Another week begins.......

The new week started with my own Club meeting on Monday evening. I really enjoy being at home in Totnes because it gives me a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the vitality and fun of my own club.

Tuesday saw me at Otter Valley. They have are just coming to the end of their very successful project Sail4Heros and are still on a high. The project was run in cooperation with Ottery St Mary 41 Club. Chris Highnam, RC Secretary sailed his yacht, Stenfis from Sutton Harbour, Plymouth to HMS President which is permanently moored on the Thames and where a promissory note was handed over to Simon Weston on behalf of the charities. The journey followed the South Coast of England taking in all of our naval ports as well as passing many of the home bases of our armed forces.

On the journey Chris was accompanied each day by another sailor plus at least one injured service person. There was also room on the boat for two more people who paid a sponsorship fee to join a day of the sail.

The sail was supported by a land team, and also by many Rotary Clubs along the way, showcasing the power of clubs and Districts working together.

Very well done Otter Valley!

On Wednesday I attended a meeting of the District Youth Opportunities Committee chaired my Gordon Peacock of RC Exeter Enterprise. The members of the committee are an exceptional team working very hard and devoted to providing exciting opportunities to develop and foster the skill of our young people in District 1170. Please keep an eye on the Youth Opportunities page on the District website as it gets updated with the latest information, and use the committees knowledge and skill if you need any help or advice in this area

Thursday saw me visiting another of our clubs; this time Dartmoor Vale of Santa Special fame, an amazing project and something which never ceases to touch the hearts of all those who experience it.

They are seriously considering sponsoring a RYLA student this year. This is an area of Youth Service that I would commend to you all. Run by RC Okehampton in this District, RYLA is an underused resource with only 18 participants this year. It is a fantastic opportunity for these youngsters, and they definitely find inner strengths and capabilities that they didn't know they had.

Dartmoor Vale made me very welcome, and I much enjoyed my evening in the company of President Anthony and the members.