Club Welcomes New Member

At the Club meeting on 10th September 2009 the Club welcomed new member Carol Orriss, Carol had visited our stand at the Castle Point Show in June and after several visits to the Club she said that she enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the company and the work done by the members. She duly applied for membership and was inducted as a member.

She is seen here at her induction which was carried out by Senior Vice President David Bellamy as President Wendy was holidaying in Alaska.

Club Handover 2009

This year’s Handover to the new incoming President was held at Zabrano Restaurant in Leigh. Pictured is outgoing President Marilyn Bellamy single handedly, due to an operation on her shoulder, installing Wendy Goodwin with her chain of office. Both survived the experience and Wendy is now well and truly ‘in charge.

Barby 2009

At this year’s President’s barbecue on 15th August members were fed with steaks, leg of lamb, kebabs, sausages, burgers and creamy low calorie desserts and a generous supply of liquid refreshments.

After being fed and watered the music started gently, followed by Status Quo and we ended by dancing the night away with a good helping of ABBA……………

Murder, Mystery and Mayhem!

Saturday 4 April saw a new departure for Rotary in recent years – a Murder Mystery Evening, organised by Rotarian Lewis Joiner with the specific aim of encouraging participation by both local schools and the general public, and with a price set to cover costs of hall and equipment rather than to add specifically to Benfleet’s charity donations.

With the help of children from Appleton and The King John School in Benfleet and Cornelius Vermuyden School on Canvey Island, Benfleet Rotarians and friends performed a splendid drama straight from the early days of cinema to an audience that contained as many Benfleet residents as it did those with Rotary connections.

A fabulous evening thanks to Lewis and his helpers, and with the help of a raffle and a little arm-twisting, there was just a little extra for the Charity Pot!

PURPLE PINKIE IS ALIVE AND WELL
ALL DONATIONS GRATEFULLY RECEIVED!

Pupils of The King John School recently held a “mini market” in aid of Rotary International’s Purple Pinkie Appeal, and set out their stall with various items of bric-a-brac, books, magazines and CAKES!!!!!  The majority of the money raised was apparently in 20p pieces; cakes were 20p each………. a coincidence, some may ask??

Our picture shows the Year 7 crew receiving a Certificate of Thanks from Benfleet Rotary’s Senior Vice President Wendy Goodwin (also in school uniform?) with teacher, Katherine Poluck, looking on.

PURPLE PINKIE? Purple hair, purple cardigan. Purple jewellery. Purple EVERYTHING!

On Monday 23 February Benfleet Rotary joined forces with daughter club Canvey Island to support Rotary International’s Purple Pinkie campaign and bombard the poor commuters at Benfleet Station with information on the project and collecting tins to fund continuing medical support for the incentive! 

Our picture shows President Marilyn entering into the “purple” spirit of things on the late shift at the station.

For those not in the know, Rotary International is the prime mover in a major campaign to eradicate Polio on a worldwide scale; this year is the year of the Purple Pinkie, and to explain ……. as Rotary-funded medical teams enter a far flung area to offer inoculation to the younger members of the community, the medics paint a little finger with an indelible purple dye that will avoid potentially harmful double-dosing at a future date.

All credit to Steve Blackwell of Canvey who coordinated the efforts of Canvey and Benfleet.

An evening dedicated to our spouses and partners

Saturday 7 February saw a departure from Rotary’s usual Valentine-themed Ladies night in favour of President Marilyn’s “School Prom” held at the Park View Suite in Chalkwell Park.

Seventy or more intrepid inebriates braved the residue of a diabolical week’s weather to join in the revelry with Marilyn and husband Dave, who can be seen in the picture attempting to perfect their new ventriloquism act. Not sure which one is Peter Brough and which is Archie Andrews, but surely someone must know why she’s unbuttoning his shirt??

As always with these events, those who go are there to enjoy themselves, and with the help of live music provided by “Accolade” the participants found no problem in doing so. Good food, fine wine, terrific company and a fabulous band all combined to make another truly successful evening, this year organised by Ian and Sue Smith.

Arts and Crafts Competition 18 October 2008

Once again after much cajoling of the local inhabitants by members of the clubs Community and Vocational Services team, Benfleet Rotary’s annual Arts and Crafts event emerged stronger than ever, with ten new entrants bringing the total number of exhibitors up over the 50 mark, and last years total of a hundred entries being surpassed with ease.

President Marilyn hosted the Mayor and Mayoress of Castle Point, Cllr Norman Ladzrie and his wife Liz who, having visited us last year as worthy substitutes for the ailing Beverley Egan, were once again pleasantly surprised at the interest shown by the local community and the standard of the entries.

Marilyn, who herself teaches within the world of “art” commented on the overall quality of this years event and Rotary’s work within the local, national and international community, before handing over to the Mayor for the presentation of well-deserved prizes, following the lengthy deliberations of local artist David Taylor, Southend Arts Council representative Paula Knock and local collector Jenny Elliott.

This competition can only go from strength to strength with the support shown by the club and its many supporters,  but special thanks go out to our Judges, Wendy Bond and her “kitchen brigade” and to Brian White for his bread pudding, seen here being enjoyed by two Rotarians in need of sustenance following their organisational efforts.

BBQ - Braving the Weather

If you can keep your head while all around are losing theirs – then you probably don’t realise the garden is under 6 inches of water!!

The first major social event of the new Rotary year is invariably the President’s Barbecue – well, you’d expect early August to be bright, sunny and conducive to an outdoor event wouldn’t you??

We prayed, we did rain dances, we pleaded with the black clouds but to no avail – the gazebo’s kept off SOME of the rain but what came through failed to dampen the enthusiasm!

Still – undaunted, an intrepid bunch of Rotarians braved the elements (and the barbecue smoke) on the afternoon of 9 August to celebrate Marilyn Bellamy’s initiation into the world of Rotary “hostessing”. The whole event was organised by Sue and Ian Smith and a team of able-bodied (?) assistants. Hospitality, as ever, was superb, and a great choice of “background” music emanating from somewhere dry, deep inside the house!

Another brilliant and well-organised function that was enjoyed immensely by those who attended, but, maybe Puerto Banus next year chaps??

The Pipe of Port

Thursday 31 July, being the “5th Thursday” of the month saw the usual departure from our regular meeting place to an alternative venue to entertain our other (and some would say better) halves.

The Pipe of Port played host to a number of Rotarians and guests who ate from an ample menu and sampled the finest Macon and Beaujolais that the “Pipe” team of Janet, Sue and Stephen
had to offer, followed by a most enjoyable and informative presentation from Stephen on the specific wines.

Hand Over 2008

As the last meeting of the Rotary “year”, Thursday June 26 saw thirty members and guests assembling at Paparazzi in Westcliff for the Club Handover.  For the uninitiated, this meeting marks the point at which the incoming President officially takes the reins from the outgoing President.

Our picture shows new President Marilyn Bellamy (she’s the one with hair) at the precise moment of her plunging the pin of the Immediate Past President’s jewel just slightly too far into the cloth of outgoing President Wilf’s breast pocket.

After a busy and enjoyable year, Wilf thanked the Club for their support, and wished Marilyn every success for her forthcoming tenure before sinking slowly into the realms of exile to a place where he no longer gets his meal served first!

Good luck Marilyn!

Rotary Donations

Heading towards the close of the Rotary year, 12 June saw a Benfleet Rotary meeting hosting a number of guests invited to accept donations from the Club.

For some time now, the pupils of The King John School in Benfleet have been holding fundraising events with the aim of supporting “International Disasters” such as the Tsunami in Thailand, and the more recent situations in Burma and China. Having decided that the best way to point their efforts in the right direction would be via Rotary International, the school presented Benfleet, as their local club, with a cheque for a sum in excess of £2,000 which will be forwarded direct to The Shelter Box Trust, administered by Rotarians in Cornwall.

Shelter Boxes, as the name indicates, supply a temporary “home in a box” in the event of housing being unfit for use through earthquake, flood etc. Shelter Boxes, costing £490 each, quite literally offer accommodation, bedding and cooking facilities for ten people, and can be customised to include items such as mosquito nets and water purification to meet specific geographical needs.

Seen in the photographs are Katherine Poluck, receiving our thanks on behalf of the school, and Pam Watson-Jones, Rotary Assistant District Governor for the local area and representing Rotary International.

Continuing a long-standing association with Southend Hospital, the Club also welcomed Barbara Warner, Senior Fundraising Manager and Lucy Thomas Associate Director of Fundraising, both of whom gave passionate and informative updates on work going on within the Hospital, particularly with regard to the huge progress made with the Strokebusters Appeal.

Pictures show Barbara accepting our donation to Strokebusters and Lucy in her first “official engagement” at a Rotary function, with our donation to the hospital’s George Foster Taylor critical care ward, which is also one of President Wilf’s personally-supported causes.

Katherine Poluck The King John School

Katherine Poluck and Pam Watson-Jones ADG-elect Area 1

Barbara Warner Senior Fundraising Manager Southend Hospital

Lucy Thomas Associate Director of Fundraising Southend Hospital

Haven Hospices

At our meeting on Thursday 6 March, we welcomed Peter Hall, Volunteer Services Co-ordinator of Havens Hospices, who has become a good friend of the Club and a personal friend to many of our members.

Peter came to give us a brief update on “crisis” fundraising activities related to the operating shortfall at Fair Havens, which has threatened the upkeep of vital services so far this year. Benfleet Rotary, as a Club, has already supported the Hospice’s efforts in a variety of ways and will continue to do in the coming months.

Peter is well-used to singing for his supper when visiting Rotary Clubs, Round Tables, Lions Clubs etc in the local area and beyond, but on this occasion, President Wilf Smith was happy to reward Peter’s efforts with a cheque for £1,000 which will be added to the crisis fund. To date, the first objective of raising £250,000 in the first quarter of 2008 is on target with the current total in excess of £200,000. The next objective is a further £250,000 from April until the end of the year.

Turning a drama into a potential crisis – who needs insurance?!

For a while now, Benfleet Rotary Club has owned and operated a set of Gaming Tables for use in its own fundraising activities, and those of other charitable organisations.

Just before 5 pm on Thursday 28 February we drove off from Southend, where our tables are stored, to set up and run an evening on behalf of the Rotary Club of Billericay. A great and well-thought out plan – Stock Brook Country Club by 5.30, set up before 6.30, home to clean up, put on the DJs and back to be fed and watered by 8 along with better halves and friends who would be helping. Then be ready to entertain Billericay’s 80 guests around 9. An operation planned with military precision right up to the point where at 5.05 pm, the borrowed van’s clutch burnt out completely, blocking one lane of the London-bound A127 at peak time!

Surprisingly panic-free at that stage, we called the emergency breakdown service only to be told that our cover had expired. Recovery company checked with insurers – yes, a total lack of breakdown cover. We could, and did, however, pay £70 over the phone to have the van recovered back to the warehouse yard we had left so recently. (Thanks for the credit card number, Jim!!)

Conversations with the breakdown company’s centre somewhere in Ireland ensued. “What sort of vehicle?”…” It’s a Mercedes Sprinter”…”We don’t recognise that name for a car”…. “It’s not a car, it’s a van, like a Ford Transit” “OK – we’ll get a big truck out to you. It’ll be 60-90 minutes” THEN panic set in!

Frantic phone calls resulted in a Club member going back to his business premises some 15 miles in the wrong direction, emptying his company’s van which was already packed ready for the next day’s deliveries of rather hefty photocopiers, and driving it to Southend to meet the stricken van and transfer about half a ton of Roulette, Craps and Blackjack tables from one to the other – so at least the night could continue and we would not let Billericay down. Eventually around 8 pm the dead Mercedes was recovered by a bewildered pick-up driver who had been searching for a “white Mercedes Ford model” as relayed to him by his controller.

Most people eventually got to Stock Brook on time and the evening went off without a further hitch. As with most things in life, there were some positive points to our escapade – the insurance hadn’t really expired at all; simply lack of communication between our insurance company and their breakdown service – AND, we made the rush-hour traffic bulletins on Radio 2!

Anybody want to buy a set of Gaming Tables???

Valentines Evening - Love is in the Air?

Friday 15 February saw Benfleet Rotary’s annual Valentines Evening – our formal “Event of the Rotary Year”. Ninety Rotarians, friends, families and dignitaries graced Southend’s Saxon Hall despite the weather – which just goes to show what most Rotarians will do for a hot meal and a drink!

After a Mediterranean-themed meal interspersed with much wine-taking and speeches, the unreal façade of formality finally dissolved to the music of The Late Shift, where those whose knees had suffered thus far from getting up and down at least a dozen times to participate in the toasts, had the opportunity to loosen their aching joints on the dance floor. During the interval there was a well-supported raffle, and also, as you can see, Brian Piccolo our District Governor discovered that hanging his chain of office somewhere other than round his own neck made his eyes go funny. This MAY turn into a caption competition but without a prize with the winner receiving a full set of Gaming Tables - see above! (any ideas what may go into a “thought bubble” above Brian’s head??? Answers on a postcard to Brian Piccolo, District 1240 Governor……).

The band’s second set produced the magic that invariably occurs at such events and a “Band-e-oke” broke out with Rotarians and guests putting paid to any thoughts that they have the ability to sing.

Another fabulous social event in the best of company; with acknowledgements to Barry Rutherford for organising the event, Lewis Joiner for being Toastmaster, Ian and Sue Smith for their toasts, and finally to the Late Shift for keeping us all up and dancing. May there be many more.

Haven Hospices

On 24 January, past-President Lewis Joiner presented a cheque to Hilary Metcalfe of Havens Hospices in aid of their “crisis” fund – this being money allocated in Lewis’s year as President, that had not been passed on during the year.

Mindful of the huge and immediate needs of Fair Havens in particular, we were only too pleased to be able to assist in meeting Havens’ initial target of £250,000 by the end of March

Old Chinese Proverb – Water drips slowly in small quantities, but eventually fills bucket to the brim

First Responders

Lewis Joiner presenting a cheque for £300.00 to Paul Redmore and Simon Ethorton.

History Event

On 22 November 2007 the Club sponsored and hosted a presentation on the history of our local area of Benfleet, Thundersley and Hadleigh. The event was held within the Atrium of Castle Point Council’s offices in Kiln Road, which was bursting at the seams to accommodate the huge support given by the local community.

Our audience were enthralled and amused in equal proportions by two very informative presentations given by members of our local historical societies, and following the very positive response from our participants, who included deputy Mayor of Castle Point, Norman Lazdrie and his wife Liz, the Club fully intend making this a regular event in its calendar.

Christmas Party

1st December was the date set for the President’s Christmas House Party. 

This year’s theme was simply “bad taste” – with the instruction from President Wilf that this could mean whatever the partygoer wanted it to mean. Displaying great organisational skills our intrepid President sent off delegates to all parts of the world in order to garner the best available Christmas fare; unfortunately none of these got further than Iceland’s freezers and Sainsbury’s wine section. While this was happening the President and his Lady personally searched far and wide for sumptuous trinkets and festive decorations and skilfully adorned their home for the occasion with the very best that “Everything Under £1” in Southend could offer.

Everyone who attended commented on the “unusual” nature of the theme and we believe that one or two may even have enjoyed themselves, but unfortunately, as you will see from the pictures displayed here, nobody bothered to come in fancy dress.

Brinn Bevan

Since being introduced through Castle Point Borough Council last year, Benfleet Rotary Club has undertaken to help local young gymnast, Brinn Bevan, on his road towards an Olympic Gold Medal in 2020, by assisting with transport costs for him and Mum, Paula.

Brinn who travels all over the world competing at the highest level, is a UK, European and World Championship medallist in both under 10 and under 14 age groups, both individually and in team competition, and subject to funding, there is no reason for him not to go “all the way” with Team GB in years to come!

Great North Run- Ken Brewis

Back in the middle of this year, Ken Brewis, who is a work colleague of two slightly less athletic Benfleet Rotarians, agreed to donate the sponsorship arising from his efforts in this year’s Great North Run for Benfleet Rotary to administer as it sees fit amongst local causes as part of it’s Community and Vocational Services programme. As their end of the deal, Tony Elliott and Wilf Smith, our President, kitted Ken out with personalised Sponsorship sheets and suitably adorned Rotary running kit.

Following Ken’s creditable run at the end of September, he has continued hot-footing around the country, but this time to collect some £300 of sponsorship which will be further supplemented by Gift Aid, and this was handed over to Wilf recently to be deposited in the Club’s Charity Trust Account.

Congratulations and thanks for his efforts go to Ken from all Benfleet Rotarians.

Leukaemia Research fund - 25th Oct

Immediate past President Lewis Joiner presenting a cheque to Duncan Holland for £1000 to the Leukaemia Research Fund.

West Ham United

On 15th October we joined with Canvey & Westcliff Rotary Clubs for a visit to Newham Rotary Club. We all had an excellent evening. After a guided tour of the ground we were made most welcome by President Stanley and his multi-cultural band of merry men and ladies. What a welcome they gave us and the evening was enhanced even further by a talk from John Harris one of the family members who runs Thomas Cribb & sons funeral directors extraordnaire.

Wine Tasting- 11th Oct

Carla Winchester of Winchester Wines gave an interesting talk on the Spanish Vineyard she uses for her wine collection and we were all able to sample four of her wines...yumyum!

Past Presidents Dinner

CThe Past Presidents dinner on the 9th October was held at Affinity 1777 was atttended by 33 people including 17 Presidents past, Present and Founder. The cameraderie and the food were enjoyed by all. A highly recommended local restaurant.

Arts and Craft

The Benfleet Rotary Club Community Arts and Crafts exhibition on 13 October attracted a record number of entries and also a record number of spectators drawn from all over South East Essex to the Hadleigh Hall.The standard in all five categories was exceptional and the three-strong panel of independent judges had a very hard job deciding on the recipients of the first and second prizes in each category, with entries ranging from traditional local landscapes in oils and watercolours to a portrait of Johnnie Depp, and from embroidered bags to sailing ships, poetry and beyond.During Councillor Ladzrie’s address he commented “….the standard was very high. I was very impressed with the local artistic talent….it was a good day and I really enjoyed it…..”President Wilf Smith expressed his pleasure at the support from the local community and was extremely pleased at the interest shown in Rotary and what it does in the local area.Let’s hope next year’s competition is bigger and better still.

Our Thanks to the Judges, David Taylor, a local artist, Paula Knock from Southend on Sea Arts Council, and Jenny Elliott, a local collector.

On 4th October, Stuart Braithshaw visited our club to accept a cheque for £500 on behalf of Crossroads, a charity that we have supported regularly for many years. He gave us a talk about the organisation, which cares for carers. An evening enjoyed by all.

Diabetes UK

On 13th September Paul Davidson-Holmes visited our club to tell us about the work of Diabetes UK. His very interesting presentation was enjoyed by all and the club took the opportunity to present him with a cheque for £500.

On 23rd August we were visited "en masse" by Westcliff Rotary Club who nearly outnumbered us. They and we had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing them again "home or away". We were also visited for the 2nd time by Ted Hands of Lindum Lincoln Rotary Club who is working in the area. You would have thought he would have realised his mistake the first time! Hope to see you again Ted.

On 12th July we were visited by Colin Freeman, immediate Past Foundation Chairman, who presented an outstanding contribution award to Martin Wood for his effort as our own Foundation Chairman last year. Well done Martin. 

On Thursday 5th July we were visited by Carole Wright a member of Henderson Rotary in Auckland New Zealand and her partner Alan King who is a member of Stanford Le Hope Club.

Her company was enjoyed by our members and hopefully vise versa. Banners were ex-changed and who knows maybe one of us will get to visit Carole in New Zealand one day.

Handover

The club handover was held on 28th June at “The Glasshouse” restaurant in Southend.

Retiring President Lewis Joiner handed over to Wilf Smith after a most enjoyable year in the hot seat. Wilf is looking forward to his year hoping to improve what is already a very vibrant club.

This was made an extra special evening with the bestowing of The Paul Harris Fellowship Award to founder members who after 35 years are still very actively involved in the club.

The award was presented to Rotarians Roger Cantwell, Ron Dowding, John Glazier, Peter Hurrell and Don Smith. Ken Green who was unavoidably absent, received his award at our regular meeting on the 12th July from immediate past District Governor Steve Munns and immediate past District Foundation Chairman Colin Freeman.

Cameo Fashion

Another very successful Fashion Show was presented by Cameo Fashions of Hadleigh at their Spring / Summer event at Runnymede Hall on Monday 23rd April 2007 and this season the evening was in aid of the Rotary Club of Benfleet.

Brenda King of Cameo Fashions said that she was delighted with the evening with outfits from their casual through to evening wear modelled by Customers, Friends and Staff of Cameo. - Top Model Samantha was flown in expecially from Spain to model a classic red dress.. she looks a little dodgy to me!!

A Chance Event

On 20th April the club held a "Chance Event", which incorporated a fun hour on the gaming tables, which are croupiered by our own members followed by an exciting "horse racing" evening during which staff from Ladbrooks assisted us in running the evening. Over £1700 was raised. A fun night was held by all.

Bonjour Lille

On Friday 13th April the club headed for its annual sortie to France via Eurotunnel. A superb weekend was had in Lille by all who attended. The weather was great, the food was delicious, the wine was excellent, the shops were endless - oh and the local cultural sites weren't that bad either. It was a real shame to say au revoir.

A Musical Night

A very successful evening with an audience approaching 100 – a mixture of Rotarians, guests and friends but all with extreme inebriation in common.

A short 5 round music quiz was followed by a sumptuous feast of Chicken and Chips a la Hollywood, when all of a sudden a karaoke night broke out thanks in the main to the previously-mentioned inebriation. An eclectic mix of musical standards were displayed to all and sundry and a prize of yet more alcohol was presented to the winners of both events.

The evening was finished off (and you can take that however you wish) by a live performance of Big Mac and the Small Fries – a 6 piece band put together from Benfleet Rotarians, friends and work colleagues.

Mission accomplished – the proverbial good time was had by all, and almost £700 was raised for local charities.

A Love-ly Evening

On Friday 16th February we held our annual 'Valentines Ladies Dinner Dance' this year at Park View, Chalkwell.

A great time was had by all including Steve Mumms & his wife. Dancing to symbols was as lively as usual and the floor was filled all night with people gyrating like lunatics, thinking they were dancing. Who cared?!?

A Magicial Night

At the meeting on 25th January members and their guests were treated to some wizardary as Paul Clancy provided close up magic during the meal, followed by further amazing illusions together with a very interesting talk on the magic circle.

Here Comes Santa

Santa is being kept busy by Benfleet rotarians. We enlisted the jolly chap to help us raise funds for the chosen charities.

The total collected from the supermarket and street collections this year was £4402.95 and the club thanks all its members for their efforts and all the people who have given so generously to our collections, which will be distributed to local worthy causes.

Arts & Craft

Our arts & craft exhibition held in October each year attracts entries from many local artists and craftsmen, who have their work displayed and judged with cash prizes going to the winners.

We are keen to increase numbers for next year and include entrants from schools and youth groups.

We are planning a community photography competition in 2007

Competition Results:

Art & Painings: 1st Mrs Edith Webb, 2nd Mrs Muriel Hardy

Craft & Models: 1st Mr Stanley Oaker, 2nd Mr George Brown

Needlework: 1st Mrs V knapton , 2nd Mrs June Nunn

Ceramics: 1st Mrs D Emptage, 2nd Mrs Muriel Wiltshire

Other Media : 1st Mr Jim Webber, 2nd Mrs Beryl Cantwell

Photos:TOP= Display Hall: 2ND DOWN= The Judges (L to R) Mr David Taylor, Sculptor & Art Teacher. Mrs Paula Knock, Painter (member of Southend on Sea Art Council). Mrs Jennifer Elliott, Amateur Art Collector. 3RD DOWN= Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Tony Belford and Mrs Margaret Belford with Club President Lewis Joiner. BOTTOM= The Mayor and Club President with Mr Stanley Oaker, Winner of the Crafts and Model catagory.

Essexwood

The Presidents christmas party was held this year at "Essexwood" the theme being a night at the oscars. A fine spread was laid on for the guests by 'Whites Catering' and all who attended had a great time.

Highlights of the evening were an apperance by David Gest - Straight from the "I'm a Celebrity" jungle... and oh those red shoes Dorothy!!

Handover

The Club handover was held on the 29th June 2006 at "The Mews" restaurant in Southend.

Retiring President Ian Smith handed over to Lewis Joiner after a most enjoyable year in the hotseat.

Lewis is looking forward to his year, with plenty of fun some new fund raising activities and with a very vibrant atmosphere in the club, hopefully find at least 2 new people who wish to become members.