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Club of CHEPSTOW & DISTRICT
A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR CHEPSTOW ROTARY CLUB
On Tuesday 27 June 2023, members of the Rotary Club of Chepstow & District gathered at Abbey Mill, Tintern, for their Club Assembly when the new annual President was announced and introduced. Rotarian David Burr of Sedbury, who joined Rotary some 34 years ago, assumes the role as President of the Club for the next 12 months having managed this role on two previous occasions. During Saddam Hussain’s invasion of Kuwait, David spent 132 days in hiding, has subsequently established the local Shoebox Scheme, the twinning with the German Westerwald club, distributed books for Afghanistan and managed new fresh water wells in Romania and so David is never short of ideas. The club is looking forward to a full end enjoyable programme under his direction for the coming 12 months.
Outgoing Rotary President, businessman Paul Durant of Beachley, had a busy yet most successful year of duty. With very limited experience in Rotary, Paul took on the mantle as head of the Club an
d delivered an ambitious programme with remarkably successful fund-raising enabling record donations to be granted. A substantial early grant was to support our local Ukrainian Hub where the refugees gather to exchange news and information. Many other local donations were made including those to the Tintern playground appeal, Chepstow Foodbank, Toy Box International, Kids Out, Chepstow Mencap, a Parkinson’s Charity sponsored walk, signage at St Marys Church together with plants and labour for bench restoration, a Girl Guide attending a Netherlands Guiding event, an appeal for a family respite break, a student nurse needing work experience abroad and new Sports Team kit for Chepstow School. Quite a list of support to the local community. However, Paul also ensured that the Club reacted to major international appeals and so Shelter Boxes were donated to disaster funds for both the Pakistan Floods and the Turkey/Syria earthquake together with an additional donation to The Red Cross. In response to a Ukraine appeal for ambulance and medical supplies a further grant was made. Indeed over £8,000 of grants and donations were made last year alone.
Of course, the Club would be unable to contribute to needy causes without fund raising and this was achieved through their popular Tombola stand at the Chepstow Show, The Wye Run classic car event and the Torchlight Carol Service at Tintern Abbey. But not forgetting Yuri Sabatini, who is back at The Drill Hall 22 Jul, but had already performed at Abbey Mill and also the Chepstow Male Voice choir concert at MENCAP. They had also organised the Community Draw and, through Crowd Funding, raised funds to purchase generators for Ukraine. It had certainly been a particularly successful year for which Paul was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Rotarian Bob Civil was also present at the event. He has been an active member of the Rotary Club for some 28 years and was President in 2003-4 during which time he had a record year for charity fundraising, both local and international, while also increasing membership. Whilst community chairman in 2001 he pioneered the production of 24 sets tactile and large print maps for the use of blind students on the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s training Ship, The Lord Nelson. He has also supported the Rotary Foundation charity for many years. In recognition of his long and meritorious service to Rotary Bob was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Paul Harris was a US attorney who founded the club that became the humanitarian organisation Rotary International in 1905. He established The Paul Harris Fellowship that, exceptionally, may be awarded to members who have performed beyond that expected.
Several new members have joined the Chepstow Club in the last year to participate in the fundraising and the award selection. But the members, that come from all walks of life, have also enjoyed a full and varied social programme while they continue to contribute continuously to their community. Further details of Rotary can be found on Facebook and www: chepstowrotary
Christopher WILSON
Chepstow & District Rotary C
President's Handover to Rtn. David Burr
On Tuesday 27 June 2023, members of the Rotary Club of Chepstow & District gathered at Abbey Mill, Tintern, for their Club Assembly when the new annual Presidentwas announced and introduced.
Rotarian David Burr of Sedbury, who joined Rotary some 34 years ago, assumes the role as President of the Club for the next 12 months having managed this role on three previous occasions. During Saddam Hussain’s invasion of Kuwait, David spent 132 days in hiding, has subsequently established the local Shoebox Scheme, the twinning with the German Westerwald club, distributed books for Afghanistan and managed new fresh water wells in Romania and so David is never short of ideas. The club is looking forward to a full end enjoyable programme under his direction for the coming 12 months.
Fantastic concert with Yuri Sabatini enjoyed by all
The weather was really unhelpful on the night that the Chepstow & District Rotary Club had arranged a musical event at Chepstow Drill Hall.
The rain pelted down on the night of 22 July yet the car park was filled, as was that at Nelson Street.
Something special was happening for sure and indeed it was.
For those not in the know Yuri Sabatini is an acclaimed Italian lyric tenor praised for his superior vocal technique, artistry and stage presence. His voice has spellbound audiences across Europe.
He was awarded Best Male Singer in the Royal Opera House Summer Screens Competition, Abroad, he has performed for discerning audiences in Germany and Italy, while featuring on numerous recordings and television appearances, including Songs of Praise, and on Channel 4.
Alongside his busy performance schedule, Yuri enjoys a thriving career as a singing teacher in London and we were fortunate to have him sing for us here in Chepstow.
Yuri delivered such a wide range of songs from familiar opera arias to popular film scores. While he sang his heart out the audience held their breath when he held those high C’s, seemingly forever.
Wagner to West Side Story, Massanet to My Fair Lady, Puccini to Les Misérables. He captivated everyone with beloved classics, contemporary hits and heart wrenching melodies.
During the interval bar sales were lively as the audience chatted about Yuri’s amazing voice with one lady stating that “his talent as a singer and performer is unquestionable but his contribution goes far beyond that.
He is courteous, accommodating, reliable, good humoured and yet conducts himself with humility. He is quite remarkable”.
With the support of TicketLab and Hannahs Music almost 150 tickets were sold raising valuable funds for the Club to selectively donate to community and wider causes.
It had been a most successful evening enjoyed by all while supporting the local Rotary Club who hope to repeat the event later in the year.
For those not in the know Yuri Sabatini is an acclaimed Italian lyric tenor praised for his superior vocal technique, artistry and stage presence. His voice has spellbound audiences across Europe.
