Governor Elect Training in Hanover 10-12 November

We spent 4 days in Hanover with our fellow DGE's and partners, a great opportunity to get to know one another better. We enjoyed 2 evenings in 2 different Bier Kellars enjoying the local brew.














OnThursday evening we met the Prince and Princess of the Hanover Carnival Clubs, they asked if they could have their picture taken with us. On Saturday all the Carnival Clubs met at the Town Hall each group marching through the town.







Entering the Town Hall













Assembling outside the Town Hall, our hotel is in the background.

Golborne Lightshaw Charter Night

We both enjoyed an evening with our friends at Golborne, we have attended 4 of their 5 Charters and always have a great evening. This was particularly special as our friend Anita is the President, well done Anita!!!

Gourmet Evening with St Helens Club

On Friday 22 October Denise and I attended a gourmet evening at Grange Park Golf Club together with members of St Helens. We all enjoyed a fabulous meal with great company and also the wine was flowing, sadly I was driving. Well done to the club for organising a very enjoyable event.

Club make me a Paul Harris Fellow

On Monday 4th October my club gave me two surprises, first I was the "victim" in a Focus Interview where Denise had secretly supplied the presenter with the facts he needed, that was a pleasant surprise. President Stephen then thanked Graham Thomas who ran the interview and went on to present me with a Paul Harris Fellow, my thanks to all the members of my club who somehow managed to keep this from me.

Focus on the Crocus at Golborne Lightshaw

On Sunday 3rd October I attended a terrific event run by Golborne Lightshaw, the members and many people from the community planted 20,000 crocus bulbs in the ground of a local care home, they were ably assisted by St Helens Club members and District Officers.

Here is yours truly with PDG Keith Unsworth.

Some serious bulb planting going on!!

President Anita, looking as elegant as ever!!!!

Prestwich & Whitefield Charter 1st October

I joined the members and guests at the Charter Evening of Prestwich & Whitefield Club, I was standing in for the District Governor. It was good to meet up with many friends many of them District Officers, were they checking up on me or is that just my paranoia!!!

Carnforth Charter Night 30 September

I met up with fellow DGE Ron Duxbury from District 1190 for an excellent Charter Evening, the Carnforth Club and my own club have been attending one anothers Charter Evening for many years.

Fund raising event at my own Club

On Sunday afternoon Jean Davies opened up her house for a lunch to raise funds to send Romanian children requiring surgery to Israel. The club has already funded 2 children and this event will fund another.

Here you can see Denise relaxing with Lesley Barlow, wife of club member Rodney. Also in the picture friend and PP of Worsley Rotary Club, John Leyland.

Wigan Rotary Club Run 4 Life

On Sunday we attended the Wigan Rotary Club's Run 4 Life event, a charity run dedicated to mens' cancer research. This event has raised over £40,000 in the past 5 years and it continues to grow. Here you can see Denise enjoying the sunshine prior to the start.







Pictured L to R are IPP Ted Walmsley, PP Peter Radcliife, Predsident Colin Wilkinson and myself.
Despite their encouragemnet I declined to take part in the run.
A great day raising money for a very worthy cause, well done to all.

Polio Eradication Dinner at St Helens

Local entertainer and friend, Norman Prince and I attending a fund raising dinner organised by the St Helens Rotary Club. In addition to entertaining the guests, Norman also ran the auction which raised hundreds of pounds for Polio Eradication.

Also in attendance was Past Rotary International Director Gordon McInally who gave an excellent speech outlining the Polio Eradication Programme.

Isle of Man District Conference

Here we are on board the ferry to Douglas, just waiting for our meal, the boat was full of Rotarians. The Seacat had been cancelled due to bad weather, the crossing was fine it just took a little longer than normal.

Our balcony at The Sefton Hotel.

I want this put on record. This drink was forced into my hands!!!

Saddleworth Show

On Sunday 13th June we were kindly invited to the Saddleworth Show as guests of the 2 organising Rotary Clubs, Saddleworth and Oldham Metro. What a fantastic display of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, there were thousands of visitors enjoying the day with stalls too many to mention. In the centre the main arena had the following, Donkey Chariot Racing, Camel Racing, Falconry Display and much more.
A huge well done to all involved an event like this takes a lot of organising.

Crompton & Royton Club Assembly

On Wednesday 9th June, I visited Crompton & Royton Rotary Club for their Club Assembly, I am pictured here with L to R Incoming President Derek Cottrell and current President Peter Lomas.

After a very enjoyable meal the club put forward their ambitious plans for the next Rotary year.

Spring Fayre

Denise and I attended a Spring Fayre at Boothstown Marina organised by Walkden and Worsley Inner Wheel and Rotary Clubs. The weather held off for the afternoon and there was quite a big crowd with lots of attractions, Bouncy Castle, Canal Boat Trips, BBQ, Tombolas, Raffles and much more. On our visit we found a little cat, aka Gloria Shepherd from Walkden Inner Wheel.

Starting my DG journey

In June 2010 I take office as District Governor Elect for the Rotary District 1280 North West England. These pages will log the experiences Denise and I share during the next 2 years.