Rotary Club of Gloucester

june 2002

A champagne reception, three course dinner, a high profile speaker  in ex- tennis pro David Lloyd and an excellent comedian in Dr  Cockerill were the ingredients for a highly successful international  evening at St Andrew's Centre at Churchdown.

Peter Cosgrif's team excelled themselves both in their and also in a  significant boost to club funds - a result which was all the more  remarkable since the committee had priced the tickets modestly  with a view to a break even result.

It began with cocktails during which David Lloyd, a hearthrob of the  tennis circuit in the 60s and 70s , move genially among the guests  and seemed to enjoy the evening as much as anyone in the room.

After an excellent meal by Three Counties Caterers and plenty of  inexpensive wine sourced by Peter Nesbitt, the speaker regaled  members and guests with just a few of his tennis anecdotes and  concluded with a short video of he and his brother John winner a  vital Davis Cup encounter. In those days his hair was long, his  shorts very short and his shirt looked three sizes too small. Even so  the video kindled a pride in English tennis among the buffs present.

At the end David generously donated two tickets for the Wimbledon  Men's Final which were auction by the M.C. for the evening, Peter  Nesbitt.

Bidding was brisk with old school chums Linda Lloyd (nee Nesbitt)  and Tania Tweed (nee Rogers) taking the price over the £1,000  mark. Malachy McReynolds then took up the running but was pipped  at the post by John Hutchinson (guest of Paul and Rose Woodman)  with a successful bid of £1,600 as a present for his wife Carol.

The room was buzzing when Dr Cockerill turned up from evening  surgery. This dead pan comedian was extremely funny and proved  the old adage that laughter is still the best medicine. The whole evening was a huge success and in total the international  committee raised £2,600.17p ....congratulations to one and all.

A GREAT time was had by all at the annual Easter party for  Gloucester's senior citizens on April 21 at King's School. Under the capable supervision of Jeremy Keck and his team of  helpers more than 100 elderly guests enjoyed musical  entertainment from accordionist David Baker before tucking into as  veritable feast provided as always by the ladies of Inner Wheel.

Three talented sixth form pupils from King's School -Claire Reeves,  Kate Reeves and Rose Hughes - who performed to the  accompaniment of their musical director Dr Ian Fox also entertained  our guests.

After tea the club's own star turn Mike Westbury took charge of the  proceedings and managed to whip the audience into a frenzy with  his quick repartee and his well practised ability as a Bingo caller.

Mike gave away prizes to almost everyone and then he and  President Ken Watson sang a duet before Rotarian drivers returned  all our smiling guests to their homes.

Special thanks must go to Rotarian Andy Wilson (Rotary Severn)  who seemed to bring and take home dozens in a bus; to Martin  Greaves of Fretherne Nurseries at Saul for the lovely plants given to  each guest and also to Age Concern Gloucestershire for their  generous donation of £450 towards the cost of the party.

All new Rotarians like to make a good impression and new boy on  the block Malachy McReynolds was no exception. In his zeal to  collect and deliver guests from Bohanam House in Barnwood Road  he collected one to many. He discovered his mistake when he got to  the party found that his guest was still sporting slippers and  muttering "I shouldn't be here." He immediately returned her and  was thanked by a member of staff who mistakenly thought Malachy  was a loving relative who had taken the old dear out for a drive!

For the information of members the following is an extract from the  legal document which set up the club's Trust Fund for Young People.  It explains what the objectives of the fund are and to whom they  apply.

"The Trustees shall hold the Trust Fund and its income upon trust to  apply them for the following objects in the City and County of  Gloucester to help young people between the ages of 12 and 22  years especially but not exclusively through leisure time acitvities  so as to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that  they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of  society particularly in cases where bereavement, sickness of family  disturbances leave the in need of assistance if they are to continue  their studies." ....Now you know!

ONCE again the club has been making a difference by giving money  away to two worthy local ventures.

Brian, a manufacturing consultant and member of the Cleeve Vale  Rotary Club is heading up an appeal for a second mobile classroom  which will tour county schools informing pupils of the danger of  drugs.The first mobile classroom has proved such an outstanding  success that there is now a waiting list for it to visit schools - hence  the need for a second unit.

In total £80,000 is needed (£68,000 for the classroom and £12,000  towards start up costs). Of this we're told by the appeal's treasurer  - our own Nigel Halls - that to date £60,000 has been received or  pledged.

Sue had come to the club to receive a cheque for £1,000 which will  go towards the refurbishment of the home's King's Wing.In a letter  of thanks to Peter, Lee who also works at the home as a nurse said  the contribution had been 'most generous.' She also extended an invitation to show members the improvement the cheque had  helped to provide should the club like to visit.

This delightful lass is Gemma Crow from the Princes Youth Trust and  who joined us for lunch recently and also to receive a cheque for  £100 for the Trust......a cause close to the heart of junior vice  president elect Angela who is their fund raiser for the south west.

The Trust's vital work in engaging disaffected young people and  helping their career aspirations is to be applauded and the money  will undoubtedly be used to good effect.

At the same meeting we were also delighted to give a cheque to a  representative of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (a report  and picture on this will appear in our July edition of In Gear).