ROTARY SUPPORT TO FLOOD VICTIMS

Contributions to the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Flood Fund, and local money from the Santa Sleigh collection in December 2015, has assisted the Red Door Café that re-opened mid October - with a very warm welcome from members of the local community.

The cheque presentation to owner Bob Bauld, is by Carnforth Rotary President John Blowes and Community Chairman Malcolm Watkins.
These RIBI funds have also assisted six owners of the riverside lodges in Halton and ten homes in Gardener Road Warton that were all seriously damaged during the December 2015 floods.

Last Night of the Autumn Proms

Several members of Carnforth Rotary and their friends spent a wonderful evening, on Saturday 15th October, at The Bridgewater Hall for Last Night of the Autumn Proms. The Manchester Concert Orchestra played a variety pieces, including Puccini's Nessun dorma, accompanied by Tenor, David Butt Philip and Gounod's "Je veux vivre" from Romeo and Juliette, beautifully sang by soloist Sky Ingram. The conductor, John Pryce-Jones, a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, was extremely amusing and encouraged the audience to take part in a number of the pieces, including Greig's In the Hall of the Mountain King and Pomp and Circumstance.

Slyne with Hest Rotakids

On Thursday 13th October, Rotarians Anthony Chick and Pete Lambson attended Slyne with Hest, St Luke's Primary School's,  first Rotakids meeting of the year. This was for the investiture of the new President, Thomas, Treasurer Naomi; Secretary, Hannah, who  were elected prior to the meeting, followed by badges being given to all members.
After making the Rotakids promise, they decided to support the following three charities:
Neuro Dropin, St John's Hospice and Lifeboats.


Their pre-Christmas activities are:

1. Bingo afternoon last week in November
2. Christmas Jumper Day
3. Snowballs in a Jar
4. Making Fiddle blankets for people suffering from Dementia

Their post Christmas activities are:

1. Events: Tea Party, cake sale
2. Other ideas: Sponsored run (in colours); family quiz, mufti day.

 Rotarians presented Rotakids Club with two bags of crocuses, and a box of plastic crocuses for sale.  It was suggested that some bulbs could be planted in decorated pots for sale as well. Mrs Gregory will advise of the next meeting date, expected at end of November, and there will be interim Rotakids meetings in school at regular intervals.

Seventy Years and Looking Forward to Many More

On Thursday 6th October, Carnforth Rotary celebrated their 70th Charter. President John welcomed the 70 attendees including, District Governor, Malcolm Baldwin, Carnforth Deputy Mayor, Pat Wooff, Rotarians from Accrington, Bolton Daybreak, Irlam, Kendal, Lancaster, Lancaster Loyne, Lunesdale and Ulverston Rotary clubs, ladies from Carnforth Inner Wheel and friends. 

The President spoke about Carnforth Rotary activities in the UK and abroad, membership and our Associate members overseas, who find it easier to have direct links with Clubs in their areas, particularly Sierra Leone and Tanzania. John thanked several, including those representatives who provide the links between Rotary International, Rotary International in the UK and Ireland, and within our own District 1190. 

It was a truly enjoyable evening with a very informative and amusing talk by Paul Durham on Bowland & Pennine Mountain Rescue. After the talk, President John gave a cheque to Paul, who thanked the club and informed us that the money would be used to purchase new rucksacks for Rescue equipment.

Crocus Bulbs for Polio Awareness - Bleasdale School and Carnforth Rotary

Bleasdale School in Silverdale and Carnforth Rotary have worked together to complete a four week crocus bulb planting project, intended to increase awareness of the determined effort to eradicate polio worldwide by 2019.

The project has involved; an introductions afternoon that assisted Rotary members to understand the difficulties of four significantly disabled young people, and two Thursday afternoon bulb planting sessions, a short walk away from the school. The fourth Thursday was the presentation of Rotary Certificates to the pupils and members of staff, along with the Rotary Club being given two “Thank you” cards and some potted crocus bulbs that also had involvement of the pupils.

This was a part of the school citizenship lessons working with charity groups, with Rotary Club members and helpers appreciating the tremendous effort staff put into educating their young people – assisted by an extensive range of wheelchairs, push bikes, the especially adapted swimming pool and other equipment.

The bulbs in the grass oval at St John's Road, and elsewhere in the area, will have small Rotary signs placed nearby when the purple flowers appear early 2017 and there will then be store collections to enable funds to be donated; donations that are doubled by Gates Foundation (Bill and Melinda) in a determined effort to complete the immunization programme that has reduced the polio cases by 99% since 1988 and saving more than 13 million from paralysis and death.

An Unexpected Guest

What a lovely surprise we had to our Quiz evening on Thursday when visitor Rotarian Kimberley, from Oregon USA, walked in. She thoroughly enjoyed our "Fishy Business' Quiz and took a particular shine to Les, who did an amazing job of keeping her entertained. President John presented her with a Carnforth Rotary Flag to take to her club, which coincidentally meets on a Thursday, albeit lunchtime. We exchanged details, so hopefully can keep in touch and maybe FaceTime or Skype them when Kimberley returns to the USA.

Last Night in the Cells

Yesterday evening,  several members and friends from Carnforth Rotary enjoyed an extremely interesting tour round Lancaster Castle.
Janet, the guide, added atmosphere and humour to the whole event with her knowledge,  bubbly personality and tales of ghostly happenings. We learned about the trial and demise of the Lancashire Witches, given information about the branding iron and shown several types of prison restraints which were used in olden days. The scold's bridle, a device used on 'outspoken' women, was never cleaned so diseases were spread and many people died.

An experience behind bars

Time out of the cells.