Firstly, may I wish all Rotarians and their families a Happy New Year. 

2012 promises to be an exciting year – the Olympics, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and a potentially giant step forward for the organisation of RIBI.  The presentation of RIBI in the 21st century that I mentioned in last month’s Newsletter has been followed up by other explanatory articles on the RIBI website and I am grateful to those members and Clubs that have given me their opinions on the possible reorganisation.  I would appreciate as many Clubs as possible letting me know their views as I need to represent District at the upcoming General Council meeting on 4th and 5th February. 

Why Rotary Spring Clean (“RSC”):  There is overwhelming evidence showing that a tidy environment creates a proud and stronger community. Rotary can play a very simple role in strengthening our communities and with minimal effort make Rotarians more aware of the environment.

And Now For Something Completely Different! and quite mad and a Great Fund Raiser For Your Club. Well, it’s not actually completely different because we have done this before. All of our Previous flyers had the thrill of a lifetime doing the ‘Loop’ and they couldn’t stop smiling. All sponsorship money raised will be split 50/50 with Wolverton and Stony Stratford Rotary Club and your Club.

For further information please download the flyer by clicking on the link below:

 Loop the Loop 2012 flyer 508.16 Kb

On Monday December 12th  Past President Andy Griggs of Marondera Rotary Club, Zimbabwe gave a presentation on the progress of our project for the provision of a water supply to the Mushewe Vanhu  orphanage. With the addition of a matching grant to the funds from  Milton Keynes and our twin club in Holland, Helmond Regio  $12,000 was eventually sent to Zimbabwe via Zambia to finance this project.

It might have been a frosty January night outside, but in the Holiday Inn’s Orchard Suite on Monday night the room sizzled with warmth and goodwill when Rotarians met with local dignitaries and charity representatives to gear themselves up for the Swimathon on March 10 at Stantonbury.  The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Allan Richards, The Mayor of Newport Pagnell, Cllr Wendy Egan and the Rotary District Governor, John Bromley were there and they were joined by a number of guests including Radcliffe school Head Teacher, John O’Donnell. (There is intense competition amongst local schools for the Trophy awarded for the most lengths swum.)

On the 18th October 2011, members of Potters Bar Rotary Club, Roger Philpott, Doug Fussell and Pierre-Paul Tengwo gave a presentation about Shelter Box to the Potters Bar Guides, invited by the Potters Bar Guide Leader Janet Reid. Everybody enjoyed the evening judging by the amount of interest the girls showed during the presentation and judging by the pertinent questions asked during the session by the girls.

Following the presentation a large number of our members attended the Potters Bar and District Guides and Brownies Christmas Carol Service on the 1st December 2011 at St Mary's Church in Potters Bar. The Club members helped set up the tent as well as showing the items in the Box during the Church service.

We certainly know how to party in the Brickhills and we showed this skill off to our friends and fellow Rotarians last night 14th January when we celebrated our 10th Charter at The George in Little Brickhill.

There were 47 of us including past members of the clubs some had travelled quite a distance to be with us for the evening. After and introduction form Andy Sheldon and words of welcome form Elizabeth including a past presidential role call, Alison said an appropriately amusing grace. Other guests included 3 Milton Keynes Zone club presidents, Richard and Ann Jackson Bass from Hemel Hemstead Rotary Club, District Governor John Bromley and Ann plus Past District Governor Sandy and David Aked-Walker who gave the toast to the club.

Club President Elizabeth gave the response to Sandy's toast and told the audience how the club has grown and about all the new things that we are doing and what a good shape we are in.

The treat of the evening was the guest Speaker Craig Cooper "the tick tock man" who gave us a serious yet amusing account of this time commanding a bomb disposal squad in Northern Ireland in the 1990's. It was a great talk, a surprise for the audience but one that was fully appreciated and the vote of thanks by Helen Richardson was truly fitting for such a talk and occasion.

Great atmosphere, fellowship, banter, friendship, food, wine and everything!

The Rotary Club of Newport Pagnell is holding its sixteenth annual Jaipur Limb Charity Dinner at the Jaipur Restaurant, Milton Keynes. This very popular and enjoyable event in the Newport Pagnell Rotary Club’s social calendar has raised in excess of  £35,000 for the Jaipur Limb charity and, with the blessing and continued encouragement of Rtn.Mr Ahad - the proprietor of the Jaipur Restaurant, and an honorary member of our Club, we hope to fill the Restaurant once more and enjoy an exclusive evening at this renowned venue.

President John Neale and the members of the Newport Pagnell Club would be most appreciative of your support for this very worthwhile cause. 

A flyer with full details of the event can be downloaded by clicking the link below.

 Newport Pagnell RC Jaipur Limb Charity Dinner 2012 36.30 Kb