The second Tenpin Tuesday of the year and the challenge was set once again….could I actually get any skittles down?
 
There were two teams for the evening, evenly matched with girls and boys. Team 1 was Dave, EJ, Vic and Keith with Team 2 made up of Adam, James and myself.
 
Much swapping of balls, at least on my part was done, I still can’t decide whether the heavier or lighter balls is the better option, neither really aided my sense of direction (or distinct lack of).
 
Ex-President Vic ended the evening sporting an injury, not in achieving the strike, but in the celebration afterwards! Well done Vic for achieving a strike!
 
There were some great scorers of the night with Adam achieving a 153 and Keith achieving the highest break of a 147 (oops wrong sport, that’s snooker!)
 
This is always a fun night, chatting with fellow Rotarians and building friendships as well as enjoying the half price bowling, can’t wait for the next one in 2018.                                 
Katherine

On Saturday 2nd September the Rotary Clubs of Cookham Bridge and Marlow Thames held their annual Regatta in Cookham.  Due to our undeniable success in 2016 we decided to have another bash this year in the Canoe Cat races and our able team of rowers (President Mike, Elisa-Jade, David Gratton, James B, Katherine, Keith , Nisha and David Gunn) spent literally minutes training and building up their stamina in the weeks leading up to the big event.
 
It was a beautiful day, and the rowers and the support team pitched up their deckchairs on the river bank and out came the picnics. After a shaky start to the first race (where our team rowed off in the wrong direction to get to the start line) the team rallied together but only managed to come second (or rather, they lost). The second race saw more success, and a more strategic positioning of rowers in the boat (big lads at the back) seemed to streamline our efforts and the race was won!
 
Whilst all this was going on, I entered Bagel (my beagle) into the dog show (the “Most Handsome Dog” class) but sadly it seemed the judges were unable to spot perfection and we came away unplaced.   A few days later I received an email from the organisers to say that because our team won the second race we had actually won a trophy! Still not entirely sure how that happened, but we will gladly take it!
 
There’s talk of us entering the Dragon Boat races next year for which considerably more training will need to take place. I believe there is drumming involved. Looking forward to it already!
Victoria

Every year our club helps fellow Rotarians from Maidenhead Rotary to plan, organise and marshal the annual Boundary Walk.  This year was the 36th year the event has run and is organised with the aim of facilitating local people to raise funds for charities that are close to their hearts.

Maidenhead Boundary Walk is based on an ancient custom called Beating the bounds. Its roots go back to mediaeval times when parishes reaffirmed their boundaries by processing round them at Rogationtide,
stopping to beat each boundary mark with wands and to pray for protection and blessings for the land.
 
Today Maidenhead has expanded outside the old boundaries of the town, but you can still find the old boundary stones, and this is the route we follow for the annual Charity Boundary Walk.
 
This year saw a record turn-out of walkers with 648 taking part in total, supporting more than 64 different charities and raising over £25,000.  These numbers alone are testament as to what makes this event so special and one we are very proud to support.  Below is a viewpoint from Kevin who was at one of the marshalling points!
 
After a busy week travelling to Spain and watching my team Chelsea win in Madrid and then lose on Saturday, it’s Sunday morning and the alarm goes off – why I ask myself? Then I remember I volunteered to help marshal the Boundary Walk.   So I get myself ready, pack the car boot with coats, rain hat, jumper etc. The weather doesn’t look good. I am off to the Shire Horse pub on A4 to help people cross a road without stopping the traffic.
 
I meet my fellow victims (sorry volunteers): Robert a potential new member who used to be a Rotaract member and Geoff, a Rotary member, and now retired former treasurer of Maidenhead and Windsor Council.
 
We exchange stories and get to know each other. That’s one thing about Rotary, you get to meet some interesting people.  Our first visitor arrives, we wait patiently for a gap in the traffic…finally he crosses!  So it begins: more people slowly arrive, grateful that we can escort them over the road waving a stop sign (the rules said we were not supposed to do that). Have you ever tried getting over the A4 without getting caught in the middle?
 
Being at a crossing by the pub means many of the walkers seem take the opportunity for refreshments. Can’t blame them - it’s the half way point and they were obviously thirsty. So at the end of our stint the new crew take over our duties. Robert and I retire to the pub. Getting to the bar is fun it’s packed with boundary walkers all enjoying the local ale!
 
So if you want to be thanked by lots of different folks and meet some fellow like-minded volunteers I recommend it. This is the third time I have volunteered at the Boundary Walk at different points along the way and each time I have enjoyed it. BTW it didn’t rain on my watch.
 
Kevin
PS the beer was good!

​Elisa-Jade, one of our new members, is a qualified chef with over 29 years’ experience cooking at some of finest places, she currently  heads up a flag ship corporate fine dining kitchen in the heart of surrey.   Food is one of Elisa’s biggest passions and over the years has claimed a number of awards including getting on to MasterChef a few years ago.
 

What do you do for a living?
Having worked for myself for a number of years in the logistics industry I have recently started working for a national freight carrier based  near Heathrow.
 
What do you do for fun?
When I was younger I was a keen climber and mountaineer, travelling to the Alps and Himalayan regions however as I've got older I now enjoy walks in the Chilterns and a nice pub lunch with Rabika.
 
Where did you last holiday?
I have just returned from a three week trip to South Africa visiting Rabika's family and exploring the coastal areas north of Durban. We travelled between Johannesburg and Durban with a final few days relaxing at 'Sun City' before our flights home
 
What's your favourite film?
'The Hunt for Red October' old but a classic
 
Where are you from?
I'm a local.! I was born in Amersham as High Wycombe hospital didn't have a maternity ward back then and grew up in Marlow.
 
Why did you join Rotary?
Having attended several events as a volunteer with Rabika Lisa's marketing tactics finally got the best of me!
 
What have you enjoyed most at rotary so far?
I have helped at the Burnham Donkey derby for the last couple of years, that has been great fun.
 
Can you tell us something we might not know about you?
As a child I was a keen Cub/Scout. This took me from a young boy on camping trips to a teenager climbing Mont Blanc the highest mountain in Europe at the age of 16. 
 
Which rotary events are you looking forward to?
Due to holiday commitments this year I was unable to attend Timbertown however seeing photos and talking to people about the event I will make sure I'm available for the next one.
 
Describe Rotary in three words?
Rewarding, fun, friendly.

 Timbertown is an annual children's even, run over the August Bank Holiday in Maidenhead for approximately 350 local children, aged 6 to 11. The children form into a number of groups and set about building their huts using timber and
material provided by local companies. They get to use real hammers and nails, pliers, saws, crowbars, glues, and paints – and there's a number of games and water activities across the long-weekend.

We had spectacular weather for the whole weekend which fitted in perfectly with this year's "Timbertown at the Beach" theme. The final day sees all of the huts being pushed in to the middle of the park for the grand finale Bonfire! 

Two weeks later a few of us were back in the park to clear up all of the ash, nails, and general debris before throwing down the new grass seed-mix. In total our Club members contributed 105 hours this year covering a variety of activities from set-up, assisting to build the huts, games and activities, dismantling and the clean-up day.

Don

Here is a look at the plans for International and Foundation for this Rotary year and progress so far.

Goal One: Nepal project: We have been working with Faringdon Rotary in Oxfordshire and Kopundol Rotary in Kathmandu, Nepal. We are awaiting a proposal from Kopundol RC for the Saurpani Community School reconstruction project in Gorkka District, close to the epicentre of the 2015 Earthquake.  Faringdon Rotary has already sent £4,500 to Kopundol Rotary and we have sent £1000 (Total = £5,500).  The investment of these funds in Nepal is subject to the new KRC proposal and approval by the donating Rotary clubs.  
 
I will be visiting Nepal in October with 2 members of Faringdon Rotary Club.  The purpose of the visit it to review 4 projects – 3 of which are joint Faringdon/Kopoundol projects and the latter is to review the Saurpani Community school project.  There will be time for some cultural activities too.  I will report back on progress and opportunities on my return.
 
Goal Two: Ad hoc activities: To co-ordinate the club’s international and sustainability activities as they arise throughout the year.

Progress to date: Partners for Change - We donated £50 as a thank you for the talk last year.  This has, along with others, helped sponsor a mother called Kemero in Gende Tesfa.  The money will be used as a loan to help her start a small business selling fruit and veg in the market.  The club should get 2 updates a year about Kemero. 
 
Coffee visit – following the success of our Food and Travel quiz in June – where we raised half of the money for Fairtrade’s Women in Coffee project – we have visited a coffee factory – the owner is keen on sustainability issues and has visited many Fairtrade projects.  Check out the next newsletter for a full report!
 
Goal Three: Collaboration with other Rotary clubs: To collaborate with other Rotary clubs on international projects/activities. 

Progress to date: We will continue to: investigate Twinning; explore opportunities for greater involvement with the other Rotary clubs in Maidenhead; update the club on visits to Rotary clubs abroad; work with Faringdon and Kopundol Rotary clubs.
 
Goal Four: Foundation/Purple4Polio: To continue to raise awareness and consider ways to increase our contributions.

Progress to date: It is World Polio day on Tuesday, 24th October and we will be promoting this on our social media.
Polio is hitting the Hollywood big screen. The inspiring true love story of Robin and Diana Cavendish, a young couple who are busy falling in love and living the dream until Robin is diagnosed with polio at 28, is hitting the big screen as Breathe , which is on general release in the UK from 27 October.  I will arrange a cinema trip/fundraising opportunities if people are interested, once I return from Nepal.
 
Claire Booth, International and Foundation Chair 2017-18

Dear all, welcome to the second newsletter of the Rotary year!

As always this edition is packed full of updates and articles on all the amazing things we've been up to as a club.  Even though we're only 4 months into the year it's amazing just what we've achieved and the fun we've had from bowling nights, to Timbertown hut creations, to marshalling the half marathon and Boundary Walk.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed articles, we hope you all enjoy reading it!

​The Maidenhead Half marathon is one race I’ve only ever marshalled – firstly because it falls the week before the Thames Path challenge and secondly because it’s a local race and I’ve always believed as a runner it’s important to give back and marshal once in a while.

​This year was a bit different though - back in April a friend of mine said she wanted to run a half marathon to raise funds for the hospice that had looked after her dad who sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer and would I get her ready to do it.  Of course I agreed and paid her entrance fee that day and set out a 12 week training plan for her.  Over the next 3 months we ran and built up the mileage, we chatted and there were tears – I always say that running is cheaper than therapy!
 
Race day finally arrived and it was a perfect day for running – fairly cool and overcast but no rain!  The countdown began and we were off - I’d estimated I could get her round in about 2 hours 10 minutes so it meant everyone knew roughly where and when to expect us.  It’s a 2 loop course but lovely running out through Maidenhead and then through to Cookham with plenty of support pockets along the way.  A big group of family and friends were stationed at what was mile 3&8 with banners and cheering which helped and I made that her goal to focus on.  The next goal was to get to mile 10 which meant it was just a parkrun left to go.
 
I could see at mile 11 she was starting to tire and I remember saying ‘Just get to Kidwells Park that’s where the loudest marshals will be’ and they were – Maidenhead Bridge rotary once again amazing, seeing familiar faces and having people cheer you on makes such a huge difference.  Through the underpass and then up the high street (which feels much longer having run 12 miles and when you have to run past Costa without stopping for a flat white) and all the wonderful people out shopping who are shouting and cheering for you to push on that last bit.
 
Then suddenly there was the finish line and we ran that last 50 metres hand in hand remembering her dad and why we were doing this.  He would’ve been so proud of her and she raised over £1800 in his memory. 
 
Half marathons are hard, 13.1 miles is a tough distance and when it hurts never under estimate how much a cheer, a few words of encouragement or a clap can help push someone to dig a bit deeper.  So if you haven’t marshalled it yet volunteer next year – you could be the difference between someone wanting to quit and finishing, runners might not always show it (although more do) but they are so grateful for this important job and without these amazing volunteers wonderful local events like this wouldn’t happen. 
 
I didn’t do a bad job on the pacing in the end – I got her home 2 hours 10 minutes and 11 seconds!
Elisa Harris