As Andrew treks across the Sahara, Simeon has a break-down

The speaker at our meeting this week was none other than our very own Andrew D regaling us in the tails from his (and Sandra’s) trek across the Sahara in March 2023.

With great aplomb, Andrew described the trials and tribulations, the high points and the low, the sand storms and the sunsets…..along with the ablution arrangements.

It was a most interesting talk and wonderful to hear that the trip raised £46,000 for the Weldmar Hospice.

Whilst were sitting comfortably and being entertained, Simeon was on his way home:

Forward Looking

The gentle rhythm of Rotary was in evidence yesterday at the Bath & West Show Ground – yes it was the District 1200  Assembly.  Stuart Gilbert (the guy with the tie!), our incoming District Governor, highlighted his plans for 2023/2024.  Stuart reminded us that Rotary International’s theme for the coming year is “Create Hope in the World”. That theme is central to District 1200’s goals. In promoting this Stuart said, “no-one can do everything but everyone can do something” – how true!

Important points included:

• Establishing eight new clubs in the next two years.
• All clubs need to consider whether they reflect the communities they serve.
• Enhancing collaboration between District and clubs.

Rotary Foundation is one of the world’s leading charities. It delivers sustainable solutions with lasting impact. It was no surprise to learn that Rotary Foundation is the District Challenge for 2023/2024. Every club in the District is being asked to promote a Rotary Foundation event.

One of the delights of the morning was the involvement of nine Rotarians from Peru  who are visiting our District for a Friendship Exchange. Each gave a short personal presentation which were very well received.

Breakout sessions followed – all proved to be interesting. 

The four Brue Valley attendees felt it was a successful District Assembly – no doubt of that. District 1200 have much to offer its clubs.

Brue Valley make a flying contribution

On 20 May 2023, a warm but blustery Saturday, 10 members of the Club made their way to Bath Racecourse to help at The Children’s Air Ambulance open day.

With the 5,000 tickets for the event sold out we knew it was going to busy and so it was!

We understand the Children’s Air Ambulance were delighted with the event and thankful for our help in car parking, marshalling the queue to look at the aircraft along with manning the “chicken in a loo”(honestly!) and “guess the number of sweets/name of the teddy” stalls.

North Cadbury needed help so Rotary responded……

Saturday morning saw several members of Brue Valley Rotary (including some family members) joining in North Cadbury’s “Clean Up” following the devastation caused by Tuesday’s torrential rainstorm. Flotsam and jetsam in, along and from the River Cam was significant including a substantial garden bench, water barrels and huge quantities of plastic and general litter. Much effort was put into dealing with the removal of vegetation and timber blocking the river. Despite the inevitable banter, good humour and bonhomie there was a very real understanding that many residents and their homes have been deeply affected. Brue Valley Rotary will continue to be available to help North Cadbury; we will also be finding out what assistance can be provided to the Queen Camel and Podimore areas.

RW

Visit to Hinkley Point C

On Thursday 9^th March, 14 of us had an outing to Hinkley Point C, Europe’s largest construction site.  That’s just the first of many impressive statistics that we learned about that day, which just goes to show what you can do with £26 billion!

Having gathered at the park and ride, we were first taken to the visitor centre, where we spent an hour seeing the exhibition and enjoying some refreshments.  The photos seem to show that everyone enjoyed themselves there.

We were then transported to the construction site itself.  At this point, we were all told to put our cameras away, so I don’t have any photos of the actual tour.  I can give you a small flavour of it with a picture of the map we were given, plus a picture of “Big Karl” at work doing a night-time lift of one of the massive reactor containment building sections.  It is done at night for safety reasons and yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s the biggest land crane in the world!

After an hour on site, we were taken back to the park and ride, from where we proceeded to a carvery lunch nearby.  Thanks must go to Andrew Moore for driving the bus.

Waving Proudly

Your correspondent has frequently opined that Brue Valley Rotary has much to be proud of. Whilst the jury might be out on that there’s no denying that Brue Valley Rotary’s coronation celebration flag at the White Hart in Castle Cary does the business, it being one of the very few that wasn’t furled round its pole!