The Rotary Club of Ilkley have kept going strongly during Covid times. The group moved to Zoom for its regular guest meetings and continued to give grants to local charities and good causes.
President Sandy Dalby continues to lead the Club with her husband Mike, and the online speaker programme was lead by Andrew Allison, the group’s speaker finder, and these included:
Alex Cockshott spoke on Blue Plaques in Ilkley.
Anthony Butcher gave an interesting illustrated lecture about the Wharfedale Greenway and his intentions for a long bike ride across the USA in Aid of MS. He will be collecting in Tesco & Booths soon. He is already linked up with Ilkley Grammar School, but if anyone else would be interested in a guest speaker talking about mental health and charity fundraising please do look at information on his talk available at www.antonyjcbutcher.com/talks
Shannon De Laureal, the Methodist Minister in Ben Rhydding and Addingham, gave a thought provoking New Year Message On Perspective on how to view the world and to walk in others shoes, thinking about Humility, Humour, Acceptance, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Compassion for neighbours as well as just ourselves plus generosity.
An interesting talk was given by Chris Binns from Bradford Rotary Club “The River Wharfe from Mouth to Source.” The River Wharfe is 65 miles long and is the 21st longest river in the UK It is navigable from Cawood where the Wharfe joins the Ouse to Tadcaster.
Ed Duguid gave an interesting talk about Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks which is seen as a pressure group and registered charity to improve facilities on the banks of the River Wharfe in Ilkley.
Rotary meetings returned to The Wheatley Hotel on Tuesday 15 February with a meal and speaker but with flexible attendance etc. The next Speaker is a Tree Trail presentation.
The Rotary Charter night the Clubs annual birthday celebrations took place at Otley Golf Club with The Mayor of Ilkley being the Guest speaker. He gave a great insight into Local politics and the Councils role and plans for the future of Community and green spaces/environmental focus plus respecting Diversity & to consider as many opinions as possible.
The Rotary Business Quiz Night raised an amazing £1000 for Martin house Children’s Hospice, this together with £7500 from the Holly Ball raised £8500 for the hospice. £1100 was also raised for The Friends of the King’s Hall.
The Rotary Club of Ilkley have given away various grants and continue to do so, recent pledges are:
Ilkley Manor House Pledge £5,500
Ilkley Youth & Community Association “Summer Fun Project” £400
Ilkley Good Neighbours “IPP Glynne Edwards Chosen Charity £350
Olicana Cricket Club “Defibrillator via Yorkshire Cricket Board” £600
Improving Ilkley Registered Charity 1193192 “Flower Beds” £1,000
Wharfedale Music Project £300
Friends of Riverside Parks – Photographic Competition 2022 Calendar £120
Holly Ball – Martin House – Children’s Charity Match Funding up to £3,000
Rotary Foundation Club Members Personal Donation for Polio Eradication £230
Ilkley Good Neighbours Xmas Parcells £750
If you are interested in membership or applying for grants etc please contact David Shaw, the Vice President: davidshawmbe@outlook.com