Chatterbox 0812 - Rotary Club of Belper

otary international district 1220
www.belper-rotary.co.uk
Winning Club Bulletin 2010/2011
the rotary club of
belper &
duffield
World Heritage Site
-a birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
In this issue:
The first 60 days …
West Park School, Spondon
Club Photo Evening
Ashley Franklin at Duffield
Meningitis Research Challenge
1
July/August 2012
CHATTERBOX

Martin Drake congratulates Graham after installing him as the new
President, 2012-2013. Report of meeting on page 5.
New President Graham rises to the occasion when he presented
Secretary Nick Blurton with his chain of office!
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The first 60 days…
T o be honest it has been a bit of a blur, doesn’t time fly as you get older! The
Monday following the Installation Hillary was thrown in at the deep end as I have
commitments at Belper Conservative Club on the 3rd Monday of each month. My
first meeting as President was one set aside to give the committees extra time to
formulate plans for the year ahead. I think it was a partial success although it was a
shame that New Generations only had two members present. The overall feeling
was that, for the rest of the year, there would be sufficient time at business meetings.
I took the late finish at the following week’s Business Meeting as a good
sign as I think we had a very constructive night. Chauffeuring duties were down to
me the following night driving our DG to the Rotary Club of Trent Bridge where I
was looked after extremely well. David’s talk was very well received and I must say
I enjoyed it myself, a great improvement over previous DG presentations I have
heard. The theme of our next meeting was a photo evening, members brought
along photographs that meant something to them and gave a short presentation
explaining the content and relevance. We had a wide range of subjects and I felt
that the evening went very well.
Carrying on the photo theme, we had a talk by the excellent Ashley
Franklin covering his work for Derbyshire Life. The meeting was held at the White
Hart in Duffield, the first of a number of meetings where we take Rotary into other
venues in our catchment area. The meeting was a great success, in terms of all the
members having a very enjoyable evening; however, we didn’t really make the
most of it from a membership point of view. Lessons were learnt and we can take
these forward for future meetings. I am encouraged, from a membership perspective,
that we have four or possibly five prospective members, three of whom are
ladies. We need to make every effort to make sure that they are hosted well and
made to feel very welcome at the Club.
I made my second visit chauffeuring David, this time to the West Bridgeford
Club, but held at the same venue as the Trent Bridge Club on my last outing.
David and I received a very warm welcome and had an excellent evening. The
atmosphere in the Club was probably the best I have encountered at any Club, a
really enjoyable time.
So far so good, I have really enjoyed my role so far and hope it carries on
to the end of the year.
President Graham
Cover picture - Belper in Autumn
This fine view over the town is one of the photographs included in the Belper 2013
Calendar available from Ashley Franklin, our speaker at the meeting held on 13th August.
More details on page 11.
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DG Dave’s July Newsletter
W ow – how quickly has the month of July flown by. It seems less than five
minutes since the handover at the Novotel on 1st of the month. Over this last
four weeks or so I have begun to realise how being the District Governor truly takes
over your life. In this time I have addressed twenty eight clubs, carried out two sets
of interviews for a GSE Team Leader, attended the Rotary Showcase at Kedleston
on two separate days, attended the RIBI General Council over two days, taken part
in three Conference planning meetings, one Assistant Governor's meeting, one
training meeting, a Strategy Group Meeting, presented certificates for cycling
proficiency at a local school, attended the Inner Wheel District 22 President's
Induction, two club social events, a classic car show, welcomed 10 new members
and attended two Rotarian funerals.
But, what else has been happening in the District and on the wider front during
this time? The District Membership chairman, Noel Harrison, the chairman of the
Marketing, Public Relations and Communications committee, David Pedlar, together
with a number of other Rotarians have been preparing a strategy for membership
recruitment to see us into the next few years. A major part of this strategy is a
business initiative, aimed at securing partnerships with businesses throughout the
District. I hope to be able to pass on some good news about this pilot scheme in
due course and subsequently circulate the package for use by Clubs, so watch this
space.
Members of the District Executive have been looking for ways to improve the
attendance and feedback from District Council Meetings. Over recent times attendances
have been falling sharply and we need to reverse this trend. Several initial
steps are being taken, including improving the PA sound system in use, introducing
more Club led items onto the agenda and the removal of the ‘top table’.
There is a snippet of advance information to pass on. The RIBI President, Rtn
John Minhinick, will be making his annual visit to the District from Monday 10th to
Wednesday 12th September. His programme of activities will be published shortly
when it has been finalised. He will be addressing us at two meetings, those of
Belper and Duffield and at Mansfield.
The District Conference is fast approaching. The programme has been finalised,
the entertainment is sorted and the speakers are all lined up. David Pedlar has
worked tremendously hard on creating a programme that will be varied, exciting,
entertaining and inspiring. If you are regular Conference attendees, you will find the
Friday tea-time plenary session has been replaced by a new format and the final
session on Sunday morning will be so inspiring and joyful that you will go home with
spirits lifted and with the joy of Rotary in your heart. Don't miss it.
You can find a daily update of my activities on the District Website,
www.rotary1220.org under “DG Dave's Blog” Have a look at it and make a comment
about it.
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Meeting – 9th July
Installation of President Graham Wright
Traditionally, the new President is installed at the first meeting in July at the
beginning of the Rotary year but this time the date had been moved back a week
to accommodate several members’ holiday arrangements. We were pleased to
welcome back Honorary Rotarian Michael Morris to act as Master of Ceremonies
and he guided us through the evening with his usual deft touch.
The evening opened with Grace from our senior member, Vernon Barnes,
followed by a meal of chicken breast or rump steak and President Martin Drake
proposed the toast to the Queen for his last time. There were a few announcements
and then the Installation officially got underway when Foundation Chairman
David Soul proposed the toast to Rotary International.
President Martin took the opportunity of his retiring address to review the
various club activities through the last twelve months; his full address was printed
in the May/June edition of Chatterbox, which was distributed at the end of the
meeting. He concluded by thanking all the club members for their support and help
and wished Graham all the best as President 2012/2013 and Dave Ashley as District
Governor.
We then came to the formal part of the proceedings. President Martin handed
over his Chain of Office to Graham and invited him to take over the care and
leadership of the club for the year 2012 – 2013. On behalf of the Club, Secretary
Nick Blurton gave an Expression of Goodwill to the incoming President and pledged
the support of all the members. The new President’s first act was to present Martin
with his Past President’s Badge and Jewel and to invest SVP Hilary Surga with her
Badge of Office followed by welcoming his Club Officers, Secretary Nick Blurton and
Treasurer Peter James.
President Graham then gave a brief review of his plans for his year which
include ways of trying to recruit new members and make the total Rotary experience
more interesting for existing members. The year would be a challenge because
as well as carrying out the wide range of usual activities, the club members
would also be supporting Dave Ashley in his role as District Governor; some of the
members had already chauffeured Dave on his visits to District 1220 clubs. Graham
referred members to his address to the club at the Assembly on 25th June which
was reported in full in Chatterbox.
MC Michael then brought the meeting to a close by inviting the newly elected
President to propose the toast ‘Rotary and Peace the World Over’.
Photographs of the Installation on page 2.
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John Scotney

Meeting – 20th August
West Park School – Spondon
by Ben Paradise
David Harris introduced Ben Paradise who is the Assistant Headmaster. He first met
Ben 26 years ago when they were colleagues at Homelands School. Later Ben
joined David at West Park as the PE Teacher eventually attaining his current position
and helping to turn the school into an outstanding one.
Ben started by asking 'Why successful?' The school has 1250 pupils, of whom 20%
have special needs, with a CVA of 1055. Last year they were 20th out of 3,400 across
the country putting the school in the First Percentile. He has been at West Park for 23
years, a long time, initially as PE teacher until ligaments snapped in his knee. English
Teacher, Assistant Head of year, Head of year, Pastoral Head, Head of English followed
before he became Assistant Head of School and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.
When he first arrived the school was on two sites (these were Upper Old Spondon
Park Grammar School and Lower Old Spondon House Secondary School).
There were negative pupil attitudes, extreme low level disruption and some
appalling behaviour. Buildings were deteriorating, poor attendance of staff, pupils and
parents and low staff morale; there was a monolithic management structure, a disinterested
Head and an over-staffing of experienced people. Pupils did have quality support
from some staff and supporting governors with pockets of excellence in teaching.
The incumbent head left the school and Brian Walker came as the New Head of
School. His ethos was `Achievement, Responsibility and Confidence for pupils and staff’.
There was a gradual changing of staff attitudes and pupils, parents and staff were
encouraged to enjoy learning challenges and achievement of learning, to develop the
strengths of the individual and experience academic, social and personal success.
Achievement with the use of data and info to improve performance created a high
expectancy to improve and celebrate achievements.
Pupils were viewed as important and valued, schemes of work to be enjoyable,
exam papers were studied and all pupils were pushed. Staff checked and quizzed and
were held responsible for results. Good results praised - poor results held up. Key stage
3 results improved. 'D' grade GCSE pupils were targeted for improvement. The end of
year results improved. All staff became proud. Headline results improved 100%.
Summing up Ben said it shows that massive improvements can happen but it
needs a good leader and hard working staff, the right standards and attitudes - change
from negative attitudes. It all takes time. What can Rotarians do? Encourage schools -
get involved - visit and offer careers advice - business links. Praise good results from the
school and pupils. Possibly offer rewards - certificates - cup prizes - sponsorship etc.
John Brazier thanked Ben for a very interesting and entertaining evening.
Photograph on page 8.
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Alan Widdowson

Meeting – 30th July
Club Business Meeting
T his Business meeting was actually the culmination of two meetings. President
Graham believed that the normal format of a business meeting, holding committee
meetings over the meal and then presenting reports back to the club afterwards,
was not always conducive to effective committee discussion. Accordingly, we had
devoted the whole of the meeting on 23rd to extended discussions in the committees
and now were prepared to report back. Unfortunately, the Secretary was not
present to take notes and the scrap of paper I used has disappeared! I have tried to
report on the highlights of the meeting but if I have omitted anything important,
put it down to the failing memory of an ageing Rotarian.
President Graham reminded members that there were some meetings planned
with a difference, a Photo Evening for members to talk to their submitted photograph
and the first of the ‘Away Evenings’, this one to be held at the White Hart,
Duffield. Plans were also in hand for the Club Charter to be held on 12th November.
SVP Hilary reported that efforts were continuing to increase membership. A new
club publicity leaflet was available to be distributed around libraries, waiting rooms,
Strutt Centre etc and there are plans to obtain an A-board to publicise the club at
various events. The club is having a stand at the 50+ Forum to be held at the Lion
Hotel on Friday 7th September.
On behalf of the Treasurer, David Henson tabled a summary of the finances of
the club. The Club Account stands at £3445 including £869 in the Hospitality Fund
and £1810 in the DG Support Fund; there was one outstanding subscription. The
Charitable Trust has a balance of £3700 with £2469 available for general donations.
Community and Vocational Chair Alan Widdowson pointed out that his committee
appeared to have inherited several projects which were more suited to be run
by New Generations, such as Cycle Proficiency Training, and these had been transferred
to Stuart Limb’s committee. Alan reported that many of the arrangements
had been made for the Christmas Collections.
There were only two members of the New Generation committee present; Ron
Giffin confirmed that several of the regular projects would be running, such as
Mock Interviews and the Shoebox Collections from local schools.
International Chair David Harris mentioned the District International Evening
organised by Gail Ashley to be held on1st November. He hoped that the club would
be able to support further projects to be commenced at the Happy Homes Orphanage
in Kenya.
Foundation Chair David Soul reminded members that we would be having a
visit from the GSE Team from Nepal; they would be visiting the Belper North Mill on
Saturday 13th October and it would be appropriate for some members to be there
to meet them.
John Scotney
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David Harris with his speaker, Assistant Head Ben Paradise of West Park
School, Spondon. SVP Hilary Surga stood in as Chair. Report on page 12.
Some of the photographs presented at
the meeting on 6th August. See page 10.
David Henson riding dolphins!
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Martin Drake at the helm.

Burger King!
Dave Ashley tries one of the
White Hart special burgers.
Meeting report - page 11.
Various headgear adopted by our joint Sergeant at Arms at recent meetings.
9
Hilary with her heart throb,
Dennis Waterman.

Meeting – 6th August
Club Photo Night
As well as club members we had the pleasure of welcoming Michael Whetton,
President of the Dronfield club together with a family visitor, John Balder and
Paul Ramsbottom, Past President of Amber Valley club. Apart from the various club
announcements, we were given the sad news of the death of Kath Watson and
Vernon Barnes gave preliminary information on the funeral plans.
With the help of John Scotney, thirteen photographs had been submitted by
members and incorporated into a slide show ready for short explanations from
members. It was emphasised that a maximum of two minutes would be allowed for
each item, the President declared preferential pride of place with five minutes.
Graham Wright - the Sir John Barrow monument near Ulverston in the Lake District
Martin Drake - sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean with the Jubilee Sailing Club
David Henson - walking on water with the help of two dolphins
John Lowe - French holiday near Mont Blanc
John Scotney - the move of pupils of Strutts School to their new premises
David Soul - the story of Speedy, a model steam locomotive
David Harris - father and son – a holiday snap
John Frankland - Istanbul – a family contact through a football club
John Norreys - visiting the Masai in Tanzania
Alan Widdowson - a ballooning accident avoided at Ambergate.
Hilary Surga - Dennis Waterman visiting her school to give an award
Vernon Barnes - RIBI Conference 1973 President David Prothero and incoming
President Vernon
Paul Taylor - the Pont du Gard and the aqueduct carrying water to Nimes in Provence.
This self- entertainment was enjoyed by all present and resulted in a good
discussion afterwards.
David Soul
Some of the photographs are shown on pages 8/9
International Projects Fair and Dinner
Thursday, 1st November 2012
Novotel, Long Eaton
Three course meal with coffee - £17
Come along and support Gail!
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Meeting – 13th August
Photography for Derbyshire Life
by Ashley Franklin
The club enjoyed its first experience of an "Away Day "at the White Hart at
Duffield which was enjoyable with a very substantial meal and pleasant
surroundings. We were pleased to welcome some guests as well as having the
company of DG David Ashley and Gail who had brought two of the visitors.
The speaker on this occasion was Ashley Franklin, introduced by John Norreys.
Ashley had been a broadcaster with Radio Derby some years before until he left and
took up freelance photography and writing as his new career. He didn't find it
particularly easy to establish himself and had to explore ways of marketing his work
but through various means and setting up a web site he still only managed to
achieve one order in three months. However, he is now a mainstay of Derbyshire
Life and Countryside having regular features with photographs and often has his
photographs on the cover, an opportunity that has helped to promote his work
further
He gave us a wonderful photographic tour of parts of Derbyshire, some of
which evoked pleasant memories of places I had visited. He provided us with
information on how to achieve certain effects with a camera. Through his work as
a photographer he has met many interesting people. From his experiences of being
a wedding photographer, which he described as being very lucrative, he learnt that
he required skills other than those of taking photographs! He described the need
to be a psychologist, referee, ringmaster and a diplomat. He had been the first
photographer to take photographs at the new Wembley Stadium; we saw pictures
of quite unorthodox wedding outfits when the Bridegroom wore the England strip
and the Bride wore a red and white dress.
He showed us some lovely pictures of the Queen in Derby distributing the
Maundy Money and admitted that the camera can lie! This was when the Queen
visited the Cathedral Quarter Hotel and the Manager was hoping for a photograph
showing him greeting and shaking hands with the Queen. Unfortunately one of the
Queen's attendants was standing in front of the Queen at the crucial moment but
with skill and camera wizardry Ashley was able to make the attendant disappear so
that the queen and the manager appeared to have centre stage.
It was a pleasure to listen to Ashley's experiences and for me it was a humorous,
informative, evocative and fascinating evening. Another aspect that will remain in
my memory was laughing at DG David attempting to eat the White Hart Burger, of
which Alan has a photograph (see page 9).
Hilary Surga
More photographs on page 19
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Meeting – 20th August
A Challenge for Meningitis Research
by Michael Needham
It was a good week for visitors. As well as our speaker, the Club welcomed Nils from
Germany and three Rotarians from Heanor on a scatter week. Hilary presided and David
Harris brought greetings from two Rotary clubs (Church Wilne and Wirksworth) at which he
had been guest speaker.
Our speaker was Michael Needham, Ron Giffin’s grandson and he was introduced by his
proud Granddad. Michael had had meningitis when 18 months old; it had only been diagnosed
through the persistence of his mother after several doctors had told her that the
symptoms were of ‘flu’. The disease had left Michael totally deaf in one ear with only partial
hearing in the other. His friend had died of the disease in his late teens.
Vaccines have been developed for the Hib and C strains of meningitis and are under
development for the B strain. However, much work remains to be done to bring this killer
disease (mainly of children) under control, particularly in the developing world. Michael had
set himself the challenge of raising £30,000 in 2012 to help this vital research. He was doing
this by setting himself monthly physical tasks, well illustrated with mind and body numbing
pictures.
January – Tough Guy, an assault course of great difficulty through mud and water in
freezing conditions with electric shocks administered just for good measure.
February – Hill Runner, on one of the coldest days of the year with several inches of ice
March – Ultimate Marathon, says it all really!
April – Adventure Race, orienteering in Dovedale on bike and foot.
May – Edinburgh Marathon, a mean Scottish race!
June - UK Ironman 70.3, on Exmoor, swimming 2 miles, cycling 56 miles and running a
half marathon.
July – Trentham Triathlon, more swimming, cycling and running.
August - the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Sca Fell, Ben Nevis and Yr Wyddfa in under
24 hours, achieved with a smile or three (according to the photographs).
And to come:
September – Iron Man Wales, swimming 2.5 miles, cycling 112 miles and running a full
marathon.
October – swimming in a pool (is he going soft or something?!!) the full width of the
English Channel (21miles).
November – Endurance rowing, attempting to break the world record for the longest
continuous row on an indoor rowing machine.
December – More endurance rowing, attempting to break the world record for the
fastest 1 million metres on an indoor rowing machine.
John Norreys duly expressed the Club’s admiration for the Herculean feats that
Michael has performed and faces over the next few months and our thanks for a
fascinating and inspiring talk. Michael has raised £10,000 towards his target and gave
details of ways in which his challenge could be supported, including on web site
www, one-big-year.org
Martin Drake
Photograph on page 19.
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Kath Watson
18th March 1926 - 1st August 2012
A s was to be expected, the Thoresby Chapel at
Mansfield Crematorium was filled to capacity as
Keith Brown conducted the service to celebrate the
life of Kath Watson, wife of our honorary member
Jack. Relatives, neighbours and friends were told of
Kath’s life in the tribute voiced by Keith. She was
born to devoted Christian parents, the Kinders. Her
father was a railway worker whose high ethical
standards were respected by all and obviously
passed on to his daughter, who worked hard and was well thought of even as a child.
She played the harmonium at Ebenezer Methodist Church and during her working
life became a talented seamstress with a local firm who were among the fashion
designers of the day.
As he started his career, PC Watson managed to get lodgings with the Kinder
family and they all got on well but any romance between Jack and Kath took a long
time to materialise, although they would go out together socially. However, in due
course, they married at Saltergate Methodist Church in June 1950. Jack wasn’t
much of a Methodist when he first met Kath, but she “sorted him out” in her quiet
and persuading manner. She was never really forceful in any way, being rather shy,
and it took a great deal of effort on her part to become an excellent communicator,
sharing her faith and love with people. Once married, she came into her own as a
wife, mother and cook. Apparently there were standards, and there were Kath’s
standards, and although Jack was kept out of the kitchen, he was granted amnesty
at the time of making the Christmas cake.
Jack and Kath’s faith was severely tested when they lost their beloved daughter
to cancer at the young age of 36, especially as Kath herself had battled with breast
cancer. Having learnt to drive, Kath devoted much of her life visiting the sick, and
they both loved the extended family of his sister Audrey and her late husband. Kath
and Jack moved 14 times in their lives as a result of his promotions in the police
force, where he achieved the position of Divisional Commander for Derbyshire
before his retirement. They only ever flew once, to Australia, and enjoyed their
holidays at Scarborough and Scotland. Kath was ever at her husband’s side and was
there to support him when he became President of the Rotary Club of Belper. I was
so pleased to see that he was still wearing his Rotary badge at the service.
Kath will be missed and forever remembered for her happy, smiling face.
During the service, a poem was read by niece Janice and one of Kath’s favourite
hymns, The Old Rugged Cross, was included.
Vernon Barnes
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2012 Organiser Reporter Cash Fraternal
September
3 D Partridge P Taylor P James S Harnan
10 RIBI President A Widdowson J Norreys D Harris
18 Crich Tramway D Harris
24 Business Meeting G Ashley J Scotney D Henson
October
1 Visit to Vital Earth D Henson V Barnes P James
8 J Lowe J Brazier H Surga J Norreys
15 GSE Team Visit D Soul D Collard J Horwood J Lowe
22 J Horwood M Drake P Taylor S Limb
29 Away Day* P Davies J Frankland P Shepherd D Partridge
November
DUTY OFFICERS
7 J Scotney P Davies G Ashley H Surga
14 Charter Night R Giffin V Barnes P Shepherd
21 P Davies S Limb J Brazier D Soul
28 Business Meeting S Harnan D Collard A Widdowson
DIARY
Sept 7th 50+ Forum at the Lion Hotel 10am - 2pm
Sept 10th Visit by RIBI President John Minhinick . Joint meeting with Alfreton, Amber Valley and Ripley
Sept 18th Visit to Crich Tramway Village. Joint event with Amber Valley RC
Sept 24th Club Council 6.30pm. District Council Novotel Long Eaton 7.15pm
Oct 1st Visit to Vital Earth, Ashbourne
Oct 5/7th District Conference at Southport
Oct 15th Visit by GSE Team from Nepal
Oct 29th Visit to Astronomy Club at Hopton Hall. Meet at the Railway, Shottle 6.15pm
Nov 1st International Projects Fair and Dinner, Novotel, Long Eaton
The latest information about meetings can be found in the weekly Bulletin Boards
and on the Club web site:
www.belper-rotary.co.uk
September/October CHATTERBOX: Publication - 5th November
Editor - John Scotney 01773 823678 Photographer - Alan Widdowson
14

Rapt attention as Ashley Franklin shows a selection of his photographs and
describes the stories behind them. Report - page 11.
Below, an Autumn scene from his Duffield Calendar, 2013.
15
Michael Needham on one
of his monthly physical tasks.
Report on page 12.

The Rotary Club
of
Belper and Duffield
Founded 1930
President Graham Wright
Senior Vice-President Hilary Surga
Treasurer Peter James
Secretary Nick Blurton
The Club meets every week on Monday at 7.30pm.
The Lion Hotel, Bridge Street, Belper (01773 824033)
Rotary is a service organisation which exists to help those in need and to provide
fellowship and support to its members, whilst maintaining high ethical standards. If you
are interested in visiting the Club and learning more about Rotary, please contact the
Secretary, Nick Blurton:
01773 824607 nickblurton@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.belper-rotary.co.uk
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