The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

Last nights club meeting was held at The Orsett Cock for an evening of competition of darts and pool. We did not expect any competition from an overloud rock band that battered our ears for most of the night. Nevertheless, the Rotarians enjoyed an evening together playing darts and pool. The competition was fierce but friendly as one would expect.
In the darts, a one leg format of 301 finishing on a double, saw the clubs darts players move into the second round without too much trouble. From there on it was every man for himself with Andrew Brogan defeating Clive Yallop to meet Brian Munroe who beat David Fenn to the double to reach the final. Andrew took the honours in a hard fought final.
In the pool things were a little less obvious as only three of the players that represent the club in the district competition were playing. The format was just one frame to decide the winner. In the second round, Clive Yallop saw off his “B” team partner, Brian Price. It has to be said that Brian had one of those days we all dread, he couldn’t do a thing right. So the semi-final line up was Peter Mestanek against Clive and Brian Munroe against David Fenn. This is where the form book took over with Clive, who plays with the “B” team defeating Peter and David who captains the “A” team going through. The final was a bit one sided with the favourite going down, leaving Clive to take well earned honours.
Despite the unmusical noise from the band (to give it the benefit of the doubt), we had a very enjoyable evening.

Together with Rotarians from the Basildon, Basildon Concorde and Leigh on Sea clubs, Corringham Thameside was present to help with a collection in aid of the Haitian earthquake victims. With considerable help from the Eastgate Centre in Basildon, the Rotarians were in evidence at The Estgate Centre to collect contributions from members of the public to provide Shelter Boxes for the victims. Each box costs £490 to purchase, and contains amongst other things, a ten man tent, a cooking stove, cooking utensils, water purification equipment, and other essentials for the victims to survive. To date, nearly £10,000 has been generously donated by the public. OUR THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

Work on the open space for Corringham Primary School commenced on Wednesday 20th January 2010. The weather was cold, overcast and damp, but the seven Rotarians who gave their time on Wednesday set about their task with gusto. First up was the job of clearing the site for the Rotary formal garden, this work was undertaken by Andrew Brogan, Peter Burfoot, David Fenn, Doug Nash, Frank Price, John Wallington and Clive Yallop. This meant relocating a slide, a number of vehicle tyres complete with plantings, before we could set about removing concrete slabs and unwanted bushes. Once this was done we set about levelling the site which required us to fill in a hole and to remove the turf in order to give us a more or less flat surface to mark out the garden. After much discussion we were able to mark out the formal garden in the shape of a Rotary badge. On Saturday, Clive Yallop, Andrew Brogan and Brian Munroe stuck to the task of digging out the paths for the formal garden, whilst Terry Finnegan got stuck into digging out the first of what is to be one of the two sand pits. By lunch time, Terry had completed a hole 6 ft by 4 ft and 12 inches deep ready for the frame to be fitted. By this time Peter Matthews had arrived to survey his work and to measure up the frame and cover which he will construct. In the meantime David Fenn dug out the flower bed in front of the prefabricated classroom. Despite having recently having had a hernia operation Brian Price was on hand to make the tea to which everyone was grateful. Bernie Purver has agreed to build four planting boxes which will be sited adjacent to the ramp alowing wheelchair access to the school.
There is still plenty of work to be carried out, and we have no doubt that other members of the club will be on hand to do their bit. It is pleasing to note the interest in the project by the children, the staff and also the parents. It should not be long before they can enjoy the fruits of our labours.

On Thursday 21st January the club members extended a warm welcome to five prospective new Rotarians. Instead of the regular formal meal, the meeting was informal and included a buffet meal.
Those present were shown a short DVD highlighting why people want to join Rotary, and were then shown exhibits of some of the work the club has been involved in including the creation of the open space at Corringham Primary School.
Most importantly our guests were able to talk to the members in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere about the club in particular and Rotary in general. The evening gave our guests the opportunity to find out more about the club and to consider if they would like to join us in the future. Judging by the comments of our guests as they made their way home, we are confident that we might well be welcoming some new members in the not too distant future.

The first project to be undertaken by the club in 2010 is to create an attractive open space for the pupils at Corringham Primary School, particularly for the foundation children. Working closely with the Headmaster and Deputy Head a plan has been drawn up to include a formal garden in the shape of a Rotary badge which will be sited just inside the gate where the parents leave their children.
In addition to this the club will create a number of flower/vegetable beds for the children as well as an area laid to wood chippings in which will create a logged seating area. We will also create two sandpits which will be framed, lined and will have a fitted cover to keep out the wild life. We will also provide a paved area where the children can safely place their potted plants. A number of tyred plantings will be resited during the work which will commence on Wednesday 20th January 2010.
Most members of the club will be involved in one way or another – some are growing plants for the garden whilst others will do the digging and carpentry.
This project shows how Rotary can work within its local community for the benefit of others. The children whilst enjoying an attractive open space will benefit from growing their own flowers and vegetables and learn about a healthy lifestyle.