Press releases dated April to June 2007

WAKEFIELD'S new Hepworth Gallery, due open on the Calder riverside in 2009, will allow five times as many of the city's art treasures to go on display.
 

The present building, bought by the council in the 1930s, can show just five per cent of the available material. The new concrete gallery will have enough space for a quarter to be put on view - and there will be touch-screen screen displays giving visitors access to even more.

Antonino Vella, senior cultural officer at Wakefield Art Gallery, told club members that in two years' time the city, which has one of the finest collections of 20th century art in the country, will be able to show more of its extensive store of topographical paintings, drawings and prints. These will be grouped according to a number of key themes and will cover periods from the early 18th century to the present day.

Wakefield, said Mr Vella, has a strong artistic tradition. It was part of an 18th century artists' trail that brought Turner to the city to paint the Chantry Chapel. In the 1860s, in the wake of the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, it was one of the first to have a municipal college of art and design - and in more recent years the district was the birthplace of people such as Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.

A vote of thanks was proposed by Geoff North.

Treasurer William Smith reported that the June 10 Rotary car boot sale had made a profit of nearly £1,100 for charity. The event, organised by a team led by Richard Edge, was held in a West Bretton field farmed by club member Philip Platts.

13th MAY 2007

THERE was an exceptional attendance at the annual service on Sunday (May 13) to mark the club's contribution to the construction of Pinderfields Hospital chapel.

Rotarians continue to give help by wheeling patients to chapel services each Sunday. The service was conducted by hospital chaplain, the Rev Jonathan Sharp, who congratulated Rotarians not only on the time and energy they gave to the chapel and patients, but also for their continuing work in the wider community.

Readings were given by club president Dennis Edwards and Roland Mold, who organises Rotary's rota of weekly chapel duties.

8th MAY 2007

HUNDREDS of enthusiastic fans turned out to cheer on eight teams of high stepping majorettes at the annual Wakefield Rotary May Day gala in Clarence Park.

The fun-based competition was won by Westgate Cheerleaders, with second and third places going to Ossett's Shadows Cheerleaders and Rycroft Angels Majorettes. A special individual prize for the most outstanding pom-pom went to the Silhouettes Dance team from Stanley. The award for most outstanding baton was won by Rycroft Angels.

Chairman of the gala committee, Richard Edge, said: "Wakefield Rotary Club organised its first gala at the park 18 years ago when the main arena attraction was a bus pull competition with teams of beefy men hauling small coaches across the finishing line - a huge contrast to what we've seen today.

"The majorettes have been tremendous and have provided real fun throughout the whole of the day. Congratulations to all of them and to Rachel Smart, from Westgate Cheerleaders, for helping us to get the troupes together."

Every team received an award for taking part. Others were Hunslet Carr Royals Majorettes, Horbury Pink Ladies, Dewsbury's Yorkshire Supremes Majorettes and the Rising Stars Majorette Troupe from Outwood.

The judges were Jannine Godfrey from Wakefield College of Performing Arts, and Paul and Louise Wilkins, of Dimension Dance, who complimented the teams for providing such a good standard of entertainment.

The day stayed mostly fine but a fly-past by two Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was delayed because of poor weather at their base in Lincolnshire. Other attractions included a fairground, the ever-popular children's entertainer Colonel Custard, an army display and a variety of side-stalls.

Rotary club president Dennis Edwards said: "The gala, supported by so many Wakefield people and businesses, has again helped us raise thousands of pounds for good causes. We've enjoyed providing a great day out for local families and we're grateful for the support we've had yet again from the Battle of Britain Flight."

26th APRIL 2007

GETTING older is no reason to give up driving, Rotarians were told by Michael Smith, a driving examiner from the Leeds Driving Test Centre.

The number of drivers in the 50-plus group is increasing dramatically, he said, but as long as they can meet the DVLA's licence requirements, they can still enjoy the pleasure and convenience of motoring. Some people may, however, need help, but there is plenty of advice available on driving for the elderly, including vehicle adaptations.

Mr Smith used a video to illustrate the changes in the driving test over the years and the demands that are placed on today's motorists.

A vote of thanks was proposed by John Hummerstone