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On a calm summer’s evening, the sails of Quainton windmill were still but the enthusiasts waiting inside to tell members of Buckingham Rotary were expert and enthusiastic. Windmills date back over 1,000 years and were only replaced by industrial mills in the last century or so. The mill had become derelict but has now been restored to full working order, a wonder of clever machinery. It made for a great President’s Night when President Chris handed over to President Chris! Pictured are Chris Wardale and Chris Gardiner, the latter our new President. If you are interested in finding out more contact: jane@mordue.org.uk
Buckingham Rotary featured Shelterbox at Celebrate Buckingham on Saturday. Whenever disaster strikes in the world, this amazing charity sends tents, water filters, cooking kits, whatever is needed. We regularly fund these to keep their supplies up in their warehouses round the world. Lovely also to give out Swimathon awards to the fundraising champions, young and not quite so! Pictured are Andy Savage most lengths swum (Men in Sheds) and Nyah Harris, most money raised (Young Carers)
Buckingham Rotary supports heartwarming local charities
Some great local voluntary and charity groups were recognised for their sterling work by Buckingham Rotary recently.
They were chosen by the local Club members and cheques presented by President Chris Wardale at a lively evening recently in the Granary, at the Grand Junction.
Recipients were the Buckingham Community Panto, Florence Nightingale Hospice, North Bucks Downs Syndrome Group, Buckingham and Winslow Young Carers BACAB for its local home visiting service.
Other groups supported by Rotary through its Christmas collections were also invited: Gawcott Community Group, Buckingham Youth Clubs , Men in Sheds and the Hospital Car Service.
Rotary is about providing service to our community, and through a world fellowship of 1.4 million Rotarians, advancing goodwill and peace. We are People of Action.
Interested? Contact Chris Wardale on cwardale@gmail.com
Some wonderful company and some fiendishly clever questions marked the Buckingham Rotary quiz night last weekend in Akeley. Over 55 people pored over some pictograms and chewed their pencils to find the answers for quiz master Robin Harding, but were rewarded with a lovely cheese supper. Over £750 raised for local charities and others supported by Rotary. If you would like to know more about our activities, contact Rotary president, Chris Wardale on cwardale@gmail.com
'On Saturday up to 70 swimmers took to the Swan Pool to raise money for Rotary and their own chosen charity. Almost £2,000 raised already and surely more to come when they tell their exploits to friends and family. Pictured are organiser Janis Harding with members of her family who all swam, and who handed every swimmer a medal, along with Howard Mordue.
Such a buzz, as Buckingham Rotary members descended on Buckingham Garden Centre for breakfast last week. Chat ranged from the chances in the 5 Nations rugby tournament to our imminent charity Swimathon with 70 swimmers this Saturday, 16th. Never a dull moment! Contact Jane on jane@mordue.org.uk '
Rotary fights Polio – from Buckingham to Afghanistan!
Why is there that bright splash of purple crocuses on the verges here with Rotary banners up? Yes, spring is coming but it also represents a worldwide fight to end polio.
This was the Covid of the 1940s onwards and left people paralysed and needing an iron lung to breathe. Vaccines were developed in the 1950s and brought it under control in the developed world.
The campaign to eradicate polio in the whole world was started by Rotary International in 1985, and is now led by world health organisations.
Numbers are down to the last few cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Still, every child in countries nearby has to be vaccinated.
Why are the crocuses purple? Each child’s little finger is dipped in purple ink to show they have been protected. Rotary in Buckingham is proud to help end the scourge of polio.
If you would like to find out about Rotary here and what it could mean for you, do contact: jane@mordue.org.uk
The Red Arrows – a view from the cockpit
The Red Arrows came zooming across the table tops at our meeting last week with a breath-taking presentation by Squadron Leader Tom Hansford. With thrilling video from up in the air, we learnt all about the planes, how pilots are selected, the training and just how exacting the role of being a member of the Red Arrows is. Physically – they face pressures on their bodies of up to 7G. Mentally – the split second timing requires immense concentration. Added to that, they act as ambassadors for our armed forces across the world.
Tom, who is the godson of President Chris’ wife, Jane, spoke online from their base in Lincolnshire, at the beginning of another busy year for him as Red 7, one of the more senior roles in the formation. He was previously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for action while flying his Typhoon and has specialised in weapon instruction.
It was yet another great Rotary evening shared by family and friends including from Winslow Rotary and Buckingham Inner Wheel and followed a super meal in the Granary of the Grand Junction. We all went home with a bit of a ‘Top Gun’ gleam in our eye!
End Polio Now
Did you see a group armed with spades up on the London Road last weekend? This was our merry group of Buckingham Rotarians planting 4,000 crocus corms to make a purple carpet next spring. Why?
For nearly 40 years, Rotary has worked to rid the world of polio. Do you remember iron lungs? That was the only answer until a vaccine was found. Since then Rotary has actively supported a global vaccination programme.
Nearly 40 years later, we are almost there – down to the last few cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rotary works with global partners including the World Health Organisation. Every pound we raise, including from the purchase of crocus corms, generates another two from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
So, why the colour purple? When children in India are vaccinated, the volunteers go from house to house and each child vaccinated has their finger dipped in purple dye, confirming they’ve been protected.
If you would like to find out more about Rotary do contact jane@mordue.org.uk
Why should we choose you out of 85 applicants?’ was the crux of the questioning of some bright young sixth formers at Akeley Wood School when they were given mock interviews by Rotarians last week. Organised by Mark Lambert, careers lead at Akeley and Chris Sutton of Buckingham Rotary, over 30 youngsters volunteered. They even learnt about how to shake hands – a generous grip and good eye contact, right eye to right eye – who knew? Pictured are the Rotary interviewers with some of the youngsters and, centre, Rotary President Chris Wardale. If you would like to learn more about Rotary and whether you would like to join, do contact cwardale@gmail.com
Who knew? Autistic youngsters really benefit from interaction with computers. It helps develop their confidence and their communication. Earlier this year Buckingham Rotary donated computing equipment to help youngsters at the Autism Early Support Centre (formerly the Puzzle Centre). We used funds we raised ourselves plus we were given a matching grant from Rotary's own Foundation. Last week, we received a commendation from them for our work. So, icing on the cake, and all to help our local youth.
First appearance for our latest planting of crocus bulbs. Why do we plant them? Rotary is dedicated to ending polio throughout the world. Every child vaccinated has their finger dipped in purple dye to show they’re done. What better than purple crocuses to remind us of this huge worldwide undertaking. Last October when these bulbs were planted, world leaders (see photo) pledged $2.6billion to continue the fight to eradicate polio, which was started by Rotary in 1985. Now down to a last few cases in central Asia, and these are diminishing – we are so close to achieving our long standing promise – and we will!
The Autism Early Support Centre, previously the Puzzle Centre in Middle Claydon, provides support to children from 2-12 years old and their families. One of only a few in this country to do this ground-breaking and much valued work, the charity turned to Rotary recently to help fund the purchase of some specially programmed tablets. These can really help youngsters who are struggling with communicating. Tracey Jago, fund-raising manager, came to talk to Buckingham Rotary and they were so impressed with the potential of this that they secured just over £2,000 funding to buy some for immediate use by the children. Pictured are Rotarians Trevor Bluck and Chris Wardale presenting the cheque to Tracey at the centre recently.
President Howard Mordue said, “We usually think of IT as restricting the way we interact but, for these children, it opens up a means of communicating where they have none. We wish the Autism Early Support Centre well for the future and send our best wishes to all involved, the staff, volunteers and the families themselves.”
To find out more about the centre and its work see: https://www.autismearlysupport.org.uk
To find out more about Rotary, go to: https://www.buckinghamrotary.org.uk
Our brave Rotarians digging for victory – in this case to end polio, a key aim of Rotary. Seen here on the verge outside Wipac and Tesco’s in Buckingham are President Howard Mordue with Chris Wardale, Brian Hirst, Chris Sutton, Jeff Samwell and Trevor Bluck.
Purple for Polio, represented by the planting of purple crocuses, is the name of our campaign. Why? Children in India have their fingertip dipped in purple dye as proof of being vaccinated. Worldwide, polio cases have dropped 99% since the launch of our fight in 1985. But recent traces of poliovirus in the USA and the UK are ‘a disturbing reminder that until polio is eradicated everywhere, it remains a threat everywhere,’ said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus recently.
It has taken years of fundraising influencing and working with partners such as the World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation to provide help on the ground.
Thanks to all this, polio now only exists in 2 countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
We are not giving up! Do look out for our beautiful show of purple crocuses in spring 2023.
If you would like more information, go to: https://www.rotarygbi.org/projects/purple4polio
If you would like to find out more about Rotary, contact Howard Mordue on: howard@mordue.org.uk
A project Rotary have run for a number of years is carrying out Mock Interviews with year 12 students from the Buckingham School. They have to provide a letter of application and a CV that are then scored and given feedback where they can improve their offering, which will help them secure the interview for real. They all find it a very worth while experience that gives them a feeling for what it will be like in a few years when they are applying for jobs .
