The Chain Gang

OK! So here's the proof! Taken on 1st July, when two Past District Governors look quite pleased and over-joyed while the new Governor smiles "what I have I taken on?" "Why are they so happy?"

The Time Has Come!

The time has come to say goodbye. After a year of writing short blogs about all sorts of ‘things Rotary’ it is time to see a new face in the header and a new hand at the keyboard.

At a special Handover Dinner in Bodmin, last evening, all the chains of office were passed on from one to another. District 1290 now has a new Governor, who will take on the writing of “bits and bobs”, or should it be “bits and blogs”? A new team of officers is in place, ready to lead the way, while I become simply a “passed-it”.

I know a lot will happen in the next twelve months. It will all make interesting reading.

Have fun.

The Future of English Cricket is safe

The future of English cricket is safe.


Well, it is if what I have just witnessed is an indication. This afternoon, Thursday 24th June, I attended the finals of the Rotary U13 - Schools 20/20 competition held at Cornwood Cricket Club. The standard of play from these youngsters was outstanding and I learned that about half a dozen of the boys there were Devon County players as well.

The ball came down the pitch so fast it was difficult to see it, yet the batsmen still scored fours and sixes with uncanny ease. Getting scores of 170/180 in twenty overs requires some real skill. Well done to Devonport High School for Boys for coming a very close and admirable second place in the competition beaten in the final by Exeter School. I was delighted to be asked to share in the award giving ceremony at the end of the afternoon, handing out medals and shaking the hands of some promising players.

This was another occasion when Rotary has given young people the chance to show what they can do, while giving Rotary some well earned public image awareness to parents and teachers.

Great work all round. I hope I can see it all again next year.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award

Rotary Youth Leadership Award

                                                                         (RYLA)


Throughout the country, many Rotary districts organise Leadership courses for young people. They vary in style, location and in length but the course ably organised by the District 1290 team is regarded as one of the best.

At this moment there are some 40 course members going through their final preparations and, probably, wondering what they have let themselves in for! If they have spoken to anyone who had completed the course in recent years they will know that they will face challenges, physical, emotional and intellectual. For seven days they will be put into situations that will stretch their minds and bodies, often taking them out of their ‘comfort zone’.

They will spend their time on Dartmoor, based at Brimpts Farm, and whatever the weather, they will climb rocks, abseil down rock faces, plunge into cold water, find their way in the mist, and all the time having to work as a team to achieve their goals.

Watch the website to learn about how they are getting on or find out how you could be involved next year.

Farewell to our Venezuelan visitors

The members of visiting Group Study Team from Venezuela will now have arrived back home or enjoying a few days of extended stay in Britain after a very successful four weeks in Cornwall, Plymouth and West Devon. What a super group of girls they were, too. Ably led by their Team Leader, Rotarian Carmen Rojas from Caracas, they experienced much of what this region has to offer young professional and business people.


They proved why it is that Venezuela has won the Miss World title more than any other country and I watched many Rotarians’ eyes glued on the girls during their presentations, no doubt wishing that they were 30 years younger!

We wish them well with the careers and future personal development. Now we look forward to welcoming a team from India next year.

The photograph shows the visiting team, wearing blue scarves, along with the team from this area that have recently returned from four weeks in Venezuela, after the girls' last presentation to the Rotary clubs in the Plymouth area during a meeting held at The Smithaleigh Hotel.

What a Concert!

Sunday afternoon at home! Tedious! Last week was different. Last week I spent the afternoon in Plymouth Guild Hall listening to a concert given by “The South West All-Stars”, a band of sixty ex Royal Marine Bandsmen conducted by Lt.Col. John Ware. John is a member of The Rotary Club of Callington, which organised the concert in aid of Help for Heroes.
Those of you who were there will agree that it was a thoroughly enjoyable concert. We all came aware uplifted and in good spirit after experiencing some stirring music played with such gusto and enthusiasm. You will all be delighted to learn that the event raised over £6000 for the charity, which was represented by David Gammell, the Devon and Cornwall co-ordinator, along with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress who were thanked for Plymouth City Council’s generosity in providing the venue.
Well Done Callington Rotary!

Can you live without the Internet?

Life without the Internet.

I would not have believed, a while ago, that I would one day say that I could not survive without the Internet! Life has proved me wrong. My Internet service went down and I lost contact with so many things that have become part of my everyday life.
Not only did I lose my email but could not control my bank accounts and credit cards on-line. My insurances and energy bills are all on-line services now. I could not top-up my Tamartag without going into the office.
Google Maps always provided my route plan when travelling to new places. How do I get that missing post-code when I cannot get onto the Royal Mail website?
Then there is the family tree research; the purchase of ink cartridges; checking the weather forecast and latest news.
I never realised just how much I used the Internet. Thankfully it has all been restored! There was a fault in the BT Exchange. But who found the fault and fixed it? My ISP.

The Venezuelans should get here

It was only 24 hours ago that we were all panicking and fearing that the team of young professional and business people making up the Group Study Exchange team from Venezuela would not arrive in Plymouth as planned. The suspension of all air flights into and out of the UK looked as though it would prevent them from getting here.
Today the skies were full of aircraft and vapour trails patterned the blue. Hopefully, this will be the norm again and our friends from across the Atlantic will arrive in Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, to be met by a band of friendly and welcoming Rotarians.

Polio is a Dying Disease

OK! Yes Polio can kill. So people are still dying needlessly from a disease that can be eliminated. Still endemic in only four small areas of the world, not even in entire countries, it is being killed by mass immunisations. It IS a dying disease. Last weekend we were told that there had be no new cases of polio for four weeks, in the small area of northern India, one of the four areas. Will we soon be down to three small areas. When Rotary is determined, it will not give in until the job is done completely.

Famous Five in Venezuela

The Group Study exchange Programme of Rotary International is one of the best educational experiences that anyone can give to young professional/business people. Roatry District 1290 has sent out a team of four young people, with a Rotarian Team Leader, to Venezuela. Here they will live with local families and experience everyday live and the work done by people of similar professions.

They will also visit local industries and businesses as well as go to many of the historic sites and places of natural beauty.

The photo shows the team from Cornwall and Plymouth along with the team of Venezuelans which will be spending four weeks in our communities to learn more about the British way of live. Try to spot the blue name badges! That's our team.