on Sunday 20th June. The club members along with spouses and friends turned out to run a service station for the cycling athletes near Brompton Regis.

Exmoor Rotary at Ironman

A glorious day weather-wise - but hard work for the participants! This event raises a considerable sum for charity and we are glad to do our bit in helping the organisation.



Presentations at Bolham School

Rotary Dictionaries being presented at Bolham SchoolOn Friday 18th June, the club visited Bolham primary school to make two lots of presentations. The winning Primary School Team from the Exmoor Youth Challenge were presented with the Seward Cup and medals.

On the right, the happy 11-year olds holding their new dictionaries, part of the Rotary national Dictionary4Life scheme, just presented by President Barney.


Frances' Soiree

On Thursday June 17th, our International Chairman Frances held her annual 'At Home' at the riverside at Dulverton. As always, fabulous canapes were provided, alongside glasses of very quaffable wine. Proceeds from the event will be going to the Ethiopian Eye Clinic, to the eradication of polio, and to Alzheimer Research - a total sum of £1912.50 was raised by this event - amazing - and thanks to all who generously supported it.

 

Rotary Polio Plus

Visit to Exmoor Pony Centre

Exmoor Pony Centre

Instead of our normal Tuesday pub lunch, on June 15th members of the club with spouses and friends went to the Exmoor Pony Centre for a picnic, and to see at first hand the work that is done there. A good time was had by all.


The PresidentPresident's Night

President's Night was held at the Tiverton Hotel on Friday 21st May. It was enjoyed by members of the club, spouses, and guests.

 

The musical entertainment was provided by 'Stick the Fiddle' who also accompanied barn dancing after the meal.

 

Exmoor Rotary president's NightThe photo above shows President Barney in a "my brother Esau was an hairy man..." moment!



Exmoor Challenge Trophy

On May 18th the club hosted our own District Governor, and the DG from Somerset in order to hand over the trophy for the winning District in the Rotary Exmoor Challenge held at the beginning of April.

Seen in the photo are Jeremy (DG of region 1170, Devon) and Tony (DG of region 1200, Somerset) - the Challenge had been a resounding win for Somerset with 207 points against Devon's miserable 121 points (see below).

We also entertained our past DG George who gave a talk about audio books for the blind, part of the work of RNIB.

Exmoor Challenge Trophy

Rotary Exmoor Youth Challenge

A happy Challenge team get their medals

At the largest event we have yet held, 550 young people took part in this annual sponsored walk. 16 miles of Exmoor terrain, against timed stages.

Although the weather was damp in places, the walkers did extremely well, and all but a few gained their medals at the end - the team shown here is one of the Bampton teams, with the President of the Tiverton club, and our own President Barney.

For more information, see our Youth Challenge Results page.


Rotary Exmoor Challenge

Exmoor Challenge 2010 - the checkout teamSunday 11th April was an excellent day for walking - a lovely sunny spring day. Two hundred and thirty seven walkers turned out to take part in either the longer or shorter version - our own 1200 District (Devon) walkers were far outnumbered by the 1200 District (Somerset) participants, and at the end of the day 1200 had 207 points and 1170 had 121 points. It is hoped that the event will raise many thousand pounds in sponsorship for Children's Hospice South West. More info here.

Shown here are the 'checkout' team of John, Jo, Denise, and Terry.

 

Quiz Night - Dulverton

 

Pub Quiz night in Dulverton

March 25th was pub quiz night in Dulverton, all part of the Devon district quiz run across the county. Our club organised three local pubs taking part, and the event was well supported in raising funds for Rotary charities. This time the Rock gained third place, and the Bridge second place, but the Lion won (again!) by the narrow margin of just 3 points.

Thanks to all who organised the event, and all who supported.


New Member

On Tuesday 9th March, a new member was inducted into our club at our meeting, this tome held at the Quarryman's Rest at Bampton. Sandra was welcomed most warmly by President Barney.

Sandra and Barney

Thanks for Life Day

Exmoor Rotary- Thaks for LifeAs our part of the national Rotary Thanks for Life Day, our club set up a bring-and-buy shop in the newly refurbished (and very smart) Serenger's shop in Bampton. We would like to thank the new owner for allowing us the temporary use of the premises.

Rotary Thanks for Life is the final push towards eradicating polio worldwide - Rotary has been highly involved in this for many years, and now only a few small pockets of this crippling disease remain.

Our shop attracted much interest and we raised a remarkable £435.37 for the cause - a video was run all day to show what the project is all about.


A New Member

Yet another new member was inducted into the club (we're obviously doing something right!) on Tuesday February 23rd at out lunchtime meeting, held this time at the Toucan Bistro in Bampton. Tony is pictured right receiving a warm welcome from President Barney.

Steve is inducted to the club

Bampton-winners of JuniorsYouth Speaks

On Thursday January 28th, the club organised the annual Youth Speaks competition. In the morning, young people (under 12) from Bolham and Dulverton joined with those in Bampton for a three-way competition. It was won by Bampton, seen left holding the John Owen Trophy. Their talk was on 'Aikido'.

Dulverton- Intermediate winnersIn the afternoon, at Dulverton School the Intermediate level competition took place when six teams competed from the school. The winners (right) spoke about 'How the Credit Crunch is Affecting Exmoor'. Their talk was described by the judges as exceptionally good. More on both competitions here.



Community Sunday Lunch for Shelterbox

On Sunday 17th January, Exmoor Rotary Club held its annual community Sunday Lunch in aid of Shelterbox - held in Bampton's Riverside Hall. A 3-course carvery lunch was provided with scrumptious home-made puddings, and was enjoyed by 140 people, again a sell-out event.

Community Sunday Lunch in aid of ShelterboxIt was particularly timely coming so soon after the earthquake disaster in Haiti where aid is so desperately needed. Thanks to the generosity of those attending in giving donations and in participating in the raffle, £2213 has been raised, enough for at least 5 Shelterboxes when Gift Aid contributions are added.

This was the 6th year the event has been held the first being in 2005 immediately following the tsunami disaster. Since then the club has donated 44 shelterboxes which are in use in more than 10 different countries.


A New Club Member

At the club meeting on January 12th, the fifth new member of this Rotary year joined our club - must be a record in recent times.

Seen here are club President Barney, new member Pam, and sponsor Jo.

Pam induction

Rotary Santa Collections

 

Santa and some little elves 2009

As a result of the club's seasonal Christmas collections for charity, a record sum of £1600.12 was raised.

Santa and his sleigh visited the Dulverton Starlight and Bampton Christmas Opening events, and toured Bampton, Dulverton, Brushford, Morebath, and Shillingford.

Given the current financial climate and the concerns of everyone, we would like to thank all who gave so generously.


Two New Club Members

At our Council Meeting on December 1st, two new members were inducted into the club.

President Barney is seen here with on the left, Chris, and on the right, Tony.

Induction - Chris

Induction - Tony

Rotary Cabaret Night

On 27th November the club held a Rotary Cabaret Night at the Riverside Hall in Bampton. This was greatly enjoyed by over 100 guests with funds being raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Over £700 was raised.

The music and songs by Barracuda wowed the audience late into the night. West Country comedian (and BBC Radio Devon broadcaster) Tony Beard sang and told hilarious stories with a Devon twist. Pictured on the right are the organiser Rtn. Edward Tanner with Tony Beard, Wag of Widecombe.

Cabaret Night

Bampton Fair 2009 - Whiskey GaloreBampton Charter Fair

As well as the large input the club has had this time in the organisation of the Fair, another Whisky Galore stall was set up and passers-by were 'invited' to take part in a continuously-running 20-ticket lottery. The stall made approximately £300 for charity.

Details here of the whole range of activities in which we were involved.

As a result of the club's involvement in organisation, the share of the tolls which we have is £1631 which must be used for local projects within Bampton and the five parishes.


RIBI Presidential Visit

RIBI VisitOn October 20th the club was graced by a visit from the current RIBI President David Fowler (centre) and his wife Daphne. Over 50 members and guests for five other clubs came to our lunchtime meeting.

On the right are some of the 'top brass' and visiting Presidents present including our ADG Paul, and DG Jeremy.


Rotary District Conference

So here we are then at the Rotary 1170 District Conference in Plymouth. Yes it was a serious conference where much of importance was communicated with regard to various charities which we support, and how our district is keeping up with Rotary ideals.

But come nightfall, it was time for an evening of merriment(!) which had a nautical theme...

And we came away with the trophy for the club with the highest attendance, relative to club size. Wow!

Conference in Plymouth


Senior Citizens Outing

On 10th September the Club took 58 Senior Citizens from Dulverton, Bampton, and surrounding villages on a coach trip to Sidmouth on the south coast of Devon.

It was a lovely sunny day and everyone enjoyed the sea air and a scrumptious cream tea! This annual event is part of the contribution Rotary makes to our local community.

Senior Citizens outing to Sidmouth

Bampton Open Day

August Bank Holiday Monday - the annual Bampton Open Day festivities. Once again Rotary took part in two events, the all day secondhand book sale in the Riverside Hall (which raised an astonishing £416), and the Duck Race which drew a very large crowd both watching and in the water. The latter raised £675 before expenses. And all the profits made are going, appropriately, to Water Aid.

Duck Race 2009

Seconhand Book Sale

Dunster Show

Whiskey Galore at Dunster Show

Dunster Show (21st August) our club joined with others from the Somerset District at this annual event. Amidst the horse riding, animal show, falconry, and ferret racing, our Rotary stall raised funds for Shelterbox, Water Aid, and other charities. During the course of the day, we raised the considerable sum of £310 from our Whiskey Galore raffle.


Oli Returns from RYLA

Oli on home made raft at RYLAOliver came to our club meeting in August to tell us of his experiences on Dartmoor undertaking the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. He was sponsored by the club as being a good candidate who would benefit from the experience of adventurous activities, team work, and leadership seminars. There was no doubt that he did!

Oli is second from the right on the raft.

See many more photos of the various activities here.


Another New Member and the DG's Visit

District Governor and a new member

The 21st July was the occasion of the District Governor's official visit to the club. As well as meeting Jeremy and hearing his words of wisdom for the year, the opportunity was taken to induct a second new member.

Shown here are DG Jeremy, new member David, and President Barney.


Pub Quiz @ The Bridge Inn

On 16th July a Pub Quiz Night was held by invitation of Rachael and Kenny at the Bridge Inn at Dulverton. It was extremely well supported with nine teams taking part, two of them from our club. The quiz and the raffle raised over £100 for Rotary which will go towards our senior citizens trip to Sidmouth in September.

Pub quiz night at Dulverton

New Club Member

Terry- a new member

On 7th July, the very first meeting of the Rotary year, a new member was inducted into the club.

Terry, having received his badge and information pack, is seen here with President Barney.


Handover

The club's handover of Presidency took place on 1st July at the Quarryman's Rest in Bampton. An excellent carvery meal was enjoyed by almost 40 Rotarians and their partners and guests.

Here (very) Immediate Past President Humphrey congratulates the new President Barney and hands over the chain of office.

Handover - July 2009


Charities