Well I don’t know about other members, but finding the venue was a bit like a treasure hunt, or did others use their Sat-Nav?

As can be seen the venue an old pub situated on the Shropshire Canal, would have been very good but for the inclement weather, so we could not sit in the gardens but found tables inside.

Lucky for us all, the landlord had laid on a great barbeque indoors of course and we all agreed, but for the English weather an enjoyable evening of fellowship had been had by all there.

At our business meeting today Allen presented Alison with her badge of office as our new Vice- President as she was unable to attend on the 5th.

After a busy handover evening on the 5th, we held a more social and relaxed evening at the Bickerton Poacher for an evening of old-fashioned skittles. It was an excellent evening and we were very pleased to welcome Liz Gregor from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Liz can be seen here presenting Gerry with a pendant from her Rotary Club. The following photos show us after the meal which the Poacher served, and Les and Angela proudly displaying one of the Rotary bags which Liz brought with her from the States and gave to us during the evening.

Well as members will remember after a busy year 2010-2011 raising funds for the Club President’s chosen Charities, there comes comes the day when we unlock the Bank vaults and present said funds to representatives of those chosen Charities.

We were pleased to welcome to our meeting at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Representatives from the Charities and also the Chester Food stores where members bag packed to raise the majority of funds during the year. Many other activities helped to these raised funds throughout the  year, such as the members taking part in a “Sponsored Wirral Walk “, an Evening Entertainment Event at Eaton Park and other smaller social events.

A cheque for £10,020 was presented by the Chester Deva Rotary Club, to Kathy Kenny and Angie Lopez who are Events Fundraiser team members at the Coutess of Chester Hospital specifically to purchase equipment for “The Breast Care Cancer Trust Appeal”.

Also present were Jesse Roberts and Mellisa Barrit Team Leaders at Sainsbury Chester; and Simon Bartley representing Morrisons Chester.

The President Gerry was pleased to also pass on a cheque for £350 to The 8thEllesmere Port Scout Group for their assistance to th Club in helping at busy times with the Bag packing.

With out the backing of these Food Stores  and the hard work of our members and friends these monies would not have been raised,  so our thanks goes to all those who participated and to the Public who contributed.

Each month we hold a small tea party for elderly people, normally at a member’s house but not always, who live alone and may lack the opportunity to get out of their homes and meet people. Especial thanks this month to Yvonne who was our hostess for the afternoon which was thoroughly enjoyed by the five ladies we collected for the party.

No photos I’m afraid as I forgot the camera – Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa.

This turned out to be an excellent evening. Our guests included representatives from Morrisons and Sainsburys where we bag packed to raise money for the Countess of Chester, Breast Cancer Care Trust, who also had representatives with us. After the meal (excellent from the Ramada as usual) we started with the presentation of a cheque to the Breast Cancer Care Trust.

After that Katherine Kenny said a few words and showed us the Biopsy Chair and special gowns that the money would buy.

We then moved on to the presentation of a cheque to the 8th Ellesmere Port Scout Group in recognition of the help which we received from them during the bag packing operation.

Having completed the more serious side of the evening, President Gerry then proceeded to handover the President’s Chain of Office and the responsibilities of that position to Allen.

Allen’s first duties as our new President were to present Gerry with his Past President’s Jewel (and yes it arrived in time for the ceremony !!!) and give a summary of the more notable events in Gerry’s year.

And finally, Thank you Gerry for a good year and one of our best fund raising years ever -

and

Allen  -  Best wishes for your year and we all hope you enjoy it!!