An Evening in Frome

An evening held in Frome on the 2nd of November 2006.

Over 100 Rotarians from 21 clubs throughout the UK met in Frome last Thursday night to support the Rotary Club of Brynmawr’s (District 1150) project called LifeStraw.

This was to be a special night, a night of fellowship and a night of great benefit to those people around the world who suffer through drinking unsafe water. This night was made even more special as ITV Wales wanted to film us as well. We were also privileged to have District Governor Peter Hardwill (District 1200) and his wife Janet present.

The amount of exposure this will bring to the project is immense and we’d all like to thank Rotarian David Dutson for convincing ITV that this would make a great story.

The night went without a hitch and this was made possible by the supreme effort made by Rotarian Basil Haines. The venue was superb, the layout was superb, the meal was superb and the atmosphere was just awesome. Basil without your assistance, energy and organisation skills this night would not have been the success it was. You’re an amazing gentleman and we could not have pulled this off without your help.

One of our team of Presenters, again Rtn David Dutson took the stage and gave a superb presentation on the merits of the LifeStraw. After having convinced everyone that this is indeed a great device he went on to answer many questions from the audience, some easy but many technically based which he answered with ease. It was a powerful presentation that made you think and ask yourself whether you really needed to buy one more pint of beer, or put that money into providing a LifeStraw to the needy, a matter of conscience he remarked.

Following David’s presentation we had one from Rtn Stuart Leyland and Rotaract District Chairman Rob Davison both of District 1270 (Barton upon Humber) on their involvement in the LifeStraw project. It was an amusing talk about the GSE team and Stuart’s involvement with them and the LifeStraw project. Stuart’s club has raised £30,000 since we started the project in December.

Stuart’s club have decided to do a huge field trial of the LifeStraw to see if the LifeStraw does have a positive impact on health. Whilst the manufacturer’s claims have been verified they believe that a completely independent evaluation would not be wasted and would be in the projects best interest. The manufacturers of the LifeStraw are right behind their field test and are supporting them every way they can.

At the LifeStraw evening two representatives from the manufacturer were present and they reported that they are very pleased with the way our club is co-ordinating the project and wanted to meet up with the characters that they have spoken to so many times but not actually met. We were delighted to have them join us on this special night.

This was a great chance for us to talk with them directly and to find out where they are heading with their current developments and what they are working on for the future. Certainly we were very happy to hear that they are developing a LifeStraw for toddlers, as there are limitations with the current production model for those under 3-5 years of age.

We had in our audience a number of Doctors from various Rotary clubs and this evening gave them direct access to the manufacturer to ask any technical questions that they thought were appropriate to the LifeStraw. I am sure that this was of great comfort to those Doctors who could now go back to their clubs and allay any concerns they may have had with the LifeStraw.

During the course of the evening a cheque was presented to the Founder and chairman of the LifeStraw project on behalf of the Rotary Club of Downham Market by Rtn George Kitch. This cheque was for a staggering £1,000.00. The LifeStraw project is most sincerely thankful for the hard work and effort made by all the members of the Rotary Club of Downham Market.

Our own Club’s President Rtn Denise Ringdahl also gave thanks to all those who had made this a very memorable night.

We’d like to thank Rtn Roger Gowen for chairing the evening and most of all we’d like to thank all those that made the effort to be there on our club projects special night.

YIRF

Rotarian Paul Ringdahl

Rotary Clubs Present at Frome on the 2ndof November 2006

Club	District
RC of Brynmawr	1150
RC of Warminster	1200
RC of Trowbridge	1200
RC of Witney	1090
RC of Frome	1200
RC of Melcombe Regis	1200
RC of Chelwood Bridge	1080
RC of Downham Market	1080
RC of Wessex Mead	1200
RC of Saltram Plymton	1290
RC of Launceston	1260
RC of Callington	1260
RC of Tiverton	1170
RC of Yate and District	1100
RC of Broughton	1170
RC of Denton	1050
RC of Westbury	1200
RC of Barton upon Humber	1270
RC of Swansea	1150
RC of Amersham	1260
Rotoact	1270

21 clubs in attendance from 9 districts. That’s a great effort

 

 

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