Many members of the club packed their bags for a “District Weekend Away” as our District Conference was called this year. The programme was aimed at having a weekend of fun and fellowship, and as a result the Rotary content of the programme suffered. Also, the star speaker for the event, actor Richard Briers, was too ill to make an appearance on the Sunday morning. The two key speakers were the ebullient Rosie Swale Pope MBE, who over a period of four years ran around the world (towing a small trailer with her possessions), and Gary Skyner, the second UK thalidomide baby whose life demonstrates that anyone can do anything provided they are determined enough. There was a Magic (as in conjuring) theme to the conference, with close up magic at several of the afternoon and evening get-togethers, and one magician Oliver Tabor stood in for Richard Briers at short notice. The evening entertainments were the Curvettes (too loud and distorted for many) and Innovation. President Pushpinder took an active part in all the events and was ably supported by the many members of the club attending the weekend. Next year we have a totally new venue for the conference – Hayling Island – and a return to Rotary content.
