The Bishop of Buckingham, Rt Rev Alan Wilson, gave an insight on his job, his priorities and the thought process involved in decision making. His organisation, he said, like Rotary, transcends geographical boundaries and cultures to serve humanity. He is actively involved in education, and helps build network and bridges between establishments both here and abroad. On the US, he said that one needs to choose a person with extraordinary qualities - not just an ordinary person. Click here for Bishop Alan's blog.[20 Oct 2008].

Dr Jo Brodie did the main presentation and the three doctors dealt with the Questions & Answers session.

In the pictures:
Above (L to R): Dr Rebecca Mallard-Smith, Dr Sian Roberts and Dr Jo Brodie.
Below (L to R): President John Skrimshire, Rtn Peter Booth, Dr Rebecca Mallard-Smith, Dr Sian Roberts, Dr Jo Brodie and Rtn David Brodie of Jordans & Dist Rotary Club. Rtn David is also a Professor of medicine and father of Dr Jo Brodie. [29 Sep 2008]

A surprise visit: A delegation from Rotary Shoe Box Scheme visited Great Missenden Rotary to thank the members and particularly George Rivas for their consistent effort over the years. Great Missenden is one of the top five organisations in the country, in terms of number of boxes collected (around 2,000 annually) via the generous contribution from the schools and the community in the area around the club. Four of the five members of the delegation had travelled from the North West of England. They explained how the shoe boxes are eventually delivered to the deserving people in Eastern Europe.

Click here for details of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.

In the picture, clockwise from the top left: 
1. Peter Clare (right), Chairman of the Trustees, presents a citation to President of Great Missenden Rotary, John Skrimshire.
2. Rotarian George Rivas addresses the Club members and guests.
3. President John Skrimshire (left) presents the citation to Rotarian George Rivas (centre) as he is the master mind and motivator behind the Club's efforts. Peter Clare (right), Chairman of the Trustees.
4. The delegation from Shoe Box: L to R - Lewis Wilson, Colin Kidby, George Rivas, Roy Deem, Peter Clare and Leon McLeod.     [22 Sep 2008]

Dr Jo Brodie did the main presentation and the three doctors dealt with the Questions & Answers session.

In the pictures:
Above (L to R): Dr Rebecca Mallard-Smith, Dr Sian Roberts and Dr Jo Brodie.
Below (L to R): President John Skrimshire, Rtn Peter Booth, Dr Rebecca Mallard-Smith, Dr Sian Roberts, Dr Jo Brodie and Rtn David Brodie of Jordans & Dist Rotary Club. Rtn David is also a Professor of medicine and father of Dr Jo Brodie. [29 Sep 2008]

A surprise visit: A delegation from Rotary Shoe Box Scheme visited Great Missenden Rotary to thank the members and particularly George Rivas for their consistent effort over the years. Great Missenden is one of the top five organisations in the country, in terms of number of boxes collected (around 2,000 annually) via the generous contribution from the schools and the community in the area around the club. Four of the five members of the delegation had travelled from the North West of England. They explained how the shoe boxes are eventually delivered to the deserving people in Eastern Europe.

Click here for details of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.

In the picture, clockwise from the top left: 
1. Peter Clare (right), Chairman of the Trustees, presents a citation to President of Great Missenden Rotary, John Skrimshire.
2. Rotarian George Rivas addresses the Club members and guests.
3. President John Skrimshire (left) presents the citation to Rotarian George Rivas (centre) as he is the master mind and motivator behind the Club's efforts. Peter Clare (right), Chairman of the Trustees.
4. The delegation from Shoe Box: L to R - Lewis Wilson, Colin Kidby, George Rivas, Roy Deem, Peter Clare and Leon McLeod.     [22 Sep 2008]

Jonathan Tweed of Pepper Foundation outlined their role in caring for children and supporting their families in the local area.  Through partnership with Ian Rennie Hospice at Home, they pay for five paediatric nurses, a family support services manager and Children's support facilitator.  They have a budget of around £350,000 and rely largely on public and corporate support.

Great Missenden Rotary Club intends to support them this year - particularly as the RI President's wish this year is to make an impact on organisations concerned with child mortality. Click here for details of the Pepper Foundation. [15 Sep 2008]

One of those rare moments - when the Sergeant-at-Arms Rotarian Steve Gill (right) is coughing up a fine to the Treasurer, Alan Maizels! Apparently Steve wants to avoid a long protracted 'legal' wrangle with the his senior mentor, Peter Booth, on a trivial issue. [15 Sep 2008]

District Governor Les Lee (left) was accompanied by his fellow Chesham Rotary Club member David Walker when the DG visited Great Missenden Rotary Club. DG Les Lee received a very warm welcome as he is well known to several of our Club Members over a number of years. He praised the work of the club secretary and treasurer in the smooth running of the club.

He said that we shouldn't get disappointed if we don't raise enough funds - in view of the credit crunch and the economic situation.  He urged the members to continue to do what we are good at, make dreams real, help towards elimination of Polio, involve in projects that can reduce child mortality and let the District officers know if any of the Club members wish to progress up the Rotary tree so that they can be included in the District Leadership Plan and succession planning.

Rotarian David Walker gave a quick account of his experience in the Three Peaks Challenge that he accomplished with two of the Great Missenden Club members and a member from the MS Centre in Halton. See story below or Click here for the story  [8 Sep 2008]

Congratulations to the three Rotarians - two from Great Missenden Rotary Club and one from Chesham Rotary Club - for successfully completing the Three Peaks Challenge within 24 hours ... and along with one other person in the team, they raised over £3,200 for the international charity, Sight Savers International. Click here for a story filed by Paul McDowell of how they formed the team, their background, training and the actual climb. Many thanks to all who sponsored them.

In the picture are L to R: David Walker [Chesham Rotary Club], Paul McDowell and Gavin Plews [Great Missenden Rotary Club], and David Barnard [MS Centre in Halton]. [25 Aug 2008]

As a part of the summer break, members spent one evening playing Par 3 Golf at Chiltern Hospital. In the first two pictures L to R: Ann Faircloth and Noriko Dyett. Final picture, Tiger Faircloth, defying gravity. Photos by Steve Gill. [18 Aug 2008]

Honorary Rotarian Margaret Larder led a walk for the Club members around Penn ... the beginning was rather brisk ... and it sorted out the men from the boys. The latter didn't object as they could rest longer in the bar. The others enjoyed the varying countryside on a wonderful summer evening. [21 July 2008]

Weather conditions were ideal for members of Rotary Club of Great Missenden to enjoy their annual Boules Competition in the grounds of Missenden Abbey. Ed Whymark snatched the 'John Pierce-Jones Trophy' from George Tyler ... and the runner up was Brian Barnett. [The trophy is in memory of former Rotarian of the Club, John Pierce-Jones]. Betty Gill (Steve's mum, in the green trousers in the picture) made a guest appearance. Alan Jones organised the event. [14 July 2008].

Some of the Rotary Club of Great Missenden members, their wives and friends took part in the annual Larder Trophy Golf Competition at Weston Turville Golf Club. A few more joined in for the dinner. The trophy is in memory of former Rotarian of the Club, John Larder. His wife Margaret Larder gave away the prizes. In the photograph of the winners are (L to R): Peter Rodwell, Margaret Larder, John Loarridge, Noriko Dyett and Paul McDowell. The event was organised by Ed Whymark and it raised over £300 for Rotary supported Charities. [10 July 2008] 

Squadron Leader A Garrets (Retd.) gave a first hand account of his experience in the Berlin Air Lift. It was an extraordinary achievement, and he concluded by saying that he played his part in winning the first battle of the Cold War. [7 July 2008]