Shepperton Aurora

27 August.  A momentous day today as I undertake an official visit of my own club, Shepperton Aurora, accompanied, of course by the DG, and I take my rightful place at the top table, with President Pauline.

The club was chartered some 17 years ago, when it was felt that the local area could support  a new breakfast – meeting Rotary Club. The club has grown slowly over the years to the present position, where we have around 30 members, almost 50% of whom are women. This is quite unusual in our District, and possibly throughout the UK, where most clubs have a much lower proportion of women members. I think  Rotary clubs that meet for breakfast are more popular with working people, as the meeting doesn't interfere with the working day, and there is no evening commitment.

                                           Bridge Hotel

                                                 Chertsey Bridge

Shepperton Aurora Rotary Club meets at the Bridge Hotel, which is actually just across the border in the neighbouring town of Chertsey.  Whilst some members have questioned why we meet outside of Shepperton, I always argue that at least we can see Shepperton across the river from the Hotel.  The Bridge Hotel in Chertsey welcomed us with open arms at the beginning of January this year, when we had to leave our previous venue due to the Company operating it having gone into liquidation. We didn’t get off to the best of starts at our new venue, as our arrival there coincided with very bad flooding along our section of the River Thames. Although the Hotel itself was not inundated, its car park and the road outside was flooded, and the bridge closed for several days. In fact Chertsey made the National news when a novel flood defence system, nicknamed the ‘Chertsey sausage’ protected some properties from flooding. Created by the firm Aquadam it was positioned in the middle of the road just outside the Hotel.

                                       The Chertsey Sausage

I think the DG was a little more nervous than usual for this meeting.  It’s probably more difficult to ‘visit’ your own club than any other, as people obviously know you better. However she settled into her routine quickly and questions of  ‘Why did you join Rotary?’ were responded to with enthusiasm, and we all probably learned something about each other that we hadn’t previously known. For instance I hadn’t realised how many members joined the club in the early years through the personal introduction of Des Mulvany. He responded to an advert in a local newspaper to join a new Rotary club, and invited a number of his friends along, many of whom are still with us.

                          The view from the Hotel dining room

Another (now former) member who introduced many new members to the club was Denis Fuller. After he retired from business he transferred to Farnborough Rotary club which is much closer to his  home. However we were pleased that he, and his lovely wife Carol joined us today for my official visit. His reason for joining Rotary was partly a business reason, as he pointed out that historically Rotary was an opportunity for local businessmen to network with each other. This doesn’t happen so often nowadays in the UK, but Denis told us that in other parts of the world people still join Rotary for business reasons.

                                            The DG and president enjoy their breakfast

I thought one of the best reasons for joining Rotary came from Norma Kent, one of our more recent members. She said that when visiting the club before she joined, she enjoyed being kissed by so many men before breakfast in the morning. Interestingly, she said, since joining the club, she doesn’t get kissed any more. I’m not sure that is correct, as I’m sure I gave her a kiss about 3 weeks ago when the DG wasn’t looking, and I have made a diary note to give her a kiss once a month from now on.  Never let it be said that the Consort doesn’t look after his fellow Rotary members.

Incidentally, when asked by Carol Fuller, the DG declined to give her reasons for joining Rotary. This, she said would feature in her address to the District Conference next month, and she didn’t  want  to divulge it beforehand.

                                      A more formal photo of President and DG

Predictably, our meal that morning was a full English breakfast served from the buffet, including sausage, bacon, tomato, baked beans, fried bread, fried egg, black pudding and mushrooms. It wouldn’t be wise to have such a breakfast every day of the week, but I think once a week shouldn’t do me any harm.