Area 20 Events Round-up
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Coquetdale Round Table raises much needed funds for the Great North Air Ambulance.  Members of Coquetdale Round Table were keen to demonstrate their support for the Great North Air Ambulance during 2005 by making it their chosen charity for the year. Chairman Rob Richardson, said, ‘The Rothbury Street Fair is our main fund raising event of the year and is popular with both visitors and local residents.  The attractions include a range of things to buy from local crafts and produce through to face painting, rides for the kids and live music. It’s a real family day out.  More importantly this event allows Round Table to raise much needed funds to support good causes.  This year we wanted to support the Air Ambulance and the vital work it does in getting seriously ill patients to hospital.  Living in a rural community as the majority of Round Table members do, we appreciate the need for such service and it is clear from the response of the general public this year that they agree.  Their generous donations at this year’s Street Fair enabled Round Table to present a cheque to the Great North Air Ambulance for a total of £3548.23’. Picture shows: Coquetdale Round Table Chairman Rob Richardson (Centre) presenting the cheque to Dr Adrian Dawson and Sue Cave of the Great North Air Ambulance.   (click to enlarge)   So what could possibly top Hexham's recent success in the "Britain in Bloom" competition.  Hexham won the large town category and an accompanying Silver Gilt Award.  Then to cap it all, out of the blue, they won the Britain in Bloom Tourism Award.  But nothing would prepare the good townsfolk of Hexham for what was to happen next.   What was this momentous occasion?  None less than Area 20 Round Tables descending on the town's prestigious golf club for their Autumn area meeting.  Cunningly disguised as a Race Night what the punters didn't know was that our very own National President just happened to be passing and was able to drop in (all right, he drove up from Solihull that afternoon!).   Following the usual words of bon mots and good conversation, plus a selection of goodies from the delicious buffet, Gary kindly presented the results of the recent membership survey, revealing some fascinating statistics that captivated the audience so much so that when last orders were called, no one even flinched let alone race to the bar!  If you haven't seen the figures, we recommend that you should make every effort to find a copy!   A word of caution though, Gary is the only person we know who can cram a forty minute PowerPoint presentation into....forty minutes!! On the night, RTCW was the winner, for as well as dishing out bottles of wine and various amounts for the winners of each race, we were able to donate £100 to the Area pot for this deserving charity.   National President Gary enjoys a pint (of lemonade) with Area 20 Chairman Andy Burrows (who just happens to own a brewery - ideal!)     A rare glimpse of Area 20 Tablers handing cash over!

Ladies Circle Area 16 Chairman Striding Out

See how Jane got on at the London "Moonwalk" on the "Ladies Circle" page......

Derwentside welcome RTBI National President at their Anthony Nolan Clinic

by Alan Kelly, Area 20 Media & PR

Photograph supplied by Rob Richardson (Area 20 Membership and Development)
(click on picture to enlarge)

The Medical Centre in Consett - an unlikely venue for a Round Table meeting but it was all for a good cause.  Instead of the usual mix of fun and fundraising, Derwentside had arranged an Anthony Nolan Clinic, where potential bone marrow donors are informed of the process before giving a blood sample to be placed on the national register.

The Anthony Nolan Trust is the RTBI National President's nominated charity this year and it was an added bonus for Derwentside that Adrian Gibbons was able to travel North to support their efforts.

Rob Grinter (Derwentside) reported "The President was well pleased with Area 20 turnout.  The clinic did suffer from the the clash with holidays but this was the only date we could get from the Trust".

With a steady stream of people over the two hours, Rob added "The Trust are happy with the 23 donors who attended".

Area 20 Chairman, Steve Ginger gave his thanks to the lads of Derwentside Table for organising the clinic and for going along to be tested.  He said "This event was a good opportunity to meet potential new members and make an important contribution to a very worthy cause".

Although it was a team effort, Steve thanked Rob Grinter for playing a significant part in making the event happen and for putting a further 23 onto the register.

Why not get your Table to support the National Presidents chosen charity this year by running an Anthony Nolan Clinic. Last year 458 lives were saved by donors attending these clinics.  Contact Peter Finnigan, Area Manager from the Anthony Nolan Trust on 0191 522 5600 / 07909 907209 or drop him a mail (email)

Well done, Derwentside!

South African visit to Derwentside

by John Randell, Press Officer, Derwentside 530.

Derwentside Round Table have once again demonstrated that it isn’t all hard slog raising funds and took time out to show others how to have a good time on an international level.  Tablers from South Africa “Jukskei 217” have been shown some of the sights of the region whilst visiting the host table of Derwentside.  Many events were arranged for them including a visit to the Aston Martin workshop, golf morning at Beamish Golf Club, a trip to the Metro Centre and sight-seeing in Durham City among others.

They also experienced a change of helm as Stephen Wilson handed Chairmanship of Derwentside Round Table to Eddie Kerr whilst on a cruise on the River Tyne.  Our South African revellers had the opportunity of witnessing first hand the cold, but thankfully not too choppy, experience as buffet and disco followed the official handover of Chain of Office with accompanying speeches and fun was had by all.

If that wasn’t enough the next evening saw a village hall turned into a bistro.  Despite having a broken arm the food provided by the new Chairman’s wife, Caron, was exceptional and we can’t wait until she has both hands available to see what she can conjure up.

Our visiting South African Jukskei 217 Table left feeling exhilarated by the experience and have invited a return visit of Derwentside Round Table in April 2005.

 
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[left] Graeme Newdigate (Jukskei chairman), Denise Bennett (Derwentside Council Chairman) and Steve wilson (Derwentside 530 Chairman)
[right] Members of both Tables at a Civic Reception.

2003/2004 National President Chris Horsfall presenting past Area 20 Chairman Stuart Collingwood with his Diamond membership badge