The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

On Monday 15th February, Corringham Thameside hosted Chelmsford “A” in the semi-final of this years District Indoor Bowls competition. We were represented by Brian and Frank Price, who were the runners up in last years competition. Despite all their efforts in a hard fought match, Brian and Frank were unable to pull it off this time going down 15-10. The turning point in the match was when they conceded 5 in one end. That proved to be the difference between the two teams. Brian and Frank wish their oponents (whom they beat at the same stage last year), all the best in the final.

In the district 1240 darts competition, the club’s “A”team met Mardyke Valley Rotary Club’s “A” team in the quarter finals of the competition. First up to the ochie was Peter Matthews who after dropping the first leg came back to win the tie 2-1. Andrew Brogan, standing in for Peter Burfoot also managed a win to give us a two point advantage, before David Fenn put us three up with yet another 2-0 win. The last of the singles matches brought Terry Finnegan to the ochie, in the knowledge that just one more win would see us through. But it was not to be. In the first of the pairs Peter and Andrew lost a tight match, leaving the tie finely balanced. If David and Terry failed to win their pairs then everything would depend on the result of the quadruples. The first leg went to Mardyke, and things did not seem too positive, but after a thrilling second leg we managed to bring the scores level. The deciding leg also went to Corringham and with it the satisfaction of going forward to the semi-finals for the first time in a good many years. Whilst enjoying our win, we must praise our opponents who put up a strong fight and took their defeat in the time honoured fashion of all good sportsmen. We had plenty of laughs, and as usual the evening was played out in the usual good humoured manner of Rotary competition.

After four weeks work at the Corringham Primary School, the open space is beginning to take shape. So far, fifteen club members have given their time to create the open space.
Terry Finnegan and David Fenn have dug out the two sand pits, and Peter Matthews has now constructed the frames and lids, these have now been put into place (we hope to paint them this weekend). Bernie Purver has constructed the four grow boxes and we hope to move them on site from his home in Ipswich in the near future. We have dug out the two flower beds and the frames for these will be constructed during the next couple of weeks, whilst the area to be covered with woodchippings and logs is currently being prepared.
The biggest change has been to the formal Rotary garden where the paths have just been completed. Whilst this has been very much a team effort, we must thank Andrew Brogan, Brian Munroe and Clive Yallop in particular for their hard work in completing this task. We have begun to dig over the beds and are busy building up the area which will eventually become the rock garden.
It is pleasing to notice the interest and excitement growing in the children and the school staff.
We still have a lot of work to do before we start the planting. Two paved areas have yet to be created and we hope to start on them when we return after the half term break.
We will be returning to the school after the half term holiday and Rotary week which is the week commencing 22nd February when we will be busy collecting money for “Purple Pinkie” week. All the monies collected will go towards the eradication of polio worldwide.

The club held a “Quiz Night” at Bulphan Village Hall on Saturday 6th February 2010. 54 Rotarians, together with family and friends batteld it out over ten rounds. In addition to these, there was a running question that required a good knowledge of the states of America. There was plenty of fun and some friendly rivalry amongst the teams. The questions were set by David Fenn who was ably assisted with the scoring by Doug Nash. Whilst Brian Price organised the raffle. It turned out to be an enjoyable evening for all and our thanks must go to Andrew Brogan and his committee for organising the event.