SOUTH COTSWOLDS NEWS

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1 SOUTH COTSWOLDS NEWS DECEMBER 2014 Thank you for the concern shown to Margo and me in difficult times. Things are looking up and Margo will join me at Richmond Village, Painswick by Christmas. We would welcome any visitors if you are in the neighbourhood. Best wishes for the festive season David & Margo Holborow. Many thanks to Rotarian friends for the support & best wishes sent to Mum and Dad in recent months and especially to those who have visited them in hospital. We hope that 2015 brings health, security and happiness to them and to you all. With best wishes from Lesley, Brian and Geoff Holborow. From our President: By the time you read this, I will have completed nearly six months of my Presidential year. Time always goes quickly when you are busy and enjoying yourself. During the last two months, we have had several speaker evenings, but I would like to reflect on two. Firstly a talk by John Smith, who explained how the domesticated fowl has been derived from the wild fowl over the years, and the number of breeds that still exist. The second was a talk by Roger Hadaway who is a retired member of MI5. This was a most interesting talk but he was very guarded about what he said due to the Official Secrets Act. This was a ladies and friends evening which was enjoyed by all. At the beginning of November we held our annual Fireworks Display in Tetbury. I think this was the best show and the largest crowd I have seen. Well done, Antony, for all your hard work. I represented Rotary at the Remembrance Service in Malmesbury Abbey, whilst Charles Nicholls did the same at St Mary s Church, Tetbury. We both laid wreaths on behalf of Rotary. I have completed my sponsored slim and lost a total of 24 lbs in twelve weeks. Now I have the task of collecting the sponsorship money. The only downside to the last two months is the illness of one of our founder members David Holborow not only David, but also his wife Margo. It has been decided that they will have to leave their lovely house and eventually move together into a residential home. I know that you will join me in sending them our best wishes and we were delighted to hear from them, as above. Looking forward, arrangements are underway with the building of the sleigh to go out collecting around Malmesbury and the surrounding villages. I am also looking forward to our Annual Carol Service at Lea on Monday 8 th December when we will be joined at the service, and afterwards for dinner, by a large number of local people and friends. Nigel 1

2 Wishing all our Rotarian Friends and families and readers of South Cotswolds News a very Merry Christmas and prosperous and healthy New Year. Nigel and Liz Walker. OSOC trip to Nepal & Annapurna Overall the trip was a great success. We packed a lot into the month or so. In all, 13 trekkers travelled to Nepal, aged between 18 and 70 years. The plan was to do the famous Annapurna circuit, but the day after we arrived in Kathmandu, disaster struck at Thorung La Pass (5416m) when an unprecedented snowstorm caused the death of 43 trekkers, Nepali guides and porters. This removed any doubts that we may have had about the risks of trekking at high altitude. In consultation with our guides, we decided to trek up to Manang (3460m), and there take a decision whether it was safe to go over Thorung La. On arrival at Manang, we discovered that Thorung La was passable, but the descent would be too dangerous, so we turned back and some trekkers went to Poon Hill instead, where there is a fantastic view of Annapurna and Daulagiri Himals. We anticipate that the sponsorship money will raise about 5,000. We also had a formal opening of the hostel, where there are two boys in residence. Karan and Raj Kumar are about 10 and 8 years old and very lively, keen to wake our teenage volunteers at 5am to start the day. As part of the celebrations, we had a picnic by the river Narayani. Please remove from your mind an image of an hour in the park with cucumber sandwiches and tepid tea; Nepali picnics are serious affairs, starting at dawn and continuing until dusk, taking a kitchen and sound system, with copious amounts of food, music, dancing and alcohol. The homework club continues to be successful; a couple of children have dropped out and have been replaced. The volunteers worked very well with the students before moving on to India. OSOC also donated some equipment to a local government school, namely a whiteboard, a printer/ photocopier and a microscope. We also went out into the city to meet with street children. As we observed last year, many of the children are members of a group. The leader of the group was the same individual as last year, probably about 16 years old. He appears to encourage the children to look after each other. A number of the children were familiar faces, having been on the streets for a number of years. We did see one new face, a young man of about 13 years, who seemed to be fitting into the group. We gave them food and handed out hats and scarves, many of which had been knitted by Abbeyfield ladies. Dave Britten Trekkers, Guides and Porters Guest of honour unveils plaque Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Dave and Jackie Britten and from Our Street Our Children, Nepal. Thank you for your continued support क रस मसक श भक मन तथ नय वर षक श भक मन (krismasko subhakamana tatha naya barshako subhakamana) 2 Rtn Nirajan, street children, food, hats

3 From our Secretary: My last contribution was as I walked out of the door, to go to Qatar for a month. A fascinating experience which gave Pam and me the opportunity to learn a bit about a totally different culture, and see first hand how the country is trying to prepare for the time when the oil runs out in 25 years time. I hope to grab a slot in the New Year to expand a bit on our experience. Unfortunately, no Rotary clubs exist in Qatar so I was unable to make the contacts I hoped. Regrettably Pam and I never made it to Nepal and it is clear that we missed out on something special which David and Jackie must be really proud of. It was really pleasing to learn on my return about the success of the firework event. A great result for you all and particularly for Anthony. Looking forward we continue to be busy both socially and through our efforts to bring the magic of Christmas to young people in and around Malmesbury. Our Christmas party is on the 15th December and we still need some ideas on how we might entertain ourselves, so put your thinking caps on. As you know, Tank is busy working on the programme for next year and January is fast approaching. Please let him have your speaker nominations as soon as possible. I mentioned the national Rotary Cycle Ride previously, which is scheduled to take place on Father's Day next year (22nd June). The initiative is in aid of prostate cancer charities, and there will be a national launch in January at Westminster Palace. Tony Hadfield and I are meeting later this month with the National Coordinator and our District Governor to firm up the plans for our District, after which I will report to you. Finally, my thanks to David Lewis for standing in as the Secretary in my absence - much appreciated. Philip Pam and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a prosperous, heathy and happy New Year. Philip Selwood With best wishes for the festive season and for continued good fellowship in David and Margaret Lewis. Christmas greetings to all our new friends in Rotary and thanks to you all for making us feel so welcome. Alick and Peggie Whittle Nereide and I wish members past and present a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year. Nigel Gilhead With all good wishes for Christmas and every happiness in the coming year. Charles Nicholls 3

4 Tetbury Fireworks. Our guy reports: Another year and another Bonfire Night and Fireworks display have passed. As usual it didn t go by without its little problems. Letters to the police and fire-service no problem; s to Sir William Romney s School securing the use of their grounds no problem; s to Cotswold Fireworks and Chris from UBE (the sound and lighting people) no problem; meeting with the ATC and Avonvale Football club to help on the evening and the clear up the following day no problem; Tetbury Ruby Football Club to arrange the refreshments no problem; The Bonfire on the other hand well there we had a major problem, but thankfully after numerous phone calls and a few sleepless nights on the Thursday before the event, we finally had a bonfire, so all was set. The day of our Bonfire night started in its normal fashion, with the heavens opening and Tetbury being deluged with rain and strong winds, but that did not dampen the spirits of the die-hard Rotarians who helped to set up the day. With just the bonfire to build, with the help of Richard Witchell and his Matbro, everyone left to get ready to return for the great event! The firework guys turned up, and the weather improved as they started setting up and then, when Chris turned up to set up the lighting and sound system, the weather improved even more and we were all set for a great evening. Those who said they would turn up to help in the evening turned up, and the final preparations were made and the gates opened, and the great and the good from Tetbury started to turn up and they kept coming and coming!! Half past six came around and the Guy competition took place two Guys this year and a draw was declared!!! The bonfire was lit and still they kept on coming in. The anticipation in the crowd was electric as they waited for the off, but still they arrived so the start was delayed by a few minutes. Then the countdown and the fireworks started. Nobody was disappointed as Cotswold fireworks yet again did us extremely proud and put on a most stunning performance. This year s display can only be described as a great success and a huge thank you to all those who helped put on this phenomenal evening. Antony Antony, Estelle & Ollie StJohn Smith wish everyone in RCSC a very Merry Christmas. May all 2015 be better than 2014 and all your wishes for 2015 be fulfilled. Tom and Yvonne Sheppard wish Rotary members and their families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Peter and Caroline Sheppard Derek and Gill Langston wish all Members of the South Cotswolds and their families health and happiness this Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year to all my fellow Rotarians. Geoff and Diana Wallis 4

5 Mary and Doug Hughes wish all their friends in RCSC a joyous and peaceful Christmas. Tank and Ann Nash thank all the members of RCSC for their support during the last, sometimes difficult, year. We wish everyone the very happiest of Christmases. Best wishes for the season to all our friends from Peter and Sarah Wyman. Christmas Greetings to all of our friends in Rotary, and best wishes for the year ahead. Tony and Biddy Hadfield John and Edna Edwards send seasons greetings to all fellow Rotarians hoping you all have a Happy Christmas and a successful and healthy year ahead. A few pictures from the Horseless Team Event From l to r: Lost Property, the Wild West Show, and the Overseer Dogs were to be seen in increasing numbers from the serious Canni-Crossers, to mixed collections and fun size. The Editorial Team, Andrew and Diana Lloyd, wish all our readers and good friends in Rotary and elsewhere an enjoyable Christmas whilst looking forward to 2015 with its challenges, fun and fellowship. 5

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