The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

Marylin Monroes famous birthday song for John F. Kennedy was repeated by singer Diane Moore to President Terry Finnegan who celebrated his birthday on the very day the club was celebrating his year in office. The club’s 28th President’s night was celebrated at Orsett Hall on Saturday 30th May 2009, when members, families and friends enjoyed an evening with their President.
Vice-President Rob Waite made reference to Terry’s many talents and his leadership during his year in office. A very successful year it was too. Terry was presented with a birthday cake to mark the occasion and a bouquet of flowers was presented to his wife Lynn. After the meal the club was entertained by singer Diane Moore, who sang songs from the sixties, seventies and eighties which soon got the dance floor crowded. Everybody had an enjoyable evening as the club looks forward to another successful year under the stewardship of incoming President Robert Waite.

Corringham Thamesdie met Billericay Mayflower in the second round of the outdoor bowls District competition on Wednesday 27th May 2009 at Lake Meadow.  The Corringham Team of Brian Price, Peter Matthews and David Fenn got off to a flyer by taking 5 points on the very first end and then follwed that up by taking another 3 on the second end.  Billericay stuck to the task ahead, not being deterred by the deficit or the adverse weather conditions which were both cold and wet.  Slowly but surely they edged their way back into the competition winning single points but gradually they narrowed the gap.  As the scores edged ever closer, the game swayed to and fro until Mayflower gained the initiative on the penultimate end, leaving Corringham to score 2 on the last end to draw.  Peter matthews put his wood close to the jack to give Corringham some hope but a fine delivery from Mayflower gave them the edge once more.  Brian Price tried valiantly to dislodge the Mayflower wood but missed by a fraction to leave them as worthy winners.

In the first round of this year’s Hugh Markham Trophy, Corringham Thameside were drawn against Grays(Who incidently put them out last year). So revenge was in the air. In accordance with the rules, we offered them two challenges – Tug-O-War or alternatively a five mile walking race for a team of four. (No prizes for guessing who would make up our team if they had chosen the walking challenge). Grays however, opted for Tug-O-War and the challenge took place at The Olde Plough on Tuesday 5th May 2009. We had selected what we thought was a very strong team of Gerry Buggle, Andrew Brogan, John Cooper, Peter Mestanek, Danny Lawrence and David Fenn, but the Gods conspired against us. Firstly, Danny dropping out due to business committments (having to get up at 3 a.m. to do a radio programme for Garrison FM at Colchester) and then Gerry dropped out with just an hour to go before the contest. Rob Waite came in for Danny, whilst the old boy, Clive Yallop stepped sportingly into the breech for Gerry. Not expecting to be involved, Clive was not dressed for the occasion and had to participate in his normal clothes, which was far from ideal. Nevertheless, we had a team. In a best of three competition, Corringham dug in to win the opener after an epic battle which swayed to and fro. The Grays team gritted their teeth as they went into battle and deservedly won the remaining pulls.
Well done Grays – we wish you all the best in round two.
After the contest, combatants and supporters alike joined together to enjoy some fellowship with beer and sandwiches.
That’s what Rotary is all about.

Corringham Thameside has agreed to collect as many two pence pieces as possible to support the Rotary Polio Plus project.  Rotary is committed to raise $200 million dollars in the next three years to match the ammount so generously pledged by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  So as the first part of our efforts we will be collecting the President’s weight in coin.  Of course that’s only the start.  We have already warned Rob’s wife Mikaila that we expect him to be twice the man he is by the end of his year in office.  So it’s down to everyone to save those coppers for a really important cause.  Every penny collected is a small step nearer to ridding the world of this terrible disease.

Thursday 30th April was an open evening for the club, when partners and friends were invited to join us.  We sat down to our customary meal, on the menu this time was a smoked mackeral starter followed by Lasagne with salad and then fresh fruit salad and cream.After the meal our evening at the races started. 
There were five races in all with competitors, complete with jockey caps having to wind in their horses as quickly as possible.  As usual, there was much frivolity, and the judges, President Terry Finnegan, vice-president Rob Waite and David Fenn were kept on their toes to ensure there was no skullduggery.  Needless to say, there was.  In all three competitors were disqualified for infringements of the rules.The final race was to see who would be the last past the post.  As you might imagine, this proved to be painfully slow, but the judges ensured that all the competitors kept on winding continuously.  Despite the protests of table three, (they had all three of the disqualified competitiors representing their table) the last horse finally passed the finishing line.  Rita Cooper outlasting the three men to win.
All in all it was a most enjoyable evening, plenty of laughs and everyone was able to appreciate the fellowship.