Club News July - December 2007

19/12/2007

The annual Christmas Dinner took place on Wednesday 19th December at Royal Ascot Golf Club. About 70 members, partners and guests attended this "Black Tie" event. Music was provided by a Salvation Army band from Staines, who led the Carol Singing after the meal.

12/12/2007

We were entertained at the "Friends" evening this month by Douglas James, who gave a talk on the paranormal, ranging across topics such as things that went bump in the night to the coincidences between the deaths of presidents Lincoln and Kennedy. Anthony Hatch proposed the Vote of Thanks.

10/12/2007

The November INNER WHEEL NEWSLETTER is now available. Click Here to view.

07/12/2007

The very successful Cabaret Evening organised by Beverley at the Cordes Hall raised over £2,000 to be shared between the Day Centre and Thames HospiceCare.

The cabaret was in two parts - "Hooray for Hollywood" presented by students of Novello Theatre, and "A Christmas Choral Medley" given by the Rosie Rainbow Fund. A three course Indian meal was provided at cost by Nanu's of High Street Sunninghill - much appreciated by everyone.

7&8/12/2007

This was the weekend of the annual collection at Waitrose in Sunningdale. Once again the David Jones Band provided seasonal music. The charity this year was the Air Ambulance, and the two days raised £1,500. Many thanks to all those who turned out to do a stint with the tins.

07/12/2007

President Ian, Vice President David and Immediate Past President Geoff went to Charters School to see the rain awning and the laptop computers bought in conjunction with the Children with Special Needs Foundation, using the proceeds from our Golf Day. See Press Release for full details.

07/12/2007

A Challenge has arrived! The ladies of the Inner Wheel have proposed a Skittles Competition on Friday 15th February at the Jack O' Newbury in Binfield.

29/11/2007

The Rotary Clubs of Ascot, Bracknell and Wokingham joined forces to mount the first ever East Berkshire heat in the RIBI National Young Chef competition. The event took place at the Licensed Victuallers' School, and was attended by the Presidents of the three sponsoring clubs. See Press Release for full details and pictures.

14/11/2007

At our "Friends" meeting this month we were delighted to welcome Alan Clare into the Rotary Club of Ascot. Alan was introduced to the Club by Geoff Joyce (who is his sponsor), and had been attending "Friends" meetings since September. During his induction, Alan spoke of the warm welcome he had received, and his enthusiasm to get involved with the workings of Rotary.

Foundation Chair Brian Millis reported that our GSE Team candidate, Oonagh McCarthy, has been accepted by the District 1090 selection process to be a member of the outgoing GSE Team to Romania & the Republic of Moldovia in April/May 2008.

Afterwards, Rotarian Lynn Walters from the Rotary Club of Easthampstead, and former Master of The Worshipful Company of Horners, was our guest speaker. Lynn reminded us of the evolution of the Horners, and their "reinvention" in the mid-20th century with the recognition of plastics as the modern face of horn. We also learned of the role of the guilds in today's City of London. Afterwards Neville Avens proposed the vote of thanks.

08/11/2007

Rotarians joined with their partners in Ascot Inner Wheel for a trip to the Mill at Sonning, organised by the Inner Wheel. We began the evening with a backstage tour conducted by Artistic Director Sally Hughes, then after dinner saw a performance of "A Night in Provence", a comedy set in a holiday villa on the French Riviera, which was enjoyed by all.

08/11/2007

The October INNER WHEEL NEWSLETTER is now available. Click Here to view.

06/11/2007

The Ascot heat of Youth Speaks was held at St George's School. 14 teams from local schools competed, and once again the standards were very high. Alan Keen was MC, and managed the Senior section; Alan Penny managed the Intermediate section.

President Ian presented the winners with their prizes. The event was organised by Mike Leaman assisted by Geoff Joyce. See Press Release for further information.

04/11/2007

President Ian and Chris were invited to the Children with Special Needs Foundation supporters' dinner. During the evening we heard presentations from schools which have been beneficiaries of CWSNF funding for specific projects, as well as having the chance to meet other fund-raisers and fund-raising organisation representatives. Founder Gordon Parris thanked RCA for our contribution via our Golf Day, as did Marcia Twelftree, Head of Charters School.

03/11/2007

Fireworks at the race course, and around 25 Rotarians, partners and friends helped Ascot Round Table to provide a spectacular evening for the local community. RCA helped with ticket presales via schools and shops, ticket selling in Ascot Hight Street, and manning the ticket booths at the Silver Ring and East Entrance to the racecourse. Full report to follow.

31/10/2007

We were delighted to welcome Kate Bradford as our guest speaker for our "5th Wednesday" meeting, which was attended by over 60 members and guests, including partners, Inner Wheel members, widows, visiting Rotarians from RC Heathrow and RC Palo Alto, and members' guests.

Vice President David introduced Kate, who gave an entertaining interactive presentation which took many of us on a nostalgia trip through the 1940's, 50's and 60's, based on her acute observation of the customs and lifestyles of those periods. After testing all our memories with her quiz questions, and a sing-along chorus of "The Runaway Train", we were reminded of the "Good Wife's Guide" purportedly dating from 1955. Many of us thought standards had slipped since those days. After the talk, David Mear proposed the Vote of Thanks. A most enjoyable evening.

27/10/2007

President Ian and Club Service chair John went to the District Membership/Recruitment Workshop in Windsor. District Membership Services Committee chairman David Shaw led the workshop, which was attended by about 30 representatives from local clubs.

23/10/2007

On Tuesday President Ian, Inner Wheel President Hilary, and about 12 more Ascot Rotarians and ladies attended a charity dinner organised by Mogsud Khan of the Rajvoog Restaurant, Sunninghill, and our Assistant District Governor Moya, in aid of the Floods in Bangladesh.

The event was attended by The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Leo Walters and The Mayoress, Mrs Margot Walters, as well as Rotarians from other clubs, and members of the local community. Around £700 was raised.

21/10/2007

This weekend (19-21st October) President Ian with Chris and around 40 Rotarians and Ladies decamped to Wells in Somerset for the annual "President's Weekend".

After Dinner, table 1

On Friday evening we were greeted by President Wendy Lucas and some of her colleagues from the Rotary Club of Wells. On Saturday we enjoyed a guided tour of the Bishop's Palace and gardens, followed by a light lunch. In the evening we were served with a "Somerset Food-Fest" meal, featuring local produce and recipes. Click here for more photographs!

17/10/2007

We were pleased to welcome back Rotarian Dave Smullins of the Rotary Club of Palo Alto, California, as a visitor this week. Dave was a member of RC Ascot whilst on assignment to the UK in the 1980's. After lunch, President Ian presented a Slide Show on "New Zealand - North Island".

10/10/2007

We had a good attendance at our "Friends" meeting this month, which was arranged as a joint meeting with Ascot Round Table and Ascot 41 Club. Our speaker was Peter Caddick-Adams, who gave an excellent informative and entertaining talk on "First and Second World War battlefields of Northern France, Belgium and Holland ".

07/10/2007

President Ian accompanied by Chris and Foundation Chair Brian went to Bisham Abbey on Sunday to "Meet the Scholars". Nine of the Ambassadorial Scholars for 2007-8 were present (out of 10 total in our District) and they each gave a presentation on their expectations of their year in the UK. We hope to invite several of these young people to our own "Meet the Scholars" evening in April next year.

05/10/2007

The September INNER WHEEL NEWSLETTER is now available. Click Here to view.

26/09/2007

International fashion guru and local radio star, District Governor Tony Bacon attended our Business Meeting. Tony reminded the assembled Rotarians of our important goals in terms of membership growth, new clubs, and Rotary Foundation. He spoke of Naomi Campbell's charity fashion show which has raised close to a million pounds for the Rotary Flood Relief fund. Afterwards he presented President Ian with RI President Wilfrid's theme bannerette "Rotary Shares".

23/09/2007

18 Rotarians, partners and friends went on a private escorted visit to the "History on Wheels" museum in Eton Wick. They were met by enthusiastic proprietor Tony Oliver, and were taken on a conducted tour, followed by tea in the NAAFI-style canteen.

12/09/2007

Nine guests and friends joined us to welcome Hugh Gibbons who gave a talk on “Thank-you stories from the Tsunami”. It was for all who attended a riveting and moving talk.

30/08/2007

At the 5th Wednesday meeting to which we always invite partners, Inner Wheel members and the widows of Rotarians, we welcomed Dr Audrey Hogarth as our guest speaker. She gave an entertaining talk entitled "I am not superstitious, but ..."
The meeting began with a short eulogy for our late colleague Maurice Napper, given by Gordon Butcher.
Assistant District Governor Moya Harvey was in attendance.

29/08/2007

The August INNER WHEEL NEWSLETTER is now available. Click Here to view.

25/08/2007

We were very sorry to hear of the death of Rotarian Maurice Napper, who was a member of the Rotary Club of Ascot for over 40 years, until failing health prevented his attending. His cremation takes place on Friday 7th September, with a memorial service at Holy Trinity Church, Sunningdale at 2:30 p.m.

16/08/2007

Our Charity Golf day was once again held at Chobham Golf Club. The headline sum raised was £13,800, a very satisfactory figure. The major beneficiary this year is the Children with Special Needs Foundation. See Press Release for more info.

12/08/2007

"Hidden London" visit, see full article and pics.

11/08/2007

For those that missed the Polo on the 28th July - the rescheduled event on the 8th of August was held in beautiful sunshine. A very pleasant afternoon to enjoy a Pimms or a beer by the side of the arena.

08/08/2007

The July INNER WHEEL NEWSLETTER is now available. Click Here to view.

28/07/2007

Bad news arrived from the management at Coworth Park late on the 26th July - that the ground was too wet for Polo. So, after a site visit, it was decided to reinvent the Polo Day as a Barbeque evening. Over 60 Rotarians, partners and guests assembled in the barn at Coworth Park for a very enjoyable meal, after which the Raffle and Auction raised over £500 for our charity fund. Full marks to Beverley for creating a victory from near-defeat!

25/07/2007

At our business meeting we were pleased to welcome into the Club Rtn. Mark Gregory, transferring from the Rotary Club of Wellington Harbour City in New Zealand. Mark has been a regular guest at RC Ascot on his visits to the UK, and now he and his wife and baby son have moved back to the UK to live in the Ascot area.

The meeting later voted a donation of £500 towards the Rotary National Flood Appeal.

19/07/2007

President Ian attended the District Council meeting in Benson, collecting Rotary Directories and information about Young Chef and Foundation activities.

18/07/2007

We welcomed Rtn. Richard Dedec of the Rotary Club of La Salle, Illinois, and his grandson, Clay, living in Ascot. Richard brought us a club pennant to exchange - fortunately we have one of ours left of the last batch. Alan and Beverly gave us an illustrated talk on their trip round South America earlier this year.

Don't forget, Polo on 28th July, some tickets still available - let friends and relatives know! Call Beverley for tickets.

17/07/2007

Our first Sales Drive into the local community! 6 Rotarians gathered in Fego's at 9:00 for a briefing, followed by the first serious "cold calls" of this long-awaited sales drive. Our visits resulted in collecting parameters of 10 local businesses, together with follow-up notes, before ajourning to the Duke's Head for lunch..

11/07/2007

For the "Friends" evening we welcomed some 14 guests and friends to hear Glen Davis talk on trends in American education. After a few terminology clarifications, Glen elaborated on the operation of US schools and colleges, including the concept that the students perform an annual appraisal on their teaching staff! A lively question and answer session rounded off the evening.

06/07/2007

President Ian went with Chris to the District 1090 Handover Celebration Evening at Sindlesham Masonic Centre. District Governor 2006-7 Jean Charmak handed over the chain of office to District Governor 2007-8 Tony Bacon. Later, entertainment was provided by ventriloquist Donna Marie Walton.

05/07/2007

Tony & Sarah Bacon, Rose & Allan Jagger

Vice President David accompanied by Club Service Chair John and Foundation Chair Brian went to the joint meeting of Burnham & Slough Rotary Clubs to hear RIBI President Allan Jagger talk about RIBI goals for 2007-8

Brian and David, enthralled

04/07/2007

Some of our members looked quite at home in the surroundings!

A change of venue for our weekly meeting - we decamped to the Ascot Day Centre for our Club Assembly, with Assistant District Governor Moya Harvey in attendance. The Committee chairs (or their representatives) presented the programme for 2007-8, and a total of £300 (being the meal fees and the donations for drinks) was presented to the Day Centre. Gordon won the bottle of wine for the best "Scatter" story. Members may see the minutes in the Member Area under "Business Meetings".

03/07/2007

President Ian accompanied by Alan of the C&VS committee attended the SE Berkshire District Scout Council AGM. We were told of the important work being carried out by the scouting movement in our area, and during informal discussions we were updated on the operation of the Earlywood Camp in Sunninghill. Afterwards Dr Simon leather of Silwood Park gave an informative talk on the wildlife of Bracknell Roundabouts.

02/07/2007

The June INNER WHEEL NEWSLETTER is now available. Click Here to view.

Looking for earlier News? We have available on line January to June 2007