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Ware Wheel
November 2014
Ware Rotary Club’s Monthly Bulletin
Ware Rotary Club meets at
Wodson Park, Ware, Herts.
(01920 487091) every Wednesday
at 12.45pm
(except where a fifth Wednesday
occurs in the month when
the meeting is at 7.30pm)
The Rotary International Theme 2014/2015
If you would like more information
about Ware Rotary Club please
contact the Club Secretary whose
details are on the inside of this
cover or visit our website at
www.warerotary.co.uk
WARE ROTARY
Year 2014/2015
President Roger Green
138 High Street, Watton at Stone, Herts. SG14 3RZ.
Home 01920 464309
Joint Hon.Secs.
Roy Lester, 94 Kingsway, Ware, SG12 0QJ
Nick Evans, 4 Warren Way, Digswell, AL6 0DH
Roy Home 01920 464235
Hon.Treasurer Robert Boulton
28 Postwood Green, Hertford Heath, Herts. SG13 7QJ
Home 01992 537855 Business 01992 446316
Club Council
Alan Thomas
John Seager
Barrie Hozier
John Love
Denise Newman
Nigel Collins
Committee Chairmen
Communications – Alan Thomas
Membership – Stuart Storey
Foundation – Robert Browning
Social – Jeff Kenyon
Youth – Barrie Hozier
International – Roy Lester
Community & Vocational – Julian Bishopp
Editor Alan Thomas
15 Rolleston Close Ware, Herts. SG12 0BZ
B 01920 469211
E-MAIL [email protected]
Ware Wheel
Year 70 ‘Volume 442’
Ware Rotary Club’s Monthly Bulletin
From the Editor Alan Thomas
Firstly my thanks to Adam for Editing and
producing last month’s edition.
As a Club we may be low on numbers at the moment but when it
comes to ‘Events’ this really does bring out the best in our members.
By the time you read this, another Ware Fireworks will have taken
place in collaboration with the other Ware Clubs and the Ware Club
members will have played a full part in the organisation of the whole
thing, preparation, participation and picking litter (see what I did?).
Also items are pouring in for what I know will be a very well
supported Dickensian Evening. When we do things we are good at it
so let us do as much as we can.
Alan
PLEASE NOTE
The next edition of the Ware Wheel will be the Christmas
Edition, which will be distributed on 17th December.
Copy please to ALAN THOMAS by 10th December.
[email protected]
PLEASE SEND YOUR COPY BY E-MAIL IF POSSIBLE.
Remember one page is approximately 275 words and should be on A4
paper with Font Sizes 14 to 20 in ‘Word’ Format and pictures ideally as
JPEG’s.
2
Roger’s Rambling’s
Before I “Ramble” in this month's Wheel I
would like to thank Adam for editing our
October edition. I must admit to reading
The Wheel from back to front and only
glanced at the front where I wrongly
assumed that the photograph was that of a
young Alan! After that my very efficient
“secretary” promptly filed it away into the
box marked “Rotary”.
When Alan T first entitled my page as “Roger's Ramblings” I felt
that they should be humorous or profound. However I find it difficult
to think of anything and am only glad that I did not “take up the
cloth” as I would have found it impossible to produce a different
sermon each week. I can but try to find something to say.
As I am writing this I am spending half term just outside Hastings
with Christine, together with our son Jonathan and his family, Emer
and grandsons Aodhan and Cormac. We are staying in a very
pleasant lodge about four miles inland from Hastings and the reason
that I mention this is that as is usual these days all the beds have
duvets. Now, I'm not against duvets but why are even the so called
Summer varieties so thick? Unless we are sharing a double duvet I
invariably find myself, in the early hours, removing the duvet from its
cover and spending the rest of the night with that alone to keep me
warm. If you ever visit the Royal Yacht in Leith you will be advised,
as you pass a certain cabin, that “You will notice that the Queen does
not do duvets.” Good on her!
Yours, in Rotary,
Roger
3
OCTOBER EVENING MEETING
Our first evening meeting at Wodson Park and weren’t we well
served. A meal of excellent roast lamb with vegetables and
those fantastic roasties, followed by the autumn fruit crumble
and custard, who could ask for more? (well Robert Boulton I
suppose).
About 40 Rotarians and guests
were then splendidly entertained
by eight of President Roger’s
male voice choir called the
‘Octones’, and very good they
were too.
All in all an excellent evening of fellowship.
Alan T
On Wednesday 4th November Ahmed, guest of Dilip,
talked to the club about his practice as a Physiotherapist
in Hoe Lane, Ware. He took over the practice from Mrs
Maureen Everett about five years ago and has now
developed it to include massage, reflexology, Pilates,
psychology, exercise, podiatry and classes to improve
walking and running techniques.. In face he described it
as a “Wellness” clinic involving any approach to
regaining or maintaining fitness. The vote of thanks was
given by Robert Browning.
John Love won the Swindle (out of five coins left) – again !!
4
From - President, Rotary International
GARY C.K. HUANG
President 2014-15
November 2014
Four months into this year of working to Light Up
Rotary, I am more excited about Rotary than ever
before. I've been to 22 countries, visited dozens of
cities, and met thousands of Rotarians. I've seen
amazing projects and been inspired over and over
again by the terrific work Rotarians do all over the
world. And I've been privileged to be part of all kinds
of Rotary events, from club meetings to Rotary
institutes, from Rotary Days to Foundation dinners.
Every event is memorable. I feel especially honored when I am invited to share in
club celebrations. To me, taking part in a Rotary club celebration as Rotary
International president is like being invited to a family event as an honored guest.
Indeed, Rotary is the biggest family in the world. You could say that Rotary is built
of service: Each project is another brick in the big building that is Rotary. If our
service forms the bricks, then there is no question that friendship is the mortar that
holds those bricks together. I see this every day, but nowhere more clearly than at
some of the most special Rotary club events: their centennial celebrations.
Being president of Rotary International in its 110th year, I've been lucky to take part
in a number of these. It is natural, when visiting long-serving clubs, to want to know
what their secret is – because I have always noticed that the longest-serving clubs are
also some of the most productive. They are large, they are active, and they do great
work. Not only that, but they have a great time doing it.
Of course, that is their secret: In Rotary, strong friendships and great service go hand
in hand. When we enjoy our work, we want to do it. We want to work harder, and we
want to work better. We look forward to Rotary meetings. Even when our lives are
busy, we make Rotary a priority – because we want to see our friends, and we want to
serve.
That is why Rotary is still here, after more than 109 years. In Chinese, we say:
如果人生没有朋友，就等于没有太阳.
A life without a friend is a life without sun.
Our Rotary friendships give light to our lives, and it is Rotary friendship – as well as
service – that lets us Light Up Rotary.
5
Geoff Vigus--- A Rotarian Through and Through.
Some people come into our lives, who make a lasting impact, and Geoff Vigus
has been one of those! I was very fortunate to stay with Geoff and Thelma in
1977at Westmill Farm as Rotary Youth Exchange student from Down Under
New Zealand. Straight away, I was made to feel very welcome and was treated
very much like one of the family. I was also fortunate to be hosted by two other
Rotary families that year ,Guy and Jenny Horlock and the late John and Jenny
Royce, all of whom I am very grateful for allowing me to become part of their
families and share many happy times.
Geoff had many endearing qualities and took to heart all that Rotary stood for,
so that all he did re-enforced the Rotary Way. He often talked about the FourWay Test as being pivotal in his thinking and good deeds. He was always very
fair, considering all points of view before make the right decision. I do
remember enormous discussions being held each morning before the work day
began, with Johnny or whoever needed to be consulted outside his office. And-when the decision was made there was no turning back because it was right, of
good sense to all concerned and no time needed to be wasted!
It is the third of these four virtues that I believe Geoff shone at, the most, and he
did exceedingly well, with his Dear wife, Thelma. In welcoming people into their
home at Westmill, they certainly exceeded the boundaries of --- Will it build
goodwill and better friendships? ---Yes, the gardens at Westmill held many a
garden party, the barn was always ablaze with fund- raising parties for charities
and Thelma’s typewriter went clickety clack for any correspondence that was
duly required.
If during our time on this planet we encourage goodwill amongst others then we
leave a good mark. For Geoff that has also meant going beyond England's fine
shores. When I mentioned to my daughter that Geoff had passed away she said,”
Mum, Mr. Vigus always had a big smile and was kind to me." Geoff and
Thelma often came out to New Zealand and made many friends along the way,
too.
And so today, my Best Wishes go to all his family, and you gathered here to
remember Geoffrey Vigus as an outstanding and compelling man, who loved
and served people in all walks of life, with integrity and reverence in the most
compelling way that one should.
Fondest Love
Linda Fraser (nee Mayne).
6
7
Our future energy supplies
A rather depleted lunchtime meeting on 24th September heard Dr Bob Thurlby,
our own District Environmental Officer and currently president of Hitchin
Mimram Club, discuss the subject or our future energy sources. His power point
presentation for fracking provided an introduction to the subject and the myths
and miss – information surrounding this and other current energy sources open
to us were touched upon.
The technical process involved in extracting gas and oil from shale rocks deep in
the earth’s crust were clearly depicted and the map of the UK showing the
potential areas for fracking highlighted how extensive these areas were. Progress
in developing the exploitation of this energy in the UK has been slow, partly due
to the vociferous environmental lobby and their claims of earthquakes recorded
in the initial fracking operation in Lancashire, but lesson had been learned from
this.
The stories of flames and gas from kitchen water taps in the USA were proved
to be faults in the domestic plumbing system. Yes the initial sites used for
setting up the installations will not be pretty but will be considerably reduced
once the operations are under way. After all oil and gas is already being
extracted in the Purbeck area of Dorset and alongside the M25 near Dorking. .
Moving on to other sources of energy Dr Thurlby was rather disparaging about
the economic value of wind turbines and amount of time they were unproductive
either because of lack of wind or too much wind.
Solar power in our climatic zone was also questionable as a reliable source of
energy and is, like wind power, highly subsidised by the present government.
There was much more scope for hydro power in the UK. The use of Archimedes
screws to harness water power is only now being recognised. Local schemes such
as a village in Yorkshire being provided with most of its power from its streams
or the power supplied to Windsor Castle from the River Thames could have
considerable potential if there was the will to develop it. We only have to look at
the proposed Hertford Castle hydro scheme to witness the lack of progress. The
use of tidal and wave technology is being studied in the UK but progress seem
slow.
A thoroughly interesting talk full of common sense and without even a mention
of global warming or climate change
John Love
8
OTHER ROTARY EVENTS
PUT THEM IN YOUR DIARY!!!!
2014
05
21
2015
20
20 –
22
10
25
16
21
DEC Dickensian Evening
DEC Santa Collection – Watton-at-Stone
FEB RIBI Assembly
MAR District Conference – ST. Albans
APR
APR
MAY
JUN
RIBI Conference – Belfast
Lend-a-hand Day
Blood Pressure Awareness Day
Strawberry Tea
RIBI Conference - Belfast 10 – 12 April 2015
Join our Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland President Peter King
in Belfast, April 10th – 12th 2015, for a fantastic Rotary Conference full of fun,
fellowship and inspirational speakers.
The conference is a great way to meet new people from across the isles, as well as
hear from supported projects and gain a better understanding of this incredible
organisation. With amazing guest speakers and fabulous evening entertainment,
there is plenty for everyone.
The award-winning Belfast Waterfront is the venue of choice. Firmly established
as one of the world’s leading conference centres, the Belfast Waterfront is
located around 5 minutes’ walk from the city centre and is within easy reach of
many accommodation options and restaurants, although with the fantastic
dinner and entertainment functions on offer during the Conference you will not
have to look far. Belfast Waterfront is an ideal location with excellent facilities
which will provide comfort for Rotary Conference attendees and will deliver a
perfect home for the House of Friendship.
There will be a delightful mixture of functions and entertainment to suit
everyone. Discover the Titanic story as never before at the newly developed
Titanic Belfast exhibition, enjoy a free tour of the majestic Belfast City Hall and
explore all that Belfast has to offer by turning your Conference weekend into an
extended city break.
9
Club Meetings and Members Duties
Date
Club Meetings
Host/Grace/VOT
5 NOV
Dilip Shukla
Robert Browning
12 NOV
Business meeting
Frank Vincent
19 NOV
Roy Lester
David Willis
26 NOV
Reg Harman – Railways in New England Teddy Bedford
3 DEC
Scott Findlay
Julian Bishopp
10 DEC
Business meeting
Robert Boulton
17 DEC
Christmas Meal
Social
07 JAN
Joe Peters
Nigel Collins
14 JAN
Business meeting
Scott Findlay
21 JAN
Mike Tucker
Debbie Hodge
28 JAN
Julian Bishopp
Guy Horlock
2014
Host, Grace and Vote of Thanks
Please remember! It is YOUR responsibility to find a replacement if you
are unable to fulfil your commitment.
IF IT IS YOUR TURN TO CARRY OUT THIS DUTY
You should additionally write a short article on the speaker and subject for
the ‘Wheel’.
Please carry out your duty promptly and efficiently.
Thank you.
10
Dickensian Evening Friday 5th December
ROTARY CLUB OF WARE
Grand Tombola
*Prizes Wanted*
Bottles, Jars, Vouchers,
Toys and Games, Toiletries,
Un-wanted gifts,
Craft items, etc. etc.
Items to Alan Thomas asap.
Thanks.
11
Mark Prisk, honorary member and local MP, prompted us to consider our future
lives. 100 years is now regularly achievable and the growth in numbers of the 65
years plus age group is now three times that of the remainder (who will finance their
pensions?). The old model of 45 years work, followed by 10 years retirement is now
well out of date.
There is a vital need to plan for health care and
save more for pensions when working. A
backlog of housing shortage needs addressing
and consideration given to its suitability for the
elderly. Location should be near the centre of
towns, not at the edge, as at present, so they
can become an integral part of the community.
The type of health care (preferably in the
home) should be considered too.
Food for thought here, both at the local and national level.
Alan Mills
NEWS FROM INNER WHEEL
Dear Friends in Rotary,
Eight of us attended the District 26 Rally in Milton Keynes. Both the service and
the lunch took place in the impressive “Christ the Cornerstone” Church in the
centre of the town. (Very convenient for a little retail therapy!) Our Association
President, Thelma Pacsoo, made sure that she spoke to every member there. It
was a very friendly occasion.
At our last dinner meeting we were entertained by Ian Torrance, who brought
along a collection of “bygone” items for us to identify. We managed to work out
what most of them were, though a couple were not familiar. Some suggestions
caused much hilarity!
The choir continues to prepare for the District choir competition. Pauline, our
new conductor, says that we are improving!!
Future events include the District Committee meeting in Dunstable on the 19th
November and our Bridge Tea at the Priory on November 21st.
Our District Chairman, Jill Russell, will be attending our next Dinner meeting.
Jill Hall
October 31st 2014
12
13
Well, it amused me:I'm reading “Lake Wobegon Days” by Garrison Keillor , a delightful book that
I first heard some time ago being read on the B.B.C. Recently, whilst browsing
in a second hand bookshop I happened to find a copy and the following is a little
extract that amused me. Two young boys are discussing the accidental deaths of
two friends in the past and God's part in their accidents;“It was an accident, God didn’t make it happen, God doesn't go around
murdering people,” Jim said. I explained that, maybe so, but God knows
everything that will happen, He has known every single thing since time began,
and everything that happens is part of God's plan.
“Does He know that I'm about to hit you?” Jim said.
“Everything.”
“What if I change my mind at the last minute and didn't?”
“He knows everything.”
Jim believed that God sort of generally watched over the world but didn't try
to oversee every single detail. He said that for example, when you're born you
could be born American or Chinese or Russian or African, depending. In
heaven are millions of souls lined up waiting to be born, and when it's your turn,
you go down a chute like a gumball to whoever put the money in the slot.
You were born to your parents because, right at the moment when they Did It,
you were the next in line. Two seconds later and you could have been a feeb. Or
a Communist. “It's just pure luck we're American,” he said.
Roger G.
Vice President Julian receiving his ribbon of
office from President Roger
14
District 1260 is the Distant Host District for Amelia Christine CHARLES , a Rotary
Peace Fellow, from the USA, who is studying at the Bradford Peace Centre.
Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Holyoke,
Massachusetts, D7890
Language proficiency: English, French, Arabic,
Spanish
Academic background: BA in Interdisciplinary
Studies
She writes - After graduating university I spent 4 months traveling through West
Africa learning traditional dance from Ghana, Mali, and Guinea. I then accepted an
English teaching position in Sudan, where I taught literature and drama at a public
Islamic university in Khartoum. I had intended to leave Sudan after my contract
ended, but instead remained in Khartoum to support the establishment of a public
library and Sudanese cultural center. Shortly thereafter I accepted a position as
financial development manager in a Sudanese human development organization
working in human rights, youth and governance, and cultural development. I have
been living between Khartoum, Sudan and our regional office in Kampala, Uganda
for five years, and have had the pleasure of traveling to many other countries in the
region.
Most recently I have also provided direct technical and management assistance for
projects such as "Addressing Sexual Violence in Darfur with Transitional Justice,"
"Defending Human Rights Defenders in Sudan with a Special Emphasis on Women,"
and "Building Capacity for Conflict Mitigation in Sudan."
After completing this course at Bradford, I intend to pursue a career working in
conflict and post-conflict settings in the Middle East and Africa, in the sectors of
governance, human rights, and community development. Thematically, identity and
religion are important factors in representation and access to rights and resources in
these regions, and I am interested in the impact of political Islam in post-conflict
development.
I met her at the Bradford Peace Conference in October, she is a sparky intelligent
young lady, and we hope she will be able to attend District Conference next March.
Debbie Hodge
15
Fifth Wednesday Meeting.
I returned to Rotary after six week absents, mainly taking a holiday
with part of our family who have lived in California for 14 years, to
attend the fifth Wednesday meeting accompanied by Anne and two
non-Rotarian guests, Sue and Mike Redman, whom we have known
for very many years.
It was a very good evening, well attended with good food and
entertainment from the “Oct-Tones”, a male harmony group that
included President Roger.
I was delighted to be presented with my President’s Elect gong and
greatly appreciate the support of the Club.
Whilst in California I was able to attend a lunchtime meeting and
present our banner to the Rotary Club of Lafayette, a small town east
of San Francisco on the inside of San Francisco Bay. The Club is
traditional Rotary founded in 1946, now with about 50 members and
meets at lunchtime. I was made very welcome and returned with their
banner that I presented to President Roger.
Zone Meeting.
I attended a Zone Meeting of our local clubs on the 30th. October that
was well attended. I will report in detail when I have the minutes of
the meeting.
Julian
16
17
PRESIDENTS OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF WARE
T.G.Leech
A.H.Andrew
W.A.L.Jackson
P.G.Davenport
L.G.Southall
T.H.Burgess
S.E.Hornsby
P.M.Davies
H.O.Smith
D.Garland
F.O.Clark
E.K.Samways
R.C.Richardson
R.H.Saunders
G.W.Horlock
G.Vigus
F.J.Brown
F.G.Willis
D.G.Davies
R.Charvill
R.J.Browning
J.A.G.Royce
D.G.Davies
B.E.Isaac
E.Uttridge
M.J.Tucker
G.W.Horlock
A.K Thomas
S.Findlay
D.Kemp
J.Bishopp
Nick Evans
Denise Newman
Jenny Versey
Sue Meischke
1945/6/7
1947/48
1949/50
1951/52
1953/54
1955/56
1957/58
1959/60
1961/62
1963/64
1965/66
1967/68
1969/70
1971/72
1973/74
1975/76
1977/78
1979/80
1981/82
1983/84
1985/86
1987/88
1989/90
1991/92
1993/94
1995/96
1997/98
1999/2000
2001/02
2003/04
2005/06
2007/08
2009/10
2011/12
2013/14
J.W.Colville
J.W.Davis
E.O.Bird
R.F.Burgess
R.T.Jennings
C.E.K.J.Toms
F.H.L.Warren
J.W.Chapman
A.H.Wells
G.W.Smeed
J.E.Moore
R.W.Jenkins
D.W.Lee
H.S.Timmons
C.A.Castlo
G.M.Phillipson
B.C.Lee
K.W.Andrew
A.T.Johnson
G.V.Hale
L.F.Gazeley
A.R.Swan
P.D.R.Adams
G.J.Walker
J.Glendinning
F.Vincent
P.R.Heydon
N.D. Collins
Claude Scott
R. Lester
Debbie Hodge
A.Mills
B.Hozier
E.F.Bedford
1947/48
1948/49
1950/5
1952/53
1954/55
1956/57
1958/59
1960/61
1962/63
1964/65
1966/67
1968/69
1970/71
1972/73
1974/75
1976/77
1978/79
1980/81
1982/83
1984/85
1986/87
1988/89
1990/91
1992/93
1994/95
1996/97
1998/99
2000/01
2002/03
2004/05
2006/07
2008/09
2010/11
2012/13
Current President – Roger Green
PAST DISTRICT GOVERNORS
F.J.Brown
Debbie Hodge
1982/83
2012/13
R.J.Browning
1991/92
Rotary’s Four Way Test
Of the things we say or do
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better relationships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The Object of Rotary is ….
To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of
worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and
foster : The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for
service,
High ethical standards in business and the professions, the
recognition of the worthiness of all occupations and the
dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity
to serve society,
The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s
personal, business and community life,
And the advancement of international understanding,
goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business
and professional persons united in the ideal of service.