SOUTH COTSWOLDS NEWS DECEMBER From our President:

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1 SOUTH COTSWOLDS NEWS DECEMBER 2015 From our President: I can hardly believe that I am almost half way through my year. But what a half it has been. Since the last edition, we have held our flagship events. The HTE was an outstanding success. I am indebted to all those whose contributed to the effort. As a result, we are able to distribute 1,000 to each of the Air Ambulance Services which cover our area. Well done everyone Then we had the Fireworks Spectacular. Once again it was a stunning display. Fortunately, after the heavy rain in the morning, it cleared up to enable everyone to enjoy it. We even ran out of light sticks. Nevertheless, despite it being a Community Service project, we again made a surplus which will go to Tetbury Hospital. My thanks again to all who helped, and particularly Antony St John Smith for spearheading the event. From the Club perspective, Tank Nash has organised an incredibly good speaker programme over the last couple of months, and the diary is full until April 2016! In September, we had John Davenport giving us a fascinating insight into his Life in Rallying. Richard Mead gave us a view of our recent history relating to Operation Market Garden as immortalised in the film A Bridge too Far. We were then treated to some Nash family talks. Adam Nash gave a marvellous presentation on the Life of a Thatcher with some stunning examples of his craft. His father s talk on Cartoons in Military life provided some gentle humour ( they don t like it up em Mr Mainwaring! ). As a solicitor, I was particularly interested in The View from the Bench from David Cornwell who, despite injuring his arm, insisted on coming to give us his talk. ably assisted by Tank s personal hospitality. The last three speakers have been exceptional. John Edwards brother in law (in fancy dress) told us about his office as Town Crier for Cricklade and the other historical facts associated with the Court Leat, particularly the wonderful heritage that is North Meadow and its famous Snakeshead Fritillaries, a photographic example of which was circulated by our Editor after the talk. Although we are close to HRH in Tetbury, we came as close to royalty as you can get, when the Chaplain General of the Army, Dr. David Coulter (who has regular meetings with Her Majesty) talked to us in a most interesting and engaging way. It was of particular interest to Tony Hadfield who gave the vote of thanks, as a relative of his had also been a Church of Scotland Chaplain. Closer to home, Susan Mockler brought the history of Hankerton to life. I know there are many Hankerton skeletons in the Club but they paled into insignificance in her detailed and scholarly talk about the origins and development of that small hamlet in Wiltshire.. Now we are headlong in the run up to Christmas. Santa s Sleigh is busy over the coming days and the commitment of the members to this effort is marvellous. We have the Carol Service in St Mary s Church, Tetbury, followed by a meal in the Snooty Fox, to look forward to, then the Club Christmas Party. What a wonderful Club this is. Mary and I wish you all a very happy Christmas.. Doug 1

2 Sec s Spot: By the time you read this edition, Pam and I will probably have left for the Middle East. It is our lot in life to have to travel if we want to see our family, but this will be the first time we have left these shores over the festive season, which will be a different experience. I will therefore miss the opportunity to join you at our Club Christmas party on the 21st, a fun evening if past experience is anything to go by, so enjoy it, and be sure I will drink your collective health, albeit from four and half thousand miles away. So to business - when the Club returns in the New Year. our first piece of business is to hold what is referred to as the 'Special General Meeting ( SGM). At this meeting, which will take place on 11th January, (our first business meeting of 2016), the audited accounts will be presented by our Treasurer, the President Elect for 2017/8 and other officers of the Club are proposed, members with voting rights at the District and National level are identified, and Honorary Members for adoption for the year 2016/17 are proposed. In the latter regard, we currently have two, John Price and David Holborow. I set out in narrative form this part of our annual responsibilities because I am conscious that we have a number of new members. For my part, it took a while in my early days (years) of Rotary to understand the difference between this meeting and the more conventional AGM held in the Spring. Again, by the time you read this, we will also be well into the annual Christmas sleigh round. For those taking part for the first time, it is perhaps important to reflect that this annual event, which brings such pleasure and joy to the children (young and old) of Malmesbury and surrounding villages, was the brainchild of Rotarian Gary Warner who, with his sons, designed and built the sleigh with the intention of raising much needed funds for the Club s local charities. What is interesting to report is that, over those first weeks, Gary's view on the purpose of the Sleigh changed from fund raising to 'if we raised money that was a bonus' on the basis that, it was much more important to bring joy and pleasure to the people we serve, than to worry too much about raising money - well done Gary. And finally a quote from John Lennon.'And so this is Christmas... what have you done?' Well, as far as members of South Cotswolds are concerned, 'a hellava lot' - Merry Christmas. Philip With all good wishes and every happiness for the coming year. Charles Nicholls Nigel and Nereide Gilhead wish all SCN readers a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. 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) We would like to wish our fellow Rotarians, and their very significant other halves, a Christmas full of fun and happiness followed by a very happy and a very healthy Thank you for your friendship throughout 2015! Very best wishes Frances and Brian Dalton We would like to wish all RCSC members a Merry Christmas and happy New Year and say thank you for being so welcoming. Alan and Janice Shepherd. We send our very best wishes to all Rotarians and their families for a very happy Christmas and healthy and prosperous New Year. John and Edna Edwards 2

3 Jenny and I would like to wish all members, wives, partners and families of RCSC a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Gary Warner. Christmas Greetings to all of our friends in South Cotswolds Rotary, and best wishes for the year ahead. Tony and Biddy Hadfield Fireworks Report. Another year passes, and the Club produces another stunning Bonfire Night and Fireworks display. 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 Avonvale Football club to help with 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 team turned up, and the weather improved as they started setting up and then, when Chris arrived to set up the lighting and sound system, the weather improved even more and we were all set for a great evening. Clear skies and no wind. Those who said they would 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 arrive and they kept coming and coming!! Half past six came around and the Guy competition took place only one Guy this year and after the prize giving he was duly marched across to the bonfire and put into his rightful place ready for the rest of the proceedings. Eventually the bonfire was lit, still a bit damp from the earlier rain, but it took in the end, and still they kept on coming in. The anticipation in the crowd was electric as they waited for the off, but still they arrived. 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 roll on next year and may it be better again. Antony Antony, Estelle & Ollie St. John Smith wish everyone in RCSC a very Merry Christmas. May all 2016 be better than 2015 and all your wishes for 2015 be fulfilled. With best wishes to you all. Tank and Ann Nash. Greetings from Alick and Peggie Whittle to all members of the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds. A very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. Peter and Sarah Wyman wish all South Cotswold Rotarians and their friends and families all the best for Christmas and the New Year - and look forward to meeting many of you at the Carol Service on the 14th. 3

4 With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Peter and Caroline Sheppard Tom and Yvonne Sheppard wish Rotary members and their families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. Our best wishes for Christmas & the New Year to all members from Derek & Gill Langston. By the time you read this Pam and I will probably have left for the Middle East to visit our family for Christmas. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your friendship and fellowship over the last year - may you and yours enjoy good health and every happiness in Philip Selwood. Skittles Report Our first match for this season took place on Tuesday 17th November at the Rose and Crown, Lea. Our opponents were our arch rivals Cirencester, so we knew we were in for a tight game. We didn t start very well and were 9 pins down after the first roll down. We gradually pulled pins back until the last two legs when Cirencester went ahead and won by 6 pins. It was a great evening played in the right spirit and was rounded off with a good supper. South Cotswolds 344 Cirencester 350. Nigel Walker 48, Gary Warner and Antony St.J Smith 46, Brian Dalton and Doug Hughes 44, Nigel Gilhead 42, Robert Knight 41 and Phil Selwood 29. Our next game is on Thursday 14th January 2016 against Swindon Phoenix at the Southbrook Arms, Southbrook Street, Swindon. Nigel Nigel and Liz Walker would like to wish all our Rotarian friends and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. David and Margaret Lewis wish you all a blessed Christmas and continued fellowship in the New Year. Happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year to all my fellow Rotarians. Geoff and Diana Wallis Snakeshead Fritillaries at North Meadow, Cricklade 4

5 District 1100 Festival of Boules October 2015 at the Red Bull, Malmesbury RCSC A Team RCSC B Team The Champions South Cotswolds B Team receive the trophy once more from District Governor Tony Horne Club Secretary Philip in the Executive Car Park Santa and his little helpers 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 a peaceful 2016 with its challenges, fun and fellowship. 5