Nov 162018
 

The International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (the posh name for the Rotary Boat Club) decided to hold its national AGM in Hull on the 3rd November.  Although Hull is a long way from Gravesend, a group of us agreed we should attend the meeting and take the opportunity to meet up with friends from the various fleets from around the country.

Heading “t’up north” on the A1, we passed Lincoln and its cathedral, a quick display by the Red Arrows as we passed RAF Scampton and on to Hull. Arriving at the Best Western hotel, the very pleasant receptionist pointed us DOWN the stairs. With trepidation we opened the door of our room; to our surprise found a rather nice spacious room that overlooked an enclosed rose garden.

Early the next morning we boarded our coach that took us to Hull’s regenerated culture centre.  We visited the Wilberforce and Transport Museums before heading to the marina for lunch. In the afternoon we returned to the hotel for the business part of our visit, the AGM which quickly dealt with all necessary matters. With the  meeting over we had a break before our formal dinner with a guest speaker – a very informed young man who told us of some local traditions and how Hull had changed from its origins as an industrial fishing town to a city of culture.

A couple of us stayed an extra night to see more of the local area so  the next day we went to a bustling Sunday farmers market, a country park at the base of the Humber Bridge, lunch in a tavern in Hessel (whose landlord came from Ashford) and finally a visit to the wonky (or part wonky) cathedral at Beverley.

The following morning we left the hotel and were off “down south” and home. A new image of Hull was in my head due in the most part to its lovely people who had all greeted us with kind words and warm smiles.

John Dyke

Nov 012018
 

Cathryn Hindle spoke at our Lunch meeting on Monday and started by giving us a brief resume of her family life in South Africa and later in the UK, at which time she was working in human resources for multinational companies like BA and BASF. When based in Cambridge (and later London & Southampton) the emphasis of her work changed to small technology companies.

She then began her talk about THE GR@ND which is based in King Street, Gravesend. There she works with their “Gifted Young Gravesham” programme to help build up young people’s confidence. For School, College and University leavers, assistance with the technicalities of current day CV’s, job applications and tips for interviews is her main objective but bringing out youngsters’ hidden social and arts potential is also high on her agenda.

For ten years GYG (Gifted Young Gravesham) have worked with professionals to present a premier event at the Woodville Halls, Gravesend. This year, the show is on the 9th Nov @ 19:00 and the cast will all be from Gravesend  and between the ages of 11 and 19.

Tickets cost £7.00 per person and can be found at https://www.thegrand.org.uk/young-people/gifted-young-gravesham/ 

Cathryn was asked if she could find out if there was anything that our club and it members could do to help with this project and other activities at THE GR@ND. She was thanked by our President Tony Muckley for taking the time to talk to us.

John Dyke