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News Archive 2009
The following news stories have been archived:
Visit to Recycling Centre 2009
 
The Rotary Club of Swaffham continued their investigation into various aspects of the environment and its effects on the way we live.
Following a talk on the use of energy and the availability of future resources by Dr Keith Tovey from the UEA, the club spent an evening at one of the UKs largest recycling plants at Wretham near Thetford in Norfolk. Over twenty members and partners visited the new recycling plant owned and operated by Pearsons (Thetford) Ltd. on Monday 2nd November 2009.
The club were escorted by two members of the Pearson family: Pat Pearson (Chairman), Jo Pearson (Managing Director) plus Andy Johnson (Health & Safety Manager).
The business is currently achieving a recovery rate of 85% of the raw material received, which dramatically reduces the environmental burden on landfill. They are working towards 100% recovery and nil to landfill, which Pearsons believe is a practical and obtainable objective.
The club toured the raw material storage, the hand-picking operation, the separation areas, the transport and plant area and the product baling process. Members then learned about the history of the family business, which started in Thetford in 1945, and how the business had out-grown four sites in Thetford, before moving to the current 9 acre site in Wretham.
At the end of the evening, Steve Ward (our Club President) thanked our hosts, and members sat down to enjoy a meal at The Chequers Inn, in Thompson. A selection of photos from this visit can be viewed in our photo gallery.
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Rotary Art Exhibition 2009
The annual Swaffham Rotary Art Exhibition (held over the weekend of the 30th, 31st October
and the 1st November), attracted more artists, works of art and visitors
than ever before.
Exhibition Chairman Rotarian Nigel Chambers said "The
event is becoming a great annual attraction and social event for artists and
visitors. Over 150 people attended the Preview evening on Friday 30th
October, more visitors attended on the following Saturday and Sunday than
previous years, almost 100 artist’s exhibited their work which included
paintings, handmade jewellery, pottery, stained glass, wood carving and
bronzes."
Mr Chambers continued "We have been delighted with the results of
all the hard work put in by the organising team and have again raised a
significant amount – probably up to £4500 – to be passed on to various
local, national and international charities. A big thank you to everyone who
supported the event".
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40th Charter Night Anniversary Dinner 2009
My first charter night as a Rotarian and what a wonderful evening it was!
Almost 100 attended the celebrations at the George Hotel, Swaffham. It was good to see so many past Swaffham Rotarians, our visitors from Rue, honoured guests, friends, and especially Ken Reeve our Founder President, and Ian Thompson, a Past National RIBI President.
The meal was good and the speeches very good; I only wish I could remember all the good jokes.
Thanks should go to all who helped organise the night, especially to Julia Wallace for the lovely cake, and President Elect Dorothy Pulsford-Harris for all her hard work.
Rtn. Jane Harding (Newsletter Editor)
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Rotary Foundation Jazz BBQ 2009
Our Annual Jazz Barbecue on Sunday 23rd August was once again held in the garden at Lings End, Little Fransham, with our thanks to Mike and Jane Cornwell.
The organising committee had all their wishes fulfilled, the most perfect of days, 135 guests being a record and this created a very happy atmosphere giving probably the most successful BBQ to date. Our Ladies are very instrumental to the excellent meal that they always produce and not forgetting the very busy BBQ team. It was a real Club event with help from both members and friends.
This year the Barry Tyler Original Dixieland Jazz Band was excellent, and in their own way made a big contribution to such a successful day. It was a great event, and our thanks go to all those who supported us. In total we raised £1700 for Rotary Foundation, which will enable us to support worth while projects both at home and overseas.
Click here to view a selection of photos from this event.
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School Dictionaries 2009
The Rotary Club of Swaffham have again presented almost 250 Usbourne Pictorial Dictionaries to the children leaving the 15 Primary Schools and moving to High Schools in Swaffham and district.
This is the second year the Club has made these presentations, and the pupils were delighted to be able to take them onto the next stage of their school careers.
The presentations were arranged by Pat Sherwood, Chairman of the Club's Vocational Committee.
The picture on the left shows Jeni Barnacle, the Head Teacher of St Andrews CE Primary School in North Pickenham, plus the 10 pupils receiving the dictionaries at her school.
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Go-Karting Event 2009
The meeting on Monday 22nd June was held at the Anglia Go-Karting Centre, in North Pickenham.
Club members and guests took to the track and raced each other against the clock. Chris Parsons recorded many of the fastest lap times, but the overall winner at the end of the evening was Alan Bunyan, a past Swaffham Rotarian.
Thanks go to Bernie Chapman for organising the event. Photos are available in our photo gallery.
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Strawberry Teas for the Elderly 2009
On Sunday 21st June, the Rotary Club of Swaffham arranged a "Strawberry Tea" for around 50 elderly residents at the Old Maltings assisted living and care home in Swaffham, which is run by the Flagship Housing Group.
Club President Colin Evans welcomed everyone to the event, which was organised by Rtn. John Wallace and the club's Community Service team.
The guests were treated to an afternoon tea, served with traditional summer strawberries and cream, followed by a 'sing along' lead by Jill Dobbs at the piano.
Many thanks to the management and staff at the Old Maltings on Cley Road, for their kind hospitality and support. Photos are available in our photo gallery.
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Farm Walk at Castle Acre 2009
The Club meeting held on Monday 8th June was a farm walk at the home of the Hon Alaxander Keith at Wicken Farms, Castle Acre.
Over 30 members and partners were given a short explanation of the history of the house and farm, followed by a tour of the farm, which was organised and lead by David Crossman, the Farm Manager.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Club President Colin Evans, followed by a buffet supper at the George and Dragon, Newton by Castle Acre.
Photos from this visit can be viewed in our photo gallery.
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Equipment for Swaffham Youth Club 2009
On Wednesday 20th May 2009, £500 worth of equipment was handed over to ACOSY (formerly known as "Youthie"), by club President Colin Evans and Community Chairman John Wallace at the Community Centre in Swaffham.
Equipment included a Nintendo Wii Play station and a table tennis table. The Vice Chair of ACOSY, Katie Easter (17) along with four other members, Jade Lloyd (17), Emma Deane (17), Adam Tuck (16) and Ashley Borgognoini (16), attended the hand over on behalf of the youth club.
The youth club meets on Mondays for 11 to 13 year olds and on Wednesdays for the 15 to 19 age group. It has been running for about 18 month with the support of the local PCSO's, the County Youth team Sally Palmer, the ICENI Partnership and Hamonds High School. Pictures of the hand over can be viewed in our photo gallery.
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Rue Club Visit to Swaffham 2009
Our twinning arrangements with the Rotary Club of Rue-Baie de Somme began in 1976, and for the weekend of the 8th to 10th May 2009, we welcomed seven members of the Rue club and their partners, for the 32nd such visit.
On Saturday morning, we took a coach for Horning, where we boarded the "Southern Comfort" for a two hour cruise on the Norfolk Broads. Our skipper was both very knowledgeable and keen eyed, pointing out the variety of wildlife which seems to be thriving despite the volume of traffic on the water.
In the evening, nigh on fifty of us sat down to a very pleasant meal, and lively conversation at Timbers Restaurant in Fincham. All too quickly Sunday morning was upon us, and soon the hour to bid our farewells until next time. Pictures are available in our photo gallery.
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Stroke Awareness Day 2009
On Saturday 18th April 2009 the Rotary Club of Swaffham held their fourth annual "Stroke Awareness Day" at the Assembly Rooms in Swaffham. It was organised in conjunction with the Stroke Association's "Know your Blood Pressure" campaign, which is run every year in partnership with Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI).
More than 150 members of the public had their blood pressure checked for free by the trained nurses who were on hand, with 61% of people having satisfactory results, and 39% needing a GP visit. Of this group, 3% required an urgent GP referral, so it was an extremely worthwhile day. It also helped to raise public awareness about the link between high blood pressure and stroke. For more information, visit the Stroke Association website.
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Ambassadorial Scholars Visit 2009
On Monday 23rd March 2009 two Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholars
visited the Club and gave presentations covering their country, background,
family and their impressions of the UK and comparisons with their own
countries.
They where welcomed by President Colin Evans and presented with RC Swaffham
banners to take back to their sponsor Clubs.
Katie Crème is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA and Marisa Garcia Vilet
from Tampico, Mexico. Katie is studying American Studies at UEA and Marisa is studying Business
Administration at Ruskin University at Cambridge. They are both sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs and by Rotary
International Foundation.
Their visit to RC of Swaffham was organised by the Club Foundation
Committee. Mike Cornwell and Malcolm Whittley hosted the two scholars and
where able to show the visitors the local area before returning them to
their respective universities. Pictures are available in our photo gallery. |
Evening of Romance 2009
Over 80 members and guests attended the evening event organised by Rtn Alan
Jones and the International Committee at the George Hotel. Funds raised were
for Rotary International charities.
The 'entertainment' was provided by Club members and included a Romantic
Quiz by Robin Rayner, Tony Hopping poetry reading, Dorothy Pulsford-Harris,
Pat Sherwood and Alan Jones in a Radio Play and David Impey, Alan Jones and
Denis Bishop as 'DAD' in an ABBA Tribute.
Malcolm Cockell organised a raffle which raised over £350 on the evening
with a top prize of a Hot Air Balloon Trip.
The Greek two course supper was provided by Kim Emmett. Visit our photo gallery. |
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