HB Digital Printing Ltd5-6 Kestrel Parade, Innsworth,Gloucester, GL3 0BJ

01452 731705

High speed, high qualitylaser printing of■ Training Manuals,■ Reports,■ Instructional Booklets,■ Leaflets and Newslettersand all types of short run colour work.

humanity in motion

In Gear can also be viewed on the Rotary Club of Gloucester's website

www.rotaryclubofgloucester.com

IN GEARDecember 2011 No. 964

THE ROTARY CLUB OF GLOUCESTERChartered 1920

112

INNER WHEELDiary Dates and speakers

Sunday, December 4th - Salvation Army Charity Concert in aid of Gloucester Rotary Club President’s chosen charity featuring Kate Bennett and Brett Baker (ex Black Dyke Mills Band). More details from John Smith. Friday, December 9th - Business meetingFriday, December 16th - Christmas lunch at Bowden Hall. Members only please. Grace, David Seed. Friday, December 23rd There will be no meetingFriday, December 30th - Fellowship meeting

2012

Tuesday, January 3rd - Club Council meeting at Badgeworth Village Hall. Friday, January 6th - Christmas dinner at Brickhampton Golf Club. Partners welcomed. Grace, Pat Collins. Friday, January 13th - Speaker finder, friend, grace and vote of thanks Peter CosgrifFriday, January 20th - Speaker finder, friend, grace and vote of thanks Colin DunfordFriday, January 27th - Speaker finder, friend, grace and vote of thanks Julian FarrFriday, February 3rd - Speaker finder, friend, grace and vote of thanks Colin EynonTuesday, February 7th - Club Council meeting at Badgeworth Village Hall. Friday, February 10th - Speaker finder, friend, grace and vote of thanks Robert Hall

Senior Citizens ̓Party The date for the 2012 Senior Citizens Party is Sunday 15th April 2012 which will again be held at King’s School.

PROGRAMME

I have been asked to let members know that if they find it necessary to give apologies by phone or e-mail, could they please give them to Nigel Halls and not Angela until further notice. Nigel is on 01452 731993 or nigeljhalls@aol.com. Donʼt forget this needs to be done at the latest by noon on the previous day before the meeting.

Apologies

PETE Wilson a Radio Gloucestershire presenter entertained us at our October meeting with a lively account of his life, and anecdotes relating to his weekly programme. His talk was enjoyed by all.

Around 70 members of Inner Wheel enjoyed our Inter Club Lunch at Brickhampton Golf Complex. Guests included District Chairman Nicky Clark, Gloucester Rotary President Andrew Hurley and his wife Hazel.

Our speaker was Michael Fuller MBE. He is in charge of organising the security for the 2012 Olympics in London and gave us a very interesting and informative talk.

The statistics were incredible. We were amazed at the number of people and diverse departments that were involved. A mammoth task indeed! All eventualities have been thought of and Mike has great faith in the arrangements that have been made in order for the games to go ahead safely. A donation was given to Mike for Help for Heroes.

As we have not had an opportunity for much social interaction among members just lately an extra meeting is being held at which there will be plenty of time to catch up with each other. Our usual Bring and Buy table will help to raise a few pounds too.

Christmas lunch on December 15th will be our last meeting of 2011. How this year has flown by!

Tuesday November 15 Extra Informal meeting

Thursday December 15 Christmas lunch at The Farmers’ Club.

Tuesday January 10th Inner Wheel World Day. Christ Church, Brunswick Road

Inner Wheel would like to wish all Rotarians and families a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas with every good wish for 2012.

Barbara Seed, Club Correspondent.

Inner Wheel President Hilary Cass with Michael Fuller, guest speaker at the interclub lunch at Brickhampton.

l

INNER WHEEL OFFICERSPresident Mrs Hilary Cass 01452 857656Vice President Mrs Diane Limbird 01452 613188Secretary Mrs Joy Picken 01453 882495Treasurer Mrs Sue White 01452 831618 Our sponsors are , HB Digital Printing Ltd and Rotarian Robin MorrisLOVE ICE CREAM

Tree ofLight

AT last the Rotary Club of Gloucester has a Tree of Light in the City Centre in the run up to Christmas. After trying, without success, to use St Nicholas’s Tower in Westgate Street - we finally succeeded by adopting the City Council’s tree outside the Guildhall. Here we see Rotary President Andrew Hurley with City Mayor, Andy Lewis. More details on this project will appear in the next edition of In Gear.

n Our thanks to The Citizen for the use of this picture and for their help in promoting this new Rotary fund raising initiative.

Inner Wheel interclub - P2The continung saga - P3Race night P4 Life changing awards - P5Superluxury superlines -P6/7Thank you Rotary - P11...and so much more

l llllll

INSIDE

Unit 200, Commerce Road, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL2 9QJ

Telephone: 01452 858100

l ✎ Excellent servicel ✎ Personal attentionl ✎ Customer carel ✎ Free consultancy & designl ✎ Machine maintenancel ✎ Support & backup

We offer:l ✎ Stationery suppliesl ✎ Computer suppliesl ✎ Calculatorsl ✎ Typewritersl ✎ Word processingl ✎ Office furniture

We can help you With:Furniture - Business machines - stationeryROBERT HALL

T h e C o m p l e T e

S e r v i C e f o r

y o u r C o mp a n y

BUSINESS EQUIPMENT LTD

F r e e D e l i v e r y l l o c a l P e r s o n a l a t t e n t i o n

112

ROGER Tutt is one of those speakers one could have listened to for a lot longer than their scheduled lunchtime spot. A former diplomat now retired

and living in Newent he gave us a brief glimpse into the intriguing world of diplomacy.

It was a career in the foreign office which started with a posting to the Turks and Caicos islands in the 1960s and finished with a stint in New York at the United Nations in the 1980s.

His talk also encompassed details of fascinating spells in Copenhagn (where the Russian KGB was much in evidence) and in Zambia at a time when the illegal Smith Government was coming to an end in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

During his global jaunts he met many fascinating people including Oleg Gordievsky a former KGB bureau chief in London who was in fact a secret agent of the British Secret Intelligence from 1974 till 1985.

Then there was the eccentric Dr John, a sombrero and monocle wearing, Communist doctor he first met in the Turks and Caicos islands (where the doctor committed bigamy) and who subsequently turned up in Uganda and again in Zambia where he appears to have become a reformed character.

It was a talk packed with interesting anecdotes of a fascinating career lived against the background of the cold war and of regime changes in Africa.

Whilst much of it was peaceful, danger did occasionally erupt such as when the embassy in Zambia came under seige from a crowd angered by the Ted Heath government’s decision to sell arms to white led governments in Africa. Things got pretty ugly and the Union Jack was burnt outside but the mob never got inside (thank goodness).

Toward the end of his presentation Roger took issue with Government plans to cut back on the BBC World Service which

he described as a great mistake. He also defended Britain’s continued membership of the UN Security Counmcil which enabled us to punch above our weight on the world stage.

Roger then commented on the quality of the present recruits to the foreign office who often had commendable management skills but sometimes lacked a knowledge of the language and cultural background of some of the countries in which they are called to serve.

Finally he said that there were still outposts of Empire which needed our support from Gibraltar, to the Falklands and from Bermuda to the Pitcairn islands. And the benefits of Empire weren’t only one way as recent oil finds off the Falklands demonstrate.

It was an amusing and thought provoking talk. Full marks to Dr Ken Watson for bringing Roger to the club.

Intriguing world of diplomacy

From the Turks and Caicos islands to the UN ................... A fascinating career in diplomacy brought to life by Roger Tutt (left) who was intorduced to the club and thanked by Dr Ken Watson (right)

Thank you, thank youIT’S always good to feel appreciated and we have made a real difference ........that is what this article is all about. Money from the Community and Youth Budget was allocated to give some disadvantaged city families a holiday - and this is the sequel. David Seed writes:- “I went to see Vanessa Worrall, Project Manager of The Redwell Centre, Matson. The club has provided three single parents and their eight children with a four day holiday at Haven Holiday Camp at Burnham- on-Sea in October.

Some of the comments in cards/letters of appreciation we received say:- “To David and all Rotary. Thank you so much . I have spent quality time with my boys. They did lots of swimming and walking on the beach. Lyndsay,Casey, and Dillano.”

“To Dave and the Rotary Club. Thank you for giving us our first holiday ever. The children had an absolute adventure. With your generosity we were able to visit Cheddar Gorge for the day. Paula, Jason, Troy, Oli, Macaulay, Daisy, Deacon and Kiane�.

The Centre Manager says:- “These families do not have spare money to take a holiday but they are the families in need of stress and relaxation benefits that a holiday provides.

“All three families had a great time. Many thanks again for giving us a chance to work together to provide this great opportunity.�

Tri-Services visitA group of 15 Rotarians visited the Tri-Services Centre at Waterwells on November 7th where we were welcomed by Inspector Tony Fisk (writes David Corbett).

Tony started the evening with a talk taking questions as he went along. It was a very informative session which could have lasted much longer had time permitted. We were then taken to see the operations rooms and given detailed explanations by Tony on the roles undertaken by the staff on duty.

One of the questions put to Tony was had the recent terrible M5 tragedy occurred in Gloucestershire what would have been the sequence of events in the control room.

Tony showed us where the first emergency call would have been received and how it would have been logged. Following that more calls would be coming in in quick succession making it clear a major incident was taking place.

Tony demonstrated how the the system would quickly move through the gears to reflect this, leading to a high ranking officer being called in to take charge.

We all left with a feeling of admiration and comfort about how our emergency services can respond when their resources are so clearly stretched.

The numbers for a visit are limited to 15 and Tony has offered to host a second visit in the New Year so I will put a board around in January. The visit comes highly recommended.

l

In a Christmas message to members, President Andrew writes:- “How time flies, it only seems like five minutes ago we had Club Assembly when your new council

outlined plans for the new Rotary year. It was gratifying to get club support - but that was the easy part. The harder part was devising a budget to deliver on our promises.

Having your support is vital and to date I am delighted with the way things are going.

In Gear as always keeps you informed but let me recall some of the club’s successes.

The newer members are very much involved and that speaks well for the club’s future. We now have a much better room layout for our weekly meetings which makes it easier to supervise and makes for better fellowship.

We are now very much involved with the less fortunate in our city particularly carers who, are often unsung heroes. We are also involved with young people, many of whom cannot see a worthwhile future and last but not least our Asian citizens.

The club, has over the last few years, had a great record for international service and although the International Committee has been less active we have still despatched 100 Aquaboxes and Hope House in Tallin will shortly have a new lorry thanks to our Matching Grant.

The Tree of Light committee has shown real professionalism. What we now need is your support in getting donations. I would also appeal to you all to help Tony Tetley with the Christmas collections.

Money oils the Rotary Wheel of service and we had a very successful Race Night which raised more money than expected so thank you for your generosity. Most clubs would be envious of our car parking propject which is a great “cash cow” and I am delighted with the support Pat Collins has received.

We all need a bit of fun to make Rotary enjoyable and we had a great start with the BBQ at Amanda’s and a super evening at Frampton Bowling Club. It was my wish we should involve partners in a social event each month and so far my wish has be granted.

The Rotary year is a bit like running a marathon, the first half is easy after that the going gets a little more fraught, For us there is still plenty to do if we are to tick all the boxes in June.

With your help we can make a real difference to Gloucester folk in 2012. May I thank you for your support and wish you and your families a joyous Christmasˮ.

Presidentʼs festive message

Andrew and his wife Hazel at the recent Sunday lunch. l

Other greetingsINSTEAD of sending Christmas cards, the following Rotarians have contributed to their chosen charities and through In Gear wish all members and families a happy Christmas and healthy New Year. l Past President John and Pauline Smith l Past District Governor David and Barbara Seed l Past President Ken and Caroline Watson l Past President Colin and Tess Rogers l Past President Peter and Anne Nesbitt

Inner Wheel interclubWE are grateful to Trevor Picken for these photos taken at a recent Gloucester Inner Wheel Inter Club meeting at Brickhampton Golf Complex . A report and additional picture is on the back page. Pictured right are Hilary Cass (Inner Wheel president) with - from the left - Gloucester Rotary President Andrew Hurley, Nicky Clark (I.W. district chairman) and guest speaker Michael Fuller. Below left are Mrs Blatchford, June Rickard and her daughter Lesley and below right are Sally Young (past district chairman), Jane Campbell (president of Pershore IW), Nicky Clark (district chairman) and Liz Hodgkinson (immediate past district chairman).

310

A life changing project for Chris

were joined by other youngsters, some disabled.

From one day a week the project grew to two and is now open seven days per week on an area covering four acres.

Today 150 disabled youngsters visit Chris and in addition to gardening there are also art classes, woodwork classes and animal husbandry.

Chris and his helpers also extend the youngsters’ experience by taking them on educational trips to such places as the Eden project in Cornwall.

To help finance all the activities now taking place there the project also has a £1 shop and a recycling unit.

BY whatever yardstick you might choose Chris Evans is a remarkable man. Horticultural

expert, raconteur and an inveterate fund raiser Chris has single handedly raised thousands of £s for a number of charities with a wide range of quirky but amazingly successful fundraisers.

In fact, President Andrew Hurley described him as a Rotarian through and through in all but name when he gave a vote of thanks to Chris following a delightful talk to members last month.

On a previous occasion, Chris has amused members with a talk on potatoes. However on this occasion (when he stepped in at short notice to cover for another speaker), he told how, as a small boy, he was always amazed at how a small seed could grow a big plant.

Chris described this as absolute magic - and then went on to describe his latest venture which has a similar magic. It too has developed from very small beginnings into a large and thriving venture.

Chris’s Butterfly Garden is a charitable project for students with learning difficulties, as well as for those looking to escape the world and those looking to re-enter it.

In 2002, Chris Evans, was invited to take up a part time teaching position on a gardening programme designed for students with learning difficulties and behavioural problems. Little did he know how it was to take over his life.

Initially he was asked to help six autistic youngsters through gardening on a small patch of land to the rear of his nursery at Staverton. Subsequently these students

For Chris himself this has been a life changing project - so much so that he has set up a charity to ensure his work and that of his family goes on for many years to come.

He also hopes that the project which he has nurtured so lovingly for the past nine years might prove a template for others.

The Butterfly Garden is a registered member of Thrive, the horticultural therapy charity.

At the end of Chris’s talk there were a few questions because most Rotarians who contributed were full of praise both in respect of this project of his earlier fund raising activities.

Chris Evans - a remarkable man in so many ways - with our own remarkable woman (and senior vice president) Amanda Chamberlayne.

l

bereavement and reduced mobility (to mention but a few) the quality of life could still be satisfactory if the elderly were encouraged - or adopted - a positive attitude to life.

The size of the problem is quite daunting.

She said that by the year 2020 a third of the population would be over 50. At present those in the 50+ age range contributed 25% to the country’s total economy as well as contributing immeasurably to voluntary work.

Collette added that encouraging the elderly to remain active and enjoying a wide range of social relationships through voluntary work, leisure and hobbies was absolutely essential to

‘Leaving Rotary could seriously damage your health’ .........................so if you’re thinking of doing so......think again. Apparently remaining socially active, creative, purposeful and valued are vital ingredients to a healthier old age.

And who says so?

Collette O’Neil, who has worked with vulnerable adults and the elderly for many years, spoke at a lunchtime meeting and warned of the dangers of isolation and loneliness which could lead to depression, dementia and other health problems

She said that despite the problems of age such as failing health,

the country’s future well being.

She urged that the more mature among us should become social and community participants not outcases.

Collette’s talk - although serious - was one which touched on the lives of all present - particularly bearing in mind the age profile of our members.

However, as she herself pointed out, the fact that we are in Rotary and making a difference to other people’s lives meant that we were also making a positive difference to our own as well.

One final thought from this fascinating talk ..............apparently 40 laughs a day can ward off depression so why not try it?

Editor’s warning: ‘Leaving Rotary may seriously damage your health’

I wonder how many readers know that the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dicken’s ‘A Christmas

Carol’ was probably based on Jemmy Wood owner of the Gloucester Old Bank and nationally renowned for his stinginess?

The delight of Dickens’ 1843 novel is the way in which Scrooge is brought to face up to his miserliness and repents of his way in time for Christmas.

It’s a smashing festive story focusing on Scrooge’s transformation and while Rotary has no similar Scrooge story to tell we do have own remarkable story of transformation - in Estonia.

In December 2008 In Gear carried a story about the club’s plan to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in Estonia by improving the Salvation Army’s Hope House in Tallin.

Our objective was to create a medical centre to cater for the needs of homeless people. With support from the Gloucester Salvation Army, club cash, District 1100 and the Tallin International Rotary Club, a $17,500 matching grant was made available to equip the centre.

Rotary’s intervention brought help to those who numbed the pain of poverty and ill health by turning to drugs and alcohol. Our further gift of school uniforms and suits helped alleviate the extreme cold experienced in the arctic winter conditions in Tallin.

But the good news didn’t end there.Rotary’s project prompted the Salvation Army in Finland to provide $120,000 to refurbish the rest of Hope House - and the good news doesn’t end there either.

The good newskeeps coming...

Captain Daniel Henderson, the Regional Commander for the Salvation Army in Estonia has now introduced a Rehabilitation programme aimed at 15/20 men all of whom have been living dysfunctional lifestyles.

While on the programme they are housed, fed and looked after by the Army but in return they have to learn self discipline. The work includes helping at the centre preparing food, sorting clothes, making food parcels, painting and decorating and keeing the gardens tidy.

But now the Salvation Army has established a wood cutting business as part of the programme. Tree trunks are bought from the National Forest, chopped into logs and sold for winter fuel. The men also deliver them to customers. Until now has been done with the help of an old Ford Transit, virtually at the end of its life.

There was an increasing need for a 5 ton box wagon with a tailgate ..... which is where our club comes in yet again. With money remaining in the Tallin fund and with a matching grant their dream will become a reality .....and so the story of bringing hope out of despair....goes on.

It’s an ideal Christmas story - particularly for the destitute and homeless in Estonia.

RIGHT:- Part of the new medical centre and BELOW:- Men on the rehabilitation programme join SA members for a meal.

l

From despair....

............ to hope

94

Maureen Margrie hails from the United States and was a high flyer in corporate industry

before meeting and marrying an Englishman and moving here to Gloucestershire since when she has become chief executive of Emmaus Gloucestershire.

At the end of September she gave a thought provoking lunchtime talk to members about the work of the organisation which has a community

some resources when it is time for them to leave the community and move on.

She added that where Emmaus differs from many other organisations is that they do not actually raise charitable funds but runs as a business and a profit making organisation. By so doing they are able to help other Emmaus communities not yet able to support themselves.

In the United Kingdom there are 21 communities and worldwide there are around 400. All work on the principle that ‘the more you help us the more we can help others.’

Maureen was a very accomplished speaker and captivated her audience. She left Rotarians much wiser and better informed.

Transformed on the Emmaus road

Maureen Margrie, chief executive of Emmaus Gloucestershire, with Rotarian Angela Seddon (right).

l

home on the Barnwood Road. There is also a furniture outlet in Chequers Road here in the city as well as shops in Cheltenham, Nailsworth and Stroud.

She explained that Emmaus offers those who are homeless and unemployed (men and women over the age of 18) a fresh start with their own secure accommodation, meaningful work and the satisfaction of knowing that they support themselves without being dependant on benefit handouts.

In their home at Barnwood there are 16 companions, each of whom does a 40 hour week, Their work includes collecting donated furniture and white goods, selling furniture, gardening and cooking. Central to the success of the community are the generous donations and purchases made by the public.

Maureen said that the community has rigorous rules. Companions have to show a commitment to work, sign a pledge agreeing not to drink alcohol or take drugs and to give all claims to benefits.

The regime in the community often comes as a shock since the companions have to rise early to start work - a practice with which many are not familiar since they have never worked before.

Each companion is paid £40 a week with a further £10 per week being put into a savings account for them so that they will have

ʻFangs ̓ainʼt what they used to be....

Perhaps the most exciting area of modern dentistry is the area of implants and orthodontics which is developing quickly so much so that there is now a machine which will make a crown ‘while you wait.’

Like every profession dentists need to be constantly aware of scientific developments to ensure that the days of patient fright at the prospect of drills and needles are assigned to the dustbin of history. Pat (still smiling and showing off his new teeth) proposed a vote of thanks. His daughter Sarah also attended. She is a qualified dental nurse, and has undertaken extra training to enable her to assist with sedation, during treatments such as implant placement. Sarah has also broadened her dental role by studying to level 5 diploma in management. As practice manager, Sarah is a full time member of Dr Eldridge’s team.

THE way in which dentistry has changed in recent years was brought home to members at a lunchtime meeting when Dr Timothy Eldridge gave a fascinating talk following an introduction by one of his own patients, Rotarian Pat Collins.

Since qualifying in Dentistry from Birmingham University Dr Eldridge has gained a wealth of experience in multidisciplinary practices. In 2009 Tim along with his wife Lydia founded myFACE dentistry and facial aesthetics in Cheltenham, and is the principal dentist.

Today Tim spends the majority of his time in practice combining non-surgical treatments with cosmetic dentistry. Being a full member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Tim keeps up to date with the latest techniques and in the past few years he has trained hundreds of dentists, doctors, therapists, hygienists and registered medical nurses in this field.

Timothy began his talk by showing pictures of dental practices old and new, and made the point that during the past 40 years there had been a gradual improvement in dental health thanks to better cleaning and more regular check-ups.

Members were then shown pictures of all the latest kit which enable dentists to work more effectively and more efficiently. Modern equipment included lasers which have now replaced scapels, a new pump which will replace syringes and needles and a probe which can be attached to the jaw and can prompt the brain into anesthetizing the area of the mouth being worked on.

A smiling Pat Collins (right) with Dr Timothy Eldridge who gave Rotarians an insight into modern dentistry.

l

WHEN junior vice president Clive Hannis and former president Angela Seddon pool

their resources it’s a ‘racing cert’ the club is onto a winner. Which certainly was the case when they combined their considerable organising skills and corporate networking at a hugely successful race night at the beginning of October.

This was the second such venture to be staged at The White Horse in Sandhurst Lane and again the owners did us proud with a Chinese meal to tempt the tastebuds and prepare guests for the fun to follow.

Originally there had been 112 declared ‘runners’ but there were a few fallers before the event and on the night itself 102 Rotarians and their friends cantered up to the starting gate. Full marks to Ron Ring who ran the tote and organised a bevy of ladies to collect the bet - it wasn’t in vain since on the night around £2,000 was raised.

Of this sum £1,000 went to local optician Tony Lawrence who is hoping to raise

Racingʻcert ̓

for eye charity

£3,000 to aid his chosen charity - Fight for Sight. This charity is currently involved in a research programme which focuses on preventing and treating age related sight loss, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, corneal disease and sight loss in children.

Tony has already raised a considerable sum of money with a three day sponsored cycle ride from London to Paris. At the time of writing he is also about to embark on another 100 mile cycle marathon to

ABOVE:- Winning owner David Seed with event organisers Clive Hannis and Angela Seddon. RIGHT:- Clive presents local optician Tony Lawrence with a cheque for £1,000. BELOW:- Some of the happy punters on the night.

l

Warm welcome from Muslim carerswarm welcome from everyone. Shamim Kholwadia who is in charge of the Charter Court Centre introduced us, and Angela was able to give a very concise explanation of what the Rotary Club is all about.

“We were then all treated to a lesson in Belly Dancing! Muslim Carers are all ladies, and many of them are quite senior themselves but they were all eager to participate, which left us with no option other than joining in too!

“We were then invited to join them for lunch wqhich comprised of a very tasty Biryani with Vermicelli followed by cake and then ice creams courtesy of Angela and Walls.

IN September ‘Muslim Carers’ held an event to celebrate Eid at Charter Court off Barton Street.

Muslim Carers, as the name suggests, look after the interests of Muslims who care for someone on a day to day basis. This is usually a family member who needs constant care and attention.

They have benefited this year from funding from the Community and Youth Committee. In consequence Rotarians Angela Seddon and Jan Layton-Smith were invited to join their celebrations.

Jan writes: “We were met with a most

“We were offered a fork to eat the curry with but declined as it seemed appropriate to eat with fingers as they did; whilst in Rome......! “After the meal, the carers entertain themselves by singing ‘Bollywood’ songs in groups. The idea was to start a new song beginning with the last word of the last song. “Who knows what tensions and difficulties these ladies face from day to day, but on that day they were able to leave it all behind for a while. They were certainly intent on enjoying themselves!

“It is the first real contact that Rotary has had with the Muslim community, so this now gives us the opportunity to build on this relationship in the future.”

10 Kodak Lens Vision centres during which he will be accompanied by two patients John and Huw.

The other £1,000 raised on this great night out went to bolster the club’s charity account.

58

Winston Churchill once described the codebreakers at Bletchley Park (Station X) as ‘the geese who laid the golden eggs and never cackled.” One such

‘bird’ who remained silent for 30 years was Edna Garbutt, a remarkable lady who enthralled members with stories of how she came to be recruited for Station X and of the work she did there during World War Two.

Now living at Churchdown, Edna hailed from a Yorkshire mining village and was whipped out of school by a dad who believed that education was wasted on women!!!

With the start of the Second World War he relented and after a short secretarial course she worked in a local factory which provided tools for aero firms such as Rolls Royce and de Havilland.

Here she supervised the despatch section so efficiently that she was ordered away from her job to attend an interview at the Labour Exchange. After a short test it was announced that she had been selected for a new job - but what and where were to remain a mystery...........although she was told it was with the Foreign Office. This news baffled Edna who - in her own words - knew no foreign languages and only spoke broad Yorshire with a smattering of English.

A train warrant to take her to London’s King’s Cross where she was met and put on a second train left her equally baffled.

Having been told to alight at Bletchley Edna and two other women, equally confused, were met by a lady in a shooting brake and taken to Bletchley Park - a destination about which they knew nothing.

Here over a period of weeks a group of secretaries had to prove their proficiency in touch typing and then understanding and transcribing morse code. It was a tall order and over a period of time Edna’s intake was whittled down and sent home as they failed to come up to scratch.

Those who successfully completed the course went to work in one of the huts which comprised Bletchley Park and were also ordered at gunpoint to sign a 30 year silence clause.............a condition which applied within the Park itself where staff from one hut were totally unaware of and never enquired about work being undertaken in another hut.

Edna’s work required long hours of concentration listening in to German morse code communications from all over Europe and where one slip might totally corrupt a message. The girls worked eight-hour stints with just an hour off for refreshment. To make

matters worse in Edna’s case her billet was 20 miles away in an already overcrowded house near Bedford.

But working at Bletchley had its compensations as Edna described the cosmopolitan nature of its staff where girls from working class backgrounds worked alongside titled colleages and debutantes and where lunch might be taken sitting next to an Admiral or General.

At war’s end she was given a quick heave ho and returned home without a reference but still under an obligation of silence............which Edna kept from both her parents and husband.

In fact her lunchtime visit was only the second occasion she had spoken about her wartime experiences in public. She was absolutely superb. Members hung on her every word. This was history at first hand and full marks to John Sargent for introducing her to us. We could have enjoyed Edna for much longer.

One of Winnyʼs geese who

ʻnever cackledʼ

Former Bletchley Park worker Edna Garbutt with Rotarian John Sargent who is holding a book showing one of Germany’s Enigma coding machines

l

The Registry Room in Hut 6 at Bletchley Park. This is where incoming messages were logged, sorted and distributed. This picture was taken after 1943 at a time when Edna was working in Hut 6 at Bletchley. Ir was at Bletchley that Colossus - the world’s first programmable electronic computer - was built

l

Trustʼs life-changing awards

pastoral assistance from Aspire Leisure, the nominated trustee and his own efforts he obtained the required Emergency First Aid Certificate, his CRB clearance and made a contribution to the cost of his course thus demonstrating his own commitment. The trust has awarded him the £250 balance required for the initial course and will monitor his progress with a view to offering further help in the next stage of his career - should it be needed.

THE Club’s Trust Fund for Young People is continuing to make grants to deserving young

people, greatly assisted by the successful Gala Night which boosted the fund by around £6,000 (writes Martyn White).

Also, following clarification with The Charity Commissioners, the trustees are now able to actively offer grants to youngsters who would otherwise not have been able to undertake or complete “by reason of financial circumstances, a course /training in which they had demonstrated considerable ability.”

Two recent successful candidates who fall into this category are Kristofer Smith and Lucy Krawczyk, both of Gloucester. Both were recommended to the trustees by club members.

In both cases financial help from our Trust fund has enabled them to participate in /complete their chosen courses and could have life changing consequences as both have recognised ability and potential. Both come from broken homes and difficult backgrounds.

Kristofer, aged 19, has the ambition and ability to be a tennis coach and needed financial help to undertake the next stage of his training and qualification. Detailed enquiries revealed that he has the talent to suceed. With financial direction and

Lucy, aged 18, would like to be a professional stylist and is on a course at Stroud to train as a hair and make-up artist with a view to working in the fashion industry and theatre. Despite two part time jobs, she needed urgent help with the cost of essential course materials and equipment. Again detailed enquiries were made, references taken and with the glowing recommendation from her College the trustees awarded Lucy a grant of £543, payable through the college. This will enable her to complete her one-year course.

Both applicants attended interviews (in one case three interviews were held) and proved themselves worthy of your Trust Fund’s support.

Some of the criteria the trustees operate by are that all candidates must show commitment, ability and make some personal financial contribution (usually a third of the requested grant monies). Both Lucy and Kristofer ticked these boxes. Another is that candidates are prepared to visit the club and let members know how their support has helped - and both will be doing so in the future.

The Trustees hope the club will now fully support and actively participate in their work for young people both by seeking additional funds and in identifying suitable candidates for assistance.

Martyn White .....a plea to the club to rally around and support the Trust Fund for Young People.

l

in providing supporting representation particularly to young detainees when a parent or guadian is not present. In some cases parents have ‘washed their hands of their offspring’ while in others they might not live in the immediate area and have no means of getting to the police station where the young person is bring held. Others may care but have problems of their own which preclude them from helping their children.

Georgina said her role is to build a trusting relationship with the young detainees - not to give legal advice - but to ensure that their legal rights and human rights are not violated and that they are treated well while in custody. She says that she receives two - three calls per week but is only able to manage one or two cases per month.

Why does she do it? She said that she came from a teaching background and having worked with the police for a year she felt it was a way of ‘giving back’ to society....and young people in particular.

Georgina stressed, however, that the role

THE role of an ‘Appropriate Adult’ is one of which few had heard prior to a recent ITV programme which highlighted the extraordinary story of Gloucester housewife Janet Leach who played a key role in the uncovering of the crimes of Fred and Rosemary West.

This factual drama is centred on the period of time between Fred West’s arrest, his suicide in 1995 and the conviction of Rosemary West and reveals how Fred confided in Janet Leach who took the role of the ‘appropriate adult’ during his police interviews.

‘Appropriate adults’ are volunteers who are asked by the police to sit in on interviews with minors or vulnerable adults in order to assist them and safeguard their rights.

In September Rotarian Sarah Powell introduced to the club Georgina Dowding who gave an enthralling presentation on her role as an ‘Appropriate Adult.’

She told members how she is on call most days (and nights). She specialises

could be both onerous and dangerous since many young people could be very aggressive when arrested and often lashed out - even at people trying to help them.

Following her talk there were numerous questions which indicated the tremendous interest the subject had generated. Our thanks to Sarah for providing us with such a stimulating speaker.

Who - and what - is anʻAppropriate Adultʼ?

Rotarian Sarah Powell right with Georgina Dowding.

l

76

Affluent life on the ocean wavesCherbourg to New York, in answer to the mainland European superliners of the late 1920s and early 1930s.

During the Second World War, the Queen Mary served as a troop ship and after its release from war duties, the liner, and her running mate Queen Elizabeth reverted to this two-ship service and continued for two decades until Queen Mary’s retirement in 1967.

In ‘normal’ service the Queen Mary with its 12 decks had a total complement of 3,200 passengers and crew and could do the Atlatic crossing in just four and a half days.

Geoff joined the boat in 1959 having served in the Midland Bank’s foreign exchange division. On board he serviced one of the bank’s three branches, enjoyed first class accommodation and worked from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. He even had an annual dinner suit allowance.

It was a job packed with incidents ands interest......such as when Richard Burton was banned from having any alcohol on board...........or when Elizabeth Taylor paid £25,000 in the late 50s/60s for her and her entourage to cross together..........or when Queen Mary was hit by a typhoon and listed by 20% for more than five minutes.

Then there were delightful tales of colourful celebrities on board such as Lord and Lady Docker, George Brown (who was also banned from drinking), Victor Mature (who threw his dinner silver

IN the 1920s when regular air services across the Atlantic were still a dream, it was the ocean liners which carried people across ‘the pool’ from the old world to

the new. Chief among these ships were the superliners - floating palaces of luxury where no mark of affluence was overlooked and where passengers could enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

While our Continental friends also vied for the Atlantic trade, it was to Cunard’s Queen Mary and later Queen Elizabeth that the business leaders and celebrities flocked. For most, the opportunity to indulge themselves with one royal crossing would have been sufficient - but to experience no fewer than 48 voyages on the magnificent Queen Mary is mind blowing.

One such privilged traveller addressed a Sunday lunchtime meeting at Bowden Hall where Rotarians and partners had a unique insight into life on board one of the world’s grandest liners.

Geoff Miller was one of an exclusive group of Midland Bank employees who staffed the bank’s outlets on board the Queen Mary.

He said that the ship, which sailed the North Atlantic from 1936 to 1967, was built by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, and was launched in 1934 and had her first maiden voyage in 1936. She was designed to be the first of Cunard’s planned two-ship weekly express service from Southampton to

out of the porthole), Sir Walter and Lady Monkton (Geoff was one of her dancing and drinking partners)....and so on.

Geoff’s talk was a delightful pot pourri of stories from an age of elegance and affluence on the ocean waves which has now been overtaken by air flights and mass crusising. Thanks to him we enjoyed a few insights into a world we can now only read about.

Thanks also go to Andrew Holloway who so ably organised the event and to President Andtrew Hurley who introduced and thanked the speaker. We are also grateful to Trevor Picken for taking the photographs on these pages.

Superluxury superliners Superluxury superliners

l From March 1940 to end of September 1946l Carried a total of 765,429 military personnel. Sailed a total of 569,429 miles. l Carried up to 15,000 troops at any one time. l Carried wounded troops back to the USA. l Transported Winston Churchill to three conferences. l Carried 12,886 GI brides and children. l Resumed to passenger service July 31, 1947

War service