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What a start to a new Rotary year!
Our venue, Red or White, closed at the start of July for the summer while its owners have a well earned break, and while they start up their new venture at the Three Gables in Bradford on Avon, we wish them all the best with this and I am sure that we may visit them at the Three Gables at some point in the future. This did however leave us with the headache of finding a new temporary home that is acceptable to our members, available and affordable, which is easier said than done, but we finally agreed to hold a couple of meetings at the Crown Hotel in Trowbridge to see if it is suitable.
The new Rotary year started with a member social organised by Ann. Ann chose an old favourite of ours being Archery with the Kingston Archers in Bradford on Avon. Unfortunately I missed this evening due to a rather sick car, but I understand that all those who went thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we have a few budding ‘William Tells’ in our club. But alas I am not volunteering to stand next to the target with an apple on my head as was suggested by some members.
On the second Monday of July we had our first committee evening on our temporary home, after a slightly unusual start everything worked out well, the room was comfortable and the meeting went well. As we are in the middle of the holiday season, attendance was slightly lower than normal, so we had an open discussion to organise our forthcoming activities with the carnival, and suggestions were sought for our Christmas meal.
The third Monday of July was a member social organised by Sarah, so we challenged Westbury Rotary to a friendly game of skittles, which was held at the Organ Inn in Warminster. I had not been to this venue before, and I thought it was great. There was a good selection of drinks (proper beer) and the venue was well kept and very friendly, I would recommend it. The venue doesn’t cook food, but was happy for us to go to the local chippie to get fish and chips. As this was a friendly game we mixed the club members up in the teams, which helped the fellowship. The team led by Ann of Wessex Mead was winning all evening, but was beaten on the last two legs by the team led by Stan of Westbury. Stan sat at the end of the alley, next to the skittles, without any protection, so he became an easy target for those with poor aim, and for flying pins, though our past president Mark was almost bowled over by a rogue ball, while he was stood alongside the alley, about halfway.Thanks must go to Sarah’s son Adam, who courageously stood the skittles up for us, though he did find a well protected spot to stand in.
The following evening I attended a local president’s social gathering, with fellow presidents from local clubs and our Assistant District Governor Guy. There was a small group of eight of us, so this too was a good fellowship evening, where we got to learn about each others trials and tribulations. We are not the only club in the area to move home, one club has faltered, and Cavan from Westbury is obviously started to follow me around.
The last Monday of July will be pub of the quarter, at the Barge Inn Seend Cleeve, as this will be held during the first week of the school holidays, I will unfortunately be missing this evening as I will be away with my family.All in all it’s been a good month so far, and I look forward to the next. David
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President's Notes 
