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The Breakfast Club Newsletter of Worcester Vigornia
Rotary Club – District 1100 -‐ RIBI
Edition 10 – Winter 2012
Lunch with Lord Digby Jones raises £15k+ for Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign
Lord Digby Jones with Rtns Linda Baylis and Helen Cameron
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Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Good work all round! ........................................................................................................................... 3
Interact Clubs ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Young Citizen Award ............................................................................................................................ 5
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody .................................................................................... 6
Viggy Vole goes to Antwerp ................................................................................................................. 6
Cover Story – Lord Digby Jones Lunch .................................................................................................. 8
The Big Quiz .......................................................................................................................................... 9
District Skittles ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Catering for Breakfast .......................................................................................................................... 9
Where I've been ................................................................................................................................. 10
Guests at Breakfast ............................................................................................................................. 10
Christmas Breakfast ............................................................................................................................ 11
Welcome to New Members ............................................................................................................... 11
Stop press! .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Vigornia Young Writer Finalists .......................................................................................................... 12
Will it ever come true? ....................................................................................................................... 12
My Chance .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Footsteps ............................................................................................................................................ 14
A Visit to Another Club ....................................................................................................................... 15
Rugby helps End Polio Now ................................................................................................................ 16
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Polly
says …
Good work all round! It was great to see so many Rotarians not only from Vigornia, but also from Evesham, Ledbury, Worcester and Worcester Severn join us for President’s Night. It was also a treat to see so many of our friends from Worcester Lions, with other family members, friends and guests including District Governor Elect David, and District Governor Nominee Jan. A president has some very nice duties to perform, and on this night, I asked everyone to raise their glasses to Vigornia’s Service Projects Committee who have risen to the challenge of developing community service this year. All of the Rotarians in the room knew that Vigornia took the lead on Christmas parcels for the first time in 2011 – a huge community project – it was a resounding success; just look at the figures below and you will see what I mean. For Christmas parcels, all five Worcester Rotary Clubs join together to collect non-‐perishable goods to give to people in need in Worcester. Between us, we delivered approximately
6,000 empty bags one weekend and collected nearly 2,000 full of goodies the next. Our sortation centre at the Rugby Club saw a military style operation with full bags emptied and sorted so that: • 10,000 assorted tins of
soup, beans, fish, meat, veg, fruit and puddings
• Some 1,000 packs of biscuits
• Around 1,000 boxes of teabags and the same of mince pies
• Plus 1,000 Christmas puddings
• Joined 2,000 sundries to be re-‐sorted into equal sized Christmas parcels
Rotarians took their allocated bags and delivered them before Christmas. Many people in Worcester who would otherwise not have celebrated Christmas did so because of the contributions of generous Worcester people and the sterling work done by Rotarians. Now here’s something that isn’t widely known as yet; our New Generations committee have had a phenomenal success this year. They have increased the opportunities for youngsters in Worcester to gain recognition for their
skills and talents dramatically. We now have: • A Vigornia young citizen
and nine entries for the national competition
• A young chef who won the district semi-‐final
• Three young writers • Three young
photographers went forward to the district competitions
• The breaking news is that one of our young writers won the district final and is through to the national competition
We have succeeded in bringing Rotary competitions to schools and colleges that have never joined in before. The Rotary Clubs in Worcester have agreed to work together to promote these competitions next year and plans have been made for a Team Technologies Tournament in 2013. With the singing in the choir at The Lawns with Worcester Lions and other projects under way our target of increasing community service this year will be met. The Lord Digby Jones lunch at Sixways, featured on the front of this edition of Vigornia Voice, was another resounding success. The final figure is not yet
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available but, (when everyone’s paid up), the likely anticipated total is close to £20k for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign. Well done to the teams who organised and promoted this event.
Interact Clubs
By Celia Gardner You don’t have to wait until you are an adult to enjoy the benefits of being a Rotarian. Interact Clubs are for 12-‐18 year olds. Within our local area there is already a club functioning at Pershore High School. They are supported by their local Club and Rotarians attend the weekly meetings, offering guidance and support to the young people as they run their own club. In return Pershore Interact Club supports the fundraising activities and social activities of their host Club. Worcester Vigornia has been cultivating a relationship with Chantry School in Martley. This school has young people from the age of 11 to 16 and they are already a force for good within their local
community. In addition, last year they supported our Focus on the Crocus campaign and donated £700 for the End Polio Now project. The Headteacher and a school governor are interested in starting an Interact Club in Martley. Pat Owen (the governor) has visited Pershore and seen the way they organise their meetings and the relationship the school has with the local Rotary Club. We are taking things at a steady pace as Chantry School has many and varied fundraising activities already and we think that the advantages gained from running a formal club, along with fundraising, will add a new dimension to the curriculum. There are also opportunities for the young people to join with other Interact Clubs by attending rallies and camps within the UK and abroad. Once Chantry Interact Club is functioning there will be opportunities for Worcester Vigornia Members to take an active part – being on a rota to visit their meetings or being guest speakers or encouraging them with their entrepreneurial ventures for fundraising. The opportunities are endless.
If you know of any students at Chantry encourage them to support this venture.
Can you see ten faces in this tree?
District Mini-‐Convention: 21 March – Thistle Hotel, Cheltenham – Golden Valley roundabout on A40
District Conference: 21-‐22 April – Bristol City Centre -‐ £20 registration fee – Festival of Rotary 22 April – College Green, Bristol http://www.rotary-‐ribi.org/districts/homepage.php?DistrictNo=1100 for more information
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Young Citizen Award By Barbara Chapman
Centre: Liam Mackin with all nominees for Vigornia Young Citizen 2012
An email “We are hoping you would be interested in organising the Rotary Young Citizen Award for 2012” certainly presented me with new challenges! I admit to being “reluctant” and had it not been for some “arm-‐twisting” by a certain Club President, I am sure my answer would have been “No”! Having said “Yes” I sought more information. I learnt that RIBI Young Citizen Award was a project conceived by RIBI with BBC News 24 in 2007. It is a national award that recognises young people under 25 who have demonstrated their commitment to citizenship through various activities and is for individuals or groups. All nominees get certificates. The 5 national prize winners receive a trophy and £500. Every year this award is presented live on the BBC News Channel from the Annual
RIBI Conference. (For previous winners see www.ribi.org/youth/young-‐citizen-‐awards). Unlike other youth competitions organised by RIBI it is not split into age groups. There was scant information about “criteria” too! On contacting RIBI I was given the advice “if you think they are worthy, nominate them!” Initially, it was one nominee per Rotary Club, but even that changed during the year! The Service Projects Committee agreed we should make a presentation to our local winner. Where was I going to find my “local heroes”? I scoured the local papers, and within a week I had a cutting and a “name”. A press release was issued asking for nominations, unfortunately the article in the local paper was very small and I missed it. Schools, colleges, charities, churches and youth organisations were also approached. Members also circulated the form, and slowly, the nominations started to arrive until by the end of December I had nine. The Service Projects Committee had the unenviable task of reducing 9 to 3 and as a Club you then voted for our “local hero”. The irony is that, the person you selected, Liam
Mackin, was “the name” I had seen in the paper in week one. On 6th February, The Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Dr David Tibbutt, hosted our presentation in the Mayor’s Parlour. The Mayor presented each nominee with a Certificate of Merit before announcing the winner Liam, and presenting him with the cheque and trophy. It’s been challenging at times but so worthwhile when at the presentation I not only had delighted nominees but appreciative relatives who said simply, “it was nice that all the nominees had been recognised for what they were doing.” And one Mum added “I didn’t realise my daughter was special, I thought what she did, helping at home, looking out for her school friends with physical difficulties whilst participating in school activities was what all kids did”. All nine nominations will be now be forwarded to RIBI for consideration for the national award, I’d love one to win. We plan to hold this award annually. Personally, I would love to see it grow from these 9 youngsters to including those in the upper age range, so need nominations. If you hear of
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a potential young citizen candidate, please let me know. In a city the size of Worcester I was stunned that we only received nine, albeit wonderful nominations.
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that
Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done! (Source: Anon, traditional)
The Moral? Communication is often more complicated than it first seems – yet good communication is essential for projects to run smoothly and deliver the benefits desired.
Viggy Vole goes to Antwerp By our International Correspondent Viggy Vole
I like to travel
Greetings from Antwerp, yes, I am still here. I opted to stay with Anke and take the title of International Correspondent for Vigornia. Why did I decide to stay, well read on… Day 1 – we joined the M5 and Auntie Ali said “We’re doomed,” as we sat in a queue of slow moving traffic. The others said “Don’t be silly.” You may have heard on the Travel News that the M6 was a nightmare. The internet advised us of a 20 minute delay. How wrong!! We arrived at Liverpool airport 2 hours late just as the flight was taking off. As Auntie Polly said, “There’s a parking space” there was a strange noise from the car and Uncle Ian said, “The clutch has gone.” Auntie Polly thought he was joking. Reality kicked in when three Vigornians and a Vole pushed the car into a parking space!
Rather than spend a night enjoying the Liverpool nightlife we booked on a flight to Amsterdam. We transferred hotel bookings from Antwerp to Amsterdam. Uncle Ian rang the AA to give them notice that we would need recovering on Sunday night. We told Anke what had happened and enjoyed a needed drink. The hour flight to Amsterdam went OK and we enjoyed another drink at the hotel. Day 2 – we headed back to the station and told Anke our arrival time. We found that the direct high speed train had been cancelled and we had to change at Roosendaal. Auntie Ali laughed. A trip of two hours turned into two and a half. Auntie Polly updated Anke. On the train, Uncle Ian and Auntie Chris started talking. A Dutch man fiercely said “This is a silent coach! NO talking!!” and pointed to the words on the window – Silence and Silente. We were speechless!!! After changing trains, we eventually arrived in Antwerp and met Anke who greeted us with Belgian chocolates. Very tasty!
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The travellers arrive in Antwerp and meet Anke
We booked in at our second hotel then went for a drink.
Auntie Ali enjoys a rare beer (!)
We told Anke all the news about Vigornia and she told us about her new job. Then we had to have a hot waffle with chocolate. Yum! We spent a lovely sunny afternoon on a 2 hour guided tour of Antwerp, learning about the history. It was very interesting and thanks to Anke for arranging it.
Afterwards we went for another drink as you can see in the picture.
Me with Anke and Auntie Chris, Anke kindly gave me a drink
Anke booked us into a restaurant for our evening meal. The meal was fantastic. Afterwards we went to another bar. It was a pleasantly warm evening and a good job too. Five drinks arrived and Auntie Chris, while busy talking, managed to knock two glasses of wine over all of us! We all got wet except Chris. Auntie Ali laughed. Day 3 – The Vigornians met for breakfast and Auntie Chris decided she wanted a boiled egg. She cracked it open only to find it oozing everywhere, uncooked!
She hadn’t noticed the coddling machine. She wasn’t alone, Auntie Ali noticed other residents also falling foul; Auntie Ali just laughed. After breakfast we walked through the city and eventually arrived at Anke’s home. We buzzed Anke and made our way up to the first floor. We knocked on a door, no answer. The neighbour came out from across the landing and told us that door was the fire escape! We continued up to the third floor where Anke was waiting in her lovely, spacious apartment complete with balcony. Anke spoiled us with some wonderful food and hospitality and I decided that I liked it here. Auntie Polly said I could stay and tour Europe with Anke for a while. Yippee – I don’t have to travel home with those four!! We then went for a walk and saw the Red Light district. Uncle Ian was shocked. Auntie Ali just laughed. We visited the MAS a huge structure on the waterside.
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The MAS
Ten floors up it boasts panoramic views across Antwerp. Afterwards Anke took us to The Chocolate Line where we saw chocolate being made. We all bought some. Auntie Chris bought a chocolate letter A for a friend. She said “I must be careful with this”. We said our goodbyes and the Vigornians did some more sight seeing and drinking. Whilst waiting for the bus, Auntie Chris danced on the chocolate letter A! Rustling and crunching was followed by shrieks of “Oh no”, expletives and head shaking from Auntie Polly and laughter from Uncle Ian. Auntie Ali was doubled up laughing. On the way to the airport, Uncle Ian said, “Where’s my camera?” He had left it in the hotel! Phone calls were made and the hotel confirmed the camera safe
and Anke agreed to collect it and sort out its return. The Vigornians boarded. The cabin crew had problems doing the head count. This delayed the taxiing bit. The take off was then further delayed because an earlier plane had flattened a rabbit on the runway! The Vigornians eventually landed at Liverpool. The AA were called, “It will be an hour,” came the reply. A local recovery truck arrived and took half an hour to load the car on the truck. In the cab the driver said, “I’m just going to get you to the other side of the car park barrier and wait for the AA.” The four were speechless. But not for long. Far from happy, Uncle Ian got on the phone and eventually the driver was allowed to take the four as far as Lymm Services. Day 4 – It was well past midnight when the Vigornians left for Worcester on another truck. The four arrived home at 3.45 am. Nearly four hours late! Meanwhile, I was asleep in Antwerp with Anke. Until my next report, farewell. Viggy Vole xx
Cover Story – Lord Digby Jones Lunch Friday 13th may not be the best date for an event, but what a great afternoon; lots of generous people, an interesting and thought-‐provoking talk from Lord Digby, a decent lunch, and a great contribution to the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.
Well done to Linda (pictured here with the raffle team) and the organising team for all their hard work, thanks go to Sixways a great venue, a big thank you to Steve Lloyd for compering the event and to John Gibson for a fun and fundraising auction. Thanks also to Mike Henley who is a past master of photography and adept at making people feel relaxed and look their best in his pics.
Nina Franks with Rtns Howard Nicholls and Hannah Edwards
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The Vigornia raffle ticket team had fun talking to the guests with great results, thank you to all of them with a special mention for Celia Gardner who dealt with the tearing and folding of tickets and the counting of monies. Thanks also to all the Rotarians and friends not mentioned in person here, the list could go on ad infinitum! All contributions were noted and we sincerely thank all involved. A huge THANK YOU to all the guests for coming along and supporting the event. As the cash mounted up we all got more and more excited, as Kathy said, a couple of events like this in a year would be marvellous for Vigornia’s charities. The last I heard around £15,000 has been raised with the probability of this figure growing as the accounts are completed. None of this would have happened without the determination of Deborah Tomkinson, the woman who met Digby Jones on a cruise and talked to him about breast cancer and the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.
The brain behind the event, Deborah Tomkinson with her daughter, Alice
After quite a search for a Rotary club prepared to organise the event at Sixways, Deborah found Vigornia. Vigornians were enthusiastic about the prospect of a lunch with Digby and in just three months the volunteer committee took the idea from concept to reality demonstrating what working together can achieve. This event will make a huge difference to the total raised for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign this year. And all because people know they can trust Rotarians to organise an event. Make a difference? You bet. Well done team.
The Big Quiz
The Big Quiz Night, organised by Ali Chambers,
attracted a room full of eager quizzers. Much fun was had by all. Thank you Ali for organising this fab event.
District Skittles Much fun was had by our skittles team in matches against our District 1100 Rotary competitors. Sadly, despite Bryan Vaughan’s encouragement, we did not get through to the final. Better luck next year Vigornia!
Catering for Breakfast By Judy Owen
Could I just have ..? Could I change my mind ..?
How many full English? How many fresh fruit? How many eggs and bacon? How many scrambled eggs? How many beans on toast? How many teas? How many toast only? How many coffees? What time? How many staff?
Who said catering was easy?
The list is endless and so easy to get wrong. Like any business, profits have to be made and with the very strict health and hygiene laws of our country much of the profits spent keeping up with the legal requirements. One bad mistake and the livelihood is gone. How many other businesses do
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you know that are so critical? The food has to be prepared in a spotless environment according to laws that govern professional kitchens, it has to come out of the kitchen fresh, looking good, smelling good, hot, on time and hopefully in the hands of a smiling, clean and tidy person. All very scary and much more complicated than most of us realise. Next time you call the waiter or waitress over and say “could I just have?” or “could I change my mind?” remember what is likely to be going on behind the scenes and be a little more understanding of the pressures that will be lurking behind the doors of the kitchen.
Where I've been I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognises you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing. It must have been a rainy area because my feet were wet.
Guests at Breakfast
Tim Mason told us all about the District 1100 eClub, great information about ‘make up’ sessions for when a club breakfast is missed. See the eClub’s website: http://1100eclub.wordpress.com/make-‐up-‐information
District Governor Martin Greaves gave an interesting talk about bring up a child with learning difficulties
It is always a pleasure to see District Governor Nominee Jan Harris
Sophie Hunt, seen here with parents Steve and Elizabeth, gave a most engaging talk about her time in Africa
Honorary Member David Bryant asked us to take part in the RIBI video, all agreed and the video was filmed at the End Polio Now Rugby Match
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Christmas Breakfast Organised by Catherine Steele, the Christmas breakfast saw many of our friends and families join us to celebrate.
Friends and families joined us for our Christmas celebrations
Polly gave President’s Christmas Awards to:
Lucy Hodgson for her work on Young Chef
Sue Fitzjohn for the fabulous bulletin sotto voce
Steve Hunt, Stephen Hodgson and Ian Chambers, for organising the Christmas parcels
project
Barbara Chapman for Young Citizen
Special commendations were made to:
Celia Gardner – Foundation
Bryan Vaughan – Sports Officer (quiz / skittles)
Denise Mylechreest – behind the scenes / Brunch
Ali Chambers – keeping records
Lance Turner – Ghost walk
Judy Owens – Measure Charlie
Elizabeth Hunt – EPN recipe book
Kathy Leather – singing and support for events
Catherine Steele – this wonderful breakfast
Lee Gough – Walk on the hills
Charlie Robinson – Organiser and MC at Charter evening
Mike Henley – all photographs
And finally, to:
All Vigornians – for being you
We'll never forget the extraordinary singing from the Vigornia Choir and Jenny Morecroft’s carol
Welcome to New Members
New member Lisa Bartrip -‐ welcome – good to have you with us
Welcome to new Rotarian Grant Simmonds sponsored by Founder Member of Vigornia Lee Gough, seen here with President Polly and President Nominee Linda Baylis in the background
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Stop press! Vigornia young photographer Hannah Dixon of Lyppard Grange Primary School was awarded ‘runner up’ prize in the District Young Photographer competition. Well done Hannah.
Vigornia Young Writer Finalists Kelly-‐Anne Archer, a student at Worcester College of Technology, has won both the Local and the Rotary District RIBI Young Writer Award and is now through to the National final.
Rebecca Kelly, Student Support Services, Worcester College of Technology with student Kelly-‐Anne Archer, who is through to the finals of the RIBI National Young Writer Competition
The competition, organised by RIBI, is open to young writers between the ages of 11 and 17 years and covers two themes – Olympic Spirit or Olympic Dreams – and is part of the prestigious London 2012 Inspire programme, providing opportunities for young people all over the country to be part of the 2012
Olympic Games. The contest is also part of the RIBI New Generations Programme.
The club level competition was organised in Worcester by the Rotary Club of Worcester Vigornia. Her entry was then submitted to the Rotary District where again she came out top.
Kelly-‐Anne’s poem ‘Will It Ever Come True?’ is based on the theme ‘Olympic Dreams’ and is about a young paraplegic who dreams of winning an Olympic race with the help of an artificial limb
She has had her poetry published before, her poem “Pinhole of Light” was based on her late grandmother who was blind save for a pinhole of light.
As an Explorer Scout, Kelly-‐Anne works with the Honeybourne Cubs helping them to get their badges and is currently working towards her Platinum Award and Queen’s Scout Award. She hopes to become a nursery teacher/manager and has a placement at a nursery.
President Polly Robinson of the Rotary Club of Worcester Vigornia said:
“Worcester Vigornia are as thrilled as Kelly-‐Anne that she has made it to the National finals and wish to
thank Rebecca Kelly of Student Support Services at the College for her help in promoting the New Generations Competitions to students."
The three finalists’ entries for the RIBI Young Writer Competition are shown below and in the following pages.
Will it ever come true? By Kelly-‐Anne Archer
(Senior)
Worcester College of Technology
When I was young I noticed I was different,
My parents would say I’m special,
As I grew tall and strong I noticed one thing missing,
But that shouldn’t stop me surely??
People often didn’t accept me; it was a push to fit in,
Until they saw how well I was at my running,
You run but how they would ask?
Then I’d show them my limb and they’d often gasp,
It was a unique fit unlike no other,
Allowing me to pick up speed and be able to last,
To begin with it hurt, it was extreme pain,
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But I’m a fighter meaning no pain is no gain,
I call it the bounce it’s not like the norm, It’s like a stretched spring.
The speeds I reach feel like a dream,
No one ever thought it would happen,
I proved those bullies wrong from the past, and in a race I never finish last,
I feel like I reach the speeds of a cheetah at heart,
The adrenaline kicks in and there’s a gun shot to start,
Thump bounce thump bounce down the track I go,
The crowds screaming, and flashes of colour surrounding,
My heart pounds and the beads of sweat dribble down my face,
I step over the line finally realising I’ve completed the race,
It finally kicks in as I stand tall and proud,
The crowd singing along with me, my national anthem,
I have won, it all worked out!!
…
I wake up in a hot flush a wide smile on my face,
It was all a dream but it proves,
I can finish that race!
My Chance By Izzy Martin – Aged 10 (Junior)
Gt Witley CE Primary School
I’ve always wanted to be an Olympic swimmer; it was my goal since primary. It all started at my very first swimming lesson when I was five. I loved swimming. The soft, smoothness of the water, and gorgeous turquoise blue. I was in love with it. From then on, I dreamed of being an Olympic swimmer. However, I never thought it would come true...
Another day teaching youngsters swimming: but was this what I really wanted? Well, no. Teaching young people remind me of when I was younger, like them. It’s a lovely job, but it’s not for me. “Katie! Come on, stop daydreaming, you’ve got a class to teach!” cried Michelle, my manager. I walked over.
I started teaching. It ended quickly (time flies when you’re having fun!). I waved to Michelle and walked off.
Almost immediately, my phone beeped. I had a text from Luke, my friend. It said:
“Hi Katie, I have a friend that is an Olympic manager and I have arranged it that you are going to the swimming trials on January the 21st 2012. Hope you’re pleased! Luke”.
Motionless, I recalled what he had posted. A place in the trials? Wow.
I had tears in my eyes. Such a kind friend...
After training from 7:30am till 9:30am and 5:00pm till 6:30pm every day I was exhausted: but ready. It was the day of the trials. Terrified, nervous, overwhelmed – is it possible to feel all these different emotions at the same time? The speaker above me cried out “Heat 4, IM’s”. That’s me...
I walked towards the pool. I stepped in. I breathed deeply. “On your marks... get set...GO!” cried the judge.
Ferociously, I started with a massive push. It was all up to me. Only one person was infront of me. I had to come first. Using all my energy I swam with all my might, like an almighty tiger running for his prey. I was there. I came first! Yes! I had made it through to the Olympics! I
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was on cloud nine... the feeling was unexplainable! However, it wasn’t over yet. I still needed to win the Olympics in a few months!
Training for the next few weeks was hard. I pushed myself every minute and even beat a record for fastest front crawl length! By the end of the 1st week I was exhausted! But I still carried on, eager to win. Over one hundred lengths every day...it was tough alright!
I inhaled sharply. What was going to happen? Oh, it’s my turn. As I make my way towards pool, once again, I reminded myself why I’m doing this: for me, my family and my friends. Powerfully, I leapt like a dolphin swiftly into the water and started swimming. I was nearly there. I was in front. Almost... nearly there... I was there! I won! I won the gold medal!
And finally, a second entry in the Junior category, which Worcester club put forward.
Footsteps Name: Rosanna Martin Age: 8
(Junior)
Gt Witley CE Primary School
Hi I’m Natty.
My mum goes for a run every day. When I was 11, I started to go with her. I’m 18 now. My Mum won the 400m run at the Olympics in 1992.
I really want to follow in her footsteps.
Today it’s soaking wet. I might have to miss my run today unless I’m allowed in the gym. I found out that it was free to go, so I went there to run. When it was time to leave my best friend Ellie came to see how I was doing. She’s 17 and her birthday is tomorrow
When I found out she may be getting a horse I was so excited for her. I didn’t know what to say, though something blurted out of my mouth. And I’m not quite sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Anyway here’s what I said “I hate horses.” I’m so afraid that she might not like me anymore.
But she does because I explained it all so she understood. When I got home I found out that I passed my driving test. But I didn’t decide to get a car yet because I can run wherever it is that I want to go. I went up to my room, it’s yellow with loads of posters on the wall. I love writing; it’s my favourite subject. On Wednesday it
was pouring with rain so I went to the gym and ran around for a bit.
It was 2012 and nearly the Olympics. Ellie came along but didn’t tell me, so she was watching me all along. Then she phoned up the people who chose who goes in the Olympic running races and asked if they could come and watch me. So they did. They came along to see me and gave me the chance to run in the Olympic running races. I couldn’t think of anything to say.
I started going for 2 hour runs, it’s so tiring. Every time I came back from a run, I had to have a very long drink. I mean it, a very long drink. I won all of my trials so I went through to the proper Olympic races. I was so scared, my legs started shaking. Believe me or not there’s millions of people there. I couldn’t believe I was about to run on the track of the stadium. I put my foot on the stand behind me, and pushed off as hard as I could. I started running but not as fast as could because I wanted to leave that oomph for the end. Soon I heard the beep for 2 more laps so I sprinted forward. I had to be fast otherwise I would lose. I was in the lead when someone came in front of
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me. I didn`t win. I came second. At least I took part. I’m so happy I did it.
The A team of pancake racers – semi-‐finalists on Shrove Tuesday!
Worcester Young Chef wins District Semi Daniel Foster from Christopher Whitehead Language College won the second stage of the national Rotary competition that took place Thursday 9 February in Monmouth.
The judging is based around the menu choice, the way the young chefs work, the skills shown, the presentation of the table and the look and taste of the dishes. The judges were impressed with the standard of food cooked and the skills used by the entrants.
Head of the food technology department at Christopher Whitehead Language College, Richard Brighton, said ‘Daniel has worked hard and practised his menu; it is a ‘healthy option’ meal, which is part of the judging criteria. It’s great that Worcester Vigornia Rotary has helped
him to progress in this competition’. As the successful Young Chef he goes forward to the next level of the competition, which is held in Stroud in March.
Daniel’s Menu
Starter: Carapaccio of Salmon with a Watercress Salad and Grapefruit Segments Main: Chicken Breast wrapped in Parma Ham and Winter Vegetables Pudding: Eves Pudding with Honey and Citrus Sauce
The winner of the Rotary Young Chef 2011, run in association with Filippo Berio, visited Filippo Berio’s famous olive groves in Italy to gain a full understanding of Mediterranean cooking and the key role olive oil plays within it. Previous winners have gone on to work in world-‐famous restaurants.
Claire Foster, Daniel Foster, Polly Robinson and Chef Richard Brighton
Daniel preps food for the competition
Daniel’s finished menu
A Visit to Another Club By Denise Mylechreest
October 2004
While visiting the Ukraine on a tour to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade and to see the sites of the battles of the Crimean War, a visit to a meeting of the Rotary Club of Yalta proved an interesting interlude.
I was not a Rotarian then but Murray had found through the International Rotary Directory that there was a Club in Yalta and he contacted the Secretary by
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e-‐mail and had received an encouraging reply. However, it was only through a chance sighting of a Rotary pin, worn by a customer in the bar of our hotel, that we found out where the Club met – at the hotel where we were staying! (The directory had given a different venue which could have led to a very wild goose chase.)
Deciding to miss a performance of a Russian Navy Choir – and dinner – we arrived at the meeting place in good time. We found an empty room furnished with a conference table, chairs surrounding it and a neat row of bottles of water on the table. At 6 pm, on the dot, the Rotarians arrived together, about 10 of them – all male.
Clearly unaccustomed to foreign visitors, they were curious about Rotary in Britain and the rest of the world. Any agenda they might have had was abandoned and the meeting became a question and answer session as we were quizzed about projects, programmes, conferences and conventions. This took time as few spoke any English, and Russian (spoken in that part of the Ukraine) was literally a foreign language to us. The only member with a
working knowledge of English was the long-‐suffering Secretary who translated most of the conversation.
The Rotary Club of Yalta was quite new at that time and, like all the Clubs in the former Soviet Union, had been re-‐formed after the changes in Eastern Europe in the 1990s. The President and at least 3 other members were doctors, some retired, a reminder that Yalta had been a place where, in the days of the Tsar, the aristocracy spent the summer and where, in Communist times, trade unionists went to convalesce. Another member was an artist who seemed to us to represent the new Ukraine. He had converted a old building into a gallery over a wine shop and cellar in collaboration with the local wine makers where we spent an afternoon of fellowship viewing the exhibits and sampling the product.
Rugby helps End Polio Now
Honorary Member Murray Mylechreest and our Secretary Denise Mylechreest collect donations for End Polio Now at the Rugby
The Rotary Club of Worcester Vigornia raised an impressive £1600 at Worcester Rugby Club’s game on Friday 24th February.
Warriors donate a Charity Lounge at their games and Worcester Vigornia Rotary shared the event with Colwall Rotary Club. The money was raised from the sale of 120 tickets, a raffle and sales of badges on the evening.
Organiser John Gibson thanked the Warriors on behalf of Vigornia and stated that he hoped that this could become an annual event.
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Pit your wits on the Vigornia GPS Challenge! See you at the Bear & Ragged Staff on Sunday 11 March 11am.
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Don’t forget to book your place for Worcestershire Night with Denise – tickets just £27.50 – Worcester Racecourse – 25 April 2012 19:30 for 20:00 – Black tie
Get ready for the Easter Parade. Dust off your topper or titfer, decorate it and be ready to parade along the High Street. There are four categories, children up to 11, 12-‐17 year olds, adults and even one for dogs – prizes for the winners and great fun for everyone!
Another open mic opportunity for all you creative types! We will be confirming whether free parking is available a little closer to the time. All being well, we’ll see you there for a great night. Why not don your Roman fancy dress for the night? Good food provided. Bring your own drinks.
Spring
Stories
and
Pretty
Powerful
Poetry
and Worcester Vigornia Rotary
LUDI CEREALES A ‘ROUND THE CAMPFIRE’ CELEBRATION OF SPRING
TH URSD AY 1 2 APR IL 2 012 – 18 :30 FO R 19 :00 STAR T For more de ta i l s co n ta c t vve d i t1 @gmai l . co m or 01 905 33 943 3
Join us at Hillcrest for an open mic
evening around the campfire.
Gods must bring
their own milk, honey and wine; mere
mortals get chili and dunking bread for
supper!
Bring your own drinks.
Free parking at Severn House /
Mercia Fine Foods WR2 5TR
£7.50 each Please tell us
you’re coming so food can be prepared and pay on night –
fancy dress encouraged!
Forthcoming Events
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Max Willcock – Year 10
Leah Kainey – Year 9
Some examples of the photos from our Vigornia Young Photographers – both are runners-‐up in the District Young Photographer competition – well done and congratulations to Leah Kainey and Max Willcock from Bishop Perowne CE College.
