Turkey/Syria Earthquake Appeal

Water Survival Box managed by Chelwood Bridge Rotary is already in touch with the Turkish and Syrian in-country teams of the International Medical Corps (a regular international NGO partner). The need for clean water solutions has already been established and the WSB trustees aim to provide at least 1,000 of their standard WSBs in the coming weeks. Each box is designed to provide essential survival items for a family of five and, most importantly, the means of converting contaminated water into safe drinking water. The Grifaid Family Filter can deliver 200,000 litres of safe water – sufficient for each family member to have 20 litres each day for five years. The cost of each box is just £150 and can mean the difference between life and death through drinking contaminated water.

We have now launched an urgent appeal for donations – with the initial target of £150,000 (1000 boxes). Donations, which can be gift-aided should be made online through our website www.watersurvivalbox.org or by cheque made out to Water Survival Box Limited and sent to our registered address: Broadway House, Third Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate, Midsomer Norton BA3 4XD

or directly to the Water Survival Box, Big Give Turkey/Syria Earthquake Appeal

Burn’s Night Celebration

President, Craig Shaw & President Elect, Kevin Chard.

A merry evening was had celebrating Burn’s Night at The Centurion Hotel by the Midsomer Norton & Radstock Rotary Club and District Governor, Ric Canham.

Several club members sported traditional kilts including club president, Craig Shaw, who initiated the proceedings with the Selkirk Grace. Piper, Bill Colvin, lead the procession through the hall to parade the haggis.

DG Blog January 2023

Hi all, I’m back! After a too long break for Covid and Christmas let’s get the new year going!

Firstly, thanks to all of you for everything achieved in 2022, 2023 looks to be even better. I’ve read lots of reports from many clubs about all your Christmas activities, I’ve loved reading them all and there have been some great images, let’s make sure we use these stories to share our achievements and also to encourage others to join our clubs.

The situation in Ukraine seems no better but the response from our district has been magnificent and so far and we’ve helped hundreds of Ukranian families to settle into life here in D1200. Sadly, the funds from Foundation which supported these families has now been used up but in true Rotary spirit, we have now started to raise funds to purchase generators which are desperately needed as the power infrastructure in Ukraine seems to have been specifically targeted. We have also been involved with ensuring the supply of drinking water and guided a three-district project to install a large water purifier as well as the supply of water filter systems from our own Water Survival Box team! Essential shelters have also been funded. Sadly, it appears we will be called upon for some time yet but we mustn’t weaken, helping those in immediate need is at the core of Rotary…

As we settle into our new ways of working following the Covid pandemic, it has become apparent that some clubs are embracing a new way of working, a new way of meeting and a new way of reaching out, some clubs have returned to pre-Covid routines and are being very successful in re-establishing their impact in their locality – whichever your club has done, it’s encouraging to see an active and successful district. Under the RI pilot programme which is now 6 months into its’ 5 year schedule, new and innovative ways of working are being tried and some clubs are exploring new ways of looking at succession and how it can help find our future club leaders – if you’re interested in trying something new, speak to your AG!

As spring returns once more, it would be wonderful if we could all publish pictures of our ever-growing crocus displays, please send them to me with your club name and location of them and we’ll put a great story together!

Thank you all for everything you’ve achieved so far – let’s be even bigger and better in 2023!

Ric Canham PHF

District Governor

D1200

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