Rotary Club of Gloucester

A TOTAL of around 00 was raised by Rotary Christmas collections around the streets of Gloucester and at the city's supermarkets last month. This year's figure is lower than in recent years but the collections took place over a shorter period and two evening collections had to be abandoned.

On the first of these there were problems with the volume of the Christmas music (there wasn't any) and the projected collection had to be aborted. The second evening had to be axed since it coincided with the club dinner at the University of Gloucester.

Another disappointment this year was that the club wasn't able to provide Father Christmases for the Twigs grotto since the future of the garden centre on the Tewkesbury road was then in doubt.

Last year our efforts there had added a further to our Christmas takings. Nevertheless, President Angela was delighted with this year's proceeds. "With fewer members and a shorter time in which to collect this was a great result. I am grateful for everyone's tremendous efforts."

Having already this year raised the 000 needed as our share of the 000 joint club project with Gloucester North and Severn and with around 00 already earmarked for her chosen charity - The Prince's Trust - it's hardly any wonder that Angela can afford to smile.

An amusing grace penned by the Dean , Nick Bury, and delivered in his absence by David Seed was the starting point for a lovely Christmas lunch. Club members and guests then enjoyed traditional festive fare of turkey and trimmings followed by Christmas pudding washed down by white and red wine and coffee.

The icing on the cake came - thanks to Rotarian and headmaster Peter Lacey - when a talented party of pupils from King's School sang a delightful selection of Christmas songs to set the seal on a smashing occasion

. As always it was nice to welcome back former members including honorary member Bill Murray. Also present was the City Sheriff Harjit Gill, the president of Inner Wheel Jill Payne and President Angela's friend who has graced several Rotary events this year, Sarah Gray.

A BELATED but nevertheless extremely welcome cheque for £4,250 for the Institute of Cancer Relief had been handed over to Peter Nesbitt by Gloucester's Ribston Hall High School.

Peter, who described the school's efforts as 'really super' said that there had been a number of fund raising events by the staff and girls. These had included walks, discos and a Pink day and a Pink stall. Peter handed over the cheque to the institute at its annual carol service which was held at Chelsea Hospital.

Salvation Army's Charity Concert

FROM its stirring introduction to its equally rousing finale the annual Salvation Army Christmas Charity Concert was an immensely enjoyable musical.

It was a night of celebration in more ways than one. As Corps Sergeant Major (and Rotarian) John Smith reminded us in his welcome, the Salvation Army was marking 125 years of work in Gloucester, the Army's bandmaster Cliff Matthews had been 21 years in the job and Angela Seddon was making history as the first lady president of a Gloucester Rotary Club.

It goes without saying that the event, as usual, was a wonderful way to fund raise and we are exceedingly grateful to Major and Lorna Doust and members of the corps for once again allotting the proceeds of this annual concert to our Rotary president's chosen charity.

This year it was the Prince's Trust which benefited by more than £650 as a result of a collection which followed a masterly presentation by Angela who is also the Trust's regional fundraiser.

As for the concert it was the usual delightful mixture of items by the Salvation Army's talented band and songsters, congregation participation and solo items. On this occasion it was two soloists who captivated the audience with their artistry and musical dexterity.

The first was Tom Elliott a 15 year-old Archway schoolboy and Salvationist from Stroud who delighted with his mature rendering of two yuletide classics Winter Wonderland and White Christmas. Tom was accompanied by the head of music at Archway School Peter Sims.

The second soloist was the experienced and popular Sue Black who needed no introduction to regulars at the citadel nor to any who patronise local musical concerts.

Accompanied by Rose Lewis, Sue introduced and underlined the range and power of her lovely voice with four topical songs.

Both soloists enjoyed long and well deserved applause - but tributes also need to be paid to the tremendous talents of the Army's band who filled the citadel with wonderful Advent music and to the contributions of the Songsters under the direction of Philip Webb who, once again, delighted with their wonderful harmonies.

ONCE again the venue for this year's Christmas dinner was the Gloucester suite of the University of Gloucester off Swindon Road in Cheltenham.

And as in previous years, there was a near capacity attendance of Rotarians, partners and guests for one of the most popular events in the Rotary calendar.
Full marks to Tony Tetley not only for organising the event but also for e mailing and phoning Rotarians to get their chosen menus.

The meal itself, as in previous years, was very well presented and served...a tribute to the university's catering department.

Thanks to Corps Sergeant Major (and Rotarian) John Smith ......and of course Majors Paul and Lorna Doust ..... we were again fortunate to have a section of the Salvation Army band to accompany our Christmas carol finale. Here again John Smith proved an excellent MC.

President Angela expressed our sincere thanks to all concerned and wished everyone a very Happy Christmas.

THEIR smiles say it all . Club member - and cricketer - Robert Hall has evidently bowled a maiden over while his wife Heather, a British Airways cabin crew member has obviously gone for a high flier!

The newly weds were captured on camera at the club's Christmas dinner after a courtship which started in Cape Town when both were visiting from the UK.

Heather's parents, John and May Campbell are from Marlow. and accompanied the couple to the dinner held at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham.
Heather is on BA short haul flights - which means four and a half hours flying time from Heathrow and includes all of Europe.

One destination was Nice and it was here that Heather and Robert were engaged in a romantic restaurant set in the Mediteranean and accessed by a bridge.

And it was here too that Robert decided that the next time it was possible for the two of them to fly to South Africa they would be married there.

It was then that the vagaries of fate took over. They were destined to fly to Brazil on holiday..... but arrangements didn't fit in ...... and Heather and Robert were re-scheduled to South Africe....and to a wedding.

The couple are now living in the delightful village of Brimpsfield

Anyone for Rooster Booster?

A LIMITED edition print of the highly successful grey "Rooster Booster" donated by owner Terry Warner and signed by owner, trainer, jockey and artist is one of the top lots at a Rotary auction in January.

The print of Terry's horse, which won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2003 by a massive 11 lengths, will be one of several sporting pledges at a dinner and auction of promises being organised by oour daughter club Gloucester North at Hartpury College on Friday, January 14.

Gloucester North Club President Peter Jackson, is delighted with the quality of lots that have been donated and expects that the evening will raise at least 00. The event is in support of their Rotary International Centenary Year Project. Peter has a strong personal and professional interest in the Centenary Project, which will pay for the construction and fitting out of a family room at the Gloucester Royal Hospital Children's department.

As the clinical director of pathology at the hospital he knows how vital such a facility will be to anxious parents and carers.

This major project is being financed jointly by the three city based Rotary Clubs, Gloucester North, Gloucester and Gloucester Severn.

Gloucester North Club member and Auctioneer, Richard Powell, set out to give the auction a sporting theme.

Other sporting pledges on offer include tickets for Gloucestershire home cricket matches - and a bat signed by the C&G Trophy winning team, opportunities for golf, shooting and some rather special fishing as well as tickets for top class Rugby and Soccer games - many with full hospitality - an England Rugby shirt signed by Phil Vickery and a Middlesbrough shirt signed by the current squad!

It is not all sport, though. There will be fine wines, spirits and malts and some special dining opportunities. For even greater relaxation there will be a chance to bid for a break at a couple of holiday cottages including one located in a beautiful coastal position between Newquay and Padstow.

To prove there really is something for everyone, Richard will also be offering antiques, paintings, theatre tickets, "hair makeovers", advanced PC training - and a car! This promises to be a great evening in a very good cause.

Full details of the event can be obtained by calling Richard Powell on (01452) 428720 (day) or (01452) 730630 (evenings). Catalogues and tickets are available now for 50 per person including the dinner.