President's Report, December 2005Meeting-wise it was a case of quality rather than quantity in December. We only met three times as a club, but each was special. The lunchtime meeting on the 7th featured David Mear talking about his ’10 years in the sun’. It was a fascinating tale, told with considerable skill that took us through his early-married life with Hilary and their time together in Africa. Also during this meeting we were pleased to welcome Mike Price as the first new Rotarian of our club this year. The final Friends Evening of 2005 went out on a high with Wing-Commander Bob Whitworth and his RAF colleagues providing a fast moving audio-visual presentation of the development of the air-force from its early days to its modern day state. 74 Rotarians and their guests attended our Christmas Dinner at The Royal Berkshire. The hotel provided an excellent setting and fine food to round the calendar year off. Anthony Hatch was inducted as the second new Rotarian this year – being a brave man in front of so many. I was also very pleased on behalf of the club to recognise the achievements of two of our members by the presentation of Paul Harris Fellowships. These Awards were well earned by Geoff Cook and John Lane. Our honorary member Gordon Parris gave a humorous and informative resume of the origins and growth of Waitrose, with particular reference to Waitrose’s flagship store in Sunningdale from which he has recently retired as manager. Members were particularly pleased to have former Rotarian Alan Keen provide a range of music throughout the evening. December started in a quite different way as along with Nigel & Cynthia Norris, Neville Avens and Peter Short, Margaret and I travelled to Mainz to meet up with Uwe and Gunnel for visits to the Mainz and Frankfurt Christmas Markets. This was mainly an excuse for indulging in the local restaurants to sample their more than excellent wares. Some debate raged over who was the inventor of printing. We Brits claimed that Caxton was the originator but with a great deal of overnight research and a local museum on their side Uwe just won with Gutenburg. On the final day I was pleased to meet with Herbert Klesy, president of The Rotary Club of Ingleheim. Tentative arrangements were made to meet in May. Beverley landed Margaret and myself with judging the window displays in Ascot, South Ascot and Sunninghill. It was from the latter that we found the winner, outside of which I was unceremoniously dumped into one of Chapman’s wheelbarrows to publicise the event being held on New Year’s Day. Great Effort by Rotarians, members of Inner Wheel and Friends The Waitrose collection produced £1,752 net. Our Treasurer has already drawn a cheque to our leading golf charity, 'Children with Special Needs Foundation' for £875. The remaining £877 has topped up our Charity account. This is an excellent result, after two cold days well spent by all! Special thanks to David Jones and his band. On Sunday 18th, the District Governor David Buckland realised his dream at the District Carol Service held in Cookham when 100 candles were lit by each president within the district and other leading district Rotarians. At a very well attended service, a further candle was lit by his granddaughters to signify the start of the second century of Rotary. I can’t believe that half of this year has already passed. May I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year. I look forward to you all joining as many of the various functions and visits that have been planned by Uwe and Beverley as possible. It should be an eventful and interesting next six months.
Alan Penny |