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The Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock

Largest Rotary Club in Thurrock (est 1930)

We meet In Person

Thursdays at 1:00 PM

Orsett Hall Hotel

Prince Charles Avenue
Orsett, Essex RM16 3HS
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Face to face meetings are currently suspended.

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Clive Banbury

Grays loses a Rotarian, sportsman and a friend.

It is with great sadness that we must report the death of Clive Banbury. Clive had been a Rotarian for over 30 years. He was the Club's president in 1992-3, a Paul Harris Fellow and an active member.

Clive was a great sportsman. He played football for Grays Athletic, cricket for Orsett and rugby for Thurrock. The rugby club made him a life member in recognition of his services to the club where he was affectionately known as Dad. I remember Clive's 80th birthday celebrations and his daughter calling him Dad. The thought that immediately went through my mind was "Even his family call him Dad." Then I suppose they would, wouldn't they!

Clive was always active and always took part in trips away or a meal out. He was also a bit of a rogue. Only on Monday evening he was regaling the story of how he spent three months in France because he wanted to meet Bridget Bardot. Those of you that know the story will know why he spent so long there. Then on Tuesday he was out with a group of ex-Round Tablers for dinner. Clive always used to organise these dinners and this is one of the many jobs he did for his friends. He was always taking numbers for a dinner or a night out.

Our thoughts go out to his two daughters, Debbie and Fran. Clive you will be missed by us all.

Below are some memories of happier times.

90 Years of Rotary

Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock celebrates 90 years

On 9th October 2020, the Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock celebrates 90 years of service in the community. The club is as active today as it was when its Charter was presented back in 1930.

Our Youth Services section has provided to local youth, annual events for, Photography, Writing, Cooking, Public Speaking, Music, Art, Filmmaking, Mathematics and a Technology Tournament. Within the community, we have provided much support, including the provision of school dictionaries, foodbank funding, hampers at Christmas to the needy and equipment to Basildon Hospital Dementia Unit to fight this debilitating disease. We didn’t stop during the pandemic either, providing funding for the manufacture of gowns and visors which were distributed to local health professionals.

Residents will also know of the annual visit of Father Christmas and his elves on the Rotary Sleigh, collections outside local supermarkets and of course the annual Christmas Concert, (this year to be held virtually), all of which raised vital funds in support local and national charities. – this year four children’s charities.

Rotary supports the needy both at home and worldwide and our global efforts to eradicate polio were recently acknowledged by Parliament and the PM, a task which looks to be nearly complete. We have also been there with, water making facilities, shelter boxes and support in response to the world’s natural disasters.

Grays Rotary President, Elaine Stephens said, “We are proud of what our club has achieved over 90 years and we look forward to what we can do in the future. We welcome new members and for those interested, there is much detail about the club and our activities on our website www.graysthurrockrotary.org.uk”. The Club meets every Thursday and has substantial community projects on the go and a lively social programme for its members.

Our First and our Current President

Arthur W Boatman

President 1930-31

Elaine Stevens

President 2019-20

Miles for Smiles Success

Well done Elaine!

Elaine completed her 150 mile walk and has raised £547 for Operation Smile in the process.

Don't worry if you forgot to donate the Just Giving site is still open and you can donate using the link below.

Polio on the Way Out

Today, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Africa region, has officially been certified free from wild poliovirus, signifying a major milestone in the battle to eradicate the disease worldwide.

Grays Rotary Crossing the Divide

Rotary International is a small world. While working at a conference in Addis Ababa Grays Rotarian Alan Peaford spotted the iconic rondel badge on one of the delegates.

Within minutes Alan and Yonathan Menkir had discovered a mutual love of aviation and in particular flying Cessna 172 aircraft.

One hour later Alan was attending a joint Rotary meeting of some seven clubs in the Addis Ababa district when the Rotarians were hearing about cervical cancer in the East African country where there is just one treatment centre for 100 million people.

Rotary District 9212 is investigating what it can do to introduce more screening and early intervention.

“I was also delighted to hear that Yonathan is in the process of developing an aviation-focused club to run alongside Addis Ababa Bole club which is located by the country’s main airport hub. He hadn’t heard of IFFR (International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians) of which Grays Thurrock club has the largest chapter in the world. I am pleased to say he has now joined and I think the Addis Aviation Rotary Club will give us a run for membership numbers,” he said.

Caption: Yonathan (left) and Alan (right) with Ethiopian TV presenter at the joint meeting in Addis Ababa

Talented Brush Strokes - go one further

We are very pleased to announce that Lillian's winning entry in our local heat won the District Heat and will now go forward to the National Finals - GOOD LUCK LILLIAN

We now have the winners of the Grays Thurrock Rotary Young Artist Competition:

The Rotary theme this year was "Through my Eyes".

The winning entry of the Senior Section was an oil on stretched canvas (30x40cms) and was painted by Lillian Tagg, a student at William Edwards School. This was Lillian's description as to how her artwork relates to the competition theme: "Seeing how people can view their own bodies compared to reality and how people can be blinded by things when seeing it through their own eyes"

The winning entry of the Intermediate Section was also an oil on stretched canvas (36x45cms) and was painted by Isabella Jasper, also a student at William Edwards School. Isabella's description of her composition was "I decided to draw the World in an eye because I see the World as everchanging. The sunset background signifies my love of sunsets. This means that the World can be seen in many different ways depending on the person"

Well done to both of you-many congratulations and thanks to all our entries this year - it has been a fabulous experience just seeing the many varied variations on a theme - inspiring!

Rotary Club pays £500 for more PPE

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a worldwide shortage of all types of personal protective equipment (PPE). To counter this, across the world, ordinary people have been producing replacements for these pieces of in-demand PPE.

Currently, across the UK, there are thousands of people collaborating and using their own 3d printing machines to produce the plastic headbands for shield visors that are required when treating potential COVID-19 patients.

The Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock have donated £500 towards the production of these visors and these are being distributed to local NHS workers who need them. Our gallant hero wished to remain anonymous but our thanks go out to him!

pictured trying out the PPE visor is local dentist Mr Iain Ramsay

click through to see how the process works

Rotary World First for Grays Thurrock

In an historic move tonight the Rotary Club of Grays, Thurrock may just have pulled off a UK first or even a World first - we awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship (the top honour in Rotary) VIRTUALLY!

During this evening's regular lockdown Thursday Zoom Meeting Derek Swan was surprised at home with his award by local colleague, Iain Ramsay - no rules were broken - social distancing was observed and wife Linda pinned the badge on the proud recipient for the rest of the Club to watch on the Internet

The proud and deserved recipient Derek Swan pictured here having just been surprised on the doorstep!

Derek joined our Club on 14 July 1983 - A busy year for the Club as we sponsored the formation of Mardyke Valley Rotary Club that year.

In the early years he was heavily involved in the work of the International Committee.

Then, like now, he enjoyed travelling (for social purposes) - Skiing, holidaying, having a good time.

He has always been at the front in everything that is happening in Rotary and has always been a very keen and active participant in Tripartite.

In 1985 he masterminded the raffle of a mini car (in those days you could buy one and have change from £500), it made £400 profit.

He served as President of the Club in 1995/96.

Following this he returned to normal duties, i.e. involved in everything, until he took over as Hon. Secretary in 2012/13 the role he still occupies.

A retired Grays Dentist who has served the Club and the Community unstintingly for almost 40 years

WELL DONE DEREK - A THOROUGHLY DESERVED AWARD UNANIMOUSLY AGREED ON (BEHIND YOUR BACK)

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Clive Banbury

Grays loses a Rotarian, sportsman and a friend.

It is with great sadness that we must report the death of Clive Banbury. Clive had been a Rotarian for over 30 years. He was the Club's president in 1992-3, a Paul Harris Fellow and an active member.

Our thoughts go out to his two daughters, Debbie and Fran. Clive you will be missed by us all.

Below are some memories of happier times.