Rotary Club of Gloucester

july 2002

 TEN club members and their spouses visited Rodez for the 20th  anniversary of our link and enjoyed a magnificent example of  international Rotary friendship. For some the visit was a flying one,  for others it was part of a longer holiday but for all the 2002 get  together was one of the best with old friendships renewed and new  ones forged.

May's vintage visit began at the Fontange Golf Club where after a  warm welcome with lots of kissing and a short speech by the Rodez  president we all dispersed to hosts' homes for more kissing - and  drinks.

In the case of Colin Rogers and Tess their hosts Bernard and Nicole  joined forces with Jean Michel and Laurence who were hosting Chris  Peak and Jane for dinner. The party ended -eventually - with Colin  and Tess hitting the hay at 2.30am on Saturday, May 11....which  must have been a welcome relief after they had made a 5am start  the previous day from Stansted.

Evidently a visit to Rodez is not for the faint hearted - particularly  as the Gloucester golf team had an 8am appointment on the course.  Some arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed although others were  still suffering the excesses of the night before.

After a further 30 minutes to work out the rules play began. The end  result was a draw, but Rodez retained the trophy as current  holders. The non golfers and the ladies were taken by coach to visit Albi  Cathedral then on to the picturesque Chateau Trebas, the country  home of Alain and Irene Fabre for lunch.

Ken and Trevor had the doubtful joy of being driven from the golf by  Alain and were delighted to arrive in one piece. Fortunately their  return journey was a more sedate one on the coach with a quick  stopover at Ambialet. Anther round of dinner parties capped a  splendid day.

Sunday saw most of the party back on the coach and into the  wonderful French countryside, the Averon is particularly beautiful in  the Spring. The main visit was the Village La Vinzelle and to the  Gironde Castle after which there was just enough time for a wash  and brush up before the grand finale at 'Les Freres de la Cote,' (The  Pirates' Den).

After yet another excellent meal the speeches started with Ken  using his musical talents to sing his speech in French to a tune from  the Pirates of Penzance.

Alain was then presented with the golf trophy together with some  embellishments courtesy of Trevor Picken. At around midnight the dancing started with a local dance troupe  demonstrating their skills before all joined in. The evening came to  a close at about 1.30am.

On Monday a hectic but all too short a visit came to an end  ...although David Corbett and Linda stayed on for a few extra days  at Alain's chateau (see holiday advert).

Far from getting stale, the link with Rodez looks stronger than ever  and we look forward to their return visit in 2003. As the chips fall,  the  25th anniversary of the link will be in Gloucester, so we should  start  saving now!

In RIBI the Rotary Year 2001/2002 had already shown a net  increase of nearly 900 members - a record year - with 20 new clubs  being formed.

 The proposed Rotary Club of Severn Vale will have its Charter  Dinner  of November 5. District 1100 won the RIBI International Cup for the best  achievements in international service.

RIBI has registered the highest percentage increase in Rotary  Foundation contributions anywhere in the world - up 47% since July 1, 2001.

Many AQUA boxes and Shelter Boxes have been sent to  Afghanistan. The Feed the Children International charity had a  video  showing their use and the charity's executive director complimented Rotary on its magnificent support.

 'I Could Have Danced All Night' was a tune which could well have  been on the lips of nearly all the Rotarians and their partners when  time was called on a highly successful ladies night at The Moat  House Hotel at Brockworth.

Organised jointly by our club and Gloucester North, 139 Rotarians  and guests attended a memorable evening of feasting , fellowship  and fun.

Full marks to all those who helped ensure the evening's success -  particularly Derek Ellson on behalf of North and John Weygang from  our own club.

Perhaps the absence of a similar event from our own annual diary  for a few years only ensured that those who attended were more  than ever determined to enjoy themselves.

And this they did in abundance. Full marks to the hotel for an  excellent meal but top marks to the Shooting Stars dance band that  chose an evening of musical favourites, which had everyone  crowding to the dance floor.

The guests were welcomed both by our own President Ken Watson  and by North's President Richard Powell and Jane Peak, its  president, responded on behalf of Inner Wheel.

Among our guests were former Rotarian Brian Turner and his wife  Margaret who celebrate their Golden Wedding this year whilst  making a return visit to see friends at Gloucester North was former  Rotarian Peter Jackson whose wife Judy organised the lovely floral  decorations.

  * We are grateful to Junior Vice President Clive Kingscote for these  pictures which encapsulate the enjoyment of the evening. This was  Rotary at its best.