Youth Speaks: Primary Schools Public Speaking Event: The 20th Youth Speaks Event, organised by Chipping Campden Rotary Club took place on Wednesday March 17 in Chipping Campden Baptist Church, when Year 6 school pupils competed to provide the best short speech about a chosen topic. The 2016 topic was: ‘If I were a fly on the wall……..’

A large number of parents and Rotary members came to observe and the judges were Ros Hartnell, Beth Gregory and Stephen Brown. The contestants represented local schools. This year the usual five schools, Ebrington, Blockley, Mickleton, St James’s and St Catherine’s were joined by a sixth, Great Rissington School. This made for an even more interesting competition. As usual the judges had to make a difficult choice, as the overall standard was so good. The winners were: 1st Eliana Hale, 2nd Alexandra Wojhan-Parker, 3rd Oliver Ward; and the winning school was Blockley School.

This educational event was kindly sponsored by the new Londis village shop at Meon Vale, Upper Quinton – a new village store for a new village.

Shaun Attwood’s story of life in a tough US jail: At the beginning of March Shaun Attwood told Year 9 pupils at Chipping Campden School, his story, going from millionaire stockbroker in the States to ecstasy supplier, ending up for five years in one of the USA’s toughest jails. Since his release in 2007 he has become an award-winning author, writing about his recovery from addiction, and being a guest speaker in schools and colleges as a warning to those who listen to him. This was his second visit to Campden and the Rotary Club sponsored this drugs awareness event for Year 9 pupils with a grant of £250.

Captain Cook: David Hallett is to give a presentation about Captain Cook at our next guest night on Thursday April 14. Guests will be very welcome. Please contact the club at the addresses below.

Race Night for Chipping Campden Home Nursing.

Following their recent presentation Sarah Hudson-Evans and Rebecca Zamir, trustees of Campden Home Nursing, which provides free nursing care for terminal patients at home within a twelve mile radius of the town, readily agreed to join with Rotary in a fund-raising Race Night on Saturday May 14 in the School Hall.

Tickets are £10 or £80 for a table of 10. This will include a ploughman’s cheese platter. A licensed bar will be available. There will also be a raffle, so come and join the fun. The start will be 6.30pm with the first race at 7pm. Buy your tickets from the treasurer on 01386 859241. This should be an exciting and enjoyable evening.

Creative Writing Event: Year 7 students at Chipping Campden School will be invited to take part during May in a Creative Writing event, once again generously sponsored through the Rotary Club by Londis Meon Vale.

Through these various activities Chipping Campden Rotary is able to contribute to local charities for various age groups in particular, youth educational projects, and can also make valuable contributions further afield through its international network.

Contact us:

New members and enquirers are always welcome at our weekly dinner at the Cotswold House Hotel on Thursday evenings at 7 for 7.30pm. Membership is open to women and men.

Email: chippingcampdenrotary@gmail.com.

Tel. 01386 841163 or 01386 840990.