President of Cardiff St.Davids Rotary Club Michael welcomed guests to the Club's Annual Charity Lunch at St.Mellons Hotel. Over 100 guests were present to meet and to raise some cash for Charity over a good pre-Xmas dinner.

Journalist and broadcaster Phil Steel entertained the guests after lunch to some of the funniest tales ever told, particularly about his rugby experiences.

At the event over £6000 was raised for Rotary Charities.

Sometimes plans do come together in the most serendipitous way, and that’s just what happened when we launched our new book service in the St Mellons Community Education Centre this month.

We as a club are always looking for ways to promote literacy and when members of Knighton Rotary Club offered us the chance to acquire some books at a giveaway price, we took up some 800 books of all sorts. Rotarians and friends have added to the stock of books and Carolyn Moore, a volunteer at the Centre offered her skills as a former librarian to present the books in the most appealing way.

Our partners, BLOOMS Garden Centre in Castleton offered us some excellent shelving as they were closing their Wyevale branch and the Community Education Centre willingly agreed to set up a pilot scheme to see how the local community would take to the offer of free books to read!

The idea is to augment the more traditional library services by offering a choice of books to read and then either pass on to friends, return or retain for future reference. Hopefully the best result will be to introduce more people to the pleasures of reading books.

This has been completed at minimum cost and with great enthusiasm from all concerned.

Rotary Celebrates 25 years

The Rotary Club of Cardiff St.Davids wanted to the mark the occasion of its 25th anniversary with some charity projects. Top of the list was the St.Mellons area of Cardiff, and the Meadowlane Primary School was a long standing partner in the community. Working with the School Parent Teachers Association, they raised the cash needed to buy a minibus.

The bus will enable the school to better implement the Foundation policy introduced by the Wales Assembly Government which puts the emphasis on learning by first hand experience rather than spending all the time in the classroom. The bus will also be used by the local junior football and rugby teams on weekends.

The handover took place at the nearby Blooms Garden Centre, who are good friends of the school and Rotary. Pictured with the President of Cardiff St.Davids Rotary, Christopher Dale, are: Lee Thomas, Head of Meadowlane school, Paul Hodges the newly appointed manager of Blooms and some of the pupils of Meadowlane.

In addition to the minibus, the Rotary Club wanted to help internationally and has committed to raising the number of Shelterboxes sponsored to 25. For more details on the Shelterbox Scheme see http://www.shelterbox.org/ or speak to a member of the Rotary club

The President of Cardiff St.David's Rotary Club, Christopher Dale, presented a cheque for £5000 to the Headmaster of Meadowlane Primary School, Lee Thomas on Friday evening. The money will be used to support the parent teachers efforts to buy a mini bus for the school.

Cardiff Rotary Club celebrates 25 Years

The Rotary Club of Cardiff St.David's celebrated 25 years of fellowship and service to the community at a dinner in St.Mellons in October.

Formed on the 18th October 1983 the Rotary Club has since raised over £200,000 for local and International charities. Particular projects supported have been those focussed on the St.Mellons Community, and Internationally, those of the Rotary Foundation and the programme to eliminate the polio virus throughout the World.

President Christopher paid tribute to the work of the Founder President Peter Rice and the Founding members, and in particularly the Founding fathers from the Rotary Club of Cardiff, John Hatcher and Keith Wilson for their efforts to create a club which had brought so many benefits to the community.

Current President Christopher presents Founder President Peter with a certificate to mark the occasion

Changsu arrives in Cardiff

As part of the Ambassadorial program Changsu has arrived in Cardiff to be met by his counsellor Patrick from Cardiff St.Davids Rotary Club. Changsu is 26 years old and from Busan, South Korea.  He also has an English name ... Mike.

Click here to find out more about Rotary educational grants

Busan is a city port of nearly 4 million people.  Second largest city after Seoul.  Put Busan South Korea into google and you will come up with all sorts of interesting information.

For the first eight weeks Changsu will be taking an English course to improve his command of the language.  However, he is already most proficient in English but will obviously be even better at the end of the course.

In mid September he commences an Msc in International Transport and Logistics (Shipping) sponsorred by Rotary.  He already has a degree in IT computer engineering from the Korean Maritime University.

His father was a visiting Professor at Cardiff University some 23 years ago and recommended Cardiff University to him as the best for his particular subject.

Changsu has been allocated a student flat in Maindy for the eight week English course and after that he is also guaranteed accommodation either in the same flat or elsewhere. 

If you would like to study abroad e-mail our Secretary to apply.

Christopher is President

The Rotary Club of Cardiff St.Davids celebrated a sucessful year under the stewardship of Graham and welcomed incoming President Christopher Dale at it's Handover dinner on the 3rd July at St.Mellons Hotel.

President Christopher wanted everyone to enjoy every aspect of Rotary in a very special year with the Club moving into its 25th year of Service.

His theme for the year would be to celebrate our Clubs many sucesses and to ensure that we moved into the next 25 years with a strong sense of purpose and commitment to ensure that we provided, in our unique way, a link to the community and all its many facets.

The assembled company celebrated the evening in style with a three course dinner and excellent fellowship.

Kid's Out

The Rotary Club of Cardiff St.David's took children from the 5 Junior schools in St.Mellons on a day out at Rhondda Heritage Park on Wednesday 11th June as part of the National Kid's Out day.

With over 150 children a fleet of buses was needed with Rotarians and their families on hand to help supervise and guide the kids on their visit.

They all made a trip underground, spoke to the education officer who gave them a real sense of how life was in the mining days of yesteryear, relaxed in the fantastic playground, and of course enjoyed a bit of lunch.

President Nominee Michael's wife Audrey really got into the spirit of things! as the photograph shows

President Graham hits the waves

GRAHAM MORRIS President of Cardiff St David's Rotary Club broadcast recently on Radio Glamorgan and spoke generally on the role of Rotary, and on local initiatives taken by the Club including support for Young Carers and in seeking to meet the needs of various communities in St. Mellons.

This was a broadcast in a series given by others relating to topics supported by various Rotary Clubs in Cardiff, including 'Message in a Bottle' 'Walking for Health'  and 'Cardiff Museum Project'. 

All the features are rebroadcast in full from time to time, and each is also edited to a 10 minute highlight item, and then broadcast at random. 

Radio Glamorgan is the Hospital Radio Service based at the UHW in Cardiff.

Volunteers provide a round-the-clock service of music, requests, interviews and special features for patients and staff. The station is funded by the volunteers themselves, and by sponsorship.

A major sponsor is the combined support from the Rotary Clubs of Cardiff who are able to use the station to promote Rotary and community work it undertakes.  GRAHAM MORRIS [pictured in his cans as opposed to his cups!] is the President of Cardiff St David's who recently broadcast an account of Rotary's work internationally, nationally, and locally - with a special emphasis on serving needs in St Mellons. 

Burns Night

In true Scottish tradition the haggis was piped in as part of the Burns night celebration, and delicious it was too with the neaps and tatties!

The address was ably given by Clive Johnson, whilst Joe McLean enthralled everyone with the Immortal Memory. The toast 'to the lassies' was given with wit and humour by John Weber and Celia Ford responded in fine style.

Charity Lunch

The Annual Charity Lunch in St.Mellons Hotel saw 150 members and guests arrive to enjoy an excellent lunch and superb entertainment by the after dinner speaker Harry Scott.

President Graham explained that this was a major fundraising project for the club which had raised over £5000 in 2006. This had been used to support projects both in the St.Mellons community and abroad. Thanking the guests for their support he wished them a very merry Xmas.

Rotary Meeting Frequency Programme

For many years some Rotary clubs have been suggesting that a reduced meeting frequency would make Rotary more accessible to younger members. A a result Rotary International have decided to put it to the test and 200 clubs worldwide are changing from the traditional weekly meeting to something less onerous.

Cardiff St.David's is one of the clubs that has been selected for the programme and has decided that in future it will meet just over twice each month. With an interesting and well planned programme, the opportuntiy to help the local and international communities, and a great group of friends the club will be even more attractive to potential new members.

With a membership of 33, drawn from all around Cardiff, it is currently looking for four or five professional/business men and women in their '40's to swell their numbers. If you think that you would fit the bill please contact our secretary on the e-mail address below.

Cardiff St.Davids Plans for 2007/8

St.Mellons Hotel was the venue for President Elect Graham Morris to set out his plans for the coming year in the Club Assembly.

The Rotary International theme for the year is 'Rotary Shares' and Graham proposed to adopt the theme through sharing our time, talents and expertise in raising money to show the community of St.Mellons, Cardiff generally and Internationally that we care.

The usual fund raising activities would be augmented by an additional event in the Spring, designed to bring the target for the year to over £15, 000. This would be supplemented by facilitating applications to other charities, on behalf of specific interest groups in the St.Mellons and wider Cardiff areas. Last year had seen this activity raise over £20,000 in additon to direct fundraising.

The support given to the St.Mellons community would be a continuing local focus, together with Mencap, Young Carers and Radio Glamorgan. On the International front specific projects in Uganda were proposed and of course support for the Rotary Foundation.

With all of this activity, Graham promised not to forget the Clubs mission statement 'to be the most enjoyable Rotary Club in the World' and assured members that there would be plenty of FUN to go with the FUND raising, with an interesting and balanced programme for the year.

Not surprisingly Graham's presentation was welcomed with overwhelming applause and the unanimous support of members.

A magical night

Members of Cardiff St.David's Rotary Club and their partners were entertained, enthralled and mystified at St.Mellons Hotel when professional magician, Frank E. Haschka, performed for them on Thursday evening.

Close encounter magic was experienced at each table during dinner (how did that card change colour?) and was followed by stage show with audience participation.

President John proved a willing apprentice but now keeps on dissappearing! Try moving your cursor across his photograph below.

Dining Night

Once in a while it's good to get together and relax. Which is just what the members did on the 8th February. With no speakers or business conducted they sat down to an excellent meal prepared by the chef at St Mellons Hotel.

Starting off with a roasted pepper soup, there was a five course meal. The soup was followed by poached pear with stilton, then beef wellington with asparagus, followed by apricot pannacotta and warm goats cheese with pumpkin seeds.

Back to more serious stuff next week!

Charity Lunch Held in St Mellons

President John Reardon Smith welcomed 160 guests and Rotarians to the Cardiff St.Davids Rotary Annual Charity lunch on the 8th December in the St Mellons Hotel. After thanking all for their hard work in making the event possible, he spent a few minutes explaining the ways in which all of the money raised would be used to help the community in St Mellons , UK charities and projects throughout the world via Rotary International.

Guest enjoyed an excellent roast beef dinner and were then entertained by the great after dinner speaker Bob Webb. All in all it was an excellent day and raised nearly £5000 for the club's charities.

Cardiff St.Davids Rotary Old Timer Loses the Plot

Founder member of Cardiff St.David's Rotary David Bishop showed another side of himself today, when he shaved off half of his beard for Children in Need.

The face, not seen by the public in living memory, was quite a shock to friends and family. The jury is still out on whether the luxurious growth will be allowed to reestablish itself or be forever removed each morning.

He may however be persuded to retain the novel two tone look! Suggestions direct to David please.

Cardiff St.Davids Rotary 23rd Charter

The Rotary Club of Cardiff St David’s celebrated its 23rd charter on Thursday the 19th October at St Mellons Hotel. After dinner Rotarian Michael Boyce talked about the history of the club and in particular the special attention that the Rotary Club had given to the needs of the St Mellons area of Cardiff.

It had addressed all areas of the community and had given support not only through grants but by practical and personal help.

Primary Schools had been given financial support for projects that the schools were unable to fund internally, such a playground and play area provision, and personal service with initiatives such as the Reading with Father scheme.

For the young families in St Mellons, the Rotary Club had supported HomeStart and the St Mellons Community Summer Programme with grants, and ‘Kid’s Out' by taking hundreds of young children to Barry Island funfair over the years.

In recent times they had become aware that children missing from school were often acting as Young Carers and the Rotary Club had provided help with respite care, excursions and activities such as Barbecues.

For the older secondary school pupils, Rotary had sponsored young people to attend RYLA leadership courses run by Rotary District 1150 in the Brecons, and enabled others to participate in the challenging sailing adventures run by the Tall Ships Trust.

Heats for the Rotary Young Chef’s competition were held for those young people with a bent towards cooking, and Club Members provided career guidance and mock job interviews for those moving into higher education.
 
In the wider Cardiff community, the Club facilitated respite for the carers of the mentally disadvantaged in association with MENCAP, and given support on a wider basis through the support of the activities of British Heart Foundation, the Disabled Games, and Hospital Radio at University Hospital.

None of this 'local' support was at the expense of supporting the wider national and international objectives of Rotary, such as the Rotary Foundation, and when needed by rising to meet unexpected and urgent needs, such as the Tsunami.

Neither was it at the expense of the mission statement of Cardiff St.David’s Rotary: ‘To be the most enjoyable Rotary Club in the World’.

District Governor’s Visit

Our District Governor this year is Kistiah Ramaya, a member of the Rotary Club of Lampeter and he and his wife Carol were our guests at our meeting at the St Mellons Hotel on 3rd August.

President John welcomed them and related how he first met Kistiah at the District Conference in Torquay last year, and after the initial confusion as to whether he was part of the visiting GSE team from India, they went on to enjoy each other’s company. President John said how he was impressed by Kistiah’s dedication and genuine commitment to Rotary.

Kistiah demonstrated this during his speech setting out the aims and objectives for Rotary International, RIBI and District 1150 for the forthcoming year.

RI President, Bill Boyd from New Zealand had highlighted clean water, hunger and literacy as the three topics he was going to target this year and Kistiah showed the ways in which these were inter-related.

The RIBI preferred projects were Cancer Awareness, Dr Barnados and on the International front, IMPACT, the lifeline express used to bring medical aid to India by means of a train with operating theatres on board.

Finally the focus in District 1150 would be fundraising for Cancer Research and the Cancer Institute. Additionally, the International focus would be to support the fight against the spread of AIDS in South Africa.

Kistiah received a warm welcome from the Club for his presentation and President Elect Graham Morris eloquently thanked him formally on our behalf to bring a most enjoyable and informative evening to an end

President John hands over to President John

This year's Handover took place once again at the excellent St.Mellons Hotel, with President John Griffiths handing over to his successor President John Reardon Smith in the company of Rotarians from around Cardiff, friends and partners.

Congratulating President John G on his year in office, incoming President John RS made particular note of the impact that he had made on the Club's approach to Vocational Service and the renewed association with Cardiff Round Table, where we had helped to steward their firework night.

The increased focus on the Family of Rotary and the 'Two Generations Night' would also feature in his programme for the forthcoming year.

For his own part he felt that the Club was in great heart and he wanted to build on the successes and friendships that existed. He set an ambitious target to induct six new members during the course of the year, and asked all Rotarians to pursue this aim. In exchange he promised a well organized club and saw an enjoyable and useful programme as the key to success.

A Trip to the Sun

Palma was the destination for the 2006 away trip, and ten couples flew to the island of Majorca in May for a long weekend of good food and fellowship. Staying at the Costa Azul in the Maritime Quarter mad it easy to get into town to see the sights, shop, wine and dine.
Highlights of the trip were to the Spanish Village, where there are examples of the best architecture from all over Spain and a late night trip to Bar Abaco where cocktails were served in goldfish bowls, rose petals lined the floor, fruit decorated the room and the warm ambience was underlined with the sounds of the opera and birdsong.