November 6 Club Breakfast - Speaker Martin Spencer- Thomas, Auctioneer 13 Club breakfast and Council 20 Club breakfast with fellowship 21 District Council meeting 27 Club breakfast and Committees
December 4 Club breakfast - Speaker Aylwyn Bowen, Graphic designer 11 Club breakfast - Special General Meeting 13-15 Xmas Tree, St Nicholas Church Topsham 18 Club Christmas breakfast - START 07.15 25 No meeting

Ann Widecombe’s Dream Talk

After weeks of planning, Ann Widdecombe came to talk to us at the Mathews Hall on the 11th October. This was a sponsored event by Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management who generously supported us in putting on this fundraiser. The event was a sellout and raised over £2000. Ann spoke eloquently with no notes as she did at many a Party Conferences. Most interestingly she mentioned the life changing expereiences encountered after leaving her career in politics. Strictly Come Dancing with Anton Du Beke, The National Dance Tour with Craig Revel-Horwood, Pantomime in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as the Witch's Assistant and Celebrity Big Brother. In the second half of the evening Ann invited the audience to ask any question; there were some tough ones but she managed, in her polished delivery, to answer honestly. Ann brought a selection of her publications which she gladly signed for the public. Indeed her books were in such demand that she almost sold out. At the end of the evening Ann gave us a donation based on a percentage of total book sales of £178.00 which went into the total raised for Exeter Gateway. Ann certainly lives by her motto:- ‘No matter how successful you are in life, None of it is worth having if it is only done for yourself’. Many thanks to Ann for an interesting, humurous and motivational evening. Sorry only water here!
EXETER SOUTHERNHAY    November 2018 News

Exeter Southernhay receives

Rotary International Citation

At our meeting on 23rd October we welcomed, for the second time this Rotary year, our District Governor Graham Carey, who, despite being a Spurs fan, was warmly welcomed. DG Graham came to present to IPP April Arnatt, The Rotary International Club Citation. April received it on behalf of the Club for achievements in many areas of excellence in Rotary life. The Citation rewards efforts in support and strengthening of the Club, focusing and increasing humanitarian service and enhancing public image and awareness. The award reflects the hard work put into Rotary Club life by members during the year and we should be rightly pleased and proud of our effort. Let’s keep up the good work.

Crocus Table at Matthews Hall,

Topsham

On October 20th at Mathews Hall Topsham we took advantage of a free table at the weekly Saturday market to display our purple crocus corms in pretty bags. It was, of course, World Polio Day on the 24th October. We invited the public to support the End Polio Now Campaign by giving a donation and in return receiving a bag of crocuses which are now ready to plant ready for the springtime. Sold at an average £2 a bag, £155 was raised (plus a further £20 later). It was a quiet morning in the market, however, many people were keen to get their crocuses in pots or in the garden. We’re looking forward to seeing the lovely purple crocus colours in the spring!

For Sale - Donations to Rotary Foundation

Sweatshirt and polo neck shirt in Burgundy. Worn only a few times by GSE team member. Size small. Devon Rotary logo.
Navy Blue Sweatshirt previously worn by Christine Peacock. Exeter Southernhay Rotary logo.
Please contact Nova with bids or to see the items.

Rotary Foundation Conference

6th October

Chris, Anthony and Sue attended the annual Rotary Foundation gathering at China Fleet Saltash and learned a great deal about the workings of Foundation and the world wide project that is End Polio Now. In 1917, RI President Arch C Klumph proposed that an endowment be set up ‘for the purpose of doing good in the world’. In 1928 the fund had grown to $5000. Shortly afterwards the first grant of $500 was given to a society for crippled children. Rotary grants support Rotarians in their areas of focus, namely: peace, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education and economic and community development. Funding for grants depends on rotarians donating $100 per year. Three years later we can apply for a District Grant or a Global Grant to support our chosen projects. The more Clubs that fund the Rotary Foundation, the more we are able to receive when we apply for our district grants, or for major projects,a global grants. Our Sand dams project is subject to a global grant and this produces large sums of money from the Rotary World Fund. On July 1st 2018 the District Designated Fund received $65000 from Foundation. Up to half will be used for the local District Grants and the rest for Global Grants. However, in 2019/20 we will receive just $50,709 from Foundation as we, in the District gave less to the Fund three years ago. As the gift to Foundation is a voluntary donation, sadly some Rotarians prefer not to support it, however, when Foundation works, it works very well and in the case of the Global Grant system, large sums of money can be found for large international projects. Chris, Anthony and Sue had a busy but rewarding day allowing them to network with fellow Rotarians.

Nancy Potter Community Centre

The Estuary League of Friends had been planning the Nancy Potter House Community Hub for nearly five years and it finally opened on the 5th July, 2018. We visited the Centre for our 5th Tuesday outing where we were given a tour of the building and a talk by Chief Executive Rachel Gilpin. She told us the story behind the amazing project. It is named after Nancy Potter who was a benefactor of a local trust whose generous support enabled the fundraising to begin. After a great deal of consultation with the local community, a major fundraising appeal was set up to generate the £2 million to construct this multipurpose community hub. Facilities include a community cafe, a library, an exercise room, showers and a launderette as well as various function rooms for hire. Assisted transport is available to make it easier for people with mobility problems to access the Hub. After our talk we had an excellent hot supper cooked in their commercial standard kitchens by our chef. We left feeling that this independant community centre was of such great importance, being run by the people of Topsham for the people of Topsham.

Shelterbox Collection

Many gave their time on 19th October to collect in Topsham for Shelterbox. Although the weather was kind it was particularly quiet for a Friday in Topsham in terms of footfall but a little over £200 was collected. Not a huge sum, but £200 more than we would have made for Shelterbox had we not deployed the box and ourselves! Very many thanks to all who gave their time.

New Rotary Radio UK

On the 13th October 2018, Rotary Radio UK launched as a new showcase for Rotary. This internet-based station is devoted to promoting Rotary and our events and causes across the world. The station is based in the Criterion Theatre in Blue Town, Sheerness. Designed to entertain Rotarians and the public it spreads the news of Rotary successes, raising the Rotary profile and encouraging potential members to join the cause of 'Service Above Self'. A team of volunteer presenters air the programme oincluding music shows for all tastes, quiz shows, and a variety of general interest talk radio shows. Rotary clubs can ask them to broadcast their projects and news to a global audience, by sending the details to rotaryradiouk@gmail.com. How to listen to Rotary Radio UK - From their website here using the Listen Now link - On your smartphone or device by using any of these apps: My Tuner Radio; as Radioline or Simple Radio – all free to download and use

Member News

Our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Graham Bulford and Charles Potter. Best wishes to Ken Read, a resident at the Abbeyfield Nursing Home in Budleigh Salterton, who would welcome visitors. Best wishes in your New Home - Christine Peacock now resides at 8 Bapton Lane, Exmouth, EX8 3JS and has moved to the Rotary Club of Exmouth Raleigh. Her phone number remains as 07929 595033

End Polio Now

As at October 8th 2018, This is the situation in the last three endemic countries: Pakistan - no new WPV cases this week. 4 cases so far in 2018 (7 cases in 2017) Afghanistan - one new case reported this week. 15 cases so far in 2018 (14 cases in 2017) Nigeria - no cases in either 2017 or 2018 with the last case reported in August 2016. However, ten new Polio positive environmental samples were found this week. World Polio day was on 24th October. Sadly, in 2017 only 10% of Rotary clubs got involved in World Polio Day. It is with pride that our Rotary Club did something and raised some money for this very worthy cause. We must continue as we are so close to eliminating polio forever.

Shelterbox in Indonesia

Almost a month after a hugely destructive 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, more than 2000 people are known to have died and more than 200,000 are unable to return home. Shelterbox are focusing on families living in remote villages outside the main city of Palu, which bore the brunt of the tsunami, because they are hard to reach and have been receiving less attention and support. After close coordination with government agencies, ShelterBox had a response team in Indonesia one week after the earthquake and tsunami struck. They are working closely with local Rotary Clubs Shelterbox has created a package of aid appropriate for this specific context. This is made up of a large, sturdy, family tent, a water filter, two water carriers, and two mosquito nets.