Handover BBQ

Laurren, our RYLA candidate

Sincere thanks to Mike & Mary for again hosting our Handover BBQ at Shepherd’s Close. A very jolly occasion with special guests, including Laurren Davey our RYLA candidate and Ben Vickars our Young Photographer winner and his mum, Judith. Special welcome too to Ben and Samantha Jackson, Sanjay and Arpita Desai and Nigel French. It was also an opportunity to say a final farewell to Emily Miner, our lovely Ambassadorial scholar. John and Mike were our very able chefs and everyone had brought a dish to create a feast of salads and beautiful desserts.

Mike receives his Presidential chain

Liz thanked everyone for their support during her year and duly handed over the Presidential chain to Mike and Mary received her President’s Lady’s brooch from David (who had unfortunately been unable to wear it). After some very kind words and beautiful gifts to Liz, Mike welcomed in his team of David as President Elect and Jolanta, President Nominee. Mike and Mary were thanked for their kind hospitality and Mary was presented with a bouquet of flowers. All best wishes to Mike and his team for an enjoyable year.

More pics in the website Photo galleries

Kids Out: June

lots to see and do

The annual trip Burford Wildlife Park with pupils and carers from Bardwell Special School was again a complete delight. Joining up with other Rotary Clubs and schools in the Oxford area, a great time was had by all. Lots to see and do, getting close up to the animals, picnic in the park, enjoying a train ride and all topped of with a delicious ice cream!

Glitz and Glamour

Huge thanks to all who came and supported President’s Night “Glitz & Glamour” with Alvin the Ultimate Elvis. After a fantastic meal of King Creole seafood gumbo, Tenesee Chicken and an Elvis in Hawaii tropical fruit sundae, a quick “Heads & Tails” with guests contributing £5 each to join in the fun raised £334 for Bardwell Special School’s Communication and Interaction room, thanks to the generosity of the winner donating his winnings back into the pot.

Then Alvin the Ultimate burst on to the scene to wow us with his singing and bring tears of laughter with his comedy. Toes were more than tapping and our most senior member was caught on his feet rocking away with the rest of them!

A truly memorable evening with members and guest alike asking for more. Elvis obliged with a rousing encore of some of the best loved songs, much to the delight of his audience.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday 24 May: Business Meeting. Select but enthusiastic group caught up with activities to date. A reminder that we do now have a RYLA candidate for the Adventure training in Wales this July. First time for ages! Laurren Davey (18), a nursing student and member of Bicester Army Cadets was awarded the club’s sponsored place. Thanks to Pete, Mike & Yvonne for organising.

Other good news on the ‘New Generations’ front is that Stephen Courtney (Junior) and Ben Vickars (Intermediate) were District 1090 winners in the RIBI Young Photographer Competition. Ben went on to become runner up in the national competition, winning £50! Presentation to be arranged after half term (when Lars is back from holiday). Super entries from Fringford for the Club round too, and everyone is a winner in this comp.

Big Green Box week is 11-18 June and we are hoping to do something to promote Shelterbox. Possibly join up with Scouts and schools already involved with Young ShelterBox. Big Box & Buy is the main theme for this year with a host of celebrities offering items for auction. Clubs are being encouraged to do their own ebay auction or hold a bring & buy so unwanted clutter is turned into essential items of survival for those most in need.

Laurie Cunningham will be visiting Bicester on his bike ride around the District to raise awareness and funds for Life Education Centres. He is due to arrive in Bicester at 12.40 on 11 June. Just in time for lunch! Suggestion is we somehow combine the ShelterBox display with his arrival……. Suggestion also is that some of the more energetic might like to accompany Laurie on the next leg of his journey to Woodstock ……

End Polio Now

Most members will now have received their bottle of Tiptree Tomato ketchup (yes, that’s the one used by the Queen!) Generously donated by Wilkin & Sons to Rotary Clubs throughout RIBI, this can be procured for a donation of £1. When finished, wash out the bottle and fill it with small change and donate to End Polio Now. Neat idea, eh?

There is talk of holding BBQs on 7 August to attempt a Guinness Book Record for the highest number of BBQs held simultaneously on one day. Incoming DG Nial Blair will visit as many as possible in his Saucemobile!!

Don’t want anyone to feel overloaded, so here are some events to enjoy

Tuesday 31 May President’s Night 7.00 for 7.30

Starring Alvin the Ultimate Elvis

Get on your glad rags and enjoy an evening of Glitz and Glamour. Tickets £25 to include a three course meal with coffee. Bookings please by Saturday 28.

tel: 01869 249565

All proceeds to Bardwell School Communication and Interaction room.

BE THERE!!!  Please!!!!

Friday 10 June 7.30pm

International Dinner hosted by Tony & Liz, a sizzling excitement of Spanish and Scottish cuisine. Cost £15 

Club Assembly will be on the evening of 21 June.

Marvellous May

Tuesday 3 May

Fascinating talk from Pete Chivers (Bicester Local History Society) and Ben Jackson about Bomber Command and the exciting possibilities of creating a heritage site at RAF Bicester. The intrepid volunteers of Bomber Command are hoping to establish a Museum and visitor attraction on the Technical Site and Flying Field. Rated by English Heritage as “the best preserved 1923-40 inter-war expansion expansion period aerodrome…… an exemplar site” with a poignant history, this seems like a VERY GOOD IDEA for our little town. needs lots of enthusiasm and of course, hard cash, but definitely worth doing!

Monday 9 May

Bicester Rotary Charity Golf Day

Thanks to all for a great day.

Very generous sponsors, good sporting players, great venue and of course, fantastic helpers. And the sun shone – well for most of the time! We hope to have raised at least £1,000 for the Air Ambulance and £350 for Rotary good causes. thanks to Bicester Hotel, Golf & Spa for hosting. Pics to follow.

Tuesday 10 May

Thanks to Alun Glyn Jones for a most interesting talk on Taormina, Sicily. Alun, ex headmaster and ordained priest, spends some time each summer as the the Rev in charge of the Anglican church in this island parish.

Busy, busy! Off to Culham Conference Centre on Saturday 14 for 1090District Assembly.

Meanwhile our Pres elect and Secretary are sunning themselves in Florida! Also going to RI Convention in New Orleans. Fantastic! Looking forward to hearing all about it…

Wednesday 18 May: Fantastic networking event organised by Bicester Business Network. Great to meet up with old friends and make some new. Over 100 people crammed into Trinity  – the chatter was deafening! Entry fee of £1  per person kindly donated to Bicester Rotary! £106 was collected – thanks, Ben!

Hello world!