Rotarian caught in shooting incident

Past President Peter Haynes along with wife Sandra, son Tim and grandson Bailey were caught up in a shooting in a shopping mall in the USA where Tim lives. Watch the news video for the story.

D-Day Beaches

Following the success of a similar trip to the First World War battlefields two years ago, some thirty-three Rotarians, partners and friends journeyed to Normandy to visit the D-Day beaches. Guided as always by PP Andrew Hambling the four-day trip was both educational and very moving.

Stopping on the way at Agincourt they stayed at an old coaching inn in Bayeux. The famous tapestry was, of course not to be missed and on the return trip the battlefield at Crecy was on the agenda. A wreath was laid at the British Cemetery in Bayeux on behalf of the club.

Memorial Plaque at Agincourt

Andrew Hambling

The famous church at St-Mere-Eglise

(note parachute hanging from the tower)

Omaha Beach Memorial

American War Cemetery

Arromanches

Arromanches Mulberry Harbour

Pegasus Bridge

Merville Battery

Bayeux Tapestry

British war cemetery at Bayeux with the Cathedral in the background

British war cemetery at Bayeux

Andrew Hambling and Jeff Ryan review the battlefield at Crecy

Beating the Bounds

On a very wet day in February a number of the intrepid residents of the Borough of Broxbourne helped The Rotary Club of Hoddesdon, The Broxbourne Borough Council and The Hoddesdon Society to celebrate Rotary Day. The whole day was expertly organised by Rtn Neil Haynes.

Club President David Bondy, the Mayor of Broxbourne, Cllr Lyn White

and organiser Rtn Neil Haynes first thing in the morning as the walkers were

about to set off.

They walked the boundaries of the old Hoddesdon Urban District Council - a distance of around thirteen miles. The course started and ended at the old Lea Valley Lido site in Broxbourne and encompassed the river Lea, Wharf Road, Church Lane, Holy Cross Hill, Ermine Street, Hertford Heath and Stanstead Abbotts then back along the river to Broxbourne.

Led by Rtn John Hiscock and with a number of Rotarians, Council Officials and Hoddesdon Society members they completed the course in around four hours.

Other members of the Rotary Club provided marshalling at key points around the course to ensure the health and safety of all the participants.

On their return they were met by the Mayor of Broxbourne, Cllr Lyn White; by Hoddesdon Rotary Club President David Bondy and by District 1260 Governor Rtn Sandy Aked-Walker (who had driven down from Northamptonshire to join us). They each received a certificate from the Mayor and even Stella the dog received one although she seemed more interested in eating it than reading it!

Rtn Neil Haynes, Rotary District 1260 Governor Rtn Sandy Aked-Walker,

Mayor Cllr Lyn White and Rtn David Bondy at the end of the day.

New Orleans Mardi Gras

On a slightly damp Saturday evening in August, one-hundred-and-seventy Hoddesdon Rotarians and guests gathered in a marquee at Great Amwell for a New Orleans Mardi Gras evening.

We were entertained by The John Petters New Orleans All Stars. A hog roast was supplied by Pav's Catering and a great time was had by all.

Past District Governor Meirion and Rotarian Jasmine Morris ran an excellent raffle. Behind the bar all evening were President-Elect Eric Beard and Rtn Arnold Granat.

We were well supported by The Hertford Shires Rotary Club which just underlines the great co-operation between the five clubs in our part of the District.

It being Elaine Haynes' birthday, she was ”played“ to the stage by the band and presented with a cake. The entire company then sang in the time-honoured fashion. It was great that her sister Sue and brother-in-law Ivan were able to be there from New Zealand.

As has become customary at these events, Past President Eric Cockman insisted on taking to the dance floor with the younger ladies.

The evening made a handsome profit of some £1,100 for Rotary charities.

Technology Tournament

The 14th annual Technology Tournament took place at Broxbourne Civic Hall on Tuesday 23rd June 2009.

This is a joint project involving Rotary Clubs of Amwell, Hertford, Hertford Shires, Hoddesdon and Ware.

The task this year involved planning, design, construction and demonstration of a VTOL craft capable of projecting an object three metres skywards and landing it as close as possible to base. Advanced and teachers teams had to build in remote firing and parachute landing too!

Feedback from teachers, the young people taking part and the Rotarian stewards, judges and helpers suggests that Rotary had another palpable hit in service to our local community.

Winners this year were:

• Basic Task: *Hailey Hall School*
• Intermediate Task: *Chauncy School*
• Advanced Task: *St Edmonds College*
• Special Effort Award: *Richard Hale School

Peter Haynes' Seventy-Fifth Birthday

Hoddesdon Rotarian, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow Peter Haynes recently celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday.

Here we see Peter with wife Sandra in a celebratory mood!

District Conference - Eastbourne

A party of Hoddesdon Rotarians and partners - totalling twenty-three, ventured to the South Coast for this years' District Conference.

The absence of our own President Neil and of District Governor Les did mar things a bit but IPDG Brian did his best to keep everyone cheerful.

A full report will appear in the Bulletin but here are just a couple of photos:

Inspirational speaker Jo Gambi who, with her husband, has climbed

the highest peak in each continent and trekked to both poles!

Canine Partners thrilled everyone with their demonstration of dogs

trained to help people with limited mobility.

One of the highlights was Hoddesdon Rotarian and Past District Governor Meirion Morris dressed in towelling robe and shower cap, carrying a rubber duck to invite all of us to Bath with DG Elect Sandy Aked-Walker next year! A photo of this has miraculously appeared in my mailbox and it would be a shame not to publish it!

Past DG Meirion Morris inviting everyone

to Bath with Sandy (Aked-Walker).