ANDREA

MICKEY

A ROTARY SUNDAY EXCLUSIVE APRIL2008

the presidential prattle

A huge thanks to everyone for their support during my injury, which is now at long last improving. I am now in my last quarter as President, an exceptionally fulfilling role that I can recommend to all. Since our last edition the club has been as busy as ever, but when is it not. As you will see within the magazine there have been lots of events and activities. We have recently been awarded another District Simplified Grant to support a local young persons able and disable bodied group with sports equipment which we presented to them at our recent Bunny Drive (a fun time was had by all). Stuart and Vicki, with their committees, are busy organising our Kids Out event in June and Andrea and her committee is busy coordinating the singing at the local residential homes, with all our committees working hard towards our other future activities which include Charity Market Stall on the 19th April to support Heartcare and of course the Stroke Awareness Day. We have interviewed for RYLA and paperwork is being completed as I write. Our matching grant projects are progressing and we look forward to receiving updates in the near future. Since writing last we received an award for the highest per-capita donation to Foundation in the District (2006-07) for the third year running, what an achievement! Thank you to everyone who has written content for the magazine and a big thanks to Steve A and Troy for their hard work producing the magazine for everyone to read. Page 2

the cover story: about our front & back cover designs for this issue

With wedding bells in the air for Andrea and Mickey we based this issues cover on a Moss Bros dress hire catalogue. You can read more about the day later in this issue. Meanwhile, on the back of this issue we have been inspired by some childhood TV and the current Sony campaign for Bravia televisions.

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

april 2008: issue 20

April 2008

President Dawn & Ash present Acorns with a cheque

wednesday 30th january

1 The Front Cover 2 The Presidential Prattle The Cover Story 3 Contents Cinema: Sweeney Todd 4 Themed Music Evening 5 Andreas Hen Night 6 GSE Farewell Dinner Bunny Drive 7 Peski Kid Ode to Ash The Bear Collecting Stamps 8 1970s Night Mickeys Stag Do 9 Polio Plus 10 Walsall Beer Festival 11 Board Games Night Murder Mystery Night 12-13 Diary of Future Events 14 Dance Show 15 Longtons Curry Night 16 Pancake Night Ten-Pin Bowling 17 Vickis Birthday Pathways Boxes 18 Black Country Museum Make Dreams Real 19 Rotographic 2008 The Last January Sale 20-21 Andrea & Mickey! 22 Cannock Rotary Visit Four Presidents Ball 23 Magazine Month 24 The Back Cover

It was a comparatively small outing to the cinema this time round. I think that was mainly due to the fact that the film we were going to see was a comparatively odd choice. We chose to see Sweeney Todd, a musical remake of an old story made famous in literature, stage and films of old. The movie starred Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and many more famous faces. The film was written and directed by Tim Burton, the musical score was by Stephen Sondheim (adapted by Tim Burton). Tim Burton filmed Sweeney Todd in a dark but stylised manner, much reminiscent of his early films such as Batman and Edward Scissorhands. In fact, I though that the character Sweeney Todd was very similar to Edward Scissorhands. To be honest, it was a good film it had a dark sense of humour, the songs were styled to suit the film and the storyline captured the imagination but, and yes there is a but, I found the characters too similar to past characters. I also found the whole film rather unforgiving, there were truly no redeeming characters to warm to and there always seemed to be an underlying agenda. There were two pure characters in the film but I found them too weak to give much strength to the plot but overall the film held it together. Not a film I would cherish, but a film that I will remember.

contents of iisue 20, the wedding special!

april 2008: issue 20

cinema night: sweeney todd

Lisa Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 3

April 2008

themed music evening friday 15th february

I really enjoy the music nights that with love in the title (so quite a wide we do, for those who dont know what range then), and Troy anything it entails we take it in turns to play with a number connected to it (for tracks based on a theme, and it works example one of them was Swords of very well, you certainly get to hear a a Thousand Men). wide range of music on the night. My choice was spurred on by having When we first started these evenings, watched Ashes to Ashes which is it was based on your favourite music, set in 1981, so I widened it to Early more recently though this has turned Eighties, and put on hits by Adam & into a theme that your selection has the Ants, David Bowie (Ashes to to be based on, I think this is the Ashes funnily enough!), OMD, third one we have done in this format. Visage, to name a few. Rather So the themes were:bizarrely one of the songs played in q Steve A: Music that Radio One the show was Swords of a Thousand banned Men, which I hadnt got but Troy q Helen: Weddings played under his completely q Troy: Numbers different theme, pure coincidence, q Lisa: Love honestly! q Andy: Early Eighties Rich played instrumental tracks q Neil: My kind of music including Jean Michel Jarre, and q Kathryn: Musicals Bond (very good Ill have to track q Rich: Instrumental down some of their stuff), (track, Which brings us on to Neils theme, geddit!) we argued that this really wasnt a And finally Neil who deserves a proper theme, but Neil stood firm, special mention as usually I get and as most of us will probably know scared when hes about to put a arguing with Neil is a pretty track on. OK to be honest it wasnt pointless exercise, so we let him get too bad, but I really cant remember on with it! anything he put on, so obscure was Steves theme was certainly an his selection, as to be honest it interesting one, as it was a real usually is, oh hang on, I think one of surprise to discover just how many them was by Fascinating Aida different songs Radio One has (ask Neil!) banned over the years, and some for So, all in all a very enjoyable the strangest of reasons. Although it evening, and as normally happens a did give him an excuse to play The very wide range of music played. Sex Pistols! Please do come along to the next one Kathryns choices ranged from if you havent been before, I dont Starlight Express to Gilbert & think you would be disappointed! Sullivan, Helens from Wet Wet Wet Andrew Higham to Muriel's Wedding, Lisas anything

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 4

April 2008

It was an all out ladies night. The evening of raunchy debauchery, er, sorry I mean cultural entertainment took part at the Village Hotel, just off junction 10. Helen and I arrived nice and early eagerly awaiting what promised to be a good night. We met Vicki by the entrance and of course headed straight to the bar and waited for the rest of the guests to arrive, soon there was an influx of excited ladies (Troys dream come true). We headed into the main room and took our places at the table, soon the food

was served, we devoured a tasty three course meal and caught up on a lot of gossip from old friends, before we knew it the show was about to begin. Five tight trouser men glided onto the dance area, Helen, Dawn and I were amongst a line of ladies that sat dangerously near the stage (basically our chairs were sitting right on the edge of the stage). Soon the Take That tribute began by bursting into Relight my Fire it was a gyrating, hip shaking first number, I didnt know where to look, no, really, I didnt know where to look because we were sitting so close our eyes were waist height, OH MY GOSH!! I Forget the second number that they performed all I can remember is that the lead singer (Gary Barlow wannabe) during his number, ran over to Dawn and ran his hand from the side of her face tracing his fingers down to her.well I dont really want to say on paper, needless to say Dawn was very professional and didnt bat an eyelid. The night moved along quickly the acts were very good, vibrant and fast, the guys even threw a little Motown into the mix. Soon the act had finished and the Disco took over, we boogied part of the night away, until we were ready to drop and then it was back home, bed awaited. It was a fantastic night and a good single girl send off for Andrea, leaving us all looking forward to the BIG DAY.

friday 29th february

andreas hen night

Lisa Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 5

April 2008

Troy Allen

saturday 15th march

thursday 20th march

Bloxwich Phoenix sent a healthy delegation to join other Rotary clubs from District 1210 in helping send the latest Group Study Exchange team on their way. This Rotary years outgoing team travel to Argentina District 4860 in response to the incoming team from that district earlier on in the Rotary Calendar. The venue for the Farewell Meal was once again the Quality Hotel in Penkridge, Staffordshire. After a meal of the hotels usual standard we watched the GSE teams introductory power point presentation, which they will be taking around to the Argentinean Rotary Clubs that they visit during their stay. The presentations introduced to us the families, friends, hobbies and vocations of each of the individual team members. Rotarys Group Study Exchange programme offers unique opportunity for people aged between 25 to 40, to experience how people in a different country, perform a vocation similar to their own. This year the team comprises of a journalist, a human resources manager, a local council project manager and a community education officer. The Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix had put a candidate forward for this exchange but unfortunately they werent successful this time. Unfortunately at this stage our club have not managed to send anyone on a GSE exchange but we remain forever hopeful this will not always be the case. When I say we have sent no one, it does not mean that we have not been able to send a representative of the club, I refer to now of our Club mascot Ash, he was fortunate to be part of the team that went out to the Philippines and he to this day keeps in touch with the friends he made during this experience. Ash had heard that this out going team were to take a bear with them and so in eagerness packed his suitcase readiness to go, when he heard the shocking news that it was another bear that was to make the trip. Ash being an honourable bear still accompanied us to the farewell dinner although he didnt really interact with the outgoing delegation. The next GSE team to leave our district will be travelling to Oklahoma in October 2008 and at the time of going to press the district team is currently looking for candidates to go. Ash is eagerly waiting to see if he makes this team and is often seen singing the famous show tune in anticipation of the exchange and as a gentle reminder that he wouldnt mind the opportunity to go.

group study exchange farewell dinner

bunny drive
St. Peters Church Hall in Bloxwich was the venue for an event to raise money for Youth Projects that the Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix are currently involved in. The main aspect of the fundraising was to be able to provide funding to allow us to purchase sports equipment for a local group who provide social and sporting activities for children of all abilities. The event that was chosen was a Bunny Drive which is a derivative of the beetle drive format. For those not familiar, you do not play in teams but as individuals and you have to roll differing numbers on a die to complete your beetle or in this case a bunny. With free tea, coffee and squash available the night began. With Richard keeping control, people soon got into the swing of things. At a normal event of this nature the competitors are exactly that, competitive and always try and keep the die moving as quickly as possible increasing the chances of completing their beetle/bunny. This time however with a lot of children with differing abilities involved a gentler and more relaxed atmosphere ensued. A lot of the children seemed to grasp the concept a lot quicker than their parents. As you win a round you rotate to the next table and most people during the course of the evening moved. Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening and prizes were given for the most successful. At the end of the evening President Dawn presented the sports equipment and I feel our Club has made new found friends.
Troy Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 6

April 2008

If there is one thing you should handle with care, Its Bloxwich Phoenixs Ash the Bear, Dont be fooled by his bearish charms, Hes nothing like a Babe in arms, He can be quite moody and sometimes rude, And a little bit naughty if hes in the mood. But dont be misunderstand if you see him down the pub, Hes probably fundraising for our club! You see our Ash can be a good little bear, Raising money for us, here and there, Often for the needy and often for the kids, Hed even sell his cousin for the highest bids, He changes his outfit every time hes bored, And hes always looking out to increase his hoard, Hes dapper and stylish and very clothes proud, A thing that stands him out from the crowd, He likes the odd drink, but he doesnt eat grub, Hes the foot high ambassador of our club, An ice breaker, promoter, earning charities a bob, As a mascot he doesnt do that bad a job!
Troy Allen

The Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix collect used stamps and foreign coins to help international charitable causes and this year we are sending them to Amnesty International. Each Member along with some work colleagues and friends have their very own Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix Stamp and Coin Collecting Box. This helps act as a gentle reminder of the project and we receive a regular supply for the charity. If you are reading this and would like to help in this collection then feel free to contact any member of our Rotary club and Im sure that they will be more than willing to take them off your hands or even provide you with a collecting box if you so desire. Our selection charitable causes that the stamps help is constantly under review so If you do have any suggestions again just let us know.

ode to ash the bear

stamp collection
Page 7

Troy Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

April 2008

Oh, What a Night! it had funk, it had soul, it had chicken kiev. We started off with prawn cocktail and cheese and pineapple on sticks. Our first 70's TV for the night was the pilot episode of Starsky & Hutch, complete with Huggy Bear. After much animated discussion on the 70's, Steve and Hel presented us with the main course a mixture of chicken kiev, chicken cordon bleu, fish fingers, ham triangles with cheese, crinkle cut chips and potato croquets. Once we had feasted on the main course, Steve entertained us with 70's adverts and then moved on to the first ever episode of Grange Hill for the older ones in the group, the memories just flowed back. We were also entertained through the evening with snippets of various Top of the Pops 70's clips. The evening was thoroughly enjoyable, especially with the comments and past memories. Poor Kathryn and Thomas looked totally bemused when Helen and I sang along to the Shake and Vac advert, knowing all the words you know the one I mean You do the Shake and Vac and put the freshness back, do the Shake and Vac and put the freshness back etc. you get the picture! Needless to say it was a brilliant night and Im totally looking forward to the 80's night I can picture it now Miami Vice, Moonlighting, Duty Free (god, that programme I could live without) ooh, I cant wait. Oh, I forgot to mention we also had those ever popular 70's deserts - Angel Delight, Arctic Roll and fruit salad. Thanks once again to Hel and Steve for providing a great evenings entertainment.

1970s night

mickeys stag evening tuesday 11th march

Mickey decided to arrange a different type of stag do to the run of the mill kind by arranging an evening at the football that is provided at the Bescot, sorry the Banks's Stadium. We all gathered at the Gibert Allsop, sorry the Purple, sorry the Floors to go Stand. Im not suggesting that the football club sells its soul to the highest bidder, but coincidentally it does. The standard of football we were subjected to was consistent with the usual standard we have come to no and love at this stage of the season and as a result the spectacle was a rather frustrating one. One constant criticism the manager of the football club has is about the lack of crowd numbers and where we usually sit is no exception. We were therefore very grateful of the company around us as it was a bitterly cold night and the extra body heat was a godsend. It wasnt a night for drinking excessively, as it was a midweek evening match and we all had work in the morning, but it did prove that you dont need to drink to have fun. I would like to say that maybe some of the attendees of the evening may wish to re attend to watch Walsall again but Im not convinced that they will, however one thing is for certain I can virtually guarantee is that they will get a seat.
Troy Allen

saturday 1st march

Lisa Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 8

April 2008

polio eradication and rotary foundation saturday 1st march

A giant Rotary wheel together with the words END POLIO NOW was beamed onto the side of the House of Commons to the left of Big Ben to mark Rotary International's 103rd Birthday and to to start a challenge to raise $100 million to help finally eradicate polio from the world. Polio eradication has been Rotarys top priority since 1985 and working with WHO, UNICEF and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Rotary International has managed to cut the numbers of polio cases by 99 per cent. The disease is now only endemic in four countries: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Recently, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated $100 million to help in the Rotary campaign and the Google Foundation has also just donated $3.5 million. Each Rotary club is now being asked to contribute at least $1,000 annually to the challenge for the next three years, which, with 33,000 clubs around the world will help towards adding a further $100 million to the total. Dr Robert S Scott, trustee chair of the Rotary Foundation, said PolioPlus is Rotarys only corporate programme, and I believe that all Rotarians will want to share in the legacy of wiping out a disease that has caused so much disability and death worldwide. Rotary has until 31 December 2010 to match the Gates Foundation challenge grant. A task force is also providing oversight and direction to clubs and districts, and Allan Jagger President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland is a member of the new Rotary $100 Million Challenge Committee. The challenge translates to around 500 a year for each club for each of the next three years.

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 9

April 2008

The beers were of all variety of styles and strengths and Richard was on a mission concentrating mainly on the Stronger variety of I P As (Indian Pale Ales) Those drinking all had a fine selection of beers and managed to cope with the alcohol content quite well, although one of our number did start attacking people with crossedeyes which was a scary thing all round to behold. Richard chose the fresh air option for his return trip taking in the sights, sounds and smells of Walsalls teeming nightlife. The band wasnt as loud or as bad as we had first feared but I still fail to see why, when people go to drink beer and discuss the differences between the choices they make, we need music at all. Steve had made the point before we chose the night but with half the attendees being only able to attend on the Friday it was that night that was chosen.

walsall beer festival

Walsall town hall was the venue for this years Walsall Beer festival and those who attended were treated to a substantial array of beers. This year there was a slight theme where the beers were sourced with a great many coming from Wales. There was also a great quantity of regional beers from all around the British Isles to choose from as well. For those not drinking, Walsall Town Hall sports a caf where non alcoholic drinks were served. The caf also had a range of food including the Black Country delicacy of Grey Peas and Bacon, pronounced Grey Pays an Baycun, although the sample on offer didnt seem to be of the quality my local in laws have provided in the past.

friday 4th april

When the Wolverhampton Beer festival comes around it hopefully wont be an issue as the acts more often than not dont show up. The beer as youd expect was all to a high standard and for once we were able to choose from a full selection of beers without barrels being already drunk dry. Amongst the Beers our group chose were Beowulfs Dark Raven, IPA and Spring Tide, Kingstones Three Castle, Old Swans Bumblehole, Thornbridges Jaywick, Kinvers Eclipse Porter, Ffos Y Ffins Towy and so on and so forth. As we are all aged Rotarians we retired to the caf area and had a well needed sit down and some of us chose this opportunity to use the less than ample sized toilets by the afore said caf in fact I would say my facilities at home are bigger, and they are teeny tiny. We all had a good night and I would recommend it to anyone.
Troy Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 10

April 2008

Lisa Allen

saturday 2nd february

saturday 19th january

When choosing a board game you have to choose carefully and you have to make sure if any of the following options apply: How long is the game? How long are the instructions? Do I still have all the parts? Can I interest people in playing? Do we allow Mickey to play Monopoly? On this occasion Mickey didnt attend so we knew that we would not necessarily be playing Monopoly (only joking Mickey!). Steves team began the games evening with Carcassonne yes I know it sounds French but you cant have everything. In fact, its rather a good game, based on a great deal of strategy, building up towns and various surrounding areas one would say a very sophisticated game and that is why I played Rapidough! Rapidough is another game of great skill, one that involves moulding Play Doh into items that resemble nothing written on the card instructing you what to mould. In fact I would say that everything you mould in Play Doh always tends to look slightly sexual cant imagine why. It could be that my team mates were Richard, Kathryn and Becky (Im not saying a word!). The heavy duty games came out later on. Hel, Steve, Troy, Sean and Thomas play Mega Monopoly not just any old Monopoly, this was the motherland! If Mickey had have come to the games night he would have been in awe and worshipped at the sight of this Mega Monopoly. Anyway, that was one of the optional games, however, Steve J, Richard, Kathryn, Becky and I chose to play dominoes threes and fives it was brilliant! The night went so quickly it was nearing midnight when the Monopoly team had finished their game. We were all gamed out. It was soon time to go home not only had we played some great games but we also had been fed well, with a variety of tasty pasta dishes. Many thanks again to Hel and Steve for a good night.

A murder mystery with a difference, the difference being that this time Troy and Steve compared a Murder mystery evening for over forty people, The murder mystery took place at St. Johns Methodist Church hall, to raise money for the Churchs trip to Rwanda. The theme of the evening was to be an auction, with as many shady characters as you could imagine in one place. The Story revolved around a Millionairess who had died in relatively strange circumstances (could it be murder, I think so) I played the part of a heavily pregnant maid who used to be in the employ of the Millionairess. I was, it appeared, a major suspect. Throughout the night I was bribed by a bishop, blackmailed by a teenager, offered a job by a pornographer and letch and threatened by a newspaper reporter, (a pretty busy night Id say, wouldnt you?) We were provided with a lovely buffet halfway through the evening. Soon it became time to find out who the murderer was and so we sat at our tables and discussed between ourselves who we thought the culprit could be. After we had chosen a spokesperson they stood and announced who we thought the dastardly blighter was and of course we were wrong with our assumption. Many people got their conclusions wrong and it turned out to be two murderers and there were also drugs involved, how naughty was that? It was a really good night, as ever and once again I cant wait till the next one!

board games night

murder mystery evening

Lisa Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 11

April 2008

details of future events and activities

ribi conference
This years RIBI Conference is taking place in Blackpool, and promises to be an excellent weekend of good-value entertainment and speakers. Although time is tight, there are still places available, and booking forms are available on-line through the RIBI website.

stevie js birthday meal

Steve has moved his customary Chinese Meal celebrations back a couple of days to allow some of us to support Penkridges Charter night, but otherwise it will be business as usual for the excellent chinese buffet at the Imperial Restaurant in Wolverhampton.

john verrill memorial

Last time we were invited to this event (two years ago) we had two teams and a couple of spectators. The challenge that night was to build a flying machine with the materials provided, and we were, it has to be said, not overly successful. Hopefully we can do better this time. The evening costs 35 per team (of up to four), which includes an excellent buffet.

sing-a-long evenings
Our next two sing-a-long evenings take place in early May, and we have two rehearsals planned beforehand. As always, anyone is welcome - its a lot of fun, and doesnt demand a massive singing skill! Good job!

charity auction dinner

Our third charity auction will be our first as a joint event with the Cannock Rotary club. It promises to be another excellent evening, and the funds raised this year will be going towards the Dictionary Project in the Philippines, which Bev & Julie (from last years GSE team) have spoken to the club about. This event has been moved from 16th May to avoid clashing with the current GSE teams return home meal which is expected to take place that night.

district 1210 handover

This years District 1210 handover dinner will be at the newly refurbished Roman Way hotel in Cannock. Incoming DG John Barker from the Tunstall club will be hoping for support from members of Rotary within our district, and we will be there to man the shop as well as to join in the celebrations as we begin another new Rotary year - this time Making Dreams Real.

Many of use have been to the Moat House hotel in Acton Trussell recently, as it was the venue for Andrea & Mickeys wedding reception. It is also the place where the Rotary Club of Penkridge meet, and they are holding their 30th Anniversary of Charter celebration there in April. At just 20.00 for tickets, this promises to be excellent value, and several of us have already signed up to go.

Heartcare market stall

We have managed to secure a market stall on Walsall Market for 19th April, when we plan to sell Heartcares excess bric-a-brac to raise funds for the charity. Any other books, clothes and bric-a-brac items are most welcome, as will be help on the day. The stall is opposite Digbys, where a superb bacon sandwich can be procured!

home-hosted evenings
Our home hosted evenings continue throughout the year, with a games night planned earlier in April, and then this, the follow up to last months popular 1970s evening (of which you can read more elsewhere in this issue). Home hosted events cost just 3.00 for members, and often include food provided by the host.

stroke awareness day

Stroke Awareness day in our area was originally scheduled for 10th May, but we have moved ours back a week to avoid clashing with the District Assembly. This year we are holding our event in Bloxwich in the markets area in the centre of town; this will hopefully mean we are able to check a larger number of people - so any volunteers for the day will be especially welcome.

kids out day

Following our successful event last year, we are once again going to be taking children from Allsorts to Twycross Zoo for the day. Other clubs in our area have been invited to take part, but it remains to be seen whether or not they might join us!

kathryns 18th birthday

Our newest honorary member will be celebrating her 18th birthday on 3rd July, and we look forward to being able to join her. Not long after she will be going on the Rwanda trip which we have helped raise funds for.

details of future events and activities

charter night

Several members of our club attend or have attended a local dance school The Inge Domeyer School of Dance and have even taken exams. Never before have they taken part in a show and so when it was announced that members of our club were to dance in one, it became a perfect opportunity to see how they had progressed. This year two members of our club took part, (Lisa and Vicki), with the rest of the show being made up of the other classes from the school of dance. The ages ranged from 2yrs old to 50 yrs old, with differing dancing abilities catered for. With a tightly packed programme, which on the outset looked very daunting, but because all the numbers were short, didnt turn out to so, the show was an outstanding success. The little toddlers were very good at their ballet, tap dancing and modern dance and I could see this reflected upon the faces of dozens of proud parents around the hall. The show was set around different eras in time and this was held together by a narrator, who looked incredibly like Doctor Who, called himself the Doctor

and had his own Tardis! This obviously must have been a coincidence as Im sure the BBC may have something to say about it otherwise. The show took place at the Pool Hayes High school in Willenhall and once you could find the school entrance there was plenty of parking. Our ladies didnt let the side down as they performed their routines with the utmost precision, their act was set in the 1940s and they performed a syncopated routine, the dresses which I know caused some discussion before the show looked the part on the night and finished setting the scene. I must say at this stage I was very impressed with the standard of the costumes that all the dancers wore during the show. Lisa had attended the dress rehearsal and the Thursday evening as well as the Friday evening whereas Vicki was only able to attend the Friday performance due to the fact she had been whisked away to Prague by her boyfriend for her birthday. They had both put in a lot of effort in the weeks preceding the show and both did remarkably well, particularly as this was their first show. We look forward to the next with anticipation.

27th/28th march
Troy Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

dance show

Page 14

April 2008

longtons curry evening

Six of us, if you count me, (and, lets be honest, why shouldnt you) went along to support Longtons curry evening on the last evening of March. I decided to write the article, because Steve & Troy had told Hilary that I generally only write the articles when the members are afraid to be critical, and I thought it would be funny to make anyone who reads this column nervous in case wed not liked the night. However, what was there not to like (apart from Lisas very slow drive back - I mean, even my quad bike couldve done the journey faster, and Idve had to change batteries at least twice, and where do you get D cells from in Eccleshall at half past eleven at night?) The venue for the evening was the Evening Spice, in the village of Madeley. I found out that Madeley is derived from a Saxon word, Madanlieg, meaning a clearing in the woodlands belonging to Mada. Mada is a female name, which probably explains why there is a bridge over the stream which runs alongside the pool, taking you to a path which doesnt go anywhere different to the path youve just been on, but just lets you get a bit closer to the pool. If Mada had been a mans name there would probably be a suspension bridge over the Mill Pond. Which is better, is up to you. Still, we werent here to admire bridges or mill ponds, scenic as they were, and we were getting towards the fashionable end of early, so we quickly walked to the building which looked like it had certainly been a pub at one point. Everybody else had arrived, so after ordering drinks we made our way around to the seating area where we sat with Neil who had arrived before us, and some of our friends from Longton and other clubs. There was a small quiz for us to do, which was quite hard,

so hard in fact that the doctors on the next table had to phone a friend to find out which part of the body Brights disease harms. We forgave them of course, as that is the spirit of Rotary. Oh, and they told us the answer too. Our minds were taken off the quiz by the arrival of the food, which was a buffet style help-yourself service, with a selection of samosas, salads, curries, and lots of other lovely stuff to fill ourselves with, which, I must add, everyone did - and well. After the superb food (and excellent company too I must add) there was a raffle, which we won a couple of prizes from, and then the results of the quiz... We came second, winning a box of chocolates which made its way back to the meeting on the following Sunday; second place was therefore a strategic choice rather than a lack of cleverness, as sharing the wine the winners got would have been so much more difficult! Thanks to Longton and Jon Ball particularly for inviting us along. The evening Raised quite a bit of money too!

monday 31st march

Ash The Bear

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 15

April 2008

Pancake aficionado Richard Jordan provided a wonderful array of savoury and sweet pancakes to arouse our taste buds. The pancake nights that Richard hosts are now legendary and as a result the eager dinners turn up at his house earlier and earlier to be assured of a good seat and the maximum of pancake eating time. Despite Lisas best efforts to ruin the evening by deliberately dropping the maple syrup all over Richard and Dawns dog, Prince (a dog who doesnt really need surprises of this kind no matter how tasty) the night was its usual success. The event has turned Richard into a very professional pancake maker and several members of our club into professional pancake eaters. The only trouble with the popularity of the event is that because the attendance is high, seating is at a premium and if you get up to replenish your plate there is a very high percentage that your seat will be purloined. I am grateful for the assistance of two of Walsalls finest children namely Kathryn and Thomas in their help in keeping me stocked up where possible, although I did manage to dart in and out of the kitchen a few times. Some of our more hardened Pancake eaters namely Andy and Stevie J took up residence alongside Richard in the kitchen to make sure the flow of Pancakes was continuous. I must heartily congratulate Richard as I do believe not only were all the pancakes perfect but he managed to feed everybody till they were full. I would hate to hazard a guess the total output of pancakes for the evening but I am sure it would rival the annual turnover for even the largest Little Chef Well done Rich!

The more dedicated members of Bloxwich Phoenix Rotary Clubs Ten pin bowling team, namely Mike, Richard and Andy went to Strykers to get in some much needed practice at the art of ten pin bowling. Although the three aforementioned Rotarians are probably the ones within our team who need the least practice they were the only ones who could make it on the practice night. Booking an evening of unlimited bowling, with there just being the three of them, the amount of bowling they were able to do meant that by the time I arrived (on the way back from yet another Rotary meeting) their arms were nearly dropping off. With us getting more practice in, providing we continue down this path, hopefully we can make better progress through the rounds of the Rotary District competition, that is unless we get drawn against The Rotary Club of Cannock as they seem to have made it their mission in life to end our interest in each of the District sports competitions in turn. The way we generally progress through the rounds is by being given a by or by a apposing team not being able to play but we cant rely on this good fortune continuing for much longer and so practice seems to be the next best option.

pancake night

Troy Allen

wednesday 12th march

Troy Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

tuesday 5th february

Page 16

ten-pin bowling

April 2008

Young Vicki, the inspiration for the Peski Kid cartoons, became not so young recently and to celebrate her entrance into her fourth decade of life she held a party at her abode. As our Youth Opportunities Chairman she had asked for the proceeds of this home hosted event to go to one of our Youth Projects and this was duly done. With enough food and drink to keep an army on the go, Vickis house was filled with as many people as there was space for, and the evening began. By the time the evening had ended I think every topic of conversation imaginable had been discussed and the world had been put to rights. I think there was enough food left to feed Vicki for a week, (even with the assistance of her well capable boyfriend Lewis.) Id like to tell you a lot more about the evening but I was enjoying the wine as much as the company and therefore most of the evening has become a blur and although I wouldnt wish it on any lady, especially a close friend such as Vicki, I must end by saying . Roll on your next Birthday, Vickster!

Troy Allen

tuesday 11th march

friday 14th march

One of Bloxwich Phoenixs community projects is to provide boxes full of essentials for women and their children who have escaped mentally and physically abusive relationships. Breaking away from a violent relationship especially with children involved is an extremely hard position to find yourself in, unfortunately it is a position which is becoming common place in todays society. The women and children that suffer from these broken relationships often find themselves homeless, helpless and sadly lacking in support, but taking those first steps in trying to escape the living nightmare can be eased by the help of Pathways. Pathways is a refuge for abused women and their children, they council, they care and most importantly they try to re-build the self respect and confidence in those that have had it slowly stripped away over the years of degradation. Where do we come into the frame? Pathways not only council they also help to re-house and re-introduce the abused families into a new life, but this is not an easy process, the women and children that leave their aggressive homes usually do so in an instant, the split second where they pluck up enough courage to go there and then, this means that they literally leave everything behind, only thinking of their families safety. Pathways supply these families with clothes, toiletries and toys for the children, once housed they also supply basics such as bedding and many other household items including furniture, of course this takes an enormous amount of resources, this is where Rotary can give there help. Bloxwich Phoenix have been busy obtaining materials to make up Essentials Boxes these boxes contain toiletries, clothing, babies items, children's items and few luxury items added. A big thank you to all those who have donated these items and a special big thanks to 3663 who have supplied us with a large amount of toiletries which have already been included in the boxes and supplied to Pathways. If you would like more information on this project please speak to Helen Taylor and please keep giving to this worthwhile cause.
Lisa Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

vickis birthday evening

Page 17

pathways boxes

April 2008

black country museum

the rotary presidential theme for 2008-09

Over the Christmas period members of our club attended a Christmas evening at the Black Country Living museum. The first time we went to it, the atmosphere was wonderful, with the old buildings lit up at night and decorated for Christmas it really looked and felt like Christmas was here. Since the event has become more and more popular however and the crowds have increased the atmosphere has somewhat diminished. There is an upside to this though as with your entry ticket you received a return ticket for January and our club always make full use of this. In January although it is cold the fact that the crowds have diminished means the atmosphere returns and more importantly the queues to the traditional fish and chip shop are non existent, something that you cannot say about the Christmas night. If youve never been to the museum, it is well worth a trip and if you have been, it is always well worth a revisit. The museum is currently adding new buildings including a new chip shop so roll on to the next visit to one of the Black Countries premier attractions.

Troy Allen

RI President-Elect Dong Kurn Lee announced his 2008-09 RI theme, Make Dreams Real, to incoming district governors at the 2008 International Assembly. He urged them to use their resources to help curb child mortality. Lee said he was in disbelief when he learned that 30,000 children under the age of five die every day from preventable diseases such as pneumonia, measles, and malaria. "Once I understood the issues behind that terrible number, I knew what I needed to do," Lee said. He told the incoming governors that Rotary will keep the service emphases of recent years -- water, health and hunger, and literacy -- but asked them to focus their efforts in each of these areas on children. "In 2008-09, I will ask you all to Make Dreams Real for the world's children," he said. "This will be our theme, and my challenge to all of you." "Children are killed by illnesses that become deadly in combination with poor sanitation and malnutrition, " Lee said. In addition, families stricken by extreme poverty are trapped in a cycle that only leads to more unnecessary deaths. "It's a cycle that is not interrupted because there is no access to education." He challenged the audience to do their part to give children "hope and a chance at a future" by reducing the rate of child mortality in the world. "We will bring clean water to their communities and create sanitation projects that keep children healthy," Lee said. As the incoming governors begin preparing for the year ahead with the training and inspiration they receive at the International Assembly, Lee reminded them of Rotary's power and encouraged them to use their resources efficiently to maximize the good done around the world. We will once again be looking for a banner with the theme for club meetings when we attend the 2008 RI Convention. April 2008

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

sunday 27th january

Page 18

The Rotary Club of Stafford Knot have previously organised a Young Photographer competition, so the news that they are having a competition for Rotarians in 2008 is maybe a natural progression. The competition, Rotographic 2008, has three categories of entry: n Colour Print. An award for the best colour print and runner up. Up to four prints may be entered per person. n Monochrome Print. An award for the best monochrome print and runner up. Up to four prints may be entered per person n Best Club Portfolio: For a varied portfolio of ten prints put together by at least five people representing the club (including family members). Individual photographs may also be entered in the above categories using duplicates. We know there are a number of budding photographers within the club, so hopefully everyone will give some thought to entering. The cost of entries in the individual categories is just 3.00, with the club entry costing 10.00. The best entries are going to be displayed at the District Conference in Llandudno in early October, where the winners will be announced. Entries have to be received three weeks before conference, so by 12th September latest - so plenty of time to get creative. A Rotary Sunday Exclusive Page 19

The well renowned Last January Sale once again took place at St. Johns Methodist church hall. With Mr. Jordan senior, the MC for the evening, the event took its usual format. The idea is to allow people to bring in unwanted Christmas presents from home along with anything else they deem appropriate along with them to the evening. The articles are then amassed on a series of tables at the front of the church hall and the bidding began. The Auction lots cycled through quickly as the format has become a well oiled machine. The only thing that gets in the way of the bidding is the interval when the buffet is served, this does however allow people to take stock of the auction lots left for the second half of the proceedings. Because the event is well attended, the hall is quite full, meaning the MC does not always pick up on all the bids and sometimes politically certain people have to be allowed to win the lot. Tensions can get high but I have not seen any bloodshed yet. Most people go away with something, but the quality of the lots can vary greatly and I must be honest some of my purchases have been fast tracked out of my house to the nearest Rotary Club raffle, but its always a fun night.

stafford knots photography competition

saturday 26th january

Troy Allen

the last january sale

April 2008

Saturday March 22nd saw many members of the Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix attend the marriage of one of our members namely Andrea to our new friend Mickey. The marriage itself took place at Andreas local church and a church that the Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix has a very good relationship with, namely St. Johns Methodist Church in Bloxwich. The church soon filled with an expectant congregation and Mickey and his entourage looked resplendent in their attire. Andrea made a suitably grand entrance and looked stunning (If I am allowed to say that about another mans wife). You can judge for yourself, as they are our featured couple on the front of this magazine. The ceremony was beautifully performed and during the signing of the marriage certificate pupils from Andreas school performed an array of songs and they did Andrea proud. Because of the timing of the wedding they were all rewarded with Easter eggs which they were instructed they could not eat until Easter Sunday a task which, judging by the pupils faces may have been a difficult task to perform.

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

saturday 22nd march

andrea and mickey get married

Page 20

April 2008

After the ceremony a few photographs were taken outside the church, where quite a gale was blowing and it was hard for a few of the ladies to keep their modesty as their respective dresses and skirts were blown aloft, something which I obviously, being a gentleman, closed my eyes to. Those moving on to the wedding breakfast soon got into their cars and began the quick hop up the motorway to the superb venue of the Moat house at Acton Trussell where the standard of food was to the usual high standard. Meeting an array of old friends and with the pleasant surroundings it was a magnificent backdrop to the wedding festivities. It was here that we saw an insight of the fact that Mickey would make a very good orator as he made a speech amusing and all encompassing worthy of any best man even if he was the groom. With Mickey we have made a good friend and Andrea did the decent thing and has now tied him permanently to our club. Well done!

Troy Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 21

April 2008

wednesday 6th february

One of the aspects of fellowship Rotarians enjoy is attending other clubs meetings and recently we chose Cannock Rotary for this purpose. We chose a night on which Cannock put there starting time back as we thought this would help us to arrive on time. Unfortunately Cannock swapped the week over with another one so out of the five members who went, only one namely Becky was able to make it in time. Three of us, namely Lisa, Helen and I, managed to arrive just in time to hear the Speaker at the end of the meeting, a close friend of our club and Ash the bears namely Beverley Ricketts, one of the outgoing GSE team to Philippines. After Beverley had finished we retired to the pub across the road. This is where we met the fifth member of our club Steve A. We finished putting the world to rights with Bob Cliff and Maurice Cryer and all in all had a very pleasant evening. On route to the pub from Cannock Rotarys venue Beverley pointed out Cannock Rotarys centennial display which I must admit is quite an impressive one. If youre ever in Cannock town centre its worth a look. Next time we attend one Cannock Rotarys meetings we will endeavour to double check that they havent changed the meeting time.
Troy Allen

On Saturday 5 April, the Rotary Clubs of Darlaston, Wednesfield, Willenhall and Bloxwich Phoenix joined together to hold the Four Presidents Spring Ball. We were kindly invited to become a part of what used to be the annual spring ball between the three clubs of Darlaston, Wednesfield, Willenhall. We of course thought that this would be an excellent fellowship event and graciously accepted the offer. Dawn was heavily involved in the background work leading up to the ball. I think it is fair to say she worked like a trouper. Steve provided the seating plan and place settings, and we all provided prizes for the raffle. To make sure the room the room was ready for the evening, members of each club attended Linden House at lunchtime to set up the tables in anticipation of the evenings festivities The food was lovely. We began the meal with melon in port, then the main course was a choice of chicken or salmon or vegetarian, accompanied by vegetables aplenty. Dessert was a meringue fruit nest, followed by cheese and biscuits and finished with coffee and mints. It was a very satisfying meal. Dawn started the evening off with a very well presented grace. Then after the meal we had a speech by John Barker and further toasts and presentations. All of the ladies attending received a pretty potted flower. As soon as the speeches were over the entertainment commenced. Our music for the evening was performed by Penny Farthing, which lured the competent waltzers and foxtrotters onto the dancefloor. They also involved the audience in barn dances and line dances. It was a good opportunity for fellowship and friends.

the rotary presidential theme for 2008-09

a visit to cannock rotary club

Lisa Allen

A Rotary Sunday Exclusive

Page 22

April 2008

During April Rotary International marks Magazine Month, when the network of 32 official Rotary regional magazines is celebrated. It is a by-law of Rotary International that each member must subscribe to their regional magazine, which for us here in Great Britain and Ireland is Rotary Today, edited by John Pike, a member of Sedgley & Wombourne club in our district. The first regional magazine was started in Great Britain and Ireland in 1915, not long after The National Rotarian appeared. In the 1920s, a Rotary regional magazine in Australia became the predecessor to Rotary Down Under. This Australian magazine was the first regional publication to gain RI approval. Though regionals were published in several continental European countries in the 1920's and 1930's, they suspended publication during World War II. The founders of three Latin American regional publications were Rotary leaders. El Rotario Pruano, the official regional magazine of Peru, was founded in 1933 by Fernando Carbajal Segura, RI president in 1942-43. The first editor of Rotarismo en Mxico, founded in 1974, was Frank J. Devlyn, RI president in 2000-01. And the predecessor of Brasil Rotrio, a bulletin called Notcias Rotrias that started in 1924, was edited by Joo Thomas Saboya e Silva, then president of the newly founded Rotary Club of Rio de Janeiro, which had been chartered a year earlier. The main English publication, outside of our region, is, of course, The Rotarian. The Rotarian and the Rotary World Magazine Press enjoy a mutually cooperative and beneficial working relationship. Information is freely shared, as is expertise and help in the field. This system enables RI to distribute its message throughout the world. Articles and photographs from each monthly issue of The Rotarian are sent to the regionals, including the President's Message, material from Rotary Insider, and special features promoting the RI theme, Rotary and Rotary Foundation programs, and the international convention. Though the publications help promote RIs mission (one of the reasons the RI President appears on the cover of the first issue of each Rotary year), each magazine retains its individual identity, national flavour, and editorial freedom. We have several copies of The Rotarian and other magazines which will be available to read at our next Open Evening.
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/MorePublications/ RegionalMagazines/Pages/ridefault.aspx