RC Ascot International Committee Report 2006/2007

The International Committee is happy to report that we have achieved all our objectives for the Rotary year 2006/2007. I should like to thank everyone for the great support - Uwe Weiler.

1. Visit to Mainz – 7^th – 9^th July 2006

The visit gave the opportunity to get to know the city and to meet with members of RC Ingelheim in Ingelheim at Weingut Wasem. It was a great opportunity to get to know each other.

2. Visit to Basel – 25^th – 28^th February 2007

This incorporated a visit to the Basel Fastnacht (which was organised by

Peter Short) and which gave the group the opportunity to experience this very special event which is not very well known in the UK.

3. Visit to Reims

The visit to Reims took place from 18^th-20^th May 2007. 13 people participated. There was a guided tour of the Cathedral and a visit to the Ruinart champagne cellars, the oldest in Reims.

4. Visit to Ascot by RC Ingelheim – 4^th – 6^th May 2007

A group of 13 visitors from Ingelheim came to Ascot and visited the race course, Windsor Castle, Eton College, Hampton Court and golfers had the chance to play at Swinley Forest Golf Club. The dinner at Mill Ride Golf Club with more than 50 participanmts was a great chance to exchange ideas and to get to know each other better.

5. Visit of RC St Nazaire and RC Gulpen-Vaals to RC Ascot

7 people from St. Nazaire and 7 people from Gulpen-Vaals visited Ascot from 1^st-3^rd June. The visit was organised by Ann and Geoff Cook. The visit included a tour of Ascot race course, Windsor Castle and Eton College. The French visitors went to London on Sunday and the Dutch visitors joined the international foundation garden party.

6. Lecture Evenings

Three lecture evenings have been held at Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd. One on Stroke, presenter Professor Gary Ford (5^th October 2006), one on COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) presenter Dr Richard Russell

(31^st January 2007) and the other on Parkinsons’ Disease, presenter Dr Jerry Playfer (15^th May 2007). These evenings raised £2,280 and this was donated to the Stroke Association, the British Lung Foundation and the Parkinsons’ Disease Society respectively.

The tax recovery from these meetings was £587.34.

7. Aqua and shelter boxes

We have bought 2 aqua boxes (£1,000) and 2 shelter boxes (£980).

8. Sponsoring of students

We sponsored a student in Nepal (£250 + £20 bank fees).

9. Donations to Rotary International

On 24^th April 2007, employees of Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd gave 200 shoe boxes to Rotary International to support medical aid.

10. Personal Changes

As Johnny Lane will move to France, the International Committee has decided that Geoff Donovan will be the contact for the Dutch Club and that

Geoff Cook will be the contact for the French Club. David Mear has offered his support in keeping contacts with the Clubs. The International Committee are very happy with their future commitment.

Uwe Weiler

20^th June 2007