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...