Our Earlier Press Releases Click Below
3rd January 2012
At a well attended Rotary Speaker Meeting on Tuesday the 3rd January the members stood in silent reflection to mark the sad passing of the club’s Immediate Past President Richard Arrowsmith.
With President David Gozzard away in South Africa the first meeting of 2012 was chaired by Vice President Peter Hughes.
VP Peter warmly welcomed and introduced the evening’s speaker, Emma Bonnett, to the
members. Emma spoke about her 11 years as a girl guide [in Henllan] and explained
the many opportunities she had experienced, including one during the summer of 2010
when she was chosen from the whole of Wales to participate in an international trip
to Austria, from the 1st to the 1
6th of August representing Girl guiding UK. All
together 12 guides from the UK including Emma, and 3 adult leaders had the opportunity
of taking part in the A
ustrian Jubilee jamboree.
Emma told the club that the selection process consisted of 2 weekends taking part in different activities, the first weekend was for the county, the second was to represent Wales. A third weekend was organised to meet everybody in your group and to organise some of the activities for the trip.
Emma told the Club “When we arrived at Vienna airport, spirits were high, and excitement gripped us all, from there, we joined with Irish and Spanish groups of scouts and all boarded a coach that would take us to the site of The Jubilee Jamboree UrSprung. On the coach journey, we got to see some of the beautiful Austrian countryside. And then, we finally saw the amazingly hand built entrance to the camp site.
“In the evening of the second day the opening ceremony took place. All groups from all over the world gathered around the flag pole, we then walked down to the main stage to join the younger and older scouts and girl guides. Later in the week we took part in a 28klm walk, and on the following Saturday we decided to take part in many activities, and to mix with other scouts and compete against each other. One of my favourite days at camp was when they had every group to perform on stage throughout the day. It had to be something to do with the country you were from, and as a group we decided to sing some Welsh songs such as sosban fach, and the National Anthem. I enjoyed the Irish and the Spanish performance, both very entertaining. It was extremely interesting to get to see all the other acts from different countries performing their national dance or anthem, and it was nice to see that nobody was afraid to get up on stage to perform.”
Emma ended by saying that this experience would remain in her memory her forever.
After her slide-
The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Colin Knowlson – Colin has been a committed leader of the Boy Scouts in Abergele – Colin thanked Emma for her presentation and the members showed their appreciation and grateful thanks in the usual manner – with loud applause.
December 2011
Thanks Rotary Santa
Copy of an e-
I just wanted to say a big thank you to you all. My three year old was absolutely
delighted to see Santa outside her house on Thursday evening and has not stopped
talking about it since. This is the first year she has really shown an interest
in Christmas and it was lovely for us to see her face and her not be frightened of
him -
Our Club News
The International Indian Banquet for WaterAid had 20 members and guests attending and raised £137 including two donations from member that did not attend. The food was excellent and far to plenty full, The International Committee would like to thank all that attended and the “Spice of India” for providing the venue and putting on a fine meal
Club Meeting 6th of December
Press Report
Members of Abergele Rotary Club were treated to a talk given by one of its long standing senor members at the meeting on the 6th of December. Rtn. Ron Wade, who is a great story teller, with a keen sense of humour, was reading extracts from his book, that was recently published, called “The Time Of My Life” The book describes the progress of the Wade family of Abergele, together with descriptions of life in Abergele, and some of the characters that lived there in years gone by. Ron also displayed a number photographs, some of which are reproduced in the book. Any profit Ron makes from the sale of his book will be donated to Abergele Rotary Club, with the sole purpose of doing good in Abergele. The BBC have put some information about the book on its memoirs website, and much to Ron’s surprise he has already had interest from a number of people living in the north of England.
Following the talk a number of members bought the last few copy’s of the first edition and asked Ron to Sign them. Ron is so pleased with the interest in his book that he has ordered a second run which is now being printed.
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November 2011
Opening the Meeting of the Rotary Club of Abergele on the 1st of November, President
Rtn. Dr. David Gozzard, told the members that for the fourth time since July the
club was about to induct a new lady member. He then invited Assistant District Governor
Peter Hughes to introduce and propose Marilyn Fellows, to the Club. Marilyn was then
inducted by David, who welcomed her, as a representative of her profession as a chartered
accountant to the Club, and the world wide fellowship of Rotary Internatio
Later in the evening the speaker was Rtn Paul Bendell, from the Rotary Club of Colwyn Bay. Paul gave a talk about his first visit to a Rotary convention, in May of 2011, in New Orleans, USA. He told the club that there was so much to learn in the workshops, and in the house of friendship, which was filled with stands explaining many of the Rotary projects for water, health, peace and education and the work of the Rotary Foundation.
The convention itself was packed with speakers that were both inspiring and very informative. He told the club that he had experienced a lot of fun and fellowship, meeting many fellow Rotarians from all around the world. He said he never felt alone; every one there was so friendly, and eager to know where he came from. When he told them, they were all keen to know about all about Wales. Following this description of the convention, Paul played an audio video presentation that he had put together, with the sights and sounds of the convention, this presentation used some of the music that had been written by Rotarian performers, about Rotary, most of which were in the country music style and new to our club members, who were interested to hear that the songs had been written over a number of years, and had been on sale on a CD in the USA, raising around $150,000 for Rotary charities.
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In Care Report 13-
The Abergele Rotary Club Annual In-
The first one that took place in September was catering for the residents of our
local care homes and the second event in October was for the members of the Handicapped
and Stroke clubs. Both events were held in the late afternoon at the new venue of
the Canolfan Dewi Sant in Pensarn, a most impressive and innovative new community
and worship centre on South Parade. After being welcomed the guests were entertained
by Him & Him a vocal duo, during which a buffet with tea & coffee was served, following
this a mini-
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4th of October
The speaker meeting of Abergele Rotary Club on the 4th of October was a little different than normal, in that the after dinner speakers were two members of the Club’s International and Foundation Committee. Chairman Chris O’Brien, and Committee secretary Mike Mason, who took the opportunity, of explaining to newer Club Members, and reminding the older members, about how the Rotary Foundation, as the organisations charity, functioned both globally and within the UK, referring to how and District simplified grants system works currently, and how it is going to change in the near future within a system that will be known as “Future Vision”.
Chris, and Mike, went on to encourage the Club to consider if and how it might increase its financial support to the Foundation. They reminded members how the Club had been able to use grants in the past to boost the Club's financial support for both local and international projects, particularly with the assistance given to Ysgol St. Elfod, in the building of a specially adapted garden area for the pupils, and they expressed the hope that the Club will continue to be of assistance in meeting similar needs in the Abergele area in the future.
The proposed changes, in the way applications are made and funds granted, will simplify the way Rotary Humanitarian, Educational Grants will be allocated, placing a much greater responsibility on local Clubs and the District Committees in the allocation of funds. They went on to tell the members that the new Future Vision plans are currently operating successfully under a pilot scheme in 100 Districts around the world, and will be fully implemented in 2013. Although the mission of the Foundation will be virtually unchanged the Rotary Foundation will have a new logo,
“Doing Good In The World”
that seeks to simplify and promote the Rotary ethos to local people. Chris ended
by reminding everyone that the Clubs International Committee are holding a fund-
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September 2011
Progress of the US$200 Million Challenge for Polio Eradication
As of 20 September
2011, Rotarians have raised approximately US$190 million
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On Wednesday 14th September the Club’s “Men’s Charity Open Golf Tournament” took place at Abergele Golf Club the event was supported by 17 teams of 3 players each, and raised £440. Prizes were presented to the first 4 placed teams as follows, First place with 82 pts were : JB Jones, B Evens, and D Jones. Second went to: P Williams, P Davies, and G Davies with 81 pts, Third were: G Jones, P Lloyd, and A Pierce with 80 pts and in fourth place with 78pts was: E Richards, D Richmond, and D Roberts. The Rotary Club would like to thank the Abergele golf club, for providing the facilities, the organising team for all their efforts, together with our thanks to any one that helped on the day and not forgetting the teams for attending and making the Rotary Club’s annual day of golf so enjoyable
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The first in care event took place on the 16th for care homes, the second event this time for local care clubs, will be held on the 6th of October.
District Governor Visits Club On Quiz Night!
On Tuesday the 20th of September, Second Vice President John MacLennan, welcomed
the 1180 Rotary District Governor Rtn. John McDowall, to the club meeting , where
the clubs quiz team were in action in the first round of this year's Rotary District
Quiz. Both teams enjoyed great the fun & fellowship throughout the evening, but despite
Abergele having the home advantage, the Conwy team led from the start, despite a
rally around the midpoint the home team never fully recovered, the final result
was a win for the visiting Conwy team, they will now go on to the next round against
Bangor Rotary Club District Governor John askd the Club members to attend Conference
on the Saturday the 12th of November Contact conference chairman: John A Rowe,
The Rotary Club Pwllheli, E-
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September 6th 2011
At the 6th of September meeting of Abergele Rotary Club President David Gozzard was
pleased to welcome two new members, both ladies, at one of the best attended meetings
of recent years. The first new member to be introduced to the club on the evening
was Valerie Parker, a senior manager in the NHS for over 20 years with a career that
has encompassed Performance Management, Access and Booking, Outpatient Services and
Service Redesign. She is an active member of Abergele Golf Club, has been a volunteer
with the Samaritans, and is also a Magistrate and Vice Chairman of the Magistrates
Executive Committee. Next to be introduced to the club was Vivienne Lomas who has
had careers in both teaching and banking. Following her return to Wales she started
working for herself in Business Management and bookkeeping, whilst helping her husband,
Keith, run his business. She has been involved in voluntary work locally, with Abbeyfield,
the YGC League of Friends and other local charities, she was secretary of Abergele
Horse Show for many years, and she is also a Magistrate. 
Both new members were installed and welcomed to the Abergele Club and Rotary fellowship worldwide By : President David Gozzard
Then following a number of club announcements covering the various club activities in the month ahead. President David introduced the Speaker, Mr. Will Williams, a training officer, based in Holyhead from H M Coastguard Service.
Will, with the help o
f a very well presented power point presentation, explained
some of the early history of the beginnings of the service. In 1998 the Marine Safety
Agency and the Coastguard Agency were joined to become the Maritime and Coastguard
Agency as it is today.
Will, went on to tell members that the Coastguard coordinate maritime search and rescue within the UK Search and Rescue region, which members were surprised to hear extends 900 miles in to the Atlantic Ocean, and covers some 1.25 million square nautical miles of sea and over 10.5 thousand nautical miles of coastline.
Will, went on to describe the 19 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres around the UK that form a network of command and control centres for responding to reports of maritime and coastal distress. And have a variety of resources they can call upon in emergency situations – such as people in distress at sea, or emergencies on the coast or shoreline. This includes a volunteer service, with about 3500 members in 362 teams that are strategically placed around the coast, who can respond to land based emergencies such as cliff and mud rescues or searches for missing people.
Following questions, the vote of thanks was proposed by President David, a keen sailor himself, he thanked both Will, for a very interesting presentation, and the coast guard service in general, for the excellent they do work and help they provide.
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August 2011
The speaker for the first meeting in August was from the National Trust Wales which is a charity and is completely independent of Government. That relies on income from membership fees, donations, legacies, and revenue from its commercial operations in order to protect and open to the public over 350 historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments.
The talk took the form of a power point whistle stop tour of some of the forests,
woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains,
castles, nature reserves, and villages that the trust is responsible for managing
or protecting in Wales. We were told how the Trust is working harder than ever in
these testing economic times to care for these special places so that they are available
for everyone to enjoy forever. He went on to say that, as one of the country’s largest
conservation organisations, the Trust receive many calls to step in and save heritage
and countryside under threat. This may range from the former home of a well-
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The meeting that took place on the 5th of July was a milestone meeting for the Rotary Club of Abergele in two respects. It was the first meeting of the new Rotary year and the first time that a lady was admitted to membership of the Abergele club, President Dr. David Gozzard, whose first duty of his term of office was to welcome Lynne Pritchard in to Rotary. Lynne, who is a partner of the Abergele business Travel Unlimited, is unlikely to be the sole female member of the club for very long, as another lady has already been proposed for membership and her application is currently being considered. President David is very optimistic for the coming year, as the indications are that last year’s membership development is on track to continue with two applications being progressed and a further two people having shown an interest in Rotary. Rtn.David then called upon Rtn. Peter Hughes, who had to announce some sad news to the club, in that Rtn Barry Richards, one of the clubs newest members, had passed away, after a short illness that had affected him about the same time as he joined the club. Rtn. Peter, who had sponsored Barry for membership, will be representing the club at the funeral. Following this announcement the club Secretary Rtn. Kevin Brown, advised the members of the progress made so far in reorganising the club’s In Care Event, which is now being planned for an early evening start in September. The meeting then continued with a short presentation that had been billed as visiting the war graves, but despite the skill of the presenter, rather disappointingly, turned out to be little short of a sales pitch for a coach holidays firm. Thanking the speaker for coming to talk to the club President David politely pointed out that it would have been interesting and far more appropriate for a meeting of this kind, had the talk concentrated on the visit to the war graves, rather than the range of tours the company had on offer. This was taken in the sprit it was intended and the speaker assured him that she would take his comments on board should she ever be asked to speak to any other Rotary club.
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Photo 1) Retiring President Richard Arrowsmith presenting Dr. David Gozzard with the club chain of office
Photo 2 to 4 ) Lynne Pritchard is installed in to membership of the club.
