Well the club members have at last started our latest round of bag packing at local stores to raise funds for local charities Clair House the Children’s Hospice and NHS Countess Hospital.

Together with help from charity volunteers at “Clair House “, Rotary Members and Friends took turns at bag packing for the Public in the Food Hall at    M&S store in Chester.

Our thanks go to M&S staff and the Public who have supported fund raising for these worthwhile Charities.

Following resignations, Alison stepped up to take over the Presidency of our Club as previously reported. One of her first tasks was to canvas for and get a Vice-President to help during her year and also give continuity for the Presidency next year. At the meeting on the 18th Oct Ken was elected to the post and we all wish him the best for this year with Alison and next year as President.

Club Members Ken and Malcolm attended a presentation arranged by Ken at Cambridge School, Ellesmere Port for the Primary School children.

The “Shelter-Box” presentations were given by Gerry Heslip District 1180 Secretary and his wife Pat over two days to groups of the Pupils and Teachers at the school.

The Headmaster Mr Darryl Pickering thought the idea of showing the young children how Rotary is helping, by sending ” Shelter-Boxes” to aid in disaster areas of the World, is part of  lifes education.

Picture shows the Rotary Presenters and a few of the children who attended, showing off a selection of the” Shelter-Box” Contents.

Further details can be obtain from  www.shelterbox.org

Gerry kept the children’s interest  by presenting a story of the need for and the uses the contents of a “Rotary Shelter-Box” in disaster areas of the World.

The Rotary Club of Chester Deva acted as hosts at the Ramada Javis Hotel in Chester, for presentation of  £1950 in cheques by local area Choirs towards the Rotary Tsunami Shelter Box Appeal.

Elwyn Griffiths, President Alison, Gerry Heslip, Ken Salter

Great Sutton Male Voice Choir organised a Summer Concert with Guest soloists,and the profits £750 were donated, by the Great Sutton Choir Chairman Elwyn Griffiths, to Gerry Heslip Rotary District 1180 Secretary and coordinator for Shelterboxes Appeal.

Cymau Male Voice Choir, who are in Concerts most weeks voted to donate £1200 for the provision of two further Shelterboxes and a cheque for this was presented by Cymau Choir Chairman Rotarian Ken Salter the same evening to Gerry Heslip.

Our thanks go to all the Choir Members and the Public who supported this worthwhile Appeal.

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.