Thursday 24th December Xmas Eve

Merry Christmas to All...xxx

Monday 21st December

Can the week get any worse?...Snow every where and I have to go to Birmingham to see my Mum....one and a half hours to get as far as Ross Roundabout! three Hours to get to Birmingham! Steves fetching the staff to work, as quick as clients are cancelling others are booking in and guess what the Boiler still is not working and nor is Stephs car....good news only 3 more working days....till Christmas...

Lots of lovely Christmas cards and messages from Rotary Colleagues, but this year once again we are making a donation to Foundation instead of sending Rotary friends cards..but a Merry Christmas to you all...xxxx

Sunday 20th December

Well after the day we had yesterday, off Steve went to try and repair the boiler at the Abertillery salon! No Luck it was dead!!!! So we went AWOL and went to Cardiff instead to try and do our Christmas shopping! perhaps that was a mistake too! So many people....but on a positive it was great to see Peter Brill from the RC Merthyr Tydfil who was with the local Band and they were playing festive music and collecting donations for the Cancer Research Wales, they were aiming to make £6000.00 this year...good luck boys...and the playing was great too.

Saturday 19th December - Rotary District 1150 Christmas Service

After a busy day at work...[with lots of mishaps and calamities!] it was of to the District Christmas Service - at St Woolos Cathedral Newport. A lovely service with lovely singing by the Boroque Singers as well as Congregration participation.a good start to the lead up to the Christmas festivities...

A few Phone calls to make today....

A day at Court today, last one of the year...and in between cases I hope to get time to make some Rotary calls....

One really good call I received last Night was from my Friend Gwenda who is the Interact CoOrdinator for Rotary in Southern Wales....I asked her to allow me to nominate her some time ago for a RIBI role and she promptly completed the forms and awaited the selection process.....and when she got home yesterday from her brothers....a letter was there and she is now going to be on the RIBI Youth Opportunity Committee looking after Interact....they have definately got this appointment right and I am so very pleased she has got this offer...

Well Done Gwenda!!!!!! Interact will be well looked after with you on their team...

a week that has gone so quickly

Well it was not so much a busy Rotary week, but my god its gone Quick....work has been hectic, there was Interview with Jamie Owen on BBC radio Wales on Tuesday morning, discussing Steves attire at the International costume night in San Diego....no its not a shell suit!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00p4z2q/Jamie_Owen_and_Louise_Elliott_08_12_2009/

David Morgan Rotary Director has offered his national costume so that saves a worry....except David is smaller than Steve!!! so we might still have a problem!!! lets wait and see....The RC of Brynmawr were pleased with the outcome of Normans quest in search of Steves attire...searching archives galore to see what ever it is that is the Welsh male national dress....a good few weeks discussions so Thank you Norman...

we will add teh photos on our return in February...someone should have a laugh or two...

RC BRYNMAWR

Hello fellow members its me!

seems so long since I was at Club council with the club...but a really good evening nice buffet and lots of work done...good year ahead I think from what we are planning...

Next week is our Christmas Lunch and then I won;t be at club for 6 weeks! but I am excused absence...they might even keep in touch by my Blog!

M4 M5 and Plymouth in the rain Conference planning visit

A 7am start with Christine knocking the door ready to pick up Alan in Abertillery and Howard in Newport...and its bucketing down!

Still raining this time Cats and dogs on the M4, by the time we get to the M5 its Lions and Tigers!!!!!!

But we arrived at Plymouth safe and sound for two very good meetings with the Copthorne Hotel and the Pavillions centre...we all came away feeling really bouyed and happy about the plans in place.

It was raining again by the time we hit the M5 but never mind we had a splashing day anyway!

The Picture shows the team and their partners after a leaflet filling exercise for prebooking the Copthorne Hotel Rooms, this was done in October when we were at DG Bobs conference in Torquay....if you haven't had your form to prebook your room then please go to the District 1150 website and get one and send it of with your deposit...rooms are being booked now...so if you want one you need to book now....we really would like you to be part of the 2010-11 conference at Plymouth...

RC Brynmawr Christmas service and Lunch and a surprise too!

Sunday started Christmas off...a lovely advent service in the Uniting Church Brynmawr, with Christmas carols and readings...a really lovely service, Thansk to everyone who attended and took part..

Then we went for Lunch at the Dragon Hotel in Crickhowell, Lovely food...and company

Then I surprised the club with an Rotary International Health and Hunger award for all their work with Lifestraws...They really were surprised as only President Christine knew about it...a lovely weekend to start the Christmas celebrations of...Merry Christmas all...

AN AFTERNOON ON THE PHONE

Well a morning in work and then onto the Rotary delegated phone...No-one tells you that building a team can be so much fun and also so much like hard work....three important posts to fill...2 AG's and a chairman...so any one from the District who has an interest at district level  give me a call.....

but the glass it has to be said is 7/8th full so can't complain too much....I am enjoying this preparation and planning....really......

Off to add some stuff onto ebay now...got to get Christmas paid for somehow..hahha!

Youth Opportunity meeting

Well its official I handed over to David Curtis tonight....a bit like dejavu and the team are I am sure going to be doing great things...Good Luck David, I know you will love this role, its busy and enjoyable and not like anything you will have done before...but so rewarding...thanks to the team the last 3.5 years has been so enjoyable and it seems strange now being on the other side of the fence...but you won't get rid of me that quickly...I promise I'll be popping to all the Youth Finals...

Wish I'd gone to Rotary!

Well I think its a hot bath and a relax for me...I've been up since 7.30am this morning and haven't stopped....The christmas Decorations are now up...the house is nearly cleaned through; cause Santa won't come otherwise...and now with my back hurting I wish I'd had a Rotary meeting to go to!

But Santa can come to our house whenever he wants to, I can do the shopping cause all the kitchen cupboards have been cleaned out [ I couldn't have done that last year....as I found tins and stuff that was 6 months or more out of date] So now I can enjoy the busy Rotary December ahead and work whatever extra hours to please my clients I want...so I think I'll go do the last bit in the kitchen....or shall I leave it till the morning? as its the cooker!!!! I hate cleaning the cooker, should have done that first!!!!

Well I'll update you in the morning.......Night...xxx

Christmas is coming

I am going to be really busy today at Work,,,,Christmas must be starting as the clients now want their colours and perms done....and it seems they all want it today...so bring it on!!!!

So if you see me with black bags under my eyes and looking tired, you will know I'm happy as the till will have been chinging too!!!!!

And I'm going to get to go the Wales v Australia Match tomorrow..so come on our team make sure you win for Donna!...so no more appointments after 2 pm tomorrow for me....got to get a train......
OFF TO WORK NOW...... :-)

I went and came home a very disappointed girl! :-(

Cheese and Wine Fundraiser...Swansea Valley

An excellent evening was enjoyed by all present at President Geoffs home tonight, a Cheese and Wine evening in aid of Help the Heroes...and Dianes Nephew who is serving in Afganistan phoned whilst we were all there...really emotional....

Well Done Diane and Geoff and a big Thankyou for all your efforts for a brilliant charity....

A conference planning meeting

A very good meeting was enjoyed by us today, lots of things tied up and jobs distributed between the team....time really is flying by and Oct 8th 2010 will be here before we know it...don't forget to send in your hotel reservations for the Conference headquarters hotel asap....

Tuesday 24th November District Welsh Youth Speaks Final

What a evening...another wonderful event highlighting the brilliant young people in our country....well done to you all...

Monday 23rd November....a Dear Loyal Rotarian

Today was a very sad day when many many Rotarians from around the district paid their last repects to a dear friend to us all ...Rtn Don Ramsay

.....the church was so well attended as was the Crematorium..a service which had been so well thought out proved what a dear gentleman Don was, I will on my part miss his kind reassuring words and his support. Rest in Peace Don, your courage in bearing your illness was, as you always was, bourne in such a gentlemanly manner...you will be missed by so many...xxxx

Always remember to forget the things that made you sad, but never forget to remember all the things that made you glad.....

Sunday 22nd Nov the Cappucino Girls...Cancer Research Wales Evening

An Evening with Maggie and the Cancer Research fundraising team and specialists who work so hard in the battle to find cures....well done on a wonderful evening 'The Cappucino Girls' is really a great show and everyone should try and see it...at the Moment its at The Gate Theatre Roach Cardiff, this is also a wonderful venue so go and check it out....

Well Done Maggie ...who is from RC Cardiff Breakfast....it was also great to see President Gerry from the RC Cardiff Bay presenting a cheque for £500 to the charity that night...

Welsh Youth Speaks Semi Final on 12-11-09

Well a brilliant competition on 12th November and even though I understand very little the thing I can tell is the way the young people enjoy themselves...well Done David for an evening that was well organised yet again...and to the RC of Rhondda for a wonderful buffet.

Pictured is AG Ken Williams awaiting the results

Kick Polio into Touch

The Rotary Club of Brynmawr was delighted to win the two tickets donated by the WRU for us to raise funds for the Polio Erradication Program...we then sold lucky numbers at £1 each and the draw took place on Weds 18th Nov at Alans Furniture in Brynmawr...the Winner was Laura Hayden and she is pictured with her tickets and was ''Megga Chuffed''....I'll see you there Laura...but I paid £130 for my 2 tickets,...you lucky girl you.....the funds raised will vacinate over 1000 children from polio so there was more than one winner.....thanks to all who bought lucky numbers....

Wales V Argentina Sat 21st Nov

My First Visit to the Stadium and to watch a Rugby Match...whoaa....

and I got the eyes to calm down before I even got started....so..I must be welsh after all...my clients tell me my passport has been stamped now so it must be true....later on Steve said ' if you don't shut up I am gonna tell this lot your English' Think I might have been shouting a little bit.....

Membership planning Thursday 19th Nov

A meeting of Planning for the marketing campaign...good night and fellowship and planning seems to be in place...well done all....

Eisteddfod meeting Wednesday Nov 18th

A really good meeting of the clubs who are going to man the Eistedfood Rotary Stand happened and lots of planning and organisation occured...including me going and getting commitment from the District officers to sleep and live out of a Shelterbox tent for the week...Breaking News....Jim Moulson the RIBI president Elect has agreed to for a night so the officers and members of District 1150 can't say no now can they and if Donna is doing it so can they....now lets get the list together for what nights they are going to do their night!!!!

The Picture is the mirrored Blaenau Gwent logo outside the meeting room we usually use....this time we had to use the older little room....as there was a Independant meeting and their need was recognised by us....! and we get the meeting room for free so we don't complain.....Thanks Rob [AG zone 7] for all your efforts on our behalf....

GETS!!!!! NO I AM NOT SWEARING

We got back late last night after 3 days at the Rotary Institute and GETS..Governor Elect Training Seminar...meet the President Elect for Rotary International...seems an okay guy with a few good ideas,..the team for 2010-11 for RIBI are a good bunch and seem to have all gelled this weekend, even if the working spoiled the fun....so now its gonna be San Diego next for the next lot of training.is time going quick or is it going quick?
The Picture shows some of us mingling before we start our dance practice...at Sandiego we have to do a entertaining night....ours will be very entertaining I am sure!

Rotary Disabled Sports Sunday November 1st 2009

An absolutely wonderful event which all clubs and general public should try and go to support...well done all.....

RC Rhondda Charity Evening

Of tonight to spend an evening in Tylorstown with the RC Rhondda who are a lovely club and with my dear friend Ken Williams who is an Assistant Governor for Zone 5 as well as being a member of this club...should be a great night....just hope I have enough time to get my hair done !

An Evening meeting

Back to the Ty Newydd, this time to discuss any changes that might be needed in information availability...good meeting and a bit of fun.....back home and antibiotics started for this dreaded sore throat...but those that know me will know that won't shut me up!

Of to Visit the Wizard....the wonderful wizard of?

Okay I know thats not nice to call Bob Higgins...LOL

But I am of to first the Rotary DoctorBank AGM at the TY Newydd Hotel...and then straight after into the  District Council meeting and I am sure Bob will be a 'Wizard' at controlling that meeting.

I am unfortunately not standing for another year as Secretary of RDB due to the DG role being one that will take a bit of time! if DGE is anything to go by! But I will be sad not doing this role for a while, although want to still be part of the team...

So we will await the outcomes of District Council and watch with awe as Bob Chairs his first one...and then take notes of how he did it I am sure....

PostScript....enjoying a whisky and lemonade and wondering how I can match the Wizard...kept control and handled it perfectly..well done Bob you are the Wizard,...okay of Cwmbran not Oz but theres got to be room for improvement somewhere......

A busy Day

A really full column this morning...horray....

Then for 1pm I have to sort sandwiches and coffee...okay hot water for Christine for a conference committee meeting this afternoon...got to get on with this now as theres only 49 weeks to the next conference ...which is frightening...we really are the case now and need to get the timelines right...so chats and work for a few hours this afternoon..

Must remember to bring my laptops....Thanks to my committee who are already so Brilliant...we will have a great one I know because your so committed...xxx

Then onto the Business Forum meeting at 5.45 where I am Chairman...[Got to learn to say No]....this is where we as Proprietors and Managers of Businesses in Brynmawr try to keep our town alive...big supermarket sites and out of town shopping has caused many problems for small towns like ours and we really are doing our best to get people into our towns to shop and visit....the UK should have learned from the American examples...they are going back to small town shopping..so I read...

7PM ....straight onto The RC Brynmawr Meeting at least I get to eat there...a hot buffet I understand tonight...anyway lots of work there as I hear its a big agenda and I have to present the accounts to the club from last year now they are back from the auditor. But we get lots of friendships from attending and do get things done..... So a busy day!!!!

The RC Brynmawr 'Lifestraw' Water Project

A management meeting tonight of the Lifestraw Committee before Committee meeting at club Council...lots sorted and change I am sure is ahead...How a simple idea has grown so very much helping so many people in need of clean water throughout the world...The AGM is only 2 weeks away and how much has been acheived in 6 short years...Thanks to all who have supported us..in getting Straws where they have been needed and for the donations which allowed that to happen
Well Done David Dutson for all the talks to clubs and organisations you do and have done in the past and to Paul Ringdahl who had the original idea and concept...David Get well soon...xxx Thanks too to Margaret one hell of a baker...her coffee and cakes are brilliant!!!!

A new Rotary Friend and the Rd I travel is growing....

I have met our hosts by email and facebook in the last 24 hrs...what a small world we now live in....Robin and her family are hosting us when we start our American Journey..in January 2010...Robin lives in Orlando and we are lucky enough to be able to have a week there staying at their home and enjoying their hospitalty before going onto Sandiego..her family sound just great and so does she, we are so lucky to be hosted by this wonderful family...

Facebook will be great as a link and we should really recognise each other by the time January comes....then it will be on to Sandiego and after that week, 4 days in Vegas...so hard work is repaid by making new friendships and some well deserved R and R........but friendships are the most important....

a Drive to Cardiff

Anothe rmeeting tonight, this time a trip to the other side of Cardiff...I really am finding new places on this Rotary Journey....tonight was a meeting to discuss new club formations and the marketing that is about to occur in the new year to tell people about Rotary and inform them of what we do...also giving them a chance to find out more...a bit tired tonight so couldn't wait to get home and soak as my back just isn't getting any better....never mind though, I might have a massage from my new beautician in work....

A RYLA evening at RC Machen

Tuesday evening saw me at the RC Machen, another brilliant evening with RYLA students and a club who is so fully supportive of The wonderful course, but it doesn't happen without Rtn Hugh Clatworthy who is Mr Ryla himself...a wonderful committed man who gets the work done so the students involved have a brilliant time making new friends, finding out about themselves from their weaknesses through to their strengths, this Youth Opoortunity is a jewel in District 1150's crown.... 

The District Governor Visits

A brilliant night last night, R.C Abertillery and Blaina and R.C Brynmawr joined together for the official visit of the DG, he was as usual funny and enlightening... Bad news Done my back in as we stood for the Toast to the Queen....I can honestly say... today I am not toasting her!

Anyway of to have a meeting with My conference Chairman...only 50 weeks left to Plymouth! and then onto R.C Machen for a RYLA presenation evening, if its as good as last weeks I will forget the back pain...they have RYLA of to a T ........absolutely brilliant club support...but then Hugh Clatworthy is Mr RYLA himself...

Rotary Planning - Eisteddfod Meeting- Heads of the Valleys-2010

Off to the meeting tonight, where we have invited all interested Rotary Clubs to attend...lots of planning is needed to get Rotarys presence realised and we have made a good start...so lets see how many turn up tonight and get the party started!

A Lovely few days

A visit from my Mum on Sunday and I will take her back to Brum on Wednesday after I finish work! before going to the Eisteddfod meeting in Ebbw Vale..
My Cousin Tina who now lives in Australia arrived with her dad My Uncle Nick from Wolverhampton and her son Jake on Monday.....we had a lovely day Monday and today, Steve took Jake to Big Pit and we went to Abergavenny later....they have gone home now, I loved their visit...quite emotional...
Mums going to go and see her Sister, Auntie Rose....who is the reason I moved to Wales as I met Steve whilst staying on hols with her.....they are going to the Brynmawr British Legion Club

and me....I'm off to Machen RC to see some of their RYLA participants...always a great night there...I will also catch up with my Conference Chairman whilst there...and the presentation from these young people was great, RC Machen really have got the whole RYLA thing right, from interviews to the week there...well done...

conference 2009...Bobs had a great one...so did we..

We travelled to Torquay for DG Bobs conference and it was well worth it...

I won the Fancy Dress prize for the womans entries....

I was only sharking about as well....!

then there was the packing of our bags ready for the Sunday Promo of Conference next year!!! How frightening! 52 weeks and it will be over.....

and then the Saturday night dinner

Then the promo for next year...but I lost my page and got a bit lost!

I am cross at myself, but heyho, the guys got the laughs!

guess I need to get a box to stand on next year!

Rotary Doctor Bank Management Meeting

A really good meeting of the Management Committee tonight at Mansels Surgery, as usual a little bit of laughter at our own expense, but lots looked at for the future works the Doctors do...a new Hospital perhaps being a reciprient of the Assignments we arrange in the African continent...

I am always surprised at how surprised I am! at all the good Rotary and its associated programs do...we really should be proud of what collectively we do..a big pat on the back to you all..xxx
I am so proud to be a Rotarian and more so to be part of this group of Volunteers...

The AGM is at the end of the month...all are welcome..Ty Newydd Hotel, 28-10-09 6pm start...

R.C Brynmawr and childhood memories

Well at Lunchtime I went to my own club...and they still knew who I was..but we had a trip down memory lane.
lunch was Scampi and salad and chips....
but Pudding was Semolina and Jam....oh it was lush....
and the memories being recalled around the table was anazing...mine were younger and less warlike...as we were obviously not too well off in our house and Mum fed us up on cheaper filling foods....and I just love it all even now...and I was mega glad to have gone and had this pudding today....the scampi well I was about 21 before I ate that as a married woman making her own choices....

A day of experiences!!!!

oh why oh why oh why do I do it?

Interviews today...for my real and paid work...looking for a new Beautician.....after last week preparing for the 2010 conference trailer my beautician decided she just could not do anything to help some Rotarians...look pretty...so obviously wasn't a good beautician...so she left!.......

when I went back this morning they were still on the couch!!!!

Not really....although I did have interviews today to replace one of my beauticians it wasn't Steph! and it wasn't these Rotarians fault!!!! can you guess who they are and what they are up to? other than raising money for Foundation....Come to Conference in Torquay this weekend and you just might find out!.....any more volunteers ......personal body waxing for Foundation fundraising????

PeTS

PeTS....no its not Bruce my parrot, or the fish or even the geckos!

Its the President Elects Training Seminar and its Sunday Night and I saw two 6o'clocks in one day! I'd left the house by 6.40 this morning...I normally am still snoring then!

and I have now undertook the two that we need to do this year, one in Hirwaun and one in Kidwelly...and the Group are all great, lots of different personalities but all with Service and Community in their hearts....
I am so excited being District Governor in July seems more real.....thanks J.C, Mike and Kevin for your help and being part of this experience..and to my Pressies!xxx

I can't wait for our team to start on the work together...see you all in Conference next weekend and just wait till you see the Promo for OUR conference...it will be FUN...FUN...FUN as that's what we are gonna have lots of hopefully...xxxxx

So where has September gone?

I made a promise to get onto this on at least an every other day basis.....on dear, I didn't achieve it did I.

So what Did I do in September?

WELL I DIDN'T DO THIS!
Contrary to the rumour that JC ignored me so I gave him a black eye..it wasn't me!! But I know the truth....but I guess its not bad to have a hard hat on when I am around...lol...

But I did go to Stratford to the Stratford Manor Hotel for a training session with Steve and the other 28 District Governor elects and their partners, who all in total cover GB and Ireland...
it was busy for us all and we did get to find out about each other more, which is great as we are going to be working together for the next 18 months and friendships are already flourishing...overall a good weekend...

and some of us DGE's went to Birmingham to order our blazers...

I've never seen Brum from this height!

then off we went like kiddies and played in the lifts!!!!

but we did behave and we did order the blazers or materials for them...

I also have been to RC Blackwood who hosted group Study Exchange evening, our District outgoing team to Australia having a run through of their presentations for their trip...great night, lovely food and company...and what a team we have going out there...

And then there was a journey to Knighton and a great night, the Presidents Night, poor Kathy they did take the Michael out of you,,,but it was a brilliant night...

And there was RC Swansea Valleys 40th anniversary...a brilliant night excellently organised and good company...

Another Busy week and the end of August has gone...

Okay I have borrowed Mike Parrys' image!

I have to be as good as he is getting pictures taken when we go to meetings...fortunately he has not caught me eating lately and this one shows me getting ready for the District Administration meeting on Thursday 27th August, as you can see Martyn beat me to the sarnies! But a good meeting was had where we pondered new ideas, heard of others successes and plans and got on with the job in hand.

On the wonderful Bank Holiday we had..! Not! I managed to get the RC Brynmawr website up and running so a good weekend as far as that is concerned go have a look if you have time ; http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.asp?ClubID=915

and I also did a website for my Daughters wedding...countdown on now officially 362 days left...I am sure you don't want to go and have a look at that one but just in case here's the link: http://stephanieandmark.weddingpath.co.uk/467094&FA=SNT

Well this week is a busy Rotary and working one......... and I WILL remember the camera and get sorted for updates just like Mike and Bob do on theirs! promise...xx

Rotary DoctorBank Meeting

I'm going to Cardiff tonight....yeah when you hear that from a 40+ woman you tend to think they are off on the town...but no I'm off to a Rotary Doctor Bank Meeting...a wonderful voluntary organisation who organise and facilitate assignments for wonderful volunteer Doctors to go and work free of charge in some of the poorest parts of our world...
I have been the Secretary for about 5 years now and with the District Governors Job around the corner have to hand over to someone else for a while, so planning meeting tonight on how we are going to do the handovers and work...but Mansels' wife Shirley makes a mean sponge cake so with a bit of luck my payment is cake and coffee....yummmmmm....xxx

A nice weekend and an Afternoon with Rotary Friends...

we were off to DG Bobs home yesterday for afternoon tea, with other friends from the District team, it was a lovely afternoon of friendship, laughter and a great tea...Thanks Edwina...we all know you did it all, as we can't imagine Bob whipping up such lovely cakes and sandwiches...
Wish I had remmebered the camera, Bobs shirt was really !!!! awesome!!!!! sorry Bob but next time you want to help those women get a plain white shirt!!!!
Thanks for a great afternoon.....

oh Dear!

So much for keeping up with Blogging!
I have to get on track otherwise I will be caching up in a years time...
so what have I been up to in the last month...well its been hectic, work has been great lots of weddings, also lots of weddings for us to attend as a family too. so that's been wonderful.. and Rotary is keeping me really busy, but its great fun too...






Keri and Ian Balls Wedding

Michelle and Matts Wedding


Yeah your right, Shane was getting her to play drinking Games!!! her head will have hurt the next morning!

The Three Blaenau Gwent Rotary Clubs work towards the Eisteddfod

Blaenau Gwent is to host the National Eisteddfod in 2010.

The annual Welsh cultural festival will be staged at The Works: Ebbw Vale - the former steelworks site at the centre of a £300m redevelopment project. The eisteddfod field will be created specially for the festival on a large area of the 185-acre former steelworks site which is being transformed ready for future housing, education, arts, leisure, business and transport use.
The announcement was made at last year's eisteddfod in Cardiff, 50 years after the event was last held in Ebbw Vale.
The eisteddfod is one of Europe's largest and oldest cultural events and hosting it in the heads of the valleys provides a great platform to show what the region has to offer and help change perceptions. The Works: Ebbw Vale is an excellent choice because it is one of the key strategic projects in the Heads of the Valleys regeneration programme.

The eisteddfod attracts people from communities throughout Wales and brings a range of cultural and economic benefits to the host authority, The Rotary Clubs of Blaenau Gwent, Abertillery and Blaina, Brynmawr and Ebbw Vale have set up a committee who will steer the path to ensure Rotary Projects are on show to all who attend, Other Clubs along the Heads of the valleys Corridor are also it is hoped want to assist and be involved.

Our Next meeting will have the Cardiff clubs come and tell us how they saw the work they did and direct us to the positives...look out for more information as its going to be an exciting time..

RC Abertillery and Blaina Handover Dinner 26th June 2009

It was off to The Golf club at Nantyglo, [West Mon Golf Club] to be part of the Rotary Club of Abertillery and Blaina Handover dinner.

Abertillery and Blaina Rotary Club are my clubs neighbours and we work closely with them when we can, but as I was invited as the DGN as the Assistant Governor Rob was at his own clubs handover celebrations' in Crickhowell.

Steve and I had a wonderful evening of fellowship and a good meal too. Thanks for inviting me President Michael and his wife Kay..and Outgoing President John...all friends from other avenues and all who have the best interests of their communities at heart. I look forward to working with you all in the next year.

RC Brynmawr Handover 30th June 2009

My Club had its handover on June 30th, and Christine Bayliss my dear friend in and out of Rotary is to be president this year, as Johnathon was unable to attend I was delighted to act as his replacement and install her as President for 2009-10, it was more of a delight, because Christine was the person who invited me to my first Rotary meeting and is part of my Conference team...Thanks Chris and enjoy your year...we will all be behind you in doing whatever you have planned for the club..The club members enjoyed a good meal and fellowship but also a Bran tub draw, used to raise money for Rotary Foundation and a throw a pound...to the bottle of whisky. Rtn David Dutson got the closest, not for the lack of trying on the rest of our parts!! but Foundation was again the winner...

Foundation is the name we use to describe Rotarys' own Charity, which is used to fund so many world projects Polio Eradication being just one of those important projects..

A Sunday is the day of Rest...

So I cleaned the House caught up on the washing and deep cleaned the bathroom, Now enjoying a glass of whiskey and ginger.....but Steve did cook a lovely Lamb roast...

Now catching up on Rotary, a new link came through for the training manual for the Presidents Elects..and that training starts in a few weeks so I have lots to do with my District Training adviser PDG JC Williams, a dear friend and confidante..

Thanks JC..and to all the President Elects, who will be already working on their plans for 2010-11..

RC Ebbw Vale Presidential Handover dinner.

After a day cutting hair it was of out for a well deserved Friday Night Dinner at the Parkway Hotel, to help celebrate Preisdent Dr Raju's installation as President for The RC of Ebbw Vale.

A lovely evening of fellowship where Past District Governor Ganesh was guest speaker, as usual Ganesh was wonderful. Good Luck for the next year Raju I know you will have The Ebbw Vale Members working hard as well as enjoying their undertakings..

The District Bowls competition- its u-tubed!

Its a diary date for July- the First Tuesday of each July the District has a Bowls competition in Llandrinddod Wells, Lunching first with the Landrinddod Club and then over to the Bowls green for a Match!
I played there years ago, in fact I was the first female Rotarian to play! But I couldn't play very well....but my club won that year...okay..it was our number one team and I was on the the number two team...but I played! and enjoyed the day! Trouble is the winning club has to organise the next years competition, so I have been banned from playing ever since just in case I was a good mascot!!!!!

I enjoyed the day too this year, the rain held off and I met up with friends and made some new ones too...a day of real Rotary fellowship and I am already looking forward to next years competition, Organised by RC of Machen...as they won this year with RC Of Briton Ferry coming second..a really close thing too... Well Done every one...

If you wonder what happens at a bowls match...go check out the u-tube video added by the RC of Knighton...great idea and Thanks Knighton....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzEDZrGMtMY

A week goes by....

Another Busy week full of Rotary events as well as Family and Work..

Last weekend started in Bristol with a family wedding, with a quick ride down the M4 on Sunday Morning to get to Neath for DG Claytons handover to the new DG Bob Higgins....ok I wasn't too quick..but I could have been as we took the TVR and she can go quick if you need her too...but of course you don't need to prove anything to the young boys! the car and I know it does what it does if it wants to [or I want it to!]

DG Bob and his wife Edwina now are the captains of the Ship which is District 1150....Good Luck Bob, You have my full support and that of Steve Too..Bob serves the District until July 1st 2010 when I get to be the District Governor..lots of learning and planning ahead before that event can happen though, so this blog might see a few expletives in that time!

Thursday 2nd July GSE Work...

Well I've been trying to work out the GSE visit in 2010-11 today..I've teamed up with a Phillipines District and can't wait until Oct 2010..

So why worry now I hear you say, well time marches on and I need to get plans in place...Thanks Rob for letting me bend your ear today....

Whats GSE I hear you ask?

About the program

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business people and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.
For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

Look out for info on GSE in our District....

Wednesday 1st July Rotary Doctor Bank meeting

Well Rotary has many spokes to its wheel and one of them is Rotary Doctor Bank...I've been secretary of this wonderful charity for about 3 years now and have enjoyed the company and fellowship of like minded people....okay a hairdresser conversing with Doctors is sometimes a challenge, for them understanding me that is......
tonights meeting was a good one, with our new Chairman taking his place tonight and our new secretary coming along to see what we get up to, I've agreed to do the job a wee while longer until Rtn Trevor Reynolds finds his feet with what we do why and when....it was great to meet Trevor and he certainly is energetic for a man in his later years...Thanks Trevor...

A little bit about what Rotary Doctor Bank is about...

Built upon the Rotary ideals of a non-political, non-sectarian service by providing health care to people in need the Rotary Doctor Bank in Great Britain and Ireland provides medical and other health care to work in developing countries. Most of our work is in the African countries of Malawi and Uganda but we have supported assignments in places like Nepal and Kiribati (formally the Ellice Islands).
The Rotary Doctor Bank maintains an active register of volunteers whose skills are matched with the requirements of mission hospitals and clinics. We then assist the volunteer with documentation and making necessary arrangements for travel. If the volunteer is a Rotarian, the Doctor Bank can assist applications for Voluntary Service Grants from the Rotary Foundation. There are no age limits but all volunteers are required to be clinically competent, and fit enough to work in the hot and often challenging environments in the countries to which they are assigned. A typical assignment will be for four to eight weeks but occasionally are shorter

Tuesday 30th June 2009

A great Night with my club for our Presidents Handover night, Christine was President 10 years ago, so we've recycled her...!!!! I can't wait for the year ahead, Good Luck Christine...

The Rotary Club of Abertillery Presidential Handover

I was delighted to attend the Abertillery Handover on Friday 26th June. The evening was spent with a lovely group of people and their partners who are committed to helping their community. Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed the food, speeches and laughter. Outgoing President John who is with the Fire Service had had a wonderful year and Incoming President Mike told of his plans for the year which certainly will keep them all busy.

Thanks all for a Brilliant Night.