What is EVAG?
YOUR District 1200 group which plans for Rotarians & Inner Wheelers to aid the Civic Authorities – EVAG – has received a message of Congratulations from the Somerset County Council Emergency planners – because we responded to every request during Storm Emma.
Emergency Volunteer Action Group
EVAG is a derivative of the enormous aid efforts when we helped our those who were so badly affected by the flooding on the Somerset Levels in 2014 – YOU AND INNER WHEEL assisted householders and managed warehouses.
The organising group formed ourselves into EVAG – THE GROUP WHICH PLANS FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE FUTURE – in any number of types of emergency.
We plan, train, and we serve on the planning groups of the 3 County Councils – Somerset, Wiltshire & Dorset.
EVAG and Storm Emma
EVAG volunteers assisting during storm Emma
YOU have always responded to our calls. During Storm Emma we set up our 24hr response centre. Every time we received a call we called out to YOU and we never had to call twice – we found volunteers within 30 minutes each time; we notified the authorities and they said –‘Thank you. GO!’ YOU then set out to achieve the Mission. 100% success.
What does ‘EVAG’ stand for? How does it work? Who are they? How can YOU become involved?
Well, we want to explain & inform…and the best means is to come to YOUR Clubs to give a talk. Please invite us!
Download our list of speakers who are ready, willing and able….
Axbridge Amble or the Axbridge Ache
You choose………
The Rotary Club of Wrington Vale invites you to enjoy the simple pleasures of the Somerset Levels with them. Starting at Axbridge Square these walks end with lunch afterwards. A donation of £3 per walker will help to raise funds for Rotary Polio Plus campaign.
Wessex Beer and Cider Festival 2nd and 3rd September 2016
Somer Valley’s 10th Annual Beer and Cider Festival
New Venue Chilcompton Sports club
supporting Children’s Hospice South West and
other Rotary Charities
Charity Golf Day at Cricket St Thomas 26th July 2016
In Aid of Horseshoes and Handprints
Join The Rotary Club of Ilminster at Cricket St Thomas Golf Club for this fund raising event
How did the Exmoor Challenge Go?
District 1200 won the trophy again!
Report from The Rotary Club of Exmoor
SENIOR CHALLENGE – Wimbleball Sunday 1oth April 2016.
Well weren’t we blessed; with the weather, with the turn out and with the funds raised? It was a great day all round. The majority of the money will be going to The South West Children’s Hospice, with donations also going to Exmoor Search and Rescue, The Wimbleball Lake Trust and Devon Air Ambulance, at the request of The Bampton First Responders.
In all 133 walkers; Rotarians, their family members, children, friends and a number of dogs and local people all willing to take part. After egg, bacon and sausage rolls, prepared by three former Presidents, two member’s wives and a former member, the walkers started out around 0900 on one of the two walks. They had come from various places; Bude, Lyme Regis, Mendip, Yeovil, Bridgewater, Warminster and other rotary clubs. The last group leaving at 11 o clock with two young children and dogs.
Assisting with the event were 19 Exmoor Rotary members, 5 partners, 4 friends with assistance from Exmoor Search and Rescue and Bampton First Responders.
An early hiccup was identified; we had had to change the route due to restrictions placed late on us. This meant that the outward part had changed and the shorter walk was basically reversed. New written route cards and maps were available, but unfortunately not all walkers were made aware of this and issued with the revised route. It therefore became rather confusing with them following the old route they had printed off from the web site. My sincere apologies for this. This also meant rather more than the specified distance was covered. It won’t happen next year. Although it remained sunny and dry the wind also caused some walkers a problem with some of the route sign Having taken into consideration comments made about the difficulty of the terrain on previous walks, neither of these routes were too challenging with regard to climbs, the rain had made it rather spongey in places.
By 3.30pm, even with the ‘challenges’, all had returned safely, having enjoyed the views and countryside. The quickest around the long course (10 miles approx) took just over 3 hours.
After they had checked in everyone was able to refresh, relax, reminisce and comment, with plenty of homemade cake and tea available. A big thank you for the donations you all made at this time.
District 1200 (Somerset, parts of West Wiltshire and West Dorset) swept the board and again walked off with the trophy. They outnumbered District 1175 (Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) by almost 3 to 1, which is a bit disappointing. However, 1175 did have a workshop running on this day, not quite sure how the dates managed to clash, but this may have accounted for the low numbers from 1175.
On hand, at the end, was 1200 District Governor Bob Acland to reclaim the trophy, which was presented by Exmoor’s current President David Whiteway.
Thank you all for supporting us, whether walking or assisting or cake making. Look forward to seeing you all and your friends next year.
The Rotary Club of Exmoor.
DGN Stewart Cursley success at the Bath Marathon
Congratulations to Stewart Cursley – District Governor Nominee who completed the Bath Half Marathon in a time of 2.07.37 on Sunday. He completed the distance amongst the 15,000 runners and watched by 45,000 people, resplendent in his Rotary Charity Fundraisers kit.
“Next year is the centenary of Rotary Foundation and it would be wonderful if we could run for our charity. If you are interested in taking part next year (12 March 2017) with TEAM ROTARY contact Stewart “
You can raise funds for your special charity with Gift Aid added by signing up with Rotary Charity Fundraisers.
Contact info@rotarycharityfundraisers.org if you are interested in raising funds through TEAM ROTARY.
Well done Glastonbury and Street Club
“Congratulations to Glastonbury and Street………….at the 8 month stage in the year your club is by far the biggest supporter of Polio plus anywhere in GB+I. Stand tall G+S because that is a magnificent effort.”
DG Bob Acland
February figures published by Rotary GBI show that contributions to Polio Plus are lower this year to date than in February in 2015. Despite these indicators some clubs have had great success with their fund raising efforts and are to be congratulated also many clubs have contributed far in excess of the $1.500 goal. Top of the list this year to date is the Rotary Club of Glasonbury & Street who have contributed $11,846 in the current Rotary year.
On advising the club of their success, club President Paul Lambert was quick to point out that
“The vast majority of the funds contributed were raised at an event starring Mary Berry, this was set up by her younger brother William who is a member of our club. Emma Britten of BBC radio Somerset, who did a superb job of hosting the proceedings, and Bridgwater college generously provided the venue. Everyone involved in the event gave their time for free. The Rotary Club of Bridgwater helped us out by organising the parking.”
Dine in the Dark with our Rotary E-Club
….and Guest of Honour His Grace the Duke of Somerset
The District 1200 e-club is holding this fund raising event in aid of Blind Veterans UK
Dining in the Dark at the Beambridge Inn, Wellington
23rd April 2016 7.30pm
Bloodhound Land Speed Record attempt
The Rotary club of Crewkerne is hosting a talk by Richard Noble on his attempt to break the world land speed record
The event will be held at:
Old Tithe Barn, Haselbury Mill
Crewkerne TA18 7NY
Wednesday 30th March 2016 from 6.00p.m.
The Big Pitch: Rotary Club of Somer Valley
Eight teams of Year 10 BTEC students from Somervale School, Midsomer Norton entered the Big Pitch Competition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Somer Valley. Over the past six months the teams presented their business ideas to a panel which then decided to award them a loan, funded by the club, to set up their own mini-business. The three short-listed teams went into the finals held at the Centurion Hotel, Midsomer Norton on Tuesday 2 February. The finalist presented their business plans to an audience of club members, guests and parents who voted for the team they thought was the best.
Picture courtesy of the Midsomer Norton, Radstock & District Journal
The winning team of Amy Chapman, Shayla Hopson and Laura Snook received a cheque for £100. Their Bath Bomb Blitz business saw them selling home-made bath bombs to fellow students and teachers and to wider community at a Christmas events. As it was the festive season they created their own packaging specifically to appeal to Christmas shoppers.
Phil Edmonds, Chairman of the club’s Youth Committee praised all the entrants for their hard work and ingenuity, as did Mark Kenny, Somervale’s Deputy Head.
