The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

The Chinese New year – this year it is the year of the Ox – was greeted by the Rotarians of Corringham Thameside with a Chinese themed evening at Ye Olde Plough House in Bulphan on Thursday 29th January 2009.
More than sixty rotarians, together with family and friends sat down to a “Chinese style” buffet meal together.
After the meal they were entertained with a lavish and colourful display of dragon dancing. The costumes were both colourful and spectaculor and the dragon wound its way around the tables to collect the traditional New Year gifts that were placed in its mouth and quickly devoured. The dragon danced to the rhythmial throb of the accompanying drum and cymbals. It even pursued Rotarian and Thurrock councillor Eddie Hardiman around the floor in an attempt to get his head into its mouth. Egged on by all those present, who undoubtedly enjoyed the sight of a local politician backtracking as fast as he could move. It all added to the fun of the evening which was undoubtedly a huge success.

On Thursday 22nd January 2009 the club enjoyed their annual Joke and Bad taste tie evening.
This tradition was started some five years ago to remember Rotarian John Rigg-Milner who sadly died. John was always one to share a joke with his colleagues and the club felt that the joke night would be a fitting way to remember a friend. Since then, we have added the names of other Rotarians to be remembered at this time. Ivan Aylmer, Dick Collen and Terry Hardway who were all members of the club when they passed away.
This year, the award for the most distasteful tie went to Clive Yallop for his bright orange, mildly luminous and stringhy creation, complete with matching cummerbund all of which he concocted himself.
The joke that caused the most laughter was delivered by John Wallington. I’m not sure what the joke was as he had much difficulty in telling it, due to a bad dose of the giggles before he reached the punch line. His fit of the giggles soon led to the whole club crying with laughter. For his troubles he was presented with the coveted blue and yellow jesters hat.
In essence the whole club was able to enjoy a most entertaining and fun filled evening in tribute to their Rotarian friends who are no longer with us.

President Terry Finnegan inducted Rotarian Howard Evans into the club at their meeting on Thursday 14th January 2009. Howard has transferred into our club from the Rotary Club of Hinckley Ambion. He is a serving Salvation Army minister who has been transferred to Grays by his employers.
His former club were sorry to lose him as both Howard and his wife Dawn were very active. Not only was he their President last year, but with Dawn they organised several Christmas concerts and a regular Charity Stall in Hinckley market in aid of his club charities.
Since first visiting Corringham Thameside, Howard is noticeable for his warm and friendly manner and has already made a number of new friends within the club. We wish him and Dawn a long and happy association with our club.

Our indoor bowls team have gained yet another win in the District Indoor Bowls competition. Following their resounding win against Westcliff, Brian and Frank Price took on Epping Forest South. Corringham took an early lead, but Epping Forest came back leaving Corringham a slender one point lead going into the final end. Epping put their jack out of play leaving Corringham with the advantage of placing the jack. The result was a good win for us. Well done Frank and Brian.
We also had further success in the darts where our “B” team progressed into the next round with a narrow win against Chelmsford Mildmay. Congratulations to the “B” team, you are sure putting the pressure on the so-called “A” team.