Letters
to the editor
A worthwhile
organisation
Thank you for an excellent issue (Spring 2024).
I was very heartened to learn that Rotary is functioning in Afghanistan and doing such useful work on education and health, and encouraging income generation in that country, where life is so difficult. And the humanitarian in other places where war is going on, such as Ukraine.
There is plenty to read, and a reminder that Rotary is a very worthwhile organisation!
John Ball,
Rotary Club of Truro Evolution, Cornwall
Digital going from strength to strength
Greetings Dave,
Have just finished reading the April edition of Rotary Digital andIam writing tocommend you on your excellent editorship.
Rotary Digital has been going from strength to strength and I suspect it is very much a one-man job; other than writing articles, not sure how we in the Rotary community can support you.
Well done, and keep it up.
Kamal Bishai,
Rotary Club of Barkingside, London
Editor’s Note: Read my latest And Finally column to meet the team behind Rotary Digital!
Prime position for Rotary in Durham Cathedral
When visiting Durham Cathedral, the entry route is via the Galilee Chapel, and it is recommended that time be given to reading the tablets, memorials and inscriptions that lie within. On exiting the chapel, there on the beautiful and ancient stone wall is a wooden plaque with engraved brass plate featuring the Rotary wheel and an inscription. Here is its story.
The plaque is within a few feet of the tomb of The Venerable Bede therefore a place of privilege indeed. Born c.673 in present day Tyne and Wear, St. Bede was an English monk and much revered as a scholar, author, and great teacher from the early Middle Ages. St. Bede died in 735 and was buried at Jarrow but then transferred to Durham Cathedral and reinterred in the Galilee Chapel.
The plaque commemorates the Centenary of Rotary International and on June 11th, 2005, in a ceremony held in the cathedral and attended by hundreds of Rotarians and their families from across the region, District 1030 commissioned and dedicated the eternal flame brass lamp which sits over the tomb.
Invited to take a role in the service and led by Headteacher and Rotarian Pat Henderson, was a choir of children from Woodham Burn and Sugar Hill Primary Schools in Newton Aycliffe.
The special Service of Thanksgiving for Rotary’s Centenary was the brainchild of District 1030 Governor at that time, Syd Howarth MBE., a member of Rotary Newton Aycliffe, who died in 2018 and is very much missed, both in Rotary and the wider community. He was a much-loved and respected businessman, owner/proprietor of Newton Press, and dedicated Rotarian for many years.
It is understood from long-standing Rotarians that Syd had to jump through hoops and attend many meetings with the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral, to have the plaque installed but there we have it. Syd could be very persuasive.
Many thanks to Paul Howarth for assistance with research.
Margaret Fenwick,
Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club, County Durham
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