An Introduction

Two Clubs United

(Heather)

This is an appopriate headline since the post of District Secretary has been taken by the President of Portsmouth & Southsea - Simon Dobby - and Heather Cooper, President of Christchurch Club.

The aim of this publication is to keep everyone in touch especially since the District includes two clubs that are separated from the rest of us by water (Isle of Wight and Jersey).

A Plea

Please forward details of your Club Officers to us as soon as possible since we only have the details (at time of writing) from a small handful of clubs and are unable to create a District Directory without the information.

Christchurch Visit Jersey

(Heather)

For those of you who haven't heard, Christchurch Rotaract Club visited Jersey on Whitsun Bank Holiday Sunday.

Nine members of the club rose at 3.30am to catch the Condor from Poole (yes, even Nick) and caught the 6.45 sailing.

The ferry stopped at St Peters Port in Guernsey first then sailed into St Helier for 9.15 in the morning. Jersey Rotaract Club picked us up in a mini-bus and (surprise surprise) the first stop was a cafe selling bacon butties.

A tour of the island's coast was then given and the sun came out. Lunch was a beach BBQ followed by two sports challenges - Penalty Shoot-Out and Softball.

Next stop was Corbiere Lighthouse Viewpoint where more photos were taken, followed by a walk over the headland to St Brelades Bay.

The day finished at Portelet Inn where the beer was cheap, before all nine of the club were dropped back at the ferry terminal. All agreed it was a wonderful day and we would recommend it to anyone - plus we all want to go back to see Jersey Rotaract who were so friendly.

Portsmouth & Southsea join Bognor for a Brewery Visit

(Heather and Simon)

Portsmouth joined Littlehampton & Bognor Rotaract Club on a trip to Gales Brewery on June 4th. The brewery is over 150 years old and produces the ever-popular HSB (Hampshire Special Brew) and the all-new GB (a mixture of the no-longer available Best and IPA). A good evening was had by all that went (about 24 of us in the end).

Further details of Gales Brewery Tours can be obtained from George Gale and Co, The Hampshire Brewery, Horndean. Tel: 01705-571212

District Rotary Kids Out 1998

(Heather & Simon)

This is an annual event organised by Rotary International countrywide. District 1110 Clubs visited Paulton's Park near Southampton. More than 2000 Rotarians, Rotaractors, helpers and children took over the park for the day.

The children got stuck into bumper boats, crazy golf, astroglide, Runaway train and all the other rides with the rain doing little to dampen their spirits.

Patrick - the one and only District Chairman - was dressed as a clown (some might say he is type-cast in this role...) which we later found out was meant to be Big Ears when Noddy (Emmeline Weager) was standing next to him.

Salisbury were present in full fancy dress (clowns) whilst members from Portsmouth, Christchurch and Eastleigh were also sighted. Paul Bryan was definitely the biggest kid there (how many times on the bumber boats was it, Bryan?)

If you ever need reminding what Rotary / Rotaract is all about, go to an event like this and look at the smiles on the children's faces. It is worth every minute of it and we will certainly be returning next year.

District Day

(Simon)

This year's District Day was held on June 28th and various issues were discussed, including :

• How often District Events should occur (e.g. Party Weekend, May Ball, Challenge) and who should be responsible for arranging them
• Publicity - including the possibility of District-wide radio-advertising
• President / Treasurer / Secretary training-day(s) combined plus possible venues

Matters arising from the District Day will of course be published in due course.