PAST ACTIVITIES

To give you a flavour of our Club, here are some of the activities that we have been involved in so far this Rotary Year. For previous years, go to:

2nd Charity Jive Night : Saturday, 17 June 2006

Another successful Jive Night was held on a hot and sultry evening at Beths in Bexley. Some of the moves were also 'hot' and cold drinks and towels were needed to cool us down! Thanks again to Nicky and Jim of Dance Riviera, star DJ Steve "The Hitman" Strong and to Christine for organising another great evening. We raised around £250 (watch this space for the exact figure) in aid of the International Aid Trust.

District Fun Day: Sunday, 11 June 2006

Several members happily gave up their Sunday to spend a day in the blazing sun at the District Fun Day at Detling. We had face-painting and stocks with wet sponges. Nearly everyone managed to get wet at some point during the proceedings, including District Governor Tony Hodges, and lots of St George's crosses, tigers and pink butterflies were painted on children's faces. We raised just under £200 which will be shared between the Fun Day charities (Hospices in Kent & East Sussex and the Air Ambulance Trust) and the President's charities.

President's Night: Friday, 2 June 2006

Members, friends and families joined President Sally to celebrate her year. The club was especially pleased to welcome PDG Bob Metcalfe and Doreen as Bob was DG when the club was chartered in 2002. Also present were the Presidents of Lewisham and Woolwich Rotary Clubs and their partners. Founder President Christine Scally was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship for all her work in setting up the club and her work with Women's Aid. John Hughesdon, husband of Rtn Mavis Hughesdon and Alderman of the City of London was made an Honorary member and the whole evening was rounded off with a casino presented by Rochester Round Table. The casino was won by Patrick 'Maverick' Scally, brother of Rtn Christine.

Round Britain Motor Bike Trip: Thursday, 18 May 2006

Peter Green, our Foundation Chairman, has completed his round trip from Eltham to John O'Groats via Lands End and back home on his motor bike in aid of the Rotary Foundation. He arrived back home on Monday, 22 May after a wet, windy, but enjoyable trip! To date he has raised just over £500. If you have sponsored him and have not returned your money, please contact us.

St George's Day Quiz Night: Saturday, 22 April 2006

One of Sarah's famous quizzes was held to raise funds for the President's charities (Greenwich and Bexley Cottage Hospice and the International Aid Trust). We had 8 teams for the quiz answering many diverse questions, including those on St George, the name George and England. Thanks to Sarah for the questions, Linda and John, the markers for the evening and Mark for his interval game of 'Heads'n'Tails'. Thanks to everyone else who helped out and those that came along to this fun evening - we raised £241.

Easter Egg Presentation: Thursday, 6 April 2006

The club was pleased to present 42 Easter Eggs to Bexley Women's Aid representative Kelly for the children in the refuge over Easter. Photos to follow!

Charity Jive Night: Saturday, 11 March 2006

Thanks to everyone who supported our 1st Jive Night, especially Nicky & Jim of Dance Riviera and DJ Mikey. We have provisionally raised £1245 (this figure is expected to rise - watch this space) towards the President's Charities (International Aid Trust and Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice).

Sleigh Collection in aid of Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice: Tuesday, 20 December 2005

On a cold December evening, members helped Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice accompany Father Christmas around the streets of New Eltham. A good time was had by all, especially when you looked at the faces of the small children after they had seen Father Christmas! Thanks to the generosity of the people of New Eltham - we raised £428 for the Hospice.

Greenwich Women's Aid Children's Christmas Party: Wednesday, 14 December 2005

Following a hectic evening of present wrapping at the home of Carol & Pete Ravenscroft, the club hosted our annual Children's party for Greenwich Women's Aid. The party was open to all the families who had been through the Greenwich refuge in the last year. Barbara and Michelle had invited loads of people, so we had no idea how many to expect. In the end there we about 40 children and their mums. They were entertained by Mr Marvel the magician with his rabbit and then enjoyed a party tea and a visit from Santa. We also presented the Refuge staff with gifts for the women and children who would be with them over Christmas.

Remembrance Day: Sunday, 13 November 2005

President-elect Mark Tilley, Vice-President Sarah Howson and Rtn Kevin Till laid a wreath on behalf of the club at Eltham Church.

District Conference 2005: Friday, 28 - Sunday, 30 October 2005

8 members and one wife attended this year's excellent Conference. We all had a great time, complete with black tie (and pink hair) dinner on Saturday night. There were some very memorable speakers, including David Gunson, a very funny Air Traffic Controller, 'Calendar Girl' Trisha Stewart and The Reverend Roger Royle. AG John Wilton organised a tea party on the beach in aid of Foundation which was very well attended. The weather was very kind to us all weekend, it really didn't seem like the end of October! Next year we are off to Torquay, more pink hair (or maybe blue?) - so watch out!

Auction in aid of Rotary Foundation and Greenwich Women's Aid: Saturday, 15 October 2005

Once everyone had arrived at The Forum after battling through the Greenwich traffic, we all got down to the serious business of trying to snare a bargain. There were plenty of bargains to be had as well. We had around 160 lots including, jewellery, books, exercise machines, cuddly toys, clothes, a beautiful rocking horse and many more items. There were also pledges to be bid for, which included, having a meal for 4 cooked in your own home by a top London chef, being chauffeur driven for a few hours in a Jaguar, a week's stay in a lovely holiday home in Brittany and 4 hours worth of home improvements. Rtn Chris Thompson did a great job as the auctioneer and a fun evening was had by all. All but three items were sold by the end of the night and we raised £1343 for Rotary Foundation and Greenwich Women's Aid.

Thanks to Chris and his team (Chris S, Terry, Mark, Linda, Sally, Kevin, Steve, Pete, Carol, Peter, Mary, Sarah H and Sarah I) and to those that donated the items. A big thanks as well to those that attended the evening, especially our fellow Rotarians from District 1130.

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice Teddy Bears' Picnic: Sunday, 18 September 2005

Armed with our box of paints, brushes and sponges, and of course our Teddy Bears, the face painting crew of Eltham Phoenix joined in with the staff and fundraisers from GBCH at their annual Teddy Bears Picnic.

Christine, Sally, Carol, Terry and Mark and Mark's wife Linda (newly returned from their honeymoon) painted over 90 children's faces and one adult - resulting in lots of butterflies, spidermen, cats, ladybirds, an octopus and a few boys in camouflage enjoying the day as much as their teddy bears. Ali G assisted with the smooth running of the paints and water and Kevin was our crowd control. We were victims of our own success - mobbed from the start until the finish of the day so each person was given a numbered ticket - meaning that they could take their ticket, enjoy the rest of the stalls in the grounds and then return for the face painting when their number was called.

The rain stayed away and it was a great day for all. It was a great day for Eltham Phoenix not only because we were supporting GBCH but because we were able to work as a team and join in on the fun of the day with the children.

Mediterranean Beach Party in aid of International Aid Trust: Saturday, 20 August 2005

We held a fun Mediterranean evening in Mavis & John's garden which raised £210 for one of the President's charities. Food included olives with feta, olive and herb bread, sun-dried tomato bread and various dips, followed by Spanish Casserole, Moroccan Lemon Chicken and Vegetable Moussaka accompanied by new potatoes and Greek salad. Dessert was Madeira cake, orange cheesecake, pavlova and trifle. This was rounded off by coffee or tea and mints. A good time was had by all! A big thank-you to Mavis and John for the use of their garden and to Carol for organising it all.

'Women in Rotary' Dinner: Wednesday, 27 July 2005

Following a quick bedtime read of 'The Manual of Procedure', we decided to have a 'Networking' evening for fellow women Rotarians. We decided to invite a suitable speaker on a subject of interest to women - Domestic Violence. Our speaker was Jill Ravenscroft, Fundraising Manager for 'Refuge'. Due to a slight hiccup with the kitchen, Jill spoke before dinner and gave us a very thought-provoking talk which sparked off many questions and further discussion round the tables during the evening. The event was attended by 40 Rotarians, Inner Wheel Ladies and wives from 12 clubs and raised £159 for 'Refuge'. We also collected a large number of boxes for our on-going scheme with our local refuge in Greenwich. One fellow Rotarian remarked that she didn't know there were so many women in Rotary!

Quiz Night in aid of Cancer Research UK: Saturday, 23 July 2005

Several teams took part in our fun quiz organized by Sarah Howson, at the Boys & Girls Hall, Bexley. Our minds went into overdrive on such diverse subjects as 'Royal Wives', 'Cocktails' and 'English v American'. Congratulations to the winning team captained by PP Brian Hirst of Northfleet with Ebbsfleet Rotary Club who won by a very small margin. Well done to Sarah for a fun evening which raised £175 towards PP Emma's charity.

PAST ACTIVITIES 2005/2006