Lookout! Exciting news as Sarah creates our new Website page for our Club’s upcoming Environmental projects, plus we have the launch of another new project – the mobile phones appeal in aid of Porchlight – watch out for details in the local press or check out our website.

“My Job Talk”- Roger Joynes

Thanks to Roger, who presented an interesting account of his working career, giving a generalised overview of his early years, having various jobs in his teenage years before moving swiftly onto an apprenticeship with the Royal Mail Lines Shipping Co. After this he chose to join the Merchant Navy, a move which both his parents were as keen on as Roger; this Industry he described as his forte. He experienced many events and challenges whilst at sea and talked about some of the numerous places he visited whilst travelling the world. Eventually however, he decided sea life was no longer for him and he left to commence work as an Engineer with the CEGB at Barking Power Station. He moved swiftly through the ranks to become a Project Engineer in the South East region based in London where he was appointed to manage a major job at Dungeness B, he then assisted and promoted various projects. It was during this time that his family also moved to be with him on the Marsh. Roger retired in 1993, but felt restless and continued to work for various companies as a consultant, finally deciding to retire fully on reaching 60 partially due to a deteriorating health issue. He ended by saying that he had always enjoyed working and that his professional life had been a very happy one.

Club Handover

What a joyous occasion to finally be able to get together and have a face to face Handover Meeting at the Curry Lounge in New Romney and kicking off the evening with a glass of Champagne on arrival. Luckily we had all just about remembered how to dress up in fancy togs, black ties for the guys and dresses for the girls and not forgetting the challenge, set by our President, Barbara Gold, as to which one of us could produce and wear the most innovative, outrageous bow tie. We were pleased to have present and to welcome members partners and special guest David Lister, Rotary Asst. District Governor, pictured right presenting a collar bar to Barbara. During the evening there were numerous speeches and a light operatic tribute to Barbara, written by Andrew Sinden, sung by Julie Lawrence and joined during the chorus by all male Rotarians present.

Barbara was also presented with a large bouquet of flowers and the whole evening was a fitting tribute to Barbara who ploughed on last year with her team to keep the Club going through the challenges of Covid and who graciously accepted the challenge to remain President of our club for another year. We also welcomed Stephen Hagues as new Vice President, Stephen having very kindly taken on this role as well as remaining Club Secretary – a massive undertaking. At the end of the evening the winners for the most outrageous bow ties were announced, and taking both prizes for male and female winners were Trevor and Penny Harrison (how do they do it ?!). Lastly, a big thank you to Syed and his team who hosted the event and to those Club Members who worked behind the scenes to make it happen.

Young Carer’s Funday – enjoyed by all

The four local Rotary Clubs of Romney Marsh, Hythe, Folkestone and Folkestone Channel joined forces on 15th August to host a day of fun and games at the XIXth Hole Clubhouse at Littlestone Golf Club. The sun shone and the day remained dry as about 60 Young Carers and their families from all over the district gathered to enjoy a variety of games and a Hog Roast. The event had become a regular fixture in the calendar of all four clubs before the Covid pandemic put a stop on large gatherings last year and so it waswith great pleasure that we were able to run it again this year. The children enjoyed playing mini football, target boules, bowling, skittles and croquet. One young lady enjoyed the quoits game so much, she kept coming back and eventually amassed a total score of well over 6,000 points in the course of the afternoon. There was also a putting competition with prizes for the lowest scores returned by a girl and a boy plus a special reward for a ‘hole in one’ by a youngster who thus made himself the envy of many of the adult golfers present. Unfortunately he was considered too young to be made to buy a round of drinks for all present, the usual ‘reward’ for such a feat.

The feedback from all who came along was very positive and reflected the hard work put in by the four clubs, the staff at the XIXth clubhouse, the LGC which again allowed the use of their grounds and car park and Kent Young Carers Organisation who coordinated the invitations and liaised with the families that attended. We sincerely hope that we will be able to host the event again next year and look forward to welcoming back our new friends and further extending the hand of Rotary friendship.

STOP PRESS – Suru Patel gave a very interesting ‘My Job’ talk on 26th August, more on that next time

Forthcoming Events

September:

Ø 1st September: Launch of the mobile phones appeal in Aid of Porchlight

October

Ø 7th October: Partners Night

Ø 14th October: Cinque Port Raid on RC of Romney Marsh

Ø 28th October: Guest speaker from Last Chance Animal Rescue

Ø 29th. October: Car Treasure Hunt

The club would also like to wish Spencer Buck a speedy recovery.

So what do I do if I want to join?

We’ll be delighted to welcome new Members to the club. If you are interested in joining us, get in touch via email info@romneymarshrotary.co.uk or check out our website – www.romneymarshrotary.co.uk where you can also find out a little more about who we are and what we do.

Reg’d charity no 281