Wessex Mead (Trowbridge) Rotary Club

Well here we are at the start of a new year.  Where does all the time go to?  It seems like only last week I was writing the October blog, but the calendar says we are into January already!  It has been a full 2 months starting with a visit to Warminster club to meet the RIBI president, Jim Moulson.  It was an interesting evening and nice to see how down to earth our national organization is, at all levels. 

Mark and RIBI President Jim

Next for us was to help Chippenham Rotary club with their annual fireworks display.  It was the first time I had personally helped but members of the club have done this on numerous occasions in the past.  We were fortunate that the weather was kind to us and it was a dry night.  Alan and I were placed on bonfire guard duty and spent the time leading up to the display duly watching the huge bonfire.  Once lit, I was amazed to see how many thousands of people had filled the park and the banks around.  All the other members on the gates must have had a busy time!  The event was extremely well run and raised in excess of £15,000 for local charities.

The other duty for us was to help the Royal British Legion with their poppy selling in the Shires.  We did over 2 Saturdays and were amazed by the generosity of local people.  On Remembrance Sunday I had the honour together with our mother club, Trowbridge, to lay a wreath at the war memorial.  This time giving greater significance due to the ongoing conflicts in the world.

Mark selling poppies

It was a real pleasure to induct a new member into the club at our business meal in November.  We welcome Vicky to our club and the family of Rotary.

One of our more enjoyable social events was to help one of our members celebrate his significant birthday.  We visited the Cross Keys in Rode for a very nice meal and a pleasant evening of fun and fellowship.

December started with the District Meeting in Street where we heard about new projects and ideas for clubs in the District.  This was followed by a visit to Weston Super Mare where we met Maelle, the daughter of the president of the Rotary Club of Rodez Espalion, in France.  Maelle is working near Weston and gaining much needed English language skills for when she returns to France to complete her degree.  We hope she will be able to come to some of our club events this year.

Other duties for us were to help the Trowbridge Lions on their Santa float, collecting around the streets of the town.  Following the first of these nights, we met up at our President Elect’s home for sausage casserole and jacket potatoes, which was very welcome.

We also collected for our own Rotary projects outside Tesco Extra, and Santa came too (along with a couple of penguins), and of course, as always we helped Trowbridge Rotary with their collections.

Unfortunately due to the snow and ice we thought it was best to postpone our Christmas meal, which will now take place in January.  We thought this was best due not wanting to take risks with people’s personal safety.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Mark