CLUB NOTES 2010

May 5 th The Rotary day started with Rotarians Desmond Pye, Ernie Groeger, Mike Baker and President Susan attending the Deptford Pension Society Board meeting. A visit to John Dolding’s home had to be cancelled at short notice as John had been rushed back to hospital.   We are assured by Wendy that it was nothing to do with our expected arrival. Club members regrouped at the Brockley Jack for a very pleasant meal in the garden.

May 12 th The Club was pleased to welcome Richard Dobson. As the President was away PP Michael took the AGM meeting. Whilst the meeting may have lacked some of the cut and thrust of past AGM’s, all business was considered rapidly and on time. By popular acclaim our current President was voted in for a second year as were most other officers.

May 16 th Peter MacDonald and Mike Baker with the members of the Deptford Police Cadet Unit attended the Rotary Dragon Boat Festival. They reported that they arrived both early and late. Early for where the last Festival was held but just in time for the new venue.  The Police Cadets (fully mixed team of boys and girls) had a tremendous time and their energy was quite inspiring. Only one of the team had done this before and they achieved a very creditable result against some very well practised teams. The photos show this well.  But don’t mention the Gazebo to Peter!!!!.

John Dolding Has returned home from his latest visit to hospital. In fact he has been leading a much more active round of social engagements in the last week. Last Thursday he went to ate Modern... more to the restaurant than the modern art? On the Saturday, dinner at daughter Caroline’s and on Sunday to the Queens Head, Chislehurst for other daughter Elizabeth’s Anniversary. Then next Friday to Kings College Hospital to see about the heart


April 7 th Rotary members Ernie Groeger and President Sue organised the Deptford Pensioners payout at All Staint’s Church. As the new facilities are now open at the Church the Club also had lunch in one of the new meeting rooms. Members reported that the room was delightful and the food very good. The Club welcomed Eileen Crichton who after assisting on the Pensioner Payout joined us for lunch. Desmond Pye recounted that at a recent musical occasion he had stepped into the breach to help out and had conducted, he reports that he
greatly enjoyed the experience. Being in charge and waving a stick, sorry... baton ...power.

April 14 th The Club was pleased to welcome Christina to its meeting, a youthful face at our table seems to have a good effect. Club Council was full of reports and discussions re insurance and bank account mandates etc, etc. Club did agree to make a donation to Deptford Green School to assist with their student exchange scheme with a twinned school in Uganda.

April 21 st The Rotary day started early at 9 am with Rotarians Peter Macdonald, Mike Baker and Ernie Groeger attending an Abbeyfield meeting chaired by Graham Pratt. All progressing well and the house is full. Plans for improvements to the lower floor are being drawn up. At lunch the Club welcomed Rev Canon Breaden a Rotarian from the Isle of Skye,  who though thinking he might have retired, found that things do not always work out that way.  A number of attentive retired faces round the table would agree. Desmond Pye locked the doors and convened an urgent meeting to deal with the bank mandate.. there was no escape..

April 28 th The Club was most pleased to welcome Christina to its meeting and to wish her a very happy birthday. I feel we may be in the presence of a future President. The club welcomed Owen Beament back from his working golf trip to Scotland and Peter Macdonald back from Cornwall where he had attended a “Pink” night at the Rotary Club of Launceston.

February 3rd The Rotary day started early at 9 am with Peter Macdonald , Mike Baker and Ernie Groeger attending an Abbeyfield meeting ably chaired by Graham Pratt. Considerable activity is going on at the Walter Large House and a site meeting took place the following day to supervise the installation of the new personal pendant alarms and a new fire alarm system. Later in the morning Erinie Groeger joined President Susan at All Saints for the Deptford Pensioners pay out. Our Rotary lunch meeting was pleased to welcome Eileen Crichton who as always adds much laughter and fun to our gathering. The club was updated on the tremendous work Rotary is doing in the aftermath of the terrible Haiti earthquake. A team from Rotary is already there and many thousands of shelter box ten person tents have been delivered. An update was also received on the donation for Lewisham Hospital Friends.

February 10 th Club Council was full of business and interesting side stories. Notes for the diary; Owen Beament reported that our annual visit to Lingfield races will be on Wednesday 7 th July; the children’s coach outing to Hastings is on Saturday 10 th July. ( Our thanks to the Rotary Club of Hastings for agreeing to entertain our Deptford youngsters); the Christmas Lunch will be at Millwall Football Club on Wednesday 8 th December. A letter of thanks has been received from the Rotary Club of Wootton Bassett for our £200 donation to their ‘Help for Heroes’ collection which with our contribution just made their £5000 target. We had good news from Ernie Groeger that we will be receiving a donation of £250 towards the Dragon Boat race, which takes place on Sunday 16th May. This does not make up for his missing the winning goal for Millwall because he was being rushed from the football ground to Lewisham Hospital by ambulance.(fortunately all ok) Peter Macdonald hopes that the members of the club may not have to row in the Dragon Boat race but that the police cadets will provide a crew for us. The club also agreed to our advert going in the Addey School magazine. The Club Presidential Chain has now been found.

February 17 th The Rotary day started with another early morning meeting of the Abbeyfield with Peter Macdonald, Mike Baker and Ernie Groeger attending, Graham Pratt in the chair. Plans to expand the back room were discussed as was the case of the disappearance and subsequent reappearance of one of the residents. Abbeyfield remains full. The club at lunchtime was pleased to have a letter from Sheila Russell who had noted that John Dolding was in hospital and had contacted Wendy Dolding. Someone at least we found reads club notes. Sheila has written to say “that amongst Michael’s effects there are some Rotary items ( past president badges etc) we might like to have”. The Special AGM discussed officer positions for 2011 and agreed to leave existing officers in place for the interim. Payment of the deposit for the Dragon Boat race was agreed. Peter Macdonald reported on his visit to the Rotary Club of Launceston who went to the Rugby Club of Launceston to see them beat Blackheath 41:18. In the evening we had our Cribbage match against Rotary Club of Kennington, this produced another thrilling and exciting match. Desmond Pye and Peter Macdonald just going down in the last tightly fought match to an unbeatable 24 point hand. Very good evening, good food, shame about the result. Kennington have since phoned to say really enjoyed.

February 18 th Mike Baker attended District Council on behalf of the Club. Lots going on. Introduced to the Study Exchange Group going to Boston (the majority are women). Four new clubs in London, Queensbury (24 members); Pall Mall (34); Surrey Quays (24) and Southall (58). Healthy surplus on the accounts, (it's renting out York Gate toilets again). Subscription no increase this year. Sports Dinner 1st June (guest speaker Angus Frazer); Rotary School Sports at Crystal Palace will be held on 27 th June.

February 24 th The club was pleased to hear the news that Bola Falase has returned from Nigeria following the sad death of his mother. Bola hopes to be able to return to Rotary soon. President Susan has concluded discussions with Rose and Peter regarding reducing the minimum lunch number for which we have to pay from 8 to 7 and increasing the lunch charge to members by £1. Members voted to endorse the decision to be effective from 1st March. Mike Baker revealed some old local Deptford history. The Battle at the Deptford Bridge, no, not Millwall fans but an invading Cornish Army(1497), we won.

John Dolding~ Still in Princess Royal Hospital but progressing. Now up and walking with aids, 20 + steps. Because of a Norovirus outbreak the hospital has been closed to all visitors. Wendy thinks that the ‘no visitors’rule may be the reason John has started walking. He has no one to talk to as he has a single room. As soon as virus is cleared, John will have his pacemaker fitted, then his hip pins replaced, then back to Rotary.


January 6 th The snow came thick and fast. The Deptford Pensioners payout had to be cancelled due to the bad weather and likewise the club lunch was cancelled. Ernie Groeger when phoning round had said that he would be making the 100 yard dash to the Brockley Jack for lunch instead. He was somewhat surprise to see that three other Rotarians had braved the elements to keep him company and wish him a happy new year. President Susan wished all member where ever they may be a happy new year. Ted Cox entertained with his on this day and Mike Baker got the drinks in.
January 13 th The weather conditions were terrible again with thick snow. A phone round to members had shown that there was going very limited numbers able to make club Council so the meeting was cancelled. A meeting of the Abbeyfield Board was also due to be held in the morning and well done to Peter MacDonald who made it there through the snow.

January 20 th The club held its first full club meeting of the year and started to get down to
the business of the delayed club council. We now have confirmation that the Rotary Club of Kennington Cribbage team will be playing us on 17 th February ( 6.30 for 7pm) at the Brockley Social Club. Our Team will be Desmond Pye and Peter Macdonald with Peter Baker in reserve. Mike Baker reported that the donation to the Rotary Club of Wotton Bassett ( Help for Heroes ) had been sent off. The club also agreed that given the fact that two meetings had to be cancelled at short notice because of the bad weather some compensation should be made to Rose for her losses and this was agreed at£40.

January 27 th Members were in fine form and pleased to hear about John Dolding and all sent their best wishes. Peter Macdonald reported that the police cadets had offered to crew a team in the Rotary Dragon Boat race, the cost of entry is £300. A decision on the dragon boat was deferred for considered further. A letter has been received from the friends of Lewisham Hospital for help in refurbishing some rooms for relatives of patients to be able to stay at the hospital. This was approved and a donation is to be made. Also approved was a Charity payment in respect of printing.


January 30 th As the Club has helped sponsor the Pensioners Party organised by the Brockley Society we were invited to attend on behalf of the club. Peter Macdonald and Mike Baker attended and can report that it was a most impressive turn out with a full house and lots of entertainment. Peter and Mike made themselves useful by collecting and clearing, and giving out teas and sweets etc. A very enjoyable occasion and congratulations to Kate Hinze of the Brockley Society for organising

News update on John Dolding.

John has now moved on from Kings College Hospital and is now Princess Royal Hospital at
Farnborough, Locks Bottom. The Pin on his broken hip is done and the broken arm is starting to
make progress. John still has some of the MRSA bugs and some rather nasty bed sores. Latest
plan is that rather than the triple heart bypass operation John is to be fitted with an advanced
pacemaker which can detect if there is something wrong with heart, ( like if it stops ) then it
swings into action and deals with it.( may also link into the hospital). All high tech. Your scribe
has been to visit and can report that John is more like his old self, Wendy called it being stroppy.
John has stood up twice and has sat in a chair for a couple of hours, but the hospital are very
anxious to get him on exercising, John is proving very hesitant. As far as I could see it is taking at
least five attractive female nurses and doctors to get him up to do some phisio... ( John is in
Medical ward 8 )




CLUB NOTES 2009

Dec 2 nd Rotary club members were up early to do the Deptford Pensioners pay out and then on the Christmas lunch at Millwall Football Club. The Christmas Lunch was a very happy event for which many thanks are due to Owen Beament for organising with Millwall who again did us proud. Desmond Pye with young Christina Pye organising the raffle, did a good job in keeping proceedings underway. Our President Susan in keeping with a more modern tradition said a few fine words and welcomed the Chair of Lewisham Council Cllr Barrie Anderson and Rotary guests including District Governor Martin Gudde and past District Governor Colin Matthews and Colin Bryant.
The raffle raised over £200 for the Wootten Bassett help for Heroes fund. (A John Dolding suggestion ) This year your scribe managed to make the Millwall club guided tour with his guest Gemma Townsend who was delighted to win two tickets to any Millwall match.
( why do women find the men’s dressing rooms so interesting)

December Abbeyfield meetings on 3 rd 10 th and 21 st kept Rotary members Peter Macdonald and Mike Baker on the go but a very health set of accounts has now gone to the auditors. Our thanks to Graham Pratt for all his sterling work at the Abbeyfield.

Dec 9 th Club Council was adjourned to the Brockley Jack as numbers were going to be very small. As it was the famous five did turn up and President Susan in true Christmas
spirit treated us to lunch  Ted Cox also treated us to few thoughts on William Gladstone MP and PM ( who on this day in 1868 became Prime Minister for the first of four times) and of whom Disraeli once remarked ‘ He has not a single redeeming defect’

Dec 16 th The club was most pleased to welcome John Rosberden from the British Legion to give a talk on their work. This was a most interesting talk and showed how the work of the Legion has expanded, with refurbishment of properties and start up loans for injured ex service personnel. A presentation was also made to John on behalf of the Club with money that had been collected with the wreaths for Remembrance Day. John also extended an offer to the club to come and visit some of the facilities of the Legion.

Dec 23 rd No meeting ( Preparing for Christmas )

Dec 30 th No meeting ( Recovering for the New Year)

News update on John Dolding.

Just before Christmas whilst rising from his self rising electric chair John took a fall and broke his arm. Back from hospital on Christmas Eve John had severe chest pains so back to hospital and tests showed that he was having a heart attack. Analysis at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital showed that John needed a triple heart bypass operation. Whilst in hospital John had another fall and this time had a broken his hip.
At this point expert opinions differed at the hospital as to what to do next. Hip or heart?
Daughter Liz had to be brought in to bring some resolution between the warring medical opinions. This resulted in John being transferred to Kings College Hospital. The decision of Kings College was that the hip had to be pinned immediately but only under local anaesthetic as his heart could not take a general. Asked about the chances of success the doctors said 17%. John asked to sleep on it. Said yes in the morning, signed the papers and in 20 minutes it was all happening. The hip has been given a temporary pin and John awaits the triple heart bypass. The other news is that he also has MRSA. As John would say ,’ otherwise not too bad’.

CLUB NOTES 2009

CLUB NOTES 2009

4 th November Rotary club members were up early to do the Deptford Pensioners pay out and Board meeting at All Saints Church. ( The Church community centre building renovations are now done and are a great improvement.) Our thanks as ever to President Susan, Desmond Pye and Ernie Groeger for covering these duties. The Club was very pleased to welcome Eileen Crichton, without doubt our most cheerful visitor. Walking wounded John Dolding reported for duty with a strange tale of the workman who fell through his bedroom ceiling and which one of them should go in the ambulance. Ernie Groeger recalled some memories from his wartime air force days of friends who had given their lives for us. Well done to Peter Baker for raising £480 for the Breast Cancer Charity.

8 th November Remembrance day. Our thanks to Ted Cox for representing and laying the wreath for the club at the New Cross memorial. Mike Baker also attended on behalf of Deptford Pension Society. Good turnout from the Scouts, Guides, British Legion, Councillors, Salvation Army Band and the public.

11 th November Club Council The Club was pleased to welcome Richard Dobson as a visitor, good to have a younger face round the table. Club Council was full of talk of the forth coming Christmas lunch, who is coming and who is not. The club accounts are almost done ( we will have some money to distribute soon ) No news on the Cribbage front, but the Rotary Dragon Boat race may be coming back next year, so we had better start training. The Quiz team for the match with Penge was selected.( full first team) Ted Cox also informed us that on this day in 1095 the Pope selected the team for the First Crusade.

18 th November The day started early for Peter Macdonald and Mike Baker with a full agenda meeting of the Abbeyfield Board. The House still remains full as one resident who had been in hospital has now returned. The Club was pleased to welcome Graham Pratt to our lunchtime meeting. Our thanks to Graham for all his work on the Abbeyfield home, which was started through one of our past Deptford Rotary members.  Walter Large.
PP Michael also entertained with some interesting historical facts. Not many know of the drama that surrounded the last beheading in this country. So many Spectators attended that the Grandstand collapsed and 22 died. ( We can now go to Millwall instead) The evening saw the Rotary Quiz against of Rotary Club of Penge. This Rotary club Quiz was without doubt the most hard fought and close run ever. Ted Cox, John Dolding and captain Mike Baker went into an early lead and held it throughout, until the last question when Penge just got the winner.
Our District Quiz master said that it had been the most exciting and best that he had done. Lots of goodwill and good fun, our thanks to Peter and Rose for doing an excellent spread of food. ( We will be back next year)

25 th November A visit from Deptford Green School was enjoyed by all. Mattthew Ernshaw ( teacher) and three delightful young pupils, Jenny, Shannen and Devine gave us a most interesting presentation on their exchange visit to St Kzito School in Kampala Uganda. ( They visited the Equator line and found that you weigh 5% less , it is all due to gravity being less. ) The Club was pleased to note we are now listed as one of the schools official sponsors.



CLUB NOTES OCTOBER

7 th October Another full day for some Rotary members started with a Deptford Pensioners payout and Board meeting at All Saints Church. Our thanks to President Susan Desmond Pye and Ernie Groeger for covering these duties. The lunchtime Club Council under the guidance of President Sue Smith was very business like with agreement to purchase another Shelter box . Also agreement to purchase a wreath for Remembrance Day ~ Ted Cox to represent and lay wreath for the Club.
Christmas lunch is set for Wednesday 2nd December at Millwall football club. (£20)
12.30 for 1pm ( tour of Millwall football club at 12 ) Our thanks to Desmond Pye for arranging. Also on this day in 1769 Captain Cook discovered New Zealand ~ Thanks Ted but who gave them that rugby ball.

14 th October The day started early for certain Rotary members with an Abbeyfield meeting. Rotary was well represented, our thanks to Peter Macdonald, Ernie Groeger and Mike Baker for doing the business. Redecorations are underway, contracts of employment, fire safety, financial position healthy, business as usual...
The club was very pleased to welcome Graham Pratt to our lunchtime meeting.
In the absence of the President, PP Michael took the chair. Members had so enjoyed last week’s Club Council that it was decided to continue with another one as it was the second Wednesday in the month. All agreed to support another Pensioners Party organised by the Brockley Society (£200) on the 10th January 2010.
The club was also pleased to hear from John Dolding that Alan Hooton sends his best wishes and hopes to be able come to the club soon. Ernie Groeger has 100 pens for fund raising and Ted Cox reports that on this day in 1944 Field Marshal Erwin Rommel committed suicide. (just in case you missed it)

21 st October The club was in cheerful mood to welcome President Sue Smith, just one week away and we miss her. After an excellent lunch ( the fish and chips were superb ) PP Michael gave an informative report on the Rotary Conference at Eastbourne. He had represented the club at all sessions of the conference and had been impressed with the quality of the speakers and entertainment. RI Presidents Representative John Smarge was outstanding as was Rotary Youth Speaks team winners from Twyford C of E High School. ( both got standing ovations). The conference dinner was excellent and he sat next to a delightful ambassadorial Scholar ~ Cynthia Salalim from the USA ( she is available to come and speak to the club on a Wednesday lunchtime) His other seating partner was Martin Dzediku from the Penge club who was most helpful with regard to contacts for a Quiz with the Penge club. The weather was again wonderful and let’s hope we can get a party up for next year.

28 th October A fine day and the club was very pleased to welcome Alan Hooton back to the club after too long an absence. The club also welcomed Rotary International Chairman Adrian Faiers, who was still running as he approached the top table after having been delayed on the Northern line. Adrian accepted a cheque for £490 on behalf of shelter box presented by Mike Baker. Adrian explained how the work of Shelter Box had expanded so much in recent times and had been sending out as many as 500 boxes a week with recent floods in the Far East.


CLUB NOTES SEPTEMBER  2009
2 nd September Another full day for Rotary members starts with a Deptford Pensioners payout and Board meeting at All Saints Church. We are getting used to our container office, but the new premises should be open on the 1 st November 2009. That’s the official opening with the great and the good. Our thanks to President Sue Smith for working on the accounts and the new receipt book, Desmond Pye for pursuing Barclays Bank and the Charity Commissioners, Ernie Groeger on payout, John Dolding who has found an original old map of Deptford with boundaries marked and PP Michael for moral support and transport services.
The lunchtime meeting was pleased to welcome Eileen Crichton and a much travelled Humphrey Jartue-Gilpin. Talk of travel and distant places, Cricketing tales and Old Deptford. President Sue Smith had her first rebellion. After considerable discussion the members would not agreed with the new District Governors request for a 20p per member collection each week for the next month for Aids children in South Africa. We want to pay it all in one go. Deptford rebellious as ever. Our thanks to Owen Beament for producing our new Deptford Rotary handbook.
Then on to the Abbeyfield meeting with Rotary well represented, our thanks to Graham Pratt, Peter Macdonald, Ernie Groeger and Mike Baker for doing the business. Much discussion on, if to bid for the supporting people programme, Graham to go on a training course next week to find out about it. The house is full, one resident who left suddenly has returned. Finances are good. After looking in detail at internal layout there is no space even for small office facilities which are needed. Peter Macdonald to draw up plans for an external facility outside. Consideration of an out of hour’s emergency phone link for residents to be looked into by Mike Baker.

9 th September.The club was most pleased to welcome Richard as visitor. Club Council under the guidance of President Sue Smith was a business like affair on subscriptions to RIBI and other such matters, Ernie Groeger reported on progress on a potential mystery donation of £250. Ted Cox asked if we can get our meals reclassified as a Tax deductable charitable donation....nice try Ted.
After much discussion with so many away on holiday it was decided to cancel the following weeks meeting.
Those members still wishing to meet agreed to make alternative arrangements.

16 th September Although the Deptford Rotary Club meeting was cancelled and the Social Club closed, an alternative venue had been found at the Brockley Jack public house.( Recently refurbished.) Ernie Groeger decided to have a late celebration of his birthday and treated all those Rotarians present to drinks and the meal. Well done Ernie, happy birthday.

23 rd September. PP Michael took the chair in the absence of our President who was overseas.
The meeting was in good spirits and duly impressed with a short talk and photos of a recent voyage aboard the Queen Mary II. The largest liner in the world, at the present time. A truly impress experience. Ted Cox not to be outdone circulated this week’s hot topic ....Paracelsus 1493 to 23 September 1541.

28 September. Rotary members again at an Abbeyfield meeting, our thanks to Peter Macdonald, and Mike Baker.. Graham Pratt, has attended the training course on ‘Supporting People’ and recommended that Abbeyfield should not consider pursing a bid for next year, as too many questions remain un answered and possible commitments unclear. This will mean a potential small loss of income, £1500 pa. The outside painting of Abbeyfields starts tomorrow. Swine flue, sausages, rent levels, the action plan....

30 th September The club was pleased to welcome our President Sue Smith back from Gibraltar ( yes it’s still ours ) The club was in fine form with a blood drenched tale from Desmond Pye and a gripping talk from E G on his recent trip to one of the most secret underground air force bases in the country. Deep underground the giant moving wall screens plot the path of pilotless drone aircraft. Over the skys of distant places like Afghanistan they observe and at times drop their deadly bombs. We can say no more,...Official Secrets Act.

CLUB NOTES AUGUST 2009


5 th August No Meeting ( Holidays) Well not quite for some Rotary members, our thanks to Ernie Groeger for doing the Pensioners payout at All Saints Church.



12 th August The Rotary day started with an early morning meeting of the Abbeyfield board. More work being done on the supporting people report and client issues. What does the Working Time Directive mean and should the rents go up? Our thanks to Graham Pratt, Peter Macdonald, Ernie Groeger and Michael Baker for doing the business.
The Lunch time meeting was pleased to welcome Michael Williams a Rotarian from Virginia USA. A short but inspiring talk about his work for Rotary was much appreciated. Club pennants were exchanged and an official photo taken.
Club Council under the guidance of President Sue Smith was a harmonious and friendly frolic with much banter, but hard decisions had to be made and Desmond Pye was instructed to enter the club for this year’s sporting competitions.



19 th August Members were on best behaviour for a visit from our new District Governor Martin Gudde.
Our new District Governor did not disappoint. A comprehensive and interesting talk on what Rotary is doing and needs to do. From the big donations of Bill Gates $ 350 million to 20p from each lunchtime member for a month to feed AIDs orphaned child in South Africa.

His visit to Mexico to see the new clean water wells being provided by Rotary was informative and inspiring. ( 9 months on and “ the children have stopped dying since the Rotarians came” just clean water can make a real difference)

New ways of Rotary connecting, with the Brown Paper Bag clubs in Brussels. Many office workers now just take a lunchtime sandwich in a brown paper bag. Also Sunday lunch clubs for families with some Rotary work after.

On the Youth front there has been clear support from OFSTED who have said that that it is good policy to involve Rotary in the schools.
Also a clear message came out from our new District Governor, 3F’s Fun Fun Fun

The outstanding Paul Harris award for Ted Castle is being followed up through the District Governor.


26 th August this club meeting is shrouded in mystery as it was listed under Presidents discretion and
with nobody attending the meeting having revealed what went on your scribe can only recount that on this day he was away on holiday in Cornwall. At lunchtime he was in the county town of Truro having lunch in Charlotte’s, a lovely restaurant overlooking the town square. For those of you who have not visited Truro it is a delightful city with a fine Cathedral, well worth a visit.

The Rotary Club of Truro is the oldest in Cornwall (1922) and meets on a Tuesday lunchtime at the Carlton Hotel and in the evening at the Killiow Golf Club.

CLUB NOTES JULY 2009


1 st July The Rotary day started early with a Pensioners Society pay out at All Saints Church followed by a board meeting; our thanks to Desmond Pye, Sue Smith, Ernie Groeger and Michael Baker, for doing their duties. The lunchtime club was pleased to welcome Eileen Crichton and Richard as our visitors.
The Deptford Rotary Club was proud to have its first woman President Sue Smith who takes office for the year 2009/10. A letter of thanks received from the Sisters of St Andrews for the clubs donation. Good news for Peter Baker and Rose, a new grandchild ( No. 6) Thomas.
Following the club meeting John Dolding took PP Michael on a tour of the Deptford Albany Centre.
In the evening PP Michael attended the SE London Scouts AGM on behalf of the club. Scout membership is up and doing well. A number of local Rotary clubs were represented at a well attended meeting.

8 th July The clubs annual pensioners trip to the Lingfield races was very successful. Our thanks to Owen Beament for his organisational skills. The trip also included countryside visits to the Wheatsheaf pub at Marsh Green and St Andrews for lunch and afternoon tea. Thanks to Ernie Groeger for the jelled eals.
PS. A special note regarding the betting skills of John and Wendy Dolding ( assisted by runner PP Michael.) Wendy provided the key inside information in this betting success ( her birthday)


9 th July District Council The Club was represented by PP Michael at the meeting. Martin Gudde is our new District Governor. 6 potential new clubs are under formulation and on the 15 July the Tower Bridge club will get its Charter. Deaths 5 new members 15.


15 th July With the absence of many on holiday this was a reflective meeting with Peter Macdonald and John Dolding holding the troops in order and plotting the next Battle of Hastings.


18 th July A fine day for the children’s outing to Hastings. Our thanks to Owen Beament for doing a great job in organising the children and the coaches; the Rotary club of Hastings for putting on a splendid of event for the children; President Sue Smith for keeping the Deptford Rotarians in order. The adventure playground with meal provided worked well with Rotarians on one side of the fence while the children went wild on the other side of the enclosure. This was followed by the funfair on the sea front, always a favourite. A great day out. It was good to see and meet so many friends again. Special thanks to Wendy Dolding for Taxi services.


22 nd July The Rotary day started with an early morning meeting of the Abbeyfield board. Much work now being done with the house now full and the supporting people report to be discussed.Our thanks to Graham Pratt, Peter Macdonald, Ernie Groeger and Michael Baker for doing the business.
The Club meeting at lunchtime was pleased to welcome Graham Pratt to the meeting. A delayed Club Council was a speedy affair which almost none noticed, with much discussion of the club outings, holidays etc.
The club was sad to hear that Alan Corry will not be renewing this year due family commitments. The Club thanks him for all his past services and hoped that we may yet see him in the future.

29 th July The wonders of modern technology. Our President Sue Smith was able to receive a message from PP Michael to the meeting from on board the Queen Mary 2 in mid Atlantic. The ship, very impressive all going very well, will give report back when return. The Captain had informed passengers that they would be passing the point where the Titanic went down. ( Thick fog at this point) It was also noted that although there was a meeting of another well known society on the ship there was no Rotary meeting. PP Michael to take up with Cunard.



CLUB NOTES JUNE 2009

3rd June The Rotary day started with a Pensioners Society pay out at All Saints Church, our thanks to
Sue Smith and Ernie Groeger for organising. The club was pleased to welcome Andrew Lindsey a Rotarian from Fife (Scotland) who has just written a book on Robert Burns. Also welcomed were
Eileen Crichton and Christina Pye our youngest visitor, who, following family tradition said a few words. Grandfather Desmond Pye reported that the saga of the Barclays Bank mandate has been resolved. ( Next job will be UN negotiator in the Middle East.) Owen Beament gave notice of our summer outings to Lingfield races and Hastings.
President Michael revealed his other life as a management consultant. Exposing how a ‘cheap’ Council mobile library van was more expensive than building and running a purpose built library and what happened next.

10th June President Michael’s taxi service delivered safely and on time Alan Hooton, Alan Corry and John Dolding. The meeting was pleased to welcome David Smith and Christine Pye. Club Council was a busy meeting with Owen Beament making arrangements for Lingfield and Hastings trips. John Dolding reporting the sad passing away of Edward Quinlan a pupil at the Riverside School which the club supports and at which Bola Falase is a Governor. Donations were agreed to support the pensioners outing, Riverside School and Demelza. Desmond Pye in a very sporting gesture congratulated the Greenwich Club on winning the Quiz final. With great sadness Alan Hooton announced to the club that for health reasons he would not be able to continue next year. All members thanked Alan for his service to the club and Rotary and hope he will keep in touch and that we will see him from time to time. In recognition of his services to the club, members made Alan an Honorary Member.

17th June The Club was in ebullient mood and went on to have a late finish. Ted Cox reported on the 999 Club which is closing in the next few days and on the good work it has been doing.( the Deptford 999 deals with some 40 people a day and has a good success with turning round some very hard luck cases.) The Club offered support to any proposed successor.
Bola Falase, brought back thanks from the Riverside School( £200) and Demelza the Childrens’ hospice (£200) for club donations .

20th June. The Club had a stall at the Brockley Society fête on Hilly Fields. Peter MacDonald and President Michael had a Shelter Box on display, with a book sale and raffle to raise money. A very pleasant day with support from John Dolding and daughter Elizabeth. We raised £111 which means we now have enough to purchase another Shelter Box.

24th June The Club was pleased to welcome Graham Pratt. As President Michael’s rotary year came to an end he was in reflective mood and thanked everyone for their support and for making it such an enjoyable experience. His inadvertent slip of the tongue reference ‘to his first year as President’ was not a move to extend his period of office. It was with considerable pleasure that President Michael presented John Dolding with a 12 year old House of Commons bottle of whiskey (Shelter Box raffle). Someone pointed out that such a bottle signed by ex Speaker Martin was sold on E Bay for £1300. Watch this space. The afternoon was rounded off with a meeting of the Abbeyfield board attended by Peter Macdonald, Ernie Groeger, and President Michael. Graham Pratt was able to report that the official inspection had now taken place and follow ups were being completed. Thanks to Graham for all his hard work in making Abbeyfield such a success.

28th June. President Michael was for the High Jump at the London Rotary Schools Athletics Meeting at Crystal Palace Sports Stadium. In his last official capacity as President he was in charge of the boys’ High Jump. He was ably assisted by two very attractive young ladies, Novella ( Italian) and Stephanie
(German). President Michael suspects that having these two young ladies raising the bar had some effect on the boys doing the high jump as he did notice that the final winner asked for the bar to be raised for another jump even after he had won, ( he cleared it as well ). This schools event is now in its 6th year and was the biggest so far. President Michael was also pleased to see his daughter’s old school was now participating.