Hoddesdon Rotary Club

Rotarian caught in shooting incident

2010-06-15T08:05:00.003+01:00

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

2010-06-15T07:21:00.014+01:00

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

2010-03-02T11:31:00.005Z

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

2009-08-02T16:20:00.011+01:00

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

2009-06-24T09:53:00.004+01:00

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

2009-06-13T12:07:00.003+01:00

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

2009-03-30T09:49:00.014+01:00

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).

Ladies Night with The Overtures

2009-03-21T20:38:00.002Z

A joint Ladies Night was held at The Roebuck in Ware by the Rotary Club of Hoddesdon and Hoddesdon 41 Club. Almost one-hundred-and-fifty members and their guests enjoyed a very good evening, the highlight of which was the Cabaret by The Overtures.

Widely regarded as the best 60s tribute band around and described by Sir Elton John as ”awesome“ they soon had the whole room up, dancing and singing along.

A great evening and a good time had by all. Thanks must go to Denis Olliver (41 Club President) for organising it!

Breakfast With The President

2009-01-21T09:22:00.004Z

Members from all five local clubs met at Hertford Shires Rotary Club for breakfast with RIBI National President Ian Thomson. This was part of a busy District visit.

Each club gave a brief resume of their activities following which Ian gave a very amusing speech highlighting the good work done by Rotarians the world over.

(A better photograph follows .....)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

2008-12-22T16:22:00.007Z

Rotarian, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow Peter Haynes gets into the Christmas spirit at our Christmas meeting where turkey was eaten, wine consumed and carols sung!

Twenty-Five Not Out

2008-10-22T11:45:00.003+01:00

At the Club recent meeting, President Neil presented Past District Governor Meirion Morris with a certificate to recognise twenty-five years' membership.

Photograph by Rtn Stuart Bambridge

London to Southend by Paddle Steamer

2008-10-09T10:33:00.011+01:00

An intrepid group of Hoddesdon Rotarians braved appalling weather to travel from Tower Pier to Southend aboard the SS Waverly - the world's last seagoing paddle steamer.

Tower Bridge was opened especially for us and proved a magnificent sight - even in the rain.

Some had breakfast on-board and some just a snack, others waited until the bar was open and fortified themselves with something a little stronger to keep out the cold! No prizes for recognising the above Past President doing his Eccles impersonation whilst modelling PDG Meirion's cap!

The journey down-river took almost four hours and the ship tied up at the one-and-a-quarter mile long Southend pier. Some walked in the driving rain, some waited in the driving rain for the pier train but all got very wet!

Following an excellent lunch at The Fisherman's Wharf restaurant we travelled back to Hoddesdon by coach damp but satisfied with a good day out and good fellowship. A vote of thanks was given to PP John Neighbour for organising the day.

Rotary Young Photographers' Competition

2008-09-29T07:24:00.003+01:00

The theme this year is "MAKE DREAMS REAL" and there are three categories:

Junior - 7 to 10 years
Intermediate: 11 to 13 years
Senior: 14 to 17 years.

The winner of each category will receive a £25 voucher. The winning entries will then go forward to the South Hertfordshire area competition with the chance of winning a £100 prize.

For details of the competition please download the entry form from the Hoddesdon Rotary website. You can access it directly by clicking here.

Community Fete at Broxbourne

2008-09-22T11:29:00.007+01:00

Hoddesdon Rotary Club were pleased to support the annual Community Fete at Deaconsfield, Broxbourne on Saturday 20th September. Whilst a number of Rotarians were enjoying the vocational trip to Lake Garda in Italy a small group led by Rtn Bill Statham ran a stall at the fete. The weather was glorious and a good time was had by all! Also spotted were PP Peter Lardi on the Hoddesdon Society stand, PDG Meirion Morris with his wife Rtn Jasmine and Rtn Dave Bondy accompanied by wife Stella, pug Pablo and guest puppy Freddy!

Rotarians John Stagg, Bill Statham, Vince Byrne and PP John West

(out of shot are Rtn Arnold Granat and PP Howard Connor)

President's At Home

2008-08-11T12:04:00.008+01:00

A large number of Hoddesdon Rotarians, and their partners (numbering sixty-two in total) assembled at President Neil's house on Sunday afternoon for the President's "At Home."

President Neil in a welcoming posture!

We were lucky with the weather and Elaine and her able assistant did a fantastic job catering for such a large (and hungry) crowd!

Enjoying the Sunday afternoon sunshine!

Jasmine, Dorothy, Elaine and Tricia

Enjoying a glass of wine in the sun!

(Photographs by Neil & Elaine Haynes)

Caribbean Lunch

2008-08-03T21:25:00.011+01:00

Hoddesdon Rotarians and their guests, a total of 130, gathered at Great Amwell on Sunday 3rd August for a Caribbean themed lunch.

The event, organised by the Ways & Means Committee raised over £1,000 and a good time was had by all in spite of the somewhat inclement weather.

President Neil and Elaine Haynes watching the limbo dancer. Just in shot is Elaine's delightful daughter, Bianca!

Ways & Means Committee Chairman, Rotarian Roger Merton, holds onto one end of the limbo dancer's pole! Comments about Roger's attire are welcomed!

The whole event was made possible through the good offices of Rotarian, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow Eric Cockman who arranged the marquee, booked the entertainers and even made the banana trees which decorated the marquee.

Here we see Eric with the Steel Drummer who so ably entertained us all in the background.

Club Bulletin Now Available

2008-07-26T09:50:00.003+01:00

The July 2008 edition of the Club Bulletin has now been published. You can download a copy from the Club website.

Click here to access it directly.

Walk In The Woods

2008-07-26T09:34:00.005+01:00

President Neil and his wife Elaine, guided an adventurous band of Rotarians along with spouses and dogs for a walk in Hoddesdon Woods. In spite of the muddiness, a good day was had by all!

McEwens Triumph At Petanque

2008-07-26T09:31:00.006+01:00

At the recent Petanque evening, organised by Past President Jeff Ryan in association with the Jolly Farmers Petanque Club, Ian and Estelle McEwen won the final. Here we see them with their coach and mentor from the club.

Lawrence Collects a Cheque

2008-07-26T09:27:00.005+01:00

At a recent club meeting, Lawrence Bone spoke to us about running the London Marathon. He ran in aid of NCH and returned a week or two later to collect a cheque for £200 from President Barry Fitzpatrick. (Photo by Arnold Granat)

Eric Celebrates Thirty-Five Years' Service

2008-07-26T09:22:00.007+01:00

At the club meeting held on 9th June 2008, Acting President Neil Haynes had the happy task of presenting Rotarian, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow, Eric Cockman with his certificate to recognise no less than thirty-five years' service to Rotary.

In the absence of Peter Lardi, we were lucky that Rtn Arnold Granat was on hand to grab a photo with his mobile phone.