Thanks
I want to place on record yours and my thanks to Janet for the exemplary way she governed the District last year and to wish her a well deserved ‘retirement’. She is, of course still involved at National Level being a member of the National Executive and also at District Level as IPDG and a member of the Executive.

Greetings
My sincere thanks to all of you who sent me good wishes on my induction as DG. It was both very encouraging and greatly appreciated.

RIBI Presidential handover
Jasmine and I represented the District at the RIBI Presidential handover in the Bath Civic Hall on July 2nd. It was a glittering and impressive evening (if a little hot) and the chicken was over cooked!!

RIBI Presidential visit
President Mike Webb thoroughly enjoyed his visit to the District on July 18/19 and was very impressed by the variety of projects being undertaken by clubs and the willingness of clubs to forego their normal meeting times to accommodate his visit. Mike was particularly pleased to have the honour of inducting a new member during the visit to Luton Someries and Luton North.

I am very grateful to the clubs and Presidents who hosted us for their generosity, courtesy and the warmth of their welcome. Mike and Alison left us with a highly favourable impression of District 1260. My grateful thanks to you all.

Club visits
I have already visited six clubs – Chesham, Amwell, Luton Someries, Flitwick Vale, Hatfield and St. Albans Priory. The year could have not got off to a better start with Chesham inducting a new member during my visit. What was particularly pleasing was the fact that her family were present to see her inducted. I know of some other clubs who invite family members to the induction ceremony and would commend it to all clubs. It makes the event, which in my view is the most important event in the normal life of a club, a little more special.

Could I please ask those clubs who have not yet fixed a date for my official visit to do so as soon as possible.

Mercy Ships ‘One Step Beyond’
Jasmine wants me to pass on to you her deep gratitude to the clubs who have already sponsored or who are prepared to sponsor her walk in aid of “Mercy Ships”. It takes place on August 14th at Alcester and she fully intends to complete her 10k+ despite having had a back operation.

Membership Numbers
Could all clubs please ensure that subs are paid to the District Treasurer by September so that we have a true record of membership numbers to report to RI and RIBI. We will then have a base line for calculating membership growth. Rather than try to get monthly figures we are asking for numbers every two months. Therefore, when someone from the Membership Services Committee contacts you please have the numbers ready. It ought not to be too difficult.

National Executive
As District Governor I am automatically a member of the General Council (the Parliament of
RIBI) and our first meeting is on August 14/15 at Alcester. I was also elected to the Membership of the National Executive as was Janet and we both attended the meeting on July 27th.

Newsletter
It is the intention of the Communications Committee under the chairmanship of John Rowlands to issue a Governor’s Newsletter each month.

Service above self

Finally, a reminder! It is the District Team‘s core purpose to serve you, the individual clubs, in your efforts to serve your communities and those in the wider world, who need our help.

However, we can only do that if we are asked to help.

Our District Goals (which are dreams with dates attached) are in the District Directory and are there to help clubs find projects if they haven’t already done so.

I look forward to working alongside you in the year ahead and fervently hope that we will all enjoy it!

I am especially looking forward to meeting you at our conference in Cardiff. Your club officers now have the registration forms and details of Hotels. Could you please ensure that all hotel bookings are made on the official form and sent to John Hiscock (Conference Registrar).

~ Meirion

1260 DISTRICT INDUCTION DINNER - JUNE 30th 2005

DISTRICT 1260 OFFICERS FOR 2005 - 2006

District Governor - Meirion Morris Hoddesdon
Immediate Past District Governor - Janet Peirce Luton Someries

District Executive
District Governor Elect - Charles Chaney,
District Governor Nominee - Brian Doggrell
Assistant Governors

Les Lee (Chesham)
Geoffrey Bettridge (Luton Chiltern),
Bernard Pritchard (Chesham),
Richard Jackson (Bass Hemel Hempstead),
Gary Eastman (Winslow)

District Secretary - Debbie Harvey
District Treasurer - Roger Abraham

District Service Team
Conference Chairman - PDG Robert Browning (Ware)
Communications - John Rowlands (Hemel Hempstead)
Community/Vocational - Roger Mewis (Tring & District)
Foundation - Robert Paterson (Buckingham)
International - Cathy Fox (Luton Someries)
Membership Services - Steve Heywood (Buckingham)
Youth Activities - Judy Green (St Albans Priory)

PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS

Aylesbury
Barton Le Clay
Bletchely
Great Missenden
Hoddesdon
Luton Chiltern
Newport Pagnell
Rickmansworth
St Albans

CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS REGISTERED AT RI EVANSTON

“Patches” are awarded to clubs to recognise their accomplishment.

Hertford Shires
Hoddesdon
Leighton Linslade
Leighton Buzzard
Luton

SERVICE AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE ~ Nominating Club

Dennis O’ Sullivan Ware
John Priest Chesham
Brian Noblett Luton

SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARD
Grace Bays – Nominated by Brookmans Park

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE ~ Nominating Club
Dennis Hussey Bushey & Oxhey
Brian Meade Harpenden Village
Michael Hammond Watford
Ted Harvey Rickmansworth

DISTRICT TROPHIES
Winners named at Induction Dinner

DG Trophy:
Bulletin (Print):
Bulletin (Email):
Website:
PRO:
Community:
International:
Membership:
Youth:

Presidents leaving office,
also those just beginning
their year, smile in turn
for the camera.

The DG needs all the help he can get. Before his Induction (left) Meirion adopts a serious expression, (right) with a group of new club Presidents, he’s on his knees.

ROTARIANS MOVING ON

Bernard Pritchard
Tony White
Paul Gardiner
Leslie Robertson

District Foundation Chairman
District Communications Chairman
District Youth Activities Committee (DTT organiser)
RIBI Gujarat Project

KIDS OUT
Once again this year’s event was very successful with some 650 disabled and disadvantaged children attending along with their carers and of course Rotarian drivers.

The number of children booked in this year was again an increase on previous years, this also mirrors what is happening nationally with this function; in excess of 25,000 children were treated to a day out. Kids Out has been running for 16 years and goes from strength to strength. If your club has not previously participated please join us in
next year’s event. -

Alan Tarsey

YOUTH CAMP IN CHESHUNT

In the last week of June and the first in July (thus covering two Rotary years) District 1260 played host to 22 young people from around the world. Candidates from Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Russia, Belarus, Montenegro, Romania and Columbia joined others from more traditional areas:

France, Belgium and Sweden. Thanks to their hosts (and with support from many local Rotary Clubs) they enjoyed a fabulous opportunity to learn a little of our country, our language and our history and culture.

In the second week, they were met by English, Irish, Scots and Welsh when we took exclusive use of a chalet at the flagship YHA hostel at Cheshunt.

The Rotarian minders left them to it as they chatted until the small hours, exploring differences and what they had in common. Teamwork was developed as the young people were put through their paces at climbing, caving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and even dragon boat racing!

At one extreme we arranged visits to the House of Lords, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, whilst at the other extreme we all enjoyed chauffered punting on the Cam and an ear-bursting visit to the West End production of “We Will Rock You”. Having missed the London bombings by just 24 hours, Jews, Moslems and Christians had a quiet moment on Thursday evening to pray to our own God and re-dedicate ourselves to work together for the good of our world.

If you turned down the opportunity to meet the young people at the closing party, more fool you. It was an excellent way for all to say thank you, to each and every person who had played a part in putting a practical touch to the Fourth Object of Rotary.
Quote of the camp, from a French lad of Greek-Cypriot extraction: “I would not have believed it possible to call a Turk a friend - but here we are.

~Ken Scott

VISIT OF RIBI PRESIDENT, MIKE WEBB

His first visits within 1260 by the President of RIBI, have brought Mike Webb to groups of clubs. At Ware, on Monday 18th July, he had breakfast with membersof Hertford, Hertford Shires, Amwell, Hoddesdon and Ware clubs, .

The picture shows him in Hitchin when over 100 Hitchin and Stevenage Rotarians dined at the Sun Hotel.

Seen from left to right in the photo:

Tim Farr (Hitchin), Mike Webb (RIBI President), DG Meirion Morris, Amanda Watkins (Hitchin Tilehouse), Charles Kraina (Stevenage) and the President of Hitchin Priory, Peter Woodward.

Mike Webb emphasized the continuity of local charitable work done by clubs and the work with young people. He announced both of the national projects to be supported by Rotary:

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and The Mercy Ships.

Rotary info is available at www.rotary1260.org

(Thanks to Brian Abrahams for his report and the picture.)

A MOST IMPORTANT INDUCTION

RIBI President Mike Webb at the breakfast hosted by Luton North and Luton Someries,
with other local clubs including Luton Chiltern, Barton le Clay, and Luton, in attendance.

New Luton North Rotarian, Richard Daniells, (Architectural Services) on the right, was inducted by Mike Webb that morning.

(Thanks to Roger Munday for his report and picture)

RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Award

1 - 3 July 2005 at RAF Henlow

Twenty-eight candidates made up four teams of seven, 12 female, 16 male, average age 20¾ years.

During the weekend three candidates left; one, being unwell, will receive a letter stating her
performance for the time spent at Henlow. Two others left of their own accord.

The Royal Air Force provided the usual high quality volunteer officers and NCOs to carry out leadership training, provide and lay out all the equipment. They were available the whole time, Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, and their support is without equal. Rotary and the young people who have the opportunity to attend RYLA owe much to the dedicated RAF personnel, as well as Rotarians who organise the acceptance administration, help plan the programme, provision of food, and man exercises on Friday night. Some stay with the teams throughout the weekend and are on duty for long hours with very little sleep; a big thank you to all those that helped.

The weekend had its highs and lows but those who survived will have learned much, made new friends and personally achieved far more than they expected. They are prepared to speak to their clubs; they learned a great deal about Rotary and Rotarians, revealed not just
from the 500 words they were asked to provide, but also from general conversation and seeing our attitude towards them. Age difference does not seem to matter.

The 500 words which 21 of them wrote were all well presented and, hopefully, some of the information will be remembered. However there were a few that appeared to be based on other perceptions - rather than fact - mostly those who have family connections with Rotary?

2. You could summarise them by saying they are a bunch of nice people who just want to do some good and meet like minded individuals.

3. The Rotary Club is generally a club for older men after they retire. Their membership is generally of a middle class background. It is a male only club but they do sometimes have ladies’ nights, where the men’s wives attend.

4. An important distinction of the Rotary Club is that you have to be invited to become member.

5. At the meetings I have attended they have a time to chat to everyone and catch up on all the gossip.

Here is a comment from a RYLA candidate:
“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to partake in RYLA. It was a great experience that I will remember for a long time.

The weekend was all about team building and leadership. Each member of the team had to
lead the team in various different tasks. I found it very useful and have tried to bring out what I learned into my lifestyle. It was a very enjoyable experience and also very tiring! I met many new people and would recommend RYLA to anyone who gets the chance. I would like to thank the Rotary Club of Hoddesdon for giving me that opportunity.”

~Andrew Waddington

(Brian Doggrell and Les Lee reported.)

CARDIFF CONFERENCE
by Conference Chairman PDG Robert Browning

Contrary to my report to Conference in Eastbourne I now know the 2006 Conference will be in Cardiff from 7th to 9th April next year 2006.

DG Meirion wants you to RELAX WITH ROTARY so RELAXATION is the theme of Conference. Headquarters Hotel will be the Marriott and nearly all the Conference events will be held in St David’s Hall about 250 metres away. There are many other hotels nearby.

Club organisers PLEASE NOTE that all hotel bookings should be made through Cardiff CONFERENCE BUREAU as each booking will enhance the subvention payment being made by Cardiff City Council for us being in Cardiff.

We will return to the normal pattern for our conferences with three plenary sessions, one each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at which all delegates will be welcome.

On Friday, after golf and ten pin bowling, RELAX WITH THE FAMILY OF ROTARY, including contributions from Inner Wheel, Rotaract and Interact.

On Saturday we RELAX WITH VARIETY.

The Plenary Session will be in three parts and will include various presentations by keynote speakers.

The first part will be a fascinating Demonstration of Painting, followed by coffee and a chance to visit ROTARY AT WORK, see and discuss club projects at first hand. Part three ROTARY WITH HUMOUR speakers. Please note there will be no group sessions on Saturday morning and the afternoon will be free.

On Sunday there will be a “Thought for the Day” with some well known hymns for you to give full vent to your musical talent, followed by ROTARY RELAXES WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION and we will then finish the morning, after the final plenary session, with some rousing, well known choruses.

But there is more. On Friday evening there will be ROTARY RELAXES WITH THE BAND, a rousing relaxing musical interlude with The Royal Welsh Regiment Band complete with goat, starting at 8.30pm to enable you all to have a relaxing dinner first.

On Saturday we hope to arrange some relaxing tours of the Millenium Stadium after lunch for you to enjoy if you wish. More details later.

In the evening clubs may have dinner in hotels or restaurants of their choice.

Following this, at 9pm ‘COME AND ABBA RELAXING PARTY’, with all the group’s greatest songs. You can dance, sit and listen or just relax in your own way and by all means dress up in your ABBA gear if you wish. It is an informal party so let your hair down.

So that’s it. I promise not to change the date again. Let us have a good turnout with representatives from all the clubs this time.

Conference is a great District event and, once you have been, you will invariably want to go again.

Come and have a truly relaxing weekend with Rotary, See you there!

Pause for Thought

“If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,

You are more blessed than the million
who won’t survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation,

You are ahead of twenty million people around the world.”

NEWS FROM AMWELL

22nd Annual Great Ware Duck Race - Report from Vernon Benjafield, Rotary Club of Amwell.

Amwell Rotary Club will make about £2,000 from their 22nd Annual Great Ware Duck Race. 2,500 yellow plastic ducks battled out in a thrilling race down the River Lee at Ware Lock on Saturday July 16th, with the winning ducks covering the course in about 20 minutes.

Over the years this event has raised considerable sums for local charities. Amwell Rotary Club thank the people of Ware and the surrounding area once again for all of their support. More photos and details are available on our club website www.amwellrotary.org.uk

Ducks' Away ! !

The famous Human Fruit Machine

NEWS FROM LUTON NORTH

Luton Schools Hat Competition

Awards were made at a Gala Dinner on June 25th for The Luton Schools Hat Competition, a new event for 2005.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Luton North in association with the British Hat Guild and organised with the assistance of Walter Wright and Marie-Louise Millinery, the objective of the competition is to promote awareness of the Luton Hat Industry and to encourage and develop design skills amongst local students.

The photo (left) shows Rebecca Clubb of Barnfield College receiving awards for Best Hat Submission and for Hat Design Artwork in the senior section from the Mayor of Luton, Councillor Haji Abid.

There were separate sections for Primary/Junior and High Schools and awards were made in each section for Hat Submission (1st and 2nd prizes) in Hat Design Artwork, Technical Merit and Best School submission.

Dell Farm Holiday

Luton North club runs a residential holiday week at Dell Farm, near Whipsnade, for boys aged 11-13 who would not otherwise experience a holiday. During the daytime activities and in the evening Rotarians are on site to look after them. This year 17 boys, a record number, did snowboarding, go-karting, had a day at Wicksteed Park, (with Luton Someries Rotarians), and with ATC Berkhamstead Squadron. They also get up at the crack of dawn to help feed and care for the animals on the farm.

Reports and photos from Roger Munday

Information for the next issue of the
DG’s NEWSLETTER (September)
SHOULD BE TO HAND
NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 21st 2005
Please send it to:
Rtn Peter Lardi 13 Oxenden Drive, Hoddesdon
or email to the editor with photo attachments if available