A recent Rotary Newton Aycliffe meeting did not go to plan. Our speaker was Jacqui Molyneux, long time Chair of District Foundation and a Rotarian at Middlesbrough Erimus club. She was accompanied by Mike Overy, also a member at Middlesbrough. They were late! Why? Because they were enroute to the wrong Hall Garth Hotel and had to turn back. We had guests from the Rotary Club of Northallerton, President Elect, Emma Biggs, with husband and fellow Rtn. Dean Biggs and Tina Hynes, Newton Aycliffe, a prospective member. All very welcome.
The meal was served but, part way through, water began to drip from the ceiling. The drips became running water from multiple points above our heads. The staff ran in with buckets and towels, but the water kept coming. Some of the guests moved their table out of the way and it collapsed sending cutlery, crockery, and glasses across the floor. The water did eventually stop but the room, by then, was in disarray.
Our President, David Hogg, brought the guests to order, with difficulty, and announced he had the pleasant task of presenting 3 Paul Harris Fellow Awards, the highest honour that Rotary can give. The first was to Tony Jackson to recognise his hard work (above and beyond) as Chair of Community Service, for the events he has organised, the fundraising and the I.T. support he has given, both to the club and to the community. Next was Margaret Fenwick for her outstanding contribution to the club’s media presence and public image with publicity for projects both in the community and internationally. Lastly, Jacqui presented a PHF to Rtn. David Scott for his unfailing support of the Rotary Foundation charity.
Jacqui was then invited to give a presentation on Foundation which is Rotary’s very own world-wide charity. She explained how it supported not only local but many global projects eg. Polio vaccination programmes, how we could access funding and how we could contribute by donation or by holding fund-raising events. It was very enlightening, and we all learned so much. Thank you, Jacqui, and Mike, for taking the time to come along and visit us via the scenic route.
Thank you to our speaker and all our guests. Tony, Margaret and David send thanks to members for their PHF votes and for turning out in force for the presentation.
Did we all have a good night? You bet!