The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

Five members of Corringham Thameside, together with rotarians from all over the district were busy at the V-Festival site in Chelmsford on both Monday and Tuesday 23rd and 24th August. Organised by the Rotary Club of Havering the rotarians set about dismantling and collecting the tents that were abandoned by the visitors to the V-Festival. The tents, sleeping bags, chairs and other camping equipment were collected and taken away to a warehouse where they will be checked and sorted before being sold off to raise money for Essex Air Ambulance and the Rotary Foundation. This is the second year that Corringham Thameside have participated in this project which as well as being hard work it includes removing a lot of rubbish from the tents before they can be taken down and recycled. Well done – Brian Munroe, Clive Yallop, John Cooper, Peter Mestanek and David Fenn.

On Thursday 29th July thirty friends and family together with rotarians met at Ye Olde Plough House for a Friends and Family evening. After enjoying a meal of roast turkey the guests were entertained by Mr Tony Bartella who read a number of poems he had written.
First up was the verse he composed for the opening of the school garden in Corringham, and this was followed by a succession of other verses he had written on such diverse subjects as Women shopping for shoes, National service, the Olympics, School,and the pleasures of Fatherhood.
Tony’s verse kept his audience spellbound, and his sharp wit brought forth much laughter. In proposing the vote of thanks, Rotarian Terry Finnegan paid tribute to Tony’s skills as a poet and his great observation skills as well as his sense of humour. Everybody present had enjoyed a most interesting and entertaining evening with the BARD FROM BASILDON.

In the quarterfinal of the District Bowls competition Corringham Thameside was drawn away to the Rotary Club of Rochford. The match was played at the Essex County Bowls Club at Westcliff on Monday 19th July 2010. Corringham was represented by Clive Yallop, David Fenn and Brian Price whilst the Rochford team consisted of Terry Warne, Keith Holdsworth and Peter Hancock. The early ends all went to Rochford as we found it difficult to read the pace of the very fast rink. In fact we were 8-0 down after nine ends before we got on the scoreboard and gained the jack. Things improved gradually and by the 17th end there was only 3 points between the teams. This end proved decisive as Corringham were holding shot in what was a cluttered forehand. Rochford captain, Peter Hancock with the last wood of the end put in a shot that was worthy of the very best. Ignoring his number two, he decided to stay on the forehand and go for a minute gap. This he did, narrowly missing Corringham’s wood which would have left the score at 12-11 with one end to go. Somehow, he managed to get through to leave the score at 13-9 with one end to play. The final end swung to and fro. Corringham holding shot from David Fenn which was knocked out by Rochford only for Brian Price to reinstate shot wood. Try as he could, Peter hancock was unable to gain shot but was able to deprive Corringham the chance to tie the match. The scoring was low and the tension was great a brilliant game which Rochford shaved. We wish them all the best in the semi-final. For Corringham it was defeat with honour.

Over the past two weeks, the Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside have visited Bulphan, Corringham and Giffard Primary Schools to handover an illustrated Dictioanry 4 Life to all the year six pupils who will be moving on to their secondary school in September.
The Dictionary 4 Life is part of a literacy programme reflecting Rotary International priorities supported by local Rotary Clubs.
Club President David Fenn, in handing over the books was able to answer the childrens questions about the role of Rotary in the world and was impressed by the enthusiasm of the children in this regard.

For the sixteenth consecutive year, the Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside together with the Anniversary Fishing Syndicate held their annual fishing day for handicapped and special needs children on Sunday 11th July. The weather was kind as fifteen excited youngsters arrived to try their luck with rod and line. All the youngsters came from Thurrock Special Needs Activity Club and were allocated a fisherman each to show them the ropes. The fishing syndicate provided all the equipment as well as the fishing expertise whilst the Rotarians provided the ever popular barbecue of hamburgers and hot dogs washed down with a variety of soft drinks.
Newly installed President, David Fenn having shed mmany tears chopping the many onions required then contrived to forget to bring them. Thankfully, one of the mums saved the day by buying some at a nearby shop, leaving David to once again go through the agony of chopping them.
A magnificent total of 462 fish were landed by the youngsters with Bradley Styles landing a creditable 70 fish. Several fish of 5 or 6 pounds were landed but the biggest catch of the day was made by Rhys Martin who landed his whopper weighing in at 12pounds. In addition to his trophy, Rhys was presented with a new rod by the fishing syndicate. Every youngster was presented with a trophy for their efforts and went home happily telling tales of the one that got away. THe Fishing Syndicate presented the Rotary Club with a cheque for £200, being the profits they made on their five competition days for the Rotary Shield.
Rotary Club President thanked the Fishing club for their generosity and for their undying support to the event, without their help we could not run the event. He also thanked the Rotarians and their families for their efforts in making the day another successful one. He thanked the children and their carers for coming along and enjoying the opportunity to fish.
Another occasion where the club has served the community.