The Rotary year for The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street began on 1 July 2007.
On Fri 6 July 2007 our new Club President: Rotarian Malcolm Pratt was inducted.

 

President Malcolm Pratt's chosen charities for the forthcoming Rotary year are:

1.  The Grace House Childrens' Hospice Appeal.
2.  The Parkinson's Disease Society.

Throughout the year we are organising events to raise funds for the President's chosen charities, and other Rotary projects in support of our local and international communities, also to promote Fellowship among our members and their families and friends:-

• Fri 6 July 2007 - Immediate Past-President Ian Wilson inducts incoming President, Rotarian Malcolm Pratt, for the year 2007 - 2008 and President Malcolm Pratt inducts his Officers, Rotarian Bill Holden (President-elect) and Rotarian Jim Lawrence (Vice-President)..

  (Place your cursor over the photograph for explanation)

• Fri 6 July 2007 - Presidents/Presidents-Elect 'Ins & Out' Dinner was attended by our outgoing President Ian Wilson and our incoming President Malcolm Pratt, with their ladies.  Coincidentally Ian's better half, Rotarian Jennifer Wilson, is also President of our daughter club, the Rotary Club of Birtley for the ensuing year 2007-2008.
• Sat 14 July 2007 - Fellowship evening - "Northern Proms at the Riverside".
• Fri 3 Aug 2007 - McLeish Golf Trophy - an annual competition, was competed for against our friends at the Rotary Club of York. There was a slight change in that it was played at Fulford Golf Club instead of the City of York Golf Club.  York Rotarians were the winners this year by a margin of 3-1 matches.  We look to reverse that next year at Chester-le-Street and regain the trophy.
• Fri 5 - 7 Oct 2007 - Rotary District 1030 Annual Conference - on board MS King of Scandinavia.   Why not go this year and visit Amsterdam as well?  For details visit the new District 1030 website: http://www.rotary1030.org
• Fri 10 Aug 2007 - Club Business Meeting.
• Fri 10 Aug 2007 - Sponsored Walk - Organiser Rotarian Arnold Cook presents Mrs Maureen Gillespie, of Wolsingham, with our Sponsored Walk 'Arnold Cook Trophy', which she holds for one year.  Of all contributors Mrs Gillespie, helped by her husband Derek, raised the most money (£75) for the Rotary Club's 2006-2007 sponsored walk held in aid of the Immediate Past-President Ian Wilson's chosen charities: The Chester-le-Street Sea Cadet Corps, and also the Bubble Foundation UK, at the General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne.  A final total of in excess of £620 was raised.  Our thanks go to all contributors.  (Place your cursor over the photograph below for a brief explanation)

  Champion Sponsored Walk Fund Raiser
  2006 - 2007

• Fri 10 Aug 2007 - Eykenbloom District Golf Trophy - the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street won the semi-final of the Rotary District 1030 Golf Competition, when they beat the Rotary Club of Whitley Bay at Chester-le-Street Golf Course.  We now await the name of our opponents in the final and the venue.  NB: The final has been postponed until after Easter 2008.
• Fri 24 Aug 07 - Visit by Assistant Governor John Mayes and President Malcolm Pratt inducts our new Hon. Secretary, Rotarian David Burton.  (See photograph below):
• Wed 5 Sep 2007 - the 'T. Dormand Stewart Trophy' Outdoor Bowls Competition was held at the Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street.  Play commenced at 11.00 am between 12 teams from Rotary Clubs throughout Rotary Northeast (District 1030).  Rotarians Fred Richards and Ian Wilson, represented the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.   The competition was won by Rotarians Alan Armitage and Peter Kell of the Rotary Club of Washington.  The Runners-up were Rotarians Richard Broadon and Richard Hart Jackson of the Rotary Club of Tynedale.

  T.Dormant Outdoor Bowls Trophy Competition - Photographs
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• Sep 2007 - Jim Merchant District Quiz Competition (the exact date to be announced).  One team has been entered from the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street in the Rotary District 1030 Quiz Competition for 2007-2008. The draw will be made in mid-September and the format is the same as last year. We have had to provide a Quiz Master to officiate between two other clubs and our President-elect, Bill Holden, has volunteered to act if needed.
• Tue 18 Sep 2007 - Day Trip to Whitby - a Fellowship day out with wives and friends is being planned - a journey by train from Chester-le-Street to Whitby and return.
• Thu 27 Sep 07 - Len Usher District 1030 Snooker Trophy Final - was played between the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street versus Rotary Club of Bishop Auckland.  The competition was won by the Bishop Auckland team and the worthy runners-up were Rotarians Alan Campbell and Jim Lawrence of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

  The Len Usher District 1030 Snooker Trophy

  Rotarian Richard Gent (right), District Sports Officer, presenting 'The Len Usher District 1030 Snooker Runners-up Trophy' to Rotarian Alan Campbell, in the absence of the other joint runner-up, Rotarian Jim Lawrence, both of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

• Fri 28 Sep 07 - Club Competition 'The Last Rose of Summer' held in memory of the late Elliott Fennell was won by our President-elect Bill Holden, who beat off a number of good entries.

  Winner of The Last Rose of Summer Trophy 2007

• Weekend 5 - 7 Oct 2007 - Rotary District 1030 Annual Conference - onboard MS Scandinavia enroute to Amsterdam.
• Fri 12 Oct 07 - our Guest Speaker was Isao Hara, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hokuto, Japan.  Isao is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar studying Phonetics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne for 3 years.  Hosted by the Rotary Club of Seaburn, Isao gave us an extremely interesting talk and slide show about phonetics and his native country, Japan.

  An Exchange of Rotary Banners

• Sun 14 Oct 07 - Organised visit to the Beamish Museum with the visiting Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team from Rotary Club of Nashville USA.

  GSE Team Visit to Beamish Musuem

  
  

  Sat 20 Oct 2007 - Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street was held at Beamish Park Golf Club. To see Photographs - click here.

• Fri 23 Oct 07 - President Malcolm Pratt re-inducts Past-President Tom Moffatt MBE back into Rotary after a short absence, much to the pleasure of all members. (See photograph below):
• Tue 6 Nov 07 - meeting of the Club Council.
• Fri 16 Nov 07 - President-elect Bill Holden presents a Club donation to Mr Gerald Farnell, local Treasurer of the Bubble Foundation. (See photgraph below):
• Sat 24 Nov 2007 - Fellowship Evening & Dinner at Pelaw Dog Stadium, Birtley/Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.
• Fri 30 Nov 07 - Fellowship Evening at 7 for 7.30 pm with Guest Speaker and entertainment by the Tyneside comedy duo 'Fine Fettle' - wives and friends are welcome.  The main event of the evening was Linda Watson, a local Teacher, receiving her Paul Harris Fellowship award from President Malcolm Pratt (see photograph below):
• Fr 14 Dec 07 - a round of the District 1030 Quiz Competition was held between the Rotary Club of Hexham and the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street (the home team) which, after a closely fought contest against worthy opponents, Chester-le-Street emerged the victors. (See photographs below):

  Jim Merchant District 1030 Quiz Competition

  The Chester-leStreet Team: Rotarians (left-right) - Brian Straughan (Captain), Alan Campbell, Bob Watson & David Burton.
  	The Hexham Team: Rotarians (left-right) - JB Jonas, Peter Oliver (Captain), Ken Webster & Christine Moorcroft.
  Rotarian Peter Oliver (on left), Hon Secretary Hexham Rotary Club exchanging Club banners with President Malcolm Pratt, Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

  
  

  CHESTER-LE-STREET DISTRICT

  ROTARY CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION SERVICE Commencing Monday - 7th January 2008

  ROTARY THANKS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY The Christmas Tree Collection Service run in Chester-le-Street district by the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street during the week commencing Monday 7th January 2008 was a great success. The success of the project is due to generous local residents, who contacted the Rotary Club to have 120 Christmas trees removed for recycling, and who donated in excess of £750, to date, for the service.  Only a few donations promised have yet to be received. The money raised is going to the Club’s chosen charities: The Grace House Childrens’ Hospice Appeal and The Parkinson's Disease Society. The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street thanks all those local residents who took part for their kind support and generosity.

• Fri 11 Jan 08 - The Rose Trophy is an annual project when the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street honours a local student for the highest academic achievement of his year.  This year the Rose Trophy went to Alan Sanders, a former student at the Hermitage School and Park View 6th Form College, Chester-le-Street.  Alan is now at Collingwood College, University of Durham, reading Physics. (photographs below):

  Alan Sanders - Rose Trophy Recipient

  Alan Sanders, Chester-le-Street Student, receiving the Rose Trophy and a cheque for £75 from President Malcolm Pratt MBE, DL.
  	Alan Sanders with his family (l-r): Mum June Sanders, Alan, Dad Ken Sanders and Grandmother Florence Sanders.

• Fri 18 Jan 08 - Presentation to Chester-le-Street Sea Cadets at our regular luncheon meeting.  During the Rotary year 2006-2007, of Immendiate-Past President Ian Wilson, the sum of £1200 was raised plus plus an additional grant from Rotary Foundation of £1000, enabling the Sea Cadets to purchase and fit security shutters for their headquarters building at the Donald Owen Clark Centre, Chester-le-Street..  Club President, Malcolm Pratt presented the cheque to Commander Margaret Mons-White, the Officer Commanding Chester-le-Street Sea Cadets. (See photograph below):

  Presentation to Commander Margaret Mons-White, Chester-le-Street Sea Cadets

• Fri 8 Feb 08 - The first recipient of the Elliott Davidson Trophy is Daniel Mellis (age 14) of Chester-le-Street, a talented Cornet Player with the 'Tavistock Chester-le-Street Riverside Band'.  The Trophy was awarded to Daniel as the most improved player of the year 2007 in the Chester-le-Street Tavistock Youth Academy Band.  The presentation was made to him by President-elect Bill Holden in the presence of Daniel's parents, Tracey and Bob Mellis, also Elliott Davidson's widow, Alma Davidson, his brother, Alan Davidson, and other Rotary Club members.  The late Rotarian Rev. Elliott Davidson was a Past-President of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street from 2004-2005 and a long-serving and respected Minister of the Methodist Church in Chester-le-Street. (See photographs below courtesy of Rtn David Burton):

  Presentation of the Elliott Davidson Trophy to Daniel Mellis

  President-elect Bill Holden presenting the Elliott Davidson Tropy to Daniel Mellis the first winner of this award.
  	Daniel Ellis (centre) with his proud parents Tracey and Bob Mellis.

• Fri 29 Feb 08 - Fellowship Evening at 7 for 7.30 pm with Guest Speaker, Major (rtd) Bob Jones, speaking about the investiture of the Prince of Wales on 1st July 1969 and other royal visits.- wives and friends are welcome.  (See photograph below courtesy of Rtn Kevin Jobson):

  Investiture of Prince of Wales

  (l-r): President Malcolm Pratt, Guest Speaker Major (rtd) Bob Jones, President-elect Bill Holden.

• Sat 1 Mar 08 - Rotarian Tom Moffat is promoting the Songs of Praise Proms with the Tavistock Chester-le-Street Riverside Band, in support of the Bubble Foundation, at 7.30 pm in Chester-le-Street Parish Church. Tickets £6.00. (Click on the link to print a poster (.pdf) with full details).
• Sat 8 Mar 2008 - Charity Evening with 'Youth Connection' - in aid of the Alzheimer's Society presented by the Rotary Club of Birtley at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre (Catholic Club) of St Joseph's Church, Birtley Lane, Birtley  DH3 1LJ.  Tickets £5 (includes cheese & biscuits) from Ian & Jennifer Wilson (tel: 410 3876).  Good parking and all are welcome.
• Wed 19 Mar 08 - Official Club visit to the Rotary Club of Birtley - 6.00 pm for 6.15 pm at the Ravensworth Arms Hotel, Birtley. (See photographs below courtesy of Rtn Kevin Jobson):

  	President Jennifer Wilson of the Rotary Club of Birtley and President Malcom Pratt MBE DL, of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.
  (l-r) President-elect Bill Holden of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street,in conversation with Past President Stephen Palmer of the Rotary Club of Birtley.
  	Past President Ian Wilson of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street, in conversation with Mrs Nancy Holden.

• Fri 11 Apr 08 - President's Night was held at the Chilton Lodge Country Hotel. (To see the photographs of the evening - click here)
• Fri 18 Apr 08 - Annual General Meeting.
• Fri 2 May 08 - Annual Official Visit by the Rotary Club of Birtley, our daughter Club. (See photographs below - courtesy of Rtn Kevin Jobson):

  	Annual official visit by the Rotary Club of Birtley: (l-r) President Jennifer Wilson, RC Birtley, and President Malcolm Pratt, RC Chester-le-Street.
  Past-President Ray Palmer, RC of Birtley (standing). He wanted his photograph taken!
  	(l-r): President-elect Ken Crass, Past-President Ray Palmer, President Jennifer Wilson, all Rotary Club of Birtley, with President-elect Bill Holden, Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

• Tue 6 May 08 - Rotarian Bob Watson presented the James Etherington Young Musicians' Competition for local amatuer musicians, at 7.00 pm, in the Methodist Church, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham. (Click on the link to see which finalists were the Winners (.pdf), including details of all finalists).
• Sun 11th May 08 - President's Luncheon, Soroptimists International of Durham, at Beamish Hall Hotel, Co Durham. (See two photographs below):

  (l-r) Dorothy Easter, David Hughes (foreground), Bill Fish, Beryl Pratt, Malcolm Pratt, Ursula Jobson, Mary Robinson (foreground), Kevin Jobson.
  	In the 'Arbour' at Beamish Hall Hotel. (Seated l-r): David Hughes, Mary Robinson, Dorothy Easter, Ursula Jobson. (Standing l-r): Beryl & Malcolm Pratt, Bill Fish, Kevin Jobson.

• Thu 15 May 08 - 'Stroll in the Park' - Fellowship Away Day - Farm Visit.  Details from President-elect Rotarian Bill and Nancy Holden.
• Sat 24 May 08 - Fellowship Evening - Sunderland for the Bubble Proms, a spectacular variety concert at The Stadium of Light.  Tickets can be obtained from Rotarian Tom Moffat.
• Fri 30 May 08 - Fellowship Evening at 7 for 7.30 pm with Guest Speaker, Rev Derek Aldridge on "Humour in the Ministry" - wives and friends are welcome.
• Sat 7 Jun 08 - Annual Sponsored Walk in Swaledale, N. Yorks, arranged by Rotarian Arnold Cooke.
• Fri 12 Sep 08 - Rotary District 1030 Exchange 'Farewell' - hosted by RC of Chester-le-Street at the Chilton Lodge Country Hotel.  Contact Rotarian Davin Burton, Hon. Secretary, for details.
• Fri 3 - Sun 5 Oct 08 - District 1030 Annual Conference & Fellowship Weekend, Harrogate: Click for details.
• Fri 31 Oct 08 - Evening Meeting in aid of Rotary International 'Mission Air Aid'.

"SERVICE BEFORE SELF"