Local MP Cheryl Gillan hosted a Dinner in the Terrace Dining Room at the Houses of Parliament for members and guests of Great Missenden Rotary Club. It was a memorable experience. The MP outlined her role and took questions. The evening was organised by Rotarian Richard Waterfield. [15 June 2009]

Ten boys from Prestwood Lodge School along with three staff members - Sangita, Vanessa Dixon and Philip Paslow - visited Whipsnade Zoo. It was a part of the national annual Rotary 'Kids Out' day programme. Three members from Great Missenden Rotary - Peter Westby, Guru Guruswamy and Mike Rainford - accompanied them. After the visit, Sangita wrote back to the club: "Thanks for a lovely day out yesterday. The boys really enjoyed it and they have spoken to other students who have come up to me already today to ask if they could come next time....". [10 June 2009]

Note: Rotary Kids Out day is the largest single day out for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. Over 28,000 children from all over the country take part – thanks to over 750 Rotary Clubs throughout Great Britain and Ireland who work with local schools and special groups to make this happen!

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Gill Williams Of Thames Valley Police impressed the club members with her achievements in building a £50k home for about 60 children orphaned by the Tsunami in Thailand.  She became committed to their cause while she was in Thailand as a part of her specialist 'search and recovery' and identification work. There were over 4,000 bodies. Gill is a former colleague of our club Rotarian Martin Bolton. Her next plan is to build bungalows for the volunteers, with a target of £30k. Click here for more information on her charity, Hands Across the Water. [18 May 2009]

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Five members of Great Missenden Rotary attended the Dist 1260 Assembly on Sat 16 May 2009. In her address, the incoming DG, Sandy Aked-Walker emphasised the new Rotary Theme for 2009/10 - 'The future of Rotary is is in your hands'. We should promote Rotary in such a way that others would want to join us to enjoy the fun and fellowship. The 'future' is youth, and this would raise awareness amongst parents and teachers who could be potential Rotarians.

The 'future' is environment. She believes in the power of one. She urged Rotarians to change at least one bulb each to save energy.

All the 29 incoming DG's of RIBI have agreed to mark 23 Feb 2010 as 'Rotary Day' nationally to raise media and public awareness. Each club could work with two schools to publicise Polio Plus, and possibly raise £1m. [The founder members of Great Missenden Rotary may recall our plans to promote such an idea over twenty years ago - as Rotary The World Over Day!] 

More information was gathered in separate break-out sessions for each of the committees. These will help the chairmen of the club committees in planning for a successful 2009/10 Rotary year. [16 May 2009] 

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Rev Fr Ken Payne revisited Great Missenden Rotary Club to give an illustrated talk about the work of MoPSA - Missionaries of the Poor Supporters Association. Based in five countries [Jamaica, Haiti, Uganda, India and Philippines], they help the poor and destitute in a practical way. Highly committed people work for them. [11 May 2009]

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Members of Great Missenden Rotary deeply regret the death of John Knight on Good Friday, 10 Apr  2009. We share the sorrow and grief with his family and friends.  Although John has been a member of the club for a relatively short time, since Feb 2007, he has left an indelible impression on the Club. He was actively involved in several activities. The pictorial summary above captures some of these and his jolly and cheerful nature. 

Clockwise, from top right: 1. John Knight when he joined Rotary 2. John hosted Sebastian, a Group Study Exchange [GSE] member from Argentina in his farm for a week. 3. John at Missenden Abbey, ready to play Boules. 4. John hosted a Rotary Hog Roast/Barn Dance at his Road Farm. 5. John punting in Cambridge with the GSE team. 6. John in his elements - with his skills in driving a tractor, he made the Rotary Xmas float season look effortless. 7. Centre: John with the President of RIBI (Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland) Ian Thomson when he visited Chesham Rotary. [Apr 2009]

There were 22 club members/spouses from Great Missenden Rotary at the District 1260 Conference in Eastbourne, 27-29 March 2009. Two of the Club members - Alan Maizels and Guru Guruswamy were on the organising committee.

For a fuller report on the conference and more photos as published on the District website, please click here. [30 Mar 2009]

Rotarian Alan Maizels explained the intricacies and the joy and pleasure he gets from one of his passions - English Waterways. He and his wife Sandra Maizels enjoy the canal boat experience for nearly eight weeks in a year. Photos, clockwise from top left: 1. Stratford canal, Sandra at helm. 2. Ashby - empty canal for inspection, repair and maintenance. 3. Four Counties - Anderton lift.  4. Oxford - lift bridge. [23 Mar 2009]

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Rev Fred Ireland (right) explained about his approach to dealing with young offenders at Aylesbury Prison, and how it has helped reduce reoffending rates. He runs group sessions for six months, with nine in each group. The inmates are challenged about their offences with role plays, victim empathy etc.  Rotarian George Rivas (left) works with him as a volunteer. [16 Mar 09]

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Our Rotary District 1260 GSE team shared their experience of their exchange with S Korea. They had gained a great deal of knowledge and experience relating to their specific vocations (midwidery and journalism) as well as general life and culture. L to R: Paula Jenkins, Callum Jones and Rotarian Amanda Watkin. Amanda was the Team Leader, and she is the District Governor Nominee. [9 Mar 2009]

The 'Vamp til ready Group' entertained a packed audience of Great Missenden Rotary club members and their guests at Drake Hall in Amersham. Elaborate, but tasteful choreography, colourful costumes, and witty and sparkling repartee guaranteed a sophisticated evening of fun, enjoyment and laughter... as promised. Fish and Chips supper was provided. Thanks to the general public who supported the event. We raised nearly £1,400 towards Rotary's objective of ending Polio Plus around the world. [7 Mar 2009]

Rotarian John Knight gave a talk about 50 years of farming at Road Farm in Great Missenden. It virtually covered the history of farming in the area, and the development of his farm, methods and machinery. It was peppered with many interesting anecdotes from his personal life. [23 Feb 2009]