July to September 2009
3rd September 2009
CARING for a family member can be very rewarding but it can also be tiring and stressful. That's where Wakefield and District Carers Association can help.
Members heard the organisation's support and development officer, Chris Clark, and one of his support workers, Harriet Saxton, explain the work they do throughout Wakefield.
The census eight years ago showed there were more than 35,000 carers throughout the district, but only some 2,000 are known to the association. Harriet said: "Part of our remit is to identify these hidden carers, but many may not see themselves as such. They just get on with the job."
The carers' association was formed 17 years ago but has faced anxieties about funding. Chris said: "The outlook was bleak last year but now we have extra funding from Wakefield and the primary care trust. "We have a bigger staff team but we still have a long way to go, although we've built up momentum."
Carers who would like support or advice can call Wakefield Carers on 01924 305544, go to www. carerswakefield.org.uk, or drop in at 25 King Street, Wakefield, on Tuesday mornings. Alternatively a visit by a support worker can be arranged.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Ken Pinder.
13th August 2009
CLASSICAL guitarist Amie Owen, who has performed recently at venues ranging from Harrogate to the Victoria and Albert Museum, was in Wakefield to play for Rotarians and guests at the New Brookhouse Club on August 13.
Amie, whose home is in York, is the daughter of Ruth, a former student at Wakefield Girls High School. She studied from 2005 until this year for her BMus degree at the Royal College of Music, London, and for the past three years has taught a range of private students of all levels and age groups. She also acts as social staff officer for the National Children's Orchestra.
Two years ago she won the Royal College's annual guitar competition, earning a place in the college's Music String Player of the Year contest at Wigmore Hall.
A vote of thanks was proposed by John Richardson.
Amie is involved in organising and playing at the York Guitar Festival on 26th and 27th August 2009. Please follow the blue hyperlink for more details.
30th July 2009
FORMER York Rotarian Ruth Perrott likes to make a spectacle of herself - but it's all in a good cause.
An optometrist with businesses in both York and Castleford, she is the driving force behind the county's support for Vision Aid Overseas. She and her team handle some 50,000 pairs of donated spectacles each month, preparing them for use in Africa.
The charity is dedicated to helping people in the developing world whose lives are blighted by poor eyesight, particularly where spectacles can help. It works by sending abroad teams of volunteer optometrists and dispensing opticians who set up clinics, screen large number of patients and provide appropriate spectacles. Ruth herself has been to various parts of Africa, including Malawi, Sierra Leone and the Cameroons.
She said: "This is more than just giving people vision, it gives them self respect too."
Ruth was supported by husband Colin Perrott, a member of the York Ainsty club, who handled the computer presentation.
A vote of thanks was given by club president-elect Philip Platts.
Photo caption:
Ruth Perrott (second left) with Philip Platts, Wakefield president Sue Parkin and Colin Perrott
23rd July 2009
A PASSION FOR CASTLEFORD was the overwhelming emotion transmitted by Alison Drake when she spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Wakefield at their meeting on the 23rd July.
Many people will recognise Alison from the leading role she took in the Channel 4 / Kevin McCloud "Big Town Plan" TV programme, as part of her efforts to help re-generate Castleford.
She told members of her idea of forming the Castleford Heritage Trust and of that organisation's role in leading the citizens of the town into re-generation.
The soundtrack of a section of the TV programme and PowerPoint notes were abandoned in favour of a free flowing and lucid description of the re-generation events in the town over the last few years, where most of the projects had a champion to ensure that planners and designers from outside the town reflected what the population needed.
She inserted humour with musings about the strangely named Tittle Cott Bridge underpass and Thomas, the stranded colliery barge on the weir, about which she said "Thomas loves Castleford and Castleford loves Thomas."
The highlight of the re-generation project is the beautiful curved footbridge over the River Aire which is considered a destination in itself. Designed by Renato Bendetti (McDowell + Benedetti), Alison told the club that it is currently short-listed for the prestigious RIBI Sterling Prize for 2009.
Not everything in the re-generation project has been a success but in giving a vote of thanks Rotarian Ken Pinder was clear that Castleford really does have a champion in Alison.
CHILDREN about to step up from junior to secondary school have been presented with dictionaries as part of the Wakefield club's reading campaign.
The club arranged the distribution of nearly 500 of the books throughout schools in the district. In response, many of the schools were able to make donations to Rotary funds.
At Sandal Magna Junior School, where he is involved in reading and chess projects, Rotarian Roland Mold handed out 40 dictionaries at the last assembly of the academic year.
He is pictured here with six of the recipients.
16th July 2009
A NEW West Yorkshire charity offers a free counselling and therapeutic play service, members learned at their meeting on July 16.
The organisation, named ESCAYP (Emotional Support for Children and Young People), was set up in October last year and became a registered charity in January.
Jackie Bould, a psychological counsellor and clinical supervisor for the group, explained the help they give to children and young people aged between three and 21. Counsellors deal with issues ranging from sexual abuse and bereavement to bullying and self-harm.
Sandra Brockie, another of ESCAYP's organisers, said becoming a registered charity had given a big boost to fundraising opportunities.
"The dream is coming true, slowly but surely," she said.
A vote of thanks was proposed by David Oughtibridge.
13th July 2009
THE reality of the work done by Yorkshire Air Ambulance struck home when a dozen members of the Wakefield club went to the service's base at Leeds-Bradford airport - only to arrive just in time to see the helicopter take off in response to yet another call.
Moving to the comfort of the control room, past president David Pickover handed over a cheque for £2,000 to Nicky de Whytell, the air ambulance's West Yorkshire development officer.
Most of the money came from raffles and a collection at the club's recent Musical Extravaganza at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. The performers at that event included Wakefield Amateur Operatic Society chorus, who added £500 to the Rotary donation after one of their members had needed the services of the helicopter.
Thanking the club for its donation, Nicky praised Rotary clubs throughout Yorkshire for their continuing support.
Photo caption: David Pickover hands the Wakefield club's £2,000 cheque to air ambulance development officer Nicky de Whytell
