Charity Car Park
Bishop Auckland Rotary run a charity cark park in the centre of Bishop Auckland, which is open to the public between the hours of 10a.m. & 2p.m. every Saturday. The fee is £1.50 per car and through their use of this car park members of the public contribute - on average - £1560 a year all of which goes to local charities. The only stipulation is that you must remove your car no later than 2p.m. at which time the car park is locked and reverts to a private car park.
Chritmas Tree Collection 2011
The members of the Rotary Club of Bishop Auckland would like, to thank everyone who contributed to our Christmas Collection at the Newgate Centre. The total raised over the 3 days was £1052.13, which was a magnificent result considering the difficult economic times and the difficulties caused by the structural problems at the Mothercare store.
Once again, the people of the town have been most generous in their support and the sum raised will be shared eaually between the Butterwick Children's Hospice and the Wear Valley Riding for the Disabled Group.
We'd also like to thank the management of the Newgate Centre for permitting the collection and we look forward to updating you on other fundraising events during 2O12.
International evening in aid of the Japanese Tsunami Disaster Fund.
The Rotary Club of Bishop Auckland held a successful International Evening at “The Pollards" and raised £365 towards the Japanese Tsunami Disaster Fund.
The Club has enjoyed links with Japan through its support for ambassadorial scholar Kaoru Urano from Tokyo who studied at Durham University obtaining a M.A. and Ph.D. in English and English Literature. Now married, Kaoru is teaching English in Tokyo. Along with other members of Tokyo Rotary Club she helped raise money for the Disaster Appeal by staging an evening of music and drama which raised £3000.
Bishop Auckland Rotarians will be out in force at the Newgate Centre in the week leading up to Christmas collecting for local charities including the Butterwick Hospice for Children and Riding for DisabledAnyone interested in finding out more about the Rotary Club should contact our Secretary David Robertson on: 01388602961
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President Chris. Scholtemeijer
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to accept the Presidency of the Bishop Auckland Rotary Club for the 2011/2012 fiscal year, and I thank you for allowing me the opportunity.
Under the able stewardship of IPP John Yeoman’s, we achieved much as a Club. We undertook various worthwhile projects, raised a lot of money and in the process enhanced Club fellowship, resulting in us becoming a very friendly Club.
During the forthcoming year, I would like us to consolidate our position and strengthen core values, as it is our responsibility to continue to serve our community and local charities such as the Air Ambulance, the Butterwick Children's Hospice and Riding for the Disabled to name but a few.
We also have the obligation to contribute to the Polio Eradication effort worldwide. This is a top priority for Rotary International, not only as a spearheading partner with UNICEF, but also because of the Challenge Grants offered by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Shelterbox is another very worthwhile project helping people the world over during times of great disaster. Rotarian Tom Henderson MBE, the Founder of Shelterbox says of the victims: “These people have lost everything, why should they lose their dignity as well?"
As the only Service Organisation with representation in Bishop Auckland, the responsibility on us is greater than normal in order to positively respond to the so many requests for assistance. Therefore, we must increase Club membership as otherwise we are not going to cope with demands. This is not the job of a committee, as the onus is on us as individuals to bring this about.
The team of Club officers for the forthcoming year is a strong and talented one that deserves our total support, so that together we may achieve our objectives and thus earn the right to wear the Rotary lapel badge.
Chris Scholtemeijer
RETIRING PRESIDENT'S REMARKS JULY 2011
It has been a great privilege to represent The Rotary Club of Bishop Auckland as its 90th President.
During my year in office I kept the first principle of Rotary International firmly in my sights; "Service above Self". My aim was to ensure that our membership enjoyed fellowship and fun at all our meetings and activities. I've enjoyed the banter and cheerfulness we've generated and I have no doubts that it will continue.
Les Fay, after his visit to our club as District Governor last November, very kindly sent me a letter saying how much he had enjoyed his evening with us highlighting the friendly, relaxed atmosphere-- as well as the Chef's mince and dumplings!
Other guests including Ron Gatenby (York Vikings) and John Moore (Putney), as well as visiting Rotarians from Middlesbrough Erims Club, have remarked how welcoming our members have been.
Highlights of the year include the Joint Rotary/Inner Wheel Race Night, the Curry & Quiz Night at 'The Spice Lounge', the Lasagne/Lesotho Evening, the very successful Invitation Golf Tournament and the Annual Strawberry and Wine Evening. Well done and thank you to all who organised these events which continue to put our club firmly on the map.
I was delighted that my President's Charity Evening at Headlam Hall went so well and it gave me an opportunity to speak about my President's Charity - Prostate Cancer Research Fund. A great night was had by all and a big thank you to my daughter's band for providing the music free of charge (or was it singing for your supper?)
Incidentally proceeds from the President's Night and part of the proceeds from the Golf Tournament allowed us to send a cheque of £2,500 to Prostate Cancer Research.
During the course of my year in office a very full programme of events has allowed us to raise a very healthy £12,200 for a variety of Local, National and International Charities.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all club members for their support and encouragement none more so than my Vice Presidents Chris Scholtemeijer (Chair of Int. Comm.) and Keith Black (Chair of Community Services Comm.). Also I would like to thank Jeremy Edkins (Treas.), Mike Pulling (Asst. Treas/Sec.) and last but not least David Robertson (Sec.). Thank you gentlemen for your efficiency, hard work and sound advice.
Finally I'd like to wish incoming President Chris Scholtemeijer all the very best as the 91st President of a club founded in 1924. I offer him my full support and continued friendship.
John J. Yeomans
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Apart from our traditional Carol Service in mid-December, the Christmas Message meeting is perhaps one of the more pleasant events in the Club's social calendar when we invite our partners and friends to join us for dinner. On Tuesday 13 December we met at The Knight's Hall, Manor House Hotel and Restaurant, West Auckland, and the evening boasted a very satisfying attendance that filled the Hall, which was beautifully decorated for the festive season.
As Guest of Honour, we welcomed Revd. Brenda Jones from Woodhouse Close Church. She told us about her work with the local community in her Parish, of their never ending legitimate demands, and how their Community Centre functions under difficult circumstances primarily due to cutbacks, reduced revenue and the general prevailing economic climate of the present time. Indeed an eye-opener for us all. Revd. Jones forfeited the pleasure of receiving the traditional bouquet of flowers and instead received a £100.00 cheque for their Community Centre.
Another separate donation of £100.00 was also made to The Smile Train UK to assist children worldwide with cleft lip and palate disorders.
The dinner was very good and with good service and excellent company, a relaxed atmosphere prevailed, thus enhancing Club fellowship and camaraderie which is so important these days.
In conclusion, I would like thank everybody for their attendance and company.
Christiaan Scholtemeijer
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Bishop Auckland Member Honoured
Peter receives the Paul Harris Fellowship award from current President Christiaan Scholtemeijer
Bishop Auckland Rotary Club recently honoured long serving member Peter Cooke with a Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Peter joined Rotary in 1993, and was elected to serve as President of Bishop Auckland Rotary Club in 2000. On presenting him with the award, current Club President Christiaan Scholtemeijer outlined a few of the numerous projects that Peter is involved with each year.
Along with other members, Peter has been pivotal for many years in organising an annual Charity Golf Tournament at Bishop Auckland Golf Club, arranging both sponsors and prizes, making it an event which never fails to realise its expected target. He can always be found dressing the tree and assisting with the transport for the annual Christmas Tree Collection, overseeing the annual Strawberry and Wine Dinner, and ensuring a supply of sweets for the children of Evergreen Primary School for their annual visit to the Pantomime at Darlington Civic Theatre, an outing provided by Bishop Auckland Rotary Club. Peter has also served on the Board of Governors of Evergreen Primary School for many years.
Perhaps Peter’s greatest achievement was a Sports Dinner which he organised down to the last detail, an event which raised £6,500 during the evening.
Peter is well known in the local community, and the world of sport, where he is regarded as both a role model for many and a dedicated Rotarian.
It has been said by other members of Bishop Auckland Rotary Club that he is perhaps considered the largest fundraiser in its history. He is always supportive of club activities, and always willing to help others with advice. He was congratulated warmly by all members present.
Article reproduced by kind permission of Brian Shaw, Editor of Rotary North East.
*Note: Paul Harris Fellowship: Recognition was created in memory of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, as a way to show apreciation for exceptional service, and may be awarded by Rotary Clubs to Rotarians and other members of the community who a Rotary Club feels are deserving of such an award.*
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