Carnforth Rotary Helps Support Carnforth Rangers Footbal Club - 15 February 2015

On Sunday 15th February President Bill Reading accompanied by Community & Vocational Chairman, Kath Bromilow and Sports Officer, George Wilson presented a cheque for £250 to Mark Butterfield from Carnforth Rangers Footbal Club and the under 11's team.

Carnforth Rangers FC are always looking for sponsorship and/or donations for to support the 4 senior & 15 junior teams.





 The first team is the defending league champions in the North Lancashire premier division and is having another great season currently in second place with games in hand. Last weekend the team progressed to the semi finals of the Lancashire FA. Amateur cup defeating Preston Wanderers on penalties. They are hoping to get some training tips for the semi final but this is likely to cost £650, so any donation would be gratefully received.

£1000 Donated to SSAFA - 29 January 2015

At our meeting on 29 January, President Bill Reading recently handed over a £1000 cheque to SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors & Airmen Families Association) which was the proceeds from our Greater Manchester Police Remembrance Concert last November. The cheque was presented to SSAFA Volunteer Malcolm Smith.

PP Glyn Thomas MBE Called to Higher Service 15/11/37 - 11/02/15

Past President (1988-1989) Joseph Glyn Thomas MBE was remembered at a memorial service on Monday 23 February at St Mary's Church in Borwick which was full to capacity of friends and family. Glyn passed away on 11 February 2015 from progressive heart failure at the age of 77.
Glyn was born to a farming family in Derbyshire and went to Durham University where he graduated as a nutritional biochemist specialising in farming. Following several UK and overseas appointments, Glyn came to work at Lancaster University in the early 1970s and settled with his wife Pat, in Borwick. They then purchased Green Bank Farm in Over Kellet where he spent 3 years building his own house with assistance from a friend, a bricklayer and an electrician.

Greenbank Farm took Glyn back to his roots to become a practical farmer, initially growing barley and then latterly potatoes and soft fruit. He reared mostly sheep and was proud to be able to do his own butchering.
Glyn joined Carnforth Rotary in May 1982 under the classification of Agriculture – Farming and was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 1999 for Services to the Farm Animal Welfare Council.
Whilst he classed himself as “Bodger and Peasant” he was skilled at all that he turned his hand to, and in addition to being a chemist and farmer, he was a skilled engineer. He was never happier than when working in his barn workshop repairing machinery for himself and others and could repair almost anything, with friends always talking priority - even though he often came over with a Mr Grump attitude saying "and what do ya want doing now?"
Glyn's pride and joy was his 1946 Triumph Roadster motor car which he was restoring during the winter nights with the aid of fellow Rotarian.
The Farm was well used, with Pat and Glyn hosting midsummer dances in addition to storing and maintaining various props on behalf of the Rotary Club, such as Santa's Sleigh and the Coconut Shy.
Glyn was responsible for establishing the biannual exchange visits with the Dutch Rotary Club of Woudrichem that continue today, following a visit to Green Bank Farm by a Dutch visitor.
In summary, Glyn was a true gentleman and will be missed by us all.
He is survived by his wife Pat, son Paul and two daughters Ruth and Jackie.

Graham Rotherham Inducted Into Carnforth Rotary Club

At our meeting on Thursday 5 February, President Bill Reading inducted Graham Rotherham as our newest member. Graham has joined under the classification "Immigration Enforcement - Compliance" and will serve on the Community and Vocational Committee. We look forward to having him as member of Carnforth Rotary Club for many years to come.

Denis Spiller Elected 2017-2018 RIBI President

Denis Spiller of the Rotary Club of Strood, has been elected President of Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland for Rotary year 2017/18.

Since starting out as a member of Rotaract, Denis’ life has been shaped by Rotary for 35 years, where he has been club president twice as well as playing varying active roles within Rotary.

Commenting on his election, Denis said: “When I first received the call you could say there was a bit of numbness to the news, but it quickly turned to excitement as it began to sink in. I feel it’s the start of a new Rotary journey for me, and that’s what I feel Rotary is all about – journeys for its members. We’re in an exciting period of change and I hope to make the most of these changes.

“The future of Rotary is all about the clubs, because this is where we benefit the community, it’s where real Rotary happens. We already have a good management team and structure in place so I’d like to concentrate on clubs by enabling them to be as successful as possible in order to grow and multiply.”

Denis, who is a professional manager with Hewlett-Packard Education Services, will take over as president of Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland on the 1st of July 2017.

2015 - 2016 Rotary International President Announces Annual Theme

Using their talents, expertise, and leadership, Rotary members worldwide are asked to be gifts to the world this upcoming 2015-16 Rotary year.


In mid January Rotary International President-elect K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran called his address to incoming district governors at San Diego the "most significant moment of my life."

"All of you have been given so many gifts. And you have now been given this great gift: one year to take all your talents, all your gifts, everything that you are and can become -- and Be a Gift to the World," said Ravindran, revealing his presidential theme at the annual five-day training meeting in San Diego, California, USA. "You have one year to take that potential and turn it into reality. One year to lead the clubs in your district and transform the lives of others. The time is so short, yet there is so much to be done."

Highlighting Rotary's biggest challenge, the eradication of polio, Ravindran said, "A future without polio is a gift that we have promised to the children of the world. And indeed it is a gift that we will give."

Ravindran, a member of the Rotary Club of Colombo, Sri Lanka, used Rotary's successes in the fight to eradicate the disease as an illustration of the impact Rotary members can have in the world. When Rotary set a goal of eradicating polio 25 years ago, it was endemic in 125 countries, and more than 1,000 children were becoming paralyzed each day. Today, polio remains endemic in just three countries, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. And in all of 2014, only 333 cases were reported. "We will battle on. We will prevail," he said.