Page 1 The Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix District 1100 England Bulletin (aptly named) The Birdy Issue number 41 Volume number 2 Number 19 of this Rotary Year The Four-Way Test President Rtn, Paul Parfrey President Elect P.P. Peter Collis PHF Sapphire Of the things we think, say or do; 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? President Nominee Rtn, David Coe Secretary; P.P. John Flanagan Treasurer; Rtn, Steve Weisinger ConSEE THE Video on YouTube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch? By email to all members of Swindon Phoenix Rotary Club, Foothill Highlands Rotary Club, Tappahannock Rotary Club and other selected Rotary Club Members. The comments expressed in this newsletter, if not crededitor; Past President Peter Goldsworthy. P.H.F. Sapphire ited to someone else, are the thoughts Winner of District 1100 Bulletin of the Year in a previous Rotary life
Page 2 Please see attached 'thank you' letter to all of you involved in the Santa Run on Sunday. What a fantastic day...! Paul Paul Parfrey President 2012/13 Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix
Page 3 Again our thanks to the Swindon Adver for this coverage if it doesn't look quite right, its my fault as I had to scan it in two sheets and then join em!
Page 4 Swindon Phoenix Get Ready. 6.30am start!
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Page 6 Zumba Warm Up! SEE THE Video on YouTube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gll5huldlcs On Their Marks! GO!
Page 7 They are OFF! SEE THE Video on YouTube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gll5huldlcs Finishing!
Page 8 A bit of advanced warning! Mark these dates Wed 12th December The Swindon Phoenix Christmas Meal & Party @ The Pear Tree Purton Fri 1st March 2013 - Sun 3rd March 2013 District 1100 Annual Conference Torquay 5-8th April Phoenix Weekend in Ireland organisers President Paul & Lynn Parfrey (details soon-ish) 20th April Know your Blood Pressure Day Brunel Shopping Centre Saturday 15th June 2013 is the date for the President's end of year bash. Details to follow over the coming months as our Club Administrator organises it :-) Sunday 30th June THE Dragon Boat Race at Coate Water Country Park. This list is by no means all that is planned keep checking both the Birdy and the Website for updates. Wednesday 3rd July Handover SEE THE Video on YouTube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gll5huldlcs After the Lord Mayors Show!
Page 9 Hi Team, Caroline Corrigan and myself have now agree on the following date and time for the Santa Run cheque presentation to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Monday 17th December, Time - 10am Wiltshire Police HQ, Devizes There is no guarantee as you will appreciated that the helicopter will be there due to operational needs, however we will hopefully be lucky and will have a photo with the aircraft. I need to pass names to Caroline on Tuesday 11th of those that wish to join us. If you would like to come along, then please let me now by the end of Monday 10th. So far those going are, myself, Lynn, Pete Collis and Geoff, more are welcome. Steve W - can we get a large cheque before the end of next week to present. We will also need to know by Friday 14th what the total raised is. Thanks and look forward to your replies. Paul.(We re gonna go too The Golds!) We have a number of picture galleries floating about now with images from the Santa Run. I want to share these with you but if you have any pictures you took yourself can you please email them to photos@swindonsanta.org.uk so they can be uploaded to www.swindonsanta.org.uk our dedicated Santa Run website. The 600 photos that Marty Moffatt took have been edited down to 278. These have all been resized as actual 10x8 pictures with a white border, our Phoenix and the WAA logos and the words 'Swindon Santa Dash 2 December 2012' along the bottom within the white border. You can print these off as they are or order glossy prints with a selection of mounts, with a 1 surcharge for every picture which will at some point be sent to the Phoenix Charity Account for onward donation to WAA. Firstly, thanks to everyone who is going to the Pear Tree at Purton next week for your prompt payments, this is really appreciated. It will just leave you with settling your bar bills on the night. I can't believe how quick this has come round...scary!! Arrival is 7pm for Dinner at 7:30pm. Gentleman, dress code is Black Tie. However, and by exception, if you don't have a DJ, then a dark suit will be fine. Mike Slipper is our Host for the evening. A 'Table' plan will be in place and displayed at the entrance to the Garden Restaurant. There will be 46 of us, so we have 5 tables of 8 people and one table of 6 people. There will be no place cards on the tables so could you please sort yourselves out on your relevant table. I don't intend to make this too formal a Rotary meeting as it is more of a social event and we also have guests. There will be a raffle, with the Club Charity Account being the beneficiary. Lynn and I look forward to seeing those of you who are joining us all for the evening. An extra request to those members who have Rotary Jewels to wear them if they would please. This is the Inaugural Phoenix Christmas Dinner so let's push the boat out! All the best Paul, President Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix There are a couple of brilliant ones of Elliott sprinting to the finish line.!! Go to: http://martymoffatt.zenfolio.com/ santadash The Heart Angels were walking about taking a few snaps too, these can be viewed at: www.heart.co.uk/wiltshire/events/photos/ There was also a guy walking around doing some videoing, this is now on u-tube at the link below; http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=gll5huldlcs This should keep you all busy for a while!
Page 10 What the Members of Swindon Phoenix thought of the event; Words of Reflection from President Paul... I am probably the most biased towards the Santa Run as I've been involved from its infancy along with Caroline Corrigan (Head of Fundraising) at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, however, Sunday was a very overwhelming day for me in particular to see all our club and their families as well as friends, pull together in true Rotary friendship and fellowship. During my planning phase for being our Club President, I chose the Wiltshire Air Ambulance as one of my charitable causes to benefit from the work and was confident that the enthusiasm our Rotary Club could offer would aid raising much needed funds to maintain this vital public service which can, and does save valuable lives day in day out. My aim was always to get all the members of our Rotary Club engaged as each and everyone of us has skills and qualities to provide support in many ways to such a fantastic and critical event. We had a few glitches along the way but these were resolvable with the support and focus of a number of the members. As Club President, this I am truly grateful. The turn out of members, families and friends on the day was awesome. With over 200 entrants made up of Adults in Santa Suits and Children in Reindeer Antlers, the event raised in excess of 5000, this is truly amazing for our first event and has put us well and truly on the map. The Swindon Santa Run 'will' grow from strength to strength over the years to come and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and our local community will continue to benefit from the success of Swindon Phoenix. There are many members of the club who have put in many hours helping with the logistics and materials needed to make the event the success it was. I don t need to name them as they know themselves who they are. This does not take away the gratitude and appreciation that I extend to all the club members, their partners and families in the run up to and on the day of the Santa Run. I have to say that the organisation of the Registration was superb, this was a very slick operation and I have to thanks everyone who was in the Registration Marquee who got stuck in and made sure everyone was registered, given their Santa Suits, Antlers, and recorded the sponsorship money that was raised, as well as signing up around 40 people who just arrived on the day. Also a great job done by the Money Counters sat at the back of the Registration, as they were handling all the money and recording it meticulously so that by the time participants were crossing the finish line we knew roughly how much the event raised for the WAA. I do however need to mention Steve Coleman, who although not a member of Swindon Phoenix has put in many, many hours designing, building and maintaining the dedicated website www.swindonsanta.org.uk and the work continues with uploading photographs from the event and starting to amend it for 2013... I would also like to thank, the following from outside our club. - The Mayor of Swindon for starting the event at 11:00am - Every adult and child who took part in the event. - The Wiltshire Air Ambulance Team led by Caroline Corrigan for all the work behind the scenes in managing the applications process and helping to promote the event. - Gayle King for organising the Ponies, weren t they cute!!! - The Man himself for making an appearance - Members from the Marlborough & District Rotary Club for volunteering as marshals - All the volunteer marshals - Calne Lions Club for the Tuck Inn Catering Van - The Mad March Hare Team for loaning all the signage and other items to mark out the course as well as helping to pack and give out the goody bags. So far I have received positive feedback, even the participants who have made constructive comments, were positive and this is helpful to aid us to improve in 2013. The Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust has benefited from the Organisation skills of the members of the Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix, 'the club' of the 21st Century to be truly proud of being a part of. And finally what really brought home what we were all at the Santa Run for, was the double fly by of the Air Ambulance as it flew over the event site around 11:30am. Truly an awesome and rewarding day...thanks to everyone involved. Paul Paul Parfrey President 2012/13 Elliott Causton.. A powerful statement from the Swindon Phoenix Rotary Club I get the feeling that our club is capable of achieving anything. It was great to be a part of such a success and what will turn out to be one of the most anticipated events in Swindon for years to come! To add to the special day I was fortunate enough to take part in the event and was able to complete the 5k run and the feeling of complete organisation was had
Page 11 throughout the run. Well done to all!. Kind Regards, Elliott John & Vicky Flanagan. Overall what a good day! Christmas brings out the best in everyone, even those up for the 6.30 start were in good spirits. Everyone new their role and pulled together. Most of the runners had raised sponsor money, those signing up late and didn't have time to collect were wished a happy run and encouraged to come back and join us next year! If this year is a taste of what is to come! Watch out for next year, I think we will have double the amount of Santa s!! Even though we're not used to getting up in the middle of the night we had a great time, and would definitely like to be part of it next year! Vicki & John David Coe.The event was truly a family affair. Mum's, Dad's, Grandparents and children alike clearly enjoyed the event on a wonderfully crisp December day. So many confirmed Their approval and indicated they will return next year. We had our own Father Christmas together we his sleigh and guest pony's which was a lovely attraction for the children. As a marshal it was a pleasure to help direct the runners and enjoy the jovial banter and share so many laughs. The smiles on every ones face told a thousand words. I did not get to see the group warm up but understand this was also a great fun start to the run/walk. Already looking forward to next year (difficult to add much more because our lead marshal John Flanagan put me at the furthest marshal point so I was too far away to see most of it!) David John Fisher...A FANTASTIC Event Good Fun! Lovely to see the whole Club working together in harmony during this our first major event raising money for such a worthwhile cause. John Kevin Brown. Delighted to be a part of a spectacular event especially with the enthusiasm shown by all, Long may it continue Reminded me of the Regatta and Train Ride in a previous Rotary Life. Kevin Charlotte Causton.Although at first my toes felt like they may drop off, the festive spirit of the day and the proud look on people's faces as they crossed the finish line and collected their medals made it all worth it! Charlotte Nicole Price..Just wanted to let you know what 2 of the runners thought - "A well organised event with a great atmosphere. Everyone on the way round was encouraging and happy. We really enjoyed ourselves. Can we sign up for next year." This was from my brother and his partner who marshal park runs in Exeter. Although we had to get up early and it was hard work at times, I really enjoyed being part of the team that made this such a successful event. I felt a huge sense of achievement at the end of it all. (My own thoughts) Nicole Golds!...My own thoughts were that this was a fantastic event giving an old Rotarian like me the added joy of seeing not only all our new Rotarians but also their partners enjoying themselves following the ethos of this organisation they joined, in some cases less than 6 months ago, all working in harmony with a sense of great fun. The detail and organisation put in by all the project team leaders is to be complimented, I can only add that it is an absolute joy to be a member of Swindon Phoenix Rotary Club and that I look forward to sharing many more such events with you all. Peter G. Andy Rohrer. Hi golds, fantastic day on Sunday eh! Andy Mike Slipper. A brilliant team effort by Phoenix. Smiling Santas everywhere especially all around the park. What a great idea to have a zumba and Father Christmas with the ponies. This bodes well for the Dragons next July. Mike
Page 12 Swindon Epilepsy Support Group I received the email below from Helen Hodgson, who runs the Bristol Epilepsy Support Group and who the SESG has linked with. Following on from passing the email and the link to all the members of the SESG, I received the second email from one of the members. This is a perfect example of how the SESG supported by the Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix is supporting those in Swindon with Epilepsy. I have had permission to share these emails and for them to be published in the Birdy so that others can benefit... Paul Hi Paul ************************************************************** I'm forwarding the link to the Epilepsy Societies webpage, there is some very important information about medication that needs to be shared, especially about always receiving the same 'make' of medication, you may well have heard me talk about this at the Bristol Group many times before. Kind regards Helen Helen Hodgson Epilepsy Specialist/Sapphire Nurse Department of Neurology http://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/aboutepilepsy/treatment/epilepsymedicationnews ************************************************************** The following email was received from one of the SESG members although she is unable to attend monthly meetings anymore. Hi Paul & Lynn ************************************************************** Firstly, thanks very much for sending me the last e-mail with the link to epilepsy.org. I read the article about change of medication manufacturers with great personal interest... This happened to me about 3 months ago. After being on Keppra for 3 years, which is a vile drug with lots of nasty side effects, I got used to these side effects and you really learn to adjust and live with them. And I must say that it has managed my epilepsy extremely well with no seizures during that time. However, 3 months ago when I went to collect my prescription from the chemist, she told me that although the manufacturer of my tablets had changed there was no difference with the contents of the tablets, they were exactly the same. Naively, I said ok and started taking them. I ve got to say that during this time I have felt slowly worse with all those side effects being really highlighted and those old familiar feelings slowly returning...tingling in my fingers & lips, jerking limbs whilst dropping off to sleep, very poor memory and concentration, feeling fuzzy headed and extremely tired and de-motivated all the time. I even went to my GP and had various blood tests to see if there was anything else wrong with me! When I received your e-mail and read the link, it all fell into place. I phoned my chemist and was told that I would now be prescribed a generic brand of the drug that I was on as it was considerably cheaper and they certainly couldn t fund the cost of the Keppra that I had been taking. I spoke to various other chemists in Swindon and was more or less told the same thing. Luckily have a very good GP and all it took was a phone call to her with an explanation of what was happening and she re-wrote my prescription stating that I had to be given the Keppra brand of this drug. I think that this means that the GP s surgery have to part or possibly fully fund the cost, but by them doing this, the chemist have to supply it. I was told during my phone call to the surgery that I was well within my rights to ask for this to be done and that more and more people are insisting on this rather than take the cheaper alternative. I started taking them again today after having a really bad turn and feeling unwell and having to be driven home, luckily not having had a seizure but I do believe that I came very close to it. Thanks again for continuing to include me in the mails, this has really proved to me that the support group works and really has its purpose. Sorry I can t support you more by coming to the meetings but I am happy to help out with anything if am needed. I would like you to let the rest of the group know about this as would hate to see it happen to anyone else. Tell them that if they have the same problem, the GP can put it right for them. I feel really cheated and let down by the powers that be that I have fought so hard to come to terms and live with this terrible condition only to be let down by people who are only worried about cutting costs and to hell with the consequences! I hope you are all keeping well and the group is still going from strength to strength. Best Regards
Page 13 Next weeks issue will be that last of 2012 So please send all copy, greetings messages photos etc, in before Wednesday 12th December for inclusion in our super duper bumper Christmas Issue ( Note I use the word Christmas NOT Holiday as it does annoy me a bit, that other celebrations always and rightly so, use the proper name (Diwali etc, etc.) but that the phrase Happy Christmas has been relegated to the word happy holiday by some as being more PC to some other folk if my Jewish and Muslim friends can wish me a happy Christmas, why can t everyone use the term? JUST WHY! - Ah well glad to get that off me chest! Grumpy Golds! ( I remind you that the disclaimer on the front does say that the thoughts expressed in the Birdy are those of the Editor and not necessarily those of the Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix)
Page 14 Jokes on the wing After having their 11th child, a Liverpool couple decided that was enough, as the social wouldn't buy them a bigger bed and they weren't strong enough to nick one. The husband went to his doctor and told him that he and his wife didn't want to have any more children. The doctor told him there was a procedure called a vasectomy that would fix the problem but it was expensive. A less costly alternative was to go home, get a firework, light it, put it in a beer can, then hold the can up to his ear and count to 10. The Scouser said to the doctor, 'I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but I don't see how putting a firework in a beer can next to my ear is going to help me.' 'Trust me, it will do the job', said the doctor. So the man went home, lit a banger and put it in a beer can. He held the can up to his ear and began to count: '1, 2, 3, 4, 5,' at which point he paused, placed the beer an between his legs so he could continue counting on his other hand. This procedure also works in Middles- brough, Hull, parts of Bradford, Wales and anywhere in Ireland Thanks Steve Coleman for this one These are from a book called Disorder in the American An older Rotarian was asked, "At your ripe age, what would you prefer to get Parkinson's or Alzheimer's?" The wise one answered, "Definitely Parkinson's - Better to spill half my wine than to forget where I keep the bottle." Thanks Lillian in Oz for this gem! Thes have been around a while but worth repeating for our newer members Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place. ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning? WITNESS: He said, 'Where am I, Cathy?' ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you? WITNESS: My name is Susan! ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the vehicle impact? WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks. ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active? WITNESS: No, I just lie there. ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory? WITNESS: I forget.. ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot? ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo? WITNESS: We both do. ATTORNEY: Voodoo? WITNESS: We do.. ATTORNEY: You do? WITNESS: Yes, voodoo. ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning? WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam? ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he? WITNESS: He's 20, much like your IQ. ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
Page 15 WITNESS: Are you putting me on? ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time? WITNESS: Getting laid. ATTORNEY: She had three children, right? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: How many were boys? WITNESS: None. ATTORNEY: Were there any girls? WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney? ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated? WITNESS: By death.. ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated? WITNESS: Take a guess. ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual? WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female? WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male. ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney? WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work. ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people? WITNESS: All of them.. The live ones put up too much of a fight. ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to? WITNESS: Oral... ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body? WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time? WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished. ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample? WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question? And last: ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing? WITNESS: No.. ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor? WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar. ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless? WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law Thanks Andrew Whiting for these Other Websites Swindon Phoenix supports & recommends to our readers http://www.stanleystravels.co.uk. http://www.swindonepilepsy.org.uk http://www.rotary-ribi.org/districts/homepage.php?districtno=1100 That s all Folks remember, we are the Rotary Club of the 21st Century