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Club Scrapbook For The Year 2015/2016 |
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Club Scrapbook For The Year 2015/2016 |
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28th June 2016: Presidential Handover Dinner
Following a champagne reception in Benson Hall (previously the Masters Dining Room) the nearly sixty Rotarians and guests were taken to the Hall where we were served with a delicious meal consisting of:
(with an appropriate vegetarian alternative)
Following the meal President David Williams gave a short address and then formally handed over the chain of office to our new President for 2016/2017, Karin Weston to much applause. President Karin in turn spoke of her plans for the year and also passed on her Vice President's chain of office to the new vice president, Graeme Dargie.
This annual event is always something to be savoured with the ladies looking beautiful in their finery by candlelight and the men in formal dress looking very distinguished, but this year your author felt was particularly memorable because of the historic atmosphere of the place. It would be good to return there another year.
See all the photographs of the evening here, pictures courtesy of Neil Heywood.
12 June 2016: Monthly Walk - 5 miles from Stanstead Abbotts to Ware and back via the Amwell Nature Reserve.
Words by John Kelly (walk organiser), photo by Ray Munden.
22nd May 2016: Monthly Walk around Hertford Some fifteen Rotarians and friends met up for the walk at Hertford with promising weather. Words by Liz and David Beardwell, photos here by Ray Munden 12th to 15th May 2016: Visit by our "twin" club Paray le Monial et du Charolais
On Friday morning, thirty two of us headed off to Ely for a refreshing coffee at the Almonry just close to the Cathedral. This was followed by lunch at The Ffolks Arms at Hillington near King’s Lynn . We had a very relaxed meal there before our arrival at the Sandringham Estate. From then on it was on with the thermals and walking shoes for a trip around the house, museum and the gardens. The weather stayed dry although rather chilly in the cool Norfolk breezes. Next stop Siberia! We arrived back in Melbourn around 6.15pm. Friday evening was again another round of partying with various other hosts and lots of good food and drink and good fun with our guests, whilst on Saturday morning everyone planned their own activities before meeting up at the British Queen to play for The Ashes. The weather remained fine and mild so we managed to complete all of the challenges outdoors . After several rounds of Petanque, Jenga and Kubb along with a few drinks and a lot of chatter, we again went our separate ways to prepare for the final evening and Celebration dinner at Barley Town House. Starting with a glass of Fizz and a variety of canapés, we had a thoroughly good feed with more drinks and chatter followed by a welcome speech in French by President David and the reply in English by President Sophie. At the end of the meal The Ashes were surprisingly handed over to our guests who as always were very shocked but delighted to be the victors! How do they do it ?? They treated us to their final showpiece of a little singsong ditty which originated in Paray le Monial. Much hand waving and clapping brought the evening to a close. On Sunday morning, breakfast was enjoyed at The Hub in Melbourn before departing to the airport. It’s always a brilliantly enjoyable weekend as our French friends are such good company and full of fun despite our miserable weather. We now await the date of our return trip in 2017 to embrace the hospitality of our wonderful Twinning club – Paray le Monial et du Chrarolais. Sante - Cheers! To see all the photos of the weekend click here/cliquez ici (Photos courtesy of Jacques Mariotte and Ray Munden) 7th May 2016: We Mourn for Les Baker, Member of our Club Since 2010
Les was a journalist for many years, working in Fleet Street and later as the editor of The Royston Crow weekly paper from 2000 to 2008. He was a Town Councillor and served as Mayor of Royston in 1995. He also served as a councillor on North Herts District Council for six years. Les devoted many hours to community work including events such as Royston in Bloom and Creative Royston; he was also involved with the Royston Museum and was at one time a governor of Meridian School in Royston. At Rotary, Les was particularly keen to develop youth activities such as Youth Makes Music and Youth Speaks events. He took responsibility for the Royston Rotary Club flag pole in the Priory Memorial Gardens in Royston. The flag has been flown at half mast for some days as a sign of respect for Les. Les will be sorely missed by many and our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Christine.
6th to 8th May 2016: President's Weekend to Lincoln
Our Presidential weekends have become a firm fixture in the Club's annual
calendar. More than thirty members and partners have just enjoyed the latest
one - in Lincolnshire, a county well known to our President David from his
days in the RAF, but not so familiar to many people. So it was a revelation
to see the great city of Lincoln at close quarters. To begin with there was
Brayford Pool, a huge inland harbour, looking more like St Tropez in the
sunshine with its classy cruisers and waterside eateries. Even better, our
hotel overlooked the Pool, which was visible from most bedroom windows at
the Doubletree Hilton. Turn your head the other way, and the Cathedral’s
towers dominated the skyline. It was all very spectacular. We had started our trip by visiting the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, where today’s Typhoon jets rub shoulders with 1940’s Hurricanes and Spitfires plus the extraordinary Lancaster, all living tributes to those who fought for us so valiantly in WW2. We toured the vast hangar housing the historic aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), seeing those icons close up and in a state of partial undress. They are kept as fully airworthy as the modern jets, and that demands constant maintenance. It was a festive dinner at our hotel in Lincoln that we enjoyed on Friday night. We were entertained with a series of quizzes between the delicious courses with the prize of champagne going to the winning table. Saturday was full of things to do. First, we were given a hugely educative tour of the Cathedral, a miracle of mediaeval engineering and art; then we strolled the few yards to Lincoln Castle, where more guides explained its Roman origins and often bloody history. (Castle guides do seem to enjoy a good hanging, and we learned more about execution techniques than was perhaps strictly necessary). After the tour, we wandered at will. The more energetic Rotarians climbed the walls, which offered tremendous views. The Castle also contains its own jail, dating from Georgian times, very well preserved and full of relics of its years confining unfortunate pickpockets and sheep-stealers. Those of us unfamiliar with the inside of any HMP enjoyed that greatly.
We slept well, hoping no ghosts inhabited the Hilton. As usual, it took for ever to get the coach loaded on Sunday morning, so it had to wait outside the hotel for much longer than a passing parking warden thought was necessary. He had his pad out and his pencil poised to write the ticket before Alan, our driver, appeared and spoke whatever secret spell drives traffic wardens away. This one replaced his pencil and wandered off. He was not seen again, though the coach remained for another 15 minutes. (They train them well at Richmond Coaches. I must find out what that spell is; it could come in useful). As we set off the Red Arrows performed a flyby for us - we never knew Mike had that much influence!
Ah, the sunshine! Lincoln was the second sunniest place in Britain on the Saturday (12.8 hours) and only Oxford and London were warmer. That was one bonus; the other was that the weekend was immaculately planned and managed. So everything was just right, and as they say, a good time was had by all. Special honours to David, for being such a good host, and a big round of applause to Mike Taylor and Ruth, who organised the whole adventure with great efficiency and enormous good humour. See all the photos of the visit here (courtesy of Neil Heywood and Ray Munden)
2nd May 2016: Classic Vehicle Show (Part of Royston May Fayre Celebrations)
Prize-winners were as follows:
Click here to see all the pictures (photos courtesy of Neil Heywood and Peter Homent)
23rd April 2016: Visit to BBC in London
Then it was off to our very own hands–on broadcasting experiences; volunteers were invited to read the news and give a weather forecast in a very authentic TV studio. Then we were shown into a radio drama studio, where more volunteers performed a short "whodunit" to the accompaniment of two small boys on sound effects duty (think creaky doors and boots crunching on gravel). It was great fun, and, as with the news broadcast, we had the fun of watching and listening to the playback afterwards. The tour was over too soon. Back to the coach, where our long suffering Richmond’s coach driver Alan threaded through the West End traffic and along the embankment to Tower Hill and our lunch appointment at Strada, the Italian restaurant on St Katharine’s Dock. Strada had put several tables aside for us, but the kitchen still took something like an hour to produce any food, even though we had pre-ordered. Never mind, it was an opportunity to have a natter and drink some wine, and the lunch, when it came, was excellent. After a stroll round the dock, Alan wafted us back to Royston up the M11 with traditional Richmond efficiency. See ALL the pictures of the visit here. Photos courtesy of Ray Munden.
10th April 2016: Monthly Walk
On our way we were somewhat perplexed to find some discarded male underwear and camouflage jacket (see below) snagged up on some thorns; we were further bemused by the rather stern sign (again, see below) with the underlined text prominent when, shortly after, we entered into Quy Fen. Could these events be linked we wondered? There being no persons of interest in the fen, nude or otherwise, we continued on our merry way through the quiet fields and lanes, marvelling at the sounds of the song birds (which Ray kindly identified for us) and tut-tutted at the number of trees that appeared to be damaged in some way. And with all this to occupy us it was no wonder that we accidentally missed an important turn which took us a wee bit out of our way - the keen-eyed amongst you will probably see where this occurred from enlarging our route map below. We covered just over 5 miles in 2 hours 30 minutes (having stopped halfway round for 10 minutes). Arriving back at Anglesey Abbey we met up with Bryony for a thoroughly enjoyable pub lunch at the White Swan in the nearby village of Stow cum Quy. Many thanks to Clarice for organising this month's very enjoyable walk. Click on any of the pictures to view them larger.
(Photos courtesy of Ray Munden, route courtesy of Walkmeter & Google Maps) 13th March 2016: Monthly Walk This month the walk was planned by Sandra and she had arranged a really great Spring ramble for us starting from the historic church at Benington in Hertfordshire. There were seventeen walkers, a really great turnout for a misty March morning, but the weather rapidly improved as we progressed. We were happy to welcome Steve and Sue Higginbotham to our monthly group. Although the ground was a bit muddy in places it didn't really hold us up - although it certainly failed to hold up Lesley who took a tumble into the mud, but gamely carried on. We covered four and a half miles in all, in just over two hours, including a stop for a flask of coffee half way around. The weather stayed fair and we even saw glimpses of the sun. So nice to see young lambs and also goat kids gambolling in the fields. We finished our walk back at Benington and settled ourselves in The Bell hostelry where we had an excellent Caribbean-themed meal. Thanks Sandra for organising another great walk. Click on pictures to enlarge to full size
11th March 2016: Youth Makes Music
This year, change was in the air. Schools have begun to join forces much more; for example, the combined schools, who used only to get together in the finale, now opened the show with a three number set. They all reappeared later to give us a spectacular ‘Ghostbusters’, and closed the show with two more numbers. Think about the logistics of this operation; that’s well over 200 singers and instrumentalists spread across eleven schools, needing to be rehearsed in six quite complex numbers, and only able to get together on the day of the concert. That they sounded as if they had been singing together for weeks is a tribute to the teaching staff and performers alike. That wasn’t all; Roysia and Greneway Schools performed a set each as usual, but then got together very successfully in ‘Can You Hear My Voice?’, with its encouraging message about the benefits of doing singing (and much more) together. And, perhaps most originally, the youngest and oldest performers combined as Meridian School formed a backing group for the first schools in a hugely upbeat ‘Best Day of Our Lives’.
Musically, there was much to enjoy. My shamelessly partial list includes Ben Forrester’s lovely piano solo in ‘I Giorni’, backed sensitively by Greneway’s strings and woodwind; Roysia’s lovely ‘Ashokan Farewell’ (“a Scottish lament written by a Jewish guy from the Bronx” its composer said) and Meridian’s exquisite ‘One Hand, One Heart’, the most moving song from West Side Story, which did have me fumbling for the Kleenex. And lastly, as ever, the sheer exuberance of the first schools; every year they lift the heart with their uninhibited rendering of whatever new bits of jolly rhythmical swaying, hand-waving, stamping merriment their teachers have discovered. This cheerful playground tonality seems to get lost as they grow older, but mercifully there is always another generation of newbies ready to delight us. Tim Penn compered with his usual suavity and charm. Oh, and there was a premiere. Craig Maddox of Greneway’s lively music and drama team wrote a new song, ‘Island’. It was lovely. Report by Neil Heywood. See all the photos of the day here courtesy of Ray Munden
8th March 2016: New Member Induction
Tonight we had the great pleasure in welcoming a new member, Steve Higginbotham, who has joined us from the Cambridge and Sawston Rotary Club. Club President David Williams presented Steve with a Rotary badge and, most importantly, a smartcard for use behind the bar entitling a discount on purchases. The picture shows the presentation by President David to Steve, looked on by District Governor Elect Derek Rothwell, who later gave us an interesting presentation on the principles which would guide his coming tenure.
3rd March 2016: Visit to the Royal Artillery Museum A group of our Rotarians visited 'Firepower', the Royal Artillery museum on the site of Woolwich Arsenal. We were treated to a tour personally conducted by the Museum's Curator Mark Smith and were shown ordinance from the 15th century up to WW2, and learned many things such as why a gun's barrel is so called (early ones were made by coopers). The museum's display of medals is unequalled, and Mark gave us many stirring stories of the heroes behind the medals. Sadly, Firepower is to close in July and the contents will go into storage until a new exhibition centre on Salisbury Plain (!) is opened - perhaps by 2020, but don't hold your breath. An inspiring visit, with a sad ending. If you haven't been, go while you still can. Click on any of the thumbnail pictures (below) to see it enlarged.
24th February 2016: Bowls Evening at Thriplow A reminder of a fine evening in February when the Club turned out at Thriplow Village Hall for an evening of bowls. An amazing display of athletic prowess and dexterity from members and partners, and a great supper too from the team in the kitchen. Pictures courtesy of Neil Heywood (Click on any picture to see it enlarged)
14th February 2016: Monthly Walk - Hampstead Heath ‘Appy ‘Ampstead Martin Berry, whose job it was to organise our walk in February, decided it was time to have a change from the usual Hertfordshire winter mud-fest. Instead, he took us to Hampstead, a lovely district of North London, and a place full of both urban and rural delights. We set forth from Royston on an early and unusually full train. Arsenal had a Sunday match, and the hundreds of supporters who got off with us at Finsbury Park were a cheerful and well mannered lot. Then down onto the Northern Line, where Rtn Heywood caused the train to stop by getting his jacket caught in the sliding door.
After a couple of miles, we turned onto the Heath. There was a bitter wind, but the place was full of dog walkers, joggers, and families out for a stroll; a lively and interesting scene. There were also some fine views over London. Back on pavements, we took a break for coffee at Fenton House. Inexplicably, we shivered in a courtyard outside the house while we waited for our drinks. That’s except for Kash and Jo Berry. They had opted to miss out the Heath segment, Kash’s shoes being more suited to urban pavements than muddy paths. It appears that they promptly took refuge an hour early in the Pizza Express reserved for our lunch, and sat there drinking coffee and what looked very much like champagne until the muddy contingent arrived. Not really the Rotary spirit chaps, but it was a very cold day! Our pizzas were very welcome, although we had only walked 3.5 miles. Hampstead was well worth the visit, hugely picturesque, and full of interest. We ought to go back in the summer. See all the pictures here (photos courtesy of Ray Munden)
3rd February 2016: Technology Tournament The annual Technology Tournament was held at the Cambridge Motel and a total of twenty teams (including one teacher's team) from six different schools took part. The task set this year for all the teams was fiendish - and that was just for the Foundation Teams, the advanced task for the senior teams was doubly so. For each team their tasks were assessed for their planning, their design analysis, the design development and their construction skills (including final testing). Since this is a nationally organised task set by the Rotary Clubs of Britain and Ireland it is inappropriate to publicly state what exactly the task was because many of the other Rotary clubs around the country will not yet have staged their tournament. Sufficient to say that the complexity of the task and the inventiveness that needed to go into the solution was well up to the normal standards. The winners of the Johnson Matthey Trophy for The Most Innovative Design overall was the team Meridian 3 (from Meridian School, Royston) with a total of 96 points out of a possible 100. The winners of the advanced task was Freman Seniors 1 (from Freman College, Buntingford) with 74 points out of 100. We are grateful for the support of Johnson Matthey, the TTP Group, NCPI Solutions and Hertfordshire County Council. Also the days events would not have been possible without the help on the day of many Rotarians from the club under the watchful gaze of Brian Whittaker (organiser), David Richmond (chief judge) and Mike Taylor (design tester). Special thanks to Di Charles for all her organisation and preparation behind the scenes. To see a photo gallery of activities during the day click here (photos courtesy of Ray Munden)
26th January 2016: Burns Night Supper It's a few years since we did a proper Burns Night, but thanks to our one indisputably Hibernian member, Graeme Dargie, the club got thoroughly in the mood.. The haggis was excellent,. the cranachan a revelation, and the whisky finished it off wonderfully. Graeme proposed the toast to the "Immortal Memory", Phil Martin proposed the toast to the ladies, and Clarice responded with grace and wit. Piper Andy McLuskie entertained with bagpipes and guitar, and a good time was had by all, as they say. It would be fun to do it again next year. See pictures of the Burns Night Supper here
9th January 2016: Annual Quiz
Halfway through we had earned a well deserved meal break which allowed everyone to refresh and replenish their brain cells. The bar was kept busy throughout the evening under the care of the two Peters (Mitton and Ross). Iris managed the sale of raffle tickets with her usual friendly persuasion. The winning team was "The Dark Horses" for the second year running. Congratulations to them. The result of the evening was a that nearly £900 was raised, a very gratifying outcome. President David Williams announced that this sum would be supplemented by Rotary funds to contribute a four figure sum to the flood relief efforts in the north of England. A great evening was enjoyed by all. Grateful thanks to the organiser Graeme Dargie and his team of helpers.
Throughout December 2015 The club helped Father Christmas with his visits to Bury Lane Farm shop where he was ably helped by Josie the Elf . At times Father Christmas was very busy, at other times just left to the mercy of a very tickling beard. There were some lovely highlights with children serenading Father Christmas with songs such as Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and in general the delight of seeing children’s excitement in meeting Father Christmas. A few of the children even sat on Father Christmas’ lap and posed for photos Father Christmas obviously enjoyed himself and pleasingly £550 was raised for charity. And even more, we provided a service to the community and made lots of children very happy. Full marks to Ray Munden for organising all the visits by Father Christmas and to all the male Rotarians who helped make Santa feel at home!
15th December 2015: Christmas Dinner
A cheque for £2,200 from the Club was presented by President David Williams to Dr Peter Gough who accepted it on behalf of Khandel Light, our nominated international charity for this year, working with vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Khandel and its surrounding villages in Rajasthan. A further cheque for £6,000 from the Club was presented by President David to Mrs Megs Wilson who accepted it on behalf of the Willow Foundation which is the President's nominated charity for this year. Megs and her husband Bob Wilson founded Willow, now a national charity, in memory of their daughter Anna. Willow brings special days to the seriously ill young people. Later we were entertained by a series of amusing anecdotes by Bob Wilson, recalling his long association as a player with Arsenal Football Club and his later career as a television sporting pundit. With the meal and presentations over many attendees took advantage of a further session of jazz and easy listening songs delightfully sung by Holly enabling all who cared to, to dance. A great evening and a special thank you to Karin Weston for organising everything so carefully and making it such a success. You can see all the photographs of the event here (courtesy of Ray Munden)
6th December - Monthly Walk
Most of those on December's Sunday walk had also been celebrating somewhat chez Easthope the previous evening, but they looked surprisingly sprightly nevertheless. The route, set by Jonathan Berks, was a figure of 8 around the RSPB Fowlmere nature reserve. The conspicuous lack of birds was more than compensated for by the appearance of Lyn Berks at the half way point with supplies of mulled wine and a big box of her wonderful mince pies. Having enthusiastically replaced our lost calories, we waddled on and finally enjoyed a wonderful soup and rolls lunch at Jonathan and Lyn's home. Thanks to both of them, and special greetings to Polly Hardy, whose smiling face was there with Lyn to welcome us to lunch.
5th December - Santa makes a surprise visit to ThriplowMany club members enjoyed a Christmas themed social evening at David and Pat Easthope's Thriplow home on Saturday night, and after some of us had consumed maybe just a bit too much, guess what - Santa himself appeared! He gave everyone a present, too - except for poor David, who unaccountably disappeared during Santa's visit. Special thanks to the Easthopes, the Social Committee, and the several Rotarian spouses who contributed some amazing food (ace ice cream bombe, David!)
5th December - Decoration of Three Christmas Trees for St George's Nursing HomeA group of six Rotarians erected three large Christmas Trees at St George's Nursing Home, Royston, this morning. We were warmly received by the residents and staff and provided with delicious mince pies and warm mulled wine as we set about putting up and decorating the trees. Once the trees were decorated and lit up it transformed the building with a sense of the impending Christmas festivities. This is the fourth year running that Royston Rotary Club has decorated St Georges's, previously we had decorated the wards of the Royston Hospital until the regrettable closure of the in-patient facilities there.
30th November - Christmas Tree for Richard Cox House
We were warmly welcomed by Richard Cox House this morning when we put up the Christmas Tree in their day care lounge. Four Rotarians assisted in the decorations along with one of the day care visitors. It was a lovely party atmosphere with background carols, mince pies and sherry and we were able to have some time to chat to all those present. A big thank you to all who helped and a special thank you to Bryony for organising.
18th November "Youth Speaks" Event
Following on from the “Youth Speaks” event for children in Year 4 (held on 11th November), we held a further event on 18th November for children in Year’s 5,6,7 & 8. Four schools took part this year: Edwinstree, Roysia, Greneway and, for the first time, St Mary’s RC Primary School. Forty six children from these schools spoke on nineteen subjects – all very interesting and entertaining, and certificates were presented to all participants by our President Mr David Williams OBE. This event was held at Greneway Middle School and we are greatly indebted to Mrs Laura Rawlings (Head Teacher), for allowing us to use her excellent facilities, and to Martin Berry for organising.
To see sample pictures of the event and the list of topics and speakers Click Here 11th November Junior "Youth Speaks" Event |
Everything
must evolve, or it will die. The law applies to nature, but it’s true of
most human activities too. If you were at this year’s Youth Makes Music, you
could see that this excellent annual fixture is also evolving – not
radically, but perceptibly, and for the better. Previous YMMs followed a
well-worn path: School A performed a set, followed by Schools B and C, then
the first schools all performed in concert, and finally there would be a big
set-piece finale featuring all the singers and players. And quite wonderful
it was too. But – structurally at any rate – there was just a hint of
predictability. Like the Last Night of the Proms, you could be pretty sure
how it would go.
There
were many clever touches; the eternal director’s problem of how to cover a
scene change was solved brilliantly as 200-odd performers slowly left the
stage after their first set. They were played out by a deafening
all-percussion ‘Samba’ rendered in stereo by teams up in the side galleries.
‘Ghostbusters’ was played in pitch darkness, with dozens of glow-sticks
dancing in the gloom. The production team had been digging deep in the
creativity bin. 
The
This
was a very well attended event this year with a total of 86 swimmers in 16
teams. They covered an impressive 1,743 length of the pool between
them and in the process raised in excess of £5000, a really excellent
result. We hope to increase this figure significantly once gift aid
has been added. Half of the sponsorship money raised will be returned
to the various participating organisation for their own charities or
projects; the balance will be added to the Rotary Trust Fund account for
charitable purposes.
Following
a delightful meal with partners the regular Tuesday meeting turned into an
auction of promises for the 17 or so "lots" to come under the hammer.
There was predictably brisk bidding for many of the items, ably hyped up by
auctioneer Mike Taylor. 
