Chatterbox 0612 - Rotary Club of Belper

the limit of our success. We were crushed by Wirksworth in the second round. The
Club’s team in the bowls competition failed to repeat its success of last year. In the
District quiz, the team achieved honour without the pain of getting through to the
next round by coming joint sixth.
The Club’s fundraising efforts were, as usual, concentrated round Christmas.
Santa’s sleigh in Duffield and Belper and collections on King Street and at Morrisons
raised most of the money but was helped by the Tree of Light and three concerts
which the Club helped to organise. I very much enjoyed the concert given by
Cantata in October. It was however disappointingly supported and perhaps illustrates
the difficulty of a small club going it alone on a major venture. The Christmas
concert at St Peter’s church with the Dalesmen, Derwent Brass and the Pottery
School choir seems to be becoming an annual event with increased attendance year
on year. The Club needs to help build on this.
Once again the Club has been very active in its support for the community both
local and international. We have met our obligations to Foundation and the End
Polio campaign as well as supporting Mary’s Meals, Aquabox and contributing to
the Disasters Emergency Committee’s East Africa Appeal. At home, the Club has
given grants to a wide variety of local organisations. But, perhaps more importantly,
we are being seen to be involved in the community. Cycle proficiency training is
much appreciated by schools and parents, mock interviews help prepare young
people for the world of work, stroke awareness helps save lives and members
acting as stewards at local events help raise the Club’s profile.
This year the Club had a stall at the Duffield carnival. It generated some interest
in Rotary but probably more in the game of golf. Membership has remained static
through the year but the Club has agreed a new category of Friends of the Rotary
Club of Belper and Duffield to enable interested people to be a part of the Club for
a limited period without committing to full membership. A leaflet has been produced
to give wider publicity. I wish the initiative well.
Sadly, we have lost some good friends of the Club. Past Presidents Peter Pym,
Derrick Smith and Eric Naylor and Eric’s wife Margaret have all died over the past
year. They will be missed but we take comfort from their long lives and dedicated
service.
In conclusion, may I give a very big thank you to all the members of the Club for
the support and friendship which you have shown me over the past year. I have
deliberately not named names in this inadequate reflection on my year as President
because, to a greater or lesser extent, I would have to name you all. Without your
help I couldn’t have survived the year, let alone enjoyed it. Finally, my best wishes
to Graham for a happy and successful year as President and to David for a happy
and successful year as District Governor. With the Club behind them I am sure they
will achieve it.
4