THE ROTARY CLUB OF FERNDOWN

In this issue

Banks Banter

The “A” Team

Council Minutes

Page for Golfers

All at Sea

Blooming good show

Paws for thought

Warbarrow Walk

Petanque is it all Boules

The Missing Oscar

A bit of Cultural News

New Generations Report

Objects of Rotary

4 Way Test

Business Partners

Special points of interest:

Meets at Cobhams Sports and Social Club

Merley Park Road Wimborne

Telephone: 01202 885773

E-Mail: cobhamsport@btconnect..com

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Service above Self

BANKS' BANTER

On 19 July 13 Ferndown Rotarians, 6 of whom were accompanied by their wives, and 2 Honorary Members set off on the "Maid of Poole" for a trip around Poole Bay organised by the Wimborne Club. After a damp start to the week, the evening was fine if a little chilly, most of our members retreating to the lower deck from time to time, leaving only a hardy few up top to eat their fish and chips - collected at Sand-banks - as quickly as possible before they got cold. Not only was it a chance to renew friendships and enjoy fellowship with our mother club, we also raised £350 for Foundation through a raffle. As night drew in, we were treated to a "ringside seat" for the wonderful firework display. We had a very interesting presentation on 1 August from two archae-ologists from Bournemouth University's Maritime Archaeology Depart-ment on the work they have been doing on a wreck of a 17th century Dutch trading ship in the entrance to Poole Harbour. This particular wreck is not that well known locally and they are hoping that this will soon change. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Gordon Way, our newest member, whom we inducted on 15 August. Over the last few weeks Gordon has played a full part in Club life and I feel sure that he will continue to do so for many years to come. He, I understand, very ably demonstrated the Rotary ideal of "Service above Self" at the Elling-ham Show by his extra long shift and the help he gave to a visitor, who had mislaid her car. Gordon will initially join the New Genera-tions committee. As I am writing this, I am counting down the time until Alan and I will be jetting off for what, we hope, will be 12 days of sunshine and look forward to seeing you all in September, ready for our autumn and win-ter programme.

President Ann

Club Administration

Chris Marshall

Page 2 BANKS BUNCH

The President

Ann Banks

Club Council

Ann Banks

Chris Marshall

Bob Jones

Phil Holt

Tony Perrella

John Bartholomew

James Sanders

Ian Carter

Mike Sismey

Trevor Longcroft

Madeline Phillips

Foundation

Bob Jones

Membership

Paul Hunter

Fellowship & Vocational

Mike Sismey

New Generations

Phil Holt

Community Service

Trevor Longcroft

International Service

Ian Carter

THE “A” TEAM

Page 3 ROTARY CLUB OF FERNDOWN

COUNCIL MINUTES

2/7/12 Correspondence:

LOA summary as at 30 June 2012 reviewed.

LOA extension - George Phillips - agreed by Council to 31 January 2013 as he remains part-

time in Denmark and Poland, but attends Club Meetings whenever able.

LOA ratification - Geoff Lawrence - the Secretary has approved holiday LOA for the period 5

-26 September inclusive, under his delegated powers.

Council will consider at a future meeting whether or not to treat ‘long term’ absentees as perma-

nently excluded from the ‘core covers’ figure advised to CSSC.

3/7/12 Treasurer’s Report:

June 2012 monthly figures reported and accepted.

Mike Webb, although no longer the Club’s Treasurer will, nonetheless, lend a hand to the in-

cumbent as to the continued production and issue of the monthly reports.

4/7/12 Club Administration Report: a) Nothing relevant to report.

5/7/12 Membership Report:

Gordon Way’s application for Membership of the Club has been received and his Information

Meeting is to take place on 18 July. Panel to comprise President Ann (Chair), Jim Sanders

(Treasurer), Chris Marshall and John Hill. Subject to the outcome, the Secretary will issue

the usual 7 day letter.

6/7/12 Fellowship & Vocational Report: Nothing relevant to report.

7/7/12 Foundation Report:

Nothing relevant to report.

8/7/12 Community Service Report:

Nothing relevant to report.

9/7/12 International Service Report (including Twinning):

Trevor Longcroft requested that a schedule of all functions be drawn up to avoid clashing with

Inner Wheel; in particular, the Race Night might be moved to January.

Twinning - concern expressed as to no formal twinning agreement being in place. The £1253

sitting in the Twinning ‘’Account’ is Ferndown Club Members funds, NOT Trust funds,

and must be treated as such. Council agreed that a full review of our friendship with Dublin

North should be debated during November / December.

10/7/12 New Generations Report:

FUS Shields and Bursaries - Anomalies have arisen regarding the School’s decision to present one shield to a group of four, rather than to one individual, which makes the separate bursaries (£7-50 each) appear paltry. Council believe that the decision is of the School’s making and should be re-solved by them, but that for future years the Committee should advise Council/FUS that the bursary (set at whatever level Rotary decide) is a total figure, and not per individual, if the School decide to share the award.

11/7/12 A.O.B.

Council agreed in principal to the President’s request that enquiries be made for the acquisition of a shed (for Rotary use only) to be securely placed on the premises at Cobhams.

A Page For The Golfers in the Club

Did you Know that The Came Down Golf Club, Dorchester was where Sam Ryder

arranged the first challenge match between Great Britain and the USA.

And so the Ryder Cup was born

Wizard of Oz cards a record round of 55

Rhein Gibson, a 26 year old Australian mini-tour golfer, carded a

mind-boggling 55 to set a new record score on a full-size golf course.

Feel like giving up, I did until I realised he is only twice as good as me,

and 50 years younger

Page 4

If you would like to see how it is done by professionals and how some celebrities are no better than

you, and would like to have a pleasant day out, then I recommend you go to Ferndown Golf Club

And watch and enjoy Salterns Alliss Merlo Pro-Celebrity Golf Day

Page 5 Another Page For The Golfers in the Club

Club Golf Day

Brilliant golf, unbearable tension, a hole in one and a twenty- nine year old blonde streaker – none of

these occurred at our club golf day at Canford Magna.

However our annual golf day for club members was a great success with all eight participants having

the odd good shot and a really close finish to decide the winner.

For non golfers the scoring system is quite bewildering and even those who play only have a very

vague idea of how it works but those who did not quite make the medal podium were, (in no particu-

lar order as we do not want anyone to be embarrassed)

Trevor Longcroft (who was last), Jim Sanders, John Isles, Norman Hendy and Mike Sismey.

A galaxy of star names took the major honours with Bill Field on 36 points, Les Whittingham on 38

points and Mike Fenner on 39 points. Following an excellent meal an emotional winner kept his ac-

ceptance speech to just below 4 hours and all agreed the real winner was the game of golf itself.

Many thanks to Canford Magna and in particular to Les who organised a really enjoyable event.

Jim Sanders

A Referendum to leave Europe? No more Eurovision or penalty shoot outs?

With potential like that it gets my vote.

A few members including our Lady President shared with Wimborne Rotary Club an excellent evening

on a Boat Trip around Poole Harbour. Four highlights of this event come to mind:-.

A calm balmy evening ( no wind or waves ) A well-stocked bar! Fish and chips!

An excellent firework display. This was very pleasant sociable event enjoyed by those who went.

All at Sea

Blooming Good Show

Page 6

Wimborne in Bloom

In Bloom competition judges Anthony Oliver Brian Stephens and Vince Gradwell and

the Mayor and Mayoress of Wimborne Cllr John and Mrs Ann Burden ably abetted by

members of The Inner Wheel Club of Ferndown, Sheila Smith, President Jenny Lewis

and Maureen Platt had a very pleasant day.

Inner Wheel in July

July is the month when the new officers announce their plans for the new year, and then we can all agree

and do no more business until September. However there are two things to report.

Three of our members, President Jenny, Maureen Platt and myself volunteered to judge for the Wimborne

In Bloom project. We had the pleasure in viewing several front gardens, and also three church entrances, in

order to assess the winners of each class. Apparently this year the entries overall were considerably reduced

owing to the endless weeks of rain. However when we performed our task, the sun was shining and all

looked very pretty . This judging is something the club has been asked to do for some years now and it is a

pleasant way to help in the locality. The organisers, who of course can’t call on any Wimborne organisa-

tions, have always been very grateful for our help.

Our final meeting was our dinner meeting when two members of the Royal British Legion local branch.

visited us They gave us a talk on the welfare work and facilities which are provided by the Legion. It was

also stressed that the beneficiaries range from ex servicemen from WW2 right up to the present day mili-

tary personnel. Anyone with a problem will be given help and consideration. Our poppy money all goes

into the considerable pot which is needed, added to other donations and bequests.

We are now approaching the month of August with no commitments, ready to relax and renew, not to

mention the small matter of receiving family and friends all eager to enjoy a stay in the sunny south, and of

course the grandparent duty of bonding with the grandchildren while mum has to work. Happy Holidays to

all!

Paws for Thought

My involvement with Waggy Tails Rescue started when I returned from Droitwich following the death

of my partner, Henry in 2007. I needed to make a new life and I often walked past the Waggy Tail of-

fices which, at that time, were very close to my home. I have always loved dogs and up to a couple of

years previously had owned Staffordshire Bull Terriers. I decided that this would be step 2 (after find-

ing a local Rotary club) to a new beginning.

Waggy Tails Rescue is an animal re-homing charity – mainly dogs but also some rabbits, guinea pigs

etc. It was started in 1994 and since then has rescued over 2,500 dogs. It is a registered charity run by

volunteers receiving no grants or funding and depends entirely on the generosity of the public. A

healthy dog is never destroyed, WT believe there is a perfect home for every dog, sick and elderly dogs

are looked after in permanent foster homes. Thanks to public donations a ’Safe House’ has been bought

which is being converted into an animal rescue centre with spacious cabins for our canine guests. As

money is always a problem, we have started offering boarding facilities at the House.

I work in the Office which is now on the Ferndown Industrial Estate one morning a week, I also do

Home Checks on prospective new owners – making sure that the gardens are secure and that they under-

stand exactly the commitment they are making in having a dog. Howard and I also get involved with

fund raising and occasionally dog walking at the House. My morning in the Office is spent in usual

admin duties, but one of the main tasks is answering a busy phone. Some of the calls are quite distress-

ing – people who have to have their dog re-homed for genuine heart breaking reasons or may have just

lost their pet. Counselling experience to the fore here! There are other calls where you have to bite

your tongue and respond politely in case, in a fit of pique, someone has a dog put down. These calls are

usually dealt with as sweetly as possible, but once the phone goes down we can give vent to our feel-

ing! A classic case was a lady who wanted to re-home her German Shepherd as it was small when she

got it as a pup, but had grown into a big dog. Frequent calls are from men whose wife / partner is going

to give birth TOMORROW and the dog urgently needs re-homing – it is so tempting to ask them if they

hadn’t known about the pregnancy for the last nine months.

Our life style is not conducive to having a dog, but through Waggy Tails we can get our ‘doggie fix’

and then give them back – a bit like grandchildren!

Freddie

Maureen & Neville’s

Late best friend

June Lewis

Page 7

Page 8

REPORT TO CLUB ASSEMBLY

OF THE NEW GENERATIONS COMMITTEE PROGRAMME FOR

2012 / 2013 OVERVIEW

I start by echoing Chris Marshall’s remarks last year that certain items in this programme can only go ahead if we

have sufficient participants. In some cases, this is dependent upon the willingness of schools in our area to take part. I

put these proposals for agreement in principle, so that we may go forward on that basis.

The events agreed by the committee at our May 16th meeting and approved by the new Council are:

Youth Speaks

Young Chef

Young Photographer

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Mock Interviews

Kids Out

Ferndown Rotary 10 & 5 kilometer Runs plus Fun Run (note change of title)

In addition it is our intention to continue with certain grants and bursaries. These are:

3 FUS Shields and Bursaries to be given at end of the school year

Sports Aid. One grant with the possibility of a second if there is a surplus in the budget. These are usually matched by

the Sports Aid foundation and are awarded locally.

Most of these need no explanation as they will follow our traditional format and take place at times that are consistent

with tradition or the next stages in various competitions. Those that do are:

Young Photographer. The RIBI theme for 2012/13 is “Peace”. However district are minded to split from the national

competition and organize their own with a more appropriate theme. I await news and will put this to my committee in

due course, but it is my personal feeling that this is a good idea.

Mock Interviews. FUS are keen to continue with these in the autumn term. The school uses these principally to pre-

pare pupils who are applying for OxBridge.

Discussion will take place to ensure that we are following the style of those interviews.

Ferndown Rotary Runs. Careful consideration will be given to the date used as there were damaging clashes last

time with other events. It is essential that we maximize the income from this event, as this is our major source of fund-

ing. The new Council has carried forward the approval of the 2011 / 12 Council that all of the proceeds of the Fern-

down Run will be used to fund our proposed programme. There is a carry forward of stock from the last run in terms

of medals and printing. This could reduce the budget required, however we very much value the sponsorship offered

by the Hendy Group. The event could be advertised as “Supporting Rotary or Supporting New Generations” and have

the new title.

BUDGET

Income is spent on providing grants, bursaries and prizes, plus hiring event venues and event-associated expenditure.

The budget only reflects existing events and projects. There is a projected surplus of £392. If confidence remains high

that this may be realized then the committee will discuss additional projects half way through the year. Once the pro-

ceeds from the Ferndown Run are known, a decision will be made as to what projects, if any, can be supported.

CONCLUSION

The committee is confident that we will generate more income next year and it is our intention to maximize its use.

The fullness of our programme depends largely upon this income and the willingness of participants (mainly schools),

but in the spirit of generating opportunities we will encourage as much as possible.

I now seek approval from the Club

Phil Holt, Youth Opportunities Chair, 2012 / 2013

Is Petanque a load of Boules

Well the way we played it on Monday it was. Once again the intrepid sportsmen of the

Ferndown Rotary Club were beaten by our daughter club West Parley, well their total age

added up to mine and Bob Jones put together and they had parts that worked without any

artificial aids. Still it was a very pleasant evening, a few drinks and something to eat out in

the fresh air on a beautiful summer evening, can not be bad. Perhaps we should challenge

Inner Wheel and have a nice Social evening. Who knows we might even win something.

Page 9

How it’s played in France

C’est La Vie

Sunday 15th July saw the Club's second attempt at an expedition to Warbarrow Bay led by Chris Marshall

to investigate some millions of years of geology.

The weather to say the least was bracing! Nevertheless we bravely tramped from Tyneham car park down

to and along the beach to receive a comprehensive and excellently presented discourse from Chris. After

this fascinating lesson and exercise we retired to an excellent Pub at Church Knowle to recover! An enjoy-

able and instructive event very ably organised by Chris to whom we are grateful.

Bill Field

I suppose taking Fossils to the Jurassic Coast is like taking Coals to Newcastle

Club Walk to Warbarrow Bay Chris Marshall & Bill Field

The Cameron Olympic athletes who have gone missing after the Games—are they on the run from

the Authorities or are they still trying to finish the Marathon, perhaps they want something more

than a Gold Medal ! Housing Benefits, Tax Credits, Etc.

That’s Life

Sounds like it could have been an Agatha Christie novel but Pauls presentation was just as

exciting, for those who were unable to be there here is an article printed in the Guardian.

Margaret Rutherford was an Academy Award-winning character actor best known in later

life for her flamboyant screen portrayal of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.But after her

death, Dame Margaret Rutherford became the victim of a crime mystery worthy of the spin-

ster detective herself.The case involved Rutherford's live-in companion, the disappearance

of an Oscar, and a Fulham antiques dealer.Rutherford, who played Miss Marple in four

films between 1961 and 1964, appearing alongside her real-life husband, Stringer Davis,

employed a down on her luck former soprano as a companion in her declining years.Violet

Lang-Davis lived at the couple's home in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, before Ruth-

erford died in 1972. Lang-Davis, then in her 60s, stayed on to look after Rutherford's wid-

ower and grew so close to him that they contemplated marriage. But he died in August 1973

before they could tie the knot.

He left a will which bequeathed everything to his wife, even though she was dead. All the

silver, china and furniture the grand dame of the English stage and screen had accumulated

in her career was due to pass to Stringer Davis's distant cousin William James Davis. Lang-

Davis was left nothing.As Detective Sergeant Paul Hunter of the Gerrards Cross police told

the director of public prosecutions: "She then embarked on a series of actions designed to

secure the inheritance of the late Mr Davis," according to a Whitehall file released this

month at the National Archives.She went to see her old priest in Brook Green, west London,

Father Joseph Williams, who had agreed to marry her and Davis. She left a copy of a will

naming herself as sole beneficiary while Williams was out visiting parishioners. An accom-

panying note asked him to act as an executor and to forward it to the Rutherford family so-

licitors

.At the same time she set about selling off the actor's possessions, including the Oscar and

Golden Globe she won in 1964 as best supporting actress in The VIPs, a star vehicle for

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Lang-Davis approached a Fulham antiques dealer,

John Harvey, telling him she was Rutherford's niece, and he paid her £1,013 in a mixture of

cash and cheques for the valuables.As befitted a dame of the British empire, the collection

included dinner services by Copeland, Doulton and Minton, two matching pairs of solid sil-

ver candlesticks, a Meissen vase, a solid silver canteen of cutlery and a bottle of Courvois-

ier. Harvey sold everything except the Oscar (which he paid £30 for) and the Golden Globe,

which he kept.

Rtn Paul Hunter

Margaret Rutherford

and

The Case of the Missing Oscar

Page 10

"I was desperate for money so I sold the Oscar and the Globe and one or two other items to

Mr Harvey," Lang-Davis told Hunter, according to the newly released DPP file. "I was wor-

rying about the items I had sold Mr Harvey. I decided to telephone the police and pretend

there had been a burglary and some of the items had been stolen in the burglary."

In June 1974 Hunter launched a burglary investigation, but when his inquiries reached the

Fulham antiques shop, Harvey told him about Lang-Davis. At first she tried to claim the an-

tiques dealer had stolen the Oscar and Globe from her but under questioning admitted what

she had done: "I sold all these things because I needed the money. I needed the money des-

perately in order to live." A handwriting expert proved the will a forgery.

In October 1975 Lang-Davis, then aged 63, was arrested and remanded in Holloway pend-

ing her trial at Reading crown court on charges of theft, criminal deception and forgery. But

when the day of the trial arrived she did not appear, and a warrant for her arrest was issued

but never executed.

The file does not explain this mystery, except to say that by this time Hunter had been sec-

onded to Hong Kong, but it does contain one final twist. In 1985 two of Rutherford's medals

- her DBE and a Variety Club award - turned up for sale at Sotheby's. Hunter, back in Brit-

ain, impounded them. He knew Lang-Davis had not reported them stolen in the "burglary"

and believed they were the first items she sold. He tried unsuccessfully to trace her. As a

prosecutor in the DPP's office noted in 1985: "Lang-Davis, it would appear, never stood

trial and is still at large

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A Very Interesting Fact

The only person ever to have won both an Olympic gold Medal and an Oscar in the same

year is Dame Margaret Rutherford, who was awarded an Oscar for her appearance as Miss

Marple in Murder Most Foul in 1964 and in the same year won gold in the Women’s Hop-

ping event at the Tokyo Olympics.” I’ve always been a decent hopper”, she said afterwards

“ I find it helps to wear a hat, a warm coat and sensible shoes”.

True or False

That is the Question

Ask the editor

Page 11

Rtn Paul Hunter

Margaret Rutherford

and

The Case of the Missing Oscar

A bit of Cultural News for a Change

America returns David to Italy

After a two year loan to the United States,

Michelangelo’s David is being returned to the Italy

His proud sponsors were

Burger King

McDonalds

K.F.C.

And

Starbucks

Page 12

The Object of Rotary

The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a

basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.

2. High ethical standards in business and professions, and the

recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations and the

dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to

serve society.

3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s

personal, business and community life.

4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill

and peace through a world fellowship of business and

professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The “Four-Way Test”

First: Is it the truth

Second: Is it fair to all Concerned?

Third: Will it build goodwill and better friendships

Fourth: Will it be beneficial to all concerned

Business Partners of Ferndown Rotary Club Helping Our Community

Haskins Garden Centres

Henderson’s Opticians

Hendy Group Motor Dealers

Insley & Partners,Solicitors

A.E.Jolliffe & Sons, Funeral Directors

Kingston PTM Financial Advisers

Merlo UK Ltd

Moors Pharmacy

Simon R Puddle, Certified Accountant

Swift Body Repairs

The Practice at Ferndown, Osteopaths

The Roman Group Printers

Wellstead & Wellstead Estate Agents

We are extremely grateful for their support

Page 13